Chapter 15
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 15
No, it couldn't be true. No matter how many times she replayed it in her head, it made no sense. She knew James.
For the past five years, he had never once strayed. He was always kind, always polite, and never hesitated to speak of their future together.
"I... I trust James. There must be some misunderstanding."
Melody sighed, her expression pained as she watched Daphne’s desperate attempt to avoid reality.
"Of course, I hope so too. But..." Melody bit her lip. She hadn't wanted to go into the sordid details, but at this rate, Daphne was going to be made a fool of in front of the entire social circle. Finally, Melody closed her eyes and blurted it out. "They were kissing, Daphne. What 'misunderstanding' could there possibly be? I saw it with my own eyes."
Daphne felt a distinct crack echo through the peaceful world she had always known.
* * *
Bella smiled, twisting the diamond ring on her finger back and forth. The five-carat, princess-cut stone sparkled with a brilliant light, as if the heavens themselves were blessing her future.
"Ah, it’s beautiful."
James had surprised her with this ring, worth 30,000 Dirham, as a token of his affection. He had even whispered a sweet promise that he’d replace it with an even grander one the moment they were officially engaged.
Why is it that something stolen always tastes sweeter than something simply given?
Slipping into a private room alone with James at Viscount Kingsley’s party had been an inspired decision. After that day—after the whispered words, the light touches, and finally, that fiery, passionate kiss—James had fallen completely under her spell.
She wasn't afraid of retaliation from Daphne or the House of Laurel.
The one who lets herself be robbed is the fool.
According to James, Daphne was beautiful but dreadfully dull. All they ever did was drink tea and talk, or take tedious strolls through gardens and parks. She was so demure and proper that he felt he had to walk on eggshells just to hold her hand.
Bella clicked her tongue in disdain, scoffing at the thought of her rival. "Daphne, Daphne. If that’s how you were going to play it, you should have married him quickly and put him on a leash. An engagement is no restraint at all."
Even marriage couldn't always quell a man’s wandering eye, let alone a mere promise to wed.
Of course, Bella knew that the period of fiery passion was always short. Seducing a man with one's body had its limits. Knowing this well, she intended to secure an engagement as quickly as possible.
Breaking the engagement with Daphne will be easy. But abandoning me—the woman he chose even after ruining his reputation with the House of Laurel—won't be so simple.
Not that she’d ever let him even think about leaving her.
But there was still one small obstacle.
Just then, the door clicked open and John entered.
"Father! Are you finished with work?"
"I'm late, aren't I? My apologies. That old fossil wouldn't stop rambling about nonsense."
He had just returned from a meeting with Count Arens. By rubbing his palms together and playing the perfect sycophant, John was receiving quite favorable treatment in the House of Arens's business dealings. However, the Count was becoming increasingly tiresome, repeating the same stories over and over.
It was because of that exhaustion that the news of Bella captivating the eldest son of the House of Cheslow had come as such a relief.
That’s my Bella. It’s a shame things didn't work out with the Duke of Kailas, but I never had high hopes for that anyway.
From the start, his greatest wish had been to marry her into a powerful Count’s family. The Cheslow family was closely intertwined with the Laurel family, so he hadn't even considered them a target, but his clever daughter had a knack for turning the impossible into reality.
"So, what was so urgent that you needed to see me, Bella?"
"I was thinking it’s about time we started preparing for the engagement."
"Engagement? Is James’s heart truly set?"
"He said he’d finalize the annulment with the House of Laurel by the end of the year."
Color returned to John’s face. If they became in-laws with the House of Cheslow, the benefits would be endless.
However, Bella calmed her excited father with a sharp look. "But before that, there’s something we need to take care of, isn't there?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"His friends told him they’re worried that the 'ugly duckling' of House Listerwell might try to cozy up to them as well."
John frowned as he remembered Harriet. "Oh, right. She was still around."
She had been out of sight and out of mind, but Bella was right. It was time to sever useless ties.
"Tell them not to worry. I’ll take care of it."
Bella gave him a charming, flirtatious smile. Finally, it was time to cast Harriet into the abyss.
* * *
"The moment December hit, the cold turned biting."
Harriet entered the soap workshop, her breath hitching from the freezing wind. Sophia, who was stoking the fire beneath the cauldron, looked Harriet up and down.
"They said it would be even colder this year. Didn't you bring a muffler or arm warmers?"
"I didn't have time to pack things like that."
"You won't survive the winter here like that. Why don't you contact your main house and ask them to send some supplies?"
"I suppose I’ll have to. It’s freezing."
Harriet shivered, holding her hands out toward the fire. Since the convent couldn't afford much firewood, working in the workshop where a fire was constantly lit felt like a stroke of luck.
They said my room was on the warmer side, but how do the others endure this?
She shivered violently, a groan escaping her lips. She hated the idea of asking her uncle for favors, but at this rate, she’d freeze to death before spring.
I should ask for thick socks and stockings, too. But it feels awkward to write a letter just to beg for things. Is there another excuse I can use?
As if sensing her thoughts, a letter bearing the Listerwell family crest arrived for Harriet that afternoon. For the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of gratitude toward her uncle.
He must have sent a year-end greeting. Perfect. I’ll just list what I need in my reply.
With a light heart, Harriet tore open the envelope. She braced herself to ignore the usual condescending questions about whether she was "behaving herself," knowing they would only grate on her nerves.
However, the letter contained something she could never have imagined.
「Harriet,
This may be sudden, but I must inform you that I am terminating your guardianship. Originally, I intended to look after you only until you reached adulthood, but due to various circumstances, the matter was postponed. However, you will be twenty-two in the new year, and I believe you are fully capable of living independently. You emptied your jewelry box before you left; that should be more than enough for you to secure funds for your independence...」
Harriet’s eyes widened. She read the lines again, her vision blurring.
"What? Guardianship... terminated?"
No matter how many times she scanned the parchment, the message was the same. They were cutting her off. And they weren't giving her a single penny to survive on.
"Ha...!"
Her mind went blank. This couldn't be happening. Hadn't they promised her a generous dowry and wedding gifts in exchange for her going to the convent?
But the letter included legal proof: John had already filed the paperwork to sever the tie.
Harriet sprang up, pacing the small room like a caged animal. "This is absurd. How could they do this?"
As the initial shock faded, a wave of cold, paralyzing fear washed over her. "What do I do? What on earth do they expect me to do?"
Trembling, Harriet lunged for a drawer and pulled out a pouch hidden deep inside. It contained the few accessories she had managed to bring with her. At the time, she’d wondered if she was being paranoid, but what would she have done if she hadn't brought even these?
The thought of her uncle rummaging through her jewelry box made her stomach churn. Would he really have sent her money if she’d left these behind? Of course not.
"How much could I even get for these?"
Gold necklaces, bracelets, and earrings sparkled in her palm. There were a few diamonds and emeralds, but the stones were small and the quality was mediocre. She wouldn't get much.
Thud.
Harriet slumped onto the bed, clutching the gold pieces as if they were her last lifeline. She stared blankly into space for a long time, unable to move.
No matter how she looked at it, there was no way out. Even if she was lucky enough to sell these for a decent price, she wouldn't even clear 10,000 Dirham.
And even if I get that money, then what?
She had nowhere to go. Aside from her uncle’s family, she had no relatives, no friends, and no one she could turn to. John knew that. He knew it perfectly well.
"They’re telling me to go die."