Chapter 151
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 151
About a week had passed since the hunting competition when Bella arrived at the Ducal House, bearing an expensive bottle of wine prepared by John.
She hadn't made the trip in secret. Instead, she had dropped enough subtle hints for her friends to take notice. Within days, someone would surely corner her to ask, "Why were you at the Kailas Mansion?"
Truthfully, she wanted to shout it from the rooftops—that Cedric had gifted her a fox. But until she was certain he was entirely hers, she couldn't afford to discard her relationship with James. Caution was necessary.
Of course, that didn't mean she lacked confidence.
Just a little more patience. I will have that man.
The future of her life as the mistress of the Ducal House unfolded before her eyes. It felt as though she had only just realized that the life she had long dreamed of was that of the 'Duchess of Kailas.'
So, when a reply came readily granting her request for an audience to express her gratitude, her heart pounded with excitement.
How surprised will everyone be when they find out?
The mere thought brought a smile to her lips. Then, Harriet, whom she’d encountered at the hunting competition, came to mind.
"You, who can't show your true self to anyone, are nothing."
To utter such arrogant nonsense.
She desperately wanted Harriet to see this very scene: Bella, speaking intimately with Cedric. She wanted to make it crystal clear that the man Harriet had dared to eye—not knowing her place—preferred her, Bella. He liked her true self.
That day will come soon enough. For now, I need to focus on captivating Cedric.
Having entered the drawing room, Bella composed herself and waited for Cedric to enter through the opposite door.
He didn't seem like a man easily swayed by a woman's appearance, but as far as Bella knew, no one was entirely immune to beauty. That was why she had done her utmost to adorn herself today.
She was just regretting not having applied her rouge one more time while in the waiting room when Cedric entered.
Bella rose from her seat instinctively.
As Cedric walked toward the sofa, his every step seemed calculated for perfection. There was a subtle, overwhelming pressure to his presence.
"Thank you for granting me an audience."
"You're welcome. It was no trouble at all. Please, sit."
As Cedric took his seat first, the waiting butler placed tea on the table. Bella sat after him, watching the tea being poured before finally casting her gaze at Cedric.
He was looking at her with a peculiar smile. His demeanor was so incredibly seductive that Bella's heart hammered against her ribs, making her forget that she was supposed to be the one doing the seducing.
The feeling didn't seem to be a mere figment of her imagination.
"I was just wondering how you were faring, Miss Bella, so thank you for visiting. You mentioned the purpose of your audience was 'gratitude,' but what exactly does that entail?"
He had been wondering about her well-being.
Bella barely suppressed the smile threatening to break across her face and spoke in a gentle, lilting voice.
"The fox you sent to my father—we received it well. Father was absolutely delighted and entrusted it to a furrier the very next day."
"I'm glad he was pleased."
"It would be rude to overlook such kindness without a proper greeting. It's a small token, but I've brought a gift."
She offered the boxed wine. Cedric took it, but his expression turned slightly strange.
"Did it undergo inspection?"
"Of course."
She bit back the urge to say that if not for the inspection, she would have spiked the wine with <Angelic>. What a pity.
For some reason, a playful smile flickered across Cedric's lips.
"Miss Bella knew about the inspection procedure. That's fortunate."
She couldn't tell what he meant, but his expression held a spark of mischief she hadn't seen before. Bella was certain now: Cedric felt an attraction to her.
As he set the wine box aside, she asked him with a touch of boldness.
"But why did you send the fox?"
Cedric, unfazed, calmly picked up his tea. "Is there any reason why I shouldn't have?"
He revealed nothing she was curious about, yet he didn't change the subject either, leaving her unable to press further. Having silenced her, he set down the tea and looked directly into Bella's green eyes.
"Every time I see you, I find it... intriguing."
"What is?"
"You, Miss Bella Listerwell."
She had just thought he was cleverly evading her, and suddenly, it sounded like a confession. Bella was astounded by Cedric's skill in manipulating the atmosphere.
But she was no pushover.
"What about me do you find so intriguing?"
"The way the persona you show to those 'inside the line' differs so completely from the one you show those 'outside' it—and how you make both believe they’re seeing the truth."
Bella shrugged her shoulders.
"This is my true self. As I told you before, others don't find this side of me attractive."
"And?"
"So I don't show it. Not to those who can't understand me."
At her words, Cedric let out a short, almost scoffing laugh.
"Is that so?"
He slowly drank his tea again, his gaze still fixed on Bella. The liquid passed silently between his lips, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. Bella had never before seen a man's Adam's apple assert such a presence.
As she remained speechless, Cedric set down his teacup and continued.
"I don't like people who are two-faced. They can't be trusted. And I'm a little worried that you might be such a person."
"This is the real me. Showing you this side of me is precisely what proves my sincerity to Your Grace."
"Who knows? Perhaps the real you is exactly as others know, and you're merely fabricating behavior to suit my tastes, at the instigation of your father or someone else."
Bella bit her lip, suppressing a smirk.
So what he's saying is that this side of me suits his taste, isn't it?
She pretended not to understand his meaning and acted playfully.
"To thrive as a flower of high society, this level of distinction between one's inner and outer self is, in fact, a matter of etiquette."
"That could be. Indeed, though not as much as you, I also tend to be quite reserved in front of those with whom I have business relations."
Just as Bella was about to let out a light laugh, Cedric added another remark.
"At any rate, I suppose I should pity those outside your 'line.' Because this current appearance is much more... befitting the 'Golden Rose of Genoa.'"
At those words, Bella's heart pounded. She didn't know if it was a premature judgment, but it felt as if she had finally met her match.
She probed him as if for a final test.
"Are you serious? In fact, I might be a little naughtier than Your Grace thinks."
"And perhaps a little more lewd."
Bella's eyes widened. But Cedric didn't stop.
"Perhaps a little more cunning. A little more vulgar."
"That's..."
"And I might be, too."
Bella's lips once again curved into a seductive arc. He was boldly challenging her to try and seduce him. There was no reason for her to refuse.
"Since you've said so much, I suppose I'll have to try harder."
"I look forward to it."
Cedric smiled and nodded. Then, as if something had suddenly occurred to him, he made an unexpected suggestion.
"Oh. By the way, do you like the opera?"
"What? Opera? ...I do."
"An acquaintance of mine opened an opera house and gave me a few invitations for the premiere. Would you like to go together?"
This was an unexpected boon. Bella didn't miss the opportunity.
"With Your Grace? I would be glad to."
"Of course, a few other people will be going besides us. Is that alright?"
"Is there any reason why it wouldn't be?"
"Miss Harriet Listerwell is also included."
At those words, Bella paused. "Harriet? Why?"
"My acquaintance invited her as well. If it's truly awkward for you, then next time..."
"Oh, no, it's fine. We can just say hello for old times' sake, I suppose."
She smiled sweetly, but she was seething inside.
When did that girl get to know a theater owner?
Harriet, who was expanding her social connections without Bella's knowledge, was becoming a nuisance. But even that concern faded in the face of a single thought: If only I get Cedric.
Bella asked, wearing the prettiest smile she could manage. "What are the date and time?"
Cedric's eyes curved into a smile. Bella didn't realize how dangerous that captivating look truly was.
*
Even after Bella left the drawing room, Cedric remained seated for a moment, lost in thought. His gaze was fixed on the expensive gift on the table.
The person who had brought it was Bella, but the person he thought of when looking at the wine bottle was another Listerwell woman. The one who had once sat in that very spot and handed him an expensive bottle of alcohol.
"...I just bought it because they said it was the most expensive champagne in the store."
Harriet would have truly done that. It was highly probable she chose it with the simple thought that since it was a gift for a Duke, she should bring the most expensive one available.
On the other hand, Bella would have analyzed his tastes and chosen the wine most to his liking—and among those, one whose price couldn't be ignored.
In terms of sincerity, meaning, taste, or discernment, the better-chosen gift was the wine Bella brought. That couldn't be denied.
But Cedric found the champagne Harriet had gifted far more memorable. And he thought he knew why.
Because it was a pure gift.
From the moment she chose it to the moment she brought it, no other intention besides wanting to express gratitude had intervened.
He knew this because he had blocked countless requests and bribes and received all sorts of courtesy gifts. That day, Harriet had literally just brought a 'gift of gratitude.'
As he recalled the day he had finished an entire bottle of champagne with Harriet, Butler Herbert cleared the teacups from the table and spoke.