Chapter 174
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 174
As expected, Cedric’s reply arrived almost instantly.
“...It seems a bit rushed, but how about tomorrow?”
Meeting the very next day was unusual enough, but setting the appointment for 6 PM was a statement in itself. It was as good as admitting this wasn't a typical formal meeting.
Anyone else might have been nervous, but not Bella. Every man reacted the exact same way when she suggested a meeting with such suggestive undertones.
The following evening, Bella dressed with calculated intent, layering a demure, modest dress over provocative lingerie. Men always lost their minds for such a contrast.
You won't be any different, will you?
Unless a man possessed truly unusual tastes, there was hardly anyone who could refuse such a temptation.
Bella checked her reflection in the mirror one last time before applying a special lipstick. It was her final touch—the formula contained Angelic.
“They say a man consumes a considerable amount of lipstick during a passionate kiss. I even made sure it had a sweet flavor.”
When she had gone to procure medicine for Cedric previously, Albert had handed her this lipstick along with various other forms of <Angelic>. His face had clearly betrayed the sordid scenarios he was imagining. She hadn't used it once until now, but tonight, she was determined to succeed.
I’ve put Angelic powder on my fingertips as well. It’ll be perfect to rub against his lips before I kiss him. I’ll end up consuming some myself, but who cares?
Imagining Cedric devouring her with primal desire, a shiver of excitement raced down her spine.
She forced herself to remain calm and arrived at the Ducal Mansion exactly on time.
“Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you.”
The escort was swifter than usual, the reception room was bathed in soft, dim light, and Cedric’s greeting held a certain alluring weight. Bella was certain: today was the day her fate would be decided.
Seated opposite each other, they traded mundane pleasantries for a while—the weather, their health, the latest happenings at the Imperial Palace.
But as the twilight deepened, Bella shed her mask.
“...Let’s stop with the small talk. Honestly, neither of us is interested in these topics, are we?”
“That is a welcome change of pace,” Cedric replied.
“I wanted to see you, Duke. Purely for you, without any other agenda.”
As Cedric offered a seemingly pleased smile, Bella rose from her seat and approached him. Normally, she would have been stopped immediately with a sharp rebuke.
However, Cedric didn't appear flustered. Taking his silence as an invitation, Bella naturally sat down beside him.
“I’ve always been curious about this seat.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. You know exactly how I feel.”
“Didn’t you say your relationship with me was merely a pretense to break off your engagement?”
“And I also said I wanted to experience true love.”
Boldly, she reached out and placed a hand on Cedric’s cheek.
“I won’t put on an act in front of you.”
“...”
“The truth is, I’ve always wanted the man they call the Astor Empire’s most eligible bachelor. The hero who saved the nation... the ice flower on a cliff.”
Bella gently traced the line of Cedric’s lips with the tip of her thumb.
“I, too, can be everything the Duke desires. If you don’t believe me, you’re more than welcome to test me.”
“Test you...?”
“Invite me to your bedroom. If the night you spend with me doesn't please you, I won't bother you anymore.”
She whispered in a sultry voice, slowly drawing closer to his face. Her heart hammered against her ribs. The amount of <Angelic> Cedric would consume with this kiss would be more than enough to lure him into bed.
Once they reached that point, feeding him the additional pills she’d prepared would be child’s play. It didn't take much imagination to guess what would follow.
The moment she felt his hot breath against her lips, Bella was nearly overcome with euphoria, as if she had already ascended to the position of Duchess.
But just before their lips met, Cedric gripped her shoulders and pushed her away. It wasn't forceful, but it was definitive.
“Cedric...?”
As Bella called his name in confusion, Cedric spoke, his voice steady.
“I am not the only one who must bear the consequences of my actions; the House of Kailas must as well. That is why I have no choice but to push you away.”
“Are you saying that I, a mere daughter of a Viscount, am not suitable for you?”
“No. It means that a Duke of Kailas cannot be seen laying hands on a woman who is already taken.”
Bella’s eyes widened.
“What if... I didn't have a fiancé?”
“I cannot make any statement that would influence the engagement between you and another family. That is my responsibility, given my position. However, I trust you can infer what I haven't said.”
Of course she could.
Bella realized she had finally reached a crossroads. James Cheslow, or Cedric Kailas. It was a choice that required no deliberation at all.
“Rumors are already circulating that our relationship is more than just ordinary. This should be enough for my father to approve of a broken engagement.”
“So, your primary goal will be achieved?”
“I’m no longer satisfied with just that. My goal is you.”
At her words, Cedric let out a low, silent chuckle. Bella genuinely burned with want for him.
“Soon, I’ll bring you a result you’ll be satisfied with. And then, let’s finish what we couldn't today.”
“I look forward to it.”
With that single reply, Bella was completely captivated. The magnificent Cedric Kailas was looking forward to her breaking her engagement—looking forward to a kiss and a night with her.
Therefore, today’s failure was no failure at all.
Though she had technically achieved nothing, the moment Bella returned home, she flung open the door to her father's office and declared with absolute confidence:
“Father! I’m going to break off my engagement with James.”
“What?”
John was momentarily flustered by the suddenness, but he soon guessed the subtext.
“Did the Duke of Kailas demand it?”
“The Duke said it would be problematic if he were involved in a scandal with an engaged woman. He’s a man of such responsibility; he wouldn't ignore a woman whose marriage prospects were ruined because of him, would he?”
Even with his daughter implying a scandalous affair, John showed no sign of being upset. Instead, he nodded in agreement.
“You’re right. Damn it. We need to reel him in while his interest is peaked, but when is that James fellow coming back?!”
“The letter I received recently said he’d be returning soon. His friends have been quite effective in conveying the rumors about me and the Duke.”
“Then things will move quickly. Don't drag it out. Sort that mess out immediately and focus on the Duke.”
But Bella’s thoughts were different.
“No. We need to let it simmer a bit. Won't that make it more dramatic?”
“Is that important right now?”
“Of course. Men quickly tire of things they get too easily. We need to let the Duke see James clinging to me for a bit. Only then will he truly understand my worth.”
Bella smiled, her eyes crinkling beautifully. Even though she had decided to toy with the son of a powerful, influential family, she wasn't nervous or afraid. On the contrary, she was so excited she could hardly sit still.
*
James Cheslow returned to Genoa in late October.
The journey from Serachev must have been arduous, but as soon as he arrived, he went straight to the Listerwell estate and began pounding on the main gate.
“Bella! Bella!”
He shouted his fiancée’s name at the top of his lungs, but the cold iron gate remained shut.
“Damn it! Bella, open the door!”
It had been about half a month since he arrived in Serachev. Since then, letters from his friends in Genoa had begun to pour in. They had clearly been sent almost the moment he left the city.
...James. I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but Lady Bella attended the opera with the Duke of Kailas. It was even in the papers. The atmosphere between them is strange, no matter how you look at it.
...I swear, I’m telling you this because I genuinely care about you and Lady Bella. Come back at once and take her away!
...They say the Duke of Kailas admitted to seeing Lady Bella at the club! Everyone’s keeping quiet, but anyone who knows anything knows it’s true!
That alone was outrageous, but there was even more shocking news.
...Lady Bella was reportedly a client of 'that ship.' She even received a summons from the Imperial Palace!
...Did you also partake in <Angelic> with Lady Bella? If not, you need to clarify your position quickly. The situation is not good at all.
At first, his denial was absolute, but it gradually became stained with doubt. He regretted not pressing her further when she emerged from the Kailas family’s tent during the hunting competition. He cursed himself for backing down when she suggested postponing their wedding date.
The rumors about <Angelic> and the Kingdom Ship were no different. Bella wasn't the type of person to touch such drugs; her body was so sensitive that stimulants would surely cause her pain. He tried to convince himself they were false rumors or a misunderstanding, but as time passed, darker possibilities took root.
What if her legendary sensitivity was nothing more than a byproduct of <Angelic>? What if her occasional evasiveness about her whereabouts was because she had been on the Kingdom Ship?
No, the <Angelic> issue can wait. As long as Bella doesn't leave me, I don't care about drugs or anything else.
He was even willing to use his influence to smooth over the Imperial Palace summons. That was how much he loved Bella—he was terrified of their relationship faltering.
But he hadn't been able to return to Genoa immediately. Serachev, which had suffered from river flooding for years and possessed dilapidated roads, was deemed to have low development potential. Because of this, many people had been mobilized for the territory development project, and as the heir, he had many decisions to make alongside his father.
Unable to return at once, he had written letter after letter to Bella. He asked if the rumors about the Duke were true. He told her that if she loved him and intended to uphold their engagement, she shouldn't even be in the same room as the man.
But there was no reply. Not once in the past two and a half months.