Chapter 181
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 181
“Oh, Cedric! It has been far too long. It’s wonderful to see your face. How is the Imperial Princess? She doesn’t seem to be here today.”
“Good evening, Countess Direll. My mother’s chronic migraines flared up again, so she was unfortunately unable to attend.”
“Oh, the poor dear!”
“By the way, allow me to introduce my partner, Miss Harriet Listerwell. Harriet, this is Countess Avery Direll, my great-aunt.”
Just as Harriet was about to curtsy and offer her greetings, Countess Direll spoke over her.
“Speaking of which, I heard some delightful news recently. The youngest Princess of Astellone—the one who helped develop Simon—is coming to the Empire to study soon, isn’t she?”
“…So I’ve heard, but I don’t believe now is the time to discuss that.”
“What do you mean, ‘not the time’? Why else would the Astellone Royal Family send that princess to study abroad? It’s because of you, obviously!”
She gave Cedric’s arm a playful swat and chuckled. To any passerby, it might have looked like a pleasant conversation, but that wasn't the case at all. She was pointedly ignoring Harriet.
Of course, Cedric wasn’t the type to let such a slight slide.
“Countess Direll. Did you perhaps miss my introduction? I believe I mentioned that this is Miss Harriet Listerwell, my partner.”
“Ah…”
Only then did the old woman’s expression sour as she scrutinized Harriet from head to toe. A feeling akin to pure disgust radiated from her.
However, Harriet simply smiled brightly and curtsied again.
“It is an honor to meet you, Countess Direll. Your attire is always so dignified and elegant; I have long admired your sense of fashion from afar.”
“There is no need for flattery. The wealthy Lady Fellon always sees to it that you are dressed well enough, doesn’t she?”
Seeing that she wouldn't even acknowledge a compliment, it was clear she truly disliked Harriet.
Collateral relatives usually knew better than to test Cedric’s mood, but there were always those who, like her, used their age and familial seniority as an excuse to lecture him.
Cedric wrapped an arm around Harriet’s shoulder, a cold smile playing on his lips.
“Countess. I would love to chat longer, but there are many people I haven’t seen in a while. If you’ll excuse us…”
As he moved to leave, Countess Direll openly displayed her displeasure.
“It seems I’ve ruffled your feathers. Since the topic has come up, let me ask: why this young lady, of all people? I would at least understand if you had chosen Bella Listerwell.”
Harriet was a little surprised by her bluntness, but she wasn’t flustered. After all, a crucial part of their plan involved having a ‘partner of completely mismatched status,’ which would allow them to strike a blow against Bella.
They had already discussed how to handle these situations. Cedric was supposed to laugh it off and give an ambiguous answer, as if it were a joke—as if they were in a casual relationship that could end at any moment. That way, the other party wouldn't be able to argue further and would eventually retreat.
But then, an unexpected tone entered Cedric’s voice.
“I’d like to ask you something. Since when have you taken it upon yourself to interfere in your grand-nephew’s romantic affairs?”
“Cedric! Interference? You are the Duke of Kailas. Are you unaware of the weight your decisions and judgments carry?”
“I am well aware. That is precisely why I am speaking. Why are you trying to insert your personal opinions into my decisions?”
He seemed genuinely angry.
“Ce-Cedric…?” Harriet whispered softly, tugging at the edge of his jacket, but he didn't waver.
“Did the Astellone Royal Family contact you privately, Great-aunt?”
“Do you think I’m recommending a suitable bride just to gain some private advantage?”
“Because you aren't the only one who does so.”
“How rude! Do you think I am someone without honor? You are the one who presented such an absurd person as your partner, Cedric! How could you be so utterly captivated by a hussy like that…!”
She didn't seem particularly intimidated by the power of the House of Kailas.
Harriet felt uncomfortable caught in the crossfire and could only offer an awkward smile, but Cedric pulled her closer, embracing her tightly.
“Whether I fall for a hussy or a saint, that decision is entirely mine. It is my choice, and no one shall infringe upon it.”
It was a final warning not to presume to lecture him.
“Hah…! What a truly magnificent love. One might even call it the romance of the century. I shall watch closely to see how it ends.”
Thoroughly offended, Countess Direll shot Harriet one last glare before turning sharply and walking away.
Harriet let out an awkward sigh at the unresolved tension, but Cedric pulled her even closer, as if shielding her.
“I’m sorry if she hurt you,” he whispered. “Most people know to mind their own business, but there are always some elders who feel the need to meddle.”
“Hurt? What are you talking about? I’m fine. It’s not like this was unexpected.”
At her reply, Cedric—looking rather hurt himself—stroked her cheek. When Harriet looked flustered by the gesture, he smiled wryly.
“From a distance, it will look as if I’m comforting you because you're saddened by her harsh words. Even if the reality is quite the opposite.”
“Ah, I suppose so. Well, carry on then. Should I try to squeeze out a few tears?”
“Pfft. No, that won't be necessary.”
Cedric let out a small laugh and rested his forehead against the crown of her head. Harriet, blushing, giggled softly in response.
The image of him comforting her sorrow was gone, but to anyone watching, they certainly appeared to be lovers deeply in love.
*
About three days later, Harriet received a sudden summons from Jeremia.
「…I know this is short notice, but could you visit the mansion tomorrow?」
Invitations were never sent only a day in advance. Something was clearly, seriously amiss.
“Haa… It’s finally happened.”
Harriet’s lips felt parched. The last line of the invitation, in particular, fanned the flames of her anxiety.
「…Please come without telling Cedric.」
Unable to seek Cedric’s advice and having lost sleep all night, she looked at her haggard reflection in the mirror and sighed.
Before starting this contractual relationship, Jeremia was the person Harriet had been most concerned about.
“The Grand Duchess knows about this, right? Please tell me this isn't a plan the Duke is pushing through on his own.”
“She doesn't know. To be precise, she only knows that I’ve fallen in love.”
“Is that… really okay?”
“It’s better if my mother doesn't know the full details until the plan succeeds. But she’ll be grateful to the heavens just knowing I’m in a relationship, so you don't have to worry about her harming you.”
He had promised her so confidently that she had been reassured. But upon receiving Jeremia’s letter—telling her to come to the Ducal House alone and to keep it a secret from Cedric—her stomach clenched. Especially after someone had openly attacked her at the last banquet.
‘R-Right. If she tells me to break up, I’ll just say okay and leave. She can’t demand anything more than that from me, can she? The Duke of Kailas will handle the aftermath.’
Trying to calm herself, Harriet covered the dark circles under her eyes with powder and headed for the Kailas Mansion. Cedric, she had heard, was away on business at the Imperial Palace.
Arriving at the main gate by hired carriage, Harriet was politely escorted to Jeremia’s tea room.
Perhaps thanks to the sunny weather, the tea room felt unseasonably warm for winter. It was filled with the rich aroma of black tea, prepared precisely on time.
“It has been a long time, Madam.”
As Harriet offered her greeting, Jeremia, who had been watching her with a benevolent gaze, spoke.
“Indeed. When did we last meet?”
“Ah, I believe… this is the first time since the party at the Ducal House.”
“Is that so? It has been a long time indeed. I should have invited you over for tea sooner.”
“Oh, no! Your words alone are truly appreciated.”
Harriet sat opposite Jeremia, her nerves taut.
The woman who was once an Imperial Princess personally lifted the teapot and poured tea into Harriet’s cup.
“There is no need to be so frightened. I only called you here to discuss wedding dresses and jewelry.”
“Pardon?”
Harriet thought she had misheard.
“Wedding… dresses…?”
“Oh, are you perhaps uncomfortable with me taking an interest? But Lady Fellon is unwell, and Miss Roxana seems busy, so I thought it best for me to help, since I am relatively free.”
“No, wait—who is getting married?”
“Who else? Cedric and Miss Harriet are getting married, aren't they? Ah! I’ve gotten the order a bit mixed up!”
Jeremia clapped her hands as if she’d made a silly mistake and gave an embarrassed laugh.
“My apologies. I should have sent the formal proposal to the Fellon family first. Cedric said he was getting married, and I got ahead of myself.”
“Pardon…?”
“But really, what do formalities matter? You two have already made up your minds, haven't you? So let’s take care of the urgent matters first. Cedric said he wants the ceremony held by next summer at the latest, and to do that, we need to hurry.”
Harriet couldn't follow a single word Jeremia was saying. Marriage? This was something she had never heard from Cedric.
‘But if I pretend this is the first I’m hearing of it, the Grand Duchess will think it's strange.’
Resenting Cedric for bringing up marriage without consulting her, she decided to try and play along for now without letting her confusion show.