Chapter 185
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 185
“We need to leave quickly. Even for you, it would be difficult to sweep a wedding involving something like this under the rug.”
Harriet pointed toward a famous diamond necklace known as the ‘Tears of Elevena.’
A foreign marquess had once attempted to purchase it, but unable to settle the full amount, the piece had drifted from place to place before finally surfacing in the Empire.
“It seems you’ve taken a liking to it.”
“No, not at all! I was just using it as an example.”
“In any case, if the wedding doesn’t actually take place, the jewels you choose will never be revealed to the public. More importantly, is there anything here you do like?”
“It would be faster to ask if there’s anything I don’t like. They’re all so beautiful.”
At her words, Cedric chuckled. He playfully nudged her shoulder with his own and leaned in to whisper.
“Choose to your heart’s content. The more expensive, the better. My enemies will only lower their guard if they believe I am utterly smitten with you.”
“Haa… I’ll hold you to that, Duke.”
“Cedric.”
“Pardon?”
“You should call me Cedric.”
“I’ve never seen anyone so dedicated to a deception—well, not since Bella. Fine then, ‘Cedric.’”
Even though her tone was half-sarcastic, he burst out laughing.
Feeling a little more at ease, Harriet hesitantly pointed to a tiara that had caught her eye earlier.
“When I was little, I used to imagine getting married like a princess, wearing something like this. Is it a bit childish?”
“No. It would suit you perfectly.”
The headpiece, adorned with several pearls and diamonds, was delicate and elegant, yet it was the smallest among those on display. Cedric gently placed the tiara Harriet had chosen onto her head.
Then, as if afraid the piece might fall and shatter, he stood back to admire Harriet, who had gone stiff under his touch. Her expression was awkward, but with the tiara resting in her hair, she looked every bit the princess she had once imagined.
“This is enough for me. I’ll just say I’m wearing the earrings you entrusted to me with this. Since we aren’t actually going through with the ceremony, there won’t be any problem.”
Harriet still believed the diamond earrings he had given her were merely ‘entrusted’ to her care. Fearing she would make a scene if he told her they were a gift, Cedric chose not to correct her.
‘It seems she’ll have trouble choosing on her own.’
Cedric nodded lightly and summoned the jeweler.
Damier entered the inner chamber, a kind smile on his face. “How was it? Did anything catch your eye…? Ah! You’ve chosen that tiara! I knew it would suit you. You have excellent taste, My Lady.”
“Ha, haha… Is that so?”
As Harriet laughed awkwardly, still feeling the weight of the tiara on her head, Damier nodded enthusiastically.
“It is difficult enough just to procure pearls of such uniform shape and color. These are top-grade Luma Pearls, and the diamonds encrusting the rest of the piece are considered premium. Because of that, it carries the highest price tag among the collection, but it is equally beautiful…!”
“The most expensive?” Harriet’s eyes widened.
While she liked this one the most, the fact that its small size made her think it would be the cheapest had heavily influenced her choice.
Cedric, who clearly read her thoughts, let out a soft laugh and pointed to another item on the table.
“I’d like to purchase these earrings as well.”
“Oh! An excellent choice! Personally, I might have suggested something bolder, but this combination is romantic and lovely. Truly wonderful.”
“Cedric! If we get those too, it’s a bit much…”
“The earrings I gave you before don’t suit this tiara,” Cedric countered. “Those are too flashy and are better worn on their own. These are far more suitable. We’ll omit the necklace instead.”
He had chosen a pair of diamond earrings, modest in size and shaped like teardrops to match the pearls on the tiara.
“The bride’s opinion is the most important, of course. What shall we do, My Lady?” Damier asked gently.
The answer was already decided. How could she refuse something Cedric had chosen? Believing that skipping the necklace was a concession for her sake, Harriet nodded.
“Let’s go with these.”
“Understood. The tiara is a one-of-a-kind piece, so if you pay the full amount, you may take it immediately. However, the earrings will take about two months to craft. Is that acceptable?”
Cedric answered for her.
“We’ll arrange to receive both the tiara and the earrings on the same day. I’ll leave a deposit for now. However, ensure the diamonds used for the earrings are of the same grade as those on the tiara. These samples seem to have a slight yellowish tint.”
“Few people can discern such a difference—as expected of the Duke. We will proceed exactly as you’ve instructed.”
Damier bowed respectfully, his face filled with admiration, and left to prepare the receipt.
Harriet carefully removed the tiara and placed it back in its velvet box, letting out a long breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“I’m telling you again, I haven’t seen anyone so earnest about deceiving others since Bella…”
“Actually, I probably started a little before Miss Bella did.”
“…That’s not something to brag about, you know?”
Finding her grumbling adorable, Cedric laughed again. He helped her up from her seat, and they exited the inner chamber together.
“Please get into the carriage first. I’ll follow as soon as I sign the papers.”
“Why? Let’s go together.”
“I’d rather not show you the bill.”
“Oh, is that… a matter of etiquette? Alright. I’ll wait outside.”
Cedric saw Harriet into the carriage, then re-entered the shop. Smiling, he placed another order with Damier.
“Instead of a deposit, I’ll pay the full amount in a lump sum.”
“Pardon?”
“Time is short, so please hurry.”
“Ah, yes! Understood.”
For Damier, it was a windfall, though he didn’t understand the rush. The additional condition Cedric added was even more puzzling.
“Reporters and other customers will likely come asking questions. You may casually let slip anything other than the specific design information of the products we purchased today.”
“Ah… yes, I understand.”
The instruction to ‘casually let slip’ was a clear order to spread the news. Considering Cedric’s usual reserved demeanor, it was unexpected, but Damier had seen stranger requests from the nobility. He didn’t ask for a reason.
However, one thing was certain:
‘The rumors were true. Duke Kailas is utterly smitten.’
Not only the items from the last visit, but the tiara and earrings bought today were priced beyond what an ordinary person could dream of. Cedric had ordered Damier to bring out anything that would suit Harriet regardless of the cost, and he had ended up buying the most expensive set in the room.
Having received such a massive commission, Damier knew he had to do more than just take the money if he wanted to maintain a relationship with the Ducal House. Instead of a discount, he offered a gift.
“I will send a set of earrings and a necklace that the Lady can wear casually as a wedding gift. It is a small token, but please accept it.”
For the first time, Cedric smiled with genuine contentment.
“Harriet will be pleased. Thank you.”
At that moment, Damier realized that whoever won Harriet’s favor in the future would secure the Duke’s business for life.
*
After leaving the jewelry shop, the two decided to sit at an outdoor cafe. Having eyes on them would only help their plan. It was a bit chilly, but the sunlight was pleasant, and many shops had their awnings extended.
Harriet ordered a warm tea to soothe her nerves.
“Is there any topic that can distract me from the thought of those prices?” she asked with a sigh.
Cedric immediately offered a solution.
“You mentioned last time that Miss Bella confessed to murdering your parents. Do you intend to just leave her and Viscount Listerwell be?”
“Of course not.”
Harriet, her worries about the tiara instantly banished, replied with eyes burning with fury.
“Actually, I’ve been preparing for a while. The only reason there’s no evidence is because no one ever looked for it. I intend to secure both evidence and testimonies starting now.”
“What exactly are you planning?”
“There is a man named Morris Declan who is trying to start a shipwreck salvage business. I plan to work with him to raise the ship my parents were on from Tasia Lake.”
Cedric realized then that Harriet hadn’t forgotten her revenge for a single moment. Even while discussing the daunting task of salvaging a hull from the depths, she remained unwavering.
“It’s been so long that there probably won’t be any physical evidence left.”
“I know. But it doesn’t matter. Finding my parents’ final traces is something I must do, and simply raising that ship will put immense pressure on my uncle.”
Cedric nodded gravely. “Could you tell me exactly what Miss Bella said back then?”
Harriet took a deep breath, the memory fueling her anger anew. She recounted Bella’s story of the faulty glue—how a mere twelve-year-old girl had tried to wipe out her uncle’s family with a simple, lethal defect.
Cedric listened in silence. When she finished, he covered her trembling hand, which was gripping her teacup white-knuckled, with his own.
“If you need anything, tell me. I will help you in every way possible.”
“Thank you. Actually, to carry out the salvage, I need permission to explore the lake from the House of Preston, who owns Albrecht Park. Could you possibly introduce me to Viscount Preston?”
“That won’t be difficult. I’ll arrange a meeting soon.”
At his unhesitating reply, Harriet was reminded once again of the immense power her ‘lover’ wielded. Though she felt a pang of guilt for using the Duke’s influence for personal reasons, she knew she had to accept any help she could get.
When spring arrived and the lake’s waters warmed, the truth of that day would finally surface. She would make sure of it.