Chapter 35
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 35
Bella’s friends draped their arms around her shoulders, offering words of comfort.
"Don't worry too much, Bella. If Harriet tries to harm you, we’ll protect you."
"Exactly! And now that Young Master Cheslow is here, he’ll surely look after you. Oh, by the way, when are you planning to hold the engagement ceremony?"
The conversation, which had been steeped in venomous gossip about Harriet, took a brighter turn as the topic shifted to Bella’s engagement. A romance with such a dashing man was exciting, even if it belonged to someone else.
Bella blushed slightly, a smile quite different from her previous one gracing her lips.
"James wants to hold it as soon as possible, but coordinating the date has been difficult. It seems the Cheslow family is still being cautious regarding the Laurel family."
"But they’ve already broken off the engagement. What is there to be wary of?"
"It’s less about the Laurel family itself and more about the other houses friendly to them. But James is working hard, so I think it might happen before the end of the year."
The image of James enduring social scrutiny just to be with Bella was enough to elicit gasps of envy from the group. To her friends, who wished for her romance to be flawless, Daphne Laurel became a convenient villain deserving of blame.
"They say Daphne Laurel still hasn't set foot outside her house," one friend noted. "It’s been nearly half a year since the engagement was called off. I have no idea what she’s doing in there."
"Right? She must think she’s some sort of tragic heroine."
"She’s just playing the victim to garner sympathy. Bella, don’t you worry about it. I’m only concerned that you’ll tire yourself out feeling sorry for Miss Daphne."
Bella offered a weak, graceful smile at their concern—a concern rooted in a grand misconception. Her friends looked at her with pity, but in truth, Bella felt better than ever.
Daphne isn't going out? I’ve gained an unexpected advantage.
If Bella was the Golden Rose of Genoa, Daphne was its White Rose. Their beauty was comparable to that extent, but thanks to Daphne secluding herself for six months, every man’s gaze was now fixed solely on Bella. The fact that the number of love letters she received had actually increased, despite the widespread rumors of her engagement to James, was proof enough.
Therefore, someone like Harriet couldn't possibly disturb Bella’s composure.
But when I do meet her, I’ll have to put her in her place. She seems to have grown arrogant simply because Countess Fellon took her in...
How Harriet had managed to secure Trisha as her guardian was a bit puzzling, but Bella didn't take it too seriously. If she ever coveted that guardianship for herself, she would simply take that away, too.
*
With the arrival of summer and the true beginning of the social season, the nobility began their rounds of courtesy calls to relatives.
Nobles from the provinces would often stay at their relatives' estates in Genoa, and even those living within the city would drop by for a day or two to pay their respects. Even the Fellon household, which rarely entertained guests, had visitors they were obligated to receive once summer hit. Though they didn't stay overnight at the mansion, it was always a bothersome visit.
"Welcome, Baron Marshall. Baroness Marshall."
"It’s been a while, Andre. Have you been well?"
Folding her parasol, Baroness Lauren Marshall entered the foyer and greeted Andre with a familiar nod. Her husband, Baron Marshall, and their children trailed silently behind her.
And for good reason. Though they were half-siblings, Lauren was the late Count Fellon’s only surviving sister. It was solely thanks to Lauren that they, provincial nobles, possessed a respectable townhouse in Genoa.
"Where is the Countess?"
"She is in the drawing room. I will show you the way."
"Please do. Jaden! To the front. As the next head of the Fellon family, it is only proper that you greet her first."
She gazed lovingly at her eldest son, Jaden, and pushed him forward.
Andre knew that if Lauren’s remark reached Trisha’s ears, a stern reprimand would follow. Trisha was acutely aware of her authority as the head of the house and her absolute right to designate an heir. To her, Jaden was nothing more than a potential candidate.
Of course, Lauren knew Trisha’s temperament well enough from years of experience to never mention the 'head of the family' in her presence.
Not that the Lady doesn't see right through her intentions, Andre thought.
Without letting his feelings show, Andre led the Marshall family to the drawing room. The faint, hacking cough that had been audible just moments before vanished the instant the guests stepped inside.
"Aunt! Have you been well? I’ve missed you."
Jaden, his green eyes shining just like his mother’s, greeted Trisha warmly. His wife, Anne, followed suit.
"It seems summer has truly arrived, seeing as you’re all here," Trisha remarked.
"We live for the summers, Aunt. We miss seeing you. How has your health been lately?"
"Excellent, dear. Surely you aren't praying for my health to fail, are you?"
"How did you know? Hahaha!"
"I know everything. After all, you’re the only ones who truly care for me, aren’t you?"
Trisha smiled and patted Jaden’s back, but she knew better than anyone that the Marshall family’s evening prayers were likely for her death.
Do you really think I don't know your true intentions? You believe you can seize this house the moment I die.
In truth, had the law not been reformed, and had her husband, Oster, not firmly established Trisha as the head of the family, the title of Count Fellon would indeed have passed to Jaden. That was why Lauren had caused such a scene when Oster died and his will was revealed.
"This will is invalid! My sister-in-law must have coaxed my brother while he wasn't in his right mind! I’ll sue!"
However, the court had ruled in Trisha’s favor. This was largely thanks to the physician Lauren herself had brought as a witness; he had testified that Oster remained rational until his very last breath, and that it was actually Trisha who had expressed concern about the will naming her as the head.
Even after that, Lauren had continued to roam the Fellon estate as if it were her own home. She would pick fights over the flowers in the garden and rush over to interfere whenever she heard news of interior changes.
"After all, once my sister-in-law passes, Jaden will inherit the title and property. Wouldn't it be better to decorate it to Jaden’s taste now?"
It was ten years ago that Trisha had finally driven her out.
"Why do you think Jaden is the sole heir? I can designate anyone I wish as my successor."
"Hohoho! We are the only collateral branch of the Fellon family. Was there another branch I wasn't aware of?"
"Why bother with collateral branches? I can simply adopt someone."
Lauren, who had been vehemently arguing that such a thing was nonsense, only realized it wasn't a joke when she met Trisha’s icy gaze. Since then, she had never openly defied Trisha. Instead, she had become uncomfortably obsequious.
Today was no different. Lauren and the rest of the Marshall family wore painted-on smiles, trying to curry favor. It was around the time they had finished their tea and were pulling out invitations to a party they were hosting that the door opened.
"I’m back, Great-aunt—oh! I didn't realize you had company. I’ll come back later."
Harriet, returning from her outing, had come to pay her respects and stumbled upon the gathering.
"No, come in. It’s better to greet them now that you’ve run into them."
Trisha gestured for Harriet to come closer, had her stand beside her, and introduced her to the Marshall family.
"This is Harriet, my grandniece. I recently became her guardian, and she is currently staying in this house."
Lauren’s eyes widened in shock, but Trisha paid her no mind.
"Greet them, Harriet. This is my sister-in-law, Baroness Lauren Marshall, and her husband, Baron Marshall. Over there are their eldest son, Jaden, and his wife, Anne. And here are their eldest daughter, Eloise, and second son, Dinon."
Her manner of introduction was far from polite. Harriet quickly gathered the nature of their relationship from Trisha's tone, but she still offered a courteous greeting.
"I am Harriet Listerwell. I am currently indebted to my Great-aunt. It’s a pleasure to meet you."
No greeting was returned. Lauren stared, mouth agape, looking back and forth between Harriet and Trisha before finally managing to choke out a single word.
"Guardian?"
Lauren, having only recently arrived in the capital from her country estate, had heard nothing of the rumors regarding Harriet and Trisha.
"Yes, guardian. This child’s parents passed away early, and her uncle, John, had been her guardian until now. A few months ago, I took over that responsibility. She is staying in this house as my guest."
At this, Lauren flared up for the first time in years.
"How could you decide such an important matter all by yourself, without consulting anyone?"
"Consult?" Trisha’s voice turned cold. "Why should I consult you about becoming my own grandniece’s guardian? Are you still under the delusion that my fortune already belongs to your son?"