Chapter 48
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48
So what if she’s grown pretty? She’s still Harriet. Who would ever pay attention to an ugly duckling? The scandal maker just had the nerve to crawl back, so she’s nothing but an eyesore.
But Bella failed to grasp her friends' true feelings. They were far more curious about how Harriet—who used to be worse off than any of them—had become so beautiful, rather than Bella, whose level they could never hope to reach.
Even if they followed Bella’s methods, it was difficult to match her natural grace. However, if there was a secret the 'ugly duckling' Harriet had used to transform herself, it would surely work for them as well.
Harriet, well aware of this social climbing psychology, seized the moment Bella and Caroline left their seats to approach the group.
"Oh? Has Bella gone somewhere?"
The girls seemed flustered by Harriet’s sudden appearance, but they quickly recovered, looking down their noses at her as they replied snidely.
"Bella is busy."
"That’s right. Unlike some people, she actually has places to be."
Harriet merely nodded, acting the part of the compliant lady.
"You all seem quite bored, but please, don't resent Bella too much. It’s not as if she only just started receiving so many invitations."
Bella’s friends couldn't find a retort. They knew the 'somebody' they’d mocked was Harriet, but the truth was that they were currently doing nothing but idly fanning themselves.
Harriet smiled brightly at them, as if she held no ill will, and made her move.
"I’m planning to host a tea party soon. Would any of you care to attend?"
The group scoffed in unison.
"Well, I wonder. Who would actually go to that?"
"How brave of you to even ask."
But Harriet remained unfazed.
"It seemed like you were all curious about something, so I was going to share the secret..."
At those words, the atmosphere shifted. Their eyes sharpened. It was obvious they wanted to ask what that 'something' was, but they couldn't bring themselves to speak, wary of the peers watching them.
Harriet smiled as if she couldn't help herself, casting her line into the water.
"I’ll send out the invitations first. Those who can’t make it can simply decline. Since this is my first tea party, I’ve prepared many gifts, so if you find yourselves bored, please do come."
As Harriet finished speaking, she gave a light, elegant bow and withdrew. She was a far cry from the 'scandal maker' or 'ugly duckling' they remembered. She carried herself with the poise of a mature noblewoman, and Bella’s friends found it difficult to tear their eyes away from her retreating figure.
Alright, the bait has been cast.
Returning to her seat, Harriet chuckled to herself. She hadn't missed the way their eyes had widened. If they truly had no intention of coming, they would have flatly refused the moment she mentioned the invitations. Instead, not a single one of them had said no.
I bet at least two or three will show up.
Bella’s entourage consisted of ten people, including Bella and Caroline. They leveraged Bella’s fame to maintain their standing in young lady society. If even one of them were to gossip about what happened at the tea party, what better publicity could there be?
I hope you gossip as much as you used to hate me, girls.
Harriet smirked.
She thought she was done for the day, but that conclusion proved premature. Once the event passed its midpoint, someone stealthily approached her.
"Ahem!"
She turned at the sound of the throat-clearing and saw a familiar, yet unwelcome, face.
"Sir Julian...! You don't seem to have been drinking today. Surely you aren't trying to pick another fight?"
It was Julian Faith, the man who had dug up the past to insult her at the Vanderbilt party. Because of that unpleasant memory, her tone was sharp. She expected him to flare up in anger, but surprisingly, he blushed and lowered his head.
"I was drunk that day and made a mistake. I wanted to apologize, but I couldn't find you..."
"Hmm. There is a thing called a letter for times like that. And you, Sir, were quite adept at using letters in the past, so I doubt you've forgotten how they work."
"Ah, I know. I simply believed it was right to apologize to you in person."
Harriet frowned, scrutinizing him from head to toe. Seeing that he couldn't meet her gaze, he seemed well aware that he had acted shamefully. However, for someone offering a simple apology, his strangely hesitant demeanor was irritating.
"Well, I understand. In a world overflowing with people who commit wrongs and never apologize, it is quite admirable to admit a mistake. I accept your apology. Now... have a pleasant day."
She tried to make a quick exit, fearing she’d get unnecessarily entangled with him, but he blocked her path again.
"Wait! There’s something else I want to say."
Honestly, she didn't want to hear it. Whatever it was, it likely wasn't pleasant. But since she couldn't simply shove him aside in public, Harriet smoothed out her frown and put on a practiced, social smile.
Julian looked at Harriet’s face with sudden intensity before opening his mouth.
"Rather than something I want to say... there’s something I want to ask."
"Ask away."
"Really... I mean, do you really not have even a little bit..."
"What are you trying to say? Stop beating around the bush."
When Harriet tilted her head, Julian’s face turned a deeper shade of red. He looked... embarrassed.
"Do you... truly... have no feelings left for me now?"
The last part was spoken so softly it was barely audible. Harriet wondered if she’d misheard him.
"No feelings left for Sir Julian? Is that what you asked?"
"...Yes."
How was she supposed to interpret this? Was he trying to start another argument? Or, surely not...
"Surely you aren't asking if I still harbor an affection for you?"
He nodded without a word.
Harriet wanted to pry open Julian’s head to see what on earth was inside. He was staring at her, his face flushed all the way to his eyes, yet he refused to look away.
Regardless, it wasn't a difficult question to answer. Harriet shrugged.
"I have no feelings. My slate is clean. You don't have to worry about me clinging to you ever again, Sir Julian. Truly. I’ll be even more careful to avoid you in the future."
Each time she emphasized her lack of feelings, Julian’s expression crumbled, looking more and more like he was about to cry. What was so shocking about her answer? Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed Harriet’s wrist.
"Y-y-you don't have to do that!"
"Pardon?"
"No, that’s...!"
He didn't let go of her wrist. Instead, he used his other hand to roughly run his fingers through his hair, messing it up in frustration.
"Let go of my hand..."
"I couldn't forget you, My Lady!"
"Excuse me?"
At the sudden confession, Harriet looked up at him, bewildered. He seemed to have made up his mind about something monumental.
"First, I must apologize for the past. I am truly sorry for that time. I sincerely regret insulting you and getting angry when you were still a young girl."
"Ah, no, wait—"
"Please forgive me for not recognizing your worth back then. But the letters we exchanged, that pure love... it wasn't a lie, was it? I still keep those letters."
"Why on earth would you—!"
"The moment I saw you last time, the passion from back then came rushing back. In truth, I wanted to say something that day too, but because of the alcohol..."
Harriet felt a throbbing at the back of her head.
So, this man was now confessing his interest in the woman he had once so thoroughly despised.
I really must have become beautiful.
Her first thought was that she could expect excellent sales for her soap.
In any case, she needed to handle the situation. Because Julian had raised his voice, eyes were starting to turn their way. But just as she was about to shut him down, her perspective shifted.
Wait. Is there really a need to escape this?
Hadn't she attended this bazaar specifically to become the center of attention? Julian Faith was a tool worth using.
From the moment that thought struck her, her words began to flow with calculated grace.
"Oh, I see. I almost misunderstood. Indeed, you've always been such a kind and gentle person."
"Harriet...!"
"I don't believe we are on a first-name basis yet."
"...Miss Harriet."
Seeing someone fumble so helplessly in front of her was a very unfamiliar experience. Harriet wasn't the type to enjoy making others uncomfortable, but in this moment, she felt strangely delighted. It felt as though the wounds from the day she had apologized countless times for things she hadn't even done were slowly fading away.
"First, would you mind letting go of my hand? It’s a little painful."
"Ah! S-sorry, I apologize."
"You must have been in a hurry. I understand. But I’d appreciate it if you’d be more careful next time. If my wrist is grabbed by a gentleman, it isn't the gentleman who is blamed, but the 'lewd and troublesome' girl who gets the finger pointed at her."
At her words, it was Julian’s turn to look deeply hurt.