Chapter 93
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93
Perhaps noticing her father’s mounting anxiety, Bella moved to sit beside John, gently massaging his shoulder.
"It’s only Harriet. What is there to be so afraid of?"
"But Countess Fellon is backing the girl."
"Then we simply separate them. We’ll find a way; we always do."
John gradually relaxed, soothed by Bella’s unconcerned attitude.
"Yes... there is always a way, isn't there?"
"Of course. Just plant some people around the Countess. Useful information is bound to surface eventually."
Bella’s smile, as she comforted her father and offered a solution, remained as innocent and beautiful as it had been eleven years ago.
* * *
"It has been some time, Your Majesty."
"Indeed. I trust you have been well? Cedric looks healthy as ever."
Empress Anastasia warmly greeted her sister-in-law, Jeremia, and her nephew, Cedric.
Jeremia was a gifted conversationalist, so the two women met at least once every month or two for tea and to catch up on the latest news. It was this close bond that had led the Imperial Family to source their soap from <Clarissa>.
Today, too, Anastasia was the first to bring up the product.
"My skin has improved remarkably since the palace switched to <Clarissa> soap. To be honest, I didn't have high expectations at first."
"Your Majesty’s skin was always beautiful."
"Thank you for saying so, Jeremia. In any case, it is a truly delightful soap. Though, I suppose Cedric wouldn't invest in just any product."
Hearing that, Jeremia’s face softened with a mix of affection and pride for her son. But Cedric, as if merely stating a fact, added a comment with an impassive face.
"It is a product crafted by monks and nuns, after all. Lord Yawar must be looking upon it with favor."
At his words, Anastasia and Jeremia burst into laughter.
Indeed, the company was growing as if blessed by the gods themselves. While it was natural for beauty products to lose popularity once a trend passed, <Saint Clarissa Soap & Herb> had maintained its momentum even after rebranding to simply <Clarissa>.
Their herbal line had become far more diverse, and the soaps now offered a wider selection of scents and essential oils. More importantly, the brand had become famous for being the choice of the 'White Rose of Genoa'.
"That company is truly fortunate to be chosen by the most beautiful woman in high society."
"It benefited even more from Your Majesty designating it as an official Imperial supplier."
"How kind of you, Cedric. But I know the truth. A young, beautiful flower of high society makes for far better publicity than an old Empress."
Anastasia shrugged, as if to say, How can one stop the march of time?
Just then, Jeremia, who had been biding her time, leaned in and whispered subtly.
"Miss Harriet, the original model, is quite lovely as well. They say Miss Daphne only started using their products because of her."
"Oh, really? Were they acquainted?"
"The word among the youth is that Miss Bella Listerwell stole Miss Daphne’s fiancé, and that Miss Harriet was cast out of the Listerwell house..."
"She was discarded."
Cedric interjected casually.
He regretted it the moment the words left his mouth, seeing the mischievous smiles blooming on the two women’s faces.
"It seems you are quite fond of that young lady?"
"From a business perspective, she is competent. Certainly better than those brigands who demand investment without merit."
He quickly drew a line to curb Anastasia’s curiosity, but Jeremia was not about to help him.
"This is the first 'young woman' he has ever shown any favor toward, publicly or privately, so I’ve been keeping a close eye on her myself. However, I heard she showed a rather disappointing side at Count Laurel’s party recently..."
"Why? What happened?"
"Word is she was caught in a... very private tryst with a man in the garden. She doesn't seem to fear the scandal, even though she is yet to be married."
Anastasia and Jeremia stared intently at Cedric, their expressions demanding an answer even as they spoke to each other.
He sighed, just enough not to appear rude to the Empress.
"It wasn't like that."
"What wasn't like that?"
Their eyes sparkled with interest. They were like predators who had no intention of letting their prey go until their curiosity was satisfied. They likely already knew the gist of the incident.
They just want to hear me confess it myself.
He usually disliked playing along with their games, but to repay his debt to Harriet, he had to satisfy the Empress’s expectations to some extent.
"She was slandered because of me. The man who was with her was actually..."
"Was it you?" Jeremia blurted out, unable to hold back.
Cedric sighed again and gave a slight nod.
"Oh, heavens!"
"Oho! What a development!"
The two most noble women in the Empire fluttered with excitement, though they maintained their refined composure. Ordinarily, very little could surprise them, but this news was more intriguing than anything they had heard in years.
Anastasia even set down her cookie to focus entirely on him.
"Just how far did things go?"
"Pardon?"
He asked, unable to believe his ears. Jeremia clasped her hands together.
"I hope you observed all proper etiquette for a lady. Tell me you did."
"What etiquette are you referring to?"
"You didn't simply... satisfy your own urges, did you?"
"Please, Mother."
Cedric wanted to leave the room immediately.
To an outsider, his relationship with Jeremia might have seemed strained; aristocrats were experts at sensing discord behind a composed mask. In truth, he felt no great affection for her. No matter how intimately she behaved toward him now, she had abandoned the father he loved and respected most.
But Jeremia was relentlessly meddlesome when it came to her son. And when Anastasia was present, she was twice as bad.
Cedric’s throat felt dry, and he downed a glass of water.
"Nothing happened. She simply draped her shawl over me to shield me from prying eyes."
"For no reason at all?"
"...My condition was not ideal at the time."
"Hmm. Even so, it’s strange, isn't it? Would such a rumor spread just because she covered you?"
It was as if Jeremia’s voice held a hint of disappointment that something more hadn't happened.
"There was a group lurking about. She leveraged her reputation as a 'Scandal Maker' to drive them off, feigning a romantic tryst with someone else to protect my identity. In the process, she ended up bearing the stigma herself."
"Oh, how splendid! Miss Harriet is quite loyal."
Jeremia clapped her hands, admiring Harriet’s quick thinking.
"So, your condition was so dire that Miss Harriet had to endure such a scandal for your sake."
Then, as if the real business had finally arrived, she wiped the smile from her face.
"Then who was responsible for putting you in such a state?"
She spoke as if she were cross-examining him, but it was clear Jeremia already knew something. Though Cedric had silenced those who accompanied him that day, he couldn't guarantee that none of them were Jeremia’s informants.
Since Jeremia would eventually need to know the truth if they were to take down Albert, he hadn't completely blocked information from reaching her. However, bringing up Albert’s name in front of Anastasia now was premature. The Empress was likely to be favorably disposed toward Albert because of Second Prince Michael; there was no need to take an unnecessary gamble before everything was ready.
"I am pursuing the matter. I will inform you once I have confirmation."
Jeremia, keenly picking up on his signal to discuss it later, nodded.
Then, as if it were her turn, Anastasia spoke.
"In any case, Miss Harriet helped you at the cost of her own reputation. How do you intend to repay her?"
This was the opening Cedric had been waiting for. He took a sip of tea, paused for a moment, and then made his request.
"If I may... would this unworthy nephew be permitted to ask for Your Majesty’s patronage for her?"
With that single remark, Anastasia realized exactly why Cedric—whose face was so rarely seen at tea—had joined them today.
"You sly fox. You only come to see your aunt when you need something."
She cast a playful glance at him. Finding the slightly embarrassed Cedric rather endearing, she nodded.
"I was curious about her anyway, so this works out perfectly. To take a little credit from you, and to see my nephew’s face once more, I shall invite the young lady to the palace next week."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I hope she is not someone who will tarnish my reputation, at the very least."
"You will not be disappointed."
At his immediate defense, a knowing smile once again played on Anastasia’s and Jeremia’s lips. Cedric wished someone would stop him from constantly speaking up for Harriet today.