Chapter 95
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 95
“B-But it’s far too famous! No fence would even dare touch it...!”
“Then they are either a fool who doesn't know any better, or profit isn't their motive. It is one of the two.”
“My deepest apologies, Your Grace. It was my oversight; I failed to manage the security thoroughly.”
“We will discuss your responsibility later. For now, ensure no one enters this room until I return, and see to it that none of the servants resign.”
With those cold instructions, Cedric headed straight for the first floor.
*
As the appointed time drew near, Harriet was nervously checking her reflection in the mirror.
Does it look strange?
The pale sky-blue dress, bordering on gray, was minimally adorned yet radiated an understated elegance. Paired with a pearl necklace and matching earrings, she looked mature and dignified.
Still, Harriet couldn't shake the nagging worry that she looked like a child playing dress-up in her mother's clothes. Even though Trisha had hand-picked the ensemble—meaning there was no reason to doubt its quality—the anxiety remained.
What if the Duke of Kailas laughs at me? Is my nervousness that obvious?
Harriet practiced a relaxed, composed expression in front of the mirror, her eyes constantly darting toward the clock.
Then, five minutes before ten, Andre arrived to announce the visitor.
“The Duke of Kailas has arrived, Madam. He is currently awaiting you in the drawing room.”
“Yes, I’ll be down momentarily.”
She took a deep breath and lightly slapped her cheeks.
Nothing happened. I simply saved him from a difficult situation out of pure goodwill, and he only acted against his will because of malicious drug intoxication.
Repeating to herself that there was no need to attach any deeper meaning to that day's events, Harriet descended to the drawing room.
As she entered, Cedric rose from his seat. However, no greeting followed.
Am I supposed to speak first? I thought the gentleman acting as an escort usually offered the first greeting...
Just as she was about to blurt something out in her confusion, Cedric offered a slight smile.
“You look beautiful. Her Imperial Majesty the Empress will surely be pleased.”
“Huh? Oh, really? My Great-aunt has excellent taste, you know. Ah! And this dress—my grandmother bought it for me.”
It was a pathetic, rambling answer. Even as she realized it, her mouth seemed to move of its own accord.
Behind her, she saw Trisha palm her forehead in exasperation. Cedric must have noticed the awkwardness as well, but he didn't scoff or sneer. Should she consider that a mercy?
She already wanted to retreat to her room, but fortunately, Trisha intervened.
“As you can see, she is quite nervous about her first visit to the Imperial Palace. I trust the Duke will look after her well.”
“Of course. Miss Harriet performs well under pressure, so I am not worried.”
“The Duke overestimates this child. She may appear resilient and sharp-witted, but she is still a young woman of only twenty-three. Do not simply leave her to fend for herself; be her shield.”
There were thorns hidden in those words. It was a pointed accusation—that he had used such a young woman as a shield to protect his own honor—and a warning that if he allowed Harriet to be hurt again, Trisha would not stand idly by.
Cedric was no fool; he understood perfectly. He had spent the past few days tormented by self-reproach, even losing sleep over his conduct.
“I am well aware of your concerns, Madam. Miss Harriet will have her audience with Her Imperial Majesty today and return safely, without incident.”
“She had better.”
Leaving Trisha’s final warning behind, Cedric and Harriet headed toward the mansion’s main entrance, where their carriage awaited.
The two remained silent as they boarded. It was Harriet, once again, who found the awkward stillness unbearable.
“Ahem! Um... do you have any advice for me before we arrive?”
“This meeting was finalized last week, on the day my mother and I met with the Empress. During that visit, the unpleasant rumors regarding you and Count Laurel’s party came up in conversation...”
Harriet swallowed hard.
Cedric couldn't understand why she was so tense. After all, the events of that day were entirely his fault.
Surely she doesn't feel responsible for what happened? If she does, that makes me an absolute scoundrel.
Once again, he wondered if Harriet had truly become a saint during her time at the convent. He continued speaking.
“I have already explained the situation honestly, so you don't need to try and hide anything.”
“Ah...”
“It is late to say this, but I am truly sorry for my behavior that day.”
“Well, it wasn't as if the Duke wanted to do those things, was it? Oh! Are you feeling alright now? You were quite intoxicated by the drug then, and I was worried if there were any lasting effects.”
Cedric clenched his fist, then relaxed it, offering a faint, weary smile.
“I am fine. Thank you for your concern.”
This innocent woman didn't know. She didn't know that his actions that day had, in fact, been driven by his own suppressed desires. Nor did she know that he had been plagued by guilt and shame ever since.
As he let out a quiet sigh, Harriet, who had been awkwardly shifting her gaze, tried to change the subject.
“By the way, you aren't wearing that brooch today, are you? The one you always wear.”
Cedric immediately knew which one she meant. He pondered for a moment before replying quietly.
“...It is gone.”
“What? Gone?”
“It seems someone has something they wish to say to me. Though whether things will go as they intend remains to be seen.”
Harriet gasped, covering her mouth in surprise. Cedric’s words implied that someone incredibly audacious had stolen a keepsake of the late Duke of Kailas.
What kind of fool would choose to make an enemy of a powerful ducal house backed by the Imperial Family?
“Have you found the culprit?”
“Not yet. But they will come to me soon enough.”
Indeed, there had to be a reason for stealing such a recognizable item. Harriet nodded, then subtly watched Cedric, trying to resolve one last bit of curiosity.
“But... are you sure you should be telling me this? It sounds like top-secret information.”
At her question, Cedric smiled. It was a brief expression, yet bright enough to lighten the heavy atmosphere in the carriage.
“Because Miss Harriet is not the type to go blabbing about it.”
“Am I... being trusted?”
“You are the benefactor who protected my honor. It goes beyond mere trust.”
This time, Harriet smiled back. Even though she suspected it might just be flattery, she was strangely delighted by his confidence in her. But she knew she needed to keep a cool head.
“I look forward to that trust leading to our next investment.”
It was half a joke, but Cedric nodded seriously.
“I, too, am looking forward to Miss Harriet’s next venture.”
“Huh? Really?”
Her wide-eyed, surprised expression was truly adorable. Cedric tried to shake off that impression quickly, clearing his throat. It seemed the lingering effects of that drug, Angelic, were still haunting him.
*
In the Empress’s drawing room, the only sound was the gentle trickle of tea being poured by a lady-in-waiting. No one had spoken yet.
It had been ten minutes since Harriet had greeted the Empress and been shown to her seat.
I think I’m going to get an ulcer.
Harriet felt as though her stomach had climbed into her throat from nerves, yet she did her best to maintain a subtle, gentle smile.
Anastasia, who had been quietly observing her, finally picked up her teacup. She took a slow sip, set it down, and broke the silence.
“I have heard much about you, Miss Harriet. My fastidious nephew recognized your talents as a businesswoman, so I have been interested in meeting you for some time.”
“Th-thank you, Your Majesty.”
Harriet was secretly stunned. Since when had Cedric ever recognized her as such? He had never given her the slightest indication of it.
Is it just a polite formality? Yes, that must be it. Don't get ahead of yourself.
Calming her racing heart, she drank the tea at Anastasia’s invitation. As expected of the Imperial Palace, the aroma and taste were exquisite. The accompanying snacks looked delicious as well, but she didn't have the courage to reach for them.
The Empress began to inquire lightly about her personal life, as if the previous heavy silence had never existed. The atmosphere eased, but Harriet refused to let her guard down.
“So, Countess Trisha Fellon is currently acting as your guardian?”
“Yes. My Great-aunt took me in when I had nowhere else to go. I am very grateful to her.”
“Viscount Listerwell is quite a surprising man. He did not seem like the type to disinherit his own niece and cast her out without a penny.”
At those words, Cedric, who was seated beside Harriet, let out a small, dry chuckle.
“Are there only one or two people in this world who pretend to have a decent personality, Your Majesty?”
“Indeed, and you are one of them. There is no one with a worse temperament than yours, yet the world seems to think you are quite the gentleman.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
As Cedric replied with a perfectly straight face, Anastasia burst into laughter. Her expression was benevolent and cheerful, as if she had momentarily forgotten the weight of her crown.