Chapter 96
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 96
‘He seems to be on remarkably good terms with Her Imperial Majesty. There truly is nothing he lacks.’
As I was marveling at him, Cedric took a slice of chocolate cake from the dessert plate and placed it in front of Harriet.
“If I had to choose just one dessert from the Imperial Palace, it would undoubtedly be this chocolate cake. While the Ducal House’s patissier is exceptionally skilled, they haven’t quite managed to replicate this specific recipe.”
Cedric offered a slight smile. His face was so breathtakingly beautiful that Harriet momentarily lost herself just staring at him. She only snapped out of her daze when he gestured toward the plate again.
“It looks delicious. I actually love chocolate cake.”
She was already quite hungry. She had been too nervous about visiting the Imperial Palace to eat breakfast that morning. As she carefully picked up her fork, Anastasia watched her with an expectant expression. Though the scrutiny felt a little burdensome, Harriet cut a bite-sized piece of the rich confection and tasted it.
“Mmm!”
The moment the fragrant, deep, yet perfectly balanced chocolate flavor spread across her tongue, an exclamation escaped her lips before she could stop it. She quickly covered her mouth, but the Empress seemed pleased by the reaction.
“Some people refuse this treat, claiming they’ll get fat, so I’m grateful that Lady Harriet enjoys it so much. This cake is my favorite, you see.”
“I’m not just saying this out of politeness, but I’ve truly never tasted such a delicious chocolate cake before. If the Imperial Palace’s patissier lived at my house, I would have grown quite round long ago.”
“Hohoho! That’s why I limit myself to one slice a day. But if I may give you a tip, drink plenty of Rooibos tea with it. I’ll make sure you’re sent home with some today.”
The realization that even the Empress loved chocolate cake and worried about her weight made her seem human at last. Thanks to that, Harriet was able to smile more naturally.
Just as she finished the last of her cake, Anastasia’s expression shifted, and she lowered her voice.
“Seeing you now, Lady Harriet, my curiosity only grows. I’ve heard many rumors about you, but meeting you in person, you seem quite different from the stories.”
“Thank you for inviting me and seeing for yourself, Your Imperial Majesty, especially since those rumors aren't particularly kind.”
“And the matter with the House of Laurel—wasn’t that because you were trying to help Cedric? Why didn’t you explain yourself? Such rumors following an unmarried lady must have been distressing.”
Harriet glanced at Cedric. He was quietly sipping his tea, appearing neither flustered nor embarrassed, but he seemed curious about her answer. She washed down the lingering sweetness of the chocolate with a sip of black tea, then smiled faintly.
“Well, His Grace has much more to lose than I do. He is my sole investor, after all; I have to protect him.”
At that, Anastasia let out a hearty laugh.
“Ohoho! Just as Jeremia said, you are a loyal and clever young lady. Hahaha!”
When the Grand Duchess’s name was mentioned, a shiver ran down Harriet’s spine. Just how many people were talking about her behind closed doors? She couldn't help but wonder what exactly Cedric had told the Empress and the Grand Duchess.
Harriet glanced at Cedric, who was currently placing clotted cream in front of the Empress while engaging in light conversation. He turned his head, and their eyes met. It was only for a fleeting moment, but his aura felt strange—so much so that her stomach, which had only just settled, began to knot once more.
* * *
“Let’s go separately from here.”
On their way out after the tea party, Harriet made the suggestion to Cedric. He cast her a questioning look.
“There are too many eyes watching. Hardly anyone knows I’m receiving an investment from Your Grace, so how strange would it look if we were seen walking through the Imperial Palace together?”
As a hint of displeasure flickered across Cedric’s brow, Harriet added, “Honestly, it would have been better if Your Grace hadn’t come to escort me at all. Several people must have already seen me alight from the Ducal carriage, so it’s only a matter of time before rumors spread. …Of course, I appreciate your consideration.”
He listened, then let out a soft sigh. “I have a responsibility to see you safely home today.”
“If it’s because of Great-aunt Trisha, you needn’t worry. She is not someone who would fail to understand these circumstances.”
“I see.”
Even after giving his answer, he stared down the corridor in silence for a long moment. Then, just as Harriet was starting to feel anxious, he finally nodded.
“Very well. I’ll go ahead. If you follow the path I’m taking, you’ll find a cloister encircling the central courtyard. From there…”
“I can just go back the way we came, can’t I? I’m not a child.”
“But…”
“If I truly get lost, I’ll ask someone nearby. There are guards stationed everywhere, aren't there?”
Cedric still looked displeased, but he ultimately respected Harriet’s wishes. “Then I’ll see you later.”
“Yes. Goodbye.”
With a brief farewell, he strode down the long corridor. Harriet watched his retreating figure quietly, only starting to walk herself once he had turned the distant corner. Her knees were trembling so much that she had to stop after only a few steps.
‘I’d rather die than let him see how nervous I am.’
She hadn’t realized it while sitting before the Empress, but the moment she stood up, she realized her legs were shaking uncontrollably. It would have been obvious if she’d walked with her hand on Cedric’s arm.
‘Right, I’m a novice. I’ve never been to the Imperial Palace, and I never imagined I’d meet Her Imperial Majesty in person. But I still have my pride!’
Harriet gritted her teeth and forced herself forward. Perhaps because she was determined not to shrink under the gaze of others, her gait became steadier.
The path from the Empress’s Palace to the drawing room wasn’t complicated, and she quickly reached the cloister Cedric had mentioned. She could have followed the walkway around the central courtyard, but Harriet chose to cut across the garden instead. The weather was pleasant, and the courtyard was beautifully maintained.
‘Wow! The flowers are already blooming?’
It was still too early for bees and butterflies, but the sheltered warmth of the surrounding buildings had encouraged tiny flowers to bloom, welcoming passersby. Harriet walked slowly through the flower bushes, savoring the early spring air.
As she neared the gate leading to the exit at the far end of the courtyard, she realized a familiar voice was mixed in with the conversation she’d been hearing for a while.
“I don’t quite understand why Your Highness is suddenly saying such things.”
‘Cedric?’
Harriet’s eyes widened. She peered through the bushes to see what was happening. Three men stood in the shaded cloister, but unlike the path to the drawing room, there were no guards or attendants in sight.
‘W-what? Why is no one here?’
Feeling a strange tension in the air, Harriet held her breath and crouched down to stay hidden. She focused all her attention on her ears, the surrounding flowers forgotten.
“Duke Kailas. <Angelic> is an excellent and innovative medicine. Am I not living proof of that? I, who could barely move due to severe depression, am now acting perfectly normal. It is all thanks to <Angelic>, I tell you!”
The one enthusiastically advocating for the drug was clearly the Second Prince, Michael. It was a well-known fact that he had suffered severely from depression.
“Well, I heard you haven’t been taking it for very long. I’m more concerned about whether there are any side effects,” Cedric replied, his tone clinical.
“S-side effects? Haha! Of course, my mouth feels a bit dry and my heart races a little, but it’s minor compared to any other medicine I’ve taken.”
For some reason, Michael was desperate to convince Cedric of <Angelic>’s benefits. But Cedric maintained an objective, almost cynical, attitude.
“It is a medicine that was only approved half a year ago. Perhaps you should approach it with more caution.”
At that, the man next to Michael stepped forward. Harriet, watching from between the leaves, immediately recognized him as the man who had come looking for Cedric on the day of the Laurel party. It was Cedric’s cousin, Albert Kingsley.
“Cedric. Let’s not waste time. The reason I stopped you is simple. I want to make a deal with you—one where no one loses.”
“I don’t think that’s for you to decide.”
When Cedric responded curtly, Albert let out a scoff.
“Invest in <Angelic>. I guarantee a return of over thirty percent on your investment.”