Chapter 4.1

Ugh!

Unable to focus on her research after such a shocking experience, Ophelia returned to her estate and rinsed her mouth countless times. She had scrubbed her lips so hard with the back of her hand that they were now swollen. 

“Oh my, Miss, what happened to your lips? They’re so swollen—you look like a fish!” 

Mary, her maid, frowned in concern as she looked at Ophelia’s puffed-up lips. She immediately went downstairs to fetch some ointment and returned to Ophelia’s room. 

“Ouch, that stings!” 

Even the light touch of the ointment on her lips caused a sharp pain. Startled, Ophelia flinched, but Mary clucked her tongue in disapproval. 

“Of course it stings. Who told you to treat your pretty lips so carelessly?” 

“I couldn’t help it.” 

“Why? Did you stick your face in the lake and get bitten by a fish or something?” 

What nonsense was this? Ophelia was too dumbfounded by Mary’s absurd guess to respond. She shook her head vigorously. 

“What kind of ridiculous idea is that? Why would I put my face in the lake?” 

“Because you’ve done plenty of ridiculous things before, Miss. Then what happened? Did someone kiss you or something?” 

“….” 

She should have said no, but she couldn’t. By the time she shook her head belatedly, it was already too late. 

“Oh my goodness. Who’s the bold man who dared to steal your lips? It couldn’t be the Young Duke of Bristol, could it?” 

Knowing how poorly Ophelia and Cedric got along, Mary didn’t seem to even consider the possibility that he might have kissed her. When Ophelia, embarrassed, failed to respond, Mary’s eyes widened in shock. 

“It really was the Young Duke? Oh my, when did you two grow so close without me knowing?” 

“It’s not like that.” 

“How could it not be? Men don’t kiss women they don’t care about.” 

“What do you mean? Should I list how many maids Hans kissed?” 

Hans, the gardener, was a tall and handsome man—a notorious flirt who used his looks to his advantage. Though he was skilled at his job, he had been fired for fooling around with the maids. 

It was shocking enough that he’d been involved with several maids, but what was even more surprising was that he was married and had a wife and child. Ophelia vividly recalled the shock she’d felt upon learning this after his dismissal. 

“You can’t compare Hans to this. We’re talking about the Young Duke of Bristol. He must like you.” 

“Stop saying ridiculous things. Are you going to keep spouting nonsense?” 

Ophelia scowled as though she hadn’t heard anything, frustrated by Mary’s baseless assumptions. 

“It’s not nonsense. Do you think he’s the type to casually touch just anyone?” 

“How would you know whether he does or doesn’t?” 

“You can tell just by looking at him. He’s a gentleman!” 

“Mary, if you’re so taken by appearances, you’ll regret it later.” 

“You know better than anyone that I don’t fall for looks, Miss. You’ve met all my boyfriends yourself.” 

Mary pouted, looking as if she’d been wronged. 

What was the point of continuing this argument? Ophelia decided to tell her the truth about Cedric’s rumors, but only to Mary. 

“Fine, I’ll tell you the truth, but keep it to yourself. Lately, there’s been a rumor that Cedric has been secretly meeting with Young Lady Somerset.” 

“What? How could he?” 

Mary’s jaw dropped in disbelief. She shook her head as though she couldn’t accept it. 

“Our engagement is just for show. Maybe she’s his true love.” 

Ophelia spoke indifferently, as though it had nothing to do with her. 

If their engagement were broken off, she would be the subject of ridicule in high society for a while, but it would be temporary. People would eventually forget her, as she wasn’t particularly memorable.

On the other hand, Young Lady Somerset, Cedric’s lover, would face even harsher ridicule. If rumors of her engagement to Cedric spread, the backlash would be unbearable. The mere thought of it sent shivers down Ophelia’s spine.

“Miss, are you sure you’re not mistaken? Didn’t he give you dessert recently? How do you know you’re not his true love?” 

“That’s not possible.” 

“Oh, but I think it is. If he keeps giving you desserts, you might soften up to him.” 

“I will never like that man! I guarantee it.” 

“Hoho, you can’t guarantee anything when it comes to men and women. That’s just your pride talking.”  

Even though Ophelia had just explained about Cedric, Mary quickly changed her attitude. What made her so confident? 

“No, I’m sure of it. I can bet on it! Mary, you’ve always liked my sapphire necklace, haven’t you? I’ll give it to you.” 

“That’s far too much for me, Miss. Just give me the brooch with the floral design instead.” 

“What? Do you think I’m going to lose? Then, Mary, you should bet something too. To make it fair. If I win, I’ll take back the brooch I gave you last time. How about that?” 

“Alright.” 

Mary answered confidently, her expression full of certainty. Her smug attitude, as if she couldn’t possibly lose, was irritating. 

I’m the one who won’t lose! 

Ophelia felt a little sorry for Mary, but she believed she already knew Cedric’s true feelings. There was no way she would lose this bet. 

* * * 

Let’s not run into Cedric today! 

That’s what Ophelia resolved as she headed to the academy. But to think she would run into him so early in the morning…. 

After the forced kiss yesterday, it was awkward just to see his face. She had decided not to look at him until the dirty feeling subsided, but here he was. 

To make matters worse, Cedric approached her in front of everyone. The heavens were truly unkind. 

In an instant, all eyes were on the two of them. Ophelia tried to turn away and avoid him, but she couldn’t. Cedric called out her name. 

“Ophelia.” 

With so many people watching, she couldn’t ignore him. Reluctantly, she turned toward him. 

This is so uncomfortable. 

As soon as she saw Cedric’s face, the events of yesterday flashed through her mind. She felt embarrassed and awkward, but she forced herself to respond in a blunt tone, trying not to show it. 

“What?” 

“Here, take this.” 

“Huh?” 

Cedric handed her a basket, and Ophelia accepted it with a puzzled expression. 

“For you to eat.” 

When she lifted the cloth covering the basket, it revealed cookies shaped like ducks. 

What in the world? 

Ophelia’s eyes widened at the sight of the adorable cookies. She looked back and forth between Cedric and the basket, her eyes full of confusion. 

“I figured you’d be tired from working on your thesis. Eat these and regain your energy. You like sweets, don’t you?” 

“Oh, thanks.” 

If she didn’t know about the supposed love potion, she might have mistaken Cedric’s behavior for that of a devoted fiancé. His actions were suspicious. 

While she stared at Cedric in confusion, he disappeared before she realized it. Ophelia stood there in a daze, staring at the spot where Cedric had been just moments ago. 

What on earth? 

Her gaze shifted to the basket. The cookies looked so delicious that she wanted to try one right away if no one was watching. 

What’s he up to? 

Ophelia wasn’t the only one who found the situation strange. Everyone who had witnessed the scene wore puzzled expressions. Cedric had never shown such care for Ophelia before, so their reactions were understandable. 

Feeling flustered, Ophelia hurried to her laboratory. She was too embarrassed to endure the stares of the people around her. 

Even after entering the lab, she kept staring at the basket with a suspicious look. Unable to hold back their curiosity, one of her labmates finally asked, 

“Ophelia, what’s in the basket?” 

“Oh… I got cookies as a gift.” 

“From who? Your fiancé?” 

“…Yeah.” 

“Really? I thought you two didn’t get along.” 

“Right? I don’t understand the situation either.” 

Why would someone who didn’t care suddenly act like this? After that ridiculous kiss yesterday, now he was giving her cookies? This was the second time she had received dessert from Cedric, and it only added to her confusion. 

Doesn’t he like Young Lady Somerset? 

Then why was he doing things he’d never done before?

As Ophelia mulled over Cedric’s behavior, she thought she might have figured it out. 

Was he trying to apologize for what happened yesterday? 

After all, he had forced a kiss on her. Perhaps he was worried that Ophelia might spread rumors about it, so he gave her the gift to keep her quiet. 

If that wasn’t the case, there was no reason for him to act kindly toward her while harboring feelings for Young Lady Somerset. 

Suddenly, anger flared up within her. She wanted to throw the cookies Cedric had given her straight into the trash, but she quickly dismissed the thought. 

She hated Cedric, but the cookies he gave her hadn’t done anything wrong.  

Cedric wouldn’t know whether she ate the cookies or threw them away, so why waste them? After hesitating for a moment, Ophelia picked up a cookie and took a bite. The crispy texture crunched pleasantly, and the aftertaste was sweet. 

It’s tastier than I thought. 

“Ophelia, these cookies from the Young Duke are really delicious.” 

“I’ve never had cookies this good before.” 

Unaware of Ophelia’s true feelings, her labmates eagerly devoured the cookies, their faces lighting up with delight. It was the first time they had smiled so brightly while eating dessert. 

Fine, at least you’re all happy. 

Ophelia chewed on her cookie, but in her mind, she was metaphorically chewing Cedric to pieces.