Chapter 9 – Charity Auction Party

“Uh, these flowers…”

“Are you giving them to me? Thank you.”

When Mother accepted the bouquet of freesias and sniffed their fragrance, Benjamin finally seemed somewhat relieved. He attempted to pull out a chair for her, but she didn’t notice and sat down as usual.

Mother, isn’t receiving an escort part of a lady’s duty? I pulled Benjamin’s coat hem and seated him as he stood awkwardly.

It had already been six years since Mother left the social scene. Although the countess who always maintained her decorum even at home was no longer present, I preferred seeing her comfortable at home. Benjamin also seemed to relax in our easygoing atmosphere; he didn’t seem as tense as he had in the carriage earlier. Hesitantly, Benjamin began to speak.

“Aunt… the reason I came today is…”

Mother straightened her posture. I noticed her clasping her hands together under the table. Honestly, even if Uncle apologized, I didn’t think it would resolve the lingering resentment, but maybe Mother had been hoping for this day.

“I wanted to apologize. Not attending Uncle’s funeral and… it was wrong of my father to drive you both out like that.”

Benjamin was on the verge of tears again. So was Mother. But instead of crying like a child, Benjamin continued in a quiet voice.

“As an excuse, I didn’t even know Uncle had passed away. I was on a break from school at that time, studying elsewhere. I intended to return after pursuing my interests, but it took longer than expected… by the time I came back, it was already too late.”

“You took a break? When did you return?”

“The year before last. Anyway, when I found out Uncle had passed and Father had driven you away, and that Liv had gotten married in the meantime, I decided to finish my degree quickly and come back. Father wanted me to drop out and return immediately, but Uncle had sent me abroad… I felt completing my degree was my duty. That’s why I’m only now visiting. I’m really sorry.”

“I see.”

Mother took a sip of tea and warmed her cold hands with the cup.

“When I visited the estate, I noticed a new house built close to the main residence. Uncle built it for you in case of emergencies, right? But Father drove you away from the Hershey estate entirely. I have no face to see Uncle…”

“That…”

“I’ll return it to you when I inherit the Hershey family. I’m sorry.”

“Ben, no… that’s…”

Mother sighed and said,

“When you returned after completing your studies, he intended to adopt you and make you his successor. He built that house so your parents could stay close, not to miss you. So, that house was yours from the start.”

“Aunt…”

Benjamin buried his face in his hands and cried. Mother gently patted his back. Benjamin had always been a kind but timid and delicate boy, and Father had cared for him deeply. Father had often expressed disapproval of Uncle being too strict with Benjamin.

Watching Benjamin cry made me regret feeling uncomfortable around him because of Uncle. A father and his son are not always the same.

Benjamin decided to stay at Mother’s townhouse to learn etiquette, as he hadn’t participated in any social activities during his time at the foreign academy and had forgotten much of the basics.

With the upcoming charity party, he needed more than just basic knowledge to deal with high-ranking nobles. So Mother volunteered to educate Benjamin herself. I was delighted to see Mother so energetic.

As the party date approached, Walter continued to send letters. Initially, I replied a few times, but after choosing Benjamin as my next partner, I stopped responding altogether. Still, I couldn’t help but read the letters, mostly progress reports or daily journals, but today’s was different.

[Today, the lights were on in the Keppel family’s private box, and I thought the lady had come. But upon closer look, it was Duke Keppel and Miss Isabella. I don’t understand why His Grace would look elsewhere when he has such a beautiful wife. A true gentleman wouldn’t make his wife sad. I heard the lady reduced her social activities because His Grace treats her indifferently. Would it upset her if I expressed sympathy?]

I really didn’t want to know. Hesitating, I dipped the pen in ink and wrote a brief reply.

[Walter, since I am sponsoring you in the name of the Keppel family, it is only natural for my husband, the head of the Keppel family, to attend the performances to assess his ward’s abilities. So don’t mind the rumors and focus on your performances. His Grace also supports you, so there’s no need to send letters anymore, as I’m too busy to reply.]

After writing the letter, I hesitated to seal it. Was it too harsh?

But Walter hadn’t confessed his love to me, and telling him to stop seemed excessive. Ignoring him or responding kindly would only encourage him to send more unnecessary letters.

I decided it was good enough and summoned a messenger boy to send the letter.

Finally, the day of the charity party arrived.

I arrived late on purpose to avoid dealing with people, and a line of carriages was parked in front of the cathedral square. However, since the Keppel family is of a higher rank than ordinary noble families, we quickly passed through the entrance used by VIPs. One advantage of being part of a great noble family is that you hardly have to wait for anything.

Upon alighting from the carriage, a priest awaited us and guided us to the bishop’s garden.

Although the charity auction was conducted with good intentions, financial transactions couldn’t take place inside the sacred cathedral, so it was always held in the garden. It seemed to me like an excuse to show off the garden.

As Benjamin admired the blooming spring flowers, he whispered beside me.

“Do you think it’s true they use holy power to make the flowers bloom?”

“Well, I think so.”

“Can you still use holy power?”

“Yes.”

“Then, your family garden too?”

“I use money, not holy power.”

“Oh.”

Benjamin clapped in admiration. I felt good, enjoying a lighthearted conversation with someone for the first time in a while.

The church’s charity party took place during the day and ended before sunset. In the morning, items were received, and the auction was held in the afternoon.

Benjamin and I greeted the bishop and church officials and decided to submit our items before it got too late.

Submitting items under the family name rather than individual names was likely to foster competition among families. It wouldn’t be honorable to present something cheap or shabby in a charity auction under the family name.

I had brought an expensive necklace to avoid dishonoring the Keppel family. When it was Benjamin’s turn, the priest receiving the items tilted his head.

“The Hershey Count family has already submitted an item.”

I felt a chill. Benjamin’s expression hardened as our eyes met. Without a word, we began searching for our uncle and aunt.

“Did you know about this?”

“No. I didn’t even tell them I was coming here.”

“Then how…”

“Liv, I swear I never told them to come. If anything…”

At that moment, we simultaneously noticed a group of people talking animatedly.

“So, did Lady Keppel almost become Mrs. Hudson?”

It was the loud voice of Lady Avery, the marquis’s daughter. Benjamin and I approached slowly. It had been a while since I’d seen my uncle and aunt. I couldn’t fathom what they might have been discussing.

“If we had saved a few more years for the dowry, yes.”

“Then, Lady Keppel was fortunate to marry well without a dowry. What a fascinating story.”

What’s so fascinating?

I stood there, dumbfounded. The dowry fund my father had steadily contributed to during his lifetime had to be broken when we were driven out along with my mother.

The old cottage was so dilapidated that repairs were necessary, costing a lot despite the significant financial loss.

What were they talking about?

My uncle and aunt, who looked pathetic and vulgar compared to the high nobles I usually dealt with, laughed and chatted. As the crowd grew quieter and only Lady Avery responded, they finally noticed me.

“Ah, Olivia.”

I turned away without answering.

“Liv!”

As Benjamin tried to follow, I stopped him with my hand.

“Fix this. Now.”

He couldn’t follow me any further and turned back. Feeling nauseous, I aimlessly walked into one of the buildings.

I knew I should have acted like it didn’t bother me, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. I staggered, leaning against the cold stonewall of the cathedral.

It felt like I had no one on my side. I wanted to disappear somewhere. Maybe it would have been better if I had continued living with my mother in that countryside cottage.

This wasn’t something Benjamin could fix.

People would now gossip that I married Ian Keppel for money, not out of long-standing love. Or they would say Ian despised me because I was a woman who married him for money.

Even though it was true, it hurt.

They’d call me a shameless woman, expecting her husband’s love without a dowry. I felt utterly miserable.