Chapter 31

Lennox, who had been in the middle of a conversation, smiled at Harriet’s approaching face but momentarily erased his smile at the sight of the face following her. Harriet approached him with an innocent smile, as if she knew nothing.

“My darling.”

Other passengers, unaware of the situation, greeted Harriet warmly.

“There you are. The Young Master was just wondering if he should go fetch you.”

“Oh, has much time passed? I don’t think so.”

“Isn’t it natural for a groom not to want to be apart from his bride on their wedding day?”

At the cheeky comment, the guests around the table burst into laughter. Harriet, laughing along with them, naturally introduced the two people who had followed her.

“This is Earl Donovan and his daughter, Miss Angela Donovan. We happened to meet on the deck. They congratulated me on my marriage.”

Naturally, all eyes turned to Lennox. With a look that said he should speak if he had something to say, Lennox rose from his seat and extended his hand to Earl Donovan.

“Nice to meet you, Earl. Thank you for your congratulations.”

“Not at all. I heard you were on this cruise and wondered if I might have the chance to meet you. It’s an honor to do so.”

Earl Donovan laughed heartily, seemingly unaware of the past between Lennox and his daughter. He then gestured to his daughter.

“This is my daughter. You may already be acquainted.”

Angela stepped forward, holding the hem of her dress, and curtsied.

“Greetings, Your Grace. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has been a while.”

Angela’s voice was warm, even affectionate, but Lennox’s response was as calm and neutral as ever. Harriet found his indifferent gaze slightly surprising. 

Wasn’t he supposed to have been passionately in love? Was she really the woman he had in mind?

Then, she suddenly realized she was observing the two more than necessary. Her heart sank. She couldn’t let this continue. She couldn’t afford to care about either side any longer. Harriet closed her eyes, then opened them, and abruptly interjected.

“Darling, I think I’ll go rest now.”

“Are you very tired?”

Lennox furrowed his brow and reached out to her. Harriet declined his hand.

“I can go alone. You stay and talk with your friend.”

“I will. But just in case, take Nick with you.”

“Alright.”

Lennox, who she thought would insist on accompanying her, nodded unexpectedly. With a doubtful expression, Harriet walked away.

Angela, watching Harriet’s retreating figure coldly, subtly eyed the empty seat.

“There are two empty seats. Would it be alright if we sat here for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Lennox nodded and graciously offered the seats to the father and daughter. A man who had been joking around threw in a cheeky comment.

“Is it alright to let the bride go off alone on your wedding night?”

“It’s fine. We have many more nights ahead of us.”

“Indeed, married life is different.”

“Certainly. You’ve changed quite a bit since our school days.”

Angela naturally chimed in, boasting of her acquaintance.

“Lady Donovan mentioned she was an academy classmate with you, Young Master.”

“Yes. Back then, we were quite…”

Angela, smiling brightly, was about to steer the conversation when Lennox suddenly stood up.

“I think I’ll retire as well.”

“Your Highness?”

“I think the fatigue has caught up with me.”

“We’ve kept the newlywed groom too long.”

“Go ahead. It was a pleasure talking with you, Your Grace.”

“The pleasure was mine. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

With a polite bow, Lennox turned and left. Angela, claiming to feel dizzy, quickly followed him.

“Stop, Lennox Diorne!”

She finally caught up with him in an empty corridor. Catching her breath, Angela blocked his path. Her face, a mix of anger, shame, and sadness, glared at the man before her.

“We haven’t seen each other in months. Are you going to treat me so coldly?”

“How should I treat you, then?”

Lennox narrowed his eyes and retorted.

“What?”

“You seem to be under some illusion, but you’re just one of many academy classmates who passed by. Our positions and circumstances are different now, and you expect me to treat you familiarly?”

“I’m just one of those classmates? We were—”

Angela hastily lowered her voice, glancing around.

“We were once in a relationship.”

“But we never did anything.”

“We kissed!”

“So, are you asking me to take responsibility and marry you?”

Lennox looked down at her as if dealing with a child throwing a tantrum.

“Don’t be unreasonable over a brief fling. Especially not in front of my wife.”

Having shed his gentlemanly facade, Lennox turned the tables on her. Angela, struggling to control her emotions, took a deep breath.

“Was Harriet Vanetti the woman you were so infatuated with?”

“If so.”

“Why her, of all people! That promiscuous, scandalous woman with a colorful history with men.”

“Then what kind of woman should it be?”

“One who is impeccable, elegant, and pure. A woman with no gossip, a clean woman.”

“Like you?”

Angela’s face flushed at the low accusation. Lennox quietly observed her. Yes, this was the reaction. Though her face and demeanor were entirely different, she had the same black hair as Harriet and reacted with innocent indignation when provoked.

That’s why he had been briefly intrigued, but that was all. A substitute was just a substitute.

“Lady Donovan.”

Passengers passing by on the opposite corridor glanced at them. Lennox, having donned his mask again, smoothly changed the subject.

“It seems you’re traveling with friends, but is it alright to leave your father and friends behind?”

“Friends? How did you—”

“The women seated diagonally across from me at the table were your friends, weren’t they?”

They were the ones who had brazenly mocked Harriet as they passed by. Suppressing his anger, Lennox quietly warned her.

“Tell them to watch their mouths. I’d hate to see them end up at the bottom of this sea.”

It was no joke; he was serious. Leaving the frozen Angela behind, Lennox walked away leisurely.

* * *

Returning to the cabin alone, Harriet sat quietly in front of the vanity. She removed her earrings, necklace, and bracelet one by one. She had dismissed the maid who offered to help and simply stared at the woman reflected in the mirror.

“It’s okay. It didn’t show. He won’t know.”

Lennox Diorne always manipulated and controlled her, leading her in directions she didn’t want. She had to hide her surprise and agitation at the appearance of a woman named Angela.

The woman in the mirror whispered.

‘Why hide it? He’s already yours.’

“He’s not mine.”

‘He is yours. He’s your husband, the one you made a sacred vow with, promising eternity before the guests. You like him.’

“I never liked him.”

‘Don’t lie. You were aware of him as a man from the day you were unilaterally broken off and slept with him. And you were angry when he immediately went abroad.’

“That’s not true.”

Harriet shook her head repeatedly, gritting her teeth.

“Lennox Diorne and I don’t match. Whether it works out or not, the end will only be disastrous. So I should put an end to it early.”

‘So why?’

The face in the mirror twisted as if it couldn’t understand.

‘Are you afraid your roots will be exposed?’

“……”

‘Are you scared that perfect face will be filled with disappointment because of you, and he’ll coldly turn away?’

“Shut up.”

‘Harriet. Unless you drain all the blood from your body, you can’t hide the dirty roots of being an illegitimate child. How long do you think he won’t find out?’

“It doesn’t matter if he knows.”

‘Don’t lie. You set a short period of half a year because you thought you could hide it for that long.’

“I said shut up!”

‘Well, you shouldn’t be happy. If you knew how unhappy Margaret is because of you.’

The woman in the mirror laughed gleefully, clutching her stomach as she mocked Harriet, who was visibly shaken. Unable to contain her anger, Harriet picked up a comb and smashed the mirror. The shards of glass grazed her hand, drawing blood, but Harriet didn’t care. She felt relieved that the woman who had mocked her was gone.