Chapter 42

Even upon arriving at the Diorne Ducal Mansion, which had now become her home, Harriet felt as if she were buried in the ground.

Feeling like she was crawling in the depths of despair, she even had the impulse to just die.

“Madam, welcome back.”

As soon as she got off the carriage, the butler, who took her coat at the entrance, warmly greeted the mistress.

“How was the dinner?”

“Well… it was just okay.”

In truth, it had been a mess, and she had ruined the gathering, but there was no need to say that. Harriet answered vaguely and massaged her stiff neck.

“Will you bathe and sleep right away?”

“I’ll read some documents before sleeping. But I’ll bathe first.”

“Then I’ll prepare the bath in about an hour.”

“Please do.”

Letting out a low sigh, Harriet started up the stairs to the office on the second floor when a voice suddenly came from above.

“Are you just getting home?”

“…Lennox.”

It was Lennox Diorne, who was so busy that even living in the same mansion, she rarely saw his face. Now, he was also her husband.

“When did you return?”

“Not long ago. Just finished washing up.”

Come to think of it, he was in pajamas and a robe.

“Then you should get some sleep. Why are you out?”

“I was waiting for my wife who left home.”

“Ha…”

Harriet burst into laughter at the absurdity. It was a line like a husband patiently waiting for his cheating wife.

“You’re busier than I am, you know?”

“I know.”

Agreeing lightly, Lennox turned to the butler.

“Prepare the bath immediately.”

“Didn’t you hear? I said I’m going to work in the study.”

“Right now.”

Despite Harriet’s protest, Lennox insisted to the butler and sent him to prepare the bath. Harriet, exasperated, glared at Lennox, who rested his arms on the railing and smiled with his eyes.

“You’re not in the mood to work.”

His smile was breathtakingly beautiful. As if enchanted, she watched as his face drew closer. Lennox approached her with long strides and lifted her like a princess.

“Then, my lady, let’s go wash up.”

“What? You just said you washed… Kyaa!”

Harriet, flustered, hit his shoulder, but he only held her closer, and she eventually gave up resisting.

* * *

In the bubble-filled bathtub, Harriet covered her body with her hands to hide any exposed skin.

“You really don’t have to attend to me.”

Lennox, pouring warm water over her head, carefully washed her hair. His hands massaging her scalp made Harriet unconsciously feel refreshed and relax her head.

“Because I want to.”

“Do you perhaps…”

Harriet narrowed her eyes and quietly observed him.

“Have some strange f*tish? Getting excited while attending to a woman?”

“Pfft.”

Lennox let out a low laugh at her unexpected answer.

“Are you pretending not to know, or do you really not know?”

“Know what?”

“My feelings. I thought I made them very clear.”

“…”

Having nothing to say, Harriet quietly closed her eyes. His hands, gently combing and washing her wet hair, were so excellent that she wouldn’t mind paying for them.

“I…”

Hesitating for a moment, Harriet confessed honestly, feeling guilty.

“I can’t reciprocate.”

“Why not?”

“Because I can’t be happy.”

“Don’t you want to be happy?”

“I can’t.”

She couldn’t shamelessly seek happiness after pushing Margaret, who raised and loved her, into despair. She was sinful from birth.

As if reading her thoughts, Lennox, who had been silent, replied slowly.

“It’s okay. I’ll be twice as happy and eventually pass it on to you.”

“…”

Harriet bit her lip as something threatened to rise within her. Whatever it was, it felt like it shouldn’t come out.

“Did something happen at the dinner?”

She had resolved not to tell anyone, but she found herself answering involuntarily.

“Father… told me to quit my job.”

“Your job. Why?”

“He wants me to live like most women. Quietly supporting the household, raising children, and managing the home.”

“And?”

At his plain response, Harriet opened her eyes.

“What do you think? Do you agree with him?”

“Well… it wouldn’t be bad. I’d be happy if you welcomed me home every day.”

His sincere eyes showed it was an honest fact without any lies. Just as Harriet was about to close her eyes again, thinking as much, he spoke.

“But it doesn’t suit you.”

“…Doesn’t suit me?”

“You’re like a bird soaring with its wings wide in the high sky. It would be a waste to keep such a bird in a cage for decoration. It wouldn’t suit it, and it would wither away.”

It was a novel metaphor. Harriet’s voice trembled at the unexpected answer.

“…But if you don’t put that bird in a cage, you can’t have it.”

“Just make the cage feel like home. No matter how far it flies, it will eventually return home.”

Lennox, drying her hair one last time, wrapped it in a long towel.

“Then, I’ll be off…”

“Lennox.”

Harriet reached out and tugged on his robe. As Lennox leaned down, she quickly stole a kiss from his lips.

“…”

Lennox, dumbfounded, stared at her. Harriet quickly turned her head, her ears turning red, and dismissed him.

“You can leave now.”

* * *

With urgent matters settled, Lennox began to spend more time with Harriet after that day. He started coming home a little earlier, and they spent more time having meals together.

“Will you be coming home early today as well?”

“Yes.”

The subtle change was noticeable even to Yvonne, who was close to them.

Harriet, noticing the gaze staring at her with a smile, scolded her.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just… fascinating. And a bit envious.”

“…Of what?”

“I thought you’d never find true love. Even if you did fall in love seriously, I thought you’d realize it much later.”

Harriet blinked at the unexpected words.

“What? Do you think I’m a character in a romance novel? What’s with the sudden talk of love? It’s childish.”

“Sudden? Isn’t what you’re doing now love?”

It felt like someone had smacked her on the back of the head.

“What does it mean to love?”

“It’s hard to define, but… um…”

Yvonne, who had been silent for a moment, began a speech.

“Well… love between a man and a woman is like this. When together, your breath quickens, and your body feels warm.”

“…Isn’t that just lust?”

“There’s more. When you’re together, it feels like it’s just you and that person in the world. Your heart races and flutters at every word and action. You keep thinking about them.”

“…”

As she listened quietly, Harriet recalled her honeymoon. Somehow, Yvonne’s words didn’t feel unfamiliar or distant.

The irregular heartbeat, the eyes that held her gaze.

Yvonne, watching her quietly, drove the point home.

“You’ve never had someone like that among the many men you’ve met, have you?”

“No. Not now either.”

Harriet waved her hand dismissively and got up.

“I’m leaving work early today. You should go home too.”

“Senior!”

Harriet turned at the call. She thought Yvonne would be happy about her early departure, but she unexpectedly wore a serious expression.

“If you wait to see if what’s in your hand is love, it’s already too late. Grab it before it slips through your fingers like sand.”

The words struck her heart. Harriet, feeling an unfamiliar sensation, touched her left chest, which was throbbing, and then fixed her blank expression.

“I’ll throw those words back at you.”

“What?”

“Aaron is about to reach the age for marriage, and he’s being pressured by Father to meet potential brides.”

“W-what?”

Yvonne, shocked by the unexpected news, was left speechless.

“If it gets too late, I won’t be able to help you.”

Sticking out her tongue, Harriet quickly left the office.