Chapter 46

The next place Harriet headed to was her family home.

Regardless of the reason, it was her fault for getting angry and abruptly leaving the family dinner after causing a scene.

Moreover, it was still not the time to fall out of her father’s favor. To spend the next week comfortably, she had to apologize for that incident.

However, the first person she saw was not her father but her mother, Margaret.

“You’re here?”

“…Mother.”

Recalling the incident made her cheeks burn. Her father wasn’t the only one she needed to apologize to. She had said things she shouldn’t have to Olivia and her mother.

Especially to her mother.

Thinking about it made it hard to lift her head. Harriet spoke heavily.

“Mother… about the other day.”

“Is your cheek okay?”

Before she could finish, a warm hand touched her cheek. Harriet slowly lifted her bowed head.

“I’m sorry for hitting you. It must have hurt.”

“…”

Meeting her worried eyes, Harriet felt something welling up, blocking her throat. She barely moved her lips.

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay…”

“I’m sorry…”

Margaret shook her head, patting Harriet’s shoulder. Harriet was about to muster the courage to hug her mother’s shoulders when it happened.

“Oh my. Sister? Mother?”

An uninvited guest interrupted. Harriet quickly wiped her tears and looked at Marianne approaching.

“Did you have a good honeymoon? I was upset you didn’t even tell us you were back.”

“…Marianne.”

“Well, I guess it can’t be helped since I wasn’t invited to the wedding.”

Marianne smiled shamelessly and slipped between Harriet and Margaret, linking arms with Margaret.

“Marianne.”

Unable to bear it, Margaret looked at Marianne reproachfully. Marianne blinked innocently and changed the subject.

“Mother, let’s go now. The carriage is ready.”

Harriet stopped Marianne, who was about to pass by without a word.

“Where are you going?”

“Mother and I are going for a walk.”

“…Now?”

“Yes, now.”

“Harriet, you can come with us…”

Margaret’s suggestion was interrupted by both Marianne and Harriet, almost simultaneously.

“Next time.”

“Sister, come with us next time.”

“Please understand, dear. She’s quite upset about not being invited to the dinner.”

Linking arms with Margaret as if to say not to say unnecessary things, Marianne gave Harriet a teasing nod.

“Well, we’re off. See you later, sister.”

“Yes. I came to see Father today.”

Harriet waved her hand with a smile.

Watching the two disappearing figures, her left chest ached.

Of course, Marianne was also her mother’s daughter. But at least in front of her, she wished they wouldn’t show such closeness.

Though it had improved a lot, there were still deep scars left. Seeing Marianne act so shamelessly without remorse made it even more infuriating.

As she took a deep breath to calm her emotions, she sensed someone approaching.

“Miss, the Earl has called for you.”

“Wasn’t he talking to a guest?”

“He said it’s someone you know well.”

“…Me?”

Puzzled, Harriet followed the butler.

* * *

The guest her father was meeting was none other than Earl Eiden.

“Pay your respects, Harriet. Of course, you’re already acquainted.”

“…Hello, Uncle.”

Harriet greeted stiffly, surprised to see someone she hadn’t expected at her family home.

Earl Eiden chuckled and offered her a seat. Harriet, caught off guard, approached and sat next to her father, Franz, facing him.

Eiden, stroking his mustache, suddenly complimented her.

“I wondered who my niece-in-law took after to be so beautiful, and now I see she resembles her mother.”

Harriet barely held onto her smile. It was unlikely he said that knowing anything specific. It was probably just a polite compliment.

“Thank you. Actually, I often hear I resemble my grandmother in her younger days. Unfortunately, she passed away shortly after I was born, so I can’t see her now.”

“I see.”

The response was indifferent. Harriet internally breathed a sigh of relief and changed the subject.

“By the way, may I ask why you visited my family home, Uncle?”

“Well, it’s business.”

“Business.”

“Didn’t Lennox already tell you? About the island of the Vanetti family and the ship business.”

“Oh… yes.”

Harriet nodded, recalling the story she heard from Lennox.

“I heard you’re going into shipbuilding.”

“I didn’t realize such a big decision was made without consulting me. Of course, the counterpart is the father-in-law, so it might be easier to proceed.”

Though the voice was light with laughter, it subtly pressed down on Lennox. Harriet countered with a gentle smile.

“Still, it’s Lennox who succeeded the Duke’s position and is taking over the family business.”

Eiden’s eyes, which had been looking at her benevolently, suddenly turned sharp. But it was a brief moment, so short it could be mistaken for an illusion.

Harriet glanced at Franz and added softly.

“Still, he lacks experience, so he would need a lot of advice from you, Uncle. I appreciate your concern, especially after the funeral.”

“Not at all. It was something I had to do.”

Earl Eiden smiled and stood up.

“Then I must be going.”

“Won’t you stay longer?”

“I can’t take away the opportunity for you to talk with your daughter.”

Earl Eiden declined and left the reception room, leaving a cold atmosphere in place of the previously harmonious one.

“So, what did you come to say?”

Franz, who had wiped the smile off his face, questioned her. Harriet, who had been staring at the door Eiden had closed, turned her head back.

“I think I acted indiscreetly at the last dinner. I’m sorry.”

A heavy silence descended over her head. Harriet quietly waited for a response. Franz, exhaling a low sigh, took out a cigar from his pocket.

“It was quite unpleasant, but it’s fine.”

“Thank you.”

“By the way, I heard Marianne came to visit. You must have run into her.”

Harriet smiled faintly. Though he seemed to be testing the waters, the person who had brought her to this country wasn’t exactly in a position to say that.

“She said she was going for a walk with Mother. We just exchanged greetings.”

Franz, who had been watching Harriet with an unreadable expression, lit the end of his cigar.

“Marianne will be returning soon.”

“Really?”

Harriet looked up at the unexpected words. Franz replied as if it were obvious.

“Of course. What can she do here alone with her husband abroad? It’s her role to be by his side and support him.”

Though they reconciled, her father’s outdated perception hadn’t changed. Harriet sighed inaudibly and asked quietly.

“Then why did you teach me management?”

“Because you seemed interested in management even at a young age, and you were quite smart.”

“What about now?”

“Harriet.”

Franz called her softly and sat on the couch opposite her.

“You’ve done well. To a satisfactory extent. In fact, beyond expectations.”

“Then…”

“But you’ve done too well.”

“…What?”

Harriet blinked, unable to understand. Franz, pitying her inability to grasp his words, furrowed his brows and calmly declared.

“The one to inherit this family is Theodore.”

“Father.”

Unable to listen any longer, Harriet stood up abruptly. Franz, who followed suit, spoke persuasively.

“Harriet. You’re already a Duchess. What you have is already more than what we have. Can’t you be satisfied?”

“It’s not something I achieved through my efforts; it’s something given by marriage.”

She couldn’t believe her father, who had lined her up against Theodore and made them compete, was saying this.

Franz, seemingly expecting her reaction, rubbed his face with his hand.

“I’m not saying I’ll take away your department store.”

“But you’re telling me not to desire more than that.”

Harriet tried to suppress her emotions, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

“Let’s discuss this matter later. My head hurts.”

Franz waved his hand, signaling her to leave.

“Why did Earl Eiden come?”

“Didn’t he just say so?”

“Not for that reason.”

Harriet hesitated for a moment before asking.

“Didn’t he ask about me?”

Franz nodded as if it were obvious.

“Being his only niece-in-law, he seemed curious about a few things.”

“What did he ask?”

“It was nothing much. Just about your childhood and how deep your ties with your husband are.”

“…I see.”

Nodding, Harriet picked up her bag.

“I’ll be going now. Rest well.”

Without waiting for a response, she quickly walked out the front door, only to be blocked by a carriage.

As soon as she confirmed the seal on the carriage belonged to Earl Eiden, she stepped back, but he was quicker.

“Get in. You’re returning to the mansion, aren’t you?”

“…Yes, but.”

“We’re going the same way, so I’ll give you a ride.”

Eiden opened the carriage door, not considering refusal an option.

Harriet bit her lip. It was a kind gesture from a family elder. Refusing would be a significant discourtesy, so she had no choice but to take his hand and get in.