Chapter 47

“You seem to have a deeper connection with Lennox than I thought.”

“…Yes.”

“You first met when he was twelve, I hear.”

“Yes. He was friends with my brother Aaron. Lennox often visited, so we naturally got acquainted.”

“Well, it’s common for a boy to have a crush on his friend’s sister.”

Harriet silently smiled, gripping her fan tightly.

It felt like facing a large snake flicking its tongue.

She had to stay alert. Despite Earl Eiden’s outwardly amiable impression, he was an adversary constantly watching Lennox’s every move, trying to take his place. His accumulated experience and intuition were likely beyond imagination.

His visit to her family home as Lennox’s wife was probably a reconnaissance to catch any slip-ups.

She steeled herself not to give him any leverage, but suddenly, a name she had forgotten pierced her heart.

“And not long after, you were engaged to Mikhail Chasselot.”

Mikhail Chasselot.

A name that once felt like a thorn piercing her heart last year sounded surprisingly indifferent now.

“Yes. We’ve been engaged for ten years.”

“Then you’ve known each other for quite a while… Were you not on good terms?”

“No…”

Harriet shook her head with a bitter smile.

“But matters of the heart are not something that can be controlled. No matter how long the engagement period is, if there’s someone you love, it becomes meaningless.”

“Is that so?”

His eyes, as if trying to see through her thoughts, stared at her intently.

Harriet boldly nodded.

“That wedding was over three years ago, so I have no feelings about it now. It’s all in the past.”

“And changing men so frequently afterward wasn’t an effort to forget him?”

Harriet lowered her raised lips at the unexpectedly direct and probing attack. With a blank expression, she countered.

“Are you really my uncle, Earl?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking because it doesn’t seem like something an uncle would say to his niece-in-law. If you weren’t my elder, that would be a clear case of harassment.”

Eiden squinted at her eyes, which didn’t blink as she responded. Amidst the tense silence in the carriage, a sudden deflated laugh cut through.

“Hahaha!”

Eiden, laughing heartily, apologized to the bewildered Harriet.

“It was a joke! I’m sorry if I crossed the line.”

“A joke?”

“You see, Lennox is the only son of my only brother. He’s my only nephew, after all. So, I wanted to check a few things about his wife.”

Just then, the carriage slowed down and passed through the main gate of the Ducal mansion, entering the entrance hall.

Harriet, changing her expression, replied with a benevolent smile.

“Yes. I understand. Naturally, you would. Don’t worry; I’m not offended.”

“Lennox is fortunate to have such a broad-minded wife.”

“You’re too kind. Thank you for the ride.”

Harriet tilted her head and opened the carriage door. Skipping Eiden’s escort, she stepped directly onto the footrest, when a bombshell of a statement dropped on her head.

“Did you know your old fiancé is coming back?”

“Who… is coming back?”

Harriet turned her head with disbelief, like a creaky hinge, and glared at Eiden.

“Your former fiancé, Madame. The Mikhail Chasselot we just discussed.”

“…”

“According to my sources, he should arrive by tomorrow.”

“…I see.”

Although it was shocking, she couldn’t show it. Harriet barely managed her expression and bowed once more.

“Thank you for letting me know. Goodbye.”

Before Eiden could say anything more, Harriet slammed the carriage door shut and quickly walked into the mansion.

As soon as she entered, the head maid approached with quick steps and took her coat.

“It’s not the time for you to return, Madame. You’re back sooner than expected.”

“I won’t be going to work for about a week. Even if there’s work, I’ll do it from the mansion.”

“Have you eaten? Shall I prepare the bath first?”

“No need for dinner. Where is the Duke?”

“He just returned and is in his room…”

Before the maid could finish speaking, Harriet strode up the stairs to Lennox’s bedroom on the second floor.

“Lennox.”

Without knocking, she flung the door open, and he was in the middle of undressing to bathe. Harriet quickly closed the door at the sight of his firm abs.

She stepped back two paces and counted to three, waiting for him to dress again, but this time, the door burst open from the inside.

“Why are you out here? Come in.”

Instead of putting his shirt back on, Lennox grabbed her arm and pulled her into the room, half-dressed.

“What’s the matter? Why so urgent? Did something happen?”

“Well…”

As she leaned her back against the wall, trapped within his arms, his firm chest came into view.

Just looking at it made her want to touch it. It was as lewd as its owner. But she only thought about it, unable to touch, and closed her eyes tightly before blurting out.

“I just wanted to see you.”

“What did you say?”

Lennox tilted his head, thinking he misheard. Even that gesture seemed cute, and Harriet just wanted to gouge out her own eyes.

“I wanted to see you.”

“Are you sick?”

Now thinking she had a headache, he even placed his hand on her forehead. Harriet was momentarily speechless, then pushed his arm away and shouted again.

“I wanted to see you, so I came in a hurry!”

“Really?”

“…Really.”

“This isn’t a dream, right?”

“No.”

Harriet shook her head and added hesitantly.

“Of course, it’s not good for me to act like this when we should be cautious and careful… Ah!”

Before she could finish speaking, he hugged her tightly.

“Let me go.”

Even though Harriet, her face flushed, pushed against his shoulder, it was useless.

“Harriet.”

Lennox finally released his arms after a long time and pressed his forehead against hers.

“What prompted this sudden change of heart?”

“…It’s not so sudden. I’ve been thinking about it and just reached a conclusion.”

“The contract?”

The question, asked without suspicion, made Harriet’s left chest sting. It felt like she was a bad adult deceiving an innocent child.

“Let’s think about that later.”

Harriet deftly dodged the question and then covered his lips with hers.

* * *

After the funeral of the late Duke, people started paying attention to the Duke and Duchess of Diorne, who began appearing at official events.

“The wedding was truly magnificent! My daughter saw the Duchess’s wedding dress in the newspaper and begged me to buy her the same one! Hoho.”

“It’s unfortunate that your father passed away without seeing his grandchildren. I heard you took over most of the business as well. Perhaps…”

There were various reasons for people to approach them with friendly smiles, mostly to build connections or for business reasons. However, there were occasionally people who approached with different motives.

“I heard from the guests at the wedding that Mrs. Chasselot suddenly left. It seemed like you had reconciled. Is there a reason? Are you still on awkward terms?”

Though it seemed like a curious question, behind the smiling face was jealousy and malice. Harriet initially considered ignoring it with a smile but changed her mind.

“That girl is the one who took my sister’s man. What if it brings bad luck?”

“What?”

The woman, expecting Harriet to be flustered or humiliated, was taken aback by her calm response.

Harriet glanced around and then asked instead.

“I’m curious. If you were in my position, would you have invited her happily?”

“Well…”

The woman, at a loss for words, quietly backed down and avoided eye contact.

“I apologize…”

Watching the retreating figure, Harriet noticed the surrounding area had become quiet.

“Darling.”

Lennox, who had been conversing with other men from a distance, was suddenly behind her.

“Darling.”