Chapter 65

After hesitating for a moment, Harriet finally set down her teacup with a determined expression.

“Is it true that everything between a doctor and patient is kept strictly confidential?”

“Of course. Even though this isn’t a clinic.”

“It seems Marianne… was instigated by someone three years ago to trap Mikhail.”

“Lady Chasselot… you mean?”

Despite all the stories in the newspapers, this was the first he had heard of it. Eugene was shocked by the rather startling news.

“Is it true?”

“Yes. The evidence is solid. Until yesterday, I wasn’t sure, but…”

“What made you certain?”

“A letter. I saw an anonymous letter Marianne had.”

“Is there a chance it was a setup?”

“No. It definitely wasn’t Marianne’s handwriting.”

“…”

The gentle atmosphere suddenly tensed up, and the drawing room filled with tension. Eugene, frozen and silent, seemed to be pondering something before shaking his head.

“That can’t be… not to that extent.”

“Sorry?”

Harriet, having heard his small murmur, reacted keenly. Eugene forced a smile and shook his head.

“It’s nothing.”

“…”

“By the way, I should get going. The rain has stopped, and I have another house call.”

Checking his pocket watch, Eugene stood up.

“Already? You should have a meal before you go. My father and mother wanted to talk to you too.”

“I’d like to stay longer, but time doesn’t allow it.”

“I see…”

As Harriet looked disappointed, Eugene nodded and gathered his bag and hat.

“Please tell her to avoid walking and rest for a while, as it seems to be a mild sprain. Just in case, have her see her doctor too.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Then…”

Eugene politely greeted Harriet, who had come to see him off at the entrance, and quickly walked away, mounting his horse. Watching his rapidly disappearing figure, Harriet suddenly grabbed her coat, struck by a thought.

The maid, who was about to serve the next tea, was surprised and widened her eyes.

“Are you going out? Should I prepare the carriage?”

“No. Please prepare a horse.”

Harriet shook her head and added urgently.

“A fast one, if possible.”

Riding a horse in haste, Harriet followed right behind Eugene.

Keeping a distance so as not to be noticed, she trailed him, and sure enough, the Diorne Ducal Mansion appeared. It felt as if a foreboding premonition was taking shape before her eyes.

After Eugene spoke with the gatekeeper and passed through the main gate, Harriet followed closely behind.

The gatekeeper, recognizing her, was flustered.

“Ma-Madam?”

“That person just now…”

“That’s Eugene Gray, an old friend of His Grace. He used to visit often, so I let him in.”

The gatekeeper, worried he might have made a mistake, watched Harriet’s expression. Harriet, biting her nails, nodded.

“For now, keep my visit a secret. Don’t tell anyone.”

“Oh… yes.”

The gatekeeper swallowed hard at her cryptic words. 

Why would she need to secretly enter her own home? 

It was incomprehensible, but the best policy with the actions and words of high-ranking people was to pretend not to know.

* * *

Lennox was taken aback by the unexpected guest.

“Eugene?”

“I greet His Grace the Duke of Diorne.”

“Enough with the formalities. I’ve dismissed the maid.”

Waving his hand, Lennox sank deeply into the couch in the drawing room, sitting languidly.

“So, what brings you here at this hour? You haven’t shown your face lately.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“That’s not the only reason, is it?”

Instead of answering, Eugene gave a bitter smile. It was a youthful affection, but it was true that he had briefly held feelings for Harriet. Now, having let go of any lingering attachment, he could comfortably face him.

“You’re not here to give a belated wedding gift… What’s the matter?”

Lennox, crossing his long legs, waited for Eugene’s words. After hesitating for a moment, Eugene interlocked his fingers and cautiously spoke.

“Actually, I have something to ask you.”

“Something to ask?”

“About three years ago… the incident between Mikhail Chasselot and Marianne Vanetti.”

The air, which had been soft, turned cold the moment those two names were mentioned. Eugene swallowed dryly. A small spark of doubt he denied was spreading like wildfire on a dry field.

“It’s not… is it?”

“What isn’t?”

Lennox, having erased his smile, pressed him instead.

“What isn’t it?”

Eugene closed his eyes tightly. He had come hoping, just in case, that he might find the answer before the torment consumed him.

After several deep breaths, he finally found his voice.

“Three years ago… that wasn’t your doing, was it? The accomplice who collaborated with Marianne…”

“…”

Instead of answering, Lennox stood up, opened the cabinet, and took out whiskey and two glasses. Eugene watched his actions, feeling like a condemned man observing every small movement of the executioner.

“You know how much I love Coco. You’re the only one who knows.”

“…”

“At the time, it had been a full 12 years. Watching her. But… Coco already had a fiancé. And they were even on good terms. He was a perfect match.”

“Lennox…”

Calling his friend’s name as if squeezing it out, Eugene covered his face with both hands, groaning. Watching him in agony, Lennox continued smoothly.

“No matter how much I was the heir to the ducal family and a powerful man in the shipping industry, how could I stop two people who were properly engaged and about to marry?”

“There are things in the world that shouldn’t be done. You… played with the fate of three people as you pleased.”

“Three people?”

Lennox smirked, poured whiskey into a glass, and drank it in one gulp. Eugene’s face turned to shock.

“You…”

He had expected at least a denial or an angry outburst. But to be so nonchalant…

“It’s not just that…… is it?”

The voice that followed was barely a whisper, as if he were being strangled.

Though he spoke out of suspicion, Eugene hoped Lennox would deny it.

He wished Lennox would get angry and kick him out, asking what he thought of him.

“Lennox. Please…”

Almost pleading, Eugene added, and Lennox drank the whiskey once more. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he laughed.

“Lennox…?”

It was the same fresh and beautiful smile he had since childhood. Eugene, who had stood up in shock, took a step back. Goosebumps rose as his hair stood on end.

“Coco is charming. While I was abroad, it was obvious all sorts of bugs would flock to her. Moreover, she ignored all my letters.”

“…No way.”

Though he hadn’t drunk a single sip of alcohol, his mind was reeling. Staggering, Eugene placed his hand on the back of the couch to steady his legs.

He had indeed found it strange. About Harriet Coco Vanetti’s past men. Of course, there were real scumbags, but there were also men of excellent character and integrity. Some who might have ended up well with Harriet. However, all of them either left Harriet due to unfortunate events or broke up with her.

It wasn’t just one or two coincidences. Moreover…

“It’s strange. When I look at someone, I want to keep looking……. My heart races.”

“Your heart?”

“Is this some kind of illness, Eugene?”

“Th-That might be…”

Harriet was Lennox’s obsessive first love and only woman. Although he recently learned who she was, Eugene was the one Lennox confided in about his feelings when he first became aware of them.

“Eugene. Do you know this saying? I think I read it in a book once…”

Watching Eugene, who was too shocked to speak, Lennox slowly moved his lips.

“…”

Lennox, calmly observing Eugene’s face filled with shock, quietly confessed.

“There are no coincidences in the world. Only inevitabilities created by someone.”

“You lunatic!”

Eugene cursed under his breath and rubbed his face. Such obsession was almost at the level of a mental illness. Guilt washed over him for leaving his dangerous friend unattended.

“Do you think that’s something a sane person would do?”

“Is that your opinion as a doctor? Or just as a friend?”

“Both!”

His anger flared up briefly, but Eugene, seeing Lennox’s unflinching calm, let out a heavy sigh.

“Why are you so surprised? You’ve been suspecting it all along.”

Lennox shrugged and muttered self-deprecatingly.

“Look at my father’s record. He forcibly married a woman who didn’t love him.”

“So you’re going to follow the same path?”

“No. I’m different. I avoided doing anything Coco would hate. We’ll love each other and get along well.”

Lennox arrogantly replied and added.

“As long as you keep your mouth shut.”

“…Do you think you can hide it forever?”

“That’s a question you need to answer now.”

Standing up, Lennox approached and grabbed Eugene by the collar before he could avoid it.

“So, what did you see? What did you see that made you suddenly question me?”

“…”

Though his voice was as usual, his eyes held a murderous intent. If Eugene didn’t answer, he seemed ready to strangle him; and the friend he knew was crazy enough to do just that. He was barely maintaining the facade of a gentleman.

Though he was holding his collar now, he seemed ready to choke him at any moment. After a tense standoff, Eugene swallowed dryly and finally confessed.

“The letter you sent to Marianne Chasselot. Or rather, Marianne Vanetti at the time.”

“…Whose hands did it come from?”

“Your wife.”

As soon as he answered, Eugene was released from the suffocating grip. While he was catching his breath,

“What was in the letter?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t see it myself. But she talked about it.”