Chapter 66
A heavy silence divided the two men. During the ensuing stillness, Eugene’s face turned pale as if he were being strangled, while Lennox, expressionless as if recalling memories, suddenly burst into laughter.
“Lennox?”
Eugene blinked at the unexpected reaction and stared at his friend.
“I thought you had seen some fatal evidence.”
“Fatal evidence? If that’s not evidence, then what is?”
“It’s not a problem. There’s no proof I sent that letter. I told her to burn it immediately after reading it, but I didn’t expect her to keep it. It’s fine because I had someone else write it.”
“A ghostwriter…?”
“Isn’t that obvious? If it were my handwriting, Harriet would have recognized it.”
He was a man unbelievably meticulous. Eugene, overwhelmed, shook his head.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep your secret thoroughly… I should be going.”
Though he had rushed here in shock and horror at the possibility, once he regained his composure, it wasn’t something to get so worked up about.
Though the process was unsettling and borderline criminal, the result seemed to make both of them happy. Lennox, of course, and Harriet also seemed to have deep trust and love for Lennox.
“It’s a matter between a couple, so it’s not my place to interfere…”
“Wise decision, Eugene.”
Even if he tried to intervene, he would likely face obstacles. The Lennox Diorne he knew wouldn’t just stand by and watch someone interfere with his meticulously crafted plan. He would ensure any interference was met with consequences. He didn’t want to involve himself in their matters, even at the risk of that. There were things he had to protect too.
Forcing himself to ignore the guilt he felt toward Harriet, Eugene put on his hat.
“Don’t contact me for a while. Until I reach out first.”
“Alright.”
Having softened considerably at Eugene’s promise not to involve himself despite knowing the truth, Lennox gently saw his friend off.
“Then take care…”
He was in the middle of saying goodbye when he stopped abruptly, catching a familiar scent.
“Lennox?”
Eugene, who had been following him out, looked back at Lennox, who had stopped, with a puzzled expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Damn it.”
Cursing in a rough voice, Lennox suddenly brushed past Eugene and mounted the horse he had ridden in on.
“What are you doing, Lennox!”
Eugene, flustered, tried to block his path, but it was futile. Without hesitation, Lennox spurred the horse forward.
* * *
Hearing a knock at the door, Ellen opened it to see Harriet and widened her eyes in surprise.
“Miss?”
“Hello, Ellen.”
“What’s the matter?”
“What do you mean… I just wanted to see you. How have you been?”
“Of course. Please come in.”
Nodding, Harriet stepped inside. It was a small but cozy home. She admired the furniture and familiar dishes displayed in the cabinet, each bearing signs of use.
“It’s always the same here.”
“Of course.”
After escaping from the Ducal Mansion as if fleeing, Harriet headed to Ellen’s house, who had been her nanny and managed her household when she lived independently.
“By the way, did something happen, Miss? You look pale.”
Having known her for a long time, Ellen quickly noticed Harriet’s condition and worriedly sat her on the couch in the living room.
“You seem cold too. Are you eating well? I’ve been so worried since I can’t take care of you now that you’re married…”
“Ellen…”
Harriet leaned her head on Ellen’s shoulder as if seeking comfort.
“I’ve just been tired. You know, there’s the department store to manage, and my duties as a Duchess…”
Lies flowed smoothly from her lips. Harriet mocked herself for it while acting like a child.
“Could you make me some warm tea, please?”
“Of course. Wait a moment. I’ll prepare your favorite chamomile tea with honey.”
Ellen smiled warmly, showing no discomfort at Harriet’s sudden visit, and got up. Having spent a long time together, she knew well that Harriet, who appeared strong on the outside, was actually a kind-hearted and gentle young lady. Though she had been by her side during tough times, this time felt strangely different, as if something serious had happened.
Ellen returned with a steaming cup of tea and quietly spoke.
“Is it… something with the Duke, Miss?”
Ellen asked cautiously, hoping Harriet would say no. After all the ups and downs, she seemed to finally be a bit happy.
But the answer she received was shocking.
“I’m going to get a divorce.”
Crash. The teacup fell simultaneously, shattering, and hot tea spilled onto the floor.
“Miss?”
Ellen, doubting her ears, couldn’t continue speaking and only moved her lips.
“What do you mean? Divorce?”
Ellen sincerely hoped she had misheard. What an absurd word to hear during what should be a happy honeymoon!
“Just as I said. I’m going to get a divorce.”
Looking down at the scattered fragments of the cup, Harriet repeated herself.
“Miss!”
Ellen approached Harriet and grabbed her arm.
“What do you mean? Did something happen to you?”
“Happen to me…”
Muttering, Harriet let out a small laugh.
“No. Strictly speaking, nothing happened to me.”
It was a cryptic statement. But without time to ponder its subtlety, Ellen urgently tried to dissuade Harriet.
“If that’s not the case, then you can’t get a divorce.”
“Why not?”
“Why? You haven’t even been married for a year. You know how much attention is focused on you right now.”
A life that every noble young lady dreamed of. Being born as the daughter of the wealthy Vanetti family was considered a blessing. However, Ellen knew that Harriet’s life wasn’t as smooth and worry-free as people imagined.
To Ellen, Harriet was a pitiful young lady who, upon learning the secret of her birth, built a solid wall around herself. Though she appeared strong and cold like a fortress, inside, she was still a young girl who hadn’t fully grown up.
Ellen didn’t want to see Harriet, who was already gentle-hearted, suffer more from the harsh gazes and bad rumors of the world.
“Have you fallen out of love? Or has the Duke found another woman?”
Though selfish, Ellen hoped it was the former. At least then, Harriet wouldn’t be hurt.
“No.”
Shaking her head, Harriet denied Ellen’s words and added,
“It’s worse than that.”
“Worse than that?”
Ellen tried to imagine the worst-case scenario in her mind, but no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t reach a conclusion. Though the revelation of Harriet’s birth secret had caused an uproar, it had already somewhat subsided.
After Harriet openly acknowledged her birth, newspapers were filled with articles about the corruption and collusion involving Earl Eiden and the elders of the Diorne Ducal family. Even Ellen, who was ignorant of political maneuvers, could see that Lennox Diorne had covered his wife’s scandal and proudly reclaimed his family’s rightful position.
Harriet pulled her knees up on the couch and hugged them.
“Guess, Ellen. You can see right through my thoughts, can’t you?”
“Could it be…”
After thinking for a long time, Ellen hesitantly opened her mouth.
“Is it related to the incident three years ago?”
The incident three years ago referred to Marianne and Mikhail’s story. Harriet quietly nodded.
“It was Lennox who instigated Marianne from behind to spend a night with Mikhail.”
“…My goodness!”
Ellen, shocked, let out a groan and hugged Harriet tightly without asking further questions.
“Oh my… How could such a thing happen…”
“Isn’t it a valid reason for divorce?”
“Miss…”
It was harder to see Harriet pretending to be nonchalant. Ellen stroked Harriet’s hair as she did when she was young.
Harriet, who had been stiff, soon tried to pull Ellen’s arm away.
“Ellen, I’m fine.”
“No, Miss. You’re not fine.”
Ellen firmly stated and hugged Harriet even tighter.
“Really. I’m more okay than you think… I was just surprised.”
“You can’t be okay. No one would be okay after experiencing something like that.”
“Really, I’m fine…”
The next moment, tears poured from Harriet’s eyes. She was stunned by the tears that fell unknowingly. They felt like someone else’s tears despite being her own.
“…Ah?”
“Our poor Miss… What should we do with you…”
Ellen, patting Harriet’s back, cried along with her.
“Our poor Miss…”
“Ellen…”
Harriet’s voice, which had been calm, gradually trembled and eventually became wet with tears.
“What… do I do now? Sob… There’s no one in the world I can trust.”
He was a kind man who knelt and massaged her feet and legs despite his noble status. He said he loved her, cooked for her, and embraced her darkest secrets, assuring her it was okay.
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This is all on you, Lennox… And to think, the pattern of how Harriet’s previous relationships ended were consistent… How foolish of him to think he won’t be discovered, and still think that she’ll still trust him despite what he’s done… I get it, he didn’t want to lose Harriet… But what he did will make him lose her in the worst possible way, along with any hope for reconciliation… 😩