Chapter 75

Then, a small chuckle escaped Lennox, and soon he threw his head back, laughing heartily.

“Hahaha!”

“….”

It was a laugh Harriet couldn’t understand. She stared at him in disbelief, narrowing her eyes.

“You probably don’t realize it, but sometimes you seem completely normal, and then suddenly you act like a lunatic.”

“Sorry… It’s just that nothing has changed since then.”

Lennox wiped the tears welling up in his eyes from laughing so hard and answered with a flushed face.

“You said almost the exact same thing back then.”

“…I did?”

“Yes, almost word for word. You told me it wasn’t my fault my mother passed away, that it was just how things unfolded. You said I hadn’t made any choices, so why was I shrinking back like a criminal? At first, I thought you were just saying that because you didn’t understand the situation and felt a surge of anger, but when I looked up and saw your serious face, I was at a loss for words.”

Lennox fell into his memories, recalling Harriet as she had been when he was sixteen. A girl younger and more delicate than she was now, with a rosy flush on her cheeks and an air of immaturity, like a budding flower just beginning to bloom.

“The more you shrink back, the more people will think it’s your fault. They’ll accuse you and treat you like a criminal. Are you dumb enough to just let that happen? Feeling sorry for yourself won’t change anything. Unless you’re hoping for soft words of comfort and encouragement, that is.”

Her words had been a fresh shock. From a young age, everyone around Lennox had been eager to cater to his every need. As his mother’s death anniversary approached, they treated him like a fragile glass ornament, handling him with extreme care. 

But Harriet had been entirely different. Unlike the adults who tiptoed around him, afraid of upsetting or hurting him, she had maintained the same attitude from beginning to end. Even though the topic was sensitive, she spoke objectively and almost coldly, without a flicker of hesitation.

At first, he had been bewildered, but as he mulled over her words, he began to understand them. And when he later learned about her background, he realized what had driven her to say such things, which only deepened his feelings for her.

“It’s a beautiful memory, truly.”

Lennox spoke with genuine sincerity, but Harriet, on the other hand, grew increasingly pale as she processed what she had supposedly said.

“That… I must have been under a lot of stress at the time, half out of my mind. That’s probably why I said something like that…”

Even so, it wasn’t something she should have said to a sixteen-year-old boy. She could have consoled him gently, offered him comfort. Why had she spoken so harshly? She couldn’t understand herself.

As Harriet’s voice trailed off, sounding almost defensive, Lennox shook his head and smiled.

“No. What you said actually made me feel better. Because you weren’t wrong. I realized that wallowing in self-pity wasn’t helping me. From the following year onward, I started treating my mother’s death anniversary like any other day.”

“…Really?”

“Why would I lie about that?”

Now that she thought about it, he was right. Still looking somewhat unsettled, Harriet nodded.

“So? What happened after that?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re not telling me that was it, are you?”

Hoping for a more dramatic story, Harriet watched Lennox shake his head calmly, dashing her expectations.

“There were minor incidents before and after, but the decisive moment was that conversation.”

“….”

Harriet was momentarily at a loss for words. She blinked slowly and then asked quietly, 

“Do you… enjoy being scolded?”

“What?”

“You know… Isn’t there a term for it? Masochist?”

“No. If anything, it’s the opposite.”

Lennox laughed again, denying her accusation. 

Still unconvinced, Harriet gave him a skeptical look. Just then, the boat reached the shore and began to dock slowly.

“Have we already gone full circle?”

“No. We’re stopping here for a break.”

Lennox picked up the picnic basket and blanket he had left on the boat and handed the ferryman a small tip before stepping off first. Then, he extended his hand to Harriet.

After a moment’s hesitation, Harriet took his hand and stepped off the rocking boat with his help. She looked around.

“This place…”

“It’s private property. You could call it a small island. You can rent it for personal use.”

“Ah.”

Harriet glanced around. Tall trees provided shade, and the neatly trimmed grass looked soft and inviting. Most of all, the river sparkled like glass in the sunlight, making the scenery breathtaking.

“This is amazing. I never imagined a place like this existed. I thought it was just a passing spot.”

“I only found out recently myself. I was looking for somewhere to bring you.”

While Harriet wandered around, taking in the small island with interest, Lennox spread out the blanket and gently guided her to sit down. Then, he began to unpack the simple food prepared by the Ducal Mansion’s chef early that morning.

Lennox pulled out sandwiches filled with ham, eggs, and fresh vegetables. The moment Harriet took a bite, the flavors melted in her mouth, satisfying her slight hunger.

Before she knew it, she had quickly taken another bite, and then another, as she gazed at the river. Watching her eat, Lennox looked surprised.

“You must have been really hungry. Should I give you mine?”

“Hmm?”

“Usually, you just pick at your food.”

“Ah.”  

Harriet finally realized she had already devoured two sandwiches. It surprised even her. No matter how much she enjoyed the taste, she usually felt full quickly. But these days, she seemed to eat more than usual. It must have been a change brought on by her pregnancy.  

As that thought crossed her mind, she suddenly felt the weight of Lennox’s gaze. Harriet shook her head.  

“No, I’m fine. I’m full.”  

“Really?”  

“Yes. I guess I just ate a lighter breakfast today. I’m fine, so you go ahead and eat.”  

When she refused again, Lennox didn’t insist any further and began eating his share of the sandwich. Harriet quickly changed the subject.  

“Anyway, this place is so peaceful and serene. I never knew such a place existed.”  

“Right? I wanted to bring you here. I thought you’d like it.”  

Lennox smiled faintly and offered her a slice of apple. This time, Harriet didn’t refuse and opened her mouth.  

She enjoyed the crisp texture, but just as she was about to swallow, Lennox’s next words nearly made her choke on the apple.  

“Coco. I know this might sound strange, but have you met Eugene recently?”  

“What?”  

Had he noticed something? Or was he fishing for information because he already knew?  

Harriet barely managed to swallow the piece of apple stuck in her throat and turned to face Lennox stiffly. His expression was the same as always, even carrying a faint smile.  

“Why so suddenly?”  

“I was just curious.”  

“No, I haven’t seen him recently. Why?”  

In situations like this, the best strategy was to feign ignorance until concrete evidence or a witness was presented. Harriet shook her head calmly and countered with her own question.  

“Why are you asking about that?”  

“Oh.”  

Lennox blinked as if his thoughts had short-circuited, then shook his head.  

“No reason. Eugene and I have grown a bit distant lately. I just wondered if he said anything strange to you.”  

“He hasn’t. What an odd question to ask.”  

Feigning irritation, Harriet furrowed her brows and turned her gaze back to the river. She knew this peaceful moment wouldn’t last much longer. Soon, morning sickness and other symptoms would start to manifest.  

So, she wanted to savor this moment as much as she could.  

***

Lennox didn’t leave Harriet’s side for two whole days. He stayed close during meals, while she read, and even when she bathed or slept.  

When the day Harriet had long awaited finally arrived, she felt an overwhelming sense of freedom.  

“Well, I’ll be off now.”  

“Are you sure you don’t need an escort? Or at least a guard?”  

“Yvonne is coming with me. Besides, I’ve told you repeatedly that I don’t need a guard. The coachman is armed, and I’m capable myself.”  

“You never know. It’s a long journey, and there are plenty of bandits who target noblewomen’s carriages. Just in case…”  

“Lennox Diorne.”  

Harriet narrowed her eyes and called his name firmly, like a parent scolding a child.  

“I told you I’d be taking only safe routes. The patrols are frequent these days, and for safety, I’m using a carriage disguised as a common hired one instead of the Diorne Ducal Mansion’s carriage. Also, I’ll be switching to a train later. If I bring along an escort or attendants, wouldn’t that just draw more attention?”  

Her cold reply made Lennox’s expression darken. Harriet sighed softly. Her logic and emotions were at odds with each other. Even though she knew the truth about this man, her heart softened. Feeling as though she was doing something cruel, Harriet added,  

“I’m not a child, so stop worrying.”  

“Alright.”  

Lennox nodded weakly. Harriet climbed into the carriage with the coachman’s help. After greeting Yvonne, she prepared to depart, but Lennox, who had been seeing her off, knocked on the carriage door.  

“Coco.”  

“Yes?”  

As soon as she rolled down the window, Lennox cupped her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers. Harriet’s eyes widened in shock, her face frozen in surprise.  

After the brief kiss, Lennox whispered softly,  

“Have a safe trip.”  

His smile was as gentle as that of a devoted wife seeing her husband off on a business trip. Harriet, her face flushed bright red, nodded wordlessly, closed the window, and urged the carriage to depart.