Chapter 96

“Of course, I can’t openly help you right now.”

The King leisurely spoke as he lifted his teacup. Usher’s gaze followed his movements slowly.

“If I did, the citizens would see me as trash. I’m already not in a position to be hated without reason.”

The King chuckled lowly. Though he wasn’t someone hated without reason, Usher remained silent. Fueled by vengeance, Usher’s only ally was the King.

“But I can subtly stoke the flames, drive a wedge between the two, and tarnish Logan Claven’s honor.”

The King’s face looked pleased just at the thought.

“Of course, in the process, Miss Hudson’s honor may unintentionally be damaged, but she’s not my wife, is she? If she marries you and lives quietly, it will eventually be forgotten.”

Any pity the King once had for Eleanor seemed completely forgotten. In truth, the reputation of a young lady he wasn’t close to being ruined wasn’t a significant matter to him.

“Bring me the newspaper.”

At the King’s command, the servant brought a neatly folded newspaper. The King casually pushed aside the table and spread the newspaper on the widened space.

“How is it?”

The King grinned and asked.

<Logan Claven – Eleanor Hudson – Usher Fitzman, The Love Triangle Shaking The Social World> 

The article was crafted as if it were gossip leaked by servants overhearing the one-on-one conversation between the King and Usher.

“Logan Claven fell in love with Eleanor Hudson, his friend’s lover, and drove Usher Fitzman to ruin while pretending not to know.”

The article contained words Usher had never spoken.

“Unaware of Logan Claven’s intentions, Eleanor Hudson fell for his temptation and decided to marry him, but Usher Fitzman returned and revealed the truth of all the events.”

The article painted Logan as a complete scoundrel.

“Eleanor Hudson wishes to end her relationship with Logan Claven, but Logan Claven strongly opposes it.”

“……”

“Considering his power and influence, the Hudson Viscountcy has no choice, so Usher Fitzman pleaded with the King.”

After nearly finishing reading the fabricated article, the King turned his gaze to Usher. His face showed he had no doubt Usher would enjoy it. The King, who always delighted in tormenting Logan, believed Usher, now hating Logan, would feel the same.

“The important thing is public opinion.”

The King leaned back leisurely and advised.

“And in such provocations, what matters is who strikes first. The one hit will fall while trying to explain.”

Moreover, if the explanation is insufficient, even if it’s the truth, there are cases where it won’t be believed.

“And in most cases like this, the higher-ranking one ends up being seen as the perpetrator.”

“……”

“Regardless of whether this article is true, there will be people who misunderstand Logan Claven. That’s advantageous for you.”

The King chuckled lowly. It was the method most familiar and effective to him. Unfortunately, Logan Claven hadn’t fallen for such tactics before, but even a man like him seemed helpless in front of a woman.

“Even if the two are close, once Miss Hudson’s honor is tarnished by such scandal, she won’t be seen favorably. Then you’ll be picking up the fallen fruit.”

The King’s words were correct. Logan would let go of his final regrets, and Eleanor wouldn’t confess her feelings to Logan out of guilt.

“If Miss Hudson breaks off her engagement with Logan Claven and returns to you, bring her along. I’ll bless your union.”

Ha-ha-ha. The King laughed heartily.

***

Eleanor’s hand, clutching the edge of the newspaper, trembled violently.  

“The man who is to be your husband has made a request to the King. He asked to break off the engagement between you and me and to allow him, a war hero, to marry his lover, you, Eleanor Hudson, in an honorable union.”  

Logan, noticing that Eleanor couldn’t bear to even skim the article, summarized its contents briefly.  

“The capital’s gossipmongers are chattering away. They say you and Usher Fitzman were originally lovers, and I snatched you away. No, they say you were two-timing. Or perhaps I played with you and got caught. Whatever the case, isn’t it all entertaining? So sensational.”  

Eleanor couldn’t utter a word, her eyelashes trembling faintly.  

“To be honest, the reason I called you here today…”  

“…”  

“I also wanted to ask why you couldn’t wait for that brief moment, and now you’ve put me in such an awkward position.”  

Every word he spoke was like a blade. Eleanor couldn’t even muster an apology, only shaking her head in denial. If it were the Logan of old, he might have seen the embarrassment and distress in Eleanor’s demeanor, but not anymore.  

“But there’s no point in being angry over something that’s already happened. I don’t think it’s even necessary.”  

“…”  

“Just… I hope I don’t have to see you again.”  

What returned to him was resignation, exhaustion, and weariness. At that moment, Eleanor decided against explaining that it wasn’t her intention. She realized that her presence to Logan Claven amounted to nothing more than such negative feelings and disappointment.  

“To the very end, I apologize for being a burden.”  

Eleanor also acknowledged the one-sided communication she had relied on with the Logan of old.  

“…Alright, just leave now, Miss Hudson.”  

Logan didn’t even want to hear Eleanor’s apology. He left her with a final farewell, telling her to leave, and turned his back again, addressing her with the distant title of ‘Miss Hudson.’  

“Do as you wish, Your Grace. You can clarify the truth or publish an article blaming me. Still, I will never blame you for anything.”  

You like me, so you’ll find my true intentions even in my insignificant actions.  

How selfish and foolish that attitude had been. The moment he refused to communicate with Eleanor, any dialogue between them became impossible.  

“As you said, Your Grace, I will make sure we never meet again. I won’t come near, and I’ll ensure you never hear news of me.”  

At Eleanor’s words, Logan slowly shifted his eyes. His blue gaze held only the tranquil view of the garden.  

“Thank you for everything, and I apologize once more.”  

“…”  

“Stay healthy. That’s all I wish for.”  

Eleanor clasped her hands together and bowed deeply. It was the last courtesy she could offer him. She caught one last glimpse of the man left alone in the pouring sunlight before quietly turning to grasp the doorknob.  

Thud.  

The door to the office closed. The moment Eleanor realized Logan was no longer visible, tears welled up in her eyes. Only then did the consequences of her inability to understand her own heart come clearly into focus.  

She had to leave the man she now love, causing him only pain, without ever confessing her feelings—bearing the guilt for her actions instead.  

“Don’t cry, Eleanor.”  

What right do you have to cry?  

Eleanor chastised herself internally, her gray eyes wandering aimlessly, the edges reddened.  

“Ellie, you’re here?”  

It was at that moment. The silence of the mansion was shattered by Olivia’s sharp voice. Eleanor’s eyes widened in surprise.  

“Ellie!”  

Olivia, spotting Eleanor standing by the second-floor railing, dashed forward without hesitation.  

“Ellie, are you okay now? Are you not sick anymore?”  

Olivia clung to Eleanor’s arms, her eyes sparkling as she asked. Olivia, who had grown into quite the young lady, had cheeks flushed with excitement. Even when she grew older and became an adult, Eleanor had wanted to stay by her side as a friend. But now, that was no longer possible.  

“Miss Olivia!”  

The maids, their faces pale, rushed forward and pulled Olivia away from Eleanor. Olivia looked bewildered, her eyes wide.  

“What’s wrong?”  

“His Grace forbade this. Miss Eleanor can no longer be the lady of the Claven Duchy.”  

“But it’s Ellie! Why are you acting like this?”  

Olivia, unable to understand the situation, began to cry.  

“Please leave. His Grace ordered us to prevent the two of you from meeting.”  

The maids spoke without even making eye contact with Eleanor. Among them was Rosie, Eleanor’s former personal maid. Feeling betrayed by Eleanor, she didn’t even turn her head in Eleanor’s direction.  

“I’m sorry for causing such a commotion.”  

Eleanor quietly apologized to the maids who were struggling to hold Olivia back.  

“I’m sorry to you as well, Olivia.”  

“…”  

“Well, it seems I won’t be able to keep my promise.”  

To Olivia’s brother, to Olivia herself—she only brought pain. The thought made her emotions surge uncontrollably.  

“Today will probably be the last time.”  

But she had to stay composed. She couldn’t cry in front of a child who saw her as a pillar of support.  

“Listen to His Grace, stay healthy, and…”  

“…”  

“Live confidently, Olivia.”  

Smiling as she finished her words, Eleanor began to walk away. With each step down the stairs, Olivia struggled against the maids holding her back.  

“Miss!”  

Her strength was so fierce that the three maids restraining her eventually tumbled over. With loud thuds, Olivia ran down the stairs and grabbed Eleanor, who had her hand on the front door’s handle.  

“You said you wouldn’t leave!”  

“…”  

“Are you leaving? Ellie, are you abandoning me too?”  

“I’m sorry.”  

Eleanor, her eyes reddened, apologized again. When Olivia froze in shock, Eleanor gently pushed away the hand clutching her skirt and turned around.  

Olivia burst into tears. Gritting her teeth, Eleanor held back her own tears and opened the front door.  

“Liar! Traitor!”  

Even beyond the closed door, Olivia’s cries were clear. Eleanor gazed at the familiar scenery through blurred vision and thought:  

It’s all over. Irrevocably.  

But there was no one to blame. Who could someone who didn’t even understand their own heart blame?  

As she thought this, her vision blurred further. Her sorrow shimmered like light reflected on water droplets—an achingly vivid hue born of the weight of her quietly ripened feelings.