SMR 111

~Chapter 111~

Cedric stood up right away, leaving behind Gerard, who was dumbfounded, and Edgar, who looked like he was about to die of laughter. He headed straight for the real estate auction hall.

He thought there was a chance he might miss her, but the moment he stepped inside, he spotted her immediately.

Even though all he could see was her back, the sight of her scribbling intently with a pencil while reading something seriously looked… adorable.

“A squirrel that doesn’t stay alert is bound to be caught by a snake.”

There were plenty of swindlers here just waiting to trick innocent beginners like her. Or worse—scoundrels who patiently softened up a cautious young lady until she melted and then swallowed her whole in one bite.

Cedric’s lips curved into a faint smile at the thought. But Gerard’s voice cut into his thoughtsthoughts.

“Surely not… Did you really go to the auction house, Your Grace?”

“Just for a walk.”

Of course, Gerard wasn’t someone who would accept that without questioning it.

“You met Miss Listerwell, didn’t you?”

Cedric didn’t answer, but that silence was answer enough. Gerard rubbed his chin.

“If rumors spread that an unmarried young lady is trying to grow her fortune, lowlifes will definitely flock to her.”

“Lowlifes…?”

“Men who want to leech off her wealth and live comfortably. Besides, Miss Harriet already had a scandalous reputation before. That’ll only make the parasites gather even faster.”

It made sense.

Stories of gamblers or fake businessmen wasting away the dowries their wives brought into marriage were so common they were practically boring.

Cedric nodded slowly.

“Thank you for the advice, Sir Austin.”

“Eh? Advice?”

Gerard looked puzzled—he hadn’t meant it as advice. But Cedric didn’t explain further. He simply decided he would assign more guards to keep watch around Harriet.

At the very least, being able to hand her that plot of land in Lowerbury today had been satisfying.

‘I hope that makes up a little for the time I hurt her feelings…’

He frowned as he remembered throwing the brooch—his father’s keepsake—into the fountain when Harriet returned it to him.

At the time, he had thought it was anger at being used. But after admitting his true feelings, he realized what it really was: he had been so worried about her that he couldn’t stay calm. And seeing her with Tez Roark had made him jealous.

He never expected himself to show those feelings in such a childish way.

But after much thought, he decided not to be too ashamed of that moment. His father’s words came back to him:

“I always tried not to lose control, to stay cool and rational no matter what. I thought that’s what a man should do. And after I inherited the dukedom, I clung to that belief even more.”

That confession, shared on a quiet night at the battlefield over a campfire and a glass of whiskey, hadn’t been pride—it had been regret.

“But now I realize how foolish it was. Sadly, it’s too late for me to change. Don’t make the same mistake, Cedric.”

“What mistake?”

“Don’t try to act dignified even when it comes to love. Love makes you look silly, childish, and even crazy.”

And his father had said that was natural. The more you fought against those strange changes, the worse it became.

At the time, Cedric couldn’t understand. He couldn’t even believe the word love had come out of his father’s mouth.

But now… now he understood what his father had left unsaid. And why he had entrusted Cedric with that brooch.

‘So even for that stone-hearted man… love had been the most precious thing.’

A bittersweet feeling welled up in Cedric. Quietly, he made a vow to himself.

He would not repeat his father’s failure.

* * *

When the warm spring breeze was lifting spirits, an unwelcome visitor arrived at Pellon Manor.

“Aunt! Have you been well?”

It was Jaden, Loren’s eldest son, smiling brightly. Behind him stood Loren and her husband. Considering the sour atmosphere of their last meeting, their cheerful faces made no sense at all.

Trisha let the Marshal family into her home, but she had no intention of playing along with fake pleasantries.

“Let’s not bother with greetings we don’t mean. You left as if you’d never see me again, and now you show up smiling? You must want something. What is it?”

Even with her sharp tone, Loren kept her smile.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll skip the niceties. We’re here to tell you it’s time to seriously decide on your heir.”

“Truly consistent, aren’t you? Should I praise you for that?”

“So then—when will you name Jaden as your successor?”

Her tone made it sound like she was simply reclaiming something already owed.

Once, Loren had at least tried flattery or caution. But today she was brazen, her face smug.

“I’m still healthy, Loren. Why on earth would I appoint a successor already?”

Trisha sneered, but Loren’s smile only deepened.

“I do hope you stay healthy.”

Then she pulled a document from her bag and handed it over.

“What’s this?”

“A petition to revoke the Pellon inheritance and restore it to Jaden. I submitted it to the Imperial Noble Council first thing this morning.”

Trisha snorted. She remembered this—Loren had made the same claim back when Oster died, and she had lost then.

“You’re not senile already, are you? Have you forgotten you already lost this case once?”

“Of course not. I’ll never forget that humiliation.”

“Then why repeat yourself?”

This time, Trisha noticed. Loren’s expression brimmed with confidence.

“Because this time, things are different. Yes, I may lose again. But I’ll appeal. And after that, I’ll appeal again. Each trial will drag on for years.”

Trisha’s eyes narrowed.

“Do you think that will bother me?”

“It will. Because while this case is in progress, you won’t be allowed to adopt an heir.”

Her smile turned mocking as she looked between Trisha and Jaden.

“They say the first trial alone will take over a year. Then another ten months for the appeal. And the final ruling? At least six more months. More than two years altogether.”

At that, Trisha realized the truth—Loren already knew about her worsening illness.

If she died without adopting an heir, the Pellon title would indeed fall to Jaden.

Clever, in a twisted way.

Seeing Trisha silent, Loren chuckled.

“Please, live a long life, Countess. I’d love to see you there when I finally win at last.”

With that, she turned and left, swaying her hips like a peacock flaunting its tail.

Trisha could only glare at her retreating figure.

Roxana, who had stayed quiet the whole time, finally spoke after Loren left.

“Is it wise to let things sour like this? After all, they are still your sister-in-law and nephew.”

But Trisha shook her head.

“I gave up on them long ago. Any scrap of affection left was cut today.”

“Still…”

“Let them try. No matter what, I will never name Jaden as my heir.”

With effort, she rose to her feet and slowly returned to her bedroom.

Roxana stayed behind, letting out a long, troubled sigh.

* * *

A few days after Harriet had acquired the Lowerbury land at auction, she received an unexpected visit.

It was Tez.

The sudden request left her flustered, but she couldn’t refuse. After all, she had made it home safely from the Angelique party thanks to him.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

Her greeting was stiff, but Tez replied with his usual mischievous smile.

“To be honest, it hasn’t been that long for me. I saw you not too long ago.”

“What? Saw me? I don’t remember that.”