SMR 95

~Chapter 95~ 

“That brooch is too famous! They couldn’t possibly sell it to the Black market!”

“Then it’s either someone foolish or someone who didn’t steal it to sell it.”

“I’m truly sorry, Your Grace. It was my failure to keep better watch.”

“We’ll talk about responsibility later. For now, make sure no one enters this room until I return—and make absolutely sure no servants quit or disappear.”

With those sharp words, Cedric walked out of his room and headed downstairs.

***

At the same time, Harriet stood in front of a mirror, nervously checking her reflection as she waited.

‘Do I look strange?’

Her pale blue dress—almost gray in color—was simple, with no flashy decorations. But it was elegant. She wore a small pearl necklace and matching earrings, which gave her a mature and graceful look.

Still, Harriet couldn’t help but worry she looked like a little girl playing dress-up in her mother’s clothes.

‘I hope the Duke doesn’t laugh at me. Can he tell I’m nervous?’

She practiced a calm expression in the mirror and glanced at the clock.

At five minutes before ten o’clock, Andre, the butler, knocked gently and informed her, “Duke Kailas has arrived. He is waiting for you in the sitting room.”

“O-okay! I’ll be right down.”

Harriet took a deep breath and lightly slapped her cheeks with both hands.

‘Nothing happened between us. I helped him out of kindness. He was drugged—he didn’t choose to act like that.’

She kept repeating it in her head, trying not to give any meaning to that night.

She walked down to the sitting room.

Cedric stood as she entered, but he didn’t say anything at first.

‘Should I speak first? Isn’t it polite for the man to greet the lady first if he’s the escort?’

Just as Harriet was about to blurt something out, Cedric gave her a gentle smile and spoke first.

“You look beautiful. I’m sure Her Majesty will be pleased.”

“Huh? O-oh, thank you! My grandmother has great taste. I mean, she bought this dress for me.”

Her answer sounded silly, and Harriet knew it. Her mouth had spoken before her brain could stop it.

Trisha, who had followed her down, probably wanted to smack her forehead. But Cedric didn’t laugh or make fun of her. That alone was a small relief.

Still, Harriet wished she could run back to her room and hide.

Luckily, Trisha stepped in to help.

“As you can see, she’s a bit nervous. This is her first visit to the palace. I hope you’ll look after her well, Your Grace.”

“Of course,” Cedric replied calmly. “Miss Harriet is good in real situations. I’m sure she’ll do just fine.”

“You’re overestimating her,” Trisha said. “She may look tough, but she’s just twenty-three. Don’t assume she can handle everything. Please, be her shield.”

There was meaning behind her words—Harriet was still young, and Cedric had once used her as a shield during a scandal. This was also a warning: If you hurt her again, I won’t stay quiet.

Cedric wasn’t stupid. He understood exactly what Trisha meant. After all, he’d barely slept the past few nights, blaming himself.

“I understand your concerns, ma’am,” he said seriously. “I promise—today, Miss Harriet will return from the palace without any trouble.”

“That’s what I want to hear,” Trisha replied firmly.

Leaving that warning behind, Cedric and Harriet walked to the front gate, where a carriage waited.

***

The two of them got into the carriage.

Neither said a word.

The silence grew more uncomfortable by the second—until Harriet couldn’t take it anymore.

“Ahem… um… is there anything I should know before we arrive?”

Cedric nodded slowly.

“This meeting was arranged last week, when my mother and I visited the Empress. Your recent scandal—the one from the Laurel family’s party—was mentioned.”

Harriet swallowed hard.

Cedric noticed her anxiety and felt a wave of guilt. That entire scandal had been his fault.

‘She’s not blaming herself, is she? That would make me the worst kind of man.’

He shook the thought from his mind and continued.

“I explained everything to Her Majesty. You don’t need to hide the truth.”

“I-I see…”

“I also want to apologize again. For what happened that night. I’m truly sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t choose it. Oh—how is your health? That drug… I mean, I was worried it might have lasting effects.”

Cedric clenched and unclenched his fists before forcing a smile.

“I’m fine now. Thank you for your concern.”

She had no idea that he hadn’t been acting under the drug’s full control—that his actions had come, at least in part, from real desire.

And that’s what made the guilt worse. Her kindness only deepened the sting.

He sighed quietly.

Harriet, trying to break the silence again, brought up something else.

“Oh, by the way… you’re not wearing that brooch today. The one you always wear.”

Cedric’s expression changed slightly.

“It’s… gone.”

“Gone? What do you mean?”

“Someone took it. I don’t think they plan to sell it. I suspect they’re sending a message.”

Harriet’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth in shock.

He was saying—someone had dared to steal a priceless heirloom from the Duke of Kailas. A brooch that belonged to his late father.

Who would be foolish enough to do such a thing?

“Do you know who did it?” she asked softly.

“Not yet. But I expect they’ll reveal themselves soon.”

Harriet nodded. There had to be a reason behind a theft like that.

Still, one thing puzzled her.

“Is it okay for you to tell me this? It sounds like a secret…”

Cedric gave a short, clear laugh. It was the first lighthearted moment since they met that morning.

“I trust you, Miss Harriet. You’re not the type to gossip.”

“I… am I really trusted?”

“You saved my honor. Of course, I trust you.”

Harriet smiled.

She tried to remind herself that it might just be polite words—but it still made her feel happy.

But she had to stay smart, not get carried away.

“I hope that trust turns into another investment soon.”

She meant it as a joke—but Cedric nodded seriously.

“I’m looking forward to your next business idea.”

“R-really?”

Her eyes grew round in surprise—and to Cedric, she looked… adorable.

She looked so cute in that moment that Cedric had to look away and clear his throat, trying to shake off the feeling.

‘Maybe that drug is still affecting me a little…’

***

The Empress’s tea room was quiet.

The only sound was the soft trickle of tea being poured by a lady-in-waiting.

Harriet had already bowed and taken her seat. Ten full minutes had passed, and no one had spoken yet.

‘I feel sick…’

Her stomach felt like it was in her throat. Still, she forced a gentle smile and kept her posture perfect.

At last, the Empress, Anastasia, lifted her teacup, took a sip, and set it down.

She looked at Harriet and spoke.

“I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Miss Harriet. My picky nephew says you’re a remarkable businesswoman. I’ve been curious for some time.”

“T-thank you, Your Majesty.”

Harriet was shocked.

When did Cedric start thinking of me like that? He had never said anything nice to her face.

‘Maybe it’s just flattery. Don’t get too excited.’

She carefully sipped her tea. It smelled rich and calming, and the flavor was just as refined. The small pastries looked delicious—but she didn’t dare touch them yet.

The Empress made no mention of the earlier silence. Instead, she began asking gentle, polite questions—softening the atmosphere, bit by bit.

Still, Harriet didn’t lower her guard.

“So, Countess Trisha Pellon is your guardian now?”

“Yes. I had nowhere else to go, but she kindly took me in.”

“Hm. I’m surprised by Lord Listerwell. I didn’t think he was the type to cast out his niece without a penny.”

Cedric chuckled from the side.

“There are plenty of people who pretend to be good, Your Majesty.”

“Including you?” the Empress teased. “You’re one of the worst-tempered men I know, yet everyone calls you a gentleman.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” Cedric replied with a smirk.

Anastasia laughed aloud. In that moment, she looked warm and lively—almost like she wasn’t the Empress at all.