♡ TL: Khadija SK
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Hazel struck a deal with Theodore.
Theodore defined the nature of the contract as “a romantic liaison,” while Hazel described it as “employment.”
In the end, it was an equitable exchange: her time in return for freedom.
The two couldn’t agree on whether it was a “romantic liaison” or “employment,” so they decided together to avoid giving a clear answer to others about the nature of their relationship for now.
“If someone asks about our relationship…”
“We just smile.”
Theodore completed Hazel’s sentence.
In moments like these, their harmony was remarkable.
After agreeing on the contract—whether a liaison or employment—Theodore quietly returned to his home.
Hazel’s family was intensely curious about the conversation that took place between her and Theodore in the drawing room, but, per her agreement with him, she merely smiled.
In the end, she received a reprimand from Charlotte, who called her “a bad sister!” and a comment from Lady Easton that “I’ve raised a useless daughter.”
Fortunately, Andre was absent from the group pestering Hazel.
He was preoccupied playing with a plastic pistol Theodore had gifted him, paying her no attention.
If Andre had joined the chorus pressuring her, Hazel might have succumbed to exhaustion and shouted that her relationship with Theodore was one of “employer and employee.”
If Theodore had calculated this move and given Andre the gift deliberately, he was truly an impressive man.
But in Hazel’s estimation, Theodore wasn’t the type to plan his steps so deeply.
She suddenly recalled his demeanor toward Andre. He had been kind and friendly.
‘Is he a good person?’
Hazel had assumed Theodore was simply someone who enjoyed life because of what he had been given, but unexpectedly, he revealed a more humane side.
‘I should observe him more.’
Hazel postponed her judgment of Theodore and crawled under her bed.
While everyone else quietly prepared for sleep in their beds, Hazel removed a wooden plank from beneath her bed and retrieved a box.
It was filled with letters Hazel had exchanged.
She smiled faintly as she looked at the box.
From now on, this was her private time, hers alone.
***
“Don’t you think Duke Theodore has fallen for you, sister?”
Charlotte said this as she claimed Hazel’s bed, as was her habit right after breakfast.
As Hazel opened the window for ventilation, she laughed softly.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because someone in love…”
Hazel nearly said “wouldn’t propose a contract,” but she held back the words and searched for another reason:
“His eyes show it. The eyes of a man in love are different. They say you can’t hide a sneeze or love.”
Charlotte tilted her head in confusion.
She tried to recall Theodore’s gaze but couldn’t, no matter how hard she thought.
That was to be expected.
Theodore’s eyes had been fixed solely on Hazel, leaving Charlotte no chance to observe them.
Charlotte, who had learned about love from novels, didn’t grasp this and changed the subject.
“In a week, the Lance family is holding a grand ball. You’re going, right?”
“I’ve already received an invitation.”
The ball was to celebrate Miss April, the daughter of Baron Lance, making her debut this year.
Hazel didn’t personally like Baron Lance.
He was known for choosing friends based on title and wealth, a purely materialistic standard.
He was arrogant and didn’t know how to hide it.
Fortunately, April, whom Hazel had known since childhood, was different from her father.
She was a bit reckless but relatively rational.
She listened to advice about proper behavior and felt embarrassed when her father acted overly materialistic.
“They say it’ll be a huge event. It seems they’ve invited noble families from neighboring regions, too.”
“They must be determined to find a husband for their daughter.”
Hazel offered a calm impression as she leaned against the windowsill, stretching her torso outward.
“Sister! That’s… dangerous! Come here. Or should I come to you?”
Hazel noticed the worry in Charlotte’s voice.
Knowing what concerned her younger sister, she reluctantly abandoned the beautiful outdoor view and sat beside her.
“They say they’ve invited some distinguished guests.”
Hazel nodded indifferently. Charlotte’s eyes narrowed immediately.
“Sister! Are you listening to me? This is really important. It’s about your life!”
It seemed Charlotte had dozens of lives to spare.
But if the lives tied to Hazel numbered in the dozens, Charlotte might have hundreds.
If Hazel ignored her further, Charlotte might even take over the afternoon. So Hazel turned to face her.
“How important are the people the Lance family invited?”
Charlotte dove into talking about the ball.
Hazel nodded occasionally or responded with a “hmm,” but her replies seemed devoid of interest. Still, Charlotte continued explaining with enthusiasm.
The Lance family was preparing an exceptional ball.
They’d put great effort into selecting the orchestra and had started collecting Eastern tableware from the market a month ago.
They’d even temporarily hired thirty new servants for the event, showing their high expectations.
“They say they’re set on finding a perfect husband for April.”
Charlotte grabbed Hazel’s arm and pulled her onto the bed.
Lying side by side, the sisters swung their legs. The old bed creaked, but neither of them minded the sound.
“Really?”
Hazel replied calmly, and Charlotte slapped her thigh hard.
Hazel’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Sister! Now’s not the time to relax. You need to be on guard.”
“Why?”
“Because Duke Theodore will be at that ball!”
“And what does that have to do with me?”
Charlotte struck her chest forcefully.
She might leave a bruise on herself that way.
Hazel tried to grab her hand but was too late. Charlotte placed a hand on her hip and stared at her with wide eyes.
“Sister, listen carefully. Do you know why Baron Lance put so much effort into the orchestra? They say he assembled it only with people who’ve worked with the Austria Ensemble.”
The Austria Ensemble was a gathering place for many talented musicians.
A city where violin melodies echoed through the streets, where young and old could discuss music for half a day.
Hazel had always wanted to visit it someday.
“Really? That’ll be a treat for the ears.”
Hazel’s eyes, previously uninterested in the Lance family’s ball, sparkled.
She decided she had to attend this time for the sake of good music, but Charlotte’s sigh pierced her ears at that moment.
“Sister!”
Then Charlotte shouted sharply.
“My goodness!”
Charlotte frowned deeply and glared at Hazel.
She was completely different from the Charlotte who had tried to save her from the windowsill moments ago.
Back then, she’d treated her like a brittle leaf that might crumble under pressure; now, she looked ready to toss her out the window immediately.
What had angered her little sister so much?
Hazel replayed the conversation in her mind but found no answer, so she raised the white flag.
“You need to explain so I can understand, Charlotte. I really love you, but I can’t see inside your head. That’s my greatest flaw and weakness. If I could see into your mind, that’d be wonderful. Then beautiful Charlotte wouldn’t have to shout until her throat hurts.”
Charlotte lowered her head.
She couldn’t overcome Hazel’s love. So she hugged her tightly.
“Sister, I think you deserve to meet a good man. No, you absolutely must meet a good man.”
Hazel couldn’t agree with her sister, so she remained silent.
Charlotte tightened her embrace.
The closer their bodies pressed, the stronger Hazel’s scent became—a fragrance that brought Charlotte comfort and peace.
“They say Baron Lance intends to make Duke Theodore a husband for April. That’s why they’re tailoring the ball to the duke’s tastes.”
Hazel imagined April and Theodore standing side by side naturally.
They made a harmonious pair.
But her imagination stopped there.
Normally, she’d envision their wedding procession, but this time her thoughts cut off quickly.
For some reason, she couldn’t picture beyond that.
“That’s outrageous! Duke Theodore is courting you, and they’re shamelessly interfering with these tricks!”
“You said the ball’s been in preparation for a month. It can’t be aimed solely at Duke Theodore. And they don’t know he’s courting me, so there’s no issue.”
“No, they do know. I’m sure of it!”
Charlotte shouted.
She spoke with excessive confidence.
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