♡ TL: Khadija SK
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Before her clear, piercing eyes, Oscar coughed awkwardly and apologized:
“I’m sorry for that.”
“Second, you presumed my condition and feelings without permission.”
Oscar found the situation exceedingly irksome. Hazel’s stern tone dredged up a memory from his past.
Back when he was at Oxford, summoned to the disciplinary committee’s room to be reprimanded.
‘Even then, that wretch stood beside the teacher, assisting with tasks ever so calmly.’
Oscar shot an inexplicably angry glance at Theodore, then quickly apologized to Hazel:
“I’m sorry.”
In mere moments, Oscar found himself entirely under Hazel’s sway. All he could think of was escaping this predicament as swiftly as possible.
“And finally, you made a lady ask for your name, something a nobleman should never allow.”
Hazel resembled an etiquette instructor. One might think she held not a fan but a whip.
And now that he considered it, her dignified, slightly severe attire made her look like a governess.
Yet the figure wrapped in the soft silk dress was alluring enough. A faint gleam flickered in Oscar’s eyes.
He’d found something to covet.
Hazel was distinctly different from other women.
If the girls in bright yellow dresses were like buds just beginning to bloom, she was a fully blossomed rose. But surrounded by thorns, which only piqued Oscar’s interest further.
“Fair point. I’ve been a fool today. As a token of apology, allow me to offer you a glass of champagne.”
Oscar stepped closer, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
Hazel ascended one step, pointedly avoiding him.
“My lady, do you have a par—”
“Sorry, but Miss Hazel’s partner is me, so she won’t have time to share champagne with you today. I’ll head in first. See you inside.”
Theodore didn’t give Oscar a chance to continue, placing his hand on Hazel’s waist.
Hazel was taken aback.
She hadn’t expected them to become this close.
But instead of pushing his hand away, she cast a sidelong glance at his face.
His expression, which had remained calmly smiling even when she’d rejected his proposal or spoken sharp words, was now taut.
She also felt the heat of his rigid body through the thin fabric.
‘He’s angry.’
Though Oscar had been rude, it didn’t seem enough to provoke Theodore’s anger.
Hazel surmised there was a history between them and closed her mouth.
For silence is sometimes the clearest form of solace and the best means of comfort.
The two climbed a fair number of steps without speaking, sharing the warmth of their bodies.
By the time the ballroom doors opened, Theodore had regained his composure.
***
The day after the ball, Theodore emerged from his bedroom late.
“You, the energetic one, sleeping in this long? It seems last night’s ball was quite enjoyable.”
No sooner had he opened the drawing room door than his aunt Michelle greeted him with a deliberately sardonic morning salutation.
“It was the dullest ball I’ve ever attended.”
Theodore kissed Michelle’s hand and sat across from her.
He then summoned the maid and requested something light instead of a full breakfast.
“Did you go to the gentlemen’s club?”
Michelle assumed Theodore wouldn’t have lingered at a dull ball and sought another reason for his late rising.
“No. I returned early. But it seems you’ve had ample time to monitor your nephew’s return. I’m grateful for your concern, Aunt, but I fear Uncle might grow jealous. Aren’t you supposed to breakfast together?”
Michelle gave Theodore a sidelong glance and lifted her teacup.
The impeccable servant had done his job well.
Had the tea been delayed, Michelle’s reprimand wouldn’t have ended so easily.
“I heard there are rumors about you and the Easton’s daughter.”
“You’ve heard already?”
The light meal Theodore requested was set on the table in an elegant arrangement.
Fresh fruit, smoothly cooked chicken breast, and two slices of warm bread, all harmoniously arranged on a large plate.
Theodore wet his lips with lemon water, then took a piece of the well-cooked chicken.
“Yes. But it wasn’t the Easton daughter I had in mind.”
Theodore listened calmly to Michelle’s words, his mouth full of food.
“It’s true the elder Easton daughter is more pressing for marriage than the younger. But why choose the elder?”
Theodore hadn’t intended to think of Hazel since morning. The reason for his late rising was Hazel.
The strange demeanor she’d shown at the ball last night had lingered in his mind.
He’d tossed and turned all night, trying in vain to discern why, leaving him sleepless.
“Aunt.”
Theodore sliced the chicken breast.
“Theodore, I know you’re in a hurry. But the elder Easton daughter isn’t a good choice.”
Theodore set his fork aside.
The chicken breast, appetizing moments ago, now looked like a sponge.
It had whetted his appetite with its grilled vegetables, but his hunger vanished in an instant.
“Surely father didn’t write his will with the elder Easton daughter in mind.”
“I see it differently. I think Grandfather had Miss Hazel specifically in mind as my wife.”
“If that were so, he’d have named her outright.”
“Perhaps he wanted to test me. To see if my eyes work properly.”
“So, your choice is the elder Easton daughter? That girl!”
Michelle raised her voice, then quickly lowered it.
“That girl doesn’t suit our family.”
“The Easton family is excellent.”
“I’m not talking about the family.”
Theodore stopped toying with the fruit and pushed the plate aside.
Michelle thought regretfully that she should’ve waited until the boy finished eating, but what was done was done, so she pressed on:
“There’s still time. Shift your aim to the younger Easton daughter.”
Theodore scratched his temple with his index finger.
“That’s an uncharacteristic suggestion, Aunt.”
Theodore loved Lady Michelle.
Not just because she was family. If it were only about blood, he’d feel affection for another relative, like Oscar.
But what he felt for Oscar was pure disgust, nothing more or less.
The reason for his love for Michelle was clear.
She possessed noble pride without arrogance, humor without vulgarity, disdain for poverty without materialism or mockery of the poor, and she genuinely loved him and his grandfather.
Though she could be stubborn at times, she wasn’t foolish enough to judge people solely on rumors.
But had Theodore misjudged her?
Michelle had never met Hazel, so her opposition now was merely the reaction of a materialistic noblewoman swayed by gossip, nothing more.
“I don’t know what you’ve heard about Miss Hazel, Aunt, but not all of it’s true. She’s kind and warm. Intelligent and vibrant. She’s the woman Grandfather confirmed should be my life’s partner.”
Michelle’s mouth fell open in astonishment.
Theodore was generous with praise, especially for women, thanks to Michelle’s lesson that “every woman deserves commendation.”
So it was natural for praise to flow from his mouth about Hazel, but the content was unusual.
Until now, his praise for women focused on externalities—either too abstract or overly specific—making it easy to tell if he was interested in the woman he lauded.
If interested, he wouldn’t end with a mere “beautiful”; if not, he’d offer an odd remark like, “The ribbon in her hairband is well-ironed.”
But his praise for Hazel was different.
“She’s a daughter Lady Easton relies on and trusts, a sister her siblings respect and follow. Even the servants all revere her. That alone proves she has excellent qualities as a lady of the house. But despite all this, my reason for choosing Miss Hazel is different.”
“And what is it?”
“When I entered the Easton drawing room, there sat a rose.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t like comparing women to flowers, but when I saw Miss Hazel, that image struck me. How do I put it—‘beautiful’ doesn’t suffice.”
“But she’s not strikingly beautiful, is she? She seems aloof and dour. I saw her from afar once.”
“I disagree. She was utterly captivating. I’ve traveled to many countries and seen countless women, but none caught my eye like Miss Hazel. I assure you, she’s beautiful. And she possesses the culture you so often emphasize.”
Michelle wanted to argue further about Hazel’s appearance but relented, as it boiled down to personal taste.
“They say she’s boastful of her knowledge and rude, and she’s famous for it. A woman too clever is exhausting.”
“I find her delightful. Whatever the topic, we can converse. Honestly, there’s a limit to what a man and woman can discuss if it’s just art and music, right? We’re not artists. It always drifts to high society gossip in the end. That’s trivial.”
Michelle’s eyes trembled with concern as she listened to Theodore, closely observing his expressions.
“My dear, did you fall for her at first sight? Has love struck you in so short a time?”
Michelle asked with utmost caution.
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