LI Chapter 46

‌⁠♡⁩ TL: Khadija SK

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“The duke is truly a romantic. To read such a delicate, beautiful novel and commission its publication! Surely, if he loves, he must love passionately too, don’t you think? Oh, how I wish to meet the duke!”

 

April Lance, nicknamed “the sparrow of high society,” muttered in a state of blissful reverie.

 

“April, if you want to meet him, do it! They say the duke is holding a celebration for the publication! Let’s go together!”

 

Penelope, April’s friend, chimed in.

 

“But we weren’t invited?”

 

April slumped her shoulders sadly.

 

“Why do you need an invitation? Wherever you go, everyone welcomes you. No one dislikes a sweet, beloved girl like you.”

 

“Do you think so? Would the duke like me too?”

 

“Of course! At the last ball, I saw him staring at you!”

 

Penelope nodded enthusiastically.

 

“Really?”

 

Even with Penelope’s added reassurance, the doubt lingering on April’s face didn’t fade easily.

 

“But isn’t the duke involved with Miss Easton?”

 

“What are you talking about? They’ve broke up.”

 

Penelope declared with confidence. April’s eyes widened.

 

“Really?”

 

Her gaze suddenly brimmed with anticipation and excitement.

 

“Yes. And I think it happened a while ago. About a month back, they went out together a few times, then suddenly stopped. No one’s seen them together lately, right?”

 

Due to a deliberate slip by Charlotte, rumors of Hazel and Theodore’s relationship had spread widely.

 

But since Viscount Easton’s return, those rumors had gradually subsided, now morphing into whispers of their breakup.

 

It was predictable—Theoodore no longer visited the Easton household, and the two were no longer seen strolling or taking tea together.

 

Even a blazing fire needs fuel to keep burning. If Hazel and Theodore’s rumored romance was the flame, their public appearances were the firewood. With that abruptly halted, it was only natural for breakup rumors to emerge.

 

“I hadn’t heard such a rumor.”

 

April replied cautiously.

 

“Everyone’s talking about it quietly. Miss Hazel… she’s in a bit of an awkward spot now.”

 

“What?”

 

“After being abandoned by her parents, her man abandoned her too…”

 

“Wait, what do you mean by that?”

 

April interrupted Penelope.

 

Penelope’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“You didn’t know? Miss Hazel isn’t Viscount Easton’s real daughter. I think her father was a commoner.”

 

Penelope responded, astonished, looking at April as if she were someone unaware that 1+1 equals 2.

 

“And does Miss Hazel know that?”

 

“How could she not? When she stands next to Miss Charlotte, it’s obvious. From her appearance to her personality. Miss Hazel is fierce, cold, and far too tall. Miss Charlotte, on the other hand, is sweet, bright, warm, and lovable.”

 

After listening to Penelope and recalling the two, April nodded belatedly.

 

On reflection, Hazel and Charlotte were far too different to be sisters.

 

As Penelope’s words began to feel more plausible, April struggled to understand Hazel.

 

“So, she’s not Viscount Easton’s real daughter, yet she thought she could become Duchess Bernier? But I heard Miss Hazel is incredibly clever.”

 

Penelope didn’t like Hazel, thinking she pretended to be exceptional, but April didn’t share that view.

 

Having graduated from the same school as Hazel, April knew how brilliant she was. Hazel was a school legend.

 

She’d defied the harsh headmistress and never missed securing first place for three years straight.

 

She’d also done many good things for the younger students.

 

She ensured their opinions were considered when buying library books and shifted lights-out from nine to ten. And that wasn’t all…

 

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

 

Penelope lightly patted April’s hand. April flinched, shrugging in alarm.

 

“Just… I don’t think Miss Hazel is someone without a conscience…”

 

As she seemed to defend Hazel, Penelope scoffed.

 

“I don’t know if she has a conscience, but she seems full of greed. The duke saw her true nature, and that’s why they split!”

 

Penelope clapped once, then suddenly grabbed both of April’s hands.

 

“So, April, this is your chance.”

 

April’s expression darkened.

 

She still found it hard to believe Hazel wasn’t Viscount Easton’s true daughter.

 

Even more, that her father was a commoner? That meant Hazel herself was a commoner.

 

But the Hazel April knew, though not warm, was the most refined lady in noble society.

 

She was always confident, radiating dignity.

 

It was the same when she stood beside Duke Bernier.

 

So, even when people whispered that Hazel and Duke Bernier didn’t suit each other, April had pressed her lips shut.

 

They were alike.

 

The confidence born of their self-belief matched perfectly, as if forged from the same mold.

 

April’s troubled expression didn’t fade easily.

 

“You can’t seriously, April, not believe me? I find it more shocking that you didn’t know Miss Hazel’s secret until now.”

 

Penelope said those who knew, knew, and if April doubted her, she could summon Emily, Charlotte’s close friend, to confirm.

 

April waved her hand in refusal.

 

“I couldn’t commit such rudeness!”

 

“I knew you’d say that. Sweet April. I think you—kind and gentle—should be Duchess Bernier. You’re beautiful, young, and adored!”

 

“Me?”

 

Truthfully, April knew her looks weren’t lacking. Her family was prestigious, and she had a sufficient dowry.

 

But how many women could confidently say they weren’t inferior when compared to the Bernier family?

 

‘Perhaps only a princess.’

 

For April and the kingdom’s women, whether by fortune or misfortune, there was currently no princess eligible to wed Duke Bernier.

 

‘So, wouldn’t it be fine for me to pair with Duke Bernier?’

 

A faint blush spread across April’s face.

 

It was possible now that Duke Bernier’s tie to the Easton family had severed.

 

Her only rival was Charlotte, but Charlotte was unlikely to accept Duke Bernier, who’d been involved with her sister—even if they weren’t true sisters.

 

Seeing April’s blush, Penelope said:

 

“April! You’re the only one fit for Bluehouse Palace in Kilbridge. Imagine yourself standing in the center of that majestic estate.”

 

Neither had visited Bluehouse, but they pictured the grandest, most luxurious palace.

 

As April imagined herself there, her heart began to pound.

 

“This is your chance now. After his split from Miss Hazel! It’s unlikely he was rejected, but a breakup hurts either way.”

 

Penelope clasped her hands to her chest, like a tragic novel’s female lead.

 

“Me and the duke…”

 

April toyed with the romantic novel Theodore had commissioned.

 

She pictured herself beside him.

 

The mere thought made her heart race harder and her face flush.

 

She felt some pity for Hazel, but everyone had their rightful place.

 

The role of Duchess Bernier wasn’t suited for a commoner.

 

“I’ll help you, April.”

 

Penelope encouraged her. Hesitantly, April opened her mouth:

 

“Where should I go to meet the duke?”

 

***

 

After the banned books reclassification concluded, Theodore found some free time.

 

He stepped onto the balcony for the first time in a while, lighting a cigar without complex thoughts.

 

The cigar’s flavor, as he overlooked the well-manicured garden and listened to the diligent servants’ chatter, was unmatched.

 

It was a truly peaceful afternoon.

 

A rare day free of appointments.

 

‘What should I do this afternoon?’

 

Theodore wondered, but his thoughts naturally shifted to: ‘What’s Hazel doing now?’

 

He recalled the letter Hazel had sent a few days ago.

 

Having escaped the crisis thanks to him, she’d offered sincere thanks and promised to grant him one wish, with a condition: he couldn’t wish to marry her.

 

There was another stipulation:

 

[I trust you won’t compromise your noble name by requesting something indecent for a mere single wish, Your Grace.]

 

“What the hell does she think of me?”

 

Theodore laughed, then turned to lean on the balcony railing. He tilted his head to gaze at the sky.

 

“What could I wish for?”

 

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