Chapter 16
I followed Harold into the room.
“Some business dealings are going on with the Mayer family, but they’re still being passive. Since Lady Mayer holds significant power over there, if we can win her over, it’d be beneficial to me.”
The Mayer lady was strict about her social connections. Even the heroine, Ella, had tried to get close to her out of admiration but failed.
I couldn’t help but think that it might be more difficult to master the dance than try to charm the lady…
“Charming her will probably be more successful than the dance,” Harold said.
Was he complimenting me, or was he implying that mastering the dance was practically impossible for me?
I sat on the bed and asked, “Why do you think it’s more likely?”
“Just because.”
“…What does that mean?”
So, he was implying I had no chance with the dance, wasn’t he?
Harold turned sideways, lazily opening his eyes as he spoke, “I just have a feeling. The lady and I have similar personalities, so I can predict it.”
I tilted my head, but before I could respond, he added, “So, try your best, Duchess.”
***
While putting on his suit, Harold thought back to his conversation with Diana from the night before.
“Can a person really change this much?”
No matter how difficult street life had been, Diana’s values and personality had shifted so much that he could barely recognize her. It was like she was someone else entirely.
But it didn’t seem like she was acting.
The Diana he knew didn’t have the acting skills to pull off that innocent, clueless smile, nor the patience to keep it up consistently.
Was that why he was feeling so disconnected, why Diana kept popping up in his mind more frequently?
After finishing his preparations, Harold stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his clothes. His hair was neatly styled, his cravat perfectly positioned, the deep blue suit without a wrinkle, the pocket watch tucked into his jacket, and gloves checked for any emergency—he reviewed everything.
Finally, he sprayed his perfume, filling the air with the scent of fresh forest air.
His health issues were hidden perfectly, and any trace of the bitter smell of medication was masked by the fragrance. There was no sign that Harold was a dying duke. Everything about him looked immaculate. A smirk of satisfaction formed on his face.
At that moment, Evan knocked and entered the room.
“Your Grace, here’s the guest list for Lady Mayer’s party.”
Harold glanced at the list Evan handed him. His normally indifferent navy eyes suddenly sharpened.
“My brother’s attending too, I see?”
“Yes. He’s attending as Lady Ella’s partner.”
“Hmm.”
Harold’s eyes turned cold.
“In the past, he wouldn’t have gone anywhere near a party Diana was attending.”
There’s no way Kaiden didn’t know Diana would be at Lady Mayer’s party.
Yet Kaiden still decided to go to the party.
Back when Diana used to follow him around, he treated her like she was beneath him, like street trash. And now this?
Did Kaiden even realize that Diana was Harold’s wife?
A distinct displeasure crept onto Harold’s face, but he quickly masked it with his usual sly smile.
He stared at the cologne bottle sitting on the table, lost in thought.
***
“Madam, this is the last thing we need to do.”
“Alright.”
As we were finishing preparations for Lady Mayer’s party, I noticed someone’s presence outside the door. Anna caught my eye and quickly opened the door, revealing Harold standing there.
“Looks like you’re still getting ready.”
“We’re almost done.”
As soon as Harold entered the room, the maids hurried to finish up. Their quick, efficient movements wrapped up everything in no time.
I stood up and walked over to where Harold was leaning against the wall.
“Already here to escort me?”
Isn’t it a little early to be heading to the party? And he didn’t look too happy when he walked in.
“Yeah, something like that.”
He gave a vague reply, then gestured for the maids to leave. Once we were alone, he handed me something he had been holding under his arm.
Wait… is that…
“Perfume?”
“Yes, I thought you liked it, and I had a spare bottle,” Harold explained.
“You brought this for me?” Diana asked, her surprise evident as she eagerly reached out.
“Yeah,” Harold said with a slight smile.
Diana couldn’t hide her joy as she took the gift, her hands trembling slightly with excitement.
“Do you really like it that much?” Harold asked, his smirk deepening.
“Yes! It’s exactly my taste,” Diana exclaimed. The fragrance was so fresh and forest-like, unlike any she had ever smelled before.
“It seems my scent is to your liking,” Harold teased.
“No, I mean the perfume itself! Not your scent!” Diana quickly defended, trying to avoid being teased again.
“Sure, my scent,” Harold continued to tease, but I glared at him in silence, annoyed by his teasing.
Honestly, Harold could be really mischievous sometimes. No, not just sometimes—most of the time.
“To make sure you use it well, I’ll apply it for you first.” he said, taking the bottle back.
“But I can do it myself—” Diana started, but before she could finish, Harold moved forward, his body brushing against hers as he applied the perfume to the back of her neck.
The scent spread as he gently sprayed both sides of her neck, and then stepped back, a satisfied look on his face.
“Hmm, not bad,” Harold said, He placed the perfume bottle on the table and checked his watch.
“It’s about time. Shall we go, my lady?”
Looks like it’s time to leave already.
I placed my hand on top of his.
****
Arriving at the Mayer family’s estate, Harold stepped down from the carriage first and extended his hand to her.
Diana took a deep breath, preparing herself.
“Nervous?” Harold asked.
“Yeah, kind of,” I replied, feeling a pang in my chest, like I was about to give an important presentation.
“Being too nervous isn’t good for you.”
“Right. I’ve mentally prepared myself, so I’m okay now.”
I stood next to him with a grin, and Harold gave me a wink before chuckling quietly.
“Good.”
A little while later, one of Lady Mayer’s attendants guided us to the entrance of the party hall. Just before the attendant opened the doors, Harold leaned in and whispered so only I could hear, “Remember, you’re the Duchess. There are very few women here with a higher status than you.”
The grand arched doors opened, and though they tried to hide it, all eyes subtly shifted toward us.
We exchanged brief pleasantries with a few nobles who approached us, then made our way toward Lady Mayer.
“Thank you for inviting us to such a lovely party, Lady Mayer,” I said.
“I should be the one thanking both of you for attending. You two look wonderful in your matching outfits,” she replied, lightly fluttering her fan as she eyed me up and down.
“You’ve grown even more beautiful since your marriage, Duchess. I suspect many ladies here will be curious about which designer created your dress tonight.”
“If they’re curious, I’d be happy to share,” I said, raising the corners of my lips just enough to show confidence without appearing overly humble. Lady Mayer’s eyes crinkled in approval, clearly pleased with my response.
“It’s always good for men to bond with men, and for women to bond with women, don’t you agree?”
“Are you suggesting I part from my lovely wife?” Harold teased.
“Only if you’re the kind of man who knows how to be considerate of the woman he loves.”
“Well, I guess I have no choice, then,” Harold replied, letting go of my hand, giving me a playful wink like he was reluctant to leave my side. His affectionate act was flawless, as always. While I was impressed, I couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
What if Harold suddenly has another episode, like last time?
The way he endured his pain without showing it only made me more concerned. I reached out and grabbed his hand just as he was about to turn away from me.
Locking eyes with him, I whispered, “Come find me if you start feeling unwell, Harold. Promise me.”
I gently tapped his hand with my fingers, signaling him to come to me if he felt any chest pain.
“I will. I promise,” he said, lightly intertwining our fingers before letting go.
It was clear from the gesture that he understood what I was worried about.
Finally, I felt a little more at ease and let him go.
When I turned back, I saw Lady Mayer watching me over her fan, her lips curved into a knowing smile.
“The newlyweds are as passionate as ever, I see,” she remarked.
…No, it’s not like that.
“Your affection reminds me of my own early days of marriage,” she added wistfully.
Seriously, it’s not like that!
