~Chapter 25~
Just One Ruby Necklace
“Every single one of you.”
Karsian Royster slammed his fist down on the table with all his might, his face as fierce as a wild animal.
“This is disgraceful.”
His voice, as hot and threatening as molten metal, roughly grabbed everyone’s attention.
“A man who acts like a fool with another woman in front of his fiancĂ©e⊔
A fool? Arloâs face twisted in disgust.
“And the idiots laughing and chatting along with him are just as bad.”
Idiots? This time, the nobles gasped in shock.
“Is this what you call nobility and grace?”
“You…! How dare you speak like this toâ!”
“If thatâs what it means to be noble, then Iâd rather remain a low-born, uneducated man.”
Screech! Karsian cut off the crown prince mid-sentence, rising from his seat as if he couldnât stand to stay there a moment longer, and strode out of the room.
“Donât you dare leave!”
Arloâs eyes flashed with fury as he leaped to his feet and shouted, but he couldnât stop him from walking away.
The atmosphere, already tense, became completely frozen.
This dinner party was a disaster. Everyone thought the same thing.
Yet, for them, the only way to ease the tension was to gossip and criticize someone else. So now, the nobles all turned their insults on Karsian Royster.
This is why people of low birth can never be trusted. Heâs just overreacting to the insult because he canât let go of his miserable past.
Nora, listening to their sharp remarks, secretly snorted in disdain.
âHandsome, noble, and I thought he might be worth my attention. But heâs even dumber than Eleanor.â
It was natural for her to be attracted to a handsome man. However, the most important thing in a man wasnât his faceâit was his usefulness.
In that sense, Karsian Royster scored terribly.
If she had to choose someone to use, she’d rather pick someone simple and stupid like Damian. At least he’d be better than a foolish man who declares heâs fine staying a lowly man despite holding a position thatâs beyond him.
âChoosing Arlo was the right decision.â
Heâs Simple enough, attracted to women, but still handsome and capable. A perfect man, really.
Nora smiled contentedly, resting her head on her fiancĂ©’s shoulder.
***
Eleanor left the dining room, but instead of heading for the front door, she turned and walked quickly down a hallway. She had heard that if you continued this way, you’d find the menâs restroom.
‘He canât have gone far. Where is he?’
The person she was looking for was Viscount Cunningham. As she hurried, she spotted the gleam of his golden hair in the distance.
Just as she was about to call out to him in a rushâ
“Ellie, wait a moment!”
A voice called from behind her. Startled, she paused, and in that moment, the viscount disappeared into the restroom.
Now, she had no choice but to wait until he came out. Eleanor sighed in frustration and turned around.
In her view came soft light-brown hair, a slender figure, and round green eyes. It was Darcy Wickens, the eldest daughter of Viscount Wickens and one of Eleanorâs former friends. Calling her a friend now seemed difficult, though.
“Darcy, what is it?”
“I-I⊠I mean⊠um⊔
Darcy kept glancing around nervously, unable to find a place for her gaze, then finally lowered her head. Watching her stammer and struggle to speak was frustrating.
If Eleanor left her alone, they’d be stuck here until the viscount came out. Growing impatient, Eleanor frowned. What now? Was Darcy going to say something else to upset her?
But the words that came out of Darcy’s mouth completely surprised her.
“Iâm sorry, Ellie. When you were being insulted like that, I couldnât say anything⊔
“âŠWhat?”
“Itâs because Iâm weak. No, itâs because Iâm selfish. Iâm really sorry.”
Plop! Tears fell onto the floor of the hallway.
Eleanor stared blankly at Darcyâs confession.
“That hat of yours is really pretty. It doesnât look cheap at all. Every word those people said was a lie. I’m weak and mean, so I couldnât stand up for you in front of them… but I hope you didnât let those horrible words hurt you. Please donât think thereâs anything wrong with you.”
Darcyâs voice trembled as she added, “I know I donât deserve it, but please forgive me.”
Eleanor looked at her quietly for a long time.
“…Iâm fine. Now go inside. It would be bad if we were seen together.”
“Iâm really⊠really sorry. If thereâs ever anything I can do to help, just tell me. Iâll do anything, I promise.”
After apologizing over and over, Darcy finally returned to the dining room. But why? Even after hearing her apology, Eleanor felt strangely more downcast.
It wasnât because she was hurt by those low-class people or thought she was in the wrong, as Darcy had suggested. It was quite the opposite.
The reason hearing an apology made her uncomfortable was because it hit a sore spot.
The low-class people Darcy talked aboutâŠ
Itâs because Eleanor was planning to become just like them.
***
It took Viscount Cunningham a full 15 minutes to come out of the restroom. Whether he had some kind of stomach issue or was just taking his time grooming himself so he wouldnât lose to Arlo, in terms of looks, Eleanor didnât know. But for her, who was desperate to leave the earlâs manor as soon as possible, it was an incredibly boring wait.
âViscount Cunningham.â
âGah! Wh-who⊠Lady Eleanor?â
When she stepped out from behind the pillar, the viscount shrieked like he had seen a ghost.
âDonât tell me⊠Were you waiting for me here?â
âYes. I have something important to discuss with you.â
Viscount Cunninghamâs face became a mix of complex emotions. He thought he knew exactly what Eleanor was about to say.
âSheâs probably going to ask me to help her stay in high society somehow.â
A woman who was once at the top of the social world, now seeking his help. It was an awkward situation, but he couldnât help feeling a bit pleased by it.
However, what came out of Eleanorâs mouth was something completely different.
âViscount, do you by any chance have feelings for Nora?â
âW-What are you talking about all of a sudden?!â
Cunninghamâs voice shot up in surprise.
âYou canât just accuse me out of nowhere! This is inappropriate!â
His eyes darted nervously, and he fidgeted awkwardly. Those were clear signs that he was lying.
After being used to seeing Noraâs flawless performances, watching someone so bad at lying felt strangely refreshing to Eleanor.
âIâm not accusing you. I just⊠hoped it was true.â
ââŠWhat?â
âAs you know, I was engaged to Arlo until recently. Now, Nora has taken my place. I canât do anything about losing the title of Duchess of Astria, but⊠I donât want to give up Arlo. My feelings for him are still the same.â
Unlike the viscount, Eleanorâs lie was expertly told.
The idea that she didnât want to give up Arlo was absolutely repulsive to her, but her face showed only sincere sadness.
âWhy are you telling me thisâŠ?â
âWell, itâs because Nora has liked you for a long time.â
âWhat?â
âYou didnât know? When she was my maid, she was always so shy whenever she saw you, not knowing what to do with herself. Even today, she kept glancing at you and smiled whenever your eyes met. That means her feelings havenât changed.â
Nora had never glanced at Viscount Cunningham. Sure, she smiled when their eyes met today, but that was just out of habit.
However, to a man like Viscount Cunningham, who already had feelings for Nora, even those small gestures took on a different meaning. He had been thinking that she smiled at him more than others. So, when Eleanor fueled that hope, it quickly became his truth.
âLady Nora⊠likes me? Is that true?â
âYes. Youâre a handsome man, after all. It would be a waste for someone like Kiara to have you all to herself.â
âWell, thatâs true, but⊠Nora and Arlo seemed to get along so well.â
âItâs embarrassing to admit, but Arloâs feelings are one-sided. Nora just has to play along. Why do you think Iâm telling you all this? If Nora truly liked Arlo, I wouldnât have asked for your help. But since she doesnât, Iâm asking for your cooperation.â
âCooperationâŠ?â
âYou can marry Nora and gain power in Astria, and Iâll comfort Arlo after being abandoned by her and get back together with him. Wouldnât it be better if we helped each other, knowing weâll soon be family?â
It almost seemed like you could hear the gears turning in Viscount Cunninghamâs head.
The only reason he was tied to Kiara was because of her power and wealth. With only his looks to offer, his goal was to marry into the most powerful family possible.
If what Eleanor said was true, Nora would be a much better choice than Kiaraâbetter looks, better personality, better family. She had it all.
The only worry was offending the crown prince. But considering it was the Duke of Astria who had put Arlo in line for the throne, it likely wouldnât be much of a problem.
The key issue was whether or not the plan was actually possible.
âBut wouldnât the Duke of Astria be upset if his son-in-law were a viscount instead of the crown prince?â
âNo. The only thing changing is which daughter is getting married. Arlo would still be my fatherâs son-in-law. Iâll make sure of that, and my father will help. I donât know if youâre aware, but my father isnât someone who would easily give up his ties to the royal family. He values the prosperity of Astria above all else.â
To make a lie believable, you needed to mix in some truth. And using the lies of others was an even better tactic.
âBut if thereâs one exception to my fatherâs priorities, itâs Nora. As Nora mentioned earlier, my father is incredibly soft on the daughter he only recently found. After all the hardships sheâs been through, he just wants her to be happy. So if she says she loves another man, my father will support her, no matter who it is.â
“âŠShe did mention something like that earlier. The fact that the duke even threw her a separate debutante ball shows how much he cares for her.”
“Yes, exactly. He cherishes her that much. And the reason Nora hasnât revealed her feelings for you yet is because she doesnât have certainty. You know how love works, right? Unless the other person shows their feelings clearly, itâs risky to expose your own. Itâs always smart to have a backup plan, just in case.”
A backup plan like the crown prince. Eleanor added this in a soft voice.
“So, Viscount, give Nora that certainty.”
Viscount Cunningham seemed to be deeply considering the proposal. He was clearly tempted by Eleanorâs suggestion but also worried in case it turned out to be a lie.
“If you mean certainty⊔
“Iâve heard that the Cunningham family has a tradition of giving a large ruby necklace as a token of love. Donât you think that would be enough to give her certainty?”
Kiara still hadnât received a ruby necklace from Viscount Cunningham, and she was deeply ashamed of it.
To others, she would claim that the outdated tradition had died out, and sheâd joke that the viscount called her red hair his “shining ruby.” In reality, Kiaraâs hair was only a very faint reddish-brown, but she always insisted it was a beautiful, deep red.
“But what if I embarrass myself? What if this is all a lie, and I end up looking like a fool?”
“You seem to be lacking confidence. Surely you know that thereâs hardly a woman in Cardiff society who hasnât been interested in you at some point.”
“Ahem, well, thatâs true⊠But still, I canât just give away a ruby necklace on a whim. As you said, revealing all your cards at once is a risky move, whether youâre a man or a woman.”
“It wouldnât be risky if no one else found out. Send the gift to the manor before the debutante ball, in secret. If Nora has feelings for you, sheâll wear it to the ball. If she doesnât, she wonât want to cause any rumors and will keep the gift hidden.”
That did sound like a plausible idea.
If Nora chose Arlo over Viscount Cunningham, she would likely keep the ruby necklace hidden, especially if she intended to become empress one day. It would be too risky to let that kind of gossip spread.
So, all the viscount had to do was send the gift and wait for Noraâs decision.
“Even if things donât go as planned, the worst youâll lose is just one ruby necklace.”
Gulp. The viscount swallowed nervously as he looked down at Eleanor.
Her crescent-moon smile caught his attention. It looked like the smile of a witch casting a spell, but he couldnât tear his gaze away.
All he could do was give a big nod of agreement.
For a moment, he felt overwhelmed by the woman in front of him, and a wave of shame washed over him. To cover it up, he put on a fierce expression and tried to sound threatening.
“âŠIf you tell anyone about this, I wonât let you off easily.”
“Of course, I wouldnât dream of it.”
Having gotten the answer she wanted, Viscount Cunningham quickly left. His hurried steps showed how ashamed he was of secretly making a deal with a woman who had been shunned by everyone else.
This was exactly the kind of man he was. A womanizer who would quickly resort to threats if things didnât go his way.
Thatâs why Eleanor found him so easy to use.
Wiping the fake smile from her face, Eleanor began walking again. She needed to return to the manor quickly before any other nobles spotted her lingering around.
But after only a few steps, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
An unexpected complication had appeared.
Standing next to a pillar carved with the symbols of the Earl of Portsmouthâ a crescent moon and starsâwas a tall man.
He was so handsome he could have been mistaken for a living statue, but the dangerous aura around him made him impossible to approach.
It was Karsian Royster.
