~Chapter 149~
At the Dawson family’s hunting competition and picnic, Harriet was able to sit with Daphne and Edgar, thanks to Daphne’s consideration.
Edgar was still in a cheerful mood.
“It’s all so chaotic. I really don’t understand why people love fox hunting so much.”
He sighed dramatically, clearly exaggerating.
“My friend says there’s no more romantic event than a hunting competition.”
“Really? Does your friend have some fantasy about blood and slaughter?”
“No, it’s because the man who catches a fox gives it to the woman he likes. The quality of the fur determines how popular he is, apparently.”
After hearing this, he suddenly stood up, took Daphne’s hand, and kissed the back of her white hand.
“In that case, I can’t stay still. You deserve more foxes than anyone else.”
“I don’t want anything like that; just please don’t get hurt.”
“Oh, my gentle princess.”
As he kissed Daphne’s hand again and marveled at her, she laughed lightly.
Watching them, Harriet couldn’t help but admit that Edgar was the perfect match for Daphne. Before, when Daphne had been upset because of James, she hadn’t been able to laugh like this. Even when she did, it was just a faint smile appropriate for a well-educated young lady.
But now, Daphne was laughing just like Edgar, clearly happy, bright, and cheerful.
As Harriet admired their happy interaction, she took the chance when Daphne got up to greet someone and asked Edgar, “You’re serious, right?”
“Serious about what?”
“You’re not going to make Daphne cry as someone else did, are you?”
Edgar stared at Harriet for a moment before giving a sheepish smile.
“Of course not! I wouldn’t do that… if only I could earn the right to do so.”
“Wait, you haven’t confessed yet?”
“I have.”
“Did she reject you?”
“Well, it might have been better if she had…”
Edgar sighed, something unusual for him.
“I was treated as a joke.”
“Oh my…”
“Yes. I know. Worst outcome ever.”
He took a sip from the drink in front of her.
“But I won’t give up. If you repeat a joke enough times, it becomes the truth. I believe that one day, Daphne will understand my true feelings.”
Harriet nodded in agreement.
“Daphne has been hurt by someone she trusted, so she’s probably being cautious.”
“I think so. Honestly, I’d love to shoot that guy instead of a fox today.”
“Personally, it’s not a bad idea, but having Daphne’s new lover in jail would make things tricky.”
Harriet’s casual response made Edgar burst out laughing.
“You know, Harriet, I really like you. I think we could be good friends.”
“I also find Lord Dawson quite likable.”
The two of them exchanged a playful glance and shook hands, like making a pact to protect Daphne.
Just then, someone appeared and looked down at their joined hands.
“Wait, Cedric!”
Edgar greeted Cedric cheerfully and stood up to hug him, but Cedric calmly sat down and refused the greeting.
“If Lady Laurel sees this, she might misunderstand. Or maybe you’re trying to flirt with Harriet?”
“What are you saying! I only have Daphne in my heart!”
Harriet joined in, supporting Edgar.
“Exactly. If you betray Daphne, I’ll be the first to scratch your face.”
Cedric chuckled lightly, his tone playful, a side of him he likely kept hidden from others.
Edgar, clicking his tongue at Cedric, turned back to Daphne when she returned and put a hand on her shoulder.
“If I stay near him, I don’t know what kind of trouble I’ll get into, Daphne. Let’s go look at the horses over there.”
“But I should at least greet him…”
“No, don’t worry about it. Don’t waste your time on someone like him. Harriet will take care of that snake-tongued man.”
With that, Edgar dragged Daphne away, leaving Harriet and Cedric alone.
Harriet felt a little awkward, but Cedric didn’t seem bothered.
“Do you have anything suitable for winter? Like a scarf?”
“Yes, someone I didn’t know sent me a lovely scarf when I was at the monastery.”
They exchanged glances, and both of them broke into quiet laughter.
Cedric, adjusting his expression, spoke again.
“You’re not at the monastery anymore. It wouldn’t hurt to get something a bit more luxurious. I’ll find something good.”
Harriet raised an eyebrow and looked around, lowering her voice.
“Why?”
“Why? Well…”
“No, I mean… Why me?”
“This is part of my plan.”
“Ah, a plan!”
Harriet nodded as if her curiosity was satisfied, but she couldn’t hide the slight disappointment, which made her act even more flustered.
“Why are you acting like this?”
“Oh, nothing. I just forgot some things I discussed with the Duke. Sorry about that.”
Cedric stared at her quietly, biting his lower lip.
Every time this happened, he couldn’t stop himself from feeling hopeful.
There was something about Harriet that made him feel this way, especially when it seemed like she was disappointed.
But he knew better than to rush it.
He had carefully set the trap, and Harriet was walking right into it, unknowingly.
But if she ever looked away from the bait long enough to see the flimsy logic holding the trap together, everything would fall apart.
You have no idea what I did to create all of this.
He smiled, remembering the night of the party, the moment he locked eyes with Harriet after leaving Bella on the balcony.
It was impulsive, but even then, he quietly instructed the guards to block anyone from coming near the direction he was heading.
It wasn’t his hobby to hunt, but as he cautiously approached Harriet, making sure she wouldn’t escape, his heart raced.
Her wide eyes had been so cute, like a deer trapped in a corner.
As he asked her to dance, it was the most ridiculous and yet best decision he’d ever made.
Even while dancing with her, he had to grit his teeth to stop himself from pulling her into his arms or from kissing those lips that looked up at him, and he couldn’t help but babble nonsense to keep himself from doing something he’d regret.
Everything he did that night was unlike him—but it didn’t matter.
Because thanks to that, he could sit here facing Harriet now.
“I didn’t know I was such a patient person.” he murmured.
“Excuse me? Is it hard for you to tolerate me?”
“If only you could ask me to catch a silver fox for you, it would be much easier for me.”
“Wait, what do you mean? There’s no way that’s going to happen.”
Harriet tilted her head in confusion as Cedric gave her a strange smile.
“After the hunting is over, it might be difficult to see you again. Please understand.”
“Of course. Just… be careful while hunting.”
“Thanks for worrying about me.”
They exchanged a final look without saying much.
Harriet wasn’t interested in the hunting competition or the picnic. She just wished this moment could last forever, even though she knew it was a foolish, childish wish.
‘I’m getting worse by the day. Don’t fool yourself. This man doesn’t have any feelings for me.’
Harriet drank her beverage, trying to wash away the bitter taste in her mouth, but it didn’t help.
***
Hunting Competition
As soon as all the competitors arrived, the hunting competition began. The sight of people riding on horses with hunting dogs in tow was so grand that even the foxes seemed to pity themselves.
The cheers and clapping for the competitors slowly faded as the hunt began, and the focus shifted to the picnic.
Harriet, with Daphne, greeted some of her friends.
“How have you been, Melody?”
“Pretty good, but I ran into an unpleasant person as soon as I got here.”
“Who?”
Melody pointed to a tent across from them with a small, irritated gesture. Harriet followed her gaze and saw Bella in James’s arms, laughing.
It was then that Harriet realized Daphne had truly recovered from her past pain. If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have been able to talk so casually about Bella and James in front of her friends.
Of course, Daphne’s healing and her discomfort about Bella and James were two separate things.
Thank you very much🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺