CHAPTER 55…………………………..
“Do you have something to say?”
Yu-an, who had come by late at night, blinked in surprise at Cerret.
“Thank you for all the effort you put into preparing the party.”
Yu-an strode up to Cerret.
“I enjoyed it. More than I expected.”
Having done it once in her previous life, it wasn’t that exhausting.
“That’s a relief.”
Nodding lightly, Yu-an stepped closer to Cerret.
As Cerret tried to step back slightly, Yu-an grabbed her arm and pulled her near, then held out a case.
“What is this?”
“A necklace.”
“A necklace?”
Cerret frowned. What necklace? Whose necklace is this? Seeing Cerret’s bewildered expression, Yu-an shook the case slightly as if urging her to take it.
“Is it… mine?”
“Then whose would it be? Surely not mine?”
Seeing Cerret’s eyes widen, Yu-an let out a small laugh.
While browsing a department store, a necklace had caught his eye—a pearl necklace that would suit Cerret perfectly.
The pure white pearls emitted a subtle glow that reminded Yu-an of Cerret’s fair skin, and he felt a warm flush creep up his neck. Clearing his throat, he asked to see the necklace, and the store clerk presented it.
For a wife who insisted on keeping her own collar, it was fine to buy at least a pretty one. After all, she had worked hard preparing the party.
With that thought, he bought the necklace, but then he felt flustered. He was unfamiliar with the way he immediately thought of Cerret upon seeing it. And holding the necklace now brought him an unusual sense of happiness.
“Why this, when it’s not any special day?”
Cerret looked at Yu-an warily, not even opening the case.
Yu-an sighed and took the case back from her hands. Opening it, he returned it to Cerret and spoke.
“Couldn’t you just like it? It doesn’t seem that hard.”
He had felt quite pleased buying a necklace that suited Cerret, but her reaction now was a little disappointing. Yu-an frowned slightly.
“It feels strange because it’s not any special day, yet you’re giving me something.”
Cerret gazed at the pearl necklace in the case. The soft glow of the pearls was beautiful, though the giver seemed a bit suspicious.
“This isn’t a gift.”
Yu-an’s tone was brusque. Seeing Cerret’s lukewarm reaction, he wondered if he had done something pointless and scowled.
“Then what is it?”
“A collar. One I will put on my wife.”
Yu-an removed the necklace from the case and gently guided Cerret by the shoulders to turn around.
“A collar?”
Cerret repeated sharply.
Ignoring her question, Yu-an swept her hair to one side. When Cerret’s white nape was revealed, his mouth went dry.
His body felt unexpectedly heavy, and feeling like a madman, Yu-an let out a sigh-like laugh.
“I clearly said I would keep my collar myself. I have no intention of giving it to the Duke.”
The naive girl chatteringly spoke without knowing the state her husband was in.
Silently, Yu-an placed the necklace around Cerret’s neck. Each time his hand brushed against her soft skin, he had to restrain himself from toppling her onto the bed.
“For a collar, it’s quite pretty.”
A small pearl hanging from the chain reflected the light subtly like a miniature full moon. Cerret liked it—it felt as though a quiet beauty rested on her neck.
She turned and smiled gently.
Damn it. Even if she smiles like that, he couldn’t touch a single finger.
The night was deep, the bed far away, and his wife so beautiful. What kind of torture was this? Yu-an ran a hand through his hair, staring at Cerret.
“Do you like it?”
“For a collar, yes.”
Cerret looked up at him with a coquettish expression.
From that face, Yu-an realized he wasn’t very patient. He grabbed her arm and kissed her.
He gently drew her lips in, separating them slightly too hastily, and entered. Inside, there was a sweetness that made his tongue melt.
“Hmph.”
Cerret pushed Yu-an away hastily, her startled eyes scanning his face.
“Good night.”
Yu-an sighed, turned his body away from Cerret, and left the bedroom in haste before he could behave worse than a beast.
The Fractuster Duke House was bustling with party guests. Faces across the ballroom and garden were lit with bright smiles.
From the atmosphere alone, it was a successful party.
Cerret moved between the ballroom and garden, fulfilling her role as the lady of the house. Even amid the chaos, she felt proud of herself.
Compared to her previous life, it was truly remarkable growth.
Passing by a space displaying various paintings, Cerret perked up at snippets of conversation.
“Well, that painting has been sold.”
“Oh my! Who bought it?”
“Some lady purchased it.”
“Oh my, oh my. Whoever it is, I envy them.”
The ladies giggled.
Cerret raised her lips slightly as she passed. The painting they spoke of was one she had purchased at the salon exhibition.
Though it had received harsh criticism, among women, visiting the salon to see that painting became somewhat of a trend.
However, for social appearances, they pretended to pass by rather than openly view it, which only made it more intriguing.
Cerret thought it would be quite a stir if it became known that the buyer was the Duchess of Fractuster and headed toward the ballroom.
“Cerret.”
From behind came Lydia’s voice.
Cerret turned to see Lydia standing with a champagne glass, her expression sour.
After canceling her own party, Lydia had informed Cerret she would attend the Fractuster party. Cerret hadn’t expected her to show up but was surprised to see her.
Cerret masked her feelings with a smile and approached.
“Lydia, enjoying the party?”
“More than you can imagine!”
Lydia smiled brightly.
Both hid their true emotions, exchanging polite, superficial chatter. They avoided discussing the overlapping party dates and spoke lightly.
In the middle of the conversation, Lydia looked concerned.
“Cerret, are you alright?”
“Huh?”
Cerret tilted her head, puzzled by the sudden question.
“I heard some upsetting things… that things aren’t well between you and Yu-an.”
“….”
Cerret only offered an awkward smile.
The rumor had spread: the Duke and Duchess of Fractuster had not spent their wedding night together.
Hearing that Yu-an kept the Duchess distant because he couldn’t forget his first love, Cerret had felt rather satisfied.
“Yu-an is awful. How could he treat Cerret like that? It hurts as a friend to watch.”
Lydia gave her a sympathetic look.
“The Duke probably has his reasons.”
Though Lydia’s gaze irked her, Cerret held back and smiled awkwardly.
It was a ridiculous situation. The Duke didn’t share a bed with his wife due to a first love, yet that first love comforted his wife.
“Such generosity. I’ll have a word with Yu-an. He listens to me, you know.”
Lydia spoke with a slightly boastful tone.
Cerret raised her nose slightly and waved her hand.
“No, it’s fine.”
“I’m worried about you, Cerret. We’re friends. Leave it to me.”
Lydia grasped Cerret’s hand, signaling her not to worry.
Cerret opened her mouth to protest, but Lydia’s fingernail dug into her hand, silencing her. It hurt sharply. Cerret tried to pull away, but Lydia held firm.
“Lydia.”
Cerret frowned, calling her, and only then did Lydia release her hand.
“I’ll speak firmly to Yu-an. Leave it to me, Cerret.”
Lydia smiled like an angel and disappeared.
Cerret looked at her hand, where a small trickle of blood appeared from the scratch.
“Haa.”
She sighed. As she tried to wipe it with her palm, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Turning, her eyes curved into a smile.
“Your Highness.”
Regan silently placed a handkerchief on Cerret’s hand and pressed gently. Holding hands over the handkerchief, he looked at her.
“Let me apologize for Lydia hurting you.”
“It’s alright.”
“Lydia…”
Regan hesitated, unable to finish.
“Really, it’s fine, Your Highness.”
Cerret, seeing him overly apologetic for no fault of his own, spoke in a deliberately brighter tone.
“…Be careful, Duchess of Fractuster.”
“Yes.”
Though it felt like an excessive warning, Cerret smiled and answered.
Returning the handkerchief, she headed back into the ballroom.
Inside, Crown Princess Christine appeared before her.
“Your Highness.”
Cerret immediately greeted her with proper etiquette.
Christine glanced at Lydia lingering near Yu-an, then requested Cerret’s time.
“Could I have a word, Cerret?”
“Of course.”
Cerret answered promptly, and the two went to the second-floor balcony. In the quiet balcony, Christine faced her.
“The party seems to have been a success.”
“Thanks to Your Highness and the Crown Prince for attending.”
Cerret smiled.
“The Crown Prince has something to say to you, as gratitude for saving Matthew.”
“Something to say?”
Cerret looked at Christine, puzzled. She sighed softly.
“It’s a rather dreadful thing to say, so it’s difficult to put into words.”
“What is it…”
Cerret trailed off.
Christine looked at her firmly.
“Be careful of Lydia Elliott.”
