SMR | Chapter 147

~Chapter 147~

‘This reminds me of the Lorrell party.’

Coincidentally, just like that night, she was sitting in a dark place with this man again. The memories she had tried to bury slowly came creeping back.

The dark gazebo, the thin shawl draped over her shoulders, the kiss they shared, Cedric’s hot breath, and his hand that had slid along her back in a sticky touch.

‘I’m crazy.’

Her heart raced, and she swallowed nervously. All she could think about was how insane she was.

Suddenly, Cedric spoke up.

“Before… I was in a lot of debt.”

“Excuse me? Before? What do you mean?”

“It was the night of the Lorrell Count’s party.”

For a moment, Harriet felt her heart stop. She had thought those were her own foolish memories, but now this man was recalling the same night.

Was this a coincidence too?

Her heart fluttered, but Harriet instinctively tried to protect herself. If she let herself get carried away by his ‘harmless’ words, she would regret it later.

“Oh, that night? But you’ve already paid off that debt, right? You told me you would do anything to repay the favor for saving my great-aunt.”

Cedric let out a strange sound, covering his mouth with both hands. He was smiling, but Harriet couldn’t quite figure out why.

“Don’t you think the ‘anything’ you’d do is a bit… dangerous?”

“Why? Are you going to ask for my heart? In that case, I’ll cancel the offer.”

“I would want your heart…”

“Excuse me? You would actually use it?”

Cedric stared at Harriet with a surprised expression, then burst into laughter.

“You really don’t react the way I expect. Not at all!”

“Really?”

Harriet couldn’t understand what he meant, but his laughter was so contagious that she ended up laughing too, even though she had no idea why. Just that made her feel a little lighter.

When their childish laughter finally died down, the sounds of the orchestra from the ballroom filled the air again.

Feeling a bit dreamy from the laughter, Harriet was listening to the familiar melody when suddenly Cedric extended his hand.

“Shall we dance?”

“Huh? Here?”

Harriet wondered if he was joking, but Cedric nodded with an expression that said, “Why not?”

“You’re wearing a beautiful dress, and it would be a shame to just leave without dancing.”

“You think no one else is here to dance with you, except for the Duke?”

“You haven’t danced at any party, have you?”

“How do you know that?”

Instead of answering, he shook the hand he had extended, motioning for her to take it.

Harriet gazed at his large palm and long fingers for a moment before slowly placing her hand on his.

Then, Cedric stood up first, pulling her by the waist and lifting her to her feet.

Harriet clung to him, trying not to fall backward, but when she saw his small smile, she became a little embarrassed and cleared her throat.

“People will laugh if they see us.”

“Nobody’s coming this way. Relax, no one’s watching.”

She almost asked how he knew that, but then stopped herself. Why would it matter if anyone saw them?

Cedric was going to dance with many women tonight, and she was just one of them.

“I’m not very good at dancing. I hope you can lead me well.”

“Gladly.”

He took her hand properly and pulled her waist closer, leading her into the steps of the waltz, matching the music.

Harriet remembered the grueling dance training she had with Roxana and danced along, trying to recall the moves.

Unlike the dull practice sessions that had seemed full of steps to memorize, dancing now felt so fun and exhilarating, especially when she was moving with Cedric and following his lead. If she had known dancing could be this fun, she would have started much earlier.

‘Is it just because I’m dancing with him that it’s so enjoyable?’

Dancing in the corner of the garden, walking back and forth, stretching her legs, tilting her waist, and spinning—it felt so much fun. It made no sense unless the dance partner was something special.

But still, the tightness in her chest didn’t come from the dancing. If it wasn’t that, then it had to be something else.

‘I think I’ve really messed up.’

Her mouth was dry. All this time, she had thought about beating Cedric, but now she had ended up in the position of the forever loser.

Her heart hurt, but she still wanted to keep dancing. Yet, the song they had been dancing to soon came to an end.

Breathing lightly, Harriet found herself still in Cedric’s arms. She was surprised by how close they were while dancing, but she didn’t say anything. After all, when would she have the chance to dance with him again?

“You’re not the complainer I thought you were. You’re actually a pretty good dancer.”

Harriet chuckled at the low, vibrating voice.

“Well, the small space we had here helped hide some of my flaws.”

“One day, we’ll have to dance in a bigger ballroom.”

He was casually spilling affectionate words, unaware of Harriet’s thoughts.

Harriet didn’t answer. She just smiled. It was time to wake up from this dream.

As she started to pull away, Cedric didn’t let go of her waist. Instead, he spoke again.

“Do you remember when I said I might need your help?”

“Yes! You said something interesting was happening…”

Cedric nodded.

“I think it might be an interesting proposition for you too. Would you like to hear it?”

Harriet looked up and met Cedric’s gaze. His eyes were filled with an unreadable intensity, and his smile looked oddly mischievous.

“I’m curious. What’s going on?”

Cedric’s smile grew wider.

He lowered his head and whispered in her ear.

“Are you interested in revenge?”

Harriet couldn’t resist the sweet trap that had been set for her.

***

A few days after the Duke’s evening party, Trisha left for Ainsfora with Roksana.

She had only greeted society briefly, but Roksana insisted they could not delay her recovery any longer.

Harriet agreed.

“The hot springs will definitely help. Even Sir Nelson recommended it.”

“Yes, yes, I know. Nagging all day long. What if someone bothers you while I’m gone?”

“I’m not that helpless anymore. Don’t worry, Grandmother.”

“Still a brat. To the society ladies who’ve spent decades here, you’re still a child!”

“Did you hear how I made Madam Marshall shut her mouth at the Duke’s party?”

Trisha sighed deeply, shaking her head—but she didn’t scold her.

“If you become known as a troublemaker, how will you ever get married? If no one wants you, you’ll just live with Roksana.”

Knowing her love was hidden beneath the scolding, Harriet hugged her with a silly smile.

Roksana planned to stay in Ainsfora until Trisha settled into a routine, then travel back and forth between Genoa for family duties.

Harriet planned to visit too, but Trisha wanted her to focus on her own goals more.

“Don’t waste time because of me. You’re not in a relaxed situation.”

“I know. I’ll write often then.”

“Don’t write too long. It’s tiring to read.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

With such affectionate banter, Harriet saw her grandmother off.

***

Not long after Trisha left, the biggest topic in society became fox hunting.

Fox hunting usually took place in autumn or winter, but this year, foxes had increased early, damaging farms badly.

“So they’re holding a hunting competition during the picnic season this year,” Viviana said while trying on a new bonnet.

Harriet, helping her change in her room, nodded absently.

“But the hunting competition is for men. Doesn’t really concern us, right?”

Viviana turned to her with shock.

“What are you talking about? The hunting competition is one of the most exciting events ever!”

“…Huh?”

“A brave knight bringing back a trophy for his lady! It’s romantic!”

Viviana dramatically waved her arms, and Harriet blinked in confusion. Then Viviana pointed right at her.

“You have to receive something that day! It shows your popularity in society. You’ve seen how many things Bella gets!”

“That’s true… but…”

Harriet had a real reason she was hesitant.

“I’ve never even received an invitation to a hunting competition.”

You needed an invitation before you could receive any trophies.

Hunting competitions were hosted only by high nobles who owned large forests.
Harriet had no connections for such events. Trisha had never cared about them either.

“Now that Grandmother isn’t here, it’ll be even harder to get invited. So Viviana, enjoy it for both of us.”

“Should I talk to someone for you…?”

“No. I have plenty to do at home. I need to help my aunt.”

Viviana apologized for mentioning it without thinking, but Harriet truly didn’t mind.
You can’t miss something you’ve never had.

Two days later, unexpectedly—Harriet received an invitation to the hunting competition and picnic.

The sender?

Edgar Dawson.