~Chapter 152~
“I was a little nervous that you might want to inspect the wine like last time.”
Cedric seemed to think of Harriet when he looked at the wine bottle.
“You’ve gone through the inspection process, so there’s no need to check it again.”
“You’re right, haha!”
A clinking sound was heard as the servant carefully moved the teacups.
After clearing the table, Herbert spoke again.
“It seems that Sir Listerwell has been subtly spreading the word that he received a fox from you. Is it alright to let that go?”
“That’s fine. I sent it for that purpose.”
“Wait, you intentionally sent the fox to spread rumors?”
Cedric smiled softly and nodded.
“It was the first fox caught during the hunting competition. It was an old one, unable to escape properly, with rough fur.”
The servants had planned to leave it behind, but Cedric found some amusement in it.
“Everything has its use. Even an unattractive fox skin can serve as good bait.”
“Bait? What do you mean…?”
“It’s nothing. And, of course, as you already know, don’t speak of what you see or hear here today.”
“Of course.”
Cedric nodded and stood up, feeling light-hearted that everything was going as planned. He was confident that the plan for the Pellodier Theater was moving ahead smoothly.
As he turned to head back to his office, his gaze briefly landed on a small icon hanging above the door.
Although he had never been religious, he found himself smiling wryly and silently praying.
‘Bless me, God. Your young subject, far worse, lewd, cunning, and vulgar than anyone realizes, hopes to be accepted by just one woman.’
***
Asteer Street was home to many townhouses owned by minor nobility, some of whom were wealthy. Among them, the Marshall Baron’s house was particularly well-maintained and had a lot of visitors. Everyone believed that Jaden Marshall would eventually become the Count of Pellon.
But recently, after the Duke Kailas’s party, the noble carriages visiting the Marshall Baron’s estate stopped abruptly.
There were many excuses, but the reason was clear: everyone knew that Lauren and Jaden could no longer take control of the Pellon family’s power.
“How vulgar… Changing their attitude so quickly over something so small? Just wait. Just wait…”
Lauren, waking up from a nightmare, went downstairs in her pajamas to open a display cabinet.
She needed a drink to calm her nerves.
But before she could reach the liquor, Baron Marshall, who was reading the newspaper, frowned and scolded her.
“Lauren! Drinking already this early in the morning? Are you crazy?”
Her husband, who always used to be meek in front of her, now spoke to her with disdain.
Lauren couldn’t stand this small irritation.
“Crazy? You think I’m crazy? Do you think you’d even have a foothold in Genoa if you hadn’t married me?”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“You’re ignoring me too now, aren’t you? But remember, even though we don’t share blood, I’m still a legitimate branch of the Pellon family!”
“Had you not acted recklessly, everyone would have known that you’re a legitimate branch with blood. Tch.”
“Hey!”
Lauren screamed hysterically and threw a bottle of alcohol. Baron Marshall shook his head in disgust and left the reception room.
Standing at the door, Jaden, who had been watching his parents argue, didn’t side with his mother either.
“Why did you do that? Of all places, why at the Duke’s party?”
Lauren’s eyes grew dull with fatigue as she listened to her beloved son’s scolding.
“Jaden… You shouldn’t be saying this to me. You—”
“I don’t care! This is all because of you. This embarrassment, all because of you.”
Jaden clicked his tongue and turned away, leaving Lauren to collapse in despair.
“Everyone… No one understands…”
The Marshall family, who had lived off the carpet she laid out, knew nothing about the true workings of this world. They had no idea how desperate Lauren had been to run to the Duke’s mansion after Roxana had debuted in society.
‘Roxana, once she becomes known in society, things will only get harder for us!’
Lauren knew it was risky to make a scene at the Duke’s party. Even a 12-year-old child would know that.
But she had no choice; she was running out of time.
If she wanted to stop Roxana from being recognized as the official representative of the Pellon family, she would have to bribe the surrounding powers and put in effort. But Trisha had denied her that opportunity by debuting Roxana into society.
Once Roxana was officially recognized as “the representative of Pellon” and “the heir,” there was no way Lauren and Jaden could retain their position.
So, she had to bring up Roxana’s background in front of everyone and make her look like a nobody. She needed to make it look like the heir position was still open.
Of course, she knew there would be some humiliation, but she had expected that. What she hadn’t expected was the enormous backlash.
‘To think she revealed I was an adopted child in front of everyone… What a shameful woman she has become.’
Lauren ground her teeth.
She never imagined Trisha would reveal that fact. It was the Pellon family’s shame.
Adopting a child from another man’s affair was something that could make the family’s registry chaotic. To acknowledge it was one of the most shameful things that could happen.
‘So, you’d reveal the family’s embarrassing secrets to destroy me?’
With that thought, she opened the alcohol bottle and drank directly from it. The strong liquor burned her throat, heating her empty stomach, but it wasn’t as hot as the anger rising in her head.
Just then, a servant ran in, glancing at her cautiously.
“Madam, a person called ‘Butcher Harry’ has arrived. He said you arranged to meet him today. His appearance is… questionable. Should I have him thrown out?”
“No, let him in.”
“Yes? But he looks like a street thug…”
“Enough, just bring him in.”
A few moments later, a shabby-looking man strolled in with a casual attitude.
He didn’t seem surprised at all to see broken alcohol bottles on the floor and Lauren in her pajamas drinking.
“The lovely lady called for someone like me? What do you want?”
He said with a relaxed tone, his words laced with amusement.
Lauren put the bottle down on the table and replied.
“Why did I call ‘Butcher Harry’? Because I have something to slaughter.”
“Ha ha! That’s true. Is your opponent a nobleman?”
The question cut into Lauren’s heart.
“Yes, I suppose so. She was a commoner not long ago.”
“Hm, then the price is a bit higher. ‘Cattle’ costs 500,000 dirhams, ‘pig’ costs 300,000 dirhams, and ‘chicken’ is 100,000 dirhams, with half as an upfront fee. What would you like?”
“Cattle.”
“You know, the refined ones always go for cattle. It has no lingering aftermath.”
‘Butcher Harry’ chuckled as he sat across from Lauren.
“Well then, shall we discuss the details?”
Lauren smiled brightly and nodded.
Her eyes sparkled for the first time since the Duke’s party.
***
The Opera Opening
The Pellodier Theater, built for opera performances, had invited all the prominent names in society.
Arriving at the theater with Gerard Austin, Cedric’s assistant who had helped during the preparation of St. Clarissa Soap & Herbs, Harriet was taken aback by the grandeur.
“It’s incredible.”
“Count Jim Pellodier has been preparing it for nearly 10 years. It’s probably the best in the empire, both in scale and facilities. The performances will be high level too.”
Even when Harriet didn’t know much about the nobles, she had heard the name Pellodier often. They were a family with a deep love for the arts, and the current head, Count Jim Pellodier, was particularly passionate about theater.
“I heard every theater company in Genoa is supported by the Pellodier family.”
“Yes. People worried it was money wasted, but as you can see, the result speaks for itself.”
Under Pellodier’s sponsorship, the empire’s theater and opera scene had flourished, and Jim Pellodier, the investor, had earned massive profits.
And now, he had even built a theater himself. To succeed in this field, connections with the Pellodier family would be essential.
‘And I received an invitation from such a prestigious family…’
Harriet felt a chill run through her.
Just recently, Jim Pellodier, who hadn’t even looked her way, sent an invitation to her, probably due to Cedric’s casual word.
‘So I need to stay sharp.’
Harriet took a deep breath and gently placed her hand on Gerard’s arm as they entered the crowded theater.
It wasn’t hard to find their seats. The ones reserved for Cedric’s friends were VIP seats close to the stage, easy to access.
As she marveled at the theater again, someone approached her.
