SMR | Chapter 57

~Chapter 57~

 At that one comment, all eyes turned to Daphne with sympathetic expressions.

 She looked like she regretted speaking up, but the words had already left her lips and couldn’t be taken back.

Her close friend Melody gently took Daphne’s hand and spoke.

 “Then… how about going to that shop with me tomorrow? Hmm?”

“I—I’ll come too! I’m almost out of my lavender toner anyway!”

The friends nodded eagerly, watching Daphne’s reaction carefully.

It had been almost ten months since Daphne stopped going out. At this rate, it would soon be a full year. Everyone had been quietly worrying about her.

She might still find tea parties and banquets overwhelming, but perhaps just a casual shopping trip to a busy street wouldn’t be too much. That’s what everyone was hoping—cautiously, carefully.

Daphne let out a small sigh.

 She didn’t really want to go out. But she hated the idea of disappointing her concerned friends even more. And, well… she was curious about that toner that supposedly helped people sleep so well.

“…Alright. I’ll go.”

In that moment, her friends celebrated with silent cheers.

***

Seviol Street was, as always, bustling with people.

Along with Payton Street, it was known as one of the main shopping districts for the nobility, so the crowd was to be expected. But it was also the season when people were buying new clothes and accessories for year-end events and holidays.

The carriage from Viscount Luce’s household stopped right in front of St. Clarissa Soap & Herbs. It didn’t draw much attention, but Daphne was still sweating nervously at the thought of stepping out.

“You’ll be fine, Daphne. Our carriage will wait right here, so we can head straight back after buying the things we need.”

“Thanks, Melody.”

Daphne took a deep breath and carefully stepped down from the carriage with her friends.

She had wrapped a scarf around her plain white hat, covering half her face, but her silver hair was so well-known that anyone paying attention would recognize her right away.

Ding-a-ling.

 The silver bell on the shop door rang as they entered, and a clerk in a uniform resembling a nun’s habit welcomed them with a warm smile.

“May the Lord’s blessing be with you. Welcome.”

“We’re here to see your lavender toner. Do you have any in stock?”

“Yes, we received a new shipment from the convent just two days ago. Right this way, please.”

While Melody spoke with the clerk, Daphne stood quietly behind her and glanced around the store.

Fortunately, there were no other customers at the moment. If they bought what they needed quickly, no one would even know she had gone out.

But just then, a door behind the counter opened, and a noble-looking young woman stepped out while chatting with another clerk.

“…The newly designed posters will be put up mid-month. Please make sure they aren’t leaked beforehand like last time.”

“We’re really looking forward to this one.”

The woman waved modestly, looking embarrassed—undoubtedly the model for the new poster: Harriet Listerwell.

Daphne immediately stiffened at the realization, and her friends panicked, trying to awkwardly shield her. Unfortunately, that only drew more attention—and Harriet’s eyes naturally fell on them.

“Miss Daphne Laurel?”

As Harriet called out to her, the others awkwardly moved aside, unsure what to do—but Daphne, oddly enough, regained her calm.

“Hello, Miss Harriet… Listerwell, right?”

“Yes. It’s a pleasure. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Daphne managed to muster a faint smile.

But Harriet approached her warmly, as though she had no idea about anything that had happened between Daphne, James, and Bella.

“I overheard you a moment ago—did you come for the lavender toner?”

“Oh… My friends wanted to get some, so I thought I’d look around too.”

“I use that product myself, and I really recommend it. It not only hydrates your skin, but the scent is so soothing. It really brings peace of mind when you breathe it in.”

Melody, standing beside them, laughed awkwardly and jumped in.

 “A-Actually, maybe it’s best if we head back now. Right, everyone?”

She then whispered to Daphne, “Don’t overdo it.”

Harriet took a closer look at Daphne’s face, half-hidden by the hat and scarf.

Her once rosy cheeks were now pale and sunken, her eyes hollow. Her delicate features were still beautiful, but the life had drained from her—she no longer had the glow she once did.

And Harriet knew exactly why.

‘Bella’s ruined another person.’

 Most people only saw Daphne as the poor girl who was abandoned by her lover.

 But Harriet knew better.

 It wasn’t James Cheslow who had broken Daphne first—it was Bella Listerwell.

James pursued Bella first? Bella gave in to his relentless courting?

 All lies. Absolute nonsense.

James Cheslow had been all but engaged to Daphne. There had been no rumors, no signs he was interested in another woman.

 So if a man like that fell in love with Bella, it could only mean one thing: Bella had intended it.

 She wasn’t the kind of woman who helplessly gave her heart to anyone.

As Daphne was leaving the store, surrounded protectively by her friends, Harriet spoke toward her retreating back.

 “Late, congratulations on your broken engagement.”

Everyone turned to her with disbelief in their eyes. Even Daphne froze.

“…What did you just say?”

 Melody looked ready to launch herself at Harriet, murder in her expression.

But Harriet didn’t flinch.

“James Cheslow, wasn’t it? You should be thankful you didn’t marry a man that shallow and blind. Consider it divine protection from God.”

“Miss Harriet!”

“Of course, the process wasn’t pleasant. I understand. Daphne Laurel, you were the victim—of both James Cheslow and Bella Listerwell. So why are you the one hiding like you’re guilty?”

As Daphne was still processing the shock, Melody lost her temper and gave Harriet a hard shove.

“You’ve lost your mind! Even with your spotless reputation, there are lines you don’t cross!”

“Well, since my reputation can’t fall any further, I figured I’d say what the rest of you won’t.”

Harriet calmly dusted off her shoulder and straightened up.

“Daphne, the more you hide, the more shameless Bella becomes.”

“I told you not to talk about that woman!”

Just as Melody was about to explode again, Daphne raised her slender arm to stop her.

Her friends looked at her in surprise as Daphne took a step toward Harriet.

“Aren’t you Bella’s cousin? Why are you saying these things?”

“Oh, haven’t you heard? I’m famous for being the jealous cousin who does nothing but badmouth her.”

Harriet glanced around at Daphne’s friends.

 “But even now, do I sound like I’m badmouthing Bella?”

The shop fell silent.

Harriet stepped closer to Daphne.

“The only thing you’ve lost is a worthless man who gave in to a cheap temptation. You still have your strong family, your loyal friends, your beauty. What reason do you have to keep drowning in sorrow?”

“…He wasn’t worthless.”

“Then maybe it’s time to realize that was just your illusion.”

“No! James… he…!”

Tears welled up in Daphne’s eyes.

Harriet felt it was necessary to push one step further—to say exactly what Daphne couldn’t face herself.

She came close enough to look Daphne directly in the eye.

“It wasn’t him who wasn’t worthless. It was your love that had value. He was exactly as worthless as he seemed.”

With that, Daphne’s tears spilled over, and she collapsed on the spot.

“Daphne!”

Her friends rushed to catch her, shocked. Melody still glared at Harriet, trembling with anger.

“I get what you were trying to say—but right now, even hearing his name is painful for her. Stop acting like you’re better than everyone.”

She helped lift Daphne and led her out of the store.

After the storm passed, only Harriet and two clerks remained in the silence.

“…Should I not have brought out the lavender toner?”

 One of the clerks broke the silence with a random comment.

Harriet chuckled awkwardly and picked up the two bottles she’d chosen earlier.

 “I’ll take these two.”

“Only two?”

“They’ll probably come back later and buy the rest.”

Harriet winked, and the clerk let out a dry laugh.

Harriet packed up her things and left like it was nothing—but for Daphne and her friends, it wasn’t nothing at all.

“…Sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you to come here.”

 Melody sighed deeply as she apologized.

The others were all still venting their frustration.

“She hasn’t changed at all. She’s still as rude as ever…!”

“She sounded like she was insulting Bella, but maybe they’re actually in this together.”