Translator: Nox

Chapter 22

The curtain fell back into place before she could fully turn around. Beneath the swaying fabric, she watched River Ross’s boots gradually recede. With each step he took, reality seeped back into the room. The long-neglected garden shed; the weathered floor and a ceiling that looked ready to collapse at any moment; the wooden tub; the mud-stained boots and shovel; the pruning shears and the watering can.

The fleeting sense of triumph vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving behind only a strange, lingering sense of depravity at what she had actually done. And….

Vanessa let out a long breath and leaned her head against the edge of the tub. Her stomach, empty as it was, felt a dull sting.

“Then shall we make a bet?”

Past conversations drifted through her tired ears like auditory hallucinations. His voice, his laughter, even the very air of that day remained suspended in her mind. What had her confident self replied to that provocation? It wasn’t even that long ago. And yet, now.

Vanessa traced her damp lips with trembling fingertips. Her heart beat frantically at the scent River Ross had left behind.

---

“So, cousin.”

Theodore, who had been staring out the window of the stationary carriage, shifted his gaze sideways. Edgar, sitting on the opposite seat, crossed and uncrossed his shapely legs before suddenly letting out a heavy sigh.

“Is staying in a countryside like this really comfortable for you?”

“Well, it’s decent enough.”

“I truly don’t understand you.”

Edgar sighed again and shook his head. Seeing the unprecedented glow on his pale face, the rumors that he was enjoying his time with his recent opera singer mistress seemed to be true.

As did the rumor that his aunt, incensed by the affair, had thrown a paperweight at him. His cousin narrowed his eyes—where a faint bruise still remained—as if the very air of Bath were filth.

“Everywhere you look, it’s shabby, small, and dirty. Compared to Linden, I mean.”

Theodore shrugged and let his cousin’s acerbic critique go in one ear and out the other. There wasn’t a city in the world that wouldn’t feel like a backwater compared to the brilliant capital. Still, Edgar’s motive for exaggerating Somerset as some primitive world completely detached from civilization was obvious. He was likely a messenger sent by the Dowager Duchess of Battenberg, carrying some hint or secret order.

Theodore looked at his cousin as if observing his grandmother’s excellent henchman. In truth, even putting that matter aside, Edgar’s face was an eyesore. Being related by blood to this meddlesome man was one of the few misfortunes of his life.

“It makes no sense no matter how I think about it. I understand why your grandmother is throwing a fit.”

“Edgar.”

“Do you even realize what you’ve turned down? The fact that the price for that is this provincial hole is absurd.”

“If it’s such a grand honor, you take it.”

“If I were the one the marriage talks were about, our dear Lady Marlborough would have already gift-wrapped me in pretty paper and dumped me right in front of the Princess’s bedroom.”

“And you would have accepted it quite happily.”

“Of course. It’s a tremendous honor. And the Princess… well, her face is decent enough.”

The way he spoke of her face while using his hands to vulgarly describe a woman’s figure was telling. Theodore stared intently at Edgar, making no effort to hide his disdain.

“I’d understand if you actually had a hidden child like the world says you do. Are you really going to keep running away every time you come ashore? Until the royal family gets tired of the embarrassment and withdraws the proposal?”

“I haven’t thought of it that way, but it’s a decent plan.”

“The King will want to kill you.”

“It’s only grand on the surface. A marriage to the Princess offers me absolutely no benefit.”

“So, you’re really doing this without even having a hidden woman?”

“Do I have to listen to any more of this nonsense?”

Theodore replied coldly, pressing his fingers to his temple. Despite his chilling aura, Edgar wasn’t intimidated; instead, he narrowed his eyes shamelessly and scrutinized Theodore. Eventually, he leaned back against the seat and rubbed his mouth.

“Something is definitely strange.”

His pomaded brown head tilted to the side.

“Your Grace’s atmosphere is a bit… different than when I last saw you.”

“Stop the pointless chatter and hand over the documents. Before I write to your father and report every detail about your lovely mistresses.”

“I wonder what it could be?”

“Sir.”

Only then did Edgar raise both hands in surrender and pull a thick checkbook and documents from the bag beside him. Theodore checked the papers meticulously, signed each one personally, and handed them back to Edgar.

This more or less concluded the annoying weeks-long matter regarding the acquisition of the shipping company. Since he had arranged for things to run themselves for the time being, he would be able to spend the rest of his leave in peace.

Edgar took the documents and scanned them with a rare serious expression before tucking them neatly back into his bag. It was a surprising side to him, considering his usual frivolous behavior.

“I’ll settle this within the week and deliver it to the Marquis of Winchester. But really, won’t you tell me where you’re staying?”

“I won’t. I know it’ll only become a nuisance.”

As soon as he tapped the partition leading to the driver’s seat, the carriage began to roll slowly again. It was a piece of junk with no advantages over an automobile, but it had the definite merit of not drawing attention.

“It’s impressive that there isn’t a single rumor in this small southern region. The reporters are going frantic trying to catch a photo of you this time. Where on earth could you be staying…?”

“If I tell you, are you going to raid the place with a pack of reporters next time?”

“Surely you don’t think I’d sell you out?”

“I can see that future quite clearly.”

Edgar chuckled like a villain at those words. Even though his eyes weren’t laughing at all. Sometimes it seemed he deliberately provoked Theodore with his flippancy, like a hyena searching for a weakness—not even realizing it was a completely futile effort.

The carriage, which had been moving slowly, stopped again in front of the train station. A woman was standing beside a flashy automobile embossed with the Marlborough seal. The white, clean line of her neck visible beneath her elegantly pinned hair reminded him of Vanessa.

“Want to meet her?”

It was the moment his gaze paused while thinking of that woman.

“…What?”

“She’s Hailey Morton of the Marquis of Morton’s family. I know how great your distrust of people is, but I think even you might change your mind for Lady Hailey. She’s a decent, good woman.”

“If she’s such a good woman, you should take her as your wife, cousin.”

“Morton’s daughter? Me?”

His voice was laced with a strange self-deprecation. Theodore turned his gaze from the window to look at his cousin’s face. The face that usually feigned a good-natured smile was uncharacteristically still.

There, at the end of Edgar’s deepened gaze, stood the woman. Hailey Morton. The brown-haired young lady he had so readily recommended as a good person.

“Anyway, think about it. A match like that would even appease your grandmother.”

Edgar withdrew his gaze from Hailey and made the suggestion lightly with a wink. It was a casual attitude that might have fooled Theodore had he not caught that look in his eyes. Whether he had known or not, it was Edgar’s mistake to have vulnerably let slip the side of himself he had been hiding all along.

Theodore slowly traced his dry lips with his finger. It wasn’t hard to choose an answer that would irritate his dark-hearted cousin.

“Her neck is pretty.”

“…She’ll be pleased if I tell her that. Well then, I’ll be in touch soon.”

The reply came almost instantly. Edgar, having skillfully regained his composure, grabbed his bag and stepped out of the carriage. After walking a few paces, he turned around with a flourish, waved vigorously, and strode toward the woman.

The woman smiled brightly at whatever he said. Then, she turned toward the carriage he was in and curtsied gracefully, clutching her parasol. Even though it was a distance from which she couldn’t see inside, she acted as if she could.

As if she knew he was watching her through the window. It seemed the purpose of her company had been clear from the start. Her ambitious eyes sparkled with a shy light. The face that had briefly resembled Vanessa’s gave off a completely different impression from the front. How could he have mistaken her even for a second? He lowered his hand from the curtain.

“Ah, ngh….”

As the surroundings grew dark, the imagination that had begun to run wild since he saw that white nape resembling Vanessa’s turned a bit more concrete. Theodore took a slow, deep breath. He felt as if Vanessa’s sweet scent was still clinging to him. So much so that sometimes, he even fell into the illusion that he was still buried inside her.

Her wet face, her frail movements, and the beautiful, sobbing moans he wanted to keep hearing. Just like now.