~Chapter 151~
Bella, holding the expensive wine that John had arranged, visited the Duke’s mansion about a week after the hunting competition had ended.
It wasn’t a secret visit.
She had let slip a few small details so that her friends would notice. In a few days, someone might approach her and ask, “Why did you go to Duke Kailas’s mansion?”
Honestly, she didn’t want to just drop subtle hints. She wanted to spread the rumor widely that she received the fox from Cedric, but she couldn’t completely sever her relationship with James just yet, so she was being cautious.
But she wasn’t lacking in confidence.
“If I just wait a little longer, I’ll definitely win that man over.”
The future where she became the Duke’s wife was right before her. She realized that the life she had dreamed of for so long was to become “Duchess Kailas.”
So, when she received an invitation for a meeting to express her gratitude, she eagerly accepted it, her heart fluttering with excitement.
“I can’t wait for everyone to be surprised when they find out.”
Just imagining it made her smile.
Then, she thought of Harriet from the hunting competition.
“You’re the one who’s nothing, hiding your true self from everyone.”
What a ridiculous thing to say.
Bella wanted to show Cedric this version of herself, talking to him just as she was. She wanted to prove that the woman he was so interested in was her, not Harriet, and show him her true self.
“A day will come when I can show that to him. For now, let’s focus on getting Cedric.”
Bella entered the reception room and took a deep breath while waiting for Cedric to enter through the door.
Although Cedric wasn’t usually affected by a woman’s appearance, Bella knew no one could remain entirely unaffected by someone’s appearance. So, she had made sure to look her best for this meeting.
As she was wondering if she should have applied more rouge while waiting, Cedric finally entered.
Bella, without realizing it, stood up.
Cedric walked toward her with such precision that it seemed like every step was perfectly measured. It was strangely overwhelming.
“Thank you for allowing me to meet with you.”
“Of course. It’s nothing difficult. Please, have a seat.”
Cedric sat down first, and a servant placed tea on the table in front of them.
Bella followed and, after looking at the tea, glanced at Cedric.
He looked at her with a peculiar smile, which was so seductive that Bella, for a moment, forgot she was the one supposed to be seducing him. Her heart raced.
It didn’t feel like a mere misunderstanding.
“I’ve been curious about your well-being, Bella. I’m glad you could visit. You mentioned that this meeting was a ‘thank you,’ but what exactly does that mean?”
He was curious about her well-being.
Bella barely managed to suppress a smile and spoke in a soft voice.
“I received the fox you sent to my father. He was very pleased and sent it to a furrier the very next day.”
“I’m glad to hear he liked it.”
“Such kindness deserves more than just a simple thank you. I’ve brought a small gift to express my gratitude.”
She handed him a box with the wine inside.
Cedric took the box but looked at it with a slightly puzzled expression.
“Did you have this inspected?”
“Of course.”
Bella wanted to say, “If it wasn’t for the inspection, I would have added ‘Anghelic’ to it,” but she held her tongue.
Cedric smiled slightly at her response, as if amused.
“So you know about the inspection process, Bella. That’s good to hear.”
His tone seemed to carry an air of mischief, and Bella was convinced that Cedric was interested in her.
She boldly asked as he placed the wine box aside, “But why did you send the fox?”
Cedric, unphased, calmly sipped his tea and responded.
“Why not?”
He didn’t directly answer her question, but he didn’t give an evasive answer either, leaving her unable to press further.
He then placed his cup down and stared at her green eyes.
“I find you interesting every time we meet.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you, Bella Listerwell.”
Just as she thought she had avoided being caught, Cedric suddenly confessed. Bella marveled at his skill in handling people.
But she wasn’t going to let him have the upper hand.
“What exactly makes me so interesting?”
“The way you show completely different sides of yourself to people within and outside your circle, and yet both believe it’s the real you.”
Bella shrugged.
“This is my real self. As I mentioned before, most people can’t appreciate this side of me.”
“So?”
“That’s why I don’t show it to people who can’t understand my true self.”
Cedric gave a short, almost mocking laugh.
“Is that so?”
He didn’t look away from her as he slowly sipped his tea. The liquid slid smoothly down his throat, and for the first time, Bella noticed how prominent his Adam’s apple was.
She hadn’t said anything, but Cedric placed his tea down and continued speaking.
“I don’t like people who show different faces. I can’t trust them. And I’m worried that you might be one of those people.”
“This is the real me. Showing you this side means I’m being honest with you.”
“Maybe. But maybe you’re just doing what your father or someone else wants, acting in a way you think I’ll like.”
Bella bit her lip, trying to hide the smile that was about to break out.
“Are you implying that you like this version of me?”
She pretended to misunderstand and playfully teased him.
“Being a socialite requires a bit of this, don’t you think?”
“Maybe. Though, I’m not as good as you at it, but I also act more formally with people I have business relations with.”
Just as Bella was about to laugh, Cedric added something more.
“Anyway, you should feel sorry for the people outside your circle. Because this version of you is much more… ‘the Golden Rose of Genoa.’”
At his words, Bella’s heart skipped a beat. It was an impulsive thought, but she felt like she had found her true match.
She decided to test him one last time.
“Are you serious? I might be a little worse than you think.”
“A little more lewd, maybe.”
Bella’s eyes widened. But Cedric didn’t stop.
“A little more sly, or a little more vulgar, maybe.”
“Hmm…”
“I might be too, though.”
Bella’s stiff expression melted into a teasing smile.
He was boldly challenging her to seduce him. There was no reason for her to refuse.
“Well, since you’ve said all that, I’ll have to try.”
“I look forward to it.”
Cedric smiled and nodded.
Then, as if remembering something, he made an unexpected proposal.
“By the way, do you like opera?”
“Opera? …Yes, I do.”
“A friend of mine has opened an opera theater and gave me a few tickets for the premiere. Would you like to go with me?”
This was an unexpected opportunity.
Bella didn’t hesitate.
“I’d love to, especially if it’s with you.”
“Of course, there will be a few others with us. Is that alright?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“There’s also Harriet Listerwell.”
At that, Bella froze.
“Harriet? Why her?”
“A friend invited her too. If you’re uncomfortable, we can go another time…”
“No, no, it’s fine. I’ll just say hi to her.”
Bella smiled brightly, though inside, she felt uneasy.
‘How has that girl managed to widen her social circle without me knowing?’
Bella was bothered by the thought of Harriet making connections behind her back.
But she quickly pushed it aside, thinking, “As long as I get Cedric, everything else doesn’t matter.”
Bella gave Cedric the prettiest smile she could muster.
“When is it?”
Cedric’s eyes twinkled with a mischievous smile.
Bella didn’t realize how dangerous that smile was yet.
After Bella left the reception room, Cedric sat for a moment, lost in thought. His gaze was fixed on the expensive gift on the table.
Though it had been brought by Bella, the person Cedric was thinking of while looking at the wine bottle was another Listerwell woman—the one who had once sat in this very room and handed him an expensive bottle of alcohol.
“…I just bought the most expensive champagne from the shop.”
Harriet had likely chosen it just because she wanted to bring the best gift for the Duke.
Meanwhile, Bella had carefully selected the wine she thought would suit his taste, not forgetting the price tag.
When it came to effort, taste, and thoughtfulness, Bella’s wine was undoubtedly better. Cedric couldn’t deny that.
But still, Cedric couldn’t shake the impression left by the champagne Harriet had given him. And now, he understood why.
‘It was a pure gift.’
There hadn’t been any ulterior motive behind it. She had chosen it with the sole intent of showing gratitude.
Having received countless requests and bribes, Cedric knew that what Harriet had brought him was simply a gift of thanks.
As he reminisced about that day, his butler Herbert approached and began clearing the tea cups from the table.
