WHM | Chapter 32

Posted by LUNA, Released on August 23, 2025

~Chapter 32~

“You still could’ve handled it more gently.”

“Technically, Diana wasn’t even supposed to be at the banquet. Just her being there might’ve already caused complaints among the nobles.”

Cedric opened his mouth, ready to argue, but Eileen was quicker.

“All the major families loyal to the Duke’s house were gathered there. And in front of all of them, Diana acted rudely toward Baron Talon’s daughter.”

“…Diana grew up in the Lowell family. She’s basically one of us.”

“I know. That’s why I showed her respect. I even apologized for her. What more do you expect me to do?”

Cedric’s stubbornness left Eileen at a loss.

She didn’t even know where to begin.

She was so frustrated she could hardly stand it.

“All I’m saying is… you didn’t have to talk to Diana so harshly. Saying you might kick her out—it’s not like you’d ever actually do that, and you know it.”

But someone had to wake Diana up with a reality check.

“What if she causes another scene next time? Just letting it go will only make things worse.”

Why couldn’t he see she was doing this for him?

It wasn’t even about Eileen herself, yet he was acting like she was the bad one here.

Cedric was also feeling frustrated.

“I know the Talon family better than you. Their finances are a mess, they owe money everywhere, and their reputation is terrible. I’m basically keeping their family from collapsing.”

That’s why the whole incident felt ridiculous to him.

“So you don’t need to worry about them anymore.”

He’d helped the Talon family out, and now their daughter was insulting Diana?

“I’m sorry, my lord. My wife and daughter probably don’t understand how serious our situation is.”

Baron Talon had apologized in person after the banquet, looking completely embarrassed.

“There was fault on both sides. Let’s just call it a small misunderstanding and move on.”

Cedric thought this meant he was fully capable of managing the North now.

“I have my own way of thinking.”

He just wished Eileen would trust him a little more.

‘Does she still think I’m not good enough to handle things on my own?’

Sometimes it felt like she saw both him and Diana as immature children.

But he wasn’t some kid who needed Eileen’s involvement in everything.

“Of course, you have your own way of thinking, Cedric. But like I said, it’s also about your authority. And long term—”

“You’re the one who said I’d be a good ruler of the North. I handled the rebellion from the Phinikel family on my own. And yet you still don’t trust me?”

“I do trust you, Cedric. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have come all the way here.”

“Then why do you act like I’m the last person in the world you’d trust?”

As he spoke, Cedric realized what he was feeling—hurt.

He felt like Eileen still treated him the same way she had at the very beginning.

“Cedric. It’s not about trust… It’s about not making hasty decisions. I just want you to really think about whether it’s okay for Diana to keep living in the Duke’s household without any limits.”

Eileen tried to keep her cool and stay logical.

‘I get that he’s under pressure with everything going on…’

But no matter how hard she tried to be understanding, Cedric’s words were slowly breaking her heart.

She really thought he had changed.

That they understood each other now.

That they could see things from the same perspective.

‘I guess I was wrong.’

“Eileen. I get it now. You don’t trust me.”

From the moment she said “It’s not about trust,” Cedric couldn’t focus on anything else.

For him, trust was the most important thing.

Did that mean Eileen didn’t care if he trusted her—or if she trusted him?

‘I guess this is it. We’re going to break off the engagement anyway. That’s why.’

She was the one who asked if he still planned to marry.

She had no intention of staying with him. No reason to earn his trust.

So why was she still interfering in everything?

“It’s not your business. My life, my family—just leave it to me.”

Cedric clenched his jaw so tightly, she could see the muscle twitch in his face.

Despite her best efforts to keep the conversation calm, Eileen realized it was already headed in the wrong direction.

“Eileen Cassier. You’re the one who said we should break off the engagement. So why do you keep getting involved in my life?”

If she was going to leave, then she shouldn’t care.

Why was she acting so opposite?

If you’re going to leave, then leave. Don’t act like you care. Don’t act like you belong here.

That’s what he meant.

His emotions were a mess. That’s why such harsh words came out first.

“…Why are you so obsessed with Diana and her business?”

“You think I’m obsessed with her?”

Cedric always acted like Eileen could handle anything he threw at her.

Like she was tough, strong, and couldn’t be hurt.

While Diana was delicate and soft.

Eileen forced herself to hold back the tears stinging her eyes.

She didn’t want to cry in front of Cedric.

She didn’t want to break down and beg.

She had to be strong. That’s what everyone expected from her.

She took a deep breath. Her sadness was slowly turning into anger.

“I’m worried about you. Not about her. I’m scared you’ll ruin everything—your entire family—just because of one girl!”

Cedric was shocked by the strength of her voice.

But Eileen wasn’t done yet.

“You think I’m picking on Diana? That’s just your selfish and narrow view. If I really wanted to get rid of her, don’t you think I would’ve done it already?”

“….”

Even after saying all of that, Eileen didn’t feel better.

She just felt… empty.

If Cedric saw her as some villain threatening Diana, then so be it.

She had nothing left to say—except what had to be said.

She felt her voice starting to shake.

“Get out.”

That was all she could say.

“Get out, Cedric Lowell.”

But he didn’t move.

So Eileen stood up instead.

“If you won’t leave, then I will.”