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Chapter 08
“Who dares?”
Cardin tried to embrace me again, but seeing my expression that clearly said absolutely not, he got up weakly. Then, with a gesture that said he would not forgive whoever had interrupted our time together, he walked over and opened the door.
“Duke, you must leave now. Lady Jurn also needs to return, so let’s schedule another meeting next time…”
“Trin.”
Trin appeared at the doorway, avoiding Cardin’s gaze and giving me a look asking for help. I couldn’t let this opportunity slip, so I walked over to Cardin and spoke.
“Duke, it’s late today, so let’s promise to meet another time.”
“Harna, even your heart is beautiful.”
I noticed Trin’s pupils shaking as he looked at Cardin from the side. Even he could tell that something about Cardin was off.
Cardin, with his arm caught by Trin, couldn’t take his eyes off me until the very end, perfectly performing his act of love.
“My beautiful goddess Harna, when we meet next, our deep… ugh!”
“Sorry, I’ll leave first.”
Trin hastily covered Cardin’s mouth and bowed before leaving the room. I waved my hand slightly at the violet eyes that continued to look at me pitifully until the end.
When the storm passed and everything became quiet, I realized I was unsteadily swaying.
“Miss!”
Leaning on Vera, who rushed to support me, I let out a sigh. If Cardin hadn’t suddenly gone mad, he was certainly as skilled an actor as I was.
Cardin watched Harna disappear with eyes full of regret. As it became unbearable to be separated from the beloved Harna, her image finally vanished.
At the same time, his rationality returned as Trin dragged him away.
“Did you really hurt your head? I couldn’t believe my ears! My goddess? Wow, the Duke actually said that? Goosebumps as soon as I heard it!”
Trin, unaware that the love-struck gaze had disappeared from Cardin, scolded him violently. Cardin shook off Trin’s hand as he listened.
“Even if you say you’re going back to Lady Jurn, I’ll stop you, so be prepared!”
“I’m not going.”
“Pardon?”
Trin was surprised, stopping in his tracks as he realized the Duke’s tone had completely changed from the previously smooth, buttery voice.
Cardin held his head with both hands, thinking over the events that had just occurred.
“Duke, are you alright?”
“No. Let’s just return for now.”
Ignoring his worried aide’s gaze, Cardin hurried to the carriage, constantly recalling the words and actions that had slipped from his own mouth.
“Someone must have done something to my body.”
He clenched his fists. It was urgent to figure out what had happened to his body before encountering Harna again.
Rumors spread across the capital.
People said that Harna, who had a violent and cruel temperament, had changed completely.
The gossip spread quickly through merchants who witnessed her transformation and the servants working at the Jurn estate. Arin, a maid who had been chased away after receiving jewels, spoke of Harna’s kindness, explaining that thanks to her, she could now stay with her sick mother.
Thus, the rumors spread from commoners to the nobility.
Seara, unhappy with the news, slammed the table several times. Her lake-blue eyes narrowed.
After thinking for a while, she pulled a string and ordered a maid to bring her an invitation.
Seara wrote the tea party invitation in beautiful handwriting and sealed the envelope with wax.
[To Lady Harna Jurn]
She chuckled softly as she read the name on the envelope.
“Shall we see if the rumors are true or false?”
Back at home, I appointed Vera as my personal maid. The head maid looked at us alternately, stunned.
I glared at her silently. Realizing her mistake, she bowed quickly, but my mood was already spoiled.
“Does she think I threatened Vera into becoming my personal maid?”
I snorted and went into my room.
“I’m just planning to treat Vera so well that anyone would envy it!”
Sitting down with a pout, I recalled Cardin’s confession and gaze that I had forgotten.
“Does he really like me?”
I analyzed his inexplicable behavior. No matter the reason, until I fully understood Cardin’s intentions, I had to avoid him. After all, unlike Harna, I didn’t have feelings for him, so avoidance wasn’t an issue.
After a short bath to relieve my tired body, I lay down on the bed. Having walked a lot, I felt like I would fall asleep as soon as I closed my eyes. Just as I was drifting off, there were two knocks on the door.
I poked my head out from under the blanket.
“Vera, come in.”
We had set a secret signal of two knocks so I could easily identify visitors.
Vera entered, greeted me politely, and approached.
“What is it? You must be tired, so rest.”
“I received an invitation. I remembered that Miss Seara asked us to bring it immediately.”
Vera handed me a pale pink envelope. Nervous about receiving my first invitation, I hesitated to open it.
“It’s not a duel, is it?”
Imagining young ladies fighting with swords for a moment, I boldly opened the envelope. Inside was a letter, written in rounded, pretty handwriting, inviting me to a tea party at the Poron estate in two days.
“Seara Poron.”
I read the name at the end of the letter.
“Who was that again? Since Harna cared, they must be close.”
As I struggled to recall, Vera asked behind me.
“Will you reply?”
“Yes.”
Vera handed me a sheet of stationery and an envelope she had prepared.
Honestly, I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want the stress of hiding or mingling with strangers. But to live as a noblewoman Harna, this was something I had to adapt to.
I thought of etiquette books I had read before as I wrote the letter. After finishing, I sealed it with wax and gave it to Vera.
“Send it properly.”
“Yes. Rest well.”
Watching Vera leave with a slight smile, I lay back on the bed and stretched.
“Haa… I’ll think about who Seara is later. For now, let’s sleep!”
The next morning, Seara smiled as she read my early reply.
“Even if you’ve changed, you’re still Harna Jurn.”
Clearly, she had replied as soon as she received the invitation, satisfied with the letter.
Worried unnecessarily due to the rumors of change, she realized Harna was simple and could be moved like a puppet if appeased.
“What kind of fun shall I prepare?”
Seara’s lips curved in a joyful smile as she thought of preparing the perfect amusement for Harna.
“Haah.”
I yawned long and lay back in bed.
Having lived busily adapting as Harna, I decided today would be my rest day.
After a simple breakfast with the Jurn Marquis, lying here felt heavenly. Without a phone, it was slightly boring, but I could spend a whole week in this room.
Meals served on time, bathing taken care of, snacks and tea brought—I truly enjoyed the life of a noble lady!
“Alright, let’s practice a bit today.”
I went to the mirror. Even the greatest actors can’t neglect practice.
First, an angry expression!
“Good, the mischief is perfectly visible!”
An annoyed expression!
“Phew, scary.”
A disdainful look from top to bottom!
“Hah, this is my strong expression.”
Practicing a sneer with one corner of my lips raised.
“Miss, the dress you’ll wear to tomorrow’s tea party…”
Vera peeked in, catching my eye while I practiced a rotten smile.
A brief silence passed. She froze her face and closed her mouth.
“Shall I come back later?”
A while ago, she would have knelt, apologizing. Now, knowing what I disliked, she asked cautiously. I smirked.
“So clever. I chose my personal maid well.”
I shook my head with a pleased expression.
“No. Let’s go pick the dress for tomorrow.”
Following Vera, we went to the dressing room. Thankfully, I had bought plenty of dresses, so no worries about fitting issues.
“What should I choose?”
For a simple party, a pure white dress seemed nice, or a bright red dress with a clean design could work. Seeing my indecision, Vera pulled out the red dress.
“I think this dress is best.”
“Why?”
“Because the white dress might clash with Miss Seara’s choice.”
Ah, she likes white. Nodding, I didn’t mind—both white and red would suit me. Better than being compared to the host.
“Alright. Let’s try it on.”
“Yes.”
With Vera’s help, I changed into the dress and gasped.
“Harna, you really are…!”
Seeing my reflection in the full-length mirror left me speechless.
“Such a gorgeous figure!”
Finally, I could release the frustration I felt when I had a small chest as Yun Seung-ah.
“This accessory should go with this dress.”
“Let’s do that.”
Not particularly fashion-savvy, I trusted Vera and returned to my room. I had initially found the tea party troublesome, but wearing this pretty dress made me look forward to it like a child on a picnic.
We departed for the Poron estate, not far from the city. I opened the carriage window and felt the gentle breeze.
The weather was beautiful. Vera, sitting beside me, looked cheerful with the wind blowing.
Soon, we heard the carriage stop. Vera approached to adjust my dress and hair. Touching up my makeup lightly, I stood ready as a perfect noble lady.
“Shall we go?”
This was my first social gathering since inhabiting Harna’s body.
“Act naturally, just like I practiced.”
I tried not to be nervous, reassuring myself that I could act exactly like Harna. I would also show that Harna had changed.
“If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it—tea party!”
