HCDP 13

Chapter 13

Inside the carriage on the way back to the Lavantes ducal estate.

‘Seriously, what was the male lead doing popping out like that?’

Thinking back to what had just happened, I cringed internally.

‘I really thought my heart was going to drop!’

But aside from the part where the meeting nearly gave me a heart attack, everything else had gone perfectly.

I glanced sideways at the handbag lying next to me.

Inside it was a provisional contract.

Yes.

A contract that promised me 5% of the profits from the new trade route development!

I tried my best to maintain the graceful, lady-like expression expected of a noblewoman, but it was useless.

‘Hehe… hehehe… hehehehehe…’

My lips kept curling upward on their own.

Before I knew it, I was grinning like an idiot.

‘This is what you call a life-changer!’

Sure, everyone treated the new trade route project like a bottomless money pit.

But I, having read the original novel, knew the truth.

If you wanted to make real money in this world, you had to get your spoon into the new trade route business somehow!

I’d been racking my brain trying to figure out how to invest in the project even a little.

Who knew the opportunity would roll right into my lap like this?

The only problem was—

‘Will the crown prince actually follow my advice?’

To be honest, “Elodie” didn’t exactly have the best reputation.

And in the original timeline, “I”—Elodie—had been so obsessed with my unrequited love for the crown prince that I acted like some tragic heroine and did all kinds of embarrassing things.

Like staring at him from afar with dewy, longing eyes…

‘…I must’ve been insane.’

Why do I have to suffer the humiliation for all that?!

I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them again.

Well, on the bright side…

‘The crown prince will probably follow my advice, right?’

He was a prince with the makings of a wise ruler. He wouldn’t refuse to at least try something that wasn’t even difficult.

“Milady, we’ve arrived.”

The coachman’s voice broke my chain of thought.

I sat up.

At that moment, I was truly in a good mood.

Well… until my damn brother suddenly summoned me.

“Milady.”

Just as I passed through the front door, a maid bowed deeply.

“The master wishes to see you.”

David? Why?

My good mood began souring immediately…

“I see.”

I forced myself to hide my displeasure and nodded.

Then I headed toward David’s natural habitat—the study.

Knock, knock.

When I tapped on the door, an irritated voice responded.

“Enter.”

I opened the door and stepped inside.

High ceilings, massive furniture, heavy curtains…

The spacious study was arranged to maximize intimidation toward any visitor.

David lounged lazily in front of his luxurious mahogany desk, not even sparing me a glance.

His blue eyes were fixed solely on the letter in his hand.

‘Wait.’

I sniffed subtly.

There was a sweet fragrance in the air.

‘Perfume?’

My brow furrowed slightly.

Yes, it was definitely a woman’s perfume.

But not the one Isabel usually used.

Which meant…

‘Ah. So it’s the mistress’s.’

I stared at the letter David was holding, my gaze dull.

So that was it.

The source of the fragrance was the letter in his hand.

‘What a surprise—reading his mistress’s letter openly in a house where his wife lives. Classic adulterer behavior.’

The name on the envelope read Catherine Schofield.

Marissa’s niece—and David’s oh-so-beloved mistress.

Wondering if Marissa opposed the affair?

Of course not.

Lady Schofield had been hand-delivered to David by Marissa herself.

Just in case David developed feelings for Isabel and stopped obeying Marissa, she prepared a mistress in advance.

What was her reasoning again?

Something about how “a man needs at least one woman with whom he can rest comfortably if he wants to achieve great things.”

‘Still, using her own niece as the mistress?’

I shook my head internally.

Well, the mistress adored David too, so… they really deserved each other.

“Elodie.”

David finally spoke, his voice sharp.

“You were nowhere to be seen at home all day. Where have you been wandering around?”

Ugh.

My heart skipped in panic.

I covered my discomfort with the “noble lady smile” I had practiced countless times.

“With all the chaos at the garden party, you should’ve stayed home quietly, yet you were out and about.”

David clicked his tongue dramatically, as if making sure I heard.

He looked me up and down with clear displeasure.

“You already go out too much as it is. Do you have no sense for proper timing?”

Thankfully, Elodie was known for being an oblivious, airheaded girl, so this wasn’t surprising to him.

I answered casually.

“I was just feeling too cooped up. I went out for some fresh air.”

Then I lifted my shoulders in a small shrug.

“Actually, why should I stay home quietly?”

“…What?”

His eyebrow twitched.

But I ignored it and continued.

“I think this is exactly when I should show myself more actively in public.”

“…What did you say?”

“I need to show I’m perfectly fine. That way I’ll be able to secure a better marriage, right?”

At that, David’s sharp expression softened a little.

A good marriage.

Apparently that word had a magical effect.

‘Ugh.’

How could someone be this transparent?

While cringing on the inside, I softened my eyes prettily on the outside.

“So I’ll be focusing on outside activities for a while.”

“Hm.”

David nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly stared directly at me.

Suspicion narrowed his eyes.

“You aren’t doing anything foolish over your so-called unrequited love for the crown prince, are you?”

Of course he brought that up—today, of all days, when I had just met the prince.

Feeling guilty for no reason, I forced the corners of my mouth back up.

“Of course not. I know how important my marriage is.”

He looked satisfied with this answer.

Naturally so—David didn’t even like the crown prince.

What was his gripe again?

Something about how the prince wasted his time helping lowborn commoners while not respecting nobles enough?

‘Excuse me, that’s literally what makes him a good ruler.’

Luckily not all nobles were rotten like David, so the prince’s approval rating remained high across classes.

Well… it had dropped a little because of the trade route issue.

I took a step backward.

“Then may I take my leave now? I’m a bit tired.”

But just as I moved to exit—

“Wait.”

Ah, WHY?!

I smoothed my expression again and turned back.

“There’s something I want to ask you.”

“Me?”

I blinked widely.

This man usually treated women as inferior beings and yelled at me to stop meddling in everything.

Why was he asking me a question?

“Catherine and I will reach our first anniversary in two months.”

Ah. Really? Good for you, I suppose.

I had to try very, very hard not to show how unamused I felt.

‘Wow. You’re impressively consistent trash, aren’t you…’