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chapter 93
Today, Cerret was once again rifling through Yuan’s study. Yuan had said there were no Morsely Manor documents in the mansion, but Cerret couldn’t bring himself to trust him.
As he scanned the bookshelves, Cerret’s eyes caught a book related to the Helio royal family. He recalled the day Lydia had come to the study.
After Lydia left, Yuan had immediately come to Cerret and explained why she had visited. She had come seeking help because of a difference of opinion regarding the Crown Prince and his position.
Cerret listened to Yuan’s explanation with a nonchalant expression. What Hannah had relayed to him earlier—gossip overheard from a close maid passing by the study—was slightly different.
“Came to make him her consort?”
Cerret sneered as he recalled what Hannah had said.
It was said that Lydia had asked Yuan to take her as his consort. Though he hadn’t heard Yuan’s response, Cerret knew him well enough.
Yuan would never make Lydia his consort—for her sake, or for the sake of his own family.
“He would rather kill his wife than bring in a consort. How could anyone not know that about Yuan?”
Annoyed, Cerret pulled a document envelope from a drawer. Opening it and checking its contents, his expression immediately soured.
Inside the envelope were a piece of candy and a note.
“There are no Morsely Manor documents here. I acknowledge Cerret’s persistence in continuing to search despite my warning that it’s futile.”
The note, written in Yuan’s neat handwriting, irked Cerret. It’s not easy to anger someone with just a note, yet Yuan managed it effortlessly.
Admiring Yuan’s skill, Cerret popped the candy into his mouth. He crumpled the note and placed it back in the envelope along with the candy wrapper.
After returning the envelope to its place, Cerret rolled the candy around in his mouth as he exited the study, wanting a cool drink to soothe his irritation.
Descending the stairs, Cerret’s steps froze at the sight of Lydia standing in the lobby. The main culprit behind his irritation had arrived.
At that moment, Lydia, who had been talking with the butler, shifted her gaze.
“Ma’am.”
A hint of discomfort flashed across the butler’s face as he noticed Cerret.
Crunching down the candy, Cerret approached Lydia.
“Lydia, what brings you here?”
“I came to see Yuan.”
Lydia’s expression was unusually stiff, lacking her usual warmth and softness, replaced by guarded caution. Cerret felt a strange twinge seeing her as though she were the mistress who had taken someone’s husband.
“Yuan has an appointment tonight, so he hasn’t come in yet. Is there something you need?”
“I’ll wait in Yuan’s study.”
“Let’s go to the parlor. Yuan doesn’t like others entering his study.”
Cerret smiled gracefully as he refused.
Though Yuan might not mind Lydia entering the study, Cerret did not like the idea of letting her into Yuan’s personal space.
“…Alright.”
Lydia replied with a pout and headed toward the parlor first. Cerret instructed the butler to prepare tea and followed her.
Tea was served before them, and Cerret asked Lydia,
“How have you been lately? Are you doing alright?”
“Yes.”
Lydia answered indifferently.
“That’s good. I was worried. Shake it off, Lydia. His Majesty would want that too.”
“Thanks for the consolation.”
Cerret laughed awkwardly at Lydia’s cold response.
How would a proud woman even ask to become someone’s consort? The situation must be dire indeed. Should I pity her?
As Cerret watched Lydia with cool eyes, she suddenly asked,
“Why did Yuan choose Cerret?”
Lydia genuinely wondered. If Yuan had needed another woman simply because she couldn’t bear a child, he could have chosen any suitable lady among the capital’s nobility.
Why choose a trivial provincial noble girl? Did he marry Cerret just to repay a debt to her father’s family?
“Huh?”
Cerret frowned slightly at Lydia’s question. It wasn’t something he could answer aloud, leaving him a bit flustered.
“Cerret seems to have been incredibly lucky.”
Compared to what he had, Cerret’s luck was excessive. Without any effort, he ended up marrying a man like Yuan Frecthuster. Lydia gave a hollow laugh.
“Is that so?”
Cerret replied with a reluctant expression.
If I were lucky, would I have been caught in your love and ended up dead like that? It was the most absurd thought in the world to him.
Seeing Cerret’s expression, Lydia’s face contorted. Despite holding such enormous fortune, Cerret seemed ungrateful.
Does he even love Yuan? Lydia asked coldly.
“How much do you love Yuan, Cerret?”
Cerret gave a bitter smile.
Once, he had loved him so completely he would have given everything without regret. He loved more than himself, and it was enough even if that love went unreturned. It was as if only Yuan existed in the world.
“Well…”
Cerret smiled faintly at Lydia.
I loved Yuan so completely before… but now, I…
Cerret felt sad that he could not give a clear answer to Lydia’s question.
“You don’t love Yuan?”
Lydia frowned at Cerret’s subtle reaction.
“How much do you love Yuan, Lydia?”
“…Why are you asking me?”
Lydia’s frown deepened at the counter-question.
She hadn’t expected such a question. She thought he was a foolish, clueless man from before, but he had understood her heart.
“Is there anyone in the capital who doesn’t know that I love Yuan?”
“Yes. I love Yuan. From childhood until now, my heart has always belonged to him.”
“You might think I interfered between you two.”
“You did interfere.”
Lydia said firmly.
“From your perspective, yes.”
But Lydia, from my perspective, you two interfered in my life. You ruined the peaceful life I could have had.
Had Yuan realized his feelings for Lydia a little sooner, none of this tragedy would have happened.
The naïve girl who secretly loved Duke Frecthuster would have sulked for a few days at his marriage, then laughed again as if nothing had happened.
She could have lived a normal life, met an ordinary man, raised an ordinary family, and grown old peacefully. You two stole that modest life from me.
“There’s no one who loves Yuan more than I do.”
Lydia’s face was full of righteous anger.
I love Yuan most in the world, so it’s only natural I’m by his side, but that natural right was ruined because of Cerret.
I could give Yuan everything I have; what can you give? Do you even have anything?
“…”
“Yuan does too. Yuan loves me, as much as I love him.”
Lydia answered confidently.
Yuan loves me, as much as I love him. If I give him everything I have, he’ll love me even more. Not you, me.
“…”
Seeing Lydia’s unshakable expression, Cerret gave a bitter smile.
At that moment, a knock sounded, and the door opened. Yuan entered.
Having heard that Lydia had come and was with Cerret, Yuan entered the parlor without even changing clothes.
He glanced at Cerret first, then at Lydia. Lydia’s eyes sparkled at the sight of him.
“Yuan.”
Lydia stood abruptly.
Seeing her greet him, Cerret smirked and rose. His role was done now that Yuan had arrived.
“Then, I’ll leave you two to talk.”
As Cerret brushed past Yuan, Yuan immediately grabbed his arm.
“Stay here.”
Yuan was worried Cerret might misunderstand. He needed to hear Lydia’s words himself to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings.
Cerret shook his head, freeing his wrist.
“Lydia has something to say to Yuan. I don’t think I should be here.”
“Cerret.”
“I’ll go first, Lydia.”
Ignoring Yuan, Cerret nodded to Lydia and left.
Yuan couldn’t stop him and watched only with his eyes. Even after the door closed, he stared for a long while, only turning his gaze when Lydia reached for his arm.
“Yuan.”
“Please, sit.”
Yuan removed Lydia’s hand and sat in the chair where Cerret had been. Cerret’s teacup remained on the table.
A faint lipstick mark lingered on the cup. Yuan smiled slightly, imagining how Cerret had rubbed the mark with his thumb after drinking.
“Tonight, I had dinner with Mr. Bronck.”
As soon as she sat, Lydia hurriedly spoke.
“…When I’m with him, I feel I’ll be unhappy. I can’t marry him. I want to be by your side, Yuan.”
She continued with a sorrowful face, tears streaming.
Yuan calmly took out a handkerchief and handed it to her.
Lydia took the handkerchief and observed Yuan’s expression, trying to find his feelings toward her.
But it wasn’t clear. Anxious, Lydia quickly spoke.
“Yuan, please allow me. Let me stay by your side. I’ll hand over the Emrat estate to the Frecthuster family. I’ll give you everything I have.”
“…”
“I’m different from Cerret. You know my status in society. I can help with your business too. If I’m by your side, you’ll gain so much.”
“Robby Bronck is a decent man.”
Yuan met Lydia’s eyes firmly.
As Henderson had said, men willing to marry women who cannot bear children are rare. Robby Bronck accepting Lydia despite that meant he genuinely cared for her. He would make her happy.
“No, the only person good for me is you. The only one who can make you shine brighter than now is me.”
Lydia’s face lit with certainty.
