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chapter 41
A few days later, the day of the tea party arrived.
Sara, busy with preparations since morning, came to a halt in front of the large gate of the Countess Cordelia’s estate.
She only needed to step past this gate, yet even lifting a single foot forward felt difficult.
Would it have been different if he were here?
For some reason, Aiden came to mind.
The last time at a social gathering, he had comforted Sara, who had been nervously taking deep breaths.
“I’m not exactly good at social etiquette either. How about we become known as a clumsy couple together?”
A smile quickly spread across Sara’s lips.
“Then today, I shall be Clumsy Sara.”
It would have been nice if Aiden had come along.
But he didn’t seem to have any intention of attending the tea party today. Sara had insisted it was a ladies-only event, but it also seemed like Aiden had other plans.
Sara guessed he would be spending time with Ken.
How did he win his heart?
He had wanted Ken’s affection more than anyone else.
Thinking of Aiden flustered in front of Ken made her laugh. The anxiety that had plagued her until a moment ago now eased.
Had it not been for someone’s voice, Sara would have stepped inside the Countess’s estate.
“What are you doing there?”
At that moment, a large shadow fell behind her. A familiar figure and voice.
Duke Leo Winston. Startled by his voice, Sara turned around with a stiff expression.
“So, you are Lady Sara Spencer.”
His red eyes held an odd sort of delight.
“And where is your husband?”
“……”
Unlike him, Sara found it unbearable to hear her name from her husband’s lips, even to inquire about his whereabouts.
Just as Aiden’s memories had returned at one point:
“Look, Sara. Don’t you get it yet?”
“Look closely. See who I am.”
Her husband’s memories had returned too.
He had recognized her while inspecting the Liera building, and had tried to acknowledge her.
At first, there had still been a trace of amusement when he thought of Aiden.
“Ah, now that I see it, you look different than usual. What is this outfit… did you put effort into it?”
Sara squeezed her eyes shut.
The smile vanished, leaving her face flushed with embarrassment.
Leo scanned her up and down with narrow eyes, as if selecting some rare plaything.
Facing her husband dressed in this elaborate attire felt suffocating, as if wearing ill-fitting clothes.
Even a passing dog would laugh!
For the first time in a fancy dress, her husband had scoffed at her appearance.
You look ridiculous, don’t you? I bet you’ll strip it off immediately, right?
It wasn’t about wanting to look beautiful for him.
It wasn’t a plea to be seen as a woman either.
Hiding it as emergency funds? Ha! Who do you think you are!
She just… wanted to be treated like a human being. Like anyone else.
“Well, I suppose it’s passable.”
Sara bit her lip so hard that it almost drew blood, goosebumps rising wherever his gaze landed.
Her husband had always only given her humiliation. Even as someone else’s body, he had continued to do so.
Nothing has changed.
In the past, she might have silently endured it.
But having resolved to escape the shadow of her husband, Sara was different.
I am not your wife.
She turned her back to him, gripping her dress tightly.
From behind came a derisive laugh.
“Hah.”
Leo strode forward, not letting her escape.
“Hey.”
He probably understood the meaning of her turning away without a word.
It was disregard.
Ignoring the Duke Leo Winston, whose patience was likely worn thin, was dangerous.
He was a man who valued status.
No matter how large Sara’s steps, it was only a matter of time before he caught up.
Closing the distance, Leo quickly blocked her path.
Her deep green eyes sparkled in the sunlight, a look he had never seen before.
Watching Sara, unusually out of breath from her brisk pace, Leo cleared his throat.
“The Lady seems to have always been avoiding me. Could it be that she dislikes this style?”
Sara touched Leo’s face as she asked the question. Seeing him swallow dryly almost made her snort with laughter.
Who could dislike such a handsome man?
But Sara knew the person behind Leo’s face well.
His essence was Aiden Spencer.
“Yes. I don’t like it.”
Leo’s face twisted in surprise, unprepared for such a firm answer.
Ignoring him, Sara moved forward again.
If she had known he would attend today, she would have sought another exit.
It’s supposed to be a ladies’ party.
Indeed, the garden was bustling with young ladies from all regions.
The scent of fresh flowers and soft music made Sara stand tall.
“Hey! You need to enter together!”
Leo, following behind, grabbed her wrist forcefully. As a result, they ended up standing side by side in front of everyone.
Sara instinctively wriggled free. It happened in an instant.
“Oh my!”
“Goodness!”
Several young ladies whispered upon witnessing the scene. Through them, Lady Cordelia appeared.
Unlike her usual playful attire, today Cordelia wore a dress that accentuated her neckline, emphasizing her feminine charm.
A necklace adorned with sparkling jewels made her face even brighter.
“Welcome, Lady Spencer.”
Her gentle smile silenced the whispers of the other young ladies.
“I am so glad you decided to attend. Please, this way.”
Without glancing at Duke Winston, she led Sara separately.
It was better to follow Lady Cordelia to escape Leo. She had been the one to invite Sara after all.
Still, Sara felt a vague unease.
Even though Lady Cordelia smiled while guiding her past multiple tables, her dimples were absent.
Even without knowing society life well, Sara could predict one thing.
Cordelia didn’t hold favorable feelings toward her.
“Where are we going?”
Ignoring Sara’s question, Cordelia walked upright.
After passing a few crowded tables, they arrived at a corridor within the Count’s residence, where the music could barely be heard.
“Now, let’s talk frankly.”
Though she was merely a guest, Cordelia’s voice was cold. The warm, friendly girl from before was gone.
Crossing her arms abruptly, Cordelia began listing all the uncomfortable matters.
“Someone with a family shouldn’t behave like this.”
What she said was absurd.
“…What do you mean…”
“Did you plan to meet on time today?”
It seemed she hadn’t liked that Sara had entered with Duke Winston.
Although the focus should have been on the party, attention had been drawn elsewhere. It was understandable, though.
“You also spoke with our Duke last time, right? Even though I told you he was someone I loved, did you have to act like this, in front of others?”
Sara was stunned. The misunderstanding between her and Duke Leo Winston…
Having no desire to be associated with him, she reacted sharply.
“Wait, my lady. I don’t know what you’re misunderstanding.”
“What did you say?”
“You must have seen it too. I immediately pulled away the moment His Grace grabbed my wrist.”
Not only she, but others must have seen it. They had been surprised that Sara had rejected the Duke’s hand.
Cordelia bit her lips tightly.
“Do I need to explain further?”
“You noticed too late! Are you saying the Duke grabbed my hand first, or something?”
“Something like that. Don’t judge merely from us walking in together.”
Sara despised her husband. He, whom she had wished dead, had returned in another man’s body.
There was no way her feelings could change for him.
To avoid future suspicion, she needed to make it clear.
“One more thing—His Grace is not my type.”
Cordelia’s face turned red unintentionally.
“Wh-what did you say?”
At that moment, someone approached the corridor with elegant steps.
Cordelia hurriedly adjusted her hair.
It was Mrs. Melton, a socialite constantly surrounded by people.
“You two are here. Oh, Lady Cordelia, you should step out to the garden quickly.”
With a gentle smile, she diverted Cordelia’s attention.
“I saw Duke Winston speaking with another young lady. Such a perfect gentleman, it’s unnerving.”
“……”
“I can’t take my eyes off him for even a moment.”
Hearing Mrs. Melton’s advice, Cordelia couldn’t hide her flustered expression.
Sara had said the perfect gentleman was not her type.
“……”
Unable to contain her frustration, Cordelia glared at Sara.
But Sara remained unfazed by the burning gaze. One misunderstanding was enough.
“Then, goodbye.”
With Mrs. Melton’s farewell, Cordelia quickly left.
Mrs. Melton’s laughter echoed through the corridor as she watched Cordelia’s back.
“An anxious love doesn’t last long.”
Sara could hardly agree with Mrs. Melton.
Had she ever loved anyone? She had never even loved herself.
Perhaps she herself had neglected the woman withering away at the Count’s residence.
With a mysterious smile, Mrs. Melton had a servant offer Sara a drink. Through the fan, her red lips were visible.
“So, in the end… has the real one come to find you?”
