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Chapter 36
For the past few days, neither the mad dog of the North, nor the socialite playboy, nor the woman who carried out that playboy’s dirty deeds had come looking for her. So Britia thought:
At last, those chaotic days are over, and I can return to a normal life!
But it was only a brief calm before a greater storm began.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come see you in person last time.”
Hati approached Britia, took her hand, and lightly kissed the back of it—at least, pretending to—while smiling sweetly with his eyes. Britia swallowed hard, noticing that behind that smile, his gaze was burning with fury.
He must have found out about Sig.
“I went in your place, so it’s fine. Why should you apologize to someone like her?”
Perhaps because others were watching, Kayla spoke sharply, her face full of irritation as she glared down at Britia.
“Still, Kayla. Ah, I truly am sorry about that day, Britia. I hope you can forgive me.”
Hati bent slightly and gently wrapped one arm around her.
“You dared to mess with me? I’ll never forgive you.”
A chill ran down Britia’s spine. The same person who had just spoken so sweetly was now whispering quiet fury into her ear.
“Oh, the Duchess of Robelli is here as well.”
When Hati turned to the duchess with a bright smile, the muscles around her lips trembled.
“You said you liked it quiet without people around, didn’t you? This is crowded and noisy.”
Kayla crossed her arms and snapped irritably, but Hati stopped her.
“What’s the problem if we’re with good company?”
“Hmph.”
Kayla scoffed, and she and Hati took the reserved terrace seats at the table to Britia’s right. On her left, the Duchess of Robelli and Marcus sat down.
“I thought I was lucky to get the last terrace seat…”
Britia muttered miserably, realizing she was stuck between these uncomfortable groups.
Unlike her gloom, the Duchess of Robelli was extremely excited.
At first, she had been displeased when told only terrace seats on the second floor were available. But upon arriving—what luck! Britia, who had politely declined all her invitations since the last party, was here.
And since she had come with Marcus, this must be fate. These two were destined to marry.
“But why is that fox-like man here as well…?”
The duchess bit her lip as she watched Hati smiling and chatting with Kayla.
She recalled hearing:
“These days, Marquis Slanford visits the Lockhart estate quite often.”
At that, her vision had nearly gone red. How dare such a flirt—who toyed with men and women alike—hover around Britia, whom she had already chosen as her future niece-in-law?
That sly man must have noticed how obedient and perfect a wife Britia would make. He probably came here knowing she’d be here.
Like a stalker!
“Britia, order anything you like. Robelli will cover the bill.”
The duchess smiled warmly at Britia, who was staring seriously at the menu.
She had no intention of letting that playboy steal away her future niece-in-law. She meant to mark her territory.
Meanwhile, Hati Slanford nearly called out Britia’s name in fury upon seeing her—but held himself back, feeling rather proud of his restraint.
“You knew she’d be here?”
Kayla subtly pointed at Britia with her eyes.
Hati shrugged.
He wasn’t a stalker—how would he know? He had simply instructed his butler to reserve a terrace seat.
“The weather is lovely today. Kayla, aren’t you hot? You don’t seem to be sweating.”
Hati spoke while glancing at Britia, who was avoiding even turning her head in his direction, cold sweat trickling down her back.
“I’m not hot at all. If I were sweating in this weather, I’d melt in summer. Though I suppose some people might.”
Kayla shot a glance at Britia, who flinched and hid her face behind the menu.
After falling down the stairs at the estate, Hati had been bedridden for days, grinding his teeth in rage. When Kayla told him Britia had maliciously changed the tea party time, he had been furious without pause.
His jaw even began to hurt—but he blamed that on Britia too, thinking of how to take revenge.
“Britia, don’t hold back—order whatever you like.”
Though he still planned revenge, at this moment, he found the Duchess of Robelli—who kept raising her voice while subtly competing with him—more irritating.
“Thank you, Duchess, but you don’t have to.”
“I just feel like doing things for you whenever I see you.”
It was almost comical how she kept talking to Britia from the neighboring table instead of simply sitting together. But Hati understood why she didn’t.
“Marcus, why are you always so slow getting ready to go out?”
Her sudden scolding had only one reason.
If she had arrived first, she could have gracefully invited Britia’s party to join them. But now, she would have to ask permission to join them—which would hurt her pride.
At the same time, inviting them over might seem too authoritative for her carefully maintained “kind” image.
“Pfft.”
Hati couldn’t help but laugh at her predicament.
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
Kayla asked.
“I’m just excited about what to eat.”
Hati smiled and pretended to look at the menu, while listening closely to the conversations around him.
“It’s good to be clean and thorough. It’s important for one’s future spouse, don’t you think, Britia?”
Apparently, the duchess had set her sights on Britia as Marcus’s match.
While Hati found the situation entertaining, Britia wished she could leave the café immediately.
“I’m sorry about what Marcus said before, Britia. He rarely gets the chance to speak with someone as beautiful as you, so he must have been nervous.”
The duchess continued pushing them together, while Kayla snickered, Hati watched with amusement, and Britia wished to escape them all.
“Aunt, what are you saying?”
“Be quiet. I’m explaining so she doesn’t misunderstand.”
The duchess glared at Marcus.
“He truly regretted it afterward.”
Britia forced an awkward smile. Judging by Marcus’s expression, that didn’t seem true at all.
“Everyone makes mistakes. We all live with repentance, don’t we, Countess Lockhart?”
“Yes, of course.”
The countess agreed, though clearly uncomfortable.
“Don’t you think Marcus is quite handsome?”
The duchess asked.
“Not just because he’s my nephew.”
“Pfft.”
Kayla laughed.
“What is it?”
She feigned innocence as others looked at her.
“Even if he’s handsome, what good is it? It’s not like you can eat his face. He’d just go around flirting.”
The duchess shot Kayla a glare.
“As I said before, my elder brother, Count Bearmix, dotes on him dearly.”
She omitted how that had spoiled him.
“If he ever finds someone he wants to marry, he’d do anything for her.”
“I see.”
Britia wished the topic would end.
“He wouldn’t even require a dowry.”
“Hey, Hati, what do you think?”
Kayla raised her voice deliberately.
“Saying ‘just come as you are’ sounds romantic—but if it’s said to just anyone, doesn’t it make the man seem pathetic?”
“And what about the woman who accepts that?”
“Still better than a woman who can’t marry and only eavesdrops on others.”
The duchess flushed red.
“Britia, it just means you don’t need to feel burdened.”
She smiled, trying to soften it.
Then—
Bang!
Marcus slammed the table.
“Marcus? What are you doing?”
“I told you—I don’t like Lockhart.”
“Why not? It’s a prestigious southern family.”
“Prestigious? What’s the point? It’s just outdated!”
“Marcus!”
He stood up and pointed at Britia.
“Lockhart is just a bunch of beggars, going around asking for handouts!”
Silence fell over the terrace.
“…What did you just say?”
Britia clenched her fist around her glass.
“Beggars?”
She gave him one last chance—but he didn’t apologize. He only glared, his finger still pointed at her.
