Chapter 35
Derick abandoned any thought of excuses and stopped in his tracks, intending to flee. Then, faced with Cardin’s sudden question, he answered the absurd question with an equally foolish one.
As I recalled what I had just heard, Cardin’s lips curled into a slight, uncharacteristic smile. He scratched the side of his head with his index finger.
Derick rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Cardin’s gesture looked so bashful that he couldn’t help but stare at him again.
“What does she like to eat, what flowers, or what kind of gems catch her interest?”
Derick, who had been staring blankly at Cardin’s handsome face—the very face likely to captivate Harna—sharpened his wits.
He suspected Cardin might be trying to torment Harna anew, and he studied Cardin’s intentions closely. But shockingly, Cardin just waited with an innocent expression, silently asking for an answer.
Derick reluctantly spoke:
“She likes meat, and her favorite flowers are roses. Gems….”
“Ah, no need to explain. I already know. Harna likes purple gems.”
“Purple?”
Derick raised an eyebrow, seeing Cardin speak with more certainty than he himself would. Then, he tilted his head at how naturally Cardin uttered Harna’s name.
Cardin smiled with a flirtatious glance:
“I mean a gem as radiant and beautiful as my own eyes. Thanks for the info. Let’s go inside.”
With a satisfied smile, Cardin lightly nodded to Derick and passed by.
Derick stared, dumbfounded, as Cardin disappeared, fully confident about Harna’s favorite gems. Though relieved the engagement-breaking topic hadn’t come up, his instincts sent warning signals.
I rubbed my eyes, doubting what I had seen, and checked the letter again. The content—asking me on a date—hadn’t changed.
‘He doesn’t call me a goddess in the letter.’
Then I realized with a start that I was actually a little disappointed the cheesy nickname was missing, and in a flustered moment, I tossed the letter onto the bed.
I glared at the letter from across the room and sighed. The proposed date was three days away.
‘What should I do?’
I had already failed at being the villainess from the original story and had failed at connecting the protagonists. Yet I had no intention of continuing to meet Cardin.
It was true that his persistent confessions made my heart flutter, but my decision was already made: I would spend my life with my father and older brother.
I refused to play the side character in the story between the protagonists.
Right now, Cardin and May had no mutual interest—but who knew when sparks might fly? I couldn’t bear the thought of being hurt and left alone.
‘What should I do?’
I thought about how to make Cardin lose interest in me completely. Then a brilliant idea came to mind.
Recalling the tone and gestures that Cardin hated most in the original story, and the overly extravagant dresses, a slow smirk crept across my lips.
I took a deep breath and prepared to perform Harna—the Harna from the original story who had captivated Cardin.
Alright. Here it comes. The perfect Harna performance by acting genius Yoon Seung-ah!
“D-Duke! To request a date from Harna in person… I’m truly moved…”
Clasping my hands over my chest, blinking my eyes too widely, and twisting my body unnaturally in an attempt at exaggerated cuteness, the door suddenly creaked open.
“I knocked, but there was no answer. I wondered if something had happened.”
“….”
I froze in my awkward pose, making eye contact with Vera.
“I’m sorry to intrude. I just came to tell you that the Marquis has returned. Please call me when you’re finished.”
Vera bowed quickly and left. I turned back to the mirror, staring at my forced smile and the raised cheekbones from my exaggerated expression, then let out a bitter sigh.
“What’s wrong, Harna?”
It was mealtime with Dad, who had returned after several days. But I barely touched my food, worrying about the upcoming date.
Dad’s concerned voice reached me:
“It’s nothing.”
I answered weakly and began dissecting my steak as if performing a demonstration.
“Tell me anything, Harna. I’ll listen to it all.”
I lifted my head and looked at him. Hesitant, I peeked to see if it was safe to speak, then admitted the reason for my concern:
“Actually, I received a letter from Duke Lertorno today. It was a date request.”
“…The Duke?”
“Yes. It’s the first time this has happened, so I’m feeling overwhelmed.”
As I pondered how to make Cardin lose interest, I ate small bites of my finely cut steak.
“Don’t worry so much, Harna.”
“Huh?”
“Finally, Duke Lertorno has noticed your feelings, hasn’t he?”
I smiled at my father’s encouraging words. He comforted me like a gentle dad calming his flustered daughter after an unexpected confession from her fiancé. My worries melted as I focused on my meal.
“Harna.”
While I was eating, my father, after a long pause, called my name. He remained silent for a while before finally speaking.
“What kind of gems do you like?”
I put down my fork, startled by the sudden, unrelated question. Was it because my birthday was approaching, and he wanted to give me a gift? I needed to find out. Thinking how to give a subtle hint, I answered:
“I like brightly colored gems. I like rubies and sapphires.”
“Ah, I see.”
A satisfied smile crossed my father’s face at my answer.
“You don’t even really know….”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing, Harna.”
His soft muttering seemed odd, but he looked happy, so I shrugged and picked up my fork.
We continued our small talk and ate together. As the meal neared its end, Dad lightly wiped his mouth with a napkin, his golden eyes serious as he spoke:
“Harna, remember this. Always be confident. Behind you are me and your brother, and you are the Marquis’s daughter. You don’t have to rush for anyone just because you’re admired. You are beautiful and have a good… personality now, right?”
Father. Why did you pause at ‘personality improved’?
I chuckled softly and nodded.
“Well, though you like Duke Lertorno, there are many men in the world—you don’t have to insist on just one. And remember what I told you before? Marriage isn’t an obligation. So, what I mean is… ahem!”
He cleared his throat awkwardly, drank some water, and continued:
“Enjoy your date.”
“I understand.”
I answered, and he patted my head affectionately, like praising a child. His rough hand felt warm and caring, and I smiled.
Later that night, Haren could visit the Marquis residence after Derick returned. Concerned about leaving Harna and Arsen alone, he hurried to resolve matters.
Soon after, he received a discreet summons from his father. Sensing something unpleasant, he quickly arrived at Derick’s office, knocking before entering:
“What is it?”
Haren had heard from the staff that Harna had treated the guest Arsen well. Yet Derick paced anxiously around his office. Haren’s expression stiffened with unease.
Seeing his son, Derick sighed deeply and finally sat down.
“Harna has received a letter.”
“From whom?”
This wasn’t a mere social invitation; his father wouldn’t behave this way otherwise. Haren braced herself for his next words.
“Cardin Lertorno.”
Haren’s mouth tightened into a straight line at the expected name.
“Actually, I met that man today.”
Derick explained to Haren how Cardin had asked about Harna’s preferences and confidently stated that her favorite gem was purple.
He, who used to ignore and hurt Harna despite her constant desire for his attention, had suddenly changed.
The father and daughter remembered Harna’s tears over his cold treatment, and now they were displeased with Cardin’s sudden change in attitude.
“Why did he ask Harna on a date? The same man who wanted to break the engagement.”
“At the last palace ball, I happened to see him with Harna—it didn’t look ordinary. Perhaps he suddenly took an interest in her, or he has some hidden agenda.”
“…!”
“We cannot leave this as is.”
“I agree, Father.”
The father and son shared the same thought: they had to protect Harna, who was still young and vulnerable.
The day I had been dreading finally arrived. Feeling anxious, I squinted at the bright sunlight and forced myself out of bed.
Today was the day of my date with Cardin. I steeled myself against the urge to run away and busied myself from morning onward.
The date was at noon, at a popular restaurant in the capital.
I resolved to use this opportunity to completely block Cardin’s excessive attention, beginning with a bath.
After bathing, I found my dress waiting—a gown that epitomized extravagance, stored in the corner of my dressing room like a sealed treasure.
I clenched my fists. I could do this. Operation: Make Cardin Lose Interest!
The most lavish look, the insufferable charm, and subtly forward gestures—the very things the original Cardin hated—would surely drive him away.
Although confident in my acting, my hands trembled. I carefully touched the dress, adorned with large gems.
“Phew. I’m ready.”
Ignoring Vera, who worried about my constantly changing expression, I put on the heavy, dazzling gown.
A large emerald the size of my palm adorned the chest bow, and hundreds of small gems decorated the A-line skirt. Every movement reflected light, dazzling my eyes.
Looking in the mirror, I saw the matching emerald necklace. I laughed bitterly to myself.
‘If I go to the party like this, I’ll definitely be the worst-dressed person.’
“Are you really sure about this? You look beautiful, of course, but this is…”
I met Vera’s worried gaze without wavering. Understanding my resolve, she fell silent.
‘Thank you, Vera. You’re truly on my side. If you had praised this look, I would’ve been disappointed—it would have been a lie.’
I patted Vera’s shoulder gently, silently grateful for her support.
