CHAPTER 35
“…Yes. Of course, my father’s reaction will depend on the reason, but no matter what it is, I’m ready for it.”
Claire could sense Nina’s sincerity in the voice that grew firmer toward the end.
She really is serious about breaking off the engagement.
“If he’s cheating with another woman, do you think that would be a convincing enough reason for the Count?”
“Oh… yes. My father hates people who are unfaithful. He absolutely despises those who stray from their partners.”
That was a welcome statement to hear. Claire fell into deep thought for a moment.
Was it okay to tell Nina about Alex’s affair right now?
Unaware of Claire’s inner deliberation, Nina looked around nervously.
“Um, Lady Ravello…”
“Yes?”
“If I break off my engagement with the young master… what happens between us?”
If Nina and Alex’s engagement was broken, it would inevitably affect their relationship too.
They had only just become friends…
Not wanting to lose a rare and precious connection, Nina mumbled gloomily, fidgeting with her fingers.
“I don’t want to be cut off from you…”
“That won’t happen. We’ll still be friends.”
Claire replied with a gentle smile, surprised by the unexpected question.
“R-really?”
“Of course.”
Back when she was Priscilla, she had no real friends in society. So Nina was her first meaningful friend in a way.
Even if their connection had started because of Alex, Claire wanted to keep it going as long as possible.
‘I like Lady Merrison. She’s sweet, cute, like a small animal.’
Claire, having made up her mind, spoke with resolve.
“Lady Merrison, don’t be surprised and just listen.”
“Yes?”
“The truth is… my uncle has a secret lover.”
“Ah, yes… wha—WHAT?!”
Nina’s eyes and mouth flew open in shock at the stunning revelation.
“Is… is that really true?”
“Yes. I’m certain.”
“How could he… To think he said such cruel things while cheating on me behind my back…”
The betrayal hit her like a blow to the back of the head.
Tears welled up in her big round eyes and began to fall.
“Don’t cry. He’s not worth shedding tears over.”
Claire patted Nina’s shoulder and looked around for something to wipe her tears.
Theodore, who had been quietly watching, slid a handkerchief across the table toward her.
Claire took it and gently wiped Nina’s tears. Once Nina had calmed down a bit, she sniffled and asked,
“Do you know who he’s cheating with?”
“That…”
“It’s Countess Macquarie.”
A heavy voice naturally cut in from the front. Both Nina and Claire turned in surprise to look at Theodore.
“Your Highness, how do you know that…?”
“I happened to witness them having a secret rendezvous in a secluded place.”
“Oh…”
With both Claire and Theodore confirming Alex’s affair, Nina bit her lip hard.
She had once liked him, so this was especially painful.
“How little must Young Master Ravello have thought of me…?”
“Lady Merrison.”
“I’ll go tell my father and call off the engagement right away.”
Nina’s lips trembled from the surge of emotion. Claire looked at her sympathetically but spoke calmly to stop her.
“Please wait. We don’t have any proof yet.”
The investigation by the Episteme Guild wouldn’t hold up as concrete, objective evidence.
“We need solid evidence. Otherwise, your uncle’s side will make you out to be delusional or unstable.”
Especially someone like Phoebe Ravello—she’d do anything to protect her son.
“Then what should I do…?”
As Nina’s expression darkened, Claire held her hand and said,
“I’ll help you, Lady Merrison. So will you trust me and follow my lead?”
Nina hesitated.
“…Are you sure it’s okay to help me?”
“Of course. We’re friends.”
Normally, in a proper family, befriending your uncle’s ex-fiancée would be unthinkable.
But in a messed-up household like the Ravellos? It was totally possible.
Looking at Nina, who nodded with her puffy, tear-streaked face, Claire made a promise to herself.
‘Just wait a bit. I’ll make sure you never have to see that bastard again.’
Later…
After ordering a dress, Claire left the Darling Boutique and got into the carriage with Theodore.
As they rode together, Claire cautiously opened her mouth.
“Your Highness, could you keep what we discussed today at the boutique a secret?”
“That’s an odd request. Do I look like someone with a loose tongue?”
“No, I just worry a lot, that’s all.”
Theodore turned his head and looked at Claire, who gave a faint smile.
“Don’t worry. I don’t betray my people first.”
“…Am I already considered one of your people?”
“Well, we’re pretending to be lovers, aren’t we? It’s only natural.”
His words struck her unexpectedly. Back when she was Priscilla, she never thought she could grow this close to Theodore.
‘If I were still Priscilla Mutant, would he have ever called me “his person”?’
Maybe he’d have just considered her paying him back for the favor from childhood and left it at that.
Claire shook off the thought and bowed her head politely.
“Anyway, thank you for accompanying me today.”
“It’s too early to thank me.”
With a meaningful smile, Theodore reached inside his jacket.
A long, elegant velvet box slowly appeared.
“Here.”
“What is it?”
“My gift.”
Startled, Claire took the box and opened it—her eyes widened.
Inside were daffodil-shaped earrings and a necklace made of diamonds. The necklace had a brilliant aquamarine at its center.
‘Daffodils… That’s my birth flower.’
Mesmerized by the dazzling shine, Claire murmured in disbelief,
“I’m really surprised. I didn’t think Your Highness would prepare a gift…”
“I’m not the kind of man who just takes and walks away.”
“You really didn’t have to…”
Even though she’d been married before, it was her first time receiving such a gift from a man. It felt strange.
Usually, men only gave jewels to women they loved…
‘Am I really allowed to accept this?’
Sensing her hesitation, Theodore crossed his legs and said indifferently,
“You can’t call it a relationship if only one person gives and the other doesn’t.”
“Oh…”
“Even if it’s your style to give without receiving, that doesn’t fly with me.”
“…That’s not it. I’ll accept it gratefully, Your Highness.”
Claire smiled brightly as she carefully held onto the velvet box.
Seeing her smile, Theodore’s own lips curved subtly.
Theodore dropped Claire off at the Ravello mansion and left.
Claire walked alone through the central hall. Despite her return from an outing, not a single maid greeted her.
Not that she was surprised. Ever since becoming the Crown Prince’s “lover,” they couldn’t harass her directly, so they showed disdain in other ways.
‘Still, I thought Becca would show up.’
Even if she’d become more obedient, she was still the Marchioness’s maid at her core.
Just as Claire accepted that and was halfway up the stairs—
“Hey.”
A rude, rough voice called out from behind. She turned slightly to see Alex standing with a crooked posture.
Her insolent half-brother pointed at her with his chin, as if she were an object.
Claire looked down at him coldly and resumed walking. Alex snapped.
“Hey, bastard! Are you ignoring me?!”
“It’s difficult to have a conversation with someone who can’t even remember my name properly.”
“What? Ha… Unbelievable…”
Annoyed, Alex frowned and came up close to the base of the stairs.
“I heard you’ve been getting friendly with Nina Merrison lately.”
“Have I?”
“I know you’ve been exchanging letters.”
Claire’s brow twitched. No doubt Ivy and Matilda had tattled again.
‘Time to deal with them soon.’
She couldn’t let information keep leaking forever.
Lowering her gaze and raising her chin slightly, Claire replied,
“So what?”
Her posture, both physically and mentally, looked down on him—just as Priscilla used to.
It startled Alex, even if he didn’t know why.
The contempt in her gaze was the same—it stung his pride.
“So what? Watch yourself. Bastards like you should stay put and know their place, instead of snooping around.”
He stepped halfway up the stairs, raising his hand threateningly.
“Unless you want to get taught a lesson.”
Claire let out a scoff, as if it were all too ridiculous.
“You’re the one who should behave. Don’t go around threatening people when you don’t even have the decency to live properly.”
