~Chapter 143~
“Miss Annabel!”
“Oh my, Miss Harriet! It’s been a while. How have you been?”
Annabel, who Harriet hadn’t seen for a while, still seemed to have many acquaintances. Harriet could see people around her trying to catch her attention, eager to greet her.
Quickly, Harriet introduced Annabel to Roxana.
“Aunt, this is my friend Annabel Layton. She’s very well-connected and an excellent listener, a very cultured person. Annabel, this is my aunt, Roxana Pellon. She’s here today as a representative of my great-aunt, Trisha Pellon, for the party.”
Annabel, who had never heard of Harriet’s aunt before, tilted her head in confusion, but she quickly managed her expression when she realized Roxana was the heir of the Pellon family.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Pellon.”
“The pleasure is mine, Miss Layton. I trust your parents are doing well?”
“Yes! Do you know my parents?”
“Yes, I visited your mother a few years ago. I remember her being a very knowledgeable person.”
“Oh! We should arrange a meeting with them soon.”
Annabel treated Roxana with the politeness Harriet had hoped for. The people watching them also started to gather some information about Roxana, and the dismissive glances toward her lessened.
After that, Roxana, guided by Harriet and Countess Hastings, exchanged pleasantries with many others.
The reactions of the guests split into two categories: one group respectfully acknowledged her as the heir of the Pellon family, while the other regarded her with suspicion.
‘Let’s see how long they keep those skeptical looks.’
Harriet felt more irritated by the looks directed at Roxana than by her own. She ground her teeth in frustration.
However, the atmosphere shifted when the hosts, Cedric and Jeremiah, arrived.
“Welcome, Miss Roxana!”
Jeremiah greeted Roxana warmly, hugging her in an affectionate manner.
While the fame of Countess Hastings was helpful, it was still Jeremiah’s well-known status as the “youngest princess” that drew everyone’s attention.
“I’ve always worried about the issue of the Pellon heir, but now that I see Miss Roxana, I understand why Lady Pellon was so calm. With someone like her by your side, I don’t know why you kept her hidden from others.”
“There were many circumstances. I hope to see you often in the future, Your Grace.”
“The Pellon family is a good friend of ours. We’ll continue to help with Lady Pellon’s treatment, so please don’t worry.”
Those who overheard their conversation realized that Jeremiah had officially recognized Roxana as the Pellon family heir and began calculating her value.
Meanwhile, Harriet tried her best not to look at Cedric, who stood by Jeremiah.
‘They said they’re looking for a bride tonight, but Cedric is absolutely dazzling. He’s blinding.’
Harriet had never seen a man’s appearance so meticulously perfect before.
His neatly combed hair revealed his symmetrical eyebrows and delicate eyes, showing off Cedric Kailas’s beauty in a way that made her notice him once again.
His deep red eyes, reflecting the chandelier’s light like jewels, were sharp and strong. His nose was straight and commanding. His lips, neither too thick nor too thin, formed a perfect smile, and today, they looked a little more tempting than usual.
And then, those lips spoke to Harriet.
“You look beautiful as always, Miss Harriet.”
“Huh? Me?”
Harriet, caught off guard by the compliment, was momentarily stunned.
“Thank you. You look wonderful as well, Your Grace.”
“Really?”
“Yes, truly.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Harriet assumed Cedric was joking. She couldn’t imagine him taking so much care in his appearance.
Just then, Jeremiah glanced at Harriet.
“Oh, my! Harriet, come here as well!”
“Oh! Thank you for your hospitality. The ballroom is so beautiful, I was lost in admiration.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Please make sure to have a good time at the party tonight.”
Their greeting ended there.
Jeremiah and Cedric had too many people to meet.
Harriet, still looking at Cedric as he walked away with Jeremiah, felt a strange pull to his red eyes. She quickly turned away, but she couldn’t look away from him.
‘Should I say something? What should I say?’
Her thoughts were racing when Cedric silently mouthed something to her.
“I’ll see you later.”
Then he turned fully and began greeting other people.
Harriet felt like she might have imagined it, but no matter how many times she thought about it, the words “I’ll see you later” seemed clear.
Her heart raced.
‘It was just a polite thing to say, why am I even thinking about it? Focus, Harriet. I have an important job to do today—helping Aunt Roxana.’
Harriet shook her head as if to clear her thoughts and found Roxana still stuck in the middle of a sea of greetings.
Now was the time for a “slightly cheeky” niece to step in.
“I’m sorry! There are many people who want to meet my aunt over there, so let me borrow her for a while.”
Harriet apologized, playfully pulling Roxana out of the crowd, linking her arm with hers, and leading her toward the quieter drink bar.
“Let’s take a breath.”
Roxana, realizing that she was using the excuse of needing to meet more people, sighed in relief.
“Thank you, Miss Harriet.”
“I’m sorry that this is all I can do to help.”
Roxana took the glass Harriet offered her and drank it quickly. She shook her head and said,
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but honestly, I didn’t expect to rely on you so much today. You’ve been a huge help, especially emotionally.”
“Really?”
“Yes, truly. I didn’t realize how nervous I would be. Thanks to you, I can at least smile.”
A faint, awkward smile lingered on her lips, and she couldn’t bring herself to meet Harriet’s eyes.
Harriet felt a warm sense of pride at Roxana’s confession. With a playful grin, she lifted her chin and said proudly,
“See? I’ve taught you well. Just wait. One day, I’ll…!”
Just as Harriet was about to make a boastful statement, Roxana suddenly grabbed her arm, her face changing.
“What, what’s wrong?”
Roxana didn’t answer but silently gestured toward the entrance of the party hall. Harriet looked in that direction and saw Lauren entering with some people. She was scanning the room as if looking for someone.
Harriet’s smile instantly faded.
“Seems like the rumor about inviting all unmarried daughters is true. If she’s here, it means that woman is looking for trouble.”
Harriet gritted her teeth, and Roxana quickly shook her hand to calm her.
“This is the Kailas estate. If we make a scene, it will cause trouble for Lady Pellon. There are too many eyes on us, so Mrs. Marshall won’t be reckless.”
“If she starts trouble, I won’t hesitate to step in.”
“Handle it with grace, no matter how she mocks you.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Roxana gave Harriet a stern look before adjusting her posture, determined. She then walked slowly toward Countess Hastings.
Harriet followed behind, her expression not as composed as Roxana’s.
‘How shameless is she, coming here like that? She’ll probably pretend to worry about my great-aunt’s health in front of everyone. How can I stand to watch that?’
Harriet had already reported Joseph Alden to the royal investigators for attempted murder. It was only a matter of time before he was found, and when that happened, Lauren could be accused of attempted murder as well.
So instead of walking around so boldly, Lauren should be preparing to run away.
Harriet’s anger boiled inside, but she managed to keep it in check. Today, her task was clear—protect Roxana.
‘Fine. I’ll wait for the next time. Then, I won’t hold back.’
Harriet forced a smile as she stood beside Roxana, who was now speaking with Countess Hastings.
Just then, a sharp voice rang out.
“Roxana Balvenas!”
Harriet turned to see none other than Lauren herself.
She marched up and shoved Roxana’s shoulder roughly.
“You shameless girl! Why haven’t you canceled your adoption?”
“Mrs. Marshall, what are you doing…!”
Roxana had to admit that her understanding of human and noble society was still lacking.
She had expected sarcastic remarks or a subtle insult, but Lauren didn’t hold back.
“Are you seriously asking me what I’m doing? You seduced Lady Pellon while she was ill and manipulated her into adopting you! How dare a beggar from the streets want to take over the Pellon family!”
Everyone, including Harriet and Roxana, was shocked by her outburst.
Again, this was the Kailas estate, and this was a party after five years. Everyone was taken aback, unable to speak, until Jeremiah quickly approached.
“What’s all this commotion?”
