The Perfect Bride - Chapter 55

Charlotte slowly set down her teacup. To summarize Sophia’s long-winded story:

“…So the problem is that you think the baron’s daughter might not be a villainess after all?”

“When I saw her at the dedication ceremony, she didn’t seem like someone who approached Ian with malicious intent.”

“Then what did she seem like?”

“To my eyes, it looked like she sincerely loved Ian, Charlotte,” Sophia whispered with a very serious face.

“The baron’s daughter sincerely… what?” As if hearing it for the first time, Charlotte asked in surprise.

“Love! Charlotte! Love. At least to my eyes. It’s embarrassing to say this myself, but I do have exceptional insight.”

Sophia trusted what she saw most. Second to that were things she had heard directly.

Surprisingly, her perception was actually quite accurate. Some might consider her faith in her intuition arrogant, but this strong self-assurance was the reason it remained unshaken.

“Aha…”

But Charlotte, unaware of this talent, couldn’t help but lose interest halfway through. Of course, Sophia, immersed in her own story, paid no mind.

“But nearly everyone I met in Fossa called the baron’s daughter a lewd, cunning witch—a villainess.”

“She probably is the most infamous lady in Grand Batten’s history.”

“Still, the young lady I saw wasn’t flaunting the prince’s favor or behaving arrogantly. On the contrary…”

She looked burdened. Sophia murmured softly, as if just remembering it made her feel pity. The smile vanished from Charlotte’s face.

“Tell me, Charlotte. Is she really the villainess ruining Ian like people say?”

After a short silence, Charlotte slowly opened her lips.

“Truthfully, I don’t really know what kind of person she is either. But… Ian looks satisfied. Genuinely.”

“Then is Ian the crazy one?”

Charlotte, caught off guard, let out a short laugh. Sophia still wore a grave expression.

“Does Ian seem strange to you?”

“Yes. A little—no, a lot. To forsake duty for love… I just don’t understand.”

“It’s only natural not to understand.” Charlotte continued with a faint smile, “Everyone has different values. How could we understand every kind of dream? Sometimes, you just accept that such dreams exist.”

“Is marrying the baron’s daughter Ian’s dream?”

“…As far as I know, yes,” Charlotte said with a small frown and a smile. “In any case, I don’t know her well. But one thing is certain: the prince’s courtship has shaken the quiet life of the baron’s daughter.”

“That much is clear.”

“Grand Batten should place the blame for their disappointment on the prince, not on the baron’s daughter,” Charlotte added with a shrug.

Sophia, who had fallen into thought, silently stared at the edge of the table for a while before slowly speaking.

“…Charlotte, do you think I’ll get a chance to make up for my foolishness before returning to Fossa? I’d like to meet the baron’s daughter.”

“Hmm. That might be difficult,” Charlotte replied, recalling her brother who had abruptly declared two days ago that he would go to Huntington and began tying up loose ends.

At the same time, a flicker of disappointment crossed Sophia’s eyes. These siblings always seemed to give her negative answers.

Seeing Sophia’s rather sulky face, Charlotte smiled faintly. “If you take the train to Valenta, it might be possible.”

“You mean…”

“Do you have to rush back to Fossa?”

“Not exactly.”

“Good. As it happens, I also have business in Huntington.” Charlotte added cheerfully, “When it comes to summer in Grand Batten, it’s all about Huntington, Sophia.”

***

Anthony Gorton’s young assistant, Hugo Ruth, was a recent law graduate aiming to become a prosecutor. This gentleman of noble birth, who dreamed of one day becoming a prosecutor in the Central Criminal Court, had spent the past few days playing detective—a role not in his destiny.

“Look into whether there has been any contact between the prince and the baron’s daughter in the past three years, starting from the David trial.”

But no matter how thoroughly he searched, there was no evidence of contact between the two.

In the end, Hugo found himself in front of the Heaton household, where the baron’s daughter had stayed right before appearing in court.

“I don’t know that ungrateful girl.”

Mrs. Heaton, who had a stern look about her, was even angry. Just days ago, her second son, Roger Heaton, had been arrested by the patrol and spent several hours behind bars.

“An ungrateful wretch! If I could turn back time, I’d never have let her set foot in Heaton Park.”

The more she thought about it, the more resentful she felt. Mrs. Heaton grabbed Hugo and launched into a tirade he hadn’t even asked for.

“Listen here, Mr. Ruth. That is your name, isn’t it? Anyway, I endured society’s judgment and reached out with a gesture of forgiveness. But that arrogant vixen never once replied to her aunt’s letter. Not once! How dare she!”

Hugo had no idea where to cut off Mrs. Heaton’s barrage of shrill complaints.

“And what about how she ran off even after seeing her cousin in trouble? Unbelievable. What a thankless, selfish girl.”

“I—I understand this must be very upsetting, Madam.”

“So, Mr. Ruth, you said you’re the second son of the Viscount Ruth family? Then do come by Heaton Park often. It’s always a pleasure to entertain guests. Oh, and did I mention my second son is a naval officer…”

Then came the boasting about her son, followed by how her daughter married a wealthy man and now lives in luxury in a rising power overseas.

Hugo became convinced that the baron’s daughter must have had quite a difficult time when she stayed at this house. In fact, anyone would have.

The only information he gleaned from the Heaton household was that the baron’s daughter had occasionally shaken off her maid to wander around Derville. Back to square one. As for the publishing company she worked with in Derville, Anthony already knew about that.

Just as Hugo was walking aimlessly through Derville, feeling helpless—

“Then how about this? The baron’s daughter is leaving the duke’s residence soon.”

Baron’s daughter. Hugo’s steps came to a natural stop. When he turned his head, he saw an ordinary shop owner selling cured meats and a young girl. At a glance, it looked like they were negotiating over sausages.

“Oh, now that’s some valuable information. Do you know where she’s headed?”

“That’ll cost you another pouch. If not interested, I’ll take it elsewhere.”

Contrary to expectation, the one selling was the young girl. She was deftly haggling and selling information to the shopkeeper.

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

“This girl really is her maid. She’s the one who tipped us off about the ‘Starry Night’ story.”

When a woman who appeared to be the shopkeeper’s wife chimed in, the man nodded and handed the girl another pouch.

Don’t the duke’s mansion servants sign confidentiality agreements in exchange for double wages? Who is this girl?

Whatever she was, Hugo felt certain he had to catch her.

“Excuse me, miss. May I have a word with you?”

With a kind expression, Hugo handed his business card to Donna.

***

Inside the carriage bound for the central train station to catch the train to Valenta, silence had filled the space for some time.

At last, the carriage stopped at the rear gate of the central station. Just before the door opened, Natalie, who had been quietly staring out the window, urgently spoke.

“Ian, wait. Just a moment.”

Ian gestured to the attendant approaching to open the door to hold on, then turned to Natalie.

She lowered her gaze and said, “You must’ve found me unreliable all this time. Always stiff and causing trouble.”

The sudden remark made Ian blink slowly.

Natalie, as if having resolved something, widened her eyes with determination. She raised her gaze to meet his blue eyes directly and continued.

“I think I lacked the right mindset until now.”

“……”

“It’s late, but from now on, I’ll do my best. As your fake lover.”

Her voice was full of resolve, like a declaration of war.

“Whether it’s elopement or divorce, I’m ready now.”

The moment Natalie said those words, Ian’s heart began to beat uncomfortably fast. Yet his face remained completely calm, almost indifferent.

Natalie had expected him to respond playfully, saying something like, “Give it your best shot.” She was honestly taken aback.

Still, hadn’t the prince once said that Natalie Daus mattered to him as much as Marcus Peeble?

“I’ll really give it my all. So please… just a little more…”

So this much should be okay.

“Please be better to me.”

After a slight hesitation, Natalie pushed herself to speak. She mustered her courage and asked for just a bit more.

Watching his expression, the prince, who had been looking at her indifferently, slowly opened his mouth.

“I promise.”

Natalie, anxiously awaiting his response, immediately felt relieved by the short reply.

“I’ll treat you better. On my honor.”

His slowly spoken words made Natalie’s face brighten, her smile deepening.

“I’ll respect you.”

At last, even his indifferent face showed a faint smile.

Natalie knew that smile was just a formality, but she smiled even wider and said, “I’ll be in your care, Ian.”

It was a greeting that somehow felt fresh.

Ian got out of the carriage first. As he escorted Natalie, who followed him out, he suddenly whispered, “There’s nothing to worry about in Huntington. Everything will be alright.”

“Yes.”

Was it just her imagination? Somehow, Natalie felt like those words were meant more for himself than for her.