The Perfect Bride - Chapter 56

Benjamin’s letters, left without a recipient, had been set aside at Duke Horace’s estate before being forwarded to Natalie.

There were three in total. She had been grateful just for his kind words after waiting for a reply in vain, but it seemed he had sent her a letter once a week.

…I was surprised to hear you had gone to Huntington. I’ve heard it’s the summer paradise everyone dreams of. What is it like in your eyes, Miss Daus? Is it more beautiful than the sea in Warfield? If the opportunity arises, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Dwan is already filled with roses. I suppose that means summer is about to begin…

Sitting at her desk reading the letter, Natalie slowly rose to stand by the window with it still in hand.

From her room, she could see the sea. The layered scenery of green fields, deep blue ocean, and pale blue sky had grown familiar now.

With a deep breath, the tepid June air, the salty sea scent, and the dizzying intensity of the roses seemed to fill her body entirely.

It had already been over two weeks since arriving in Huntington.

Only after coming here did Natalie begin to understand the prince’s sensitivity, how he had expressed distaste for every little thing in Dwan.

Huntington’s quietness was different not only from Dwan’s but also from Warfield’s.

It was truly a place worthy of being called a summer villa. On a vast estate the size of four villages stood only the enormous Huntington Hall. The white coastal cliffs and white sand beaches included in the estate were ornamental, unlike the fishing shores of Warfield.

More than ‘quiet,’ ‘tranquil’ was the right word. It was the perfect place to escape the growing intensity of public scrutiny and take a brief rest.

Life in Huntington, where the social season didn’t exist, was naturally leisurely.

Natalie lay motionless, as if she had become an inanimate object, idly indulging in daydreams. When mealtime came, she would nibble on a few pieces of bread with tea. Sometimes, she would take a stroll in the garden, led by Dorothy, who had accompanied her to Huntington.

That was all she did in a day. Without ‘society,’ there wasn’t much for a woman her age to do.

Encounters with the prince also became less frequent.

Ian seemed even busier than when they were in Dwan. This was because the naval base in the port city of Valenta was just an hour away by carriage from Huntington.

The prince went to Valenta nearly every day and sometimes stayed there overnight.

Natalie found this tranquil lifestyle quite pleasing. With less time spent meeting the prince, there were fewer reasons for her heart to race or for her to maintain composure. Her body and mind felt lighter.

As the prince had said, there were no worries in Huntington.

However, Dorothy, who had once called the trip to Huntington a once-in-a-lifetime honor, soon came to define the royal family’s summer estate as the dullest place on earth.

Catherine, who loved parties, felt the same. Under her lead, small gatherings had begun to take place in the grand house of Huntington since last week.

Starting with invitations to naval officers from Valenta who were close to the prince, the once-quiet nights in Huntington gradually filled with pleasant laughter.

Naturally, Natalie never attended the parties. She was fully aware that the officers were secretly eager to catch a glimpse of the infamous baron’s daughter.

Time seemed to stand still. Looking out at the static Huntington scenery, Natalie slowly moved her hand and unfolded the next letter.

…Last time, I was so caught up in telling my own stories that I forgot to mention the most important thing. Do you remember the name Christina Dowe? Madam Dowe is the sponsor and the real owner of White Pen. Her circumstances aren’t good right now, but if things improve someday, she and…

“Ah…”

A faint sigh escaped from between Natalie’s lips.

Christina Dowe.

First came longing, then guilt. Unchanging shame followed, then a trace of hurt feelings, and even some lingering resentment.

Staring blankly at the letter in her hands with mixed emotions, someone gave a short knock and entered.

Expecting it to be Mrs. Bate, Natalie turned without much thought, and her eyes widened.

A surprising guest stood in the doorway.

“Have you been well?”

It was Ian, whom she hadn’t seen in two days.

Natalie, startled, asked, “When did you arrive?”

Her voice unintentionally rose a little.

“Just now,” Ian answered slowly, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. His expression unreadable.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me you had returned? If you needed to say something, you could have called me downstairs.”

“Tom’s too old to go up and down the stairs.”

Tom was nearly seventy, a man who had managed Huntington Hall since the birth of Ernest II.

…As if I’d be so heartless. You could’ve told the maid the Duchess brought.

Just then, she remembered that Catherine and Dorothy had gone to the beach for a picnic with the maids. The prince gestured toward the letter in her hand and spoke.

“Judging by how thick it is, your mother must be furious. Did she call me a thief?”

“Ha ha, of course not. This isn’t a letter from Warfield. But she might be writing one full of rage now that she knows I’m in Huntington.”

“Terrifying. Then what’s that?”

“Do you remember Mr. Wald?”

Ian blinked a few times, then uncrossed his arms and straightened his posture.

“…Was there more you needed?”

“He said he’d send letters from time to time. I’m glad to have something to read.”

“Do you need something to read?”

“Not really. I just said that because I don’t have much to do.”

As he stared quietly at the letter, lost in thought, Ian suddenly brightened as if struck by a good idea.

“Come with me for a moment.”

…Goodness.

His sudden smile made Natalie’s heart pound out of her control.

Feigning calm, Natalie responded with a faint upward curve of her lips and followed him. He descended a floor below with brisk steps.

If the third floor of the mansion housed guest rooms, the second floor was reserved for the owner’s quarters and study. In other words, it was Ian’s domain, and Natalie had always deliberately avoided even glancing toward it.

While Ian stepped into the ivory-colored door by the stairs and retrieved a bundle of keys from a drawer, Natalie deliberately looked away. She felt it inappropriate to know where the keys were kept, especially since she wasn’t the true lady of the house.

Ian, unconcerned, walked to the end of the second-floor hallway with the keys jangling and turned one in the lock. Throwing open both doors, he turned around with a triumphant expression.

Natalie, who had hesitated like a trespasser sneaking into forbidden territory, widened her eyes. Mesmerized, she took a step, then another, her gaze slowly drifting.

A rush of paper and dust, the scent of old oak furniture—her senses were filled. Thanks to the light filtering through thick blackout curtains, the grand study came into dim view.

Just then, Ian strode to the window and pulled back one curtain. The room came into sharp focus. The elegant bookshelves lining the walls were packed with volumes, leaving no gaps.

“Impressive. There must be thousands.”

“Mostly classics. You’re welcome to use them.”

He offered the key bundle as he spoke.

The jingle of keys jolted her from thought. Still keeping her distance from the books, Natalie carefully chose her words.

“I’m honored. But this study is too grand for me. I’ve already read more than enough of the so-called essential classics for a lady.”

“If you look closely, there are quite a few novels too. Though I don’t know if any suit your taste.”

He added with a playful glint in his eyes, but Natalie didn’t have time to respond.

“Novels…”

“Yes.”

His pleased blue eyes seemed to say, ‘Don’t you like novels?’

After a brief hesitation, Natalie lowered her gaze to avoid his and said, “To be honest… I don’t read books anymore. More precisely… I don’t read novels.”

It was a self-imposed punishment.

“I just don’t want to.”

Ian blinked slowly at the unexpected response, glancing between her and the bookshelves.

“I wasn’t thinking. If you don’t want to, then it can’t be helped.”

“Thank you for your consideration. I’m sorry.”

“Still, I’ll give you the key.”

“Pardon?”

Without warning, Ian tossed her the key bundle. It floated lightly through the air, and Natalie caught it reflexively.

“Even if you don’t read, it’s the finest room in the house. The view from the sofa is remarkable.”

“……”

“You never know. You might suddenly want to read something tomorrow.”

‘That won’t happen anytime soon.’

Natalie swallowed the words hovering at her throat and gave a faint smile.

“You should just have the study. I’m only interested in military strategy manuals anyway.”

‘There probably won’t be a time when I spend another summer with you or return here again.’

Natalie answered once more in her head, then casually asked, “You gave Sir Peeble a key too, didn’t you?”

“Why bring up Marcus here, ah…”

“Like Marcus, you mean.”

Ian paused, recalling something he had once said.

Since then, Natalie had brought up Marcus whenever she could. At first glance, it seemed like she was competing for Ian’s favor, but the nuance felt different.

How to put it—she acted as if she refused to be any less than Marcus.

“I didn’t give him a key, but of course… he can come in,” Ian answered firmly, though something in his tone was clearly displeased.

“Ah, I thought so. Thank you.”

“Natalie, can we stop talking about Marcus now…”

Just as Ian was about to say more, Natalie quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, you’ve seemed busy ever since we came to Huntington.”

“Ah… that.”

It had been a topic she picked at random, but surprisingly, the prince furrowed his brow slightly and trailed off.

“There was something I needed to take care of.”

“I see. Were you able to resolve it?”

“…I don’t think so yet.”

It was a string of unusually ambiguous answers for him.