SMR | Chapter 114

~Chapter 114~

Well, if that’s the case, that’s fine. And if it’s not, it doesn’t matter either.

Cedric lowered the opera glass.

He gave a half-hearted farewell to Lady Spence, who had been talking to him nonstop, then started walking in the direction he had just been watching. His slow pace reflected his reason, but his long strides carried his emotions.

* * *

Harriet’s steps felt heavy as she headed back toward Tez and his friends.

Ugh. Those men… so unpleasant.

Just remembering their eyes raking over her made her shiver and lose her appetite. She had forgotten, for a moment, the kind of reputation Tez had in these circles.

But no matter how much she looked around, there was no one she could casually greet.

If only one of Trisha’s friends were here, she could at least exchange warm pleasantries. But there wasn’t a single familiar face.

Lurking near strangers just to eavesdrop felt too risky—it would only draw suspicion.

So even listening in on other people’s talks requires Tez’s presence? Then am I just wasting my time here again?

She let out a deep sigh.

That was when someone suddenly matched her pace, stepping alongside her.

“The weather really is perfect for a picnic, isn’t it?”

“Duke Kailas?”

Cedric, just like when they’d met at the auction, appeared calm despite the sudden encounter. Almost annoyingly calm.

Harriet tilted her chin higher on purpose, unwilling to feel like she was the one losing ground.

“Yes. It’s fully spring now.”

“Ah, come this way for a moment.”

He didn’t even seem to register her words. Instead, he placed his hand lightly against her back, guiding her forward.

Though he barely touched her, she could feel the warmth of his body, and it made her stiffen in nervousness. She couldn’t even focus on who was standing in front of them—

But Cedric soon revealed it.

“Good day, Lord Alberman. This year’s picnic seems a great success.”

“Ah, Duke Kailas! Welcome, welcome. Forgive me for not greeting you first.”

At the name “Lord Alberman,” Harriet froze in place. There couldn’t be another Alberman—it had to be Robert Alberman, the Earl himself, and the owner of Alberman Bank.

“Harriet, allow me to introduce you. This is Earl Robert Alberman, the man hosting today’s picnic.”

I know that already!

Harriet swallowed hard, then forced a radiant smile as she bent her knees in a graceful curtsey.

“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Harriet Listerwell.”

“I am Robert Alberman. The honor is mine, Miss Listerwell. To meet someone as lovely as you… But tell me, how do you and the Duke know each other?”

His eyes glittered with curiosity.

Harriet braced for Cedric’s answer, dreading what he might say. But he responded easily, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

“She’s my business partner. A very bold and talented entrepreneur.”

“Oh, truly? What sort of business have you been working on recently?”

“Well… something in personal hygiene. But it’s not ready to be made public just yet.”

His vague explanation made Harriet laugh awkwardly. So now “cosmetics” had become “personal hygiene”? Though, she supposed, soap did count as hygiene, so technically it wasn’t wrong.

Lord Alberman could have pressed further, but instead he simply nodded and extended his hand to Harriet.

“If you’re working with the Duke, I’d be delighted to welcome you to Alberman Bank as well. With his guarantee, we could even offer you our lowest interest rates.”

Harriet stiffly forced a laugh, “Ha-ha,” and shook his hand.

But instead of a normal handshake, the Earl bent and brushed a polite, symbolic kiss over the back of her hand—showing her the utmost respect.

Cedric, however, undercut the moment in a cool voice.

“I’m afraid I’ve already claimed her.”

“Well, even if the Kailas family is investing, sometimes there’s still need for additional funding.”

“No. That won’t be necessary.”

At that, Alberman’s gaze sharpened slightly.

Most entrepreneurs worked with multiple investors. Unless you had an unbelievably wealthy backer, you usually had to gather funds from several sources, often combining it with a bank loan.

For Cedric to declare that no bank funding would ever be necessary… it meant he was investing an enormous amount.

“My apologies. I hope I haven’t made a mistake.”

Harriet shivered at the sudden change in Alberman’s tone—more deferential, more respectful.

An economic giant like him, known across the Empire, apologizing to me? For nothing at all?

She didn’t know how to respond, so she darted a glance at Cedric. He was watching her with soft eyes.

That’s right… Cedric Kailas is an even greater giant than Robert Alberman.

Only now did she fully grasp the weight of the man beside her.

When she had first approached Cedric for investment, she had been brimming with courage, as if going to battle. She had stood stubbornly before him, never cowed.

But here she was, trembling before Alberman.

But Alberman is still beneath Cedric, isn’t he?

Realizing that, Harriet forced her shoulders to relax and lifted her chin naturally.

“Of course not. If you ever doubted me or dismissed me, it would only be because I haven’t made my name known yet.”

“I swear I’ve never done such a thing.”

He waved his hands with a hearty laugh. He seemed warmer now, more familiar, than when they’d first greeted each other.

His grandfatherly smile was kind, but Harriet finally understood.

These men… they shape their image however they need, depending on the situation.

If he were truly soft-hearted, he wouldn’t own the Empire’s greatest bank. Beneath the charm, he must be ruthless and cold, ready to hand over defaulters to loan sharks without a second thought.

Cedric’s words echoed in her mind—his “welcome to the world of crime.”

It probably hadn’t been a joke.

Strengthening her resolve, Harriet smiled sweetly. If she looked naïve here, she’d only become prey.

“Just a joke. I look forward to working with you, Lord Alberman.”

“And I with you, my dear. Hahaha!”

After exchanging the customary cheek-kisses, she stepped back. That was when she saw Tez approaching—apparently he’d come looking for her after she had been gone too long.

“There you are, Miss Harriet.”

Harriet gave him an awkward smile, only for Tez’s eyes to shift toward Cedric.

“And this gentleman… it seems you know him far better than I do. Won’t you introduce us?”

His tone had a sharp undertone.

But Harriet could only give a strained smile as she stood between them.

“Ah, well, as you both know… this is Duke Cedric Kailas. And here, as you also know, is Sir Tez Roark.”

It was a useless introduction, but both men extended their hands and shook, as if meeting for the first time.

Their eyes both curved pleasantly, but Harriet felt an inexplicable chill.

“We’ve met a few times before, but I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced. Tez Roark. Today I’m Miss Harriet’s partner.”

“Yes, I recall seeing you at the polo grounds. Weren’t you talking about Harriet then as well? Or am I misremembering?” Cedric said lightly.

They were both smiling, but the atmosphere was unbearably tense.

Harriet desperately wished they would just part ways, but Cedric instead turned to her with a gentle expression.

“I can’t believe I forgot. I meant to send you an invitation myself, Harriet. Forgive me.”

“…What? An… invitation?”

“Yes. Alberman Bank always sends me a few extra invitations. I had set one aside for you—I thought you would enjoy this event.”

Harriet blinked in confusion, unable to process his words. Tez asked the question for her:

“Forgive my boldness, but… why would Your Grace take it upon yourself to secure Miss Harriet’s invitation?”

“I owe her in some ways. And there are other reasons, but… they’re personal. Best left unsaid.”

That was his way of shutting down the question.

“In any case, since she already has a partner, I’ll take my leave. Sir Roark, don’t leave her lonely. Goodbye.”

With that, Cedric turned and walked away without hesitation.

Harriet just stood there, stunned, watching his retreating figure.

Wait… wasn’t he just speaking with a daughter of some great noble house? How did he suddenly appear here, following me? And what’s this about saving me an invitation? And why would he say that in front of Tez?