SMR | Chapter 135

Chapter 135

The Game Begins

“Lady Listerwell! You can’t possibly understand how I feel right now. My childhood dream… it’s finally starting to come true! You’re my savior!”

Harriet smiled awkwardly. “Nothing’s happened yet. It’s too early to call me that.”

“No, it’s true! I’ve been up all night revising this plan. For the first time, I actually believe I can make this happen. The only thing stopping me was money.”

He wasn’t exaggerating. Even a small ship was expensive, and he needed to build two. Morris, once a poor diver from a seaside village, had always dreamed of finding treasure from a sunken ship. But that dream required money—a lot of money—and all he could manage most days was scraping together enough to eat.

Still, he never gave up. Every day, he’d adjust his messy business plan, trying to make it sound a little more convincing. He’d shown it to people who looked wealthy, hoping one might invest. Deep down, though, he knew the truth—no one would.

“That day, when I joked about it because I was too ashamed to sound desperate… the person next to me literally got up and ran away.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “I felt so humiliated. But even then, I couldn’t give it up.”

Morris laughed quietly to himself. “People always said I was crazy. And that day, I finally believed it… until you sat down across from me.”

His blue eyes, usually playful, looked clear and deep as the sea. For the first time, Harriet could see the weight of his struggles behind that humor.

“I’m going to raise that treasure ship. And I swear, I’ll repay you at least three times what you invested.”

“Morris…”

“I mean it! I may not have much, but I never forget a kindness.”

Harriet smiled faintly, watching the excitement fade from his face into quiet determination. Then she revealed the true reason she’d come to him.

“I’m not investing just for profit. I need a favor in return.”

“A favor? What kind?”

After a deep breath, she asked, “Would you be able to salvage a ship that sank in a lake?”

“In a lake? That’s easier than the ocean—no tides or waves—but it depends on how deep it is. Which lake?”

“The center of Tarsia Lake, near Albrecht Park.”

Morris scratched his cheek thoughtfully. Then he nodded slowly. “I think I can manage it, if we get permission from whoever owns the park.”

For a moment, Harriet imagined hearing the sound of oars cutting through water. Maybe it was just her imagination… or maybe her late parents were cheering her on.

“Please start preparations as soon as you can. I’ll try to raise the funds quickly.”

Her lips curved in a soft smile, but her eyes were calm and sharp—completely unreadable.

***

In the Astoga Empire, polo was one of the nobles’ favorite sports—except in winter. Especially in spring, when the sun was warm and the fields were green, everyone flocked to the matches.

The stands for important guests were packed, and others spread picnic mats nearby to enjoy the weather and watch the game. It was as much a social event as any grand ball.

Some nobles liked sitting on the grass, but Cedric Kailas always chose the shaded VIP tent with cool drinks and comfortable chairs. Only those with confirmed identities could enter, which made it easier to avoid unwanted approaches—or assassination attempts.

“The sun’s getting stronger,” someone nearby said.

“I’m looking forward to summer,” another noblewoman replied cheerfully. “Our new villa in Clayburn is finally ready. I’ll be taking the children there to swim all season!”

“Oh, Clayburn’s lovely! We have one in Yerema. You must visit us sometime.”

As the people around him chatted about their vacation homes, Cedric smiled politely, sipping chilled champagne. He nodded at the right times, but his mind wasn’t there. He didn’t care about any of it.

So noisy today. My head’s starting to ache.

Tired of pretending to listen, he stood up and walked away toward the quiet fence area. But he regretted it almost immediately.

The moment he moved out of the crowd, a pair of figures appeared—clearly waiting for a chance to approach him.

“Duke Kailas! How nice to see you again.”

Cedric stopped. “Countess Arens. It’s been a while.”

The elderly woman smiled, leaning on a young lady’s arm.

“This is Miss Bella Listerwell. Go on, Bella, say hello.”

Bella curtsied gracefully, her smile demure. “It’s been a while, Your Grace. I hope you’ve been well.”

Cedric had a bad feeling. Somehow, he knew this was not going to be a short conversation.

Sure enough, Countess Arens plopped into a nearby chair, patting her knees with a sigh.

“Ah, these events wear me out, but I can’t miss a good polo match! You must love polo too, don’t you, Duke?”

It would’ve been rude to walk away.

“I do,” he said simply.

Encouraged, she dabbed her forehead with a handkerchief. “Still, I think I’ll stop coming next year. An old woman like me looks ridiculous huffing around like this.”

“Oh, don’t say that, Madam,” Bella said sweetly, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It’s just the warm weather. You’ll feel better when it cools down. We’ll come again in autumn, together, won’t we?”

The Countess chuckled. “This girl takes better care of me than my own granddaughter! Truly, a kind soul.”

Cedric only nodded politely, wearing his usual faint, unreadable smile.

After ten minutes of cheerful chatter—mostly praising Bella—the Countess suddenly spotted her friends across the field.

“Oh! There they are! I should go join them. Bella, dear, why don’t you stay and talk with Duke Kailas a bit? I’m sure you two have plenty in common.”

Bella looked startled, glancing nervously between them. “I… I wouldn’t want to bother His Grace.”

“Nonsense,” said the Countess. “The Duke isn’t so cold or strict. Just talk as you would with me! Have fun, you two.”

Cedric inclined his head politely. “Enjoy your time, Madam.”

The Countess left, smiling brightly, and Bella was left standing awkwardly beside him.

“I’m so sorry, Your Grace. I didn’t realize her friends were here. I should’ve checked the tent before bringing her.”

Despite her apology, she didn’t seem eager to leave. Cedric turned toward the polo field and said calmly,

“Well, it seems the Countess wanted to give you time to speak. Go ahead, then.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll give you ten minutes.”

Bella’s innocent green eyes widened, then softened into a teasing smile.

“You really are remarkable, Duke Kailas.”

“How many people do you think approach me with flimsy excuses?”

“Normally, men drop their guard around a woman with a face like mine,” she said lightly. “But not you.”

For once, Cedric was surprised. The woman in front of him wasn’t the sweet, angelic lady he’d heard about.

Bella leaned against the fence, her golden hair—warmer in tone than his—glinting in the sunlight.

“I’ve heard you’ve been seeing Harriet often lately. How much do you really know about her?”

Her emerald eyes met his. It wasn’t clear whether what shone in them was curiosity—or something more dangerous.

“I just wonder if what you know about her is the same as what I know.”

“I’m not interested,” Cedric replied curtly.

“She’s been visiting your estate lately, hasn’t she? Ever since Lady Trisha became her guardian. Was she really there just on her behalf?”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve only seen her a few times.”

“Really? But you must’ve met her when she returned your late father’s belongings. What did she say to you then?”

Cedric’s voice cooled. “And why exactly should I share my private affairs with you, Miss Listerwell?”

Bella giggled softly. “Oh, Your Grace. Always so careful.”