~Chapter 167~
āWelcome, Baron!ā
In the dimness of the night, John warmly greeted Benedict, who had arrived in a hurry.
But Benedict didnāt even have the composure to smile back at the welcome.
āWe donāt have time. Letās skip the pleasantries and get straight to business.ā
āI agree. This way, please.ā
John quickly led him to the sitting room where Bella was waiting.
Because the meeting was held in strict secrecy, the mansionās lights were kept low, and no servants were called in.
After Bella personally poured him a cup of tea, Benedict finally caught his breath. Still, he kept rubbing his hands together, trying to calm his anxious nerves.
āI believe you can guess why I came here.ā
āIs it about Sir Albert?ā
At Johnās guess, Benedict nodded silently. His tightly clenched jaw revealed both anger and worry.
āWe canāt fall apart like this. There has to be a way to negotiate. Miss Bellaāhow are things with Cedric?ā
He looked at her with a hopeful gaze. To be honest, he was deeply disappointed that she still hadnāt managed to get Cedric to take Angelic. But right now, she was the only person who could approach him.
Bella knew that as well, so she didnāt shrink back at all.
āWeāve been exchanging letters and keeping in steady contact since the opera.ā
āYou havenāt met him?ā
āAs you know, heās been extremely busy lately.ā
There was no need to say why. It was obviousāit was the reason Albert was now in prison.
Benedict clenched his teeth, then forced himself to speak again.
āIf you help save Albert, Miss Bella, the Kingsley family will fully support the Listerwells. I promise you.ā
āThatās vague. Exactly how much support are you offering?ā
āWeāll give Baron Listerwell five hundred thousand dirams as a lump sum, and another five hundred thousand directly to you, Miss Bella. After this incident is resolved, weāll also introduce our heir, young Aston, to key figures. Beyond that, we can provide positive support for any businesses the Listerwell family is involved in.ā
Although they held the same rank, the Kingsley barony had far greater influence. They were wealthier and served under a ducal house, which meant their connections were on a much higher level.
Johnās face immediately brightened, but Bella remained cautious.
āYou applied for bail, correct?ā
āOf course.ā
āThen I have one more request. When Sir Albert is released, I want him to publicly state that I never took Angelic, nor was I a passenger on Kingdom. Noāhe should say that Harriet Listerwell disguised herself as me and boarded the ship.ā
āThat wonāt be difficult at all. It doesnāt even cost money.ā
Only then did Bella nod lightly.
The shock sheād felt when she heard, just days ago, that Harriet had begun exposing her still hadnāt faded.
Up until now, no one had believed Harriet. That was why Harriet had kept her mouth shut and endured it all.
But now the situation was different. Everyone was paying attention to Harriet. Several people had already come asking whether her story was true.
Bella was furiousāat Harriet, at the people who dared listen to someone as insignificant as her, and at Tez, who had caused this entire mess.
āHow dare they make a laughingstock out of me? Just wait. I wonāt let this go.ā
She clenched her fist tightly. Her perfectly manicured nails dug into her palm, but perhaps because the side effects of Angelic still lingered, she didnāt even feel the pain.
* * *
In mid-September, when the wind began to carry the scent of autumn, Cedric finally agreed to see Bella.
He had assumed she wanted him to take pity on her difficult situation, but the conversation took a slightly different turn.
āIt really feels like autumn is coming now. Last night was chilly enough that I reached for a shawl.ā
āThe heat has certainly eased.ā
āThey say itās easy to catch a cold at times like this. Itād be much nicer if you had someone beside you to hold while you sleep.ā
Cedric let out a light laugh at that.
āFor a moment I thought you were pretending to be a proper young ladyābut I quite like how that story ended.ā
āI told you Iād be honest with you.ā
Bella smiled sweetly, then lifted her teacup and took a sip.
Cedric quietly watched her.
āIāve heard there are some troublesome rumors going around latelyā¦ā
āRumors? Oh, you mean the summons?ā
When he didnāt respond, Bella smiled faintly and shrugged.
āThe truth always comes out eventually, so Iām not worried. Honestly, Duke, you already know who it was that boarded the ship while imitating me.ā
Cedric still didnāt answer, but his smile grew slightly deeper.
Bella shot him a mildly annoyed glance.
āOf course, I know you wonāt reveal it. After all, it involves the former Dukeās keepsake. Still, donāt you think it was incredibly malicious of Harriet to disguise herself as me?ā
āI donāt know what her intentions were. It seems thereās some history between the two of you, but thatās not something I need to concern myself with.ā
āI suppose so. Thatās fine. What matters to me is that at least you know Iām innocent.ā
Bella still looked confident and seductive, as if she had nothing to fear.
Cedric tilted his head slightly and asked,
āThen why did you come to see me today? I thought you wanted my help, but apparently not. Thatās interesting.ā
āDo you only meet people when thereās a clear purpose? If I had to give a reason⦠itās because I wanted to see you.ā
Cedric smiled again. He was reminded of how heād once told a woman he missed her, only to be coldly rejected.
āI see. To be honest, everyone who comes here usually has an agenda. So hearing that you came simply because you missed me feels rather refreshing.ā
āOh my, you must have been lonelyā¦ā
Bella lowered her brows and pretended to sympathize with him.
After that, they continued with light, superficial conversationāabout the weather, good places for dates, hobbies theyād been into latelyārather than politics or the mood of high society.
Eventually, the topic shifted to family and friends.
āā¦So my family is quite close. We stay in touch even with distant relatives. When things get tough, blood is the only thing you can really rely on.ā
āā¦Thatās usually true.ā
Cedric paused briefly before answering. Bella either didnāt notice the meaning behind that silenceāor rather, she misunderstood it.
āOh. I may have made things awkward. Especially since youāre having trouble with your cousin, Sir Albertā¦ā
āItās not awkward enough to bother me.ā
āWell⦠still, isnāt it sad for close relatives to turn their backs on each other? You donāt have siblings, so Sir Albert is basically like a brother to you, isnāt he?ā
Cedric found Bella amusing. She had a way of making people laughādifferent from Harriet, but effective in her own way.
āThen let me ask youāwhen your cousin was in trouble, did you feel sorry for her?ā
āIāve always felt sorry for her face.ā
Bella tossed it off as a joke, and Cedric burst out laughing. Bella laughed along with him.
At a glance, the two of them seemed to get along remarkably well.
Still smiling, Cedric spoke.
āIf Albert were to come himself, kneel, and beg, that might be one thing. But itās difficult for me to help him first. After all, he was the one who picked the fight.ā
āAh⦠because of the broochā¦!ā
Nodding as if she understood, Bella looked up at Cedric and added carefully,
āBut donāt you think Harriet might be involved with Sir Albert somehow? Otherwise, how would she have known the brooch was there?ā
āI donāt know how Miss Harriet got involved. I did thank her for retrieving it, at least. But one thing is certaināAlbert stole it.ā
Cedric lifted his teacup, his smile still lingering.
While he drank, Bella couldnāt see his expression, but she became convinced that Cedric had feelings for her.
What he said next only strengthened that belief.
āā¦Please convey what I just said to Albert.ā
āWhat? Iā!ā
āI wouldāve been happier if your visit truly had no purpose. Still, it wasnāt bad.ā
Cedric was smiling, even though he clearly knew why sheād comeāhis gaze seductive, his expression teasing.
āIāve never had a man desire me while being this aloof. Thatās pretty refreshing too.ā
Bella let out a small laugh and nodded. The negotiation was settled. All that remained was to pass the message on to Albertāand then her part would be finished.







Love the story but wish the chapters were less expensive.