WHM | Chapter 03

~Chapter 03~

“I’ve decided not to break off the engagement right away.”

Cassel, the aide who had been waiting near the horse, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“That’s a relief, but it seems like the confidence you had yesterday has disappeared.”

He hadn’t expected Cedric to go straight to the count’s house so suddenly. When he found out and rushed over, he had intended to handle the situation himself—but Cedric’s slow return was unexpected.

“What did you talk about with Lady Cassier?”

Cedric recalled her calm green eyes looking up at him. The rare, fresh green color, unusual in the North, left a strong impression.

“Nothing much. I understood her. Cassel, she said exactly what you told me.”

“Then she must be a very wise young lady.”

“I still don’t like it.”

Even though her tone wasn’t rude or scolding, the way she calmly explained everything like he didn’t understand still left him annoyed. After all, he hadn’t achieved what he set out to do.

“I’m sure you’ll see her good sides over time. She’ll be your duchess one day, so try not to treat her unfairly from the start.”

Cedric quickly climbed his horse. He debated whether to tell Cassel that they had agreed to break off the engagement later.

‘No. If I tell him, he might go to Lady Cassier and try to talk her out of it.’

Cassel was like a mentor to him, so Cedric usually respected his advice. But when it came to choosing someone who would be by his side, he wanted to decide for himself.

‘I’ll prove myself and earn my position on my own.’

He had to become stronger to protect both Diana, his childhood friend, and the Northern estate where they grew up together. But he didn’t want anyone else to take credit for helping him—especially if that help came in the form of a political marriage.

“Let’s go.”

Cedric looked back one last time at the Cassier estate. Just before turning his horse toward the duchy, he paused.

“It’s not weird to give your fiancée a gift, right?”

Cassel was a little confused by the sudden question but replied after a short pause.

“It’d be weirder not to.”

A slight smile appeared on his lips, thinking Cedric was hiding a growing affection for Lady Cassier. It didn’t really matter if Cassel misunderstood—it wasn’t about affection.

Cedric kept thinking about how Eileen had been shivering in the cold, wearing only a thin shawl that early autumn morning. She’d come out in a hurry because he pressured her to meet. That image lingered in his mind.

“Then just send her a small gift.”

He didn’t want to apologize in person—it felt awkward to face her again so soon. But since he had shown up unannounced, he at least wanted her to know he hadn’t meant to be rude or thoughtless.

That was all.

A few days after the whirlwind that was Cedric Lowell passed…

He unexpectedly sent Eileen a gift box.

“My goodness. This dress is stunning. It looks like freshly fallen snow.”

The light blue dress, decorated with white lace, perfectly matched the capital’s fashion trends.

From beyond the open door, Eileen could sense the maids sneaking glances at the scene. She had intended for this. Nothing shows off better than a luxurious gift.

She still didn’t know why Cedric had suddenly sent her a present, though.

“Why would he send something like this out of nowhere?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The young lord must’ve fallen for you at first sight and wants to show his feelings.”

Eileen rested her chin on her hand, not even putting down the book she was reading. Honestly, that guess couldn’t be further from the truth.

But seeing Mary’s dreamy expression, Eileen chose not to argue and instead changed the subject.

“More likely, it’s because the duchy’s ball is coming up soon.”

As Cedric’s fiancée, she had to attend that event. It wasn’t unusual for dance partners to coordinate their outfits, so sending a dress ahead of time wasn’t that strange.

Still, it didn’t seem like the kind of thing Cedric would be thoughtful enough to do, which made it all the more confusing.

“At least that’s a relief. I was worried you wouldn’t have a proper dress. I really don’t get why the countess is so picky about buying even one new gown.”

The atmosphere in the Cassier household had definitely changed after Cedric’s visit. But that didn’t mean things had improved for Eileen.

They were just ignoring her now instead of actively bothering her—and she still wasn’t receiving any real benefits.

Mary gently closed the box and spoke again.

“Wouldn’t it be good to let the young lord know that you’re not treated well here?”

Eileen snapped her book shut and said,

“I don’t want to win sympathy by looking pitiful. Besides, even if I told him, I doubt he’d believe me.”

To Cedric Lowell, she was probably just another noble lady who had grown up in luxury.

On top of that, because of her behavior yesterday, Eileen must have left a cold and difficult impression. So it was unlikely that Cedric would believe she was being pushed around and mistreated by her own family.

“…But still, you’re going to marry him,” Mary said softly, clearly upset that the noble lady she served was being ignored and looked down on.

“You never know what might happen. It’s not good to get used to relying on others,” Eileen replied.

“But you can lean on others sometime, miss.”

Eileen gave a bitter smile and opened her book again.

“If you really want to see Cedric Lowell so badly, we’ll go tomorrow. To the duke’s house. I should at least thank him.”

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t believe that the Cedric Lowell she met would invite her to the duke’s upcoming ball—even though her attendance as his partner would make it clear that there was no issue with their engagement.

That meant she had to make sure he understood this clearly.

‘If it’s not because of the ball… then why did he send the dress?’

Still, if she went, it would also remind everyone at the Cassier estate that she was the duke’s fiancée.

“Really? But what if the countess won’t let us use the carriage?” Mary asked.

“Then we’ll walk.”

“My goodness, miss! Even lower nobles wouldn’t do that!”

“Then I’ll just start a new trend,” Eileen replied with a smile.

Mary hoped she was joking, but Eileen Cassier was always serious when she made up her mind.

The next day, Eileen finished getting ready and left the house in the late morning.

Mary looked hopelessly at the muddy ground and the hem of Eileen’s dress.

“It rained a couple of days ago. It’s all mud.”

“Don’t worry. I chose this dress on purpose—it’s not one I’d miss if it got ruined.”

She’d picked an old, comfortable dress that she’d bought years ago and had altered many times.

Shrugging her shoulders, Eileen headed out the front gate.

“I still don’t think this is a good idea, miss. Couldn’t we at least send a message to the duke’s house and ask them to send a carriage?”

“They won’t send one.”

“No way.”

Eileen was sure Cedric Lowell wouldn’t welcome her visit, so there was no need to ask for a carriage.

In the end, Eileen arrived at the duke’s residence with the hem of her dress soaked in mud.

Still, she held herself with more grace and dignity than anyone else in the world.

‘It’s not like I did anything wrong.’

She had no reason to feel ashamed just because of how she was dressed.

“I’m here to see Lord Lowell. May I speak with him?”

The servants at the duke’s house were busy moving furniture and organizing things.

In the middle of it all, the butler who was giving out orders turned to greet her.

“Did you have an appointment, miss?”

“No, but as his fiancée, I have something to discuss with him.”

“…Are you Lady Eileen Cassier?”

The butler had looked puzzled at first—she was alone except for one maid, and her appearance was less than noble—but his tone quickly became polite.

“Yes. If he’s here, could you take me to him?”

“He’s currently training in the sparring grounds. If you’d prefer to wait, I can show you to the drawing room.”

“No need. I’m not planning to talk for long. Please take me to the sparring grounds.”

Eileen folded up the umbrella she had been carrying and then followed the butler.

As they got closer, the sound of swords clashing grew louder.

Soon, she spotted Cedric in the middle of a heated sparring session.