# 18
**Chapter Eighteen**
“I wanted to buy it because it was the wonderful new work of the perfumer Myrdone, but Duke Harold had already bought all the rights to sell it.”
“Even the Marchioness Mayer tried to get it but couldn’t.”
“Yes, and I was very upset about that, if I was joking of course, Duchess. The Duke is known for buying not only the things he likes but also the exclusive rights to them. I assumed you were aware of that, of course.”
“Ah…”
I had no idea.
Since the novel was told mainly from Ella's perspective, there were not many references to the hero's terminally ill brother, Harold. Diana was so infatuated with Kayden that she paid no attention to Harold, who often clashed with her.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the perfume Harold gave me was something he had purchased the exclusive rights to sell.
However, I shouldn't have been too surprised—Harold was known to be possessive about his possessions, to the point where he left nothing to Caiden and his mother when he died, and even dismissed all his capable subordinates from the dukedom. Looking back, I probably should have realized it sooner… well, probably.
'So that's why he keeps saying it's his 'smell'...'
Now I felt that the pure smell filling the air was a bit embarrassing, and I felt heat creeping into the back of my neck.
But why did Harold give me this perfume? He even went so far as to apply it himself.
That seemed unusual from someone so obsessed with his possessions. I puzzled myself over the idea until a theory finally settled in my mind, and I nodded to myself, 'Ah!'
Didn't he himself say that as long as no one betrayed him, he treated his people well? I think, at the moment, I was considered one of his people, and this was his way of taking care of me.
I felt more comfortable with my own conclusion, and the confusion in my chest began to subside.
“Haha, I always wondered what the Duke would be like if he fell in love with a woman.”
“The same goes for me. If he is like this with his possessions, imagine how he will be with a woman he loves.”
Their curious gazes turned to me, and I smiled embarrassed.
Yes, I'm curious too. If Harold fell in love with someone, I bet his obsession and possessiveness would get worse, not better.
If Harold were the hero of a novel, “possessive hero” would certainly be one of his keywords.
A possessive hero is great in fiction, but in real life... well...
I mentally offered my sympathy to any woman Harold might fall in love with in the future.
As the party continues, it's almost time to dance.
Before I parted ways with the noblewomen, I took a moment to apologize to those who were once affected by Diana's actions. Then I started looking for Harold.
'He was here a while ago...'
I checked the concert hall, but he was nowhere to be found. Maybe he went to the hall or balcony?
'I hope he doesn't collapse in pain again.'
Although his pain has lessened since we started treatment, it has not completely gone away. I couldn't help but worry that Harold might be enduring the pain alone somewhere.
I doubted he would since he promised me, but to be on the safe side, I hurried to find him.
However, before I could see Harold, my eyes caught Kayden's eyes instead.
Kayden approached me, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.
“…the smell of that perfume.”
His voice was tense as if he was trying to hold back his annoyance.
“Duchess, may I speak with you alone for a moment?”
What more could we have to talk about? I was sure I made it clear last time that I wasn't interested in him.
“Your fiancée, Lady Ella, didn't look well. Why are you asking me to chat instead of checking on her?”
“Ella said she wanted to be alone.”
I put my hand on my chest and bowed my head slightly.
"Unfortunately, I don't think we can have this conversation. I'm looking for my husband."
“Duchess.”
“Okay, I'll excuse myself.”
As I was about to pass by him, a maid approached me.
“Duke Harold asked me to accompany you, Duchess.”
Oh. Perfect timing.
"Let's go."
“From here.”
I ignored the sharp look I felt on my back, and followed the maid. She led me to the park, but when we arrived, Harold wasn't there.
“Duchess, you have come.”
“…Lady Ella.”
The maid quickly disappeared, having completed her task. Ella smiled at me, and the shy affectation she had shown in front of the noblewomen had completely disappeared now that we were alone. Her eyes met mine directly.
“I'm here to give you a chance, as a friend,” she said slowly, with a calm, angelic smile.
“You need money, don't you?”
“Why are you talking about money all of a sudden...?”
“You will need to prepare for Duke Harold’s death, right? I can give you that money.”
“…”
“In return, leave the empire completely.”
...Wait a minute. Haven't I heard a similar suggestion from Hero Kayden before? Is this why they say couples start out looking alike?
Kayden was worried that I might try to cling to him under the pretext of becoming his family. And Ella? Are you afraid I'll cling to Kayden and become a nuisance?
If that were truly her concern, she would have urged me to leave the empire immediately when she found me in the bride's waiting room, rather than trying to make me give up any inheritance.
“I will refuse. I have no feelings left for Lord Kaiden, so there is no need to worry.”
Ella bit her lower lip.
"Why don't you like Kayden? And why are you trying to change yourself, even the style of your dress? I don't want to pay attention to you, but since you're changing, I can't help but get annoyed."
"What?"
I was stunned as she looked at me with teary eyes, as if she was truly upset.
"You should not have turned down the opportunity I offered you. We could all have been happy. Listen carefully, Duchess. Whatever happens from now on, is your fault."
She whispered those words quietly, in a low voice so that only I could hear them, and then she suddenly collapsed on the ground, screaming.
“Kiah!”
Ella grabbed her hair and twisted it as if someone had pulled it violently.
“Please, help me! Heck...”
Tears streamed down her face as she trembled in fear.
At that moment, Vincent came running after her.
"Ella! What happened?!"
“My brother Vincent...”
“Where were you hurt? Tell me what happened.”
“I'm so scared... heck...”
Vincent examined Ella carefully, then shot me a murderous look. His tone changed when he addressed me publicly, formal and acerbic.
"Huh, again. Aren't you tired of this? Even after marriage, your true nature hasn't changed!"
“I didn’t—”
“Are you going to deny it so impudently?”
no. This is completely unfair.
“Vincent, you need to listen to me—”
“I don't want to hear that.”
He interrupted me, unwilling to listen to my explanation. His expression left no room for discussion, and he warned me coldly: “I won’t let it go.”
By this time, the commotion had attracted a crowd.
“Oh my God, once again...”
I looked behind me. Servants, guards, and even some nobles gathered who heard the chaos. Their gazes were suffocating, full of judgment.
‘Of course it’s Diana again.’ Their eyes seemed to say so.
I didn't do anything this time.
“Kayden...”
Ella, still teary-eyed, looked longingly in Kayden's direction. I expected him to be as harsh as Vincent, perhaps to scold me. But instead, Caiden took a short look at me, then quietly went to support Ella without saying much.
'What's going on?'
Before I could think further, the party's hostess, the Marchioness Maier, arrived with several servants.
“What's going on here?” she asked, scanning the scene, her eyes settling on me.
I knew instinctively that no one else would defend me. I was alone. I took a deep breath and began to speak calmly.
“Marquise Mayer, while I was looking for my husband in the ballroom, a maid told me that Harold had summoned me to the garden. Kayden can confirm that I spoke with the maid.”
“That's right,” Kayden confirmed.
“I followed the maid into the garden, and she led me to Mrs. Ella. Then Ella asked to speak to me, but suddenly she started screaming and pulling her hair herself.”
“Are you saying you were falsely accused, Duchess?”
“I'm just stating the facts as they happened.”
I met the Marquise's gaze steadily as I finished my speech. I nodded slightly.
“I see. And you, Lady Ella, do you have anything to say in response to the Duchess’s account?”
“Heck... I'm sorry...”
Ella looked at me nervously, then buried herself in Kayden's embrace, shaking as if she was terrified.
Vincent took her place.
“The Duchess is lying. I happened to pass by and saw her pulling Lady Ella’s hair.”
“Why are you lying, Vincent?”
“Why would I lie? Everyone here knows what kind of person you are, Duchess.”
Vincent moved closer to me, leaning forward so that only I could hear his next words.
“You should have listened to me when you had the chance.”
“…”
“Who do you think you will believe? You are a disgraceful, broken woman.”
The cold caught my heart.
Anger burned in my throat, but no words came out.
Because, seriously, what Vincent said was true—no one here would believe me.
A familiar feeling of déjà vu came over me, intertwined with memories of Diana.
Crash!
Suddenly, the sound of something crashing echoed in the air, and all eyes, including my own, turned upward.
There, leaning lazily against the railing of the second-floor balcony, was Harold. His dark hair flutters in the breeze, and his navy eyes sparkle in the moonlight.
“Oh, excuse me,” he said, a smile crooked on his lips. “I seem to have found your pathetic attempt to frame my wife so amusing that I accidentally lost my grip.”