# 39 -
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After checking her reflection in the small mirror, Lydia put it back in her bag.
“Anita, you can come back in the car.”
Lydia said to Anita sitting in front of her.
After Syrete ran away in tears, Lydia also left the duchy.
She thought that, as a friend, she should help Seret since she was upset about the wedding ring.
She had to tell Yuan that Seret didn't like the ring — that way, the “gift” she had prepared would reach Seret as it should.
Once the gift arrives, Yuan will want to stay with her again.
So it was better to return the cart.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
"Not outside, Anita. Don't call me that in front of people. How many times do I have to tell you to be careful?"
Lydia frowned. How long will this girl remain this stupid? She didn't want to hit her again.
“I'm sorry.”
Anita said fearfully, and quickly bowed down in apology.
Lydia looked at her with distaste, then got off the carriage.
She stood in front of a three-story building—Yuan's office, where he ran all the Frecktwister family's business.
Lidya had never visited Yuan's workplace before.
Her heart trembled slightly as she stepped inside.
As soon as she entered, she met Derek, Yuan's assistant.
He recognized her immediately, and offered with a polite bow.
“Have you come to meet the Duke?”
“Yes, I came to see Yuan.”
Lydia nodded.
Derek led her straight to Yuan's office.
Lydia tried to calm her racing heart, and a graceful smile appeared on her lips.
***
Yuan looked up with a puzzled expression when Lidya entered the office. She was the last person he expected to see.
He stood up and gestured for her to sit on the couch. Derek said he would bring tea, then left the room.
“My surprise visit must have surprised you.”
At her words, Yuan silently nodded.
His gesture was so sincere that Lydya's lips curled up lightly. She felt a prick in her chest, and her voice came out a little sharper.
“I came because of Seret.”
“Seret? You mean my fiancée?”
Upon hearing the name, Yuan straightened up and sat attentively. He fixed his gaze on her, ready to listen.
Lydia's brow furrowed slightly. He seemed too interested in Seret, and that alone ruined her mood.
She suppressed her annoyance and continued, “Seret was very upset. I think I was the reason in some way. I felt guilty, so I came to see you.”
"What happened?"
Yuan's face froze, his features shrinking with worry.
Did something happen between them?
Seeing the worry in his eyes, Lydya forced a faint smile on her lips. Why does he look like this because of that insignificant woman?
She felt bitterness creep into her chest. As if she no longer meant anything to him.
“It's about the wedding ring.”
“Wedding ring?”
Yuan tilted his head slightly, questioningly.
"She was crying because it was a sapphire and not a diamond. She said she had been told that if the ring was not a diamond it was worthless. She was frustrated... and sad because it looked cheap."
“She said it was you who chose the sapphire. I tried to convince her that you had a reason for it, but she wouldn’t calm down. Why did you do that, Yuan?”
Yuan rubbed his chin, his brows furrowed. He was sure she had liked it before. Where did you hear this nonsense about diamonds?
She wants a divorce, and yet she makes a fuss over the ring? You won't wear it long anyway.
“You should reassure her, Yuan,” Lydia said gently, observing his features. “I’m sure you have a reason, but Seret doesn’t understand.”
His brow remained tense, his tension not diminishing. He is upset. Of course it is. What man would he be after he heard this?
“I chose the sapphire blue because I wanted it to match the color of her eyes,” he finally said.
“What?...so romantic.”
Lydia froze for a moment. Then she muttered in astonishment, “I didn’t imagine him being the type to care about such details...but he did it for her.”
This shocked her deeply.
He said: “I will explain to her myself.”
“I'll come with you. Seret is so sad, I can't ignore her. She's my friend.”
“No need, Miss Elliot, you'd better get back to the palace before it gets dark.”
His voice was firm.
Lydia stopped in her tracks. No... not like that. If he sends me now, everything will fall apart.
“Actually, Seret asked me to stay with her,” she said quickly. “She said she wanted to ask you herself, but she doesn’t have the courage.”
Yuan was silent for a long moment, thinking. Then he finally said, “…Okay. Let’s go together.”
Get up immediately. When Derek returned with the tea, he waved his hand at him to return it, then returned to his office to collect his papers.
Lydia followed him with eyes full of satisfaction. Everything is going exactly as I planned.
She left the office and followed Yuan towards the carriage. During the trip to the palace, Lydia would steal glances at him from time to time, while he was reading the papers in his hands.
He didn't look at her once. His eyes did not stray from the documents. Lydia's features turned sad.
She missed Yuan who was smiling and playing with her. Who was calling her name tenderly. In those days, she thought he was hers alone.
But as the years passed, distance began to creep between them. Stop calling her “Lydia.” And stop treating her as a friend.
He always listened to my words... but since his engagement to Seret, he has completely changed.
Her eyes filled with tears.
When he heard her soft gasp, Yuan finally looked up.
“Miss Elliot?”
He furrowed his eyebrows slightly as he looked at her.
“Yuan… can’t we go back to how we were?”
Lydia said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Yuan sighed softly and gave her a tissue. She took it and wiped her tears.
“It hurts, Yuan... I've been feeling so distant from me lately.”
It's all because of that woman, Seret Enohatir. If it weren't for her, Yuan would still be mine.
A look of confusion appeared on Yuan's face, and he closed his papers.
“Sorry... I just felt nostalgic for our childhood days.”
Lydia said, her voice cracking, as she sniffled.
Yuan was not relieved. He always hated seeing Lydia cry.
She was always the girl that everyone loved, and when she cried, he felt like a terrible person.
Even now, he feels the same way. The whole situation was stressful.
It was tiring to comfort her like he had done in the past.
After a moment of silence, he said quietly: “We are adults now.”
“But we're still friends, right?”
Lydia gripped the handkerchief tightly.
“I have a fiancée, and soon you will have one too. There is no need to create misunderstandings.”
“I…”
Lydia bit her lip. I will wait. I will wait for years...until the day Seret Enwhatir leaves.
“It's better for both of us. So don't cry like a baby anymore.”
Yuan said with a calm voice and a deadpan face.
There was a certain distress in his tone that made Lydia shiver. Are you bored of me? Because of her?
She bit her lip angrily. She was hurt, angry, but she forced herself to be patient.
Soon, Yuan will see the truth about her. That thought alone consoled her.
decent. He will soon lose interest in her. A slight smile appeared on her lips as she imagined what would happen next.
The carriage arrived at the ducal palace. Lidya followed Yuan inside.
“Welcome back, Your Highness.” The butler welcomed them into the hall.
At that moment, Seret appeared quickly descending the stairs. Her face was pale. Lydia looked at her with a face full of satisfaction.
“Yuan, Lidya.” Seret looked between them. Her weak smile quickly disappeared.
“Is there anything worrying you?” Yuan asked her with obvious concern.
The gentleness in his voice—so different from his tone with her—made Lydia's jaw clench.
“Yuan…what should I do?” Seret said, her voice trembling.
“What's wrong?” Yuan grabbed her arm.
“The ring…the wedding ring is gone.”
"Disappeared? What do you mean?"
"The wedding ring I put in the drawer...is gone. I searched everywhere. The party is very close, what should I do?" Seret covered her face with her hands and sighed.
“Did you research well?”
“I looked everywhere. No trace of it. I showed Lydia the ring, put it back in the drawer safely, and now it’s gone.”
Seret looked at Lydia with a look full of silent accusation.
Yes, this is it. Keep looking at me like that, Seret. The more you doubt, the more you lose. Dig your own grave.
Lydia smiled inwardly, but showed a regretful face.
“I'm sorry, Seret. I shouldn't have asked to see him.”
“…Are you really sorry?” Seret asked in a sharp tone.
Lydia's eyes sparkled. I took the bait.
“Of course. I feel bad that the ring was lost because of me. Sorry, Yuan.” She said submissively, looking down.
“It's not Miss Elliot's fault.” Yuan said sternly.
“It is. Seret lost the ring because of me. Please don’t be too hard on her.” Lydia said with teary eyes.
She wiped her tears with Yuan's handkerchief—the same one he had given her in the carriage—to make sure Siret saw him.
“Lidya, can I ask you something?” Seret said coldly, straightening up in her place.
That challenge in her gaze made Lydia's lips curl lightly. amazing. Stupid goes exactly as I want.
“Of course, Seret.”
“Did you come into my room today?”
“Me? Why should I enter your room? Oh, Seret, you don’t mean to doubt me, do you?”
Yes, this is it. Keep going. They accused me in front of Yuan. Say I stole your ring. Help yourself.
Lydia pretended to be surprised, but inside she was smiling.
Everything is going exactly as you planned.
Through Anita, she orders the transplanted maid at Freaktwister Mansion to steal the ring — and later return it.
She asked her to tell Syrett that she saw Lydia Elliot leave the room with the ring in her hand.
In this way, Sereret would directly accuse her in front of Yuan.
What a fool you are, Seret, you make it so easy for me.
“…No, I didn’t mean that. Sorry, Lydia.” Seret quickly backed away.
Lydia looked at Yuan with suppressed anger. No, not now. Don't back down now.
But then, Hannah shouted from beside Sirett: “An apology must be made to Miss!”
The shy maid, who was said to hate attention, stared boldly at Lydia's face. Shy? How shy is this? Lydia almost slapped her.
But this rebellion was welcome. The more rude Seret's maid looked, the better.
"Anne said she saw Miss Elliott take my missy's ring! I heard it myself!" Hannah screamed.
“What's that noise?” Mrs. Oxenbury appeared at that moment, with an annoyed face.
excellent. Everything is going as it should. Lydia smiled inwardly.
"No, Yuan, I swear I didn't! Why would I steal Seret's ring?" Lydia said as she grabbed his arm with tears in her eyes.
While she was acting, Hannah came forward and grabbed Lydia's bag.
"Let me see this bag. You were carrying it earlier, right? I want to see what's inside it." She said looking directly at her.
How dare you look at me like that? Lydia almost forced her to kneel, but she held on. She had to look weak in front of Yuan and Mrs. Oxenbury.
“Hannah, stop. Don’t do this.” Seret said faintly, without really stopping her.
“What audacity! Stop now!” cried Mrs. Oxenbury in a stern tone—but Hannah had already snatched up the bag.
In fact, Lydia had almost let her take it.
Hannah opened it and turned it upside down.
Lydia's belongings were scattered on the marble floor;
Hand mirror. Small perfume bottle. Lipstick. And Seret's wedding ring.
The sapphire tinkled softly, rolling and sparkling on the polished marble.
Seret's eyes turned to him. She smiled a small, barely noticeable smile.
"I've found it, miss. The wedding ring—here it is!" Hannah said as she bent down to pick it up.
M...what?
Lydia froze, her face completely pale.
Something that shouldn't have been there… was inside her bag.