“Jane is so inconsiderate. She’s all excited about the wedding and is doing a terrible job of hosting guests. If you’d like, I can guide you to a place to rest.”

The criticism towards Jane was harsh.

‘Mrs. Burnett seems to really dislike Jane too.’

Though she had anticipated this approach, it felt good to confirm it directly.

Scarlet smiled inwardly and nodded slightly.

“Jane probably didn’t do it on purpose. It’s her first wedding, so she might be inexperienced. The sad thing is that she didn’t seek advice from such an excellent elder like Mrs. Burnett.”

“That’s right. That child didn’t ask me for a single word of advice about this wedding.”

Burnett sounded resentful. Scarlet placed her hand on her arm.

“When it’s time for my wedding, I’ll have to seek Mrs. Burnett’s advice. Would that be alright? And is your earlier offer still valid? If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to ask.”

“Of course, Scarlet. I’ll help with both advice for your wedding and guiding you to the reception room. Follow me.”

The two headed to the reception room, looking as close as family to anyone who might see them.

“I feel a bit awkward being here alone. Could you stay with me for a little while? It’s my pleasure to converse with such an excellent elder like Mrs. Burnett.”

“My, how beautifully you speak. It must be the power of home education, and the dignity of your family.”

Burnett smiled gently and sat on the sofa opposite Scarlet.

She pulled the bell cord several times to summon a servant. After ordering tea from the servant, Burnett continued to speak ill of Jane.

“Taking all the servants to the wedding, what was she thinking? Such a selfish child, really.”

Scarlet only smiled awkwardly. Burnett was excitedly chattering away by herself until the servant brought the tea, at which point she fell silent.

From then on, Scarlet led the conversation. She appropriately praised Burnett and catered to her preferences.

And when Burnett’s guard had lowered somewhat, she brought up what she really wanted to talk about.

“They make a good pair. Jane and Duke Cain, I mean. I guess the rumors about the Hastings family having quite a hard time because of the Whitneys in the past were false.”

“What nonsense! It’s all true. You can’t even imagine how much damage our Hastings family suffered because of the Whitneys. Even my elder brother and sister-in-law died because of the Whitneys!”

At those words, Scarlet’s eyes sparkled.

She had been frustrated that even after mobilizing people from the back alleys, her maid Lilly couldn’t obtain any special information.

Indeed, the most useful information was always obtained from the target’s closest confidants.

“That’s such a sad thing.”

Scarlet drooped her eyebrows.

“Huh, I got excited and said things I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry, Scarlet. Please pretend you didn’t hear that. I should go now. I’m the aunt after all, I shouldn’t be away from the reception for too long.”

Burnett gave an embarrassed smile. She told Scarlet to rest comfortably before leaving the room.

She maintained a worried expression for Scarlet until the door closed.

However, the moment the door closed, Burnett’s face turned cold. Burnett smirked at the tightly closed door.

‘Good luck, Scarlet.’

Burnett had known that Scarlet had been following her since the wedding ceremony.

Scarlet might think herself quite clever and good at hiding her true intentions, but it was just an illusion.

From Burnett’s perspective, she was just a youngster who had barely become an adult.

‘If Scarlet steps up to drive Jane out, I’d be grateful.’

Burnett was well aware that Scarlet liked Cain and disapproved of Jane. And even Scarlet’s malicious intentions.

‘I like it.’

People who clearly knew what they wanted were easy to manipulate. Just a little nudge and they would move on their own.

Now Burnett just had to sit back and wait for Scarlet to get rid of Jane for her.

‘It’s like wiping your nose without using your hands.’

Burnett felt completely at ease.

* * *

“Jane!”

Cedric called out to Jane, who had just changed into her reception dress. Seeing him, Jane smiled brightly.

“Cedric, you really came. Thank you.”

Cedric and Jane had formed a connection seven years ago in the coastal city of Rouen.

At the time, he had come down to open a new branch in Rouen, and after hearing Jane’s pitiful circumstances by chance, he helped her in various ways.

“Of course I had to come. You’re like a sister to me.”

Cedric, an only child, doted on Jane like a little sister.

Not being from a traditional noble family, Cedric had no reservations about associating with and helping Jane.

“You look truly beautiful.”

As he offered the compliment, he really looked like an elder brother watching his blood sister’s wedding. Jane’s nose tingled with emotion.

“Cedric, have you eaten anything? The Hastings family’s chef’s skills are absolutely amazing.”

Jane put on a bright voice as she guided Cedric towards where the food was.

“Wait, Jane. I have something important to talk about.”

Cedric held Jane back. He looked around for a quiet place.

“Is it an important matter?”

At receptions, it was customary for the bride and groom to go around together greeting the wedding guests to express their gratitude.

So there wasn’t much time to have a long conversation with Cedric.

“I have something I must ask you. It’s important. It’ll only take a moment, Jane.”

It was an inconvenient request, but it was difficult to outright refuse someone who had helped her when she was most in need.

Jane looked around for Cain, intending to ask for his understanding for her conversation with Cedric, but he was nowhere to be seen.

‘I guess it’s taking him some time to change. I should have a little time then.’

Having come to that conclusion, Jane took the lead.

“Let’s go to the bride’s waiting room. No one will come there.”

The bride’s waiting room was nearby. Jane and Cedric arrived there quickly.

As soon as they entered, Cedric looked around the tent with a sharp gaze.

The bride’s waiting room was empty as Jane had said. It was also ideal for avoiding people’s gazes as it was completely surrounded by tent walls.

Being at some distance from the reception venue, there was no need to worry about someone eavesdropping on their conversation.

Cedric’s eyes gradually softened.

“Have you been well? We haven’t met since you came up to the capital.”

Jane spoke first.

“That’s right. Did you miss me a lot?”

“No, how could I? I thought you’d be busy.”

Although he nodded, the reason Cedric hadn’t contacted Jane was different. But he couldn’t tell her that reason right away.

Because he wanted her to be safe.

If Cedric revealed the reason, she could be in danger.

“You said you had something to say. Tell me, Cedric.”

Jane sat down in the bride’s chair. With her hands folded on her lap, she looked like an angel or a saint.

“Jane.”

Cedric rubbed his lower lip. His expression was more suited to someone coming to announce a death rather than to offer wedding congratulations.

Finding it difficult to speak right away, he moistened his dry lips with his tongue. After much consideration, he finally opened his mouth.

“Jane, are you being blackmailed?”

The smile on Jane’s face slowly faded.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, are you being blackmailed by Duke Hastings? This marriage, are you really doing it of your own free will?”

Jane was at a loss for words and gripped the hem of her dress tightly. Her eyelashes trembled slightly.

He was acting like someone who knew something. Even though that was absolutely impossible.

“I don’t understand why you’re saying this, Cedric. Of course I’m marrying because I want to. What do you mean by blackmail?”

“It’s strange, that’s why.”

“Of course my marriage might seem very sudden. But Cain and I promised to marry a very long time ago. Although we were apart for a long time and only recently reunited…”

“Wait, Jane. Will you listen to me first?”

Cedric raised his hand. Jane closed her mouth, stopping her rambling excuses.

She should have just smiled and brushed it off, but she found herself going on about the purity of her marriage without realizing it.

It was like a thief feeling guilty.

Jane forced a smile to hide the turmoil in her heart.

“Jane, Duke Hastings is investigating your background.”

The area under Jane’s eyes twitched slightly. But Jane quickly replied nonchalantly.

“He’s just checking if I have any debts. And it’s common to look into your partner before marriage.”

Cedric didn’t quite believe her words, but he nodded.

Jane was gripping her hands tightly on her lap. She was overly tense.

Cedric hadn’t come here with the intention of making things difficult for Jane.

He came to help her.

So he shouldn’t push her too hard.

“Jane, when I heard you had entered Somnium House, I sent a letter here. Did you receive my letter?”

“That’s…”

She was at a loss for words.

“You probably didn’t receive it. I expected as much when I didn’t get a reply.”

“Don’t misunderstand, Cedric. The Hastings family receives dozens, sometimes over a hundred letters a day. Some might have been missed among them.”

“Yes, that could happen.”

Jane’s face turned pale.

There was more Cedric wanted to ask, but he decided to stop here.

“You’re really marrying him because you like him, right?”

“That’s right.”

Cedric looked at Jane with suspicious eyes. But soon he sighed and turned his gaze away.

“If that’s the case, then that’s good. I’m sure Duke Hastings feels the same way?”

Jane couldn’t answer readily. She had been lying so well until now, but she didn’t know why she was at a loss for words here.

“Well…”

As Jane slowly parted her lips to answer, the tent opened. Cain, who had changed into his reception attire, entered through the gap.

“Jane, I’ve been looking all over for you.”

He glanced at Cedric and then immediately turned his gaze away. There couldn’t be a more blatant dismissal than this.

‘Arrogant noble bastards.’

Cedric bit the inside of his mouth.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll get up right away.”

Even though they hadn’t really been talking about anything, Jane hastily stood up, feeling unnecessarily urgent. As she did so, her foot got caught in the long hem of her dress.

Jane’s body tilted precariously.

“Jane!”

Cedric cried out in surprise.