Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 1.4

Just as I was thinking about what I needed to do starting tomorrow and trying to hurry through the garden,

Splash.

A person suddenly emerged from the hedge and splashed liquid on my face.

Too shocked to even cry out, I looked at the other person to see a young lady several years older than Mariadoll standing there with a bright red face. From the scent, it seemed I’d been splashed with wine.

“What exactly are you after?”

She grabbed Mariadoll’s arm with trembling hands and glared at her with brown eyes. The quality of her dress suggested she was from a high-ranking noble family.

“What do you mean? What is this about?”

“Don’t play dumb. You’re trying to cozy up to my father to get your hands on our marquis family’s inheritance, aren’t you? Well, I’m sorry, but I won’t let you have your way.”

“The marquis family. That would make you Lady Haren’s daughter?”

“How artificial. You must have investigated me thoroughly already. I saw a check on my father’s desk with only your name written on it. It seems true that you’re seducing a man who lost his wife and trying to extort money from him.”

Apparently, the check Marquis Haren had issued earlier already had Mariadoll’s name written on it.

All that remained was to fill in the amount, and if Mariadoll had agreed, it might have been handed over without even that being filled in.

“I didn’t accept the check.”

“That’s a lie! There’s no way someone as notoriously poisonous as you would refuse it. If I hadn’t married away, I wouldn’t have let you take advantage of my father while he’s grieving my mother’s death. And Father is just as bad. Falling for a woman so much younger than his own daughter – my poor mother would be heartbroken.”

“Um, that’s not true. Lord Haren cherished his wife very much.”

“I don’t want to hear that from you.”

A sharp crack sounded as pain shot through my left cheek.

Lady Haren adjusted her grip on her fan and struck my right cheek this time.

“Hand over that check immediately! You’re both disgusting – you and my father!!”

“You, you can think whatever you want of me. But speaking ill of Lord Haren…”

“Silence! You poisonous woman.”

The fan came down from the highest position yet.

Mariadoll cringed, protecting her face with her arms.

However, the pain never came.

Cautiously lowering her arms and peering through narrowed eyes, she saw Jerf gripping Lady Haren’s fan tightly.

“This is unbecoming of a young lady.”

“Your Grace, Duke Stanley. Why are you here?”

Lady Haren looked startled as she released the fan, looking up at Jerf in confusion.

She moved the hand that had been holding the fan up and down awkwardly before clasping them behind her back as if to hide her embarrassment.

“I was just passing by. And since I’m here, let me mention one thing. Lady Mariadoll did not accept the check.”

“That can’t be!”

“It’s true. Lord Haren did indeed offer a check, but Lady Mariadoll refused it. I witnessed it myself and can testify to that.”

(So, he was listening to our conversation after all.)

It was a quiet garden. We hadn’t been speaking loudly, but if one listened carefully, they could probably hear. That is, if they had the intention to listen.

With a third party – and one of such high status and position as Duke Stanley – saying that, Lady Haren had no choice but to remain silent.

However, she clearly wasn’t convinced, as her gaze toward Mariadoll remained sharp.

Under that gaze, Mariadoll let out a small sigh.

“I understand why you doubt and hate me. But please believe that Lord Haren’s feelings for his wife are genuine.”

“Then why did Father call for you? I heard from the servants that you were in the same room all night.”

Mariadoll glanced briefly at Jerf.

She wanted to see how the man who had proposed a marriage contract would react to this story, but Jerf merely raised the corner of his lips slightly, displaying an artificial smile.

(His manner is gentle, but he’s someone whose true feelings are hard to read. Still, it seems he’ll keep his promise not to interfere with my work.)

“It’s true I spent the entire night with Lord Haren. But Lord Haren did nothing that would make him feel guilty toward his late wife or you.”

“How could I possibly believe that?”

“But it’s the truth. You don’t need to believe me, but please believe in Lord Haren.”

Mariadoll bowed deeply, lowering her head.

Lady Haren still looked dissatisfied, but seemed to think it unwise to escalate things further in Jerf’s presence, letting out a small sigh.

“Lady Haren, if you please.”

Jerf offered the fan he still held.

Several of the supposedly sturdy fan ribs were broken and cracked.

Lady Haren averted her gaze awkwardly as she accepted it, curtsied to Jerf saying “Excuse me,” and walked away. Of course, without so much as glancing at Mariadoll.

(Sigh, I managed to get through that situation, but quite some time has passed. The carriage I called might have already left.)

Naturally, as the poor baroness, Mariadoll didn’t own a carriage. She rented one by the hour and arranged for pickup, having been strictly instructed to be punctual.

At evening parties, unexpected encounters could delay one’s departure. Some even took different carriages home to enjoy overnight trysts, so there was an agreement that if one wasn’t there at the appointed time, it would be considered a cancellation.

(If I hurry, I might still catch a hackney carriage at this hour.)

The thought of taking a hackney carriage in evening dress was unprecedented, and she could imagine what rumors would spread tomorrow, but it was her only way home.

“Lady Mariadoll, this is terrible. Let’s go to the infirmary.”

“No, I’m fine. I need to hurry or I’ll miss the hackney carriage.”

“Hackney carriage? You’d ride a hackney carriage dressed like that!?”

You don’t need to be that surprised, Mariadoll thought, pursing her lips.

She knew it was improper. She knew, but she had no choice.

“Hackney carriages don’t have dress codes, so I’m sure they’ll take me.”

“That may be true, but it’s dangerous. You don’t know what kind of people might be riding.”

Moreover, both her slapped cheeks were red and swollen, and her pale green dress had a prominent wine stain from where she’d been splashed. She clearly looked like someone who’d been in some kind of trouble.

“Let’s go.”

Jerf extended his hand as he spoke. Mariadoll blinked at it. What did this hand mean?

Seeming irritated that Mariadoll didn’t take his hand, Jerf somewhat forcibly grasped hers and began walking.

Though being pulled along, his grip wasn’t strong. He didn’t release her hand, but it didn’t hurt, and though he was dragging one leg slightly, he matched his pace to Mariadoll’s.

“Um, where are we going?”

“I’ll see you home.”

“But the evening party has only just begun?”

There was still plenty of wine and sweets at the venue.

As if seeing through Mariadoll’s thoughts about the all-you-can-eat-and-drink opportunity, the corner of Jerf’s mouth lifted.

“With this leg of mine, I’m not good at dancing. I’m not hungry either. I’m the type who prefers to drink quietly alone.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“My purpose today was you, Lady Mariadoll. My business is done, so I’m leaving. Since I’m going anyway, you might as well ride in my carriage.”

“In that case, I’ll gratefully accept your kind offer. Thank you.”

He could have wrapped his reason for seeing her home in sweet words, but he said it so casually, as if it really were just a matter of convenience.

Mariadoll’s lips curved at his clumsy kindness.

It seemed making this contract had been the right decision.

(I’m glad he’s an earnest, kind person.)

The broad back walking slightly ahead of her seemed reliable.