Chapter 228

Cecilia knew that she was interpreting the events of her past life in a very self-centered way. She was angry at his family as if it were her own affair, but she had once been an outsider to him and to the Pierce family.

Therefore, if Logan Harper, who was closer to them than anyone else, claimed he held a grudge against them, she had no right to deny it—whether it was true or not.

“I have no right to judge your personal past.”

Cecilia raised her hand again, resting it on his shoulder as if they were partners about to waltz. She looked up at him.

“Are you offering to be my ally?”

“A collaborator.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist, but not as carefully and politely as when they had danced before. Gripping her slender waist firmly, he said,

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

“…Indeed.”

Cecilia smiled slyly.

“So even if we break off our engagement, it seems our connection won’t end so easily.”

“That’s correct.”

Cecilia didn’t probe further into his intentions, just as he hadn’t questioned the roots of her own grudge. Perhaps he’d already made assumptions based on Christian’s sordid history, perhaps thinking she’d been wronged by him.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

It didn’t matter what Logan thought or what emotions he held. She simply acknowledged it: his past grudge, his anger, his desire for revenge.

Acknowledging it made things simpler. It was easier to think that he had always harbored those thoughts, rather than imagining she’d somehow changed him.

‘It’s also better for planning ahead.’

But, not needing to appear overly virtuous to him, she murmured mischievously,

“We’ll be useful to each other.”

His fingers around her waist trembled briefly, but his face remained the same, responding with the same insincere smile he often wore.

“Precisely. We’re still necessary to each other.”

* * *

The moment Logan left the room, Bernarda burst in, eager to interrogate Cecilia about what they had discussed. She had clearly hoped Cecilia would plead with him to hold onto the engagement, even if it meant crying and begging.

But when she realized they were to break off the engagement, even she, usually adept at controlling her expressions, couldn’t hide her displeasure.

“Cecilia, you foolish girl…”

She even forgot to use her usual endearments, ready to scold Cecilia before finally shaking her head in frustration, folding her arms with a deep sigh.

“I don’t know anymore. Let’s see how His Lordship will respond.”

Cecilia laughed inwardly. Instead of sacrificing herself for the future of that woman’s son, it was better to lie low for the time being. Her father would surely think of a way to use this situation, so she didn’t need to worry about her standing diminishing.

It seemed neither Bernarda nor Caroline had yet considered that.

“Oh, Ceci, what will we do with you? For something like this to happen on your first trip to the capital… I should have stayed closer to you and protected you.”

Caroline’s sympathy felt insincere, undoubtedly masking her satisfaction at seeing her half-sister’s missteps. Cecilia let both Bernarda’s scolding and Caroline’s hypocrisy wash over her. She could handle whatever her family threw at her, and as for the issues between the Heens and Rosencrantz families, she could safely leave that in Nigel’s capable hands.

Just then, a servant from House Heens knocked and entered. Bernarda, looking troubled, addressed him.

“Did Count Heens summon us?”

“Yes, he did… but…”

The servant hesitated, looking uncomfortable, and Bernarda pressed him.

“Why? Is he planning to hold the Lasphilla family accountable?”

“No, not that… His Lordship said he would adjourn for now and discuss matters with Count Lasphilla later.”

“Hmm? He’s just sending us home?”

“Yes, he’s already instructed the stablemen to prepare your carriages.”

“……”

Bernarda tapped her crossed arms and then laughed, a frown still lingering on her face.

“It seems something happened with the Rosencrantz family.”

At that, Cecilia and Caroline both turned to the servant, who, visibly uncomfortable, finally confessed.

“Apparently, the two brothers of House Rosencrantz had a quarrel over this… so it seems any conversation today would be impossible.”

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