SMR | Chapter 24

~Chapter 24~500a017ec3e71899

At Trisha’s words, Harriet’s expression changed slightly.ae3787f9d011f6ed

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“If you’re talking about life at my uncle’s house, yes, I did go through some hardship.”96088ca0b80a75b1

There was a8740e1cc1 almost a bad6d2ddf1 boldness in 7d936b5ad4 Harriet’s response, ebd9be2a1a and Trisha 5cecf2b62f let out 135b42a6f4 a small 3b611b3a32 chuckle. As expected, d2ddbfeb3f her grandniece 446a2097f8 was not 71b48df6e9 an ordinary 0183402fc8 person.6abf1766783832a7

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‘She seemed ad51fdafea quite smart, 57277770f7 even as 2ec14fad85 a child.’dfc3fe2f9f415673

Trisha still remembered the time 13 years ago when Arthur’s family came to visit her sick husband.416657ee4140def8

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Back then, Arthur and 703df7163c Lillian had sincerely offered 81d127fe40 their condolences and support, 348a17cf4b and Harriet, who was 6f111a4e5a nine years old, had b11bb9346e been polite yet charming.36b0b15f56e28491

“Great-Aunt, this is a lucky stone. I found it two years ago, and ever since I picked it up, only good things have happened to me.”b2dfbbb0bd8dd8a9

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“Really? It’s a pretty stone.”f4b4d0f31211eed1

“I’ll give it to you, Grandma.”dc61c05bf67476ce

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“Hm? It must be precious to you, so why are you giving it to me?”03b008becc6acabb

At that moment, Harriet had glanced at Trisha’s husband, Oster, who was holding Arthur and Lillian’s hands. Then she turned back to Trisha and said, “I’ll give you all my luck. I really hope Great-Uncle gets better.”602fbe2009c41341

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For a moment, Trisha hadn’t known what to say. But then that little girl, as if she understood something, placed the stone in Trisha’s hand and added, “Even if my luck can’t save Great-Uncle, at least something good will happen to you. It really is a lucky stone, I’m not lying.”efca4a47d4affbae

Perhaps that’s why.2d02f53aa0d1f0a1

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Despite everyone believing Trisha would be left powerless after her husband’s death, she ended up becoming the head of the Pellon family, following his will.650d21462c734fb6

After that, 313bb01811 while she e26f6375c6 was busy 3ba14b103a managing both 1335e9ae6b the family f3585b2b1c and its 0fcfe2a3d6 affairs, the cf1e3cf0ad news of 27cb0f209a Arthur and 46d9b26ad8 Lillian’s deaths 1ab202a93c reached her.b0537ac2cfc5062a

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For years, she lost c7ed384d54 touch with Harriet, who 6cc7d7dc98 was said to be e512795a04 living with John’s family. It wasn’t until three 55c39e3eef or four years ago 589e5218b1 that Harriet’s name resurfaced, 02666c6c13 and it wasn’t under 724b393902 honorable circumstances.98edd31f9ea4c5e7

‘Weren’t they calling her 98221c166d a shameless scandal maker?’d81dfcc04eca7009

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Trisha saw 8157c50242 the nine-year-old 9f44ba4eba Harriet in 87b787dcb7 the grown caa58c30c5 woman sitting 32c50e421f before her, ba6f4bc394 who looked 46514ef50c her straight 74d069ed98 in the 96a0b2075a eye. The intelligence that had a533dd4685 been in those olive 67883f00cf and brown eyes was f522c53097 still there.4fd96584f21ebd9d

But even 3e308fd562 after exchanging 831f895b3c several letters, 365b5df414 Harriet had e35cfe8383 never offered f418f8aad5 any explanation a82af9b60c about the 9ec8f90ce9 rumors surrounding 062a309ed6 her. Roxana, who had spent 38136560df five months with her, b004864226 also hadn’t heard anything 6f314c6f38 about it. All she had 44171c506d said was this:df2642dbed93479a

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“She doesn’t seem to think she has done anything wrong. Whether that’s because she truly hasn’t, or because she’s just shameless, I’m not sure.”7a19f079ec3b1b8e

Though Trisha felt 2cd4e2916b she understood the a8327ab4c1 situation, she still 92737db896 asked, just to d61bff8f32 see.b993c7cf24c440ef

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“Why don’t you tell me a bit about those hardships? All I’ve heard about you is that you ‘you pretended to be your cousin Bella to lure men.’”3cda95699bd1bafc

As expected, 93c48e9f1d Harriet’s expression 7269c4d1cb darkened. But it didn’t look 34b87c9f6f like she was hiding a7b939e628 anything.9b7987c8a8163795

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“There’s a lot I’d like to say. None of it is true. I didn’t do any of those things.”d79fa61845b942a2

“Really?”0546ed672658f5eb

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“But right now, no matter what I say, it will sound like a one-sided excuse. So…”a23440e64edc5efa

A sharp c793d2200a glint flickered 8e8865015d in her 8dd8d4bc7e eyes.dc6182bdd756d61c

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“Please watch what I do from now on. When you decide you can trust me, ask me again. Then, I’ll tell you everything.”5581d7354554fb40

Trisha was c97e1f1954 sure she 86dbcb895f hadn’t imagined b022fbf4c5 it.9aadadd9d3eeb9fb

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Harriet was 1562dd2c50 as sharp d6ed771ddc and perceptive fe3afa4561 as ever, 19a6a404fa able to 42323e9a20 read the 083ac848f3 thoughts and f53d3c4737 feelings of 0dabca05d6 others.2b343abad2e05b58

There had c8adfacd91 to be 546071b9ba a reason 904a898b13 such a 7e585cb8f0 clever girl 71fc681dfc had been 45b9d80298 driven to 49c0c44903 the point fb02ca3e51 of public 0f887ef25e ridicule.e1a337067e3500d0

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“You’re bold.”fed5688f1930248c

“If that came off as disrespectful, I apologize.”ce56e7891817533b

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“No, I meant you’re smart. If you keep handling things this way, I might not have much to worry about… but…”0fbba1757652764c

Trisha’s tone 3068353349 trailed off, 1cff525bb0 suggesting she 7a2ca382f9 had something 45393b17a5 to criticize. Harriet tensed up as cc5b45ad03 Trisha frowned and looked 29135e4076 her over.b87e2076c983adc6

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Trisha raised 4351090113 her index 4af639e1bb finger and 1e5e4569b1 motioned up 4d4f5b08f3 and down 3d89c2e524 at Harriet’s db398c6397 outfit.a981ea9e0b87b2df

“But we need to do something about your appearance.”164ee30bd26c3a83

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“Huh? Oh…”2df320d0eb0343c7

Harriet glanced down at 6b01ddf8d3 herself and felt her 57dcabab30 ears burn with embarrassment. She had thought her 40a92c68cb clothes were simple yet 5b99cdac95 neat enough, but now 112fa18a73 that she saw them 30b9e4941c through Trisha’s eyes, she 130f0993fd realized she looked like 401e35a91a a fallen noble just b48dd41ba2 up from the countryside.14c1a17d45bd7c6e

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‘She’s not wrong.’77f58221ed37757b

She knew 89be110ee0 she would d60ebd0000 need new cb3b2f14b4 clothes eventually. But since 4051328ebb she didn’t 93724e71ae have much ac7b78e608 money, she 06a1647c2e would have 052774abe5 to choose c4ff792a11 carefully.0114ecda2b979dac

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Harriet began to 410b121efa explain her plan.876e8d0cdc1e7200

“For now, I thought I’d observe the trends in society for a bit and then have my clothes tailored accordingly—”8daab5386fa15c4d

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“What a funny thing to say.”d753e8b716276538

But despite her 2ac89ab74f words, Trisha’s expression 723fd325e0 showed no amusement. Harriet swallowed nervously.17648bb86033b0c8

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“I told you very clearly, didn’t I? I won’t tolerate anything that tarnishes my name.”eccc7a05b4e2a6cf

“Yes.”fac73ed249a58c14

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“Once it becomes known that I’m your guardian, it’s only a matter of time before people take notice. If you walk around looking like this for even a day, it will reflect poorly on my reputation.”ff046b4f9b6d99a0

Sweat began c8aafe8378 to form b991de1f41 on Harriet’s ad23ee7340 hands. She had only 90951b1668 just found a 1991fc6183 guardian, but if 4c9ae546b4 Trisha realized she ac0d2cdb6a barely had enough 50acabb05f money to buy 9c25eea45c proper clothes, would 94fa9b2145 she be thrown b6e98eb2a0 out immediately?a09a6bd9a46d1175

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Harriet wanted to b05dfe849d ask for more bb71939b07 time to prepare, 7f8039fd37 but Trisha’s stern 6cbd707764 gaze was so 331ca96c80 intimidating that she ece1b437e9 couldn’t bring herself aa64a02520 to speak.45dd18acf28765c4

“Sorry, I… I apologize…”80acb6ce0e0ffb4a

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“So, we’ll start moving from tomorrow. I’m sure you’re tired from the trip, but you’re not here to relax, so brace yourself.”22e18dc47a53bdd1

“Excuse me? I’m really sorry, but… what exactly do you mean by ‘moving’?”3ef7adfc41dabab5

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Harriet couldn’t 24505dade7 help but aa663942bc ask, even d63c47f239 though she 3b187fae6d feared she’d f841a61b55 get scolded 5f473b595e for it. Trisha responded as if 44e1d6d823 she couldn’t believe Harriet 8948094b60 didn’t understand.238e4eba6cac7ba5

“I already told you! We need to do something about the way you look. When did you even get those clothes tailored? Did you inherit that hat from your mother? And those shoes… goodness!”bc6b2d608fcd5c35

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Harriet suddenly 77a60b185a felt embarrassed 36634a472d about her 233f14839e worn-out shoes 3d6801aff6 and pulled 891e8f7185 her feet 204286ea97 in. Although the 08c0bea527 damage wasn’t aae5147a16 visible from d1cfe4920f the outside, d147b4cdbc she still 15e20b76d2 felt self-conscious.8a975819b14bfd6d

“Everything about your appearance is failing! You’ll need to visit the dressmaker and the shoemaker and get everything newly made. Don’t even think about walking around looking like this!”6bd89089818ed36e

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Harriet’s mouth went dry. There was no way the places Trisha was referring to would be cheap, so Harriet knew she couldn’t hide it any longer. She had to admit her financial situation.095f1746267331bd

“Great-Aunt… I’m really sorry, but… I don’t have enough money right now to get new clothes and shoes. But I promise I’ll find a way to get the money and make sure I have clothes that won’t embarrass you. Could you please give me a little more time?”da09967e5f35fd48

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“What? Did I just hear that right?”c4986e9b5589d666

“I don’t mean I have no money at all. If I sell my necklace and bracelet, I’ll be able to afford a couple of dresses and some shoes, so…”21959d90911a5723

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“Good grief!”5945d3f61f3d4b1d

Trisha shook her head 1345adb010 in disbelief. Harriet tightly closed her bfe6ca8252 eyes, unable to face 503e2c6b36 the possibility that her d265e3c750 good fortune might slip b05a14bc3d away.45156fb096044938

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“Harriet Listerwell.”d0f7a59949694635

“Yes, Great-Aunt.”150c3de1173fc0b8

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“What do you think a guardian is?”d18cad9cdc1ba4c0

“Um…?”e6826e37d44b0d7e

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Trisha scoffed.9e9d241ebe29d2d4

“Is there anyone in Genoa who doesn’t know that you have nothing left? Do you think I called you here to ask for money?”4690813613054efe

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“No, that’s not it…”bd6d9e4e4f23a5b6

“Or do you think John made you pay every time you got new clothes?”678b36ace9782080

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“Well… no, he didn’t…”c29d76b9e375de1b

“So, you’re implying I seem stingier than John?”0a9b2eca4ef3a5e3

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“No! Absolutely not, Great-Aunt!”09617f3d62400b2d

Harriet waved b9fa70df0f her hands 211e32af93 in panic, a23dd91fda but Trisha 7d7d2ae971 clicked her ea17b0d20d tongue, clearly ba6756fdcb displeased.200e157bb18d44ea

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“Being your guardian means that, until this relationship ends, I’ll be responsible for everything you wear, eat, and live in. During that time, you’ll be preparing yourself to become fully independent, just like you promised. Got it?”853ce59c1d08bb7f

Harriet hesitated for 55b3d1307e a moment. She felt 10c2d13b5a like there 329cc029cd was something 387fce1ff7 she didn’t 2b98321694 fully understand, 32573c0a05 and before c1caa53b94 she could 71ae43209f stop herself, 0115d4132e a question 43d3dbcec6 she had 07e0a6e500 meant to a45fa95875 ask later ad39ad85e2 slipped out.04b8c134bc53cbf1

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“Then… what do you get out of this, Great-Aunt? I mean, why did you accept my request to become my guardian…?”bc5361e4456a55a9

Her voice trailed off. It felt like such 1dd3777527 a ridiculous question to 22873cb8c4 be asking now.7c778a2d30fe5ff8

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Trisha stared 7abc0be103 at Harriet 8f64d21dca with an e3d28cf65f expression of 1d429b0dca disbelief.b250f32d4badca75

“Do I seem so poor that I need to get something out of you? I’m simply well-off and decided to take in my poor grandniece, that’s all.”7a1f3cb0b06fef6b

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Then, as if she had just remembered something, she added, “Or maybe I’m repaying a debt to you.”7cbe7c06b292e955

“Huh? To me?”80ab0c49f3a83057

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Harriet looked 4655410a48 confused, wondering cb60f6e05e if she 8510de6fa6 had heard d751370e8b correctly. A slight 4d15d1f6cc smile formed 4b84cee57e on one 4691e174ba side of 9a56c8716e Trisha’s lips.5a9259571eba577d

Could Harriet 9043306472 still remember c2240508db that lucky bfa2bf13f6 stone, which 8d91ec023a was still 86ddc5c854 resting in 32bdcc0468 her jewelry 71160ad5a2 box?a1050373d3a9169f

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“Let’s just say there’s something. Anyway, you must be hungry, so go eat dinner. I’ll be heading upstairs.”12e334f2ac7fbacc

“Th… thank you.”662c189eeb2a7e97

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“Esther!”f04c691ea85fb6f6

At her call, a 8d754adb3c maid with a calm 469ee79861 demeanor quietly appeared and 8647af5398 bowed.bf254cac798bf67c

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“Show Harriet to the room we’ve prepared for her. Oh, and she’s my grandniece, so make sure everyone treats her with the proper respect.”76df4fec92e8a9c5

With that, Trisha left f360b13d2a the parlor. As Harriet bowed her 0b1b2e279d head to show her 6611202d28 gratitude, the maid named 7931a31bf2 Esther approached her.c98fb36bad219cad

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