SWNOVELS Chapter 40
Chapter 40
HENRIETTA
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A week had passed. A week since it happened–what almost happened between us. The haunting memory of his gaze and the kiss we shared plagued my nights, leaving me tossing and turning in a restless state, my mind replaying every moment as I would often think of how he looked at me then, how his lips felt grazing along my skin. And the words he said before he departed–the promise he let go which made it all too difficult for me to focus that I have forgotten Philip and Yvette’s wedding is tomorrow.
I have not seen Andreas since what happened. Part of me was humiliated because of his hesitation but a part of me held onto his promise. I flushed as I remembered his words once again. After what happened, I don’t think I would be able to face him. I was thankful I was not able to see him for the past few days because I didn’t think I would be able to look him in the eye and not remember what happened between us.
“My lady, the modiste is here,” announced Niana as she entered my chamber and caught me sitting in front of the vanity, combing my hair absent-mindedly. I cleared my throat and smiled at her through the mirror’s
reflection.
“Thank you, Niana. Please let her in.”
Niana dipped her head slightly before opening the door bigger. A woman who is in her mid-thirties came in and
bowed.
“Lady Henrietta,” she greeted. “It’s an honor to be of service.”
I stood from my chair and faced her. “I hope to find a suitable dress for tomorrow’s event.”
She smiled at me. “Ah, yes. The wedding.” She turned to look at Niana and the latter immediately pushed a clothesrack inside my room. It was adorned with several dresses that fit the criteria I had given her a few days
ago.
“Here are the dresses that I made for you, my Lady. Please choose one to your liking.”
“Thank you, Geraldine.”
I immediately went and selected the blood-red gown that stood out among the rest. Yvette was chirping the last few days, trotting around the house, ordering the preparations for her wedding. She once knocked inside my
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Chapter 40
room and told me to wear anything I like as long as it’s not white. I did not intend to wear white.
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“Excellent choice, my lady!” Geraldine immediately took the gown and Niana helped me get out of my own clothing.
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As I fit the red gown, I could not help but admire how it fitted me perfectly. Geraldine surveyed me as I studied my reflection in the mirror. The red gown was the perfect choice indeed. It hugged my torso perfectly, with an appropriate cut exposing my bare shoulders. The dress then flowed freely down to my feet.
The proud look in Geraldine’s eyes was evident as she watched me. I smiled at her.
“Everything is perfect. I don’t think there are necessary adjustments.”
Geraldine clapped her hands and squealed. “I will have this sent today in a box together with the accessories, my lady.”
As I turned to face her, a sudden knock echoed through the room, silencing our conversation. Niana opened the door and I almost tripped when I saw who it was.
After days of not seeing him, he’s now in front of my door, looking dashing as always. His eyes met mine and then surveyed the dress I was wearing. I swallowed hard. It was rare for me to be conscious of how I look however, when it comes to this man, I could not help but have the needless need to always look the best.
His gaze went back to mine and a knowing smile flashed across his face. “I’d say that’s a bold choice of color. I love it.”
I was aware of Geraldine’s gaze shifting between me and Andreas before she cleared her throat and dipped her head to acknowledge him.
My mind was blank and I was just standing there like a lost child, not knowing what to do and what to say.
“My lady?” Niana’s voice pulled me from the trance and I blinked, looking at her. She was looking at me questioningly and I almost had to hit myself for spa cing out.
“S-Soryy. Kindly accommodate Sir Andreas to the sitting room. I shall be there after I change.” I looked at Andreas who was now leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed. His eyes raked my dress once again before Niana urged him to follow her. His gaze met mine and he smiled, before closing the door.
“Is he your betrothed?” Geraldine inquired and giggled. “Sir Andreas does not frequent the capital but when he’s
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here, the ladies clamor for his attention. I haven’t had the chance to see him up close but now i understand the ladies. His eyes are a captivating shade of blue=”
“Can I get out of this dress?” I smiled, cutting her off.
Geraldine cleared her throat. “Of course, my lady. Apologies.”
As soon as I got out of my dress and wore the one I was wearing earlier, I immediately went to the sitting room where Lasked Niana to send Andreas. As I swung the door open, sunlight spilled into the room, revealing, Andreas near the window, the soft glow highlighting the contours of his face as he leisurely sipped on a cup of
tea.
He noticed my arrival and turned slowly, raking me with his gaze once again. His expression was inscrutable,
“How have you been?” he asked and my throat went dry, What do I tell him? Do I tell him I’ve had sleepless nights after what happened? I was too embarrassed to admit to myself that it was because of his kisses. There is no way I would tell him about it.
“I…I’ve been doing well,” I answered and wanted to curse myself for my stiff response.
He nodded and I settled into one of the settees. He did the same and laid the cup gently into the glass table, not making any sound.
“What about you?” I inquired and fought the trembling of my hands as I poured myself some tea. I felt his gaze on my hand and I heard him let out a low chuckle.
“Are you nervous around me, Henrietta?”
My eyes were wide as I looked at him. “N-No. It’s just that I was in a rush to come here.”
He leaned back onto the sofa and observed me. “To answer your question, I haven’t been doing well.”
I looked at him, questions evident on my face. “Are there…a lot of rogues?”
He nodded. “That’s one of the reasons. However, the other reason…” he trailed off and I am not naive not to know what he meant. I did not want to be flustered and embarrassed today so I cleared my throat and decided to switch the topic.
“When are we getting married?” I blurted out.
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He was surprised about my question and I realized I sounded like someone who desperately wanted to marry him. And his promise of doing it with me after marriage only added to the notion that I was excited to marry him because of it. I wanted to cuss myself.
A grin flashed across his features. “Well, we can always have it as soon as possible. What do you think of the day after tomorrow?”
I almost choked on my tea. “That soon?”
He shrugged. “Why not? I do not see any reason for us to delay this any further. By then, you would be able to get what you wanted.” A malicious grin curved his mouth and I narrowed my eyes at him. He waved a hand and added, “Your revenge.”
I cleared my throat. “Of course.”
His answering grin told me he was teasing but I don’t think I could handle another embarrassment so I decided not to entertain it.
I was thankful he decided not to stay long. It turns out, he just came to visit to check on me as the wedding is tomorrow. I appreciated it. He knew how I truly feel about Philip and Yvette being together but unlike before, it does not affect me as much now. Although there was still the pain of betrayal, I could not care less about them marrying each other. What I want to happen now is to get what my father had worked so hard for. After that, they can go on with their lives and I’ll go on with mine.
I stood in front of the door and Andreas was in front of me. I could not discern the look on his face but there was warmth there.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he smiled and I nodded before he turned towards the waiting carriage.
It was when the carriage left that I heard a voice behind me.
“I’m glad to see you two getting along well.”
I turned to face Myrna. Her kind face was still the same but I knew better than to believe the carefully created facade.
“There is no reason for us not to get along,” I said. “How are the preparations?”
“Philip had everything arranged. How are your preparations?”
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Chapter 40
I shrugged. “Andres had everything arranged as well.”
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Then she sighed, making me furrow my brows. “It’s such a sorry state for you to marry a warrior who has nothing but his reputation. Even more sorry to think that you would have nothing in your name as well.”
I let out a low chuckle. “You’re celebrating too early, Myrna. You might think it’s easy to manipulate me but I am not the same Henrietta you knew. I was shattered to pieces and picked them back up, rebuilt myself into a new different person.” I stepped forward without breaking my gaze at her. “Enjoy this while this lasts.”
The smile disappeared from her face and I let out a low laugh before I walked back to my father’s study.
Despite her role as the Lady of the House, she adamantly avoided stepping into my father’s office. There was a time when she ventured in, ostensibly in search of something advantageous. My father, a man deeply entrenched in various enterprises, from managing estates to engaging in the intricate world of gem trading, had left behind an office teeming with records and documents. Myrna, however, approached it with disdain, considering the room and its contents unworthy of her attention.
Little did she realize that my father’s office was not merely a room for thick, dust-laden books and files; it served as a haven that provided solace during the torturous days following his passing.
In addition, it contained the very thing that I could use to get what I rightfully own as my father’s only daughter.
I took the document from its hiding place and sighed, finding comfort in the only thing my father left for me which nobody ever knew.
Only when I marry Andreas will I be able to use this piece of paper. Until then, I know I have to be careful.
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