Chapter 9 Duke-009

In the cool and comfortable room, Hazel stepped in with visible exhaustion, though her eyes still showed an unfulfilled curiosity. Deep within, a persistent curiosity continued to burn.

Just as Hazel leaned back on the bed, there was a knock on the door. Though she was initially reluctant to open it, the soft voice of her mother compelled her to do so.

"Hazel, how are you, dear?" Samantha asked with a caring tone.

Hazel turned to her mother, offering a thin smile. "I'm fine, Mother. Just tired after a long day."

"You don't seem well," Samantha said as she touched Hazel's loose hair, highlighting her daughter's pale face. "Are you really feeling okay?"

Hazel turned and lay back down on the bed. Guilt enveloped her as she wondered whether she should share all her burdens with her mother. If Samantha knew, her father would surely find out. Hazel was well aware of her father's frightening anger.

"What's the matter?" Samantha asked, feeling anxious. Her maternal instincts couldn't be wrong. "You seem worried."

"No, it's nothing," Hazel replied, trying to deceive both herself and her mother.

"You're worried about your wedding, aren't you?" Samantha asked empathetically.

Hazel lowered her head. How could she marry someone she didn't love?

"It's natural to feel worried, dear. I also felt the same when I married your father. Trust me, it won't be as bad as you imagine."

Hazel only nodded, not wanting to continue the conversation further.

"Alright, rest now," Samantha said as she gently caressed Hazel's head before leaving the room.

***

Meanwhile, in the living room, Count Barnum sat with a tense face, waiting for a report from the servant who had just brought Hazel home. As soon as the servant entered, Barnum immediately interrogated him, "Is there anything I need to know?"

The servant swallowed nervously. "Sir, I saw Miss Hazel walking with a man in the garden behind the cathedral. They seemed to be talking and walking together."

"Do you know who the man was?" Barnum asked further.

The servant shook his head anxiously. "I feel like I've seen him before, but I can't be certain who he is, sir."

Hearing the inadequate answer, Barnum's face reddened with anger. He felt extremely frustrated, but he knew now was not the time to confront the situation openly. Barnum restrained his emotions and said in a cold tone, "How dare that sickly girl do such a thing. And you," he said, pointing at the servant, "don't relay unclear information. Leave."

In the silence, Barnum pondered his next move. Although his anger still burned within him, he decided to remain patient and wait for a more opportune time to act.

***

Hazel felt a sharp headache, and her body was weak. She staggered several times, nearly falling to the floor. However, she felt she had no right to complain. She had to follow all the plans that had been set. No one truly noticed her inner suffering.

In a condition that was not fully recovered, Hazel sat in a comfortable chair in the fitting room of a renowned boutique. The staff working for Duke Kingsley were busy arranging gowns and accessories, their bustle slightly distracting Hazel from her heavy heart.

Several dresses from the boutique's collection were displayed in front of her, but Hazel felt no interest in any of them. Her heart seemed far from the upcoming wedding preparations.

"You will surely be enchanted by this dress," said the boutique attendant as she presented the most stunning gown from their collection.

Hazel gazed at the wedding gown displayed before her without blinking. The grand ball gown, made of white satin with diamond embellishments, sparkled under the light.

"Please try on this gown," the fashion designer's assistant said, bringing the dress closer with pride.

With the help of several people, Hazel put on the gown, and she felt how perfectly it fit her body. Seeing her reflection in the mirror, she was truly captivated.

"How lovely, Miss Hazel," the fashion designer's assistant praised with pride, admiring her handiwork.

Hazel tried to smile, though it was merely a formality. The gown was indeed beautiful, and for the first time, she felt a hint of happiness from wearing something so magnificent.

"You look like a fairy, Hazel," Samantha said proudly, tears welling up. "I can't believe my little girl, whom I cared for with so much love, has grown into such a beautiful woman. You're getting married soon, dear."

Samantha was engulfed in the emotional moment, feeling how quickly her daughter had grown up.

Hazel returned Samantha's smile with a thin one, though her heart still harbored anxiety and uncertainty about the future.

"Mother, don't be sad. We can still see each other."

However, the emotional moment was interrupted by the heavy footsteps of Count Barnum entering the room. His expression immediately turned to disappointment upon seeing Hazel in the wedding gown.

"Is this what a happy bride looks like?" Barnum scolded sharply, glaring at Hazel with displeasure.

"Samantha, didn't you tell her to get enough rest? Look at her pale face," Barnum said, standing with his hands on his hips, clearly showing his dissatisfaction.

Hazel looked at her father in surprise before responding with distress, "I was just trying on the dress, Father. I'll do my best."

Barnum couldn't contain his anger. "You know how important your appearance is on your wedding day. Your face must reflect happiness, not look like a sick person. This could tarnish the Ellsworth family's reputation."

"Barnum, calm down. This can be fixed with makeup," Samantha tried to defuse the situation before it escalated.

"Let me speak with my daughter," Barnum said firmly.

Hazel swallowed hard, trying to hold back tears in front of her father. "I understand, Father. I will try harder," she said with a trembling voice.

Then, Count Barnum continued with a more pressing tone. "And regarding the incident behind the cathedral? What were you doing with that man that the servant had to report it to me?"

Hazel was shocked to hear the question. She realized how closely she was being watched. She could no longer lie. With a trembling voice, she replied, "I was just taking a walk, Father. Nothing happened."

Barnum approached Hazel with determined steps. "Remember, you are the future wife of Duke Kingsley. Never act carelessly with another man. You must uphold the family's reputation and honor."

Hazel could only take a deep breath, accepting all the reprimands. Behind her compliance, she felt increasingly trapped in a situation that made it hard to breathe.

"Did you hear my words, Hazel? You know the consequences of breaking the norms?" Barnum asked with a tone of warning.

"Yes, Father, I know." Hazel nodded weakly.

Those words only came from her lips. In her heart, she was screaming with different feelings. When thinking about her upcoming wedding, Hazel instead recalled the man she had been meeting lately. The thought only confused her more and made her feel suffocated.

'What should I do to satisfy Father?' Hazel thought with deep distress.

***