# 31
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After saying that he didn't want to hold Eric back instead of her, it was funny to even just hear him suggest that she stay the same
But Khloe had no reason to decline Harris' dinner invitation. After being told that there was nothing she could do for Eric while he worked, she herf realized that there was nothing that could be done.
Chloe looked down, feeling helpless again.
“…Yes, I understand.”
Harris smiled, and elbowed William. With an indescribable smile, William led Chloe
“I will accompany Chloe home later. Don’t worry, Marquis.”
"Is this correct?"
Eric glanced at Harris, then at Chloe. He quickly turned around.
“Happy dinner, wife.”
Chloe replied that she would, and so, we parted ways.
* * *
Dinner was more troublesome than I expected.
Elizabeth was constantly talking about Eric, and Harris was secretly encouraging her
It was even mentioned that once Eric got a divorce, he might want to marry Elizabeth. Khloe tried to refute it, but she had nothing to say definitively because their divorce had already been finalized.
William was the only one who sided with Chloe, but since he was still part of the royal family, he still had that characteristic arrogance in the way he carried himf.
Chloe put her fork down, a clear indication that she was finished eating. However, those around her didn't stop chatting.
They were royalty, but they remained one family, so they could easily see each other at any time. However, they did not stop talking for hours.
Chloe listened to their words, going in one ear and out the other. She had a somewhat tired expression on her face.
“…So, Chloe, how long are you going to stay in D.C.?”
"Sorry?"
Chloe answered hurriedly as the question settled in her mind.
“Oh, DC.”
She wiped her lips with a tissue.
"I don't intend to go back north for a while. I think I'll stay here a little longer."
"Isn't the palace you're staying in too small for you? I don't think it's as good as the castle you've been staying in until now."
“Right! The castle in the north is very beautiful. I really want to go there too!”
Behind that statement was a desire to become the mistress of that palace one day. Chloe noticed how Elizabeth's expression clearly showed her longing, and the jealousy Chloe later felt because of it. Her mouth tasted bitter.
“Come visit us next time, after the snow storms in the capital subside.”
“I know. The weather is unusual these days.”
Elizabeth puffed out her cheeks beautifully, then let out an angry huff.
“It will be better come spring. This year’s winter is just a fluke.”
While Harris was saying this, he looked at Chloe.
“It seems uncomfortable to stay in such a small place. The castle in the north cannot remain empty for a long time. Don’t you think it would be best to return immediately?”
Not only was his coercion subtle, but he kept insisting on the idea that she should leave the capital so that Elizabeth and Eric could grow closer in the meantime.
Chloe suddenly felt upset.
She treated Harris like her big brother, so she understood his lazy behavior. Whether he was deliberately hinting at Elizabeth and Eric's relationship, or when he was gently urging her to go through with the divorce. From an outside perspective, everything he said was like an older brother's advice to his younger sister.
But that was not the case. Elizabeth was Harris's biological sister, and Chloe was just a foolish woman he could use as a chess piece.
Chloe tightened her grip on the napkin.
“Of course, I wanted to come back.”
She tried hard to smile.
“But my husband asked me not to do that.”
“…Did the Marquis do it?”
"Yes."
Chloe continued.
“He seems to want me to stay by his side. That's why it's hard for me to return to the North.”
Then, a heavy silence fell over the dinner table. Harris and Elizabeth exchanged a silent look, while William looked bitterly at Chloe.
No one said a word. The silence continued until she returned by train to the palace.
* * *
“I'll go now. Thank you for today.”
Chloe got out of the car and said goodbye to those remaining inside. As the door was about to close, Elizabeth spoke
“Oh, right. Not long ago I was invited to a tea party that the Duchess was giving. Would you like to come with me?”
"Sorry?"
Chloe was surprised, and her response was also a question.
“Oh... I...”
“Okay, okay. Let’s go together. It will be nice to meet other people again after such a long time. It will be fun! Then I will send you a carriage at that time! Bye!”
Elizabeth has always been this way. Chloe was upset at her attitude, but the train had already left, so she couldn't respond. Chloe had to go inside the house at that moment.
As she reviewed the day's events, she realized how difficult it had been.
It was great that she went to see the opera with her husband. The conversation that took place between them on their way to the opera house was also enjoyable, and they joined hands warmly as they entered.
However, it turned into a bitter experience because they had to meet the royal family there.
Chloe wondered why she was in such a bad mood.
Was it because of Harris's subtle hints?
Was it because of Elizabeth's greedy nature?
Or was it because of William's feelings that were difficult to understand?
No, none of this could be the reason.
Chloe simply couldn't stand Elizabeth. She hated that other woman for talking about remarrying her husband so openly. Maybe she was jealous, or something.
correct. Because of this jealousy, Chloe did not love Elizabeth. But what she hated most was herf for feeling this way about the princess.
The royal family has already fallen.
But this does not mean that their honor has fallen to the ground.
Chloe believed that their position in society remained solid because people still respected them. She could only think this way because she did not know that the royal family's reputation had reached rock bottom at that point.
However, as a citizen of this kingdom, Chloe had to have respect for Princess Elizabeth. So, she had to not give in to this jealousy that was simmering inside her.
But still, she hated Elizabeth so much...
Chloe blamed herf for how miserable she was, then bowed her head.
She entered her house with slow steps, opened the door to find Andrea and the other maid, Rosanne. They said Eric was waiting for her inside.
She thought he would be in the lab, but he was waiting for her in person? Chloe took careful steps towards the drawing room. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Eric standing there. Chloe announced her presence.
“It's getting late.”
Eric glanced at the clock as he said this.
He still looked the same, wearing the same clothes he used to go out in. Chloe wondered: What happened to that elegant husband she knew?
“Did you enjoy your meal?”
“Yes, it was a delicious dinner.”
She couldn't say she enjoyed it. Chloe smiled.
“You look happy.”
"Sorry?"
“You seem happy in their company, I mean.”
never.
She had a very bad dinner, and she felt nothing but frustration.
She was also planning to ask Andrea for some digestive medicine later before going to bed.
But Chloe knew that Eric had a close relationship with the royal family, so she couldn't easily trust him and tell him anything negative about them.
"It's been fun. They're like family to me."
So, Chloe decided to protect them. Eric's brow furrowed, though he still looked handsome.
“You,”
Get closer to her.
“Are you going to marry Prince William again after you divorce me?”
Chloe's mind wandered for a moment. Because she could not understand the question he asked her at that moment.
But as soon as she regained consciousness, she realized how rude he was, and that he had said what should not have been said. She quickly became angry.
“What are you talking about?”
She raised her voice.
“Didn’t I tell you repeatedly? There is nothing between me and William!”
“Despite this, you two seemed to have a fairly close relationship.”
Eric remembered the look on William's face as he stared at Chloe earlier, from the moment they met in front of the stage. Then he remembered the way they whispered, and how that man took her to dinner. It all made him feel bad.
"What part of it? No, instead of just a close relationship, do you mean it's a relationship between a man and a woman? William and I have known each other since childhood. There's nothing like that between us."
“So,”
Eric said contemptuously, furrowing his eyebrows.
“Can you say that Prince William has no interest in you at all?”
Chloe opened her lips, then closed them.
She knew. She knew that William still had feelings for her. She was even more certain of that now that she had spent some time with him again.
But she didn't have any feelings for him. She considered him an older brother with whom she had a close relationship, nothing more. That's why Eric's words seemed so hurtful and insulting. She clung to the hem of her dress.
“What about you, don’t you know that Princess Elizabeth likes you?”
Elizabeth continued.
"Even if that's the case, I'm not doing anything about it. She's the one who keeps clinging to you as if she wants to throw herf at you!"
Yes. Eric sighed, then walked over to the sofa, leaning against its backrest while holding it with both hands.
“She is the one who willingly gives herf to me, so are you saying I can’t accept that?”
“Of course not. That means you're just taking advantage of someone else's feelings!”
Chloe shouted, facing Eric directly.
"You really can't do that. It's very disgraceful behavior!"