To The Traitor in My Bed - Chapter 31
Chapter 16. Winter Sunlight and Red Sunset
The officers were accustomed to being entertained, but this extravagant and formal reception left their mouths agape.
Despite the great power of the Antwerp military police, there was no excuse for them to exert authority over innocent people. Count Rochepolie and the nearby nobles, all of whom had a strong sense of respect for the law, were beyond reproach.
With nothing to criticize, the military police, having lost their opportunity to argue, began to indulge in the drinks and food piled up in one corner of the hall.
Bolder individuals, on the other hand, scanned the room like hawks in search of young women to flirt with. Among them, the most captivating beauty was, of course, the hostess of the event, Countess Fairchild.
The Countess spent half of the year in Swinton, so some of the military police were seeing her for the first time. The woman, wearing a snow-white dress embroidered with silver thread, was incredibly elegant. A small pearl tiara rested on her loosely styled brown hair, and diamonds hung from her delicate ears and porcelain neck.
Those who had once met Queen Caroline at the royal palace couldn’t help but think, in secret, that the Countess appeared even more queenly than Her Majesty herself. While Queen Caroline was indeed beautiful, she was frail, often missing banquets, and did not enjoy such events.
In contrast, Countess Fairchild was brimming with vitality.
Her sparkling, alluring blue eyes, reminiscent of a faded sea painting, and the fresh pink tint of her cheeks held everyone’s attention. She appeared even more perfect with the tall man standing beside her.
The military police, who had come to flaunt their authority in their uniforms, were subdued by the Count’s evening attire, which was beautifully adorned with silk, satin, lace, and diamonds. The rumors about him being a coward were quickly dispelled—he looked every bit the dignified nobleman, and the ladies whispered about his tall stature and handsome appearance.
It was fortunate that Princess Sabrina had disappeared from the eyes of the Antwerp people five years ago. The sight of the Count and his wife standing together, enhancing each other’s presence, was so beautiful that no one wanted to disturb the harmony between them.
The Countess occasionally left her husband’s side to check on guests who might feel neglected or to ensure she hadn’t forgotten to greet anyone. As she moved, she crossed paths with an officer who had just entered the annex.
He had red-tinted blonde hair and cynical black eyes. Among the invited military police, he was the last to arrive, yet he strode in with the arrogance of someone who owned the place. It was, of course, Lysander Cottenham.
Deirdre greeted him with minimal politeness.
“Captain Cottenham.”
The captain flashed a grin, showing his white teeth.
“Ah, Lady Rochepolie. You still possess that beauty.”
His gaze lingered blatantly on her chest, and the water dripping from his boots left an unsightly stain on the floor.
Apart from that, his deep purple military police uniform with golden buttons and epaulettes was quite striking. A blue sash running diagonally across his chest bore a star-shaped medal, awarded for saving the king’s life.
The young and handsome captain naturally drew the attention of everyone around him. Deirdre, however, was uncomfortable with the attention she and this man seemed to be attracting in some way.
“Take your time and enjoy yourself, then.”
With that, she turned sharply, only to be startled to find Frederick standing right in front of her.
He had gone out earlier, presumably to join the poker game in the main hall.
‘When did you come back…?’
“Ah, who’s this, Deirdre? A new friend of yours?”
Frederick asked with a friendly smile.
“He’s just an acquaintance. Lord Jonas Cottenham… is engaged to Lady Rosina…”
The Captain interrupted her.
“Captain Lysander Cottenham. I’m Jonas’s brother.”
Frederick frowned, as though trying to recall.
“Cottenham, as in Knox’s…?”
“From County Cottenham in Knox.”
Frederick elegantly extended his hand.
The two men’s hair glowed under the light—one pale like winter sunlight, the other red like a setting sun. Count Fairchild was leisurely, while Captain Cottenham seemed arrogant.
Deirdre was slightly surprised to see that her husband’s height and build were on par with the captain’s.
The two men exchanged a stiff handshake with the Countess between them.
Captain Cottenham gave a friendly smile.
“This is a wonderful party, Lord Rochepolie. Just as luxurious as I’d heard.”
Frederick shrugged.
“Thank you.”
The Captain turned to Deirdre and spoke.
“Seeing Fairchild’s reputation with my own eyes here, I can’t help but think that King Christian, has done the Countess a great favor. Had His Majesty not arranged your marriage, Lady Rochepolie might have spent a dreary winter in Knox by now.”
It wasn’t a secret that when Deirdre Havisham debuted as the most sought-after bride in high society, Viscount Cottenham had proposed to her. Many thought that, had it not been for Christian, she might have actually become the Viscount’s bride.
Deirdre, however, had no intention of marrying Lysander Cottenham and would have preferred to die alone.
Frederick, of course, didn’t notice the hidden meaning in the captain’s words.
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