"You... I only found out you were Mr. Davenport's fiancée the other day."
Rosalind Lowell nodded. "It was rather sudden..." She glanced at Elsa Ainsworth and added, "It's all quite complicated."
"Huh?"
Rosalind Lowell explained her situation, and Elsa Ainsworth nodded. "So that's what's going on."
"Don't tell me..." Rosalind looked at her. The wedding was tomorrow, and Elsa Ainsworth had likely received an invitation too. 'Could it be...'
'She's in love with Mr. Davenport?'
But she couldn't bring herself to ask directly. After all, if that were true, it would make them rivals.
Elsa Ainsworth looked at her, took another sip of coffee, and said as if she had made a decision, "To be honest, I don't really have many friends."
Rosalind was a little confused. Elsa Ainsworth continued, "I don't fit in with their socialite circles. There are some things... I just don't know who to talk to."
Rosalind felt a little nervous. She had just told her about her relationship with her family and how the marriage alliance came to be, but she left out the one-year agreement with Alaric Davenport. That was a secret between the two of them.
"It's okay. If you don't mind, Miss Ainsworth, you can talk to me."
Elsa Ainsworth let out a sigh of relief. "Really?"
Rosalind nodded. "Of course."
"Really?" Her eyes sparkled, which Rosalind found rather endearing.
"Then... I'll tell you?"
Rosalind nodded several times. "You're so sweet, Miss Ainsworth. Go on, I'm listening."
"I'm in love with someone, but as you know, people like us have no freedom. My family wants to marry me off to someone from another family. Even though it's not finalized, it's pretty much a sure thing."
"What's the person you love like?"
"The man I love..." As she spoke, a light appeared in Elsa Ainsworth's eyes, and her smile grew even sweeter. "He's amazing—a little cold, but actually very thoughtful."
'A little cold...'
The description couldn't help but make her think of Alaric Davenport.
Seeing her expression, Elsa Ainsworth quickly clarified, "It's not Mr. Davenport, though, so don't worry. He's too cold to everyone. Super handsome, yes, but not my type."
Rosalind let out a small laugh. Alaric Davenport certainly was cold. She felt a secret sense of relief knowing he wasn't the one Elsa Ainsworth loved.
She even surprised herself. 'Why do I feel relieved...?'
"What do you think I should do? What would you do if you were me?"
Rosalind grew pensive. In her own situation, she hadn't been able to resist her family. But when they forced her to marry in someone else's place, she had tried to fight back and was beaten for it.
"It might not lead to a good outcome, but I think I would try to fight back."
"Why?"
"Because I'd be afraid of regretting it if I didn't. There's no guarantee you'll succeed if you try, but you're guaranteed to fail if you don't."
It was as if Elsa Ainsworth had an epiphany. "That's true."
The faint hesitation on her face vanished, replaced by a smile. "Do you have a maid of honor? Can I be your maid of honor tomorrow?"
Rosalind looked at her, stunned by the offer. "Miss Ainsworth, you mean..."
"Call me Sherry. I'd like to be your friend. Would you like that?"
"I'd be honored."
"No, no, the honor is all mine! So, about being your maid of honor..." Elsa Ainsworth completely dropped her previously reserved demeanor, scooting over to sit right beside her and taking her arm as she asked.
"Of course. I just need to let the wedding planner know."
...
When Rosalind woke up...