Chapter 184 - Escorts

Harriet slouched on the sofa and watched as her mother read the letters about the escorts from noble families who wanted to be with her. Most of it was telling flowery words to catch her attention like they are in old times. She looked at Hardin and Kane on the table as they discussed specific measurements. She pouted and looked at her mother. 

"Mom?" 

"Darling, even the son of Belmont was asking for your hand," Vivien said as the Butler came with a gift. She took the letter and opened it. "Dear Lady Harriet, Wanna go on a date with me in the Blue Empire Happy Day?" Vivien sneered at her daughter. "This is rather straight and frank. So?" 

"Vince Belmont?" She asked aloud and sat up. "Brother, wanna go on a date with me in the Blue Empire Happy Day?" 

"Sorry, babe. I already have a date." Hardin said that made her grimaced. She looked at her mother and pointed at Hardin. 

"Mom! He prioritized someone else rather than his beautiful sister!" She complained. 

"Well," Vivien sighed. "Can you go alone?" 

"Then, I am the only one that doesn't have a date?" Harriet complained again and again about frustrating sighs. 

"You can go with Vince Belmont. But choosing Belmont will be a little dangerous." Vivien thought for a while. "Don't you fancy any man?" 

"Nope." She shook her head. "None of them caught my attention." She lay down on the long sofa and sighed. "This is depressing." 

"It's not depressing, dummy." Hardin scolded her. "You can just choose to go without an escort. Don't act frustrated in front of mom." 

Harriet couldn't help but act like a brat around her mom, her dad, Hardin, and Kane. She's comfortable around them but still, as she sees Stacey with Maverick, Kaisley with Caleb, and Victoria with Kenzo, she couldn't help but envy them. She saw the real love around them. For her, there were types of love. One is in love with a lie. Two, love that is true, and the unconditional one. Those men who sent her letters might be in love with her but because of her beauty, rank, and family. 

"Maybe I should go with Vince Belmont. Since Kane mentioned that he can't keep his eyes off me." 

Both Kane and Hardin glared at Harriet and she gave them a shrug. 

"What?" 

"No." They said both at the same time. 

"He's good-looking." She added. "He's also charming and he's~~" 

"He's engaged." Kane snapped that made her frown. 

"If he's engaged, why would he send a request?" She glared at them. "Are you guys making fun of me right now?" 

"No, we are not." Hardin approached her and shook her shoulders. "Sis, wake up! We knew who he was committed to. We knew that he's probably going to use you." 

Harriet sighed and pushed her brother. She dramatically leaned on the sofa. 

"My love life is completely ruined." 

Hardin patted her head. 

"Stop being dramatic and choose someone else." 

She pouted at him and stood. 

"Well, I'm going alone. No bodyguards and no, you!" She exclaimed to her brother and left the room. 

"What the hell is wrong with her?" Hardin asked. 

"Captain Kane," Vivien called. 

"Yes, Ma'am?" 

"Escort her. She can't go alone." 

"But, Mom. We have other~~" Hardin creased his brows. 

"Let's say that you can still do it." Vivien stood. "I won't accept any escorts for Harriet in this kind of situation." 

The Marquess enters the room. 

"Yes, Kane." Hansen put the documents on the table. "I don't have anything for you to do today since your father will cover it up." 

"H-He will." Kane bounced his head. 

"You need to look good in the Gala. You also need to participate, okay?" 

"That~~I wasn't ready. I think Hardin will do all of the stuff." Kane said. The Marquess still looked at him. "Yeah, I'll practice with him and get the trophy." 

"Good. We should win. There's the Duke of Marduque and Duke of Westeria. They are pretty competitive. Not to mention that they were trained for that game." 

Harriet checked for her new horse riding outfit. Maybe she needs to mess up with her brother's training. She's going to mess up with them. She went to her dresser and combed her hair, tying it up into a high ponytail. Then, she put sunscreen on and walked out of her room. She already noticed that Kane and Hardin were dressed up for the training. 

"You guys, you look like twins!" Harriet laughed at them. It only made Hardin frowned. He knew that when she's dressed up like that it'll scream chaos. 

"Don't you even dare?" 

"What?" She smirked and flipped her hair although it was tied up. "Afraid that I'm gonna kick your butt off the field?" 

"Mom! Harriet just mentioned some curses!" Hardin said aloud and he grabbed Harriet and covered her mouth. "I swear if you do anything bad, I'm going to kick you out!" 

She tried to nudge Hardin but he's strong and then he already messed up her hair. 

"Grabbed her feet!" Hardin told Kane who was about to reach her feet but she kicked him. Kane's reflexes were fast as he caught it. 

"Mmmmm!" She screamed at the back of her throat. She bit his palm as Hardin quickly pulled out. 

"Ow!" He screamed at him and Kane pulled up Harriet and fixed her coat. "Dude?" Hardin glared at him. 

"What?" Kane and Hardin looked at each other for a long time. 

"Let's go horse riding," Harriet said and reached Kane's arm, pulling him away from Hardin. 

"Traitor." Hardin glared at Kane as he followed the two. 

"You can take me to the game instead of my brother. I think I can win this." Harriet was trying to seduce him but he didn't say anything. 

Back in the field, Harriet climbed up on her favorite horse. It was a gift from their father and she loved riding the horse. She also loves archery. This will be the worst practice ever for Hardin. Since his spoiled brat sister is going to ruin it because she's being a brat. 

"Kane, can you please give me some water," Harriet said in a very sweet tone. It made Hardin nearly puke as Kane followed her requests. 

"Kane, stop spoiling her! We need to go on with our training. Currently, at this time, even the two Dukes are having a hard time." 

"Got it." He gave the bottle to Harriet. "I'll play with you later." Kane winked at her and that made her pout. 

All she could do was watch them play, which made her a little left out. So, Kane ordered a few men to let her play away from their field so she won't get bored. And so, the horse riding and shooting game started. She tried hard to make it to the red-eye but she failed. However, she never missed any board. 

"You shoot better than your brother." Commander Sparrow said while riding his horse. 

"Thanks, Lord Sparrow." Harriet smiled at her. 

"By the way, the Duchess of Westeria asked if you could visit her." 

"Sure. I'll call her later." She said and turned to Kane and Caleb's direction where they are making hardcore training. 

"Also, your mother is calling for you." Commander Sparrow said and she nodded as she rode her brown horseback to the mansion. She hopped down and walked to her mother's workshop room. 

"Mom?" She called as her mother turned around and gave her a glass of refreshments. 

"How's your game?" 

"It's boring. Kane and Hardin are busy." She sipped on it and hummed. "You called for me?" 

"Yes," She said. "You have to help me with the letters and write back to them." 

Harriet bit her lip. 

"Then, I should go with Vince Belmont." 

"Kane is already going with you."

"R-really?" Harriet was kind of surprised and it made her flutter a bit. "Did you guys threaten him?" 

"No." Vivien chuckled. "I think he's best suited with you. You can date anyone but he'll be your escort. Your father thought that Kane is the best man that could protect you. But he may not be there 24-7 since he's also participating in the game." 

"Okay," She sighed and went to the desk. "Can we just print them the same letter?" 

"That's a good idea. But I need your handwriting on the screen so we could print it and send it back." 

She faced the drawing tablet as she wrote a letter to them using the digital pen. She wrote each of the family's names and then her mother's secretary fixed it and printed the letters as a few staff started attaching it with their wax seal. 

"Why won't you freshen up and pack up a little?" Vivien takes her daughter to her room. 

"Are you going with me?" She asked. 

"Yes, of course. It's been a while since I last saw your sister." 

Harriet was never jealous of Victoria because of her mom. She liked having her as a sister. She took a quick shower and helped her mother with what to wear. Every month, her mom wanted to spend a week with Victoria and so, she tagged along and checked other businesses in Westeria. 

"So, are you good with Kane?" Vivien asked her loving daughter. 

"Yes," Harriet said. "He's a dear friend and I am comfortable with him." 

"That's good. I feel fine with him around you. I think he likes you so much." Vivien grinned. Harriet pouted and slumped on the sofa. 

"You think so, mom?" She sighed. "He only thought of me like a little sister and a little lady to protect. I can take care of myself, really." 

"So, you like him." Vivien teased her. 

"Who wouldn't? But I am sure that he's already in love with someone else.." She said with a heavy heart.