I Don't Want To Be An Omega In My Sister's Trashy Reverse Harem [BL]

Chapter 207: Fake Mourning!

Just as Lirien had predicted, the Hertford house was overflowing with people. She would have gone to the Vortellion house but she knew that she would not be able to find Mirielle there.

Carriages lined the road outside the mansion, one after another, each bearing a different noble crest. Servants hurried back and forth, their faces tight with stress as they guided guests inside, took coats, announced names, and offered condolences that had already been repeated too many times.

Inside the house, the air was thick.

Thick with perfume.

Thick with whispers.

Thick with lies dressed as sympathy.

Audrey stood near the main hall, clutching a white handkerchief in her trembling fingers. Her eyes were red, her shoulders shaking as she cried softly... again.

"Oh, my poor child," an older lady murmured, wrapping Audrey in a hug. "You must be strong."

Audrey nodded weakly, dabbing at her eyes. "Thank you... Thank you for coming."

Another noble stepped forward, then another. Hands touched her shoulders, her arms, her back. Words poured over her endlessly.

Be calm.

Your father would want this.

You and your sister must now rely on each other.

Audrey smiled politely, bowed her head, and accepted every word.

Inside, she wanted to scream.

Stop touching me.

Stop talking.

Just leave.

But she didn’t say it out loud. She couldn’t.

She was the grieving daughter. The elegant one. The one who had lost her father so suddenly.

And she had to play that role perfectly.

Jane stood nearby, quieter than Audrey, her face pale but composed. When someone spoke to her, she nodded and thanked them, but she didn’t cry as much. That only made people praise her more.

"How strong," they whispered.

"So mature."

Audrey hated it.

Guests came and went. Some stayed only long enough to bow before the casket and leave. Others lingered, enjoying the gathering more than the mourning.

In the front garden, under a wide shed decorated with white flowers and black ribbons, Seraphina and Mirielle sat comfortably at a small table.

Tea steamed gently between them.

Seraphina lifted her cup with graceful fingers. "That Countess from the west," she said lazily, "did you see her necklace? Too flashy for mourning."

Mirielle smirked. "At least it’s real. Unlike Lady Brenton’s pearls."

"She’s so fake. Lady Brenton spread rumours about her pearls."

They both glanced toward the entrance, watching another carriage arrive.

Audrey finally excused herself from a group of nobles and walked toward them, her steps slow and tired.

"I’m exhausted," she sighed as she reached them. "I don’t think I’ve stopped greeting people since morning."

Mirielle chuckled softly. "That’s how it is. When someone important dies, everyone suddenly remembers how close they were."

Seraphina nodded. "You should rest."

Mirielle stood up and poured Audrey some tea. "Drink this."

Audrey took the cup with both hands and sipped. The warmth calmed her slightly.

Mirielle leaned closer, her voice low. "I saw the letter."

Audrey’s fingers tightened around the cup as she smirked.

"You did well," Mirielle said. "Very well."

Seraphina smiled knowingly. "Now that Rin is gone, Lucien will finally open his eyes. He’ll see who truly cares for him."

Audrey lowered her cup slowly. "It may take time," she said softly. "At first, they’ll think Rin disappeared. They’ll search. They’ll hope for his return."

Her lips curved faintly. "But once they realise he’s gone for good... they’ll move on."

The three women laughed quietly, then quickly covered their mouths when they noticed a few guests nearby.

Seraphina pressed a hand to her chest. "I can’t hide my excitement."

Mirielle nodded. "Neither can I."

Then Audrey stopped smiling. Her gaze drifted past them, toward the gate.

A carriage had just stopped.

It was beautiful... simple, dark, with no house insignia.

The door opened and a woman stepped out, accompanied by her maid.

She was tall and slender, her posture straight, her movements calm and confident. Her waist was narrow, her figure elegant without being fragile. Her skin was smooth and pale, untouched by heavy makeup. Her dark hair was styled neatly, framing her face perfectly.

For a moment, everything seemed to move slowly.

"Who is that?" Seraphina muttered.

Mirielle frowned. "Audrey, do you know her?"

Audrey shook her head slowly. "No... I don’t."

The woman lifted her gaze and her eyes met theirs.

Seraphina stiffened. Mirielle felt a chill crawl up her spine. There was something about that shark and its heavy stare as it could see through everything.

The woman turned away and walked into the house.

Audrey couldn’t move.

Her heart beat strangely fast.

’She’s beautiful,’ Audrey thought.

Beautiful in a way that felt dangerous.

"I’ll be back," Audrey said suddenly, standing up.

Before either Seraphina or Mirielle could respond, she adjusted her black gown and followed the woman inside.

She watched her from a distance, careful not to be noticed. The woman moved through the halls calmly, ignoring curious glances, until she entered the room where the casket lay.

Audrey hesitated, then followed.

The room was quiet.

The casket stood at the centre, surrounded by flowers.

The woman picked up a white flower and placed it gently near the casket. She clasped her hands together and bowed her head, her lips moving silently as if she were praying.

Audrey watched closely.

Then she saw it. The tear slid down the woman’s cheek.

Just one.

Audrey felt something twist inside her chest.

Before she could think, she stepped forward and held out her handkerchief.

The woman looked up, surprised. Then she accepted it and wiped her tears gently.

"Thank you," she said softly. "You must be very sad... losing your father."

Audrey nodded. "I am."

She hesitated. "I don’t believe we’ve met."

The woman smiled. "I am Countess Elara," she said smoothly. "My husband passed years ago. I rule my county alone now."

Audrey’s eyes softened. "That must have been very hard."

Elara shook her head gently. "I learned to endure."

She looked at the casket again. "I came out after a long time when I heard of the Marquess’s death. He was a good man."

Her voice wavered, as if she were about to cry again.

Audrey quickly stepped closer and hugged her. "Please, sit."

She motioned to a maid. "Bring water."

When the water came, Audrey took it....and deliberately tilted the glass.

Water spilt over Elara’s dress.

"Oh no!" Audrey gasped. "I’m so sorry!"

Elara blinked, surprised, but remained calm. "It’s fine. It’s only water."

"No," Audrey insisted. "Please. Come with me and change."

After a pause, Elara nodded. "Alright."

As they walked away, Audrey smiled faintly to herself.

Behind her calm expression, Elara spoke silently to her maid.

’Was Rin in this room?’

The maid... no, the familiar... nodded.

Elara’s lips curved into a small smirk.

’Let’s see what clues you’ve left behind,’ she thought.

And the door closed behind them after they stepped into the room.