IDMLG 10

Chapter 10

Hmm… now that I’ve said it all out loud, don’t I sound like such trash?

After speaking so confidently, embarrassment started to creep in when I thought about my past actions, and I even felt sorry toward him.

Of course, I had my reasons, but the best way from the start would’ve been to show absolutely no interest in Rixion Luhanes and just end the blind date.

But I couldn’t do that. Because I was afraid that, in the process, things might spiral into a situation I didn’t want.

Honestly, I couldn’t be a hundred percent certain there was zero chance Rixion Luhanes might somehow develop an interest in me.

After all, wasn’t that the common cliché in romance novels?

The perfect, arrogant male lead who has always lived for himself, suddenly meeting—for the first time in his life—a female lead who shows no interest in him. His curiosity grows, and that curiosity eventually develops into love.

I only wanted to prevent that cliché from ever happening, but somehow, things got twisted.

“In the end, all that effort, and this is how it turned out.”

Suppressing a sigh, I bowed politely toward Rixion Luhanes.

It wasn’t out of fear of what he might do or the backlash I might face. It was a sincere apology—a reflection of my own behavior.

“Forgive me, but I hope there won’t be any more sudden contacts like today. I’d like it if we never met privately again. Once more, I truly apologize.”

But this time, he didn’t respond right away.

‘…Why isn’t he saying anything?’

Nervously darting my eyes, I timidly lifted my head.

Rixion Luhanes was lost in thought, but when our eyes met, he gave me a faint smile.

“I see. Very well.”

Thank goodness. Did that mean he accepted it?

Seeing him respond so calmly, without a hint of anger, I felt slightly relieved.

“But… is it really okay to just say all that so honestly?”

His eyes, still full of curiosity, locked directly onto mine.

“What if, after hearing that, I become even more interested in Lady Christener?”

My momentary relief froze.

‘Well… I actually considered that possibility…’

But what’s spilled is spilled; I couldn’t take it back now.

While I fidgeted, my expression uneasy, a brief chuckle brushed past my ear.

“…I’m joking.”

Rixion spoke with a light laugh, then let the smile slip from his face.

“I understand what you mean, Lady Christener. You don’t need to feel so guilty.”

Then, with surprising seriousness, he placed his right hand over his heart and bowed his head slightly.

“I’ve been very discourteous. I didn’t realize my words and actions toward you were such a burden. I apologize.”

I was stunned.

First, by the fact that he even joked with me.
And second, seeing him bow before me in apology.

I stared blankly, wondering if maybe I’d misjudged Rixion Luhanes all this time.

Did I miss something in the original story?
Before he met Ji Eun-ha, was he actually a somewhat reasonable man who could hold a proper conversation?

Had I been too quick to judge him as irrational and violent, just because of the extreme scenes shown in the novel?

“Would Lady Christener be willing to accept my apology?”

As I reevaluated him, he suddenly extended his hand with a smile.

A handshake?

Without thinking, I reached out. His large hand met mine, clasping firmly, completely enveloping my smaller hand.

That unfamiliar sensation made me shrink back slightly, and for some reason, my chest felt… a little uncomfortable.

Just as I was about to pull away, his grip tightened.

“…May I ask just one more thing?”

“Huh?” Startled, I looked up. He smiled again, eyes curving beautifully.

“I’ve always wondered why you go to such lengths to avoid entangling yourself with anyone. Almost as if you have some special reason.”

I blinked, baffled.

What was that? I hadn’t expected such a question. And it almost sounded like… he already knew me from before.

“Have we met somewhere before this blind date?”

“No. Well… you could say not exactly.”

His eyes grew distant, as if recalling something from the past. Then his lips curved again.

“It was one-sided. I already knew of Lady Christener.”

He said it casually, as though it were nothing, but made it clear he didn’t want to explain further.

But I couldn’t just dismiss his words.

Strange. Too strange.

I’d gone out of my way to avoid crossing paths—even by chance—with the main characters of the original novel, except for my brother Michael Christener, whom I couldn’t escape.

And up to now, I truly believed I had never interacted with any of them.

But before this blind date, I had already caught Rixion Luhanes’s attention? When? How? Why?

My head spun in confusion. Meeting his gaze, I tried my best to mask it.

“As for this blind date… My brother wants me to find a lifelong partner and settle down, but I have no such intention yet. That’s all it is.”

“…I see.”

I deliberately sidestepped his question.

His sharp eyes lingered, probing me, but I was too busy combing through my memories to care.

“Well, I understand your feelings. I won’t trouble you anymore. As for the blind date… perhaps it’s best if it’s reported that you rejected it?”

I was lost in thought, recalling my childhood, my social debut, and the parties Michael had dragged me to. Then I snapped back to reality.

Ah—that would be troublesome. Looking awkward, I asked timidly:

“No, um… If possible, could Your Grace be the one to reject it instead?”

“Ah.”

He paused, then seemed to realize my situation and nodded.

“…Yes, that would be better. Very well.”

So that was that?

I was both relieved and strangely deflated at how easily things ended.

Thankfully, Rixion Luhanes turned out to be far more rational and reasonable than I had expected.

Of course—that was only natural. He wasn’t head-over-heels at first sight, as he had been with Ji Eun-ha.

Maybe I couldn’t see into his heart, but his attitude toward me was likely just curiosity, or some ulterior motive. Nothing lasting.

His obsession and possessiveness were things that only manifested with Ji Eun-ha. For anyone else, it made sense he would back down when told “no.”

And fortunately, when it came to me, Rixion Luhanes was capable of rational thought.

It was only Ji Eun-ha who made him lose his sanity and rampage like a madman.

But of course—he was still the head of a powerful house, burdened with responsibility. It wasn’t as though he could act recklessly all the time.

And my own family, the Christenors, wasn’t some insignificant pushover either.

His earlier comment about knowing me beforehand still left me uneasy… but since we’d agreed to part ways, I figured it would be fine.

“Are we finished here?”

Honestly, I’d only come to dig up information and perhaps make a request, so there was no reason to stay longer.

Seizing the moment to end things, I answered with relief:

“Yes, I’ll be heading back now.”

“Then allow me to escort you to your carriage.”

“…Eh? Oh, no, that’s not necessary.”

That was overkill.

I waved my hands quickly to refuse, and only then realized—he was still holding my hand.

“Ah!” Startled, I yanked it back. He reluctantly released it, looking faintly displeased.

The way he let go, as if against his will, made me uncomfortably flustered.

I hid my hand behind my back, throwing him a wary glance.

But he only smiled as if nothing had happened—though his expression shifted again a moment later.

“This might be the last time we see each other. Please allow me this much.”

His voice, tinged with regret, was accompanied by a faintly bitter smile. His perfectly neat brows drooped pitifully as he spoke.

I couldn’t bring myself to outright refuse.

‘We apologized. We shook hands. We can just part here and go our separate ways. Why escort me to the carriage too? I hate this!’

But another voice in my head argued:

‘It’s just a short walk. Just endure it for a moment. Why fight over something so small? Just agree and end this.’

Conflicted, I finally nodded reluctantly.

“Uh… v-very well.”

With no other choice, I accepted his offer, and we walked together.

“Your Grace. Lady Christener.”

As we stepped out of the drawing room, Guildmaster Setra—who had apparently been waiting the whole time—hurried up with a worried face.

He scanned me up and down, clearly checking if I’d been roughed up.

I gave a little shrug, as if to say I was fine.

Rixion Luhanes didn’t spare him a glance, walking past silently. When I lagged behind, he stopped and waited for me.

So he really meant it—he intended to escort me all the way.

Suppressing my nerves, I quietly walked alongside him.

His excessive kindness was suffocating… but I made sure not to let it show.