IAEOG~

Chapter 9

The only sounds in the dining room were the clinking of three sets of forks and knives.

So awkward…

He was the one who called me here saying he had something to discuss—so why wasn’t he saying anything now?

Out of sheer discomfort, I started slicing my steak into tiny, pointless pieces. You’re not supposed to play with food, you know.

“How have you been, Yvonne? Feeling any better these days?”

Finally, near the end of the meal, Father spoke up.

About time.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“That’s good to hear. I was worried you might still be down after the broken engagement.”

“I can’t stay tied to Raphael forever.”

Father nodded approvingly.

“That’s a relief. I heard you’re not taking sleeping pills anymore, either?”

Oh, so Nathan’s been paying attention to me.

I gave an awkward smile and nodded. It wasn’t like I could tell them I’d been possessed by someone else.

Yvonne had started taking those pills right after getting engaged to Raphael—after the man she liked suddenly turned cold on her.

Poor girl. Maybe I should apologize for what she went through.

“I’m glad you’ve overcome it. Then it’s time to start looking for a new match. You’re of age, after all.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

I agreed half-heartedly.

I had been trying to meet potential suitors, but every man I met came with a fatal flaw. What could I do?

Then a thought struck me—did romance always have to end with a man and a happy-ever-after?

Maybe living alone was the true happy ending.

“What about the Duke of Belmonte’s eldest son? He’s eight years older, but I hear he has good character.”

“No, thank you.”

And that’s why you avoid blind dates arranged by parents.

Eight years older? Really, Father?

“Well… most of the other dukes’ sons are either too young or already married.”

“The Belmont family has a younger son, doesn’t it? He’s only three years older than Yvonne.”

“His mother was a commoner. I won’t have such a man for my daughter.”

No sooner had Father finished speaking than there was a loud bang!

Startled, I turned toward the sound. Nathan looked flustered.

“Sorry, there was a bug on the table.”

“You could have called a servant for that. Such behavior is undignified.”

“My sister’s afraid of bugs. I just reacted.”

Huh. I didn’t know we were close enough for him to notice that. Kind of sweet, actually.

“Still, be more careful next time. Anyway, what about Cedric? He’s only a count’s son, but his family is quite influential.”

Why Cedric, of all people? My brows furrowed.

“He sends letters often enough. Seems rather interested in you.”

“He’s just a friend.”

Cedric again. His presence was cursed—every time I forgot about him, he popped right back up.

He wasn’t male-lead material. He’d already failed the looks test.

“Marriage isn’t about love, Yvonne. It’s about alliances between families.”

So that’s why you married Mother but met another woman in secret, huh, Father?

The words burned in my throat, but I swallowed them. No need to start a fight.

“Still, I want to choose my own husband.”

“You already did—and got dumped.”

The air turned ice-cold.

Yvonne couldn’t have known Raphael would change like that, I thought bitterly. Why am I even getting emotional over this? I’m too immersed again.

“I’ll give you one year,” Father said. “Find your own match.”

Quest received.

At least that meant I could avoid both Cedric and that old duke’s son.

I’d just have to find a handsome baron—or, worst case, a decent commoner.

“But if you fail to find a suitable man, or if his family is lacking, I’ll choose your husband myself. You won’t be allowed to refuse.”

Father left without waiting for my reply.

Okay… maybe this quest is harder than I thought.

Finding a man who was both good-looking and from a respectable house sounded nearly impossible.

“Don’t worry, Sister. I’ll help look, too.”

“Thanks.”

Nathan was kinder than I’d thought.

I returned to my room and collapsed on my bed.

Since breaking off the engagement, I’d tried meeting Cedric and Eric, but both had been total flops.

Can I even find a decent male lead at this point?

Honestly, finding a way to return to my original world sounded easier.

But then… what would happen to this story? Could I even go back?

Whatever. Life as a rich noble lady was still exhausting.

“Marie, help me get ready to go out.”

“Where are you headed, my lady?”

“Nowhere special. Just need a change of scenery.”

I’d planned to laze around all day, but when I ran into Father in the hallway, memories of last night’s dinner made me desperate to escape.

He never left his study—so why was he suddenly wandering the second floor?

“Are you meeting Lady Louise?”

Louise was close enough to drop by unannounced, but she was also Raphael’s sister. No, thanks.

“Someone else.”

“Not young master Cedric, then… Have you made a new friend?”

Thanks, Marie. Way to remind me how lonely I am.

I just nodded vaguely to avoid sounding pathetic.

I’d find something fun to do by myself.

I wandered into the shopping district again, not really knowing where to go.

Maybe I came out too early…

None of the dessert cafés were open yet.

I was just starting to regret leaving home when—

“Hey.”

A deep voice called from behind me.

I turned—and was met with a broad chest.

Wow. He works out.

Not that I was a creep or anything. Just… observant.

He was standing too close, though. I took two steps back and looked up.

Black hair.

“Oh, hi. What are you doing here?”

“Nothing much. Just… saw you.”

So, no real reason. Guess he was just as bored as I was.

We hadn’t met often, but maybe because he spoke casually, I felt oddly comfortable.

Perfect timing, too—I was dying of boredom.

“Are you busy right now?”

“No. Not at all.”

Exactly as I suspected.

But then I noticed something strange—about five steps behind him, a brown-haired man was watching us closely.

“Do you know that guy behind you?”

“Don’t worry about him.”

“He’s staring at us.”

“He’ll leave soon. He’s busy. Why?”

The black-haired man stepped closer, blocking my view of the brown-haired one entirely.

“Then hang out with me. I wanted to go to a dessert shop, but they’re all closed.”

“I’ve never really… gone out to play before.”

Poor thing. Probably too busy working all his life to have any fun.

“Don’t tell me you’re pretending to be free just to be polite?”

“No. I know a place—it’s not exactly fun, but it’s nice enough. Come on.”

He started walking ahead, then noticed my pace slowed by my dress and heels. Without a word, he adjusted his stride to match mine.

He might lack manners, but… he was kind in small ways.

Even if the place turned out terrible, I promised myself I wouldn’t show it.

Episode 49

“Lord Theo, why did you stop?”

Theo didn’t answer. He was staring intently at something ahead.

Mael followed his gaze—and groaned.

“Not again…”

There she was—the pink-haired woman.

“Sir, we don’t have time for this. We’ll be late for the meeting.”

“Mael, you can handle it alone, can’t you?”

“I can, but it’ll be harder to convince them without you.”

“Something came up. Go alone today. If it doesn’t work, I’ll join next time.”

Theo patted Mael’s shoulder and walked straight toward her.

Mael stared after him helplessly.

“You said you didn’t like her…” he muttered.

It had been just yesterday that Mael told him Yvonne had gone out with another man—and gently warned him to give up.

“We’ll be leaving soon,” Mael had said. “And we won’t be coming back.”

“I know.”

“Then consider it a blessing she already has someone. Makes it easier to move on.”

“It’s not that. I just… feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before.”

Mael had noticed his master’s reddening ears and barely hid his grin.

“Right. Let’s hope it stays that way until we leave.”

But here they were again.

So much for that hope.

“Just what happened between them that day?” Mael sighed.

Apparently, his workload had just doubled.

[Comments]
→ What’s with her dad??
→ It’s barely been a month since the breakup—stop forcing marriage!
→ Wait, so Theo’s the real male lead??
→ We’re almost at episode 50—are they really switching male leads now??
→ Poor Mael. He deserves a raise.
→ Raphael’s gone MIA again 😂 someone please make him cry already!