TCBCVF 72

~Chapter 72~

“Um, who is this…?”

“She is the Lady of the Ansie Viscount family.”

Right away, Miss Morgan’s eyes went wide.

“Ah, that Lady Ansie? The one they say is the Lady’s only friend?”

…What kind of rumors are spreading in high society? And now even Miss Morgan has heard them.

While I tried to hide my confusion, the Duke added a simple explanation.

“She watched your performance with me tonight.”

Then Miss Morgan glared playfully at the Duke.

“Duke, really? You never escorted me before!”

“I don’t want to start unnecessary rumors with you, Miss Morgan.”

But the Duke didn’t even blink.

“Miss Morgan, you’re the most popular opera singer of our time. I’d rather avoid anything troublesome.”

“Troublesome? You’re too much!”

Miss Morgan gave the Duke another playful complaint, then smiled warmly at me.

“Hello, Lady Ansie. I’m Sophia Morgan.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Laritte Ansie.”

After greeting each other, Miss Morgan’s eyes sparkled as she asked me:

“So, how was my performance today?”

“It was wonderful.”

I answered quickly.

No matter how I felt about her, her voice really was amazing.

It felt like my ears were melting.

And honestly…

‘It’s wrong for me to even feel this way about Miss Morgan.’

I tried to hide my bitter feelings and praised her.

“How can you sing those high notes… I really respect you.”

“Haha, I work hard to take care of my voice every day.”

Miss Morgan smiled mischievously and asked another question.

“Anyway, how did you become friends with the Lady? Lately, everyone says she’s gotten so much softer.”

“Haha…”

I couldn’t say we started with a friend contract.

So I just laughed awkwardly.

“People misunderstand her a lot. She’s not as sharp as she seems.”

“Right, the rumors are exaggerated.”

But only for a moment. Miss Morgan asked quickly,

“Still, she doesn’t let people get close easily, right? She was really distant with me.”

Miss Morgan looked genuinely disappointed.

I found myself thinking of the Lady.

Her sharp blue eyes looking sideways at me, her red cheeks…

“I’m not doing this because I want to!”

She’d say that, but then hug my arm tightly.

I answered seriously.

“That’s part of her charm.”

Miss Morgan nodded, understanding.

“Really? Maybe you’re right. Well, if you’re that beautiful, I guess you can act like that.”

“Right? Our Lady is really so pretty…”

Before I knew it, Miss Morgan and I were praising the Lady together…

But then I felt someone staring at me and glanced back.

“….”

The Duke was watching me with a mysterious look.

Why…?

“Well, I think that’s enough greeting for now.”

The Duke interrupted and held out his hand to me.

“Let’s go back, Lady Ansie.”

Huh?

I was a bit confused.

Why does the Duke look a little upset…?

Meanwhile, Miss Morgan pouted a little.

“What, you’re leaving so soon?”

“Sorry, Miss Morgan. But Lady Ansie is my partner tonight. I can’t spend all my time with you.”

At that, Miss Morgan narrowed her eyes and asked,

“Duke, are you jealous because I’m talking with Lady Ansie?”

The Duke, unusually, couldn’t say anything and closed his mouth tightly.

‘Is he just speechless? Right?!’

I started to sweat inside.

Miss Morgan dramatically covered her mouth.

“Oh my, maybe it’s true!”

The Duke shook his head and looked back at me.

“Let’s go, Lady Ansie.”

It was clear he didn’t want to talk to Miss Morgan anymore…

But then Miss Morgan quickly grabbed my wrist.

“Oh, don’t leave so soon.”

She said loudly on purpose.

“Wait, before you go, I’ll give you my autograph.”

“My autograph?”

“Yes. My signature is pretty useful in lots of ways.”

Before I could say anything, Miss Morgan signed ten papers and winked playfully.

“At least keep one for courtesy’s sake, okay? Do what you want with the rest.”

“Huh?”

“Use them if you want to ask a favor or make someone like you. You’d be surprised how well it works.”

Honestly, she was right.

Miss Morgan was so popular that many people wanted her autograph.

But—

‘Is it normal to just hand out your autograph like this?’

I looked down at the signed papers in my hand with a strange feeling.

“Next time, please come with the Lady to my show. I’ll send tickets. Promise, okay?”

Miss Morgan said seriously.

“Okay, thank you.”

“See you next time, Lady Ansie.”

We said goodbye cheerfully.

But the Duke looked at us with a slightly annoyed expression.

After parting with Miss Morgan,
I glanced at the Duke from the side.

‘So… are we just going to go home now?’

My steps slowed down without realizing.

Then—

‘Oh.’

I held my breath.

The Duke suddenly looked down at me, and our eyes met.

“If you’d like, shall we take a walk? There’s a nice path behind the opera house.”

It was like he could read my mind.

“But if you’re tired, just tell me. I can take you home.”

Of course, I had no reason to refuse.

“No, I wanted to get some fresh air too.”

Hearing that, the Duke’s eyes curved into a gentle smile.

We walked out of the opera house together.

It was late, so most people had already gone home after the opera.

Maybe that’s why,

The Duke and I had the path all to ourselves.

Even though it was late at night, it wasn’t that dark.

There were gas lamps here and there, casting a warm orange light.

A cool night breeze brushed my cheek.

Neatly trimmed trees swayed softly in the wind.

‘Since we just watched the opera, talking about that would be safest, right?’

Thinking so, I spoke.

“Miss Morgan is really beautiful.”

Honestly, no matter how I felt, she was impressive.

Her doll-like looks, her voice like jewels rolling on a silver tray…

And she was even friendly.

…Maybe that’s why the Duke discovered her.

‘No, stop thinking like that.’

I shook my head to myself.

‘Stop thinking about the Duke. This is getting ridiculous.’

The Duke replied coolly.

“She is beautiful, objectively.”

Then he added softly,

“But still, I think Lady Ansie is even more beautiful.”

“….”

My heart suddenly dropped.

‘Oh no.’

My heart started to race like crazy.