~Chapter 74~
“This isn’t the kind of reward I was aiming for by helping… But thank you so much!”
Apparently, the magic stones I had dismissed as mere rocks meant more than I thought.
Lily even teared up when she saw them.
Ricardo, who was sitting across from me, spoke up.
“Are you still working at the Mage Tower?”
“I just came as Bianca today.”
“As a lady of a marquess’ family, I don’t think there’d be much reason for that.”
“You’re right. I didn’t expect there’d be so much to do as a lady either.”
I brushed off his question casually, and Ricardo didn’t press further.
“Then what about you? Why are you here?”
“You saw, didn’t you?”
“I did. But for someone like you to come personally… it seemed like a small matter.”
He was someone who usually hated wasting time. It would’ve been more normal to send a servant.
“You’re not one to waste time.”
“Meeting you isn’t a waste.”
“…”
“Seems like you still don’t know me very well.”
Ricardo tilted his head slightly.
“Did you also think that when I went to Bilpat?”
“…Maybe a little.”
“Hah.”
His expression said he didn’t even know where to begin correcting me.
How was I supposed to know if he never explained anything?
‘…Although, I probably wouldn’t have listened.’
To be fair, I had coldly turned him away last time when he said he had something to tell me. I quickly changed the subject to avoid that awkward memory.
“How’s your injury? Did you get it treated properly?”
“Yes.”
“…Really?”
“I don’t lie.”
“Then can I check for myself?”
Ricardo’s face turned serious as he replied,
“In situations like this, it’s more natural to set a next meeting.”
“That’s not very natural to me.”
“It would be perfect if you just said, ‘Sure.’”
“People usually call that shameless.”
Still, if he could joke like this, he must not be in much pain.
Just then, the carriage arrived at the Roygin estate. I jumped down and gave him a polite goodbye.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“….”
Ricardo opened and closed his mouth like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.
“Bianca?”
That familiar voice—it was Cedric. He looked confused, as if questioning whether he was seeing things right.
Why is he home today of all days…?!
Panicking, I rushed to explain.
“We met by chance, and he gave me a ride back.”
“…By chance.”
“Such a small world, haha.”
Cedric’s eyes narrowed. Then he and Ricardo made awkward eye contact.
“Bianca helped me with something recently, and we ended up talking for a while.”
“My sister?”
Cedric’s expression hardened like he’d heard something he shouldn’t have.
“In Orphen—”
“You both must be busy!”
I quickly interrupted before Ricardo could finish, but it was already too late.
Cedric gave a short laugh.
“Ah.”
I glared at Ricardo with a look that said, Why would you say that?!
Didn’t you notice I went in disguise?!
Ricardo gave a helpless shrug like he didn’t know what he had done wrong.
No. I couldn’t blame him.
It was my fault for getting into his carriage.
Then Cedric gave a faint smile.
“The Duke came all this way—wouldn’t it be rude to send him away like this?”
“But the Duke must have other matters—”
“Then I’ll accept the invitation.”
What is wrong with you?!
Do you have something against me?!
Before I could protest, Cedric opened the door wide as if welcoming him in.
I whispered urgently to Ricardo, who was just about to step inside.
“I’ll handle it from here. You can run if you want.”
“There’s no such word in my dictionary.”
He clenched his fist like he’d made some great decision.
…I did give him the chance to leave.
***
Inside the Drawing Room
The atmosphere was painfully awkward.
Normally, I would have enjoyed the cake, but I couldn’t even tell if I was chewing sponge or rubber.
I stared silently at Cedric. He didn’t even notice, too busy glaring at Ricardo.
Ricardo, on the other hand, was focused on swapping my empty dessert plate with his own.
Clearly, I was the only one feeling uncomfortable.
“H-How about Grandpa?”
Right, the person stuck in the middle should do something.
“He’ll be here soon.”
I’m counting on you, Grandpa.
Just as I breathed a little easier, Cedric set down his teacup.
“I didn’t expect the Duke to be so kind to a woman he’s no longer engaged to.”
“…!”
“It was surprising, since he didn’t even show such warmth to his fiancée before.”
My body tensed. I had assumed Cedric had called Ricardo over for some reason—but I didn’t expect him to be this blunt.
Behind his glasses, his gaze was sharp like a blade.
“I know the Duke has worked hard to clear up rumors, but too much kindness will only hurt her.”
His eyes turned to me.
‘…He’s warning me to behave properly.’
He was clearly blaming me for showing up in Ricardo’s carriage.
And honestly, he wasn’t wrong.
I had been engaged, then dumped. And now I was riding around in the Duke’s carriage.
“I was too careless. I didn’t consider how this might reflect on Bianca.”
“Bianca is a lady of marriageable age.”
Ricardo noticeably flinched.
“Gossip has finally settled down. Suitors are arriving, and we’ll probably hear some good news soon.”
“…”
“I’m sure the Duke tried to put an end to the rumors for her sake.”
Wait—someone sent a marriage proposal?
To a lady who just got dumped by a duke?!
What kind of madman…?
Cedric calmly sipped his tea like nothing had happened.
The tension in the room skyrocketed. I turned to Ricardo and froze.
He looked completely stunned. Like he’d forgotten how to breathe.
‘What do I do now…?!’
Just as I panicked—
Bang!
“Grandpa!”
My savior had arrived.
I rushed over to him, nearly breathless. He looked surprised by my urgency.
“Sweetheart?”
He gently patted my shoulder and looked past me—spotting Ricardo.
“It’s been a while, sir.”
“Ah, Ricardo.”
Then he said nothing more.
I suddenly felt nervous.
Could Grandpa be like Cedric, too…?
I understood if they couldn’t help but dislike Ricardo. I really did.
But still—he was a guest now.
I looked up at Grandpa with pleading eyes.
“Have you eaten?”
Grandpa asked, as if it were no big deal.
None of us—me, Cedric, or even Ricardo—had expected that.
***
‘I never thought I’d see this day…’
I glanced at Ricardo, sitting beside me at the Roygin family’s dinner table.
If my past self had seen this, she would’ve fainted on the spot.
Hopefully, nothing awkward will be brought up.
But it was hard to read what Ricardo was thinking.
Then Grandpa, who had been watching him quietly, spoke up.
“You used to favor your left hand when you were little, didn’t you?”
“Wait, you were left-handed?”
Ricardo awkwardly moved his fork with his right hand.
“I was very young, but I’m surprised you remembered.”
“Ha! There’s a saying that left-handed kids are smarter. That’s why I kept my eye on you.”
“No wonder you’re doing so well as head of the ducal house,” Cedric added, probably feeling bad for being so harsh earlier.
See? I knew you were secretly soft-hearted.
“Should I start eating with my left hand too, then?” I joked.
“The fact that you’d say that proves how dumb you are,” Cedric replied.
“What’s your problem?”
Some people really can’t take a joke.
“Lord Bluea, how’s your health these days?”
Ricardo asked. Grandpa chuckled as he replied,
“At my age, no news is good news.”
“He’s surprisingly healthy for his age,” I added.
“Yes—as long as you don’t cause trouble.”
I shot Cedric a glare, but he replied without missing a beat.
“If you’ve got complaints, try behaving better.”
“You caused your fair share of trouble too, remember? Climbing trees and falling off…”
“You—”
“And don’t forget the time you picked up a sword trying to copy Grandpa and almost lost a hand.”
Cedric’s face turned red.
What, did he think I couldn’t talk too?
It turned into a full-on roast battle until Grandpa cleared his throat loudly.
Oh god. We’re embarrassing ourselves in front of a guest.
I suddenly felt ashamed and called out,
“Um, Ricardo…”
But I stopped mid-sentence.
His expression—it looked a little sad, maybe even happy.
Admiration. Envy.
A faint smile filled with emotions somewhere in between.
