IAEOG~

Chapter 2

I finally ended things with Raphael—the one-sided relationship Yvonne had dragged along for far too long.

Now… what would make this truly satisfying? I lay sprawled on the bed, thinking.

Didn’t Yvonne invest in Raphael’s family business?

Last year, Raphael’s father’s shipping company had nearly gone under after being betrayed by a business partner.

Madly in love, Yvonne had begged her father to invest in the business to save Raphael’s family. In return, she proposed an engagement.

And so, thanks to that engagement, the Fobert family avoided ruin.

If I pull out the investment now, wouldn’t that plunge Raphael’s family back into crisis?

He’d regret ever taking her for granted. The thought alone was refreshing. Without hesitation, I decided to put my plan into action.

“Father, are you busy?”

“I was about to call for you. Sit down.”

As soon as I entered his study—his usual haunt—he greeted me with a delighted smile.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m much better, thanks to you.”

“You have no idea how worried I was when you collapsed. Still, it makes me happy—you rarely come to me first.”

He looked at me with such tender emotion that I felt… awkward.

“I have something to discuss. It’s about the investment we made in the Fobert family’s business.”

“Yes, I was meaning to speak to you about that.”

“What about it?”

“When you suddenly asked me to invest in their business, I was a little uneasy.”

Was the investment failing? Were they already collapsing? I couldn’t help but feel a spark of hope. Maybe, finally, something was going right.

“You seem to have quite an eye for business, my dear. Their shipping venture is thriving. In less than six months, their profits will surpass our initial investment. I’m proud of you.”

Wait—what?

Why was this turning out well for Raphael? This wasn’t how it was supposed to go!

“What if we withdrew our funds now?”

“They’d struggle for a bit, but given their growth rate, it wouldn’t be serious. Frankly, we’d lose out more by pulling out. Besides, the Foberts have been close family friends for generations. Withdrawing would be out of the question.”

Father’s kind smile was almost blinding.

This wasn’t right. In my script, withdrawing the funds was supposed to make Raphael panic and beg for mercy!

The plan was falling apart already.

“Why are you suddenly asking about pulling out?”

“I broke off my engagement with Raphael. I wanted to withdraw the funds too, but… since you said it’s profitable, I’ll leave it be. Still, I want you to know that we’re no longer family by marriage.”

Father’s warm smile faded, replaced by a grave expression.

I swallowed nervously. Surely, he wasn’t going to object to the breakup, right? Because if he did, I’d throw a fit right here.

“…So, who ended it?”

“I did.”

“Then you did well. I was uncomfortable seeing you agonize alone. I’ll handle things with the Foberts. Don’t worry about appearances—just think of your own happiness.”

His words hit me harder than I expected.

It had been Yvonne’s silent heartbreak, one she never shared with anyone.

It felt like her pain was finally acknowledged—and oddly, my eyes stung. I wished she could’ve heard him say it. Wait… why was I tearing up? Oh no. I was getting way too into this role.

“Thank you, Father. I feel lighter already. I’ll head back upstairs.”

“Of course. Remember, I’m always on your side.”

What a wonderful father. If only he’d shown that same warmth to his wife…

As I left the study, I made a mental note: I needed a new plan. How could I make Yvonne’s revenge truly satisfying?

I fiddled with the white lilies on my desk, deep in thought.

Then I decided—there was still time. For now, I’d rest and think things through later.

One week later, I was still “thinking.”

So this was how sloth became a sin.

With wealth, servants, and endless leisure, life was simply too comfortable.

This is heaven. My house is paradise.

Hiding behind the excuse of being a recovering patient, I basked in lazy luxury—until she came to visit.

“Are you feeling better, Yvonne?”

It was Louise Fobert—Raphael’s younger sister—looking at me with genuine worry. Meanwhile, I’d never been better.

“I wanted to visit sooner, but when I heard about the breakup, I thought my face might remind you of my idiot brother.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. You and I are still friends.”

Yvonne and Raphael’s family had been close since childhood, and Louise had always been fond of her. In fact, Louise had wanted the engagement broken off.

“Ugh, that brother of mine deserved it! Oh, and he asked me to give you this. He said you could throw it away if you want. I’ll tell him exactly that, too.”

She handed me a bouquet of white lilies.

So he did remember that Yvonne liked lilies, huh? Was this… his attempt at an apology?

I could already feel myself sipping the delusional kimchi soup of false hope. Don’t get your hopes up… don’t—

“How’s Raphael?”

“He’s a jerk. Doesn’t even look guilty. And since you didn’t pull out the investment, he thinks you’re still hung up on him!”

“I’m not keeping the investment for his sake. There’s another reason.”

“Is it because you feel bad for me? Don’t! Even if the business fails, I’d never blame you!”

No… that wasn’t it at all, but her sparkling eyes were so full of admiration that I couldn’t bring myself to explain.

I pretended to sniff the bouquet instead.

“You love lilies, so I won’t make you throw them away—but I’m telling Raphael you did. Serves him right for being so full of himself!”

“Thanks, Louise.”

“Don’t mention it! By the way, I’m always amazed when I visit—there are always fresh lilies on your desk. Your maids must be excellent!”

No maid had ever touched that flower.

Raphael had given it to her years ago—an enchanted lily that would never wither.

“I should go now and let you rest. Don’t worry—I’ll scold Raphael on your behalf. Next time, let’s go for a walk together!”

As she left, my gaze drifted back to the single white lily on my desk.

That flower had a history—one that reached back to Yvonne’s childhood.

She’d grown up surrounded by love, until the day her father brought home a boy.

“Hello, I’m Nathan,” he’d said.

Her father had never let go of his affair with a commoner named Anna. When Anna died, he brought their son Nathan into the ducal household.

Yvonne’s mother, devastated by the betrayal, lost her will to live and passed away a year later.

It was at her mother’s funeral that Yvonne first spoke properly with Raphael.

“Don’t cry. Your mother’s gone to a better place.”

He handed her a single white lily.

“This flower will probably wilt soon… just like your mom.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll cast a spell on it so it lasts forever. It’ll stay by your side for a long, long time.”

That gentle smile was the beginning of twelve years of unrequited love.

And the flower still sat in the same spot, never once wilting.

“Eight years old, and he could already cast magic that lasts over a decade… impressive,” I murmured.

Of course, I’d written that detail myself, but still.

In any case, the conclusion was clear.

If he was sending lilies again, it meant Raphael was starting to realize what he’d lost. Not fully, not yet—but soon.

And when he did, he’d suffer deliciously.

A grin crept onto my face.

This was going to be fun.