IAEOG~

Chapter 3

A week passed.

And, surprisingly, nothing happened.

If there was one unusual thing…

“Miss, it’s here again.”

Marie sighed deeply as she placed yet another bouquet of white lilies on my desk.

Ever since Louise’s visit, Raphael had been sending me lilies every single day.

“Marie, help me get ready to go out.”

“…You’re not seriously planning to meet Lord Raphael, are you?”

“I am.”

“Then I’ll make sure you look perfect.”

How infuriating.

Not a single message accompanied the flowers—just a wordless delivery through a servant.

If he truly missed me, would this be how he showed it?

I’d expected him to feel the emptiness, to regret my absence with every passing day… but clearly, I’d been wrong.

And honestly, the curiosity was killing me.

I needed to see Raphael myself.

“Now then, Miss! Eyes to the ceiling, please~”

Marie’s passion ignited like wildfire. With every brush and ribbon, my reflection transformed.

Honestly, Yvonne was naturally beautiful—she didn’t need this much effort.

But I didn’t want to ruin Marie’s enthusiasm, so I stayed quiet.

“How about this dress, Miss?”

“That one’s fine.”

It was a white gown with delicate pastel pink lace accents—the most luxurious one in Yvonne’s collection.

“Master gave you this for your birthday last year! You never even looked at it, but finally, it’s seeing the light of day!”

Yvonne had secretly resented her father ever since her mother’s death. She refused to spend his money, avoiding luxury altogether.

But… hold on. I never wrote that detail.

Where did that come from? I didn’t even know this dress existed.

After putting it on and choosing some accessories, my preparations were complete.

I gathered the newly delivered bouquet along with the single lily that had always stayed on my desk and stepped into the carriage.

The moment I entered the parlor, my heart started to race.

Stay calm. Don’t show it. Remember the plan—be the cool, unbothered ex.

“It’s been a while,” Raphael said as he entered.

And for a moment, I froze.

…Wow.

He looked like he’d just stepped out of a musical—so effortlessly perfect it was almost unfair.

No. Focus. That face isn’t yours anymore. Get a grip, woman.

“I came to return these. And you don’t need to send them anymore.”

“You didn’t have to come in person.”

He gave a faint, amused smile when I handed him the bouquet.

That pretty-faced piece of trash. If he weren’t this handsome, I’d have punched him by now.

“And this too.” I held out the lily he’d given me when he was eight. “Do you remember?”

His expression twisted slightly—the first genuine reaction I’d seen from him.

“This one’s yours. You don’t need to give it back.”

“No. It has your magic on it. It belongs to you. Thank you, though. It comforted me during some dark days.”

There. That should’ve been a graceful, clean ending.

“Well then, I’ll be going. Take care.”

“Wait.”

Raphael caught my arm before I could turn away—and pressed the lily back into my hand, his lips curving into that gentle smile Yvonne had once loved.

…Was he seriously about to apologize and beg me to come back? Not happening.

No matter what he said, I’d reject him. I had to.

Still, my throat went dry, and I swallowed hard.

If only Yvonne could’ve seen this moment herself…

After the engagement, Raphael had stopped smiling like that at her—only showing such warmth to others.

What a cruel man. Or maybe… it was Yvonne’s fault for falling for him.

“Since you came all this way, I’ll stop sending flowers. But take that one with you. You’re bolder than I expected.”

“…Bolder? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You broke off our engagement just to get my attention, didn’t you? Came all the way here to return flowers and make me worry.”

I nearly laughed. The audacity.

“I didn’t do this to get your attention. My father must have informed your family of the annulment.”

“He did,” Raphael said easily. “But, Yvonne, you asked your father to invest in our business in exchange for our engagement. So tell me—why haven’t you withdrawn the funds?”

“Because…”

Because it’s profitable, I thought grimly. But I hadn’t expected him to twist it like this. No wonder he’d been so smug.

“I’ve been sending the flowers every day hoping to ease any resentment between us. So? Do you feel better now?”

He stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair near my temple.

My heart betrayed me, pounding wildly.

No. No, stop it. You’re not supposed to fall for him again.

I forced myself to look him in the eye.

“You’ve got it all wrong, Raphael. The reason I didn’t withdraw the investment was because of the long-standing friendship between our families. And as for the engagement—it’s over. For good.”

“If our breakup becomes public, you might have trouble marrying anyone else. It’s unfair, I know—but that’s how society is.”

“You don’t have to worry about me, Lord Raphael. Even if it’s unfair, it’s none of your concern. We’re done.”

“Are you sure? Everyone knows how much you adored me. If word gets out, people will just pity you.”

“What are you talking about?”

His words stunned me.

Twelve years of silent affection—Yvonne had hidden her feelings so carefully. Not even I, her author, had known the world was aware.

“You showed it too clearly—in your eyes, your smile, your every move. Everyone noticed. Probably everyone except you.”

“Since when did you know?”

“Five years ago, maybe.”

“Then why pretend not to?”

“Why should I have said anything? I didn’t want to ruin what we had. But look how it ended—because of your one-sided feelings.”

So this was how he justified it.

He’d enjoyed her affection, basked in it—only to discard her when it no longer amused him.

And yet, somehow, my chest ached as if I were the one being rejected.

If he had sincerely apologized, maybe… maybe I would’ve forgiven him.

I had created him, after all. And that face—God, that face was still exactly my type.

But now? He didn’t deserve Yvonne. He didn’t deserve anyone.

“At least now I know the truth. I’ve lost every ounce of affection I had for you. Unless it’s a family gathering, I’d prefer we never see each other again. Live your hollow little life however you want.”

I threw the lily at his feet and walked out without looking back.

Good. I hadn’t cried. Yvonne still had her pride—and so did I.

“Take me to the city,” I told the coachman as I climbed into the carriage.

It wasn’t even my heartbreak, yet it felt like my heart was in pieces.

I needed to shake off this gloom—fast.

Back in my world, I’d cure bad moods with a walk and something sweet. And come to think of it, I hadn’t visited the capital’s marketplace since arriving here.

Perfect. Today was the day.

I had plenty of money, so why not? A little indulgence never hurt anyone.

My Ruined Love Is Entertaining

Episode 43

(Excerpt)

“I came to return these. And you don’t need to send them anymore.”

It had been a week since he’d last seen Yvonne. She appeared that day, beautifully dressed—more so than usual.

Was she trying to hide her pain? Or… trying to impress him?

Raphael felt a strange lift in his chest. She was adorable, even when she pouted while returning the bouquet.

(Excerpt)

Yvonne left with an expression Raphael had never seen before—cold, distant.

She had always smiled around him; he hadn’t known she could look like that.

Louise would probably scold him again if she knew. Raphael chuckled quietly.

He glanced down at the lily lying on the floor. Somehow, he felt like that flower—abandoned.

“What was I even planning to do before she came…”

His head felt empty, his mind in disarray.

He picked up the lily. Every month, he’d secretly renewed its magic so it wouldn’t wilt—he hadn’t wanted her to be disappointed.

It hadn’t been hard to do. Whenever he visited the duchy unannounced, Yvonne would always welcome him with a radiant smile.

He should’ve felt relieved that those visits—and her expectations—were finally over.

But instead, he felt hollow.

“It’s just a flower,” he muttered bitterly, “so why can’t I throw it away?”

He tossed aside the snapdragons from the vase in his room and replaced them with the lily.

Maybe—just maybe—she’d come back for it someday.

He cast another preservation spell. “That should last a month.”

The single white lily looked small and lonely inside the large crystal vase.

Just like him.

[Comments]

→ So Raphael was leading her on the whole time? What a jerk.

→ I want to see him cry.

→ I thought young Raphael had potential for redemption—guess not.

→ Did Yvonne go dark after the breakup? She’s acting totally different now.

→ Of course she is! She’s done suffering for him.

→ Author, please give us a decent new male lead this time.