IAEOG~

Chapter 5

“Anne, can’t we go out today? Let’s eat something delicious and cheer up!”

It had already been five days since my last meeting with Raphael.

As they say, time heals all wounds—and sure enough, the gloomy feelings had completely vanished. I’d been spending my days peacefully rolling around at home when Louise suddenly came to visit.

Funny… I don’t remember them being this close in the novel. Were they really this friendly?

“I’m fine. Should I ask Marie to bring us some tea and sweets?”

“Nooo~ I mean, let’s go out to eat! I found this amazing cake shop!”

The idea was tempting, but honestly, I didn’t want to leave the house. After that last outing, I’d learned my lesson. The world outside the blanket is a dangerous place.

“Let’s go next time. I’m feeling tired today.”

“Then how about tomorrow?”

Was Louise always this pushy? Or was that cake shop about to close down? My curiosity piqued.

“Tomorrow’s too soon. Why are you suddenly obsessed with this cake place?”

“I found this great cake shop, but it’s always empty. I’m worried it’ll go out of business, so I want to help them out. Also…” Louise smiled mischievously. “I want the whole world to see how bright and happy you are.”

Did the world really need to know I was happy?

I froze. Wait. Did Louise somehow figure out that I’m a semi-attention-seeker?

“Since you probably won’t go unless I tell you the truth… after you visited our house, news of your broken engagement spread everywhere.”

Of course it did. Raphael must’ve been dying to talk about it. He had the lightest mouth imaginable.

Well… I suppose I understood. He’d wanted that breakup for so long, after all.

“I confronted him about the rumor, but he swore it wasn’t him. It’s probably one of the servants. I’m sorry.”

So I’d misunderstood. Either way, Raphael deserved it for treating Yvonne so poorly.

“It’s fine. It’s not like the breakup was a secret. But won’t people gossip more if I go out now?”

“I wouldn’t suggest it if that were the case! But everyone’s saying you’ve locked yourself at home, sick from heartbreak! You have to show them that you’re totally fine—happy, even!”

“…I’ll get ready to go out.”

Truth be told, the breakup had hurt. But only for a while. It wasn’t enough to send me to bed sobbing.

Besides, Yvonne had always been a homebody.

Now everyone thought she was wallowing in despair—and that just wouldn’t do. I had to salvage her reputation.

Louise and I headed downtown.

I did my best to look radiant and carefree, pretending not to notice anyone’s glances as we browsed through flower shops and jewelry stores.

“Okay, that should be enough. Cake time?”

Louise tugged me toward a small cake shop tucked beside the same bench where I’d once pathetically cried my heart out. Just walking past it made my face burn with embarrassment.

Inside, only the owner was present. We took a quiet corner and ordered their best strawberry cake.

I heard the strawberry tart in the next alley was more popular… strawberries must be in season.

The cake was half-eaten when the second pair of customers arrived.

“Did you hear? Lady Lambert and Lord Fauvère broke off their engagement!”

And there it was—me.

So this is what it feels like to be a celebrity.

They were whispering, but of course, I was seated right behind them. There was a pillar between us, and since I was facing the wall, they hadn’t noticed me.

“Of course I heard! It’s been the biggest gossip all week!”

“Honestly, didn’t everyone see it coming? Lord Raphael never looked like he actually wanted the engagement.”

Louise’s face twisted in fury. True as it might be, I reached over and patted her hand soothingly. Be the bigger person, Louise.

“I heard he’s in love with Miss Chloé Guerin. He might propose soon!”

“Oh my… poor Lady Lambert, then. It seems Miss Guerin doesn’t dislike him either.”

The sympathy in their voices didn’t match the delight in their tone. But who could blame them? People always love other people’s drama best.

Little did they know, both the female lead of their gossip and the male lead’s sister were right next to them.

Still, hearing Chloé’s name alongside Raphael’s made my stomach turn.

My hand slammed the fork onto the plate with a sharp clink.

“Such a pity,” one of them sighed. “I heard Lady Lambert’s been sick in bed ever since. She’s not seeing anyone.”

“She devoted herself to him for so long. I doubt she’ll ever find another man.”

Even my loud fork clatter didn’t stop them.

Their words grew harsher, and my anger flared.

It’s not like Raphael is the only man alive!

“Anne, I’ll handle the bill. Why don’t you wait outside?”

Before I could respond, Louise gently pushed me out the door. For someone so sweet, she could be a real bulldozer.

Still, I was grateful. If I’d stayed any longer, I might’ve strangled them—and that would’ve only fueled the gossip.

I waited outside, pretending to admire the scenery, my hands itching for a smartphone I didn’t have.

God, this world was cruel. No internet, no distractions—just me and my thoughts.

“Hmm?”

A tall man with black hair passed by.

Wait… black hair? Wasn’t the man who lent me his coat last time black-haired too?

I couldn’t see his face, but something about his height and stride caught my attention.

Coincidence? Maybe. But black hair wasn’t common in this world.

Should I… follow him? March up and demand, ‘Do I look like a beggar to you?’

I was still debating when Louise emerged, looking absurdly proud.

“Let’s go, Anne!”

“Thanks for the treat. Took you long enough.”

“I paid, used the restroom, and even checked the mirror—wanted to look nice for you!”

She framed her face with her hands like a blooming flower. Apparently, “flower pose” transcended worlds.

She was adorable. My foul mood melted instantly.

On the carriage ride home, Louise suddenly turned to me.

“Anne, there aren’t any handsome men around you, right?”

“Why? Feeling lonely?”

Honestly, any man who could match Louise would have to be a catch. I wondered if one even existed.

“Of course not! I’m engaged, remember? I meant for you!”

…Engaged? I definitely didn’t write that. The author (me) didn’t even know about it.

“Are you happy, then?”

“Too happy. I almost feel guilty, seeing how much you’ve been through. We even met him two months ago—you said we looked good together!”

Uh, no. I never wrote that scene.

“Then why do you want me to meet someone?”

“Because those awful women said you’ll never find another man! We’ll show them—and Raphael—that you can have a better man. A public romance to crush them all!”

Hmm. She had a point. Being a socialite really was exhausting.

But who could possibly compete with Raphael’s looks? I may have gone a bit overboard designing him.

“I’ll ask Gerard if he knows anyone suitable. I had so much fun today, Anne. Let’s meet again soon!”

So, her fiancé’s name was Gerard.

After saying goodbye, I returned home deep in thought.

Louise was right—if I wanted to show I was thriving, I needed a man who was handsome enough to make Raphael choke on his pride.

But where on earth would I find one?

Just then, Marie appeared, holding a letter.

“My lady, perfect timing! A letter from Lord Cedric Labatte.”

“…Who?”

That name rang no bells. Did I even write this guy?

“Your childhood friend, my lady! He went abroad to study nine years ago. His servant says he’s just returned!”

I had no recollection of that. But fine, let’s play along.

“Ah, Cedric! Right, right. What did he look like again? Handsome?”

“He and Lord Raphael were both famous for their looks! To be honest, when he left for his studies and you kept exchanging letters, I thought you two might end up together. You were so upset when he stopped replying.”

Oh, divine timing. Just when I needed a new love interest, the heavens delivered one—and he’s hot.

I tore open the letter.

He’d written that he had returned from his studies and was hosting a party next week, asking me to come. He missed me dearly.

Well, well. Looks like my next male lead had just entered the stage.

Exciting. Thrilling.

Nothing beats a good-looking man.

[Episode 45 – “My Doomed Love Is Entertaining”]

(Excerpt)

After sending Yvonne outside, Louise turned back to the gossiping women. Their faces stiffened as she smiled sweetly.

“Miss Lea Roux, long time no see. I heard your lover dumped you—how unfortunate. Glad you’re doing better.”

“Y-Yes… thank you for your concern.”

“And Miss Lily Bear, how’s Gerard? I thought you’d want to know—he’s doing quite well. You used to like him, didn’t you?”

“N-No! I would never, he’s your fiancé—”

“Oh really? You seemed interested enough. Anyway, as for Lady Yvonne Lambert—she’s doing perfectly fine. You saw her yourself, didn’t you?”

The two women exchanged uneasy glances and nodded.

“Good. Keep spreading that story, will you? Tell everyone Lady Yvonne is living her best life without that pathetic Raphael. Understood?”

“…Yes.”

Feeling thoroughly satisfied, Louise paid for their cakes as well and strutted out.

[Comments]
→ “Wait, so this Cedric guy is the new male lead? I’m buying stock!”
→ “Then who’s the black-haired dude? Wasn’t he supposed to be the lead?”
→ “As long as it’s not Raphael, I’m fine!”