IDMLG 04

Chapter 4

As expected — too easy.

“Ah! Your Grace, what do you like? I heard you don’t often attend social gatherings. What do you usually do? Do you dislike boating? If you don’t mind, would you like to go with me sometime?”

Even I hadn’t been to many social events in my life, and I’d never once wanted to go boating. It was shameless of me, I knew that, but I threw the annoying questions at him without hesitation.

When I showed excessive interest, Rixion Luhanes put on an openly irritated expression.

He ignored my questions and quietly looked down at the watch on his left wrist.

Just then, as if on cue, a man slid up beside him — probably his aide. The man, hair neatly tied back, bowed slightly to me as if asking permission, then whispered something to Rixion Luhanes.

“Forgive me, milady. It seems I forgot I have an important engagement today.”

After a short exchange with the man, Rixion Luhanes, with a face that showed no apology, said calmly, “I think we should end this meeting here today.”

Then he rose from his seat as if he couldn’t stand even another minute with me.

His getting up without waiting for my reply looked exactly like the other suitors had looked before — so much that I couldn’t help laughing for a moment. At the same time, all the tension drained out of me and a bright smile spread across my face.

“Oh, really?”

I was so happy at the thought that this horrible play — where I pretended to be head-over-heels for him — might finally be over, that I smiled too widely without thinking. The instant I did, I froze when I met Rixion Luhanes’s unblinking stare.

Damn, I smiled too widely.

I sat frozen, still half-rising from my chair, as Rixion Luhanes stared at me so intently it felt like he could bore right through my face.

Who wouldn’t find it strange that a woman who had been showing too much interest just now would suddenly look relieved to break it off? It wasn’t hard to imagine others finding it odd.

I quickly wiped the smile from my face. I bowed my head slightly to hide my nervousness and, sounding completely deflated, mumbled, “Is that so? It’s such a shame to end so soon.”

Ah — that probably made things even weirder.

No matter how good an actor I was, the reaction I’d shown felt too contrived. Even Rixion Luhanes, who clearly didn’t care for me anymore, would likely find it odd and pause.

Damn it. My pride as a professional matchmaker was dented.

I rolled my eyes subtly and looked up — of course, he was still standing there, watching me.

His face was so expressionless I couldn’t read it easily, but his unnervingly beautiful blue eyes held a clear curiosity, like a question about the strange discomfort they felt.

There was no way the clever man across from me hadn’t noticed my strange behavior. I should have simply looked sad and sulky, showing a little disappointment. I shouldn’t have been grinning like I was thrilled to be free of him.

I scolded myself for being hasty and foolish, pinched my thigh once, then slowly lifted my head. When our eyes met again, I asked carefully, looking straight at Rixion Luhanes, “Is there… something on my face?”

His blue eyes, which had been heavy and examining, flinched as if he’d been paying especially close attention to my expression and manner. Perhaps he’d just come back to his senses — he finally tore his penetrating gaze away from my face and answered calmly.

“No. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

Ah, damn his mouth! Just keep quiet!

Earlier when a similar exchange passed between us, even though I’d found his answer annoying, I’d thought — just a little — that it sounded a bit refined. But seriously, did he have to use that line now, you idiot?

I’d reflexively replied and then froze, embarrassed. From above my head came a small sound — like he was suppressing laughter.

“…?”

Had I heard that right?

I looked up with incredulous eyes, and to my surprise, Rixion Luhanes really was covering his mouth with the back of his hand and smiling.

‘That man… is smiling?’

I stared at him in even greater disbelief. Noticing my gaze, Rixion lowered his hand and met my eyes again. The lingering amusement in his eyes felt almost friendly.

“I see. It does look that way.”

Even his voice sounded kinder than when he’d initially shown mere curiosity. I wished it was just my imagination. Please.

Should I cling and ask when we could meet again? I hesitated for a moment, thinking that if I did he might grimace and flee. But something made me fear he’d answer, “Shall we arrange the next meeting? When would be good for you?” so I stopped myself.

“Well, it’s a pity, but let’s get up for today.”

Rixion Luhanes walked out of the restaurant beside me, still giving soft, small smiles until the moment we left together.

“I hope we can meet again soon.”

What the — you’re not someone who smiles a lot. I remember the early parts of the original, where the heroine even asked you if you could smile. So why do you keep smiling now? And why do you say “let’s meet again”? Why with me? What do you want from me? You keep smiling at me and telling me you want to meet again — was that courtesy, or was he being sincere?

What’s worse, even though I had my own carriage waiting, Rixion offered to escort me to the Christener Marquess’s residence in his carriage. I barely managed to stop myself from blurting, “Are you out of your mind?”

“No — you said you had other things to do! You should be going! I’ll take my carriage. I prefer riding in my carriage anyway!”

I refused firmly and politely, narrowly preventing the awkward closeness of both of us riding together in a cramped carriage. Rixion’s face openly showed disappointment at my rejection.

“Is that so? It’s such a shame to part so soon.”

Wait, I felt like I’d heard that line and seen that expression somewhere. When I looked at him in suspicion, Rixion turned his head slightly and made that little suppressed-noise again.

“…?”

This person is smiling again? No, I’m honestly scared.

I took an unconscious step backward as he chuckled softly, shoulders moving a little.

Stopping his laughter, Rixion turned to me with an odd smile and said, “I truly enjoyed today. I regret that my schedule only allowed us a brief conversation.”

A strong breeze blew between us at that moment. My hair was lifted by the wind and I frowned; then, without warning, his hand touched my hair. It was a purely reflexive motion. I slapped his hand away with all my strength.

Smack! The sharp sound froze his movement.

Oh no — what had I done? I shocked myself and went rigid. I was partly surprised, partly frightened, and then annoyed. Hoping none of those emotions showed, I involuntarily stepped back again.

“Excuse me, there was a petal stuck here. I was trying to remove it; my kindness may have been offensive. I apologize.”

Whether fortunately or not, Rixion seemed unbothered by my action; his response was calm. He showed neither displeasure nor anger.

On the other hand, I was restless. Though the contact was fleeting, the sensation of his touch was so vivid it left me flustered.

‘…What the heck.’

The way he removed the petal was surprisingly delicate. His hand must have brushed my ear while taking the petal off the strand of hair near it. Even though it was only the briefest contact, it made me subconsciously raise a hand and rub my ear.

Even though the slap must have hurt his hand, he smiled and tossed the petal into the air. He even offered an apology to me. I’d thought him a full-on psychopath or sociopath, but his overwhelmingly normal, polite behavior left me more than a little thrown.

“Ah, yes.”

That was the only reply I could squeeze out. Still, it felt embarrassing to be so dumbstruck in front of him; I had no idea what to say.

I averted my eyes to avoid the burning gaze settled on my face. I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help it. If he disliked me and found me clingy, fine; but if he was the one approaching me, how could I show such aversion? It would be absurd.

If I kept acting weird, I’d probably only pique his curiosity even more.

‘Why is he saying nothing…?’

I glanced anxiously. I wanted to know what he was thinking while staring at me so intently, what expression he wore — but I didn’t have the courage to meet his gaze.

“Well, I really must go now.”

After a short silence, Rixion backed away calmly. I breathed a relieved sigh and raised my eyes.

“I hope I’ll have another chance to make up for any rudeness today.”

When our eyes met, he narrowed them and smiled again.