RYL Chapter 15

Chapter 15

I let out a soft sigh and spoke to the dazed Mathieu.

“You don’t seem to have any intention of apologizing. Since this is an uncomfortable situation for both of us, let’s just exchange what we need to and leave.”

I extended my hand as if I were collecting money someone owed me. Mathieu frowned at my gesture.

“Were you always like this?”

So instead of apologizing, he’s questioning me?

I crossed my arms, frowning in annoyance.

“What kind of woman did you think I was, Your Grace?”

Mathieu opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, his brows furrowing as if lost in thought.

I patiently waited for his response.

“A woman who was so foolishly kind that it was almost pathetic.”

Just as I expected.

I looked at him calmly, as if I had known all along. His expression grew more complicated.

“But now… I don’t know anymore. Was it all an act? Or did you suddenly change your mind?”

As he stood there, confused, I leaned in close—so close that he stiffened in tension.

Bringing my lips near his ear, I whispered softly, as if sharing a secret.

“Both are wrong.”

Then, I quickly pulled away and smiled, shrugging my shoulders.

“The only thing I know for sure is that I don’t care about you in the slightest anymore.”

Mathieu stared at me, seemingly entranced by my smile.

I flashed him a playful grin and continued cheerfully.

“So let’s just wrap this up and go our separate ways, shall we?”

***

That day, Mathieu handed Claire the compensation documents and left without another word.

Even now, he couldn’t forget the way she had walked away without hesitation, as if she were simply collecting a debt.

Nor could he forget the words she had whispered in his ear.

“Both are wrong.”

What did she mean by that?

She wasn’t just pretending to like him, and it wasn’t that she had suddenly changed her mind either.

Then…

Had she never liked him at all?

Had he been mistaken for ten whole years?

As these thoughts spun endlessly in his mind, someone suddenly called his name.

“Mathieu…?”

Only then did he remember that he was with Angelica.

She was the most beautiful and high-status woman among those he had deliberately flaunted his affairs with.

A woman he had openly courted to annoy his father and Claire.

Yet strangely, today, her dazzling beauty and sweet voice didn’t seem to reach him at all.

“What are you thinking about while sitting here with me?”

Angelica’s sulky voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Mathieu muttered in irritation.

“That I’m bored.”

Angelica’s face instantly turned red.

She was a woman well aware of her own beauty, with a pride as high as the sky.

There was no way she would let such a remark slide.

Fuming with humiliation, she stood up abruptly.

She walked a few steps away, then turned back, expecting him to stop her.

But Mathieu didn’t even glance at her. He remained indifferent, as if he didn’t care whether she left or stayed.

In the end, shaking with anger, Angelica stormed out of the restaurant.

It was only after she had disappeared from view that Mathieu, looking bored, finally stood up from the table.

The untouched food remained where it was, but he didn’t care.

As he left the restaurant and headed for his carriage, someone suddenly called out to him.

“Hey, Mathieu!”

It was Alex—his longtime friend and the second son of Marquis Orlando.

Unlike Mathieu, Alex always seemed to enjoy life.

His bright, cheerful smile said it all.

Mathieu greeted him half-heartedly, but Alex, oblivious to the mood, cheerfully continued talking.

“You finally got the freedom you wanted, so why do you look like someone just died?”

“I don’t,” Mathieu snapped.

“Yes, you do.”

“It’s just the damn sunlight in my eyes.”

Alex smirked as if seeing right through him.

“Well, who would’ve thought the woman you were searching for all this time was actually the fiancée you couldn’t stand? Even I couldn’t believe it when I saw her.”

Mathieu’s expression hardened at the mention of Claire.

“That’s not it.”

“Sure, sure. Oh, by the way, your former fiancée seems quite busy these days.”

Mathieu pretended not to care, walking as if he wasn’t listening.

But Alex’s words dug into his ears.

In the end, he couldn’t resist asking, feigning indifference.

“Busy? How?”

“She made quite the impression at the Sinclair Marquisate’s ball. The moment everyone realized she was single, the suitors practically lined up.”

Mathieu scoffed.

“What nonsense.”

“Why is that nonsense? You yourself didn’t recognize her at first and ended up falling for her, didn’t you?”

At those words, Mathieu’s shoulders tensed slightly.

“To those men, it doesn’t matter what she was like before. They only see the woman she is now.”

Mathieu found himself stiffening at Alex’s casual remark.

Then, as if realizing his own reaction, he quickly shook his head.

Why did it matter to him who Claire met now?

They weren’t engaged anymore.

He tried to push the thoughts away, but Alex, completely oblivious, kept running his mouth.

“She seems close with the Sinclair Marquis’s daughter too. You know, the one they call the Crown Prince’s first love? And I hear she’s been spending time with a mysterious black-haired beauty as well. They say beautiful women stick together.”

Alex finally glanced at Mathieu, gauging his reaction.

“Anyway, it seems like every man in the capital can’t stop talking about those three.”

Mathieu abruptly stopped walking.

“Do not you have somewhere to go?”

“Oh, right. I was heading to a social club. There’s always plenty of interesting gossip there. That’s actually where I first heard about Claire.”

The thought of strangers gossiping about Claire and himself annoyed Mathieu.

His brow furrowed in irritation.

Noticing this, Alex quickly changed the subject.

“Of course, they don’t just talk about rumors. There’s a lot of useful information too. If you’re bored, why don’t you come with me?”

“No, thanks.”

Mathieu’s curt rejection made Alex chuckle awkwardly.

“Well, if you’re not interested, I can’t force you. See you at the next gathering then.”

Without hesitation, Alex turned and walked away.

Mathieu watched his friend’s retreating figure before sighing and resuming his own steps.

Men are interested in Claire?

They were probably just captivated by her appearance at the ball.

Even he had been momentarily drawn to her changed appearance.

But once they saw her true self, they’d surely be repulsed.

She was a woman who had deceived even her fiancé for ten years.

A woman who coldly turned away without a second thought, clutching her compensation papers.

Yes, that was the real Claire.

***

“My lady, this time it’s the young master of the Hamilton barony.”

Emma, holding yet another bouquet of flowers, looked troubled.

The living room and reception area were already overflowing with vases filled with flowers from previous suitors.

There were no more vases left to use.

Pressing my fingers to my temple, I waved a hand in frustration.

“Tell him I’m busy.”

Emma, now used to delivering rejections, nodded awkwardly but hesitated before asking,

“What should we do with the flowers? We don’t have any more vases…”

Even my study was filled with such a strong floral scent that it made my nose itch.

“Send them back. And if they really want to give me something, tell them to send money instead.”

“Huh? Are you serious?”

“That way, they’ll get tired of it and stop coming.”

A count’s daughter who only cares about money?

Not a bad reputation to have.

Honestly, I do prefer money over men or flowers anyway.