RYL Chapter 54

Chapter 54

“Wow, did you really write these songs, Madam?”

Technically, they were remakes.

“You’re amazing! And you even play the guitar!”

“Well, it’s not that big of a deal… hahaha.”

Edith was very sociable.
She already got along well with the band members and quickly became loved by the staff at the salon.
She really was the sunshine type of main character.

She wasn’t as strikingly beautiful as Lilianne, but her bright and warm energy made people turn to look at her.
Yep, no wonder she’s the female lead.

Honestly, seeing how noticeable she was, I felt like I’d worried too much.
If she’s the female lead, then the main guy and the second lead will definitely recognize her.

Thinking that, I looked back at Edith, who was rehearsing with the band.
As expected, her voice was perfect for the band’s style.
It was clear and pure, yet strong and full.

There’s no way someone with a voice like that should be a cleaner.
And with her sunny charm and presence, she’d definitely win over the audience.
Sure, there might be some people who resist anything new… but still.

I quietly watched Edith, Lilianne, and Sabrina rehearse.
Then I smiled to myself.

My instincts as a planner told me one thing:
This project is going to work.

***

We thought that since the female lead had shown up, the male lead and the second lead would naturally fall for her.
But that was just our hope.

Planning events and overseeing the salon’s finances kept me extremely busy.
I was in the study that day, managing the salon’s earnings.

Even though it was still early days, the salon was doing well.
I was happily looking at the profit when Sabrina suddenly burst in.

(Oh right, Sabrina still works as a maid at the Devonshire estate.)

“Claire!”

Startled, I looked around and gave her a hint.

“You’re supposed to call me ‘Miss’ in the mansion!”

“Anyway, there’s no time for that!”

“What’s going on?”

Looking annoyed, Sabrina answered.

“He’s back. That guy’s at the front gate again!”

“That guy?”

“The young duke!”

I frowned and stood up, walking to the window.
I peeked past the curtain and, just like she said, saw Mathieu nervously standing by the gate.

I stared, then casually said,
“Tell him I’m not home.”

Sabrina sighed.
“I already told him that. But he said he’ll wait until you come back.”

I laughed in disbelief.
How does he know when I’ll return?

“Well, let him wait all day then.”

I had thought I completely got rid of Mathieu with that dramatic act I did with the Crown Prince…
But something must’ve gone wrong.
Where did it all start to fall apart?
Maybe in the salon, when I ran into the villain and ended up in Mathieu’s arms?

I couldn’t get the way he looked at me after that performance out of my head.
I shook it off and tried to focus back on the documents.

After a while, I glanced out the window again.
He was still there.

Doesn’t he have anything better to do?

I finally got up, thinking I needed to say something to him—
But then the mansion doors opened, and someone walked up to Mathieu.

It was none other than my father, the Duke of Devonshire.

I was surprised and kept watching.
They were talking, but I couldn’t hear anything.

I pressed my ear closer to the window, but still—nothing.

***

Out at the gate, the Duke looked coldly at Mathieu.

“What brings the young duke here?”

Mathieu stiffened nervously, straightening his posture.

“Nice to see you again, Duke Devonshire.”

“We met a few days ago at the Lorentino family’s banquet, didn’t we?”

“Ah, yes… I meant it’s been a while since we talked like this.”

“……”

Mathieu awkwardly smiled, but the Duke’s face stayed icy.

He had every reason to be cold.
Mathieu had broken his precious daughter’s heart—the daughter he had already felt guilty for neglecting.

And he had trusted Mathieu with her for ten whole years. That anger was now boiling over.

His voice was sharp.

“Let’s skip the pleasantries. Why are you here?”

Mathieu hesitated, then carefully said,

“I want to see Claire… just for a moment.”

The Duke’s face twisted in disgust.

“You’re no longer engaged. That was broken off a while ago.”

Mathieu lowered his head, unable to speak.
He’d never really regretted anything before—but now, under the Duke’s cold stare, he felt deeply ashamed.

“I need to confirm something.”

The Duke frowned even more and flatly refused.

“I’m afraid I can’t allow that.”

Mathieu’s eyes wavered.
But the Duke just stared at him like a stone wall.

“I won’t let my daughter’s future be ruined by rumors surrounding a man like you.”

Mathieu had no words to argue with.

“So, please leave.”

The Duke’s words were like a knife.
After waiting so long, Mathieu had no choice but to turn and walk away with a heart full of regret.

From the window, Claire quietly watched his back as he left—then closed the curtain.

***

Later, I was awkwardly sitting across from the Crown Prince.

“Do we really have to go this far?” I asked.

“We need to act thoroughly to make the young duke believe it,” he replied.

He insisted this fake date was necessary.
But honestly… didn’t Mathieu already misunderstand things enough?

Was it even worth doing this whole act with the Crown Prince anymore?

While I was lost in thought, Mikael suddenly asked,
“But why did you, Claire, perform on the Clina Salon stage?”

I was drinking water and almost choked at his question. I managed to calm my coughing and replied,
“Well… it’s kind of like a hobby.”

Then, glancing at him carefully, I asked,
“It’s a bit weird for a count’s heir to be playing the guitar, which commoners usually enjoy, right? You’ll keep it a secret, won’t you?”

Mikael smiled, his pretty golden eyes curling.
“Of course.”

I found myself staring at that smile like I was under a spell, but quickly snapped out of it.

Get a grip, I told myself. He’s supposed to end up with the heroine anyway.

Speaking of which… It had been almost a week since Edith showed up, but neither the crown prince nor Mathieu had shown any interest in her yet.

I asked Mikael casually,
“Have you met a lady with golden hair, like sunlight, recently?”

And he answered right away,
“Oh, I have.”

Yes! So he has met her!

But then his next words completely ruined my hopes.
“She’s right in front of me. The sunshine-like lady.”

“…”

Was the crown prince always this flirty?

No, but seriously — why is he looking at me like that if this is all supposed to be acting?

And then there’s Mathieu, who was supposed to back off, but keeps hovering nearby.
And Mikael, who keeps finding excuses to get closer…

Something definitely feels off. Like things are going very wrong.

***

When I told Lilianne about my worries, she came up with a surprisingly clear solution.

“Then we just need to make sure the crown prince and young duke meet the heroine.”

She quickly explained,
“Edith is going to perform on the stage at the upcoming salon event, right? So we just need to invite the crown prince and the young duke to that performance.”

Sabrina stroked her chin and nodded.
“Oooh, that’s a good idea. Once they see Edith shining on stage, they won’t be able to resist falling for her.”

“But that alone won’t be enough. We need a detailed plan to make sure both of them fall for Edith completely.”

Sabrina grinned mischievously, clearly excited by the challenge.
“We’ll call it: Operation Fall-for-the-Heroine-at-First-Sight!”