WCTPWMMA – Chapter 18

There are loads of brunettes in this world.

But what were the odds that a brown-haired young man I happened to meet would have the exact same build as that skeleton mask from before? Those squared shoulders, that rugged silhouette showing through his shirt—everything lined up.

I gauged his eye level and answered.

“I’m Doris Redfield. But everyone just calls me ‘Dori,’ so I’d like it if you did too, Rick.”

“Ah, I know exactly how that feels! My full name’s actually ‘Richard Ray,’ but usually the only time anyone bothers using that big fancy name is when my superior is so angry he’s seeing red.”

“Ahaha, it’s the same for me. My parents only ever call me ‘Doris’ when they’re mad!”

“This is the first time I’ve bonded with a lady over sheer terror. Not bad. Next time, let’s make it over something pleasant—”

“Rick, enough. It’s not polite to keep joking with someone who’s hurt.”

Maria cut him off, but Rick wasn’t flustered at all. He just gave a playful bow and stepped back.

Maria came closer, her face swimming with concern.

“Is your leg alright? I heard you can’t even walk to the table on your own.”

“And who did you hear that from?”

“I was told your mother said as much.”

Countess! Stop making me sound like some insurance scam!

I shook my head.

“It’s really just that the muscles on the top of my foot got startled from being stepped on a few times. It’s fine for daily life.”

“‘A few times’… You know, His Highness the Young Duke’s ‘stepped on me a few times’ is basically the same as an ordinary person stomping on you a dozen times.”

“Pfft!”

Maria looked serious, but I burst out laughing.

“Ahem, well, His Highness the Young Duke is a bit… brawny.”

“‘A bit’? I honestly think he could take down a wolf barehanded.”

Is it because they’re childhood friends? Her assessment was brutally honest.

Maybe I could poke her a little.

“Oh my, was it really that bad? I couldn’t tell at the banquet. It’s almost like you’ve actually seen him fight before.”

“Ah…”

“And come to think of it, didn’t His Highness the Young Duke try to ask you for a dance at the royal banquet? So you already knew each other.”

Maria’s face flared with awkwardness. Look at her, scrambling for an excuse—though she didn’t really have to. I wasn’t planning to start any weird rumors.

So I spoke as casually as I could.

“It must’ve been nice, having someone you knew around in your debut year. I was in such a bind my first season because I didn’t have a single dance partner. And once a girl doesn’t dance that first year, it just gets harder and harder to find someone willing.”

“Really?”

“Apparently a lot of men think dancing with an unpopular girl will tank their own popularity. That’s why guys with sisters often swap dances, like doing a some sort of mutual aid.”

As soon as I said “mutual aid*,” I flinched. But Maria seemed to get the gist from context.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t have any brothers, Dori?”

“Nope. We’re three sisters. The eldest, Grace, is married. It’s just me and Natalie making the rounds in high society. How about you, Maria?”

“Lucky you. I don’t have any siblings… Actually, when I was little… I did spend a short time in Frost-Hill and got acquainted with the Young Duke.”

Perfect. She admitted it honestly!

“That’s quite the connection. You must’ve been happy to see an old friend again.”

“It’s just, it was the first time we’d met since I left Frost-Hill at sixteen…”

“Oh my, five years later? That must’ve felt awkward.”

“Yes. We parted as friends, but I didn’t know how I was supposed to face him now in high society.”

Maria really stressed the words “as friends.”

Sure, sure. So you two had your first kiss on the day you parted—big deal. It’s a big world. There must be friends like that out there. I’ll believe you.

I smiled and asked.

“Maria. Was His Highness the Young Duke a good friend to you back then?”

“Yes. A little clumsy in the way he showed kindness, but he was a warm—cough!—person.”

“Then maybe you can be good friends again.”

“That’s…”

I get it. Easy for me to say.

But I wasn’t done yet.

“Hardly anyone approaches someone hoping to make things worse. I doubt the Young Duke was any different when he tried to ask you for that dance.”

“……”

“And besides, he has Frost-Hill to protect. Realistically, this is probably his first and last season in high society. And he spent that precious time on you.”

“Ah…”

“Of course, there’s always the chance he’s changed for the worse over the past five years. But if he once showed you genuine kindness, couldn’t you at least give him the chance to prove who he is now?”

Maria’s small lips parted. It took quite some time before her voice came out.

“To be honest, I’ve been so worn down by all the rumors that even leaving the house scared me.”

“What kind of rumors?”

“That I must’ve been Arthur’s mistress, or that I’m some villainess pitting Prince Tristan and the Young Duke against each other… All from attending a few measly banquets.”

“That’s awful.”

“So I thought everyone in high society must see the world only through the lens of romance gossip… But—”

Maria raised her head and looked me square in the eyes. Her blue eyes were shining.

“There are people like you too. People who don’t judge everything by petty scandals, who actually think about what’s in someone’s heart.”

Mortification and a rush of emotion hit me all at once.

I’m not that good of a person!

But Maria kept going, completely unaware of my inner panic.

“Actually, I owe you an apology. With all the rumors swirling around me and Prince Tristan, I worried you might misunderstand too…”

“So you came to clear that up while paying me a visit?”

“That’s right.”

Maria let out a wry laugh.

“But clearly I worried for nothing. I should apologize for my own shortcomings.”

“Apologize? Oh no, there’s no need! I’d have been nervous too if rumors like that were about me.”

“Thank you for understanding. Then… um…”

Maria hesitated. Her cheeks turned even redder than when we’d talked about the Young Duke.

“This is the first time I’ve ever said this, so it’s embarrassing but… would you be my friend?”

The literal angel of this story just asked.

Even though she wasn’t my favorite character, the destructive power of an honest, kind beauty was terrifying. I had to violently suppress the urge to squeal and fan over her, forcing myself to respond calmly.

“Of course! Can I… start calling you Maria now?”

“Yes… Mm. Of course, Dori…”

Was making things official always this awkward?

It somehow felt even more painfully awkward after we declared our friendship. And just then, Rick jumped in with a sly grin.

“Maria. You told me I was your only friend in the capital, but now you’ve got another?”

“I never said you were the only one. And besides, a person needs friends of the same gender too.”

“Disappointing. I was ready to plaster on a smile and even visit dress shops for you.”

“No thanks. The only man who needs to visit a dress shop with me is my husband.”

With a little huff, Rick’s eyebrows danced. Was he thinking ‘exactly—that’s why I want to be your husband’?

Rick Ray. The second male lead destined to guard Maria from the shadows.

Then suddenly Rick looked my way and held out his hand for a shake.

“A friend of my friend is my friend. Why don’t we have a deeper talk too—start with family backgrounds?”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I have a fiancé. I’d prefer our acquaintance end with a pleasant greeting.”

“You’re quite the decisive lady. Understood.”

Rick didn’t seem the least bit bothered by the immediate rejection. He just lifted both hands and stepped back.

His eyes landed right on Maria.

“Take notes.”

“On what?”

“City ladies are this clear-cut. If you keep messing around like back home in Meyer Manor—ow!”

“When was that even, Rick!”

Maria twisted his cheek with a fierce blush, and Rick just grinned broadly. Such is the fate of a second male lead hiding his one-sided love…

Soon Maria’s face flushed even deeper.

“Sorry—I mean, I’m sorry. No, I… apologize.”

Her face went even redder. How could I keep this cute sight to myself?

“No worries. Do you have plans this afternoon? If you’re free, stay for lunch.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t mind, but would it be rude to the rest of your family?”

“My parents won’t be home until later. And my sister’s just having something simple in her room.”

“In that case…”

Maria looked to Rick as if for permission. Naturally, Rick was all ready to nod so hard his head might come off.

The maids didn’t bat an eye at the unexpected guest and set up lunch without fuss. If my instincts weren’t dead, I’d say it was partly to show off to the cheerful, attractive Rick.

Rick was called a knight, but he was practically a commoner. After the meal, he escorted Maria back to the drawing room, then turned to ask if there was anything he could help with.

Normally the answer would be: ‘You’re a guest. Please wait in the drawing room, we’ll bring the tea shortly!’

But! I was in no mood to be normal today.

“Could you help me prepare the formal tea service?”

“Pardon?”

“I can’t tell which tea or treats our guests might prefer, and since my leg’s like this, it’s hard for me to pick.”

I’d laid it on thick enough that Rick couldn’t refuse.

By the time he was opening each tin, taking forever to decide, the maid finally brought me the news I’d been waiting for.

“My Lady, His Highness the Young Duke Frost-Hill has arrived!”

“Oh, perfect timing. Please ask him to wait in the drawing room, and tell him we’ll bring tea out shortly.”

“Yes, My Lady!”

The maid dashed off. Meanwhile, Rick began to fidget nervously beside me.

“Maria’s all alone in the parlor, isn’t she? That’s going to be awkward for them. Maybe I should just head in—”

“Awkward guests need time to bond too. Stay here and pick… I mean, help me choose some cookies.”

“Cookies too? Hrm, then let’s see… which would everyone like…”

Rick started picking cookies at random.

Meanwhile, I was munching imaginary popcorn inside my head, ears tuned toward the drawing room.

 

💟 Translator Notes 💟
*‘품앗이’/’mutual aid’ is a Korean cultural term meaning mutual aid or reciprocal favors (like neighborly bartering chores).

 

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