WCTPWMMA – Chapter 20

‘Should I go with “What do you mean? I’m really grateful! I actually needed these!” to be polite, or do I become that socially dead human who starts rating a gift with star reviews right in front of them?’
Obviously, common sense says I should pick the first one…

“You can be honest. I just confessed feelings I’ve never told anyone else just a moment ago, didn’t I?”

Faced with Arthur’s desperate eyes, the T in my MBTI coldly clacked away at a mental keyboard.

★★☆☆☆
Quality’s good, shipping was fast. But giving someone a bandage without checking how far along they are in recovery or what they actually need? A bit bewildering. The product itself is fine, so two stars.

…Now, how do I say that out loud?

“If it were me, I probably would’ve brought flowers or something to eat. Flowers to cheer up a patient who can’t really go for walks, and food for the family stuck looking after them.”

“Ah.”

Arthur nodded like a model student.

“I understand. The bandages were the result of me… well, focusing a little too literally on the ‘sprain.’”

“You catch on fast.”

“Alright. Next time, food. Flowers…”

“But that’s only the standard approach. With you and Maria, there’s actually an exception.”

“An exception?”

“You saw it earlier, right? The way Maria touched that bandage, asking if it came from Frost-Hill. Like something clicked in her mind.”

“…She did.”

“If there’s a shared history between you two, then even something as trivial as a fallen leaf can turn into a priceless key that unlocks old memories.”

Come to think of it, maybe that’s why Arthur, who has zero social instincts, still managed to win Maria over in the original novel. Because they shared a past—childhood memories and the lingering ache of a first love that didn’t quite work out.

I gave Arthur a firm nod as he seemed to realize something.

“On most days, you should just look at how popular gentlemen act. My wonderful fiancé is a perfect role model for that, wouldn’t you say?”

“…Ah, yes.”

“But when it’s just the two of you, use those shared memories. In that sense, Your Highness is carrying a treasure more valuable than any jewel.”

“Understood. So, typically follow the role model, but when the timing’s right… bring up our old memories…”

Arthur repeated my advice several times, looking dead serious.

Being stuck alone with him was awkward, but honestly, this turned out to be a good opportunity. If things ever go sideways with them, I can jump in to help right away.

Arthur lowered his head deeply.

“I came here today to pay for my crime, but ended up indebted to you instead. If there’s ever anything I can do to repay you, please tell me.”

“Hehe, I’m never going to forget you just said that.”

Right then, someone opened the front door. The fact that they didn’t even bother knocking told me who it was before I looked up—it was Countess Redfield.

The moment she spotted the Young Duke, her face lit up.

“Oh my, Your Highness the Young Duke! You arrived early. Have you eaten yet? I worry that my Dori is so oblivious, she might not have hosted you properly.”

“I was treated splendidly. You needn’t worry.”

“You flatter us. Hold on, let me get you a nice whiskey.”

My mother brushed past Arthur’s attempt to decline and leaned in to whisper in my ear.

“Natalie? Don’t tell me she’s still asleep?”

“Big sister went out to the garden for a walk with the other guests. Didn’t you see them outside?”

“No. Why would she suddenly take a walk? And who are these other guests?”

“Lady Maria Meyer and her personal knight. They should be back soon…”

The moment she heard Maria’s name, my mother’s brow tightened. But she was too seasoned a lady of high society to let her expression slip any further.

“I see. So, Your Highness the Young Duke, what would you like to do? Shall I have some drinks brought out?”

Looks like my mother’s plan to pin him down with whiskey switched instantly to “Leave if you want.”

Arthur shot up from his seat at once. Definitely an introvert.

“Now that I’ve confirmed Young Lady Redfield’s health, I’ll be taking my leave. Please take good care of yourself, Miss Redfield.”

“Thank you. I look forward to seeing you again.”

Arthur walked to the entrance at a snail’s pace—successfully timing it so he ran into Maria, Rick, and Natalie as they returned from the garden.

They didn’t talk for long.

“I’ll be heading off then, Miss Meyer, Miss Redfield, Mr. Ray.”

“Take care. It was lovely to meet you.”

“Come again anytime. Preferably with a bouquet.”

My sister is so consistent.

Rick only gave a short nod. Given how long greetings were dragging on, that didn’t seem strange at all.

After the Young Duke left, it wasn’t long before Maria and Rick gathered their things to depart as well.

“Thank you for the warm hospitality, Lady Redfield. And for your kind guidance as well, Lady Dori Redfield.”

Maria turned back to me with an almost regretful smile.

“Dori, I really hope you recover quickly. Next time, let’s try going to a tea house together.”

“Definitely. I’ll look for a good spot!”

I waved to send them off. Rick Ray gave me an elegant bow.

And once all the guests had left.

There was only one obvious thing to do next!

“Mother, how do you untie this cast?”

“Dori! No matter what the Young Duke said, did you get the sense he likes you? Did you send Maria off early on purpose? Because sitting next to her, your face would look so—”

“Just undo the knots, please!”

“I was going to! Stop getting all worked up and answer me, okay?”

“Mooother! All he did was say he was glad I was alright!”

“That’s when you should’ve stood up, staggered a bit, and fallen right into his arms! Why are you so clueless?”

Why do you even ask when you’re never going to listen to my answer anyway!

After thoroughly nagging me, my mother finally got up. But of course, she still had arrows left for her second daughter.

“I never thought you’d fail to seize such an obvious chance, Natalie.”

My sister didn’t respond. My mother stared daggers at her for a long time before abruptly turning and storming out of the sitting room.

Haah, now that it’s all over, the tension finally drains out of me.

‘So exhausting!’

Feels like I just met everyone I’m supposed to see over the next week in a single day.

I sank deep into the sofa.

Maybe I’ve just gotten used to it by now. Even in front of Natalie, I felt totally at ease.

“Did you go far, sister?”

“Just once around the garden. The problem was that Maria girl kept showering me with compliments every time I opened my mouth.”

“…She’s sweet.”

“I know. She’s more like someone out of a holy scripture or myth.”

Natalie shook her head, looking utterly drained.

She’s never lost a fight in her life, but put her in a situation where she has to maintain peace, and it’s clear how tiring she finds it.

“Sister. You cleared out of the room for my sake, didn’t you? You really didn’t have to.”

“It was for me too. I didn’t want to sit there and get nagged by Mother—asking if I had a nice chat with the Young Duke, if I set up the next meeting and all that.”

“Didn’t want to end up like me, huh…”

“Oh, and this. I brought back your gift.”

She suddenly tossed me a small box. The lid had oranges drawn on it, and the moment I opened it, a rich buttery smell hit my nose.

Financiers!

Golden little treats lined up like bars of gold, topped here and there with figs, walnuts, or a sprinkle of salt, absolutely wrecking my salivary glands.

“Wow! What is this, sis?”

“Apparently a famous dessert shop popped up nearby. Eat some before Mother finds them.”

But before picking up a financier, I had to ask the more important question.

“Who are they from?”

“Your fiancé.”

I almost dropped the box.

“His Highness Tristan? Oh, he must’ve sent them by post.”

“He-His Highness came in person—”

The hastily tacked-on polite speech was dripping with negativity. No way… no way…?

“Did you… stop His Highness from coming inside?”

“Yeah. Told him you’d had a lot of guests and were exhausted, so he should come another day. He left right away.”

“Why would you lie to him?! He’s my fiancé!”

I couldn’t even laugh it off anymore. My voice rose.

“I really don’t care about any man other than my fiancé. I wasn’t even grateful you made time for me to be alone with the Young Duke!”

“So. You like His Highness Tristan?”

A question tossed at me so casually, like she was asking if I liked apples, I didn’t even have time to think.

My instincts were about to blurt out “Of course not!” and all my rational brain could do was clamp my mouth shut just in time.

I don’t like him.

I just think he’s a good choice for my life.

Natalie spoke coldly.

“That silence speaks volumes.”

“……”

“I know you think highly of him as husband material. If you want to marry him, fine. I’ll respect that.”

“Then why’d you interfere?”

“If the marriage goes off without a hitch, you’ll be seeing his face to the point of nausea, right? So why start now with someone you don’t even like? And if you two break up, even more reason not to bother.”

“……”

“Have fun with your life. You’ve got way more safety nets and options than you realize.”

She stood, popping a financier into her mouth.

My head was a mess—I couldn’t even respond. As she reached the door, she stopped.

“Oh right. I mentioned Maria was sweet, didn’t I? But watch out for that Rick Ray fellow.”

“Huh? Did he do something to you?”

“It’s a hunch. That guy… something about him feels off.”

“…Okay.”

And just like always, my sister dumped all that on me and left.

Her judgment has zero logic behind it, but…

‘You know what, Natalie. Your instincts are sharp.’

Rofan second male leads generally split into two types. One is the stoic silver-haired knight type, who usually dies protecting the heroine and leaves the reader swooning. Thankfully, this story doesn’t have one.

The other is the friendly golden or brown-haired type. Sometimes a genuinely good guy, sometimes hiding a dark secret.

Rick is the latter.

‘He’s not a villain, but…’

He could still turn out to be bad news for me.

Because at seventeen, he’d already had his future stolen by the Royal Family and House Redfield.

 

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