Translator: Nox

Chapter 40

40.

“Sigh, if that is truly what you want…”

In the end, Brian yielded to Lobelyn’s request.

However, even amidst her determination, the way Lobelyn’s eyes occasionally wavered weighed heavily on his mind.

‘Bell, is this really enough?’

Brian swallowed the question that rose as he looked at her expression.

Even though he believed doing as she said was the right thing.

For some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being a coward.

“Aaaargh, they’re looking down on me! This makes me so mad!”

Two days later, Lobelyn had been practicing her archery in the Viscounty’s garden since morning.

If she stayed still, useless thoughts kept creeping in, so she had to do something.

It bothered her slightly that the weapon in her hand happened to be the crossbow Ian had sent her.

‘Whatever. Sitting quietly and embroidering would only make my mind more chaotic.’

Still, seeing the arrows thud firmly into the target made her feel like some of her stress was being relieved.

Perhaps it was because the original Lobelyn had a setting where she threw tantrums while aiming a crossbow at Cornelia.

Her skills were better than expected.

“So what if they’re the Imperial family? Is that everything?!”

Lobelyn grumbled as she reloaded another bolt into the crossbow.

On the day she returned from the Empress’s Palace, she had been so overcome with skepticism and futility that she couldn’t focus on anything.

What followed that was anger.

How could someone say such things to a person’s face without a second thought!

‘What do they take me for!’

The Empress had shown no hesitation in revealing to Lobelyn that she was keeping Ian in check.

Her attitude suggested she didn’t care if Lobelyn went around blabbing about it.

‘Of course, it’s true that there’s really nothing I can do! That’s why it’s even more infuriating!’

Lobelyn muttered to herself as she lifted the crossbow again.

She aimed at the target pinned to a tree.

However, she couldn’t pull the string easily.

‘Lobelyn Dines, shooting is all about momentum. Don’t take your eyes off the prey—’

“Ah, seriously…”

Whenever she let her guard down for even a moment, memories of that day with Ian came back vividly.

The shooting posture he taught her, his large and firm hands, the gentle smile he wore as he looked down at her…

Every memory of that day disturbed Lobelyn’s heart.

Lobelyn tried to pull the string with all her might once more, but eventually, the strength left her hands, and she decided to give up.

“…”

Setting the crossbow down, Lobelyn stood there blankly.

In the two days since she visited the Empress’s Palace, there had been no word from Ian.

Of course, he had mentioned in a letter beforehand that he would be busy.

‘I guess Bri really didn’t say anything.’

As the Crown Prince’s excellent aide, Brian must have redirected Ian’s attention appropriately.

Even though she was the one who had asked for it, this situation felt strangely bitter and contradictory.

“My lady!”

At that moment, Sarah approached from afar with quick steps.

Lobelyn’s eyes instinctively darted to the letter Sarah was holding.

Even though she thought it impossible, a sliver of hope regarding the sender of that letter arose.

However, Lobelyn was slightly disappointed by the news that followed.

“My lady, Marquis Maxwell has requested a visit.”

“Ah, Lady Dines. Have you been well?”

Cedric, who was seated in the drawing room of the Viscounty, stood up immediately upon seeing Lobelyn enter.

Having reflexively offered a greeting, he bit his lip with a look of realization.

“My apologies. It was foolish to ask such a question when I know perfectly well you couldn’t have been well.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Lobelyn offered a faint smile as if it were no big deal.

But inside, she was sighing.

‘So Cedric came here knowing everything too. Well, he is a member of the House of Nobles, so I suppose it’s only natural.’

Just how many people knew by now?

Lobelyn decided she should stay in seclusion for a while as she gestured for Cedric to take a seat.

“Please, sit.”

“Thank you.”

Once Lobelyn sat down, Cedric also took his place on the opposite sofa, observing her complexion.

He seemed somewhat cautious after his earlier slip of the tongue.

As Lobelyn silently poured the tea, Cedric, who had been staring at her hands, spoke again.

“You know, it seems ridiculous rumors often spread in life. Don’t you agree?”

“Pardon?”

“Isn’t it a fact known to everyone that there is no connection between you and His Imperial Highness?”

“Ah, haha…”

It was clear that Cedric hadn’t even considered the possibility of something happening between Ian and Lobelyn.

He treated the whole affair as nothing more than a groundless rumor.

While that was the natural conclusion and a relief for Lobelyn…

‘I don’t know if I should be thankful for this or not.’

Feeling strangely conflicted, Lobelyn simply held her teacup and smiled.

“Ah, wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

But as Lobelyn brought the teacup to her lips, Cedric stopped her.

Startled by the sudden interruption, Lobelyn looked at Cedric with wide eyes.

Cedric carefully pulled the teacup Lobelyn was holding toward himself.

“What are you doing…?”

“Just a moment.”

Cedric blocked Lobelyn as she reached for the cup.

Then, he picked up the silver teaspoon on the table and stirred the tea.

A sharp clinking sound echoed as the two pieces of silverware met.

After checking the spoon, a look of satisfaction appeared on Cedric’s face as if to say it was fine now.

“There. For the time being, please make sure to check everything before you consume it.”

“What? Why?”

At Lobelyn’s question, Cedric gave a playful smile.

He returned the teacup to Lobelyn and spoke.

“Regardless of the truth, it is a scandal with the Crown Prince. There might be ladies who are jealous of Lady Dines.”

“Are you saying someone might poison my tea? Because of Ian—no, because of His Highness?”

“Who knows? A person blinded by love is capable of anything.”

Cedric shrugged with an attitude that was half-joking and half-warning.

Dismissing it as a joke, Lobelyn shook her head slightly.

“That’s impossible. In the first place, His Highness and I… are nothing to each other.”

You said so yourself just now.

Lobelyn swallowed the last part of her sentence with a slightly pouting expression.

“Hmm, is that so?”

Cedric wore an unreadable expression as he looked at Lobelyn.

Soon, he leaned forward slightly, bringing his gaze closer to hers.

Unlike before, his expression was serious.

“Of course, things might be uncomfortable right now. But honestly, if I were Lady Dines, I wouldn’t let this opportunity slip away.”

“…Pardon?”

What was he talking about now?

Lobelyn wondered if Cedric was joking again.

But his expression remained grave.

“Regardless of the truth, if you become ‘the Crown Prince’s woman’ through this incident, won’t the way the social circles treat you change?”

“What does that…”

“People will be curious about what you wear and what you eat. They will watch your every move. Honestly, as a businessman like myself, it is a very tempting opportunity.”

Leaning back again, Cedric shrugged.

He added that if it were him, he would never miss such a chance.

Hearing those words, Lobelyn felt a strange sense of familiarity from her past life.

‘Is he talking about being an attention-seeking YouTuber where views turn into money or something?’

To think something like that existed in this world too.

However, since that was far removed from the life Lobelyn pursued, she gave a small shudder.

“Ugh, I really hate that sort of thing.”

“Why? Lady Spencer was the talk of the town for days just for dancing with His Highness. Every boutique in Centerfield is desperate to make her next dress. Isn’t that the kind of situation every lady dreams of?”

“Ahaha, is it?”

At the mention of it being every lady’s dream, Lobelyn gave a hollow laugh and took a sip of her tea.

Him, the Empress—how could they all say such similar things?

Well, the Empress was aiming for the next throne, and Cedric, as a merchant group leader, likely wanted more wealth.

Maybe their thought processes were similar.

‘But my life motto is to live a long, quiet, and modest life.’

After taking a sip of tea, Lobelyn set the cup down again.

“How long would such a position last if it were gained through lies? Even if I saw a temporary benefit like that, in the long run, I’d have more to lose in my life.”

“…What?”

Cedric’s hand paused at Lobelyn’s words.

Lobelyn continued, watching him with indifferent eyes.

“I mean that it’s better to earn things honorably through one’s own strength.”

Lobelyn, who had frowned slightly, shrugged and relaxed her expression.

Cedric looked surprised for a moment at her words before smiling again.

“So that’s what you were thinking. I hadn’t realized.”

“Oh, I’m not saying your way of thinking is wrong, Marquis. I’ve never run a merchant group myself. People can have different opinions.”

“Of course, I understand that as well.”

Cedric nodded, slowly scanning Lobelyn’s face.

An unidentifiable light, different from before, flickered in his eyes.