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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Unfounded Confidence
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Fluttering her long eyelashes, Serapina looked up at Dietrich, then flinched.
Dietrich was looking down at her as if she were a bothersome insect.
*So this is the lady.*
Tap.
Dietrich impatiently set her arm down.
*The one who treats Lady Ansi like a maid…*
Without so much as a customary greeting, Dietrich walked right past her.
Left alone, Serapina’s eyes widened in shock.
*This can’t be happening.*
The source of Serapina’s usual confidence.
It was the certainty that she could capture any man’s attention.
No matter where she went, every man would at least spare her a glance.
The only difference was whether they quickly composed themselves and feigned disinterest.
Or if they approached her openly.
In other words, this was the first time she had ever encountered a man so utterly indifferent.
*How could this be…*
Serapina’s eyes trembled violently.
An overwhelming sense of helplessness washed over her, as if the very ground that had always supported her was crumbling away.
The name of that ground was.
Self-esteem.
* * *
“What the hell do you think you’re doing right now?!”
…I’d like to ask you the same thing.
Why did he suddenly appear before me, his face flushed red with anger?
“Cut it out. Why the hell did you throw this party?”
Gregory shouted again, the veins on his neck bulging.
“Are you trying to insult the County of Gusto?!”
“An insult?”
“Yes! The very act of deliberately holding a party on the same day as our family…!”
It was the same old Gregory.
Meaning, he was spouting utter nonsense.
With an incredulous look, I brushed Gregory’s hand away.
“Is there some imperial law stating that only the County of Gusto is permitted to host a party on July 5th?”
“W-What?!”
“If not, then you have no reason to be angry, do you? …Ah, don’t tell me.”
Blinking, I tilted my head.
“Did guests not show up to the Gusto party? If so, that’s a shame.”
Then I gave him a sweet smile, my eyes crinkling.
“You should have made better friends.”
Well, the Duchess did say I could use her name as much as I wanted.
I suppose I can say this much, right?
“…”
Gregory glared at me, his shoulders trembling with rage, and gritted his teeth.
Then.
He clutched his forehead and let out a long sigh.
“Hah, Lalitt. Isn’t this enough?”
He spoke as if he were dealing with a clueless child.
“If you’re trying to make me jealous, you’re making a big mistake.”
“…”
I was truly at a loss for words.
“Make you jealous? Me? Why?”
When I asked out of genuine curiosity, Gregory puffed out his chest confidently.
“Because you like me, of course.”
Aha, so his only evidence was ‘just a feeling’.
I shook my head.
“My goodness, Gregory. Delusions of that magnitude are a sickness.”
“A-A delusion?!”
“Yes. If I still liked you, I wouldn’t have bothered asking to break off the engagement.”
As if I’d struck a nerve, Gregory’s confident expression tightened ever so slightly.
But only for a moment.
Gregory raised his voice instead.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You think I don’t know what you’re up to?”
“Really? You know my intentions when even I don’t?”
I retorted mockingly, and Gregory’s face flushed as red as a ripe tomato.
He spat out his words through clenched teeth.
“You’re trying to make me beg you to stay by asking to end the engagement. Huh?”
“…”
At this point, I felt the need to clear up this dreadful misunderstanding.
Otherwise, it seemed I would have to continue this pointless conversation with him.
“Why would I do that?”
I let out a deep sigh and began to speak.
“Why would I need to cling to a fiancé who doesn’t even like me?”
Struck to the core, Gregory’s shoulders stiffened.
“Th-That’s…”
“An engagement is a very effective way to tie someone down. Especially a man who doesn’t like me.”
I continued calmly.
“And I chose to give up that effective method myself.”
“…Lalitt.”
“Which means.”
I shrugged and asked Gregory.
“Doesn’t that prove I’m over you?”
“…”
Gregory’s face twisted in a scowl.
I didn’t quite understand his reaction, though.
Who was the one who had treated me, his fiancée, like a servant while trailing after Serapina like a lost puppy?
“Shouldn’t you be thanking me?”
“Thanking me?”
“Of course. You like Serapina, don’t you?”
I met Gregory’s contorted face with a calm gaze.
“Now you’re free to formally propose to her without being tied to me.”
Although, you’ll never be her choice, even if you chase her for a lifetime.
Gazing at Gregory with pity, I proceeded to rub salt in his wound.
“You may not become Viscount Ansi, but Serapina is surely worth more than a mere title. Isn’t she?”
“You…!”
At my words, Gregory bit his lip so hard it could bleed.
He can’t bring himself to agree or disagree, can he.
“Besides, should you be leaving Serapina alone? Weren’t you always worried she’d collapse without your escort, being so fragile and all?”
I threw the words he used to say like a mantra back at him, and he looked as if he’d been caught off guard.
My mood soured instantly.
Since those two were always stuck together like a pair of cockroaches, I just took a stab in the dark.
I never imagined Serapina would actually be at this party…
“Anyway, it seems our conversation is more or less over, so I’ll be going now. You should return to Serapina’s side as well.”
Not wanting to waste any more time on Gregory, I turned to leave.
But then.
“You’re just like all the other pathetic women out there.”
Gregory blurted out.
*What’s with the sudden non-sequitur?*
Bewildered, I turned back.
Our eyes met, and Gregory curled his lip into a sneer.
“What, did a single dance with Duke Claudius make you think you’re somebody special?”
“…”
For the first time, I felt my words catch in my throat.
To be honest, it wasn’t as if I hadn’t thought that at all.
After a lifetime of being someone else’s supporting character, for once, I felt like the protagonist…
*But so what if I did?*
A question suddenly popped into my head.
This party was hosted by my family, the Viscounty of Ansi.
*My parents and I are the hosts, so isn’t it natural for the hosts to be the center of attention?*
Most importantly, whether I thought that way or not, Gregory had no right to interfere.
*Damn, I almost fell for his belittling tactic again.*
I really need to fix this habit of shrinking back whenever someone says something.
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Meanwhile, thinking he had gained the upper hand, Gregory scoffed loud enough for me to hear.
“Ha! Just give it up and apologize already. This is your only chance to remain my fiancée…”
“Apologize?”
At that moment.
A pleasant, low voice cut into the conversation.
Simultaneously, a man emerged from the shadows.
That handsome face, revealed under the brilliant moonlight…
*The Duke?!*
My eyes widened.
*Wait, why is the Duke here?!*
The Duke was approaching us with a leisurely stride.
