Chapter 83
‘If I stay by Alferen’s side, Summer might misunderstand.’
A fateful reunion with his first love.
After that, Alferen, who should have been repeatedly crossing paths with her at the Magic Tower and nurturing the buds of romance, was instead avoiding her.
Adrian, on the other hand, had encountered Summer not at the banquet hall but at the Magic Tower, falling head over heels in love.
‘This puts Alferen at a disadvantage.’
Even if it was his first love, that was six years ago.
If an attractive man like Adrian kept making advances, Summer wouldn’t be able to resist forever.
‘Even the slightest hint that those two are getting together, and Alferen wouldn’t dare try to insert himself.’
Just from the fact that Alferen wasn’t even facing Summer directly, it was clear.
He had already resolved to support Adrian and Summer’s pairing.
‘This is exactly why I keep getting dragged into it.’
In truth, I had no real reason to be angry at Adrian, but the reason I felt so furious was because I liked Alferen.
I didn’t want him to get hurt.
I wanted him to end up with the person he liked.
I’d gone so far as to hide my feelings and end our fake relationship for his sake.
So why was he playing the role of matchmaker all on his own?
Moreover, the words he’d said in the carriage kept swirling around in my head.
‘I was happy. Knowing that you’d been putting in all that effort for me this whole time. I even hoped that maybe you felt the same way about me. Of course, even if you don’t, it doesn’t matter. I’ve prepared myself for that.’
It was a statement ripe for misunderstanding.
With just those words throwing me into such turmoil, would I even be able to watch if Summer and Alferen actually got together?
‘Probably not.’
I let out a deep sigh. Either way, it wasn’t a topic with a clear-cut answer.
Yeah. I thought it was strangely lucky for this dense brother of mine.
My attitude gradually soured as the scenes from the original story inevitably played out in my mind.
When I outright propped my chin on the table and glared at Alferen with a sullen expression, he tilted his head curiously.
“What’s wrong? Do you have something to say?”
“Are you even listening to my advice, Brother?”
“Huh?”
“I told you that if you like someone, don’t just stay cooped up at home—get out and loiter around a bit. Why can’t you take what’s being handed to you?”
Frustrated, I grumbled the words, and he flashed a broad smile.
“Is that so? I thought I was already doing plenty.”
“I don’t see it at all.”
Do you even know what Summer is up to with Adrian right now?
If you can’t be her partner, at least don’t go claiming to be mine!
Rage boiled up inside me, and in that moment, I took a huge bite of the cream cheese cake on the table.
“Really? Then maybe I need to loiter even more.”
As if he’d been waiting for the cue, Alferen leaned in closer to me.
My heart pounded at the sudden proximity.
He reached out and lightly brushed my lips with his thumb.
Naturally, he brought the cream that had stuck to his hand to his own mouth.
Between his parting lips, the cream that had just been on mine vanished without a trace.
Even the way his red tongue slowly swept over his lower lip.
Unaware of myself, I’d been staring intently at his lips, and feeling embarrassed, I lifted my gaze—only to lock eyes with him.
It was clear he’d been watching me from the start.
“Is it okay for a full-grown lady to eat with cream smeared on her lips?”
His gently whispered voice sounded incredibly seductive.
Even though he wasn’t trying to tempt me.
It was just his innate charm that instinctively made me read meaning into it.
Clutching my thundering heart, I bolted up from my seat.
“I’m going to step out to the lounge for a bit!”
I’d only been close to him for a moment, but my heart was racing too fast.
At this rate, I felt like he’d catch on to my feelings, and I couldn’t stay put.
I touched my heated cheeks and took a deep breath.
Even without looking in a mirror, I knew my face must be bright red.
“It’s been a while since I drank, so I’m feeling tipsy.”
Fortunately, having had the wine gave me an excuse to blame it on the alcohol.
Just then, Alferen stood up as well and extended his hand.
“Come with me. I’ll escort you.”
“No! You stay here. My dress is feeling stuffy, so I’m just going to check on it.”
I brushed off Alferen’s offer and fled toward the lounge as if escaping.
The lounge set up in the imperial palace banquet hall was a place divided by rank for resting, and it served as yet another venue for socializing.
May, who had been waiting outside the banquet hall, followed after me.
“My lady, why is your face so red? You didn’t drink again, did you?”
“Yeah, I did.”
It was actually Alferen’s fault, but I didn’t bother explaining.
May placed her hands on her hips and let out heavy sighs.
“Oh dear! His Grace the Duke is at the estate this time—you need to drink in moderation!”
“Ah, whatever. I’m feeling tipsy and just want to rest for a bit, so if you’re coming, come; if not, don’t.”
Using May’s nagging to steady my nerves, I entered the lounge I’d been informed about in advance.
At that precise moment, the conversation among the people inside came to an abrupt halt.
They were oddly glancing at me, as if they’d been caught talking about me.
I spotted Jessica among them and hardened my expression.
She looked momentarily surprised to see me, then plastered on a picture-perfect smile.
“It’s been a while, my lady. You’ve come at just the right time.”
With a mild expression, she offered me her seat.
At first glance, it seemed like a gesture showing how much she respected me, but it was a trap.
If I casually sat there, I’d come off as a shameless woman.
I already knew that rumors about me had been circulating subtly through high society.
Jessica had cleverly mixed in lies to play the victim.
Implying that there was a real reason her family had no choice but to retreat to their estate.
She hadn’t said it outright, but those well-versed in society’s gossip could quickly pinpoint me.
If I just left now, it would only lend more credence to Jessica’s words.
She had deliberately yielded her seat.
Knowing me as she did, she probably thought I’d flee the moment I realized the rumors had spread.
‘She’s just the same as ever.’
In a way, she was the person who had greatly influenced my prison ending.
Seeing how she was crawling back out after I’d handled her leniently showed she hadn’t reflected even a bit.
As I pondered for a moment what to do.
“Are you here to rest?”
“Ah, Julia.”
Julia, who had just entered the lounge at that opportune moment, warmly took my hand and pulled me along.
“Come sit next to me. I actually have something to talk to you about.”
She naturally guided me to her own seat.
Thanks to that, I had a suitable excuse to evade Jessica’s ploy.
As I was dragged along impulsively, I checked Jessica’s face.
She looked somewhat flustered.
Seeing the people around her consoling the embarrassed Jessica and seating her again, I arrived at my spot.
Julia covered her mouth with her fan and whispered.
“She must be feeling awfully anxious right now.”
“Why?”
“Before you arrived, Rodellia, they were busy badmouthing you over there.”
Ah, so that’s why those expressions.
Right about now, she was probably burning up inside, wondering what Julia and I were discussing.
The lounge was a space anyone of noble rank could use.
It was also the perfect place for gossip to arise.
I stared directly at Julia. Her attitude felt strangely favorable toward me.
Gossiping in the lounge was a natural occurrence to begin with.
It was considered a virtue to hold your tongue and avoid getting involved in troublesome matters, even among friends.
Yet here she was, subtly tattling to me?
She was even deliberately pressing her shoulder to mine for the whisper, subtly flaunting that we were close.
It was obviously an action meant to provoke Jessica, so I was curious about her intentions.
“Don’t you usually stay out of things like this, Julia?”
“You seem to know more about me than I thought.”
Julia smiled with her eyes, as if pleased.
“Well, usually I do… But since you’re my number one pick for recruitment, Rodellia, I can’t help but be concerned.”
