DSFL | Chapter 02

~Chapter 02~

As if to prove his point, Cedric’s flat voice echoed.

“Don’t forget that you’re the daughter of the Marquis of Roygin.”

“…”

“Every one of your actions has a big impact on the marquis’ family.”

Seriously, what did I even do?

I felt a bit wronged, but arguing would only worsen his nagging.

“Yes.”

I replied shortly and hurried to walk again.

I knew best what Cedric was warning me about.

Ricardo Hessen.

It was all because of that guy.

And tomorrow, I was supposed to meet Ricardo.

Cedric seemed quite worried about that.

But seriously, what did I do to deserve this?

It’s not like I’ve ever done anything as disastrous as Ricardo, who nearly ruined our engagement!

I felt so wrongly accused, I could’ve jumped in frustration.

***

In the original story, the reason Ricardo and Bianca’s engagement was broken off was quite a cliché.

Villainesses always harass the heroine, and the original story I was reincarnated into followed that classic romance fantasy trope.

Blinded by jealousy, Bianca puts poison in the heroine Idette’s teacup. Ricardo, seeing that, loses it and breaks off the engagement…

As if it were some kind of punishment for tormenting the heroine, Bianca’s grandfather is so shocked to hear his granddaughter was dumped for attempted murder that he ends up dying.

And that’s how Bianca exits the original story forever.

“…That absolutely can’t happen.”

I would do everything I could to prevent Grandfather’s death.

Even if it meant staying in this crappy engagement!

At that moment, Ricardo let out a deep sigh and tapped the table in front of me with his finger.

“…What on earth are you thinking about?”

Only then did I come to my senses and cleared my throat awkwardly.

“I was just… lost in thought.”

“I could tell.”

Ricardo replied like I was completely pathetic.

What a jerk.

If your fiancé liked someone else, would you be able to focus on the conversation?

…But if I said that out loud, Ricardo would immediately use it as an excuse to break off the engagement.

I had to endure it. Just until Grandfather got better.

With a soft groan, I changed the subject.

“Did you get home safely yesterday?”

“If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be sitting here now, would I?”

Ugh, seriously!

Forcing a smile made my lips twitch.

“I asked a silly question.”

“Good thing you know that.”

Ricardo calmly set down his teacup.

Tilting my head slightly, I spoke up.

“Haha, if you didn’t want to meet me, you could’ve just refused.”

“You’re the one who brushes off other people’s rejections so easily, Miss Bianca.”

Ricardo said it with a straight face.

“My refusal wouldn’t have meant anything to you anyway. How shameless of you to say that.”

He smiled, but the look in his eyes was anything but friendly.

…If you’re going to glare like that, can you just drop the fake smile?

What’s funny is—I could understand why Ricardo acted like this.

Bianca, as a child, must’ve really given him a hard time.

‘Ricardo, I heard you’re scared of dragonflies?’

‘…Don’t. I’m serious. Stop it.’

‘Guys, Ricardo’s scared of dragonflies! He’s such a coward!’

Sometimes the memories of young Bianca felt downright cruel.

First, I have to break free from that past.

I opened my mouth hesitantly and spoke softly.

“…Do you still think I have feelings for you?”

Ricardo didn’t answer—just looked bored.

“Believe what you want, but I don’t feel that way anymore.”

“Hah. You don’t?”

“Yes.”

Maybe he was starting to believe me a little—Ricardo’s gaze slowly shifted.

“It’s just… my grandfather is really ill. Until he gets better—”

Right then, Ricardo gave a short laugh and cut me off.

“Bianca, do you remember?”

“…”

“The day you asked me for help because your puppy was sick.”

…If it’s that day, then…

Bianca had lied to Ricardo, saying her puppy was sick, and called him to the storage room.

And then… she locked the door.

Ricardo’s eyes began to sharpen as he recalled the past.

Ah, forget what I said earlier. Please, don’t get serious—just smile…!

“It’s a little late to be asking for help using your family as an excuse, don’t you think?”

“…I’m sorry about that day.”

“Now you’re sorry?”

“But it’s true that I don’t have feelings for you anymore.”

Ricardo let out a hollow laugh.

“Still making excuses—”

“Just like you, I have someone else I care about.”

Ricardo’s face stiffened at that moment.

“You’ve known me for a long time, so you should know—I fall in love easily.”

I quietly looked into his eyes.

“So? What’s your point? I have no idea what you’re trying to say.”

“…”

“Do I have to understand your feelings too? That’s a waste of time.”

Ricardo cut me off coldly. I clenched my fists and calmly continued.

“I just wanted to tell you—you’re not the only one unhappy about this engagement.”

Yes, this was the right answer.

I wasn’t Bianca. Her feelings were meaningless to me.

Still, I should at least apologize for the way she treated Ricardo in the past.

I tapped the table lightly with my fingers and spoke calmly.

“If you want to love Miss Idette, go ahead. Just like you don’t care about my feelings, I don’t care about yours either.”

“…”

“I just want one thing: once my grandfather gets better, let’s call off this engagement. That’s it.”

I wondered if he’d think I was lying.

Bianca’s obsession had been extreme. As a child, she bullied Ricardo relentlessly without even realizing it was because she liked him.

Even if Ricardo didn’t believe me—even if he didn’t believe I no longer had feelings for him—

Still, if I had even a small chance of convincing him, that would be a huge win.

I looked at Ricardo’s face with a small shred of hope—but there wasn’t even the slightest reaction.

He simply scoffed, as if everything I’d said was a joke.

With a mocking tone, he said,

“I see. I don’t know who you say you’re in love with, but I hope he doesn’t suffer the way I did.”

Ricardo rose from his seat, radiating coldness.

All that was left behind was the heavy air pressing down on me.

Still… for now, I guess that was enough.

***

Ricardo ground his teeth.

So now she claims she’s found someone she likes?

What a ridiculous thing to say.

…Damn woman.

You’ve always been like that.

Born to toy with people’s hearts.

Back then, he hadn’t known it was a lie—he really thought she needed help.

With tears falling from her green eyes like blades of grass, she had begged him for help. Anyone—even someone who hated women—would’ve helped her after seeing that fragile face.

She’d done that more than once.

Yet he had followed her every time.

Even knowing it was a mistake, he still went to her.

Even now, it was the same.

Nothing had changed.

No matter how many years had passed, damn her, she was still full of lies.

Unlike him—who had changed.

She says she’s in love?

A woman who doesn’t even understand what love is?

It was laughable.

“…Your Grace, is something wrong?”

Just then, Benjamin, the butler standing beside him, cautiously spoke.

“Did something happen outside…?”

“Something? Oh, plenty happened.”

Ricardo let out a bitter laugh. Benjamin bowed slightly with a strained smile.

Whenever his master returned from a meeting with his fiancée, he always looked gloomy. But today, something felt different.

Though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it—

…It was subtly different. Definitely not the same as usual.

Benjamin, though puzzled, brought out a box to lighten his master’s mood.

“This morning, Miss Idette’s gift arrived. She said, It’s in return for the brooch you gave her at the party yesterday.”

Ricardo’s eyes landed on the box. There was a coldness in his gaze, unlike him—but Benjamin forced himself to continue.

“She’s such a bright and refreshing young lady.”

“…Leave me.”

Ricardo dropped into his chair and leaned his head back.

Seeing how tired he looked, Benjamin didn’t say anything more—even though there was something Miss Idette had asked him to pass along.

“…Then please rest well.”

Thud—!

Ricardo ran his hand over his face, then smirked bitterly.

…Fine, Bianca.

Go ahead and do whatever you want.

Let’s see what you think love is.

Stupid as I am, I’ll gladly fall for your lies again.