LVSFN 33

Chapter 33

My prediction was completely off.

Nathan Palamedes was a man whose desire to gossip far outweighed any instinct to keep his own embarrassment hidden.

I seriously underestimated that guy’s mouth!

By the next morning, Ecla went out to get some eggs and came back saying she’d heard from Elome what had happened at lunch yesterday. — By noon, Mother had received dozens of tea party invitations. — And by the afternoon, Father was being flooded with letters from all directions.

I’m starting to think everyone in this world has a cellphone except me.

Otherwise, how could this information spread so fast?

What the hell is happening right now?

The rumors snowballed so wildly that eventually, even I heard this:

“What? I’m getting married on Saint Obenri’s Day? Me? Are you sure it’s me?”

“Yes, my lady. The whole town is abuzz with the news of your marriage.”

My jaw dropped, and I couldn’t respond.

I mean, seriously, it’s not like Jerlach actually proposed. If I recall our conversation yesterday afternoon…

“Why are you… announcing a dedication piece for my woman?”
“I wasn’t going to rush it, but if I want to protect my Liebe, I don’t have a choice.”

That’s all he said — and that was enough to spark this rumor?

So to be clear, Jerlach never even brought up the word “marriage.”

At most, the only terms he used to express his feelings were “my woman” and “my Liebe.”

It makes me cringe the more I think about it, but anyway!

“This is insane. I haven’t even stepped outside since yesterday, and somehow rumors about me are blowing up across all of Mütten?”

“That’s how rumors are, my lady. And it’s not just any rumor — it involves His Grace the Grand Duke.”

“Exactly, and that’s the problem.”

I propped up my chin and let out a long sigh.

“Who he marries is one of the biggest questions in high society. Every woman out there has been wishing and hoping it would be her.”

“……”

“And now, our lady is said to be marrying him. I still can’t believe it. It feels like a dream.”

“Yeah, for me too.”

I still sounded indifferent, but Ecla was practically glowing.

Why was she so happy and excited about this?

“So you’re really getting married on Saint Obenri’s Day? Ah, why wasn’t I there for that moment! I want to hear exactly how His Grace said it. Please, my lady, won’t you tell me? I’m just so thrilled!”

My face, which had been resting in my hand, began to droop lower and lower.

“No, we don’t know yet. I mean, it’s not even that we don’t know yet… Ecla, His Grace never actually said anything about marriage.”

“What? Really?”

“Yes! Who on earth is going around saying this stuff? Why is it that the person actually involved — me — wasn’t even asked about it before the rumors spread?”

In my frustration, I clutched at my hair and messed it up.

“No, my lady! Don’t!”

“Ecla, this can’t be. This was never going to work from the beginning!”

“My lady, why are you saying that?”

“Ecla, the truth is…”

I looked at her with a gloomy expression.

“Yes, my lady. Please, go ahead.”

Alright. Maybe it’s time to use this rumor against itself?

If I tell Ecla, she’ll definitely go running to Elome with it.

And if Elome hears about it?

It’ll be all over high society in no time.

Sigh, I know full well that backstabbing people like this isn’t right.

But every attempt I’ve made so far has failed, and Saint Obenri’s Day is rapidly approaching.

At this point, I don’t even care anymore. I just know I have to do something.

I wanted to solve this politely and gentlemanly, but… fine.

“Ecla.”

I cleared my throat and beckoned her closer.

Then, I whispered the magical words that would make this rumor spread even farther.

“Ecla, you absolutely cannot tell anyone. I mean it.”

As I lowered my voice, Ecla nodded solemnly with fierce conviction.

“Don’t worry, my lady. I won’t breathe a word.”

“…Actually, I don’t like His Grace.”

As expected, Ecla’s eyes widened like saucers.

“Oh my gosh, are you serious?”

Then, as if realizing her voice had been too loud, she slapped a hand over her mouth and looked around.

“Goodness, why? Why don’t you like him?”

Of course she couldn’t understand.

Jerlach Cygnus was, objectively, a stunning man.

That jet-black hair like still water, his sharply defined nose, fair and flawless skin, and oh, that voice — so smooth and refined. Not to mention those reddish-brown eyes…

Wait. What the heck am I thinking?

That’s when a conversation I had with Leoni suddenly came to mind.

That’s it.

“I don’t like rough and violent men.”

“Excuse me?”

Ecla tilted her head, confused.

“Rough and violent? Ah, well, there were rumors before His Grace came to Mütten, but I’ve never seen him act that way. People just say he’s stern and decisive.”

“……”

“And he’s never treated you that way either, my lady.”

“No, I like gentle and considerate men. The kind who listen to what I have to say.”

“My lady, I haven’t seen the two of you together that often, but when I did, he barely took his eyes off you. And he listened to everything you said.”

“……”

“From what I saw, he seemed absolutely perfect.”

“Okay, fine. Let’s say that’s true. But I’d also like to have things in common — shared interests, similar tastes. That makes it easier to talk, right?”

“Well, you did meet at Clem’s bookstore. That suggests you already have similar interests. And didn’t you say it felt like fate when you ran into each other there? I mean, what are the odds of that happening on the same day in a maze-like bookstore like that? It’s totally destiny! Thank goodness I went first. Don’t you think?”

Ugh. I give up.

As I huffed out warm air through my nose like a hippo, Ecla scratched the back of her neck.

“My lady, don’t make excuses. Just tell me the truth. Why don’t you like His Grace?”

I stared at her with vacant eyes.

Sigh. No matter how much I explain, Ecla will never understand.

Because the moment I tell her I’m from outside this novel, the whole thing falls apart.

“…I just feel like he’s not the one for me.”

“My lady.”

“He doesn’t feel like mine. That’s all. It’s just… a feeling.”

“My lady, come here.”

Ecla stepped closer and gently hugged me.

The warmth and softness of her embrace eased some of the gloom that had been clouding my heart.

“My lady, maybe you feel that way because everything still feels unfamiliar and awkward?”

It was a kind thought, but that wasn’t it.

I slowly shook my head, and Ecla patted my back as she continued.

“If that’s how you feel, then it can’t be helped. Even if the whole world envies you, if you don’t want it, then that’s that.”

“Ecla…”

“I just want you to be happy, my lady. Even if he’s the most amazing man in the world, if you don’t like him, then that’s the end of it. Of course, if things had worked out, I might’ve had the honor of living in that grand palace… Ah, please forget I said that last part.”

I chuckled as I patted her back.

“Sorry. I wish I could’ve gotten you that grand palace.”

“What are you saying, my lady? This place is already plenty spacious and wonderful. And you treat me so well. I was only joking earlier, really.”

“Ecla, do you think I’ll ever meet someone I truly love?”

“Of course, my lady. You’re so lovely and beautiful.”

“…You think so?”

“Yes! You’re acting a little unlike yourself today. Is something wrong?”

Yeah. I guess so.

Some things just aren’t meant to be.

It’s okay.

But the more I thought about it, the heavier my heart became.

Why? Why did I feel so weighed down?

Just as I pulled away from Ecla’s embrace and offered her a faint smile—

“My lady, you have a visitor.”

At the maid’s words, I straightened up and fixed my expression.

I had canceled all my appointments today because I just wanted to stay home… so who could it be?

Then again, there was really only one person who ever came to see me.

“Who is it? Is it Leoni?”

But the maid shook her head and answered,

“No, it’s Lady Failey Easley.”