Chapter 04
Diana stopped walking in front of the lounge.
“Miss Wellington is quite pretty, but nobles like us don’t choose lifelong partners based on looks alone.”
Unfortunately, the voice coming from inside was familiar.
A group sat on the sofas, chatting loudly.
The man seated at the center was someone Diana knew.
“Especially for a family like the Crawfords, they evaluate a partner from many angles. Not even knowing something that basic is honestly embarrassing.”
“Oh my, Carmine. That’s not something easy to overlook.”
The woman leaning against Carmine’s shoulder spoke in a voice Diana knew all too well.
“So what you’re saying is—you didn’t care about my looks?”
“Of course my lovely fiancée is an exception, Mio!”
Carmine Pierce and Mio Campbell.
A famous couple in high society—everyone knew them.
***
“I was so surprised. Lord Ian, who’s supposedly so busy, actually showed up at a party like this.”
Mio said, holding a glass of champagne.
“And who would’ve thought that Miss Wellington would jump at the chance and run straight to him?”
She sneered and took a sip.
As if on cue, the people around them joined in.
“She always pretends to be so proper. I wonder how hard she tried to hide her desire to flirt.”
“Poor thing. Does she even know how she looks to others?”
“Poor? My nose hurts from her perfume. Did she bathe in it? Doesn’t she know moderation?”
“Haha, that’s enough.”
Carmine smiled sweetly.
But his words were as bitter as poison.
“Can you really blame Miss Diana? Her father doesn’t even know shame. It’s no wonder she wasn’t taught any better.”
…She really wanted to ignore it.
But—
“What exactly is it that my father doesn’t know?”
Diana stepped into the lounge without hesitation.
“Would you mind explaining in detail?”
Everyone froze at her sudden appearance.
Mio and Carmine, along with the other noble ladies, all went pale.
“D-Diana…”
“How long have you been there…?”
“For a while now.”
When a group gossips about someone—and that someone is you—most people would shrink back.
But after dying once and transmigrating, the range of things that scared her had shrunk quite a bit.
Diana stepped inside and glared directly at the couple at the center.
Mio’s face twisted first.
“It’s been a while, Miss Diana.”
She stood up, brushing off Carmine’s attempt to stop her.
“You’re quite shameless, eavesdropping like that. I suppose that’s what happens with low-born new nobles.”
“It was hard to ignore when you were crossing the line. Isn’t that shameless?”
Diana replied flatly.
“And eavesdropping? Were you having a secret conversation?”
She looked around as if teasing them, then glanced at the window in mock surprise.
“Miss Campbell, your voice is so loud it’s a miracle the windows didn’t shatter.”
“What did you just say?”
“No, I haven’t said everything yet. Did you think I’d stay quiet after you turned my father into a public joke?”
She expected gossip when she left with Ian.
But bringing her parents into it?
“Families like yours that value honor over money are certainly different. The Campbell marquisate must teach its members how to mock and belittle others, right?”
She pretended to realize something.
“Ah! Is that what brought you two together?”
“Shut your mouth!”
“If that’s the case, you really are perfect for each other. Birds of a feather, right?”
“Y-You crazy woman—!”
“That ‘crazy woman’ has some advice for you, Miss Campbell.”
Diana looked at her with mock pity.
“Never break up with Lord Carmine. What will you do if he mocks you behind your back afterward?”
Mio’s face turned bright red.
As Diana pressed on, the woman who had been so talkative earlier fell completely silent.
“You two are truly a perfect match. These days, even trash is sorted before disposal, right? So please stay together forever—even into your coffins. I sincerely support you. Fighting!”
Mio, who had probably never been humiliated like this in public before, bit her lip and began to tear up.
“Oh dear, don’t cry, Mio.”
“C-Carmine…!”
“My little bird crying… it breaks my heart.”
Her fiancé, who had been standing back until now, stepped in to comfort her.
What a joke.
Carmine soothed her, then stepped forward, placing himself between her and Diana.
Standing so close, his height cast a shadow over her.
It looked like he might hit her if no one were watching.
“Miss Diana, you should learn when to step forward—and when to stay quiet—before that pretty face of yours gets ruined.”
He glared down at her threateningly.
“Or should I teach you myself?”
Relying on his size to intimidate her—he was no different from a thug.
Trash.
Just as he seemed ready to strike—
“Excuse me.”
A voice interrupted.
Turning around, Diana saw a blond man standing there.
“Dinner is ready. It would be best if everyone moved to the banquet hall.”
“…Young Lord Valentine.”
Only then did Diana realize who he was.
“It would be better to go before the food gets cold.”
“…Tch.”
Carmine clicked his tongue and stepped back, aware of being watched.
With the mood broken, the others exchanged glances and quickly left the lounge.
***
Once they were alone, the man looked at Diana.
“Are you alright?”
He had neatly styled dark blond hair and an authoritative presence.
His gaze was sharp, his tone cold and formal.
“The atmosphere seemed tense, so I intervened. Are you injured?”
“I’m fine.”
Though she had nearly been hit.
Still, he didn’t seem entirely convinced.
Was he in the original story?
As far as she remembered, the young Lord Valentine never appeared in the novel.
His violet eyes were still fixed on one spot.
Realizing why, Diana quickly added,
“I’m really fine. My shoe was already broken—that’s why I came here to rest.”
“I see.”
“Thank you for your help.”
“It was nothing. As the host, it’s only natural.”
He assessed her condition quickly.
“You look tired.”
“I guess I am…”
“If you’d like, you can rest on the second floor.”
“There’s a lounge upstairs too?”
“Yes.”
“Take the left staircase. Few people go there, so you can rest comfortably.”
“And earlier—you said everyone should gather in the hall…”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I can’t force a guest who is in distress.”
His tone remained cold, but there was clear consideration behind it.
“Thank you. I’ll accept your kindness, then.”
***
Following his directions, Diana easily found the second-floor lounge.
As he said, hardly anyone was there.
Only a small light illuminated the room.
She looked around briefly for more lighting—
Then gave up.
“…Whatever. I’ll just rest.”
She collapsed onto the sofa.
Being alone in the dim room, her tension melted away.
“Ugh…”
She was exhausted.
Not just saying it—she truly didn’t want to move a finger.
Preparing since morning, meeting Ian Crawford, staying tense the entire time—
And then dealing with that annoying couple.
Why does Mio Campbell always pick fights with me? I don’t even know why!
Their faces flashed in her mind.
Frowning, she suddenly sniffed her clothes.
Was the perfume really that strong?
Maybe it was.
Letting the maid apply too much had been a mistake.
“….”
She wished she could ignore those people completely.
But she was still human.
If I had actually tried to seduce him, fine. But I worked so hard not to stand out, and they still say that!
Her mood sank.
“I need some fresh air.”
And maybe get rid of the perfume too.
She stepped onto the balcony.
The fresh air helped immediately.
The breeze brushed through her hair.
This feels nice.
She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the scent of greenery below.
***
“Please—just a moment. Just a moment is all I need!”
It was then she noticed hurried footsteps.
A desperate voice echoed—completely out of place at a party.
“Young Duke!”
“Didn’t I tell you to wait quietly until I contacted you?”
One of the voices sounded very familiar.
“I know—but if things had gone well, I wouldn’t have come looking for you like this!”
“….”
“The casino losses are getting out of control. They’ve piled up so much I can’t handle it anymore. If he finds out—”
“Enough. Let’s talk inside.”
And the moment she realized—
Diana froze in shock.
The man who cut him off and led him into the lounge…
Was none other than Ian Crawford.
***
Back to the Present
Now—
At the moment she was discovered by Ian.
“Did you hear the conversation just now?”
Diana honestly felt like fainting.
If you want, I can continue Chapter 05 in the same style.
