Chapter 14
“Bored…”
I used to think being a homebody was great—just lazing around doing nothing. But apparently, I was wrong.
Being forced to stay home for three days straight was torture.
Voluntary isolation and being grounded were two very different things.
It all started the day I went out with Louise for her cake business.
“If you want to meet new men, you’ll need to find one from another empire,” she’d sighed dramatically. “There are no handsome ones left in Ferronando.”
Her words stuck in my head. So, when I came home, I went straight to see my father.
He seemed pleased when I asked to talk, but then—
“I want to study abroad.”
He exploded.
“Until Count Labate’s birthday party, you are forbidden to leave the house!”
And just like that, I was trapped.
But where was I supposed to find my male lead now? Even Louise said there was no hope left in Ferronando.
I couldn’t even sneak out—servants came to “check on me,” and the knights guarded every exit.
“Milady, where are you going?”
“…For a walk.”
Yesterday, I almost escaped, only to get caught and forced to stroll the garden with a knight tailing me the whole way. I nearly suffocated from the awkwardness.
So today, I just rolled around in bed.
I hated Cedric, but strangely, I was looking forward to his father’s birthday party—just to finally get out.
“May I come in, Sister?”
Nathan’s voice sounded from beyond the door.
“Come in.”
He entered with a bright look. “You must be bored, right?”
“A little.”
“My friend Richard came to visit. I thought you might enjoy some tea together.”
“Sure.”
Turns out, Nathan was a considerate little brother after all.
When I followed him to the garden, a very handsome man greeted me.
“An honor to meet you. Richard of the Silorven Dukedom.”
He kissed the back of my hand.
Oh my. Pretty boys using their charms always worked on me.
“Nice to meet you. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
“I’m flattered you remember.”
We sat at a table filled with delicious pastries. A maid poured tea, and I caught Richard glancing awkwardly behind me.
He was probably looking at the knights standing guard.
“Sorry. They make things uncomfortable, don’t they? I have… reasons.”
“Not at all. It’s an honor just to be here.”
What a smooth talker.
Nathan suddenly started trembling beside me, hand over his mouth to hold back laughter.
“Sorry, Sister. Richard’s so cheesy I can’t—”
“It’s fine.”
Boys and their inside jokes. It was kind of cute.
“How long have you two known each other?”
“Since our academy days. Six years ago.”
“Richard was jealous I entered as the top student.”
“I was top student after that year.”
“Then I took it back.”
Geniuses, the both of them. I suddenly felt out of place.
“I’m sorry, we’re talking too much about ourselves.”
“No, it’s fun to listen.”
Richard smiled, and for a moment, his bright grin felt almost refreshing.
Then Nathan abruptly stood up. “Oh right! I forgot—Father wanted to see me.”
“Go ahead,” I said, though I silently begged him to come back soon.
Now it was just me and Richard.
He looked straight at me. “I hope I’m not visiting too often.”
“Not at all. I just hope Nathan isn’t being a bad host.”
“On the contrary, I always look forward to coming here.”
Well, my eyes certainly looked forward to seeing him too.
“In that case, come by anytime,” I smiled.
“Can I come… to see you, my lady?”
Our eyes met. His expression was serious—too serious.
Wait. Was he already falling for me? That was fast.
“If you tell me first, I’ll always welcome you,” I said politely.
He smiled again, dazzling as ever.
I tilted my head, curious.
Richard wasn’t a Ferronando noble, or I would’ve heard his name.
“Do you live nearby, Lord Richard?”
“No. I’m from the Yanik Empire, just visiting relatives.”
Ah, so the universe was on my side.
If I couldn’t study abroad, a handsome foreign noble would just come to me.
A duke’s son, no less—Father would be thrilled.
Better looking than Raphael, polite, and charming…
Maybe I’d just found myself a new male lead.
<My Doomed Love Is Entertaining>
Episode 54
“Want some orange juice?”
Without knocking, Louise walked into Raphael’s room, holding a glass of bright liquid.
“No.”
He didn’t even look at her, too busy fixing his outfit.
“Why not? You’re nervous about your date with Chloe, right? Might calm you down.”
“I heard you asked a maid for laxatives yesterday.”
“Tch. You’re quick.”
Louise set the glass on the table and flopped onto his bed.
“That outfit doesn’t suit you.”
“Thanks.”
As expected, she was trying to sabotage his date.
When Raphael didn’t react, she groaned.
“Don’t you feel sorry for Yvonne?”
“A little. But it can’t be helped.”
“She was too good for you anyway.”
He ignored her jab. He was in too good a mood to fight.
“Do you really like Chloe that much?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She’s beautiful and kind.”
Louise frowned. “Yvonne was beautiful and kind too. So why her?”
For once, Raphael didn’t know how to answer.
Yvonne had been perfect. Maybe loving her would’ve been easier. But Chloe… somehow, he’d fallen for her instead.
“You can’t even explain it. You’re awful.”
He stood, brushing it off. “I’m going to be late.”
His carriage stopped in front of Chloe’s home.
Soon, she appeared with a gentle smile.
“Good evening, Lord Raphael.”
“Thank you for accepting my invitation. Please, come in.”
He kissed her hand and offered a bouquet.
“White lilies…” she murmured.
“Do you not like them? I can bring something else next time.”
“No, they’re lovely.”
She stared at the flowers thoughtfully.
Raphael couldn’t stop staring at her violet eyes.
“Is there something on my face?” she asked, hiding behind the bouquet.
“No, it’s just… you’re beautiful. Don’t hide behind flowers.”
Their eyes met, and both laughed softly. It was a good start.
The carriage arrived at the restaurant—ironically, the same one where Yvonne had gone on a date before.
Even the same table.
As he sat down, memories of her laughter flooded back. His stomach churned.
Jealousy, he told himself. That’s all it is.
Halfway through dinner, Chloe broke the silence.
“Lord Raphael, may I ask—why did you invite me today?”
“I think you already know. I like you.”
She laughed, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“When did you start liking me?”
“Since the first time we met.”
“At the peace banquet two years ago?”
“Yes.”
She tilted her head. “You really only ever saw Yvonne, didn’t you?”
Her tone was strange. Raphael blinked, confused.
[Comments]
→ What’s going on here?
→ Wait, the new guy’s her brother’s friend?
→ Isn’t Raphael still the main lead?
→ He definitely still likes the heroine.
→ I’m so confused, lol.
