Chapter 16
The air felt refreshingly crisp.
Maybe it was because I hadn’t stepped outside the house in so long.
The ban on going out was finally lifted for Count Labatte’s birthday celebration.
But…
“……”
“……”
Now I wanted to go back home.
Inside the carriage sat me, Father, and Nathan.
No one spoke. Maybe because Father and I were so quiet, Nathan just stared out the window the whole time.
“We’ve arrived.”
The carriage rolled to a stop in front of Cedric’s mansion.
Just seeing the building brought back memories of his welcome party.
Let’s avoid getting involved with him as much as possible today.
To stay inconspicuous, I chose a simple brown dress.
But of course—
“You’re here.”
I ran right into Cedric at the entrance.
With another bouquet of white lilies. It had to be mine again.
At this point, I was starting to hate white lilies.
“You came all this way for my father. I’m touched.”
As expected, he handed me the bouquet with that self-satisfied smile of his.
I hesitated to take it, but then caught Father’s gaze. He gave me a subtle nod—basically saying just take it already.
“Thank you. You really didn’t have to.”
“How could I greet the beautiful Lady Yvonne empty-handed?”
Ugh. Gross.
But if I showed how disgusted I was, gossip would spread. So I forced a polite smile and accepted the flowers.
Father looked pleased—like he was already imagining wedding bells.
Father, don’t get your hopes up. I’m not marrying Cedric.
Despite my best efforts, I ended up entering the mansion on Cedric’s arm.
The hall was already crowded with nobles.
After awkwardly greeting his father, I looked around for Louise.
“Are you looking for someone?” Cedric asked.
“Yes. A friend.”
“Would that be Raphael? He’s over there.”
I followed the direction of his finger—then froze.
Raphael was smiling.
Not just any smile, but the kind I’d never seen before.
And he was smiling at Chloe.
So he did go through with asking her out, huh? Looks like it went well.
“How shameless,” Cedric muttered. “Talking so sweetly with Lady Chloe in front of everyone, when his engagement just ended.”
You’re telling me.
Watching the two of them laugh together sent a sharp, stinging ache through my chest.
It’s Yvonne who loves Raphael, not me.
Was I still too immersed in her feelings? Or was it because Raphael’s face looked so much like my favorite idol back home?
Maybe this was what it felt like for a fangirl to accidentally witness her bias’s real-life dating scandal.
“Don’t be sad, my lady,” Cedric said, giving me that same nauseatingly gentle smile. “A good man will come along soon. Perhaps he’s already nearby.”
If that “good man” was him, then I’d rather stay single forever.
But I couldn’t exactly say that aloud.
“Hello there, my lady—Ack!”
One of the young noblemen who approached suddenly yelped and backed away like he’d seen a ghost.
This happened several times—men greeting me, then fleeing in terror.
I finally figured out why: Cedric was glaring daggers at every single one of them.
They weren’t my type anyway, but still… Cedric’s fake-romance act was suffocating.
And seriously, how long was he planning to stick by my side?
At this rate, Father was going to seriously misunderstand.
“Yvonne!”
The mansion door opened, and Louise entered arm in arm with Gerard.
I’d never been so happy to see her.
“Brother Cedric, I’m borrowing my sister for a bit! You play with Gerard, okay?”
She didn’t even wait for an answer before dragging me away by the arm and leading me out into the garden.
Honestly, selling off her own fiancé like that—for me? I was touched.
“I’m so nervous, Yvonne!”
“Did the cake arrive?”
“Yes! And it looks even better than I imagined!”
Out in the garden, one of her attendants stood holding a large box.
“Wow…”
The moment we opened it, I couldn’t help but gasp.
Sophie really was amazing—talented and full of creativity.
I’d only told her what words to write, afraid it might be too much work, but she’d even added delicate floral designs around the edges.
It looked even better than what I’d envisioned.
Honestly, it felt like a crime to cut something this beautiful.
“When we reveal the cake later, Sophie’s shop is going to get so many new customers! Thank you, Yvonne. How did you even come up with the idea?”
Back in my world, we called this a lettering cake.
I didn’t invent it. So the way Louise was looking at me—with admiration sparkling in her eyes—made me feel a little guilty.
“Oh… just, you know… a random idea.”
“Since you created it, should we name it after you?”
“Please don’t. Let’s just call it a lettering cake.”
A cake named after me? No, thanks. My conscience couldn’t handle that.
“I’ll send you the contract soon. It’s your idea, so you should get a share of the profits.”
“You don’t have to, but… thanks.”
Sorry, original creator of the lettering cake—but I’ll make good use of the income.
Still, I couldn’t help but hope: May Sophie’s cake shop become the most popular bakery in town.
“Happy birthday, my lord. I hope you’ll like this.”
I handed the box containing the cake to Count Labatte—Cedric’s father.
“Oh my, you shouldn’t have! Thank you, my lady.”
He carefully opened the box, and the nobles nearby leaned in curiously.
It was the first public unveiling of Sophie’s new creation.
No wonder Louise was gripping my arm so tightly—I thought the sleeve of my dress might tear.
“My goodness, I’ve never seen a cake like that!”
“As expected of Lady Yvonne’s refined taste.”
Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd as the cake came into view.
Thank goodness—the reaction was good.
“You wrote a message on the cake?” Count Labatte said, astonished.
For the record, it just said, ‘Happy Birthday to Count Labatte.’
How did that look like a letter?
“Where did you order this from?” his wife asked, eyes shining.
All gazes turned to me.
Perfect chance to advertise.
“There’s a small bakery in the main street called Sophie’s Cake Shop,” I said smoothly. “I didn’t expect something this beautiful, honestly.”
I tried to sound casual, like I’d just discovered a hidden gem.
“I’ve walked past that shop before, but it looked shabby. I’ll definitely visit now,” one lady murmured.
Excellent. Free marketing—success.
“Thank you,” Louise whispered.
She didn’t need to thank me so much—especially when she promised to share the profits.
When I turned to smile at her, my gaze caught Raphael’s from across the room.
He was standing with Chloe… staring straight at me.
What was he thinking?
“Excuse me, everyone,” Cedric’s voice suddenly rang out.
The attention in the room shifted from the cake to him.
He walked up to me and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket.
Oh no.
What now?
“To my precious Lady Yvonne.”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Episode 56
“Been a while. How have you been?”
“I’m well. Enjoy the party.”
Raphael’s reply was curt. The woman’s polite smile faltered, but he turned away and found a quiet corner near the entrance.
Five times already—five different women had approached him today with suspiciously warm smiles.
It was Count Labatte’s birthday, yet somehow he’d become the center of attention.
He hated it.
Before his broken engagement, none of these women had dared approach him.
He sighed and glanced around the hall again.
No pink hair anywhere.
Boring.
“Lord Raphael, hello again,” came a familiar voice.
Chloe.
“How have you been, Lady Chloe?”
“Quite well, thank you.”
Before he could say more, the doors opened again.
Raphael turned—and there she was.
Yvonne. With her father and Nathan beside her.
And right next to her… Cedric.
That man really doesn’t know when to quit.
His expression darkened.
“You’re staring at her again,” Chloe teased softly. “You always do that.”
“That’s a misunderstanding. I was just—”
“No. Even before, whenever we talked, your eyes always drifted to Lady Yvonne.”
“I didn’t realize. Perhaps because we were engaged then. It felt improper to look elsewhere.”
“Engaged or not, you always looked at her. You don’t even remember our first meeting, do you?”
Raphael went silent.
A few days ago, when they’d dined together for the first time, he’d impulsively confessed to her.
But instead of answering, she’d pointed out that he didn’t even remember when they’d first met.
And she’d been right—he couldn’t recall.
“I truly don’t remember when that was,” he admitted.
Chloe hid a laugh behind her hand—partly to look modest, partly to hide the tremble in her lips.
“To think you’ve forgotten. We met long before that dinner. You just didn’t notice me then—because you were too busy looking at Lady Yvonne.”
Raphael frowned, trying to recall.
But before he could think further—
“Excuse me, everyone. May I have your attention for a moment?”
Cedric’s voice cut through the air, drawing all eyes to him.
Raphael’s jaw tightened.
He had a very bad feeling about this.
[Comments]
→ What’s Cedric doing now?! 😩
→ Poor Yvonne can’t catch a break.
→ So when did Raphael and Chloe actually meet??
→ Raphael’s confusion is killing me 😭
