Chapter 32
“I see. I must have misunderstood.”
“I thought you’d know since you two stuck together the whole time at the academy… seems I was mistaken.”
What’s with this atmosphere? Why did it suddenly turn so cold?
Everything was fine before Nathan’s name came up.
Father was acting strange. I didn’t know why Richard had asked about magic, but there was no reason for Father to get that upset.
Ugh, I’m going to get indigestion…
No one said a word after that. The silence was heavy, awkward. Eating in that kind of tension was miserable.
Apparently, I was the only one feeling it.
Both of them continued eating like nothing had happened.
“Thank you for saving my daughter. Enjoy your stay.”
Father finished his meal first and left the table.
“I’m sorry. I think I made things awkward.”
“It’s fine. My father probably isn’t feeling well today.”
I had no idea if that was true, but since I was his daughter, it sounded convincing enough.
“Anyway, thank you again for saving me when I fell into the water.”
I smiled and shifted the topic, then called for Mari to bring some tea.
“The weather’s been getting a bit chilly lately, hasn’t it?”
While waiting for the maid, we made small talk about the weather—anything to fill the silence.
Finally, Mari returned with Father’s prized possession: peppermint tea.
It had taken two whole months to be delivered.
Pretending to appreciate the aroma, I took a sip.
Hmm… still don’t get what’s so special about this.
“Lady Yvonne.”
“Yes?”
I must have been too focused on my tea because his voice startled me, and I nearly spat it out.
Thankfully, I managed to save myself from embarrassment.
“Don’t you miss Nathan?”
“Not really.”
Unlike Father, who had come to check on my condition after I woke up, Nathan hadn’t shown his face once.
But I didn’t feel lonely. In fact, I felt… surprisingly at ease.
“That’s good. I met Nathan a few days ago, actually. He seems to be doing well. I even got the impression he prefers life at the estate.”
“Oh, really?”
He seemed taken aback by my lukewarm response.
But honestly, it made sense. After living with family for years, most people start dreaming about independence. Nathan probably did too.
If he enjoyed life there, good for him.
We were never that close anyway.
“Are you sure you’re fine with it? Even if Nathan ends up inheriting the title?”
“Why bring that up all of a sudden?”
“Well… the Duke sent him to the estate for a reason. Isn’t it because he plans to pass the title down to him?”
“So what if he does?”
He sighed heavily, as if frustrated, then quickly smoothed his expression.
“My apologies. I see you’re very optimistic.”
Was that sarcasm?
Apparently, he misunderstood what I meant.
He probably thought I didn’t care about inheriting the title.
But what I actually meant was, who are you to ask that?
Now that I had realized I was living Yvonne’s life, of course I wanted the title.
Being a duchess sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it?
Still, that wasn’t any of Richard’s business. Especially since he was friends with my so-called rival, Nathan.
Why did it feel like he was… wary of Nathan?
“I’m sorry. That was a strange question.”
“It’s fine. But why did you suddenly bring up the title?”
He’d already apologized a few times today, so I decided to let it go.
“To be honest, I’ve always been ambitious about it.”
“I see.”
“But my family decided early on that my older brother would inherit. So I had to keep my desires to myself.”
So he had his own share of disappointment.
Now that I thought about it, no one had ever said who would inherit our title.
Father never mentioned it either.
“I just wondered if perhaps you were in a similar position—wanting it but unable to claim it.”
“Of course I want it. But I haven’t really discussed it with Father yet. I’m sure he’ll decide when the time comes.”
In this empire, it wasn’t unheard of for women to inherit noble titles.
So yes, I wanted it. Power was thrilling.
But if Father gave it to Nathan just because he’s a man, then I’d make sure to take a large enough share of the family’s fortune and business to make up for it.
“I see. Then I hope you won’t give up, Lady Yvonne.”
“Thank you.”
For some reason, it didn’t sound like genuine encouragement.
Maybe I was being paranoid.
Still, Richard’s words carried a strange edge.
“Well, I’m still recovering. I should rest now.”
“Of course. Forgive me for taking so much of your time.”
Good thing my excuse worked.
After escorting him politely to the door, he turned to me before leaving.
“I’m worried about you. The festival is next week—will you be well enough to attend?”
“There’s still a week left, so I’ll be fine. I’ll make sure to be healthy by then.”
He smiled, showing his perfect teeth.
He really was handsome. Almost annoyingly so.
Truthfully, I wasn’t sick at all. So of course I’d be fine by the time of the festival.
But the mention of it made me think of Theo again. Why did he keep coming to mind lately?
At the front door, Richard paused and looked back at me.
“Would it be all right if I visited again before the festival?”
“It’s best if we see each other at the festival.”
“Yes, of course. You’re still unwell, after all. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
He looked regretful as he bowed and kissed the back of my hand before walking away.
The door closed, and as soon as his figure disappeared, exhaustion hit me all at once.
Yawning, I trudged toward my room—
“Has Sir Richard left?”
Father’s voice made me jump.
He was standing outside his study.
“Yes, he just left.”
“…I think I prefer that friend of yours—the one who came a few days ago. Theo, was it?”
Without another word, he turned and went back into his study.
Father, you’re being deceived. Theo isn’t who you think he is.
But for the sake of my friend’s safety, that secret would stay buried forever.
“Milady, what shall I do with the flowers the young lord brought?”
Mari appeared, holding a bouquet of yellow tulips.
Right, the flowers he gave me when he arrived—I’d already forgotten about them.
“Should I put them in your room? The roses have been there for a while.”
“No, put them in the drawing room vase.”
“They’ve been around for a bit, though… they might wilt soon.”
“That’s fine. Leave them for now.”
Mari squinted at me suspiciously.
“What?”
“Who exactly gave you those roses you’re so protective of?”
Was it just me, or did her smile look… oddly sly?
How could she jump to conclusions over a bunch of flowers? She was as bad as Father.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. They’re just from a friend.”
“Oh really? Because you treat them like they’re priceless.”
“That’s because of the thought behind them!”
Theo had sent those roses since the day I nearly drowned—wishing for my recovery, no doubt. I only cherished them out of gratitude.
“That friend of yours—the dark-haired man who came the other day, right?”
“Yes, they’re from Theo.”
“I knew it.”
The knowing look on her face made me uneasy.
It was the same look TV panelists wore while watching reality dating shows—way too entertained.
We reached my room, and I flopped onto the bed with a sigh.
“He’s just a friend. Don’t misunderstand.”
“I don’t know… you two looked very close.”
“Close? How?”
“You seemed genuinely happy talking to him.”
“…”
I had no words for that.
Okay, maybe it was true that I enjoyed his company. He was easy to talk to, and his reactions were perfect.
And yes, he was handsome. How could anyone not enjoy that?
“I support it, milady. You two look great together.”
“He’s just a friend. Stop making weird assumptions.”
“Oh, come on. I have eyes, you know. The way you looked at him—total heart eyes.”
“M-Me?!”
I stammered, horrified.
Had I really been that obvious? My hands shook at the thought.
“Both of you, actually. Anyone watching would think you’re lovers.”
“Get out. I’m going to bed.”
My face was burning. I yanked the blanket over my head, hoping she wouldn’t see.
“Yes, yes. I’ll go put the flowers away. Sweet dreams of him, milady.”
Before I could protest, she slipped out the door.
Left alone, I spotted the roses on the table.
I walked over and stared at them.
“They really are too pretty to throw away.”
I brushed my fingers over a petal. They were still fresh, vibrant.
Had I always liked roses this much?
My Doomed Love Is Entertaining
Episode 72
(Excerpt)
“Yes, of course. You’re still unwell, after all. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Richard smiled wistfully as he kissed her hand.
Perhaps because he’d been overshadowed by his older brother since childhood, he had a sharp intuition—
Sharp enough to know she wasn’t sick at all.
But since he was the one yearning, he decided to retreat for now.
“This won’t be easy,” he muttered with a crooked smile as he stepped into the carriage.
Still, things weren’t going badly. After all, she did want the title.
His plan was simple: help her win the Duke’s favor, marry her, and then take the Lambert title for himself.
He had no idea how catastrophically that ambition would one day destroy him.
[Comments]
→ I oppose Richard’s plan.
→ Where’s your conscience, Richard?
→ Please, just exit the story already.
→ If you love titles that much, go marry Nathan instead 😂
→ ↑ Comment of the day 👏
