Chapter 41………………………………….
“I heard things were resolved well.”
“…Yes. More or less.”
“And I hear you dismissed all your aides recently.”
“I couldn’t exactly keep my uncle’s lackeys around.”
No, but how does he know our family’s situation so well? Growing curious, I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye.
Sensing my look, Dian answered tactfully.
“Because of the recent auction incident, the Renesti family was investigated once. My mother also told me about it.”
Ah, right. That made sense. It wasn’t some petty auction run by riffraff.
Since even high-ranking nobles were involved, it was only natural that Xavier and his family, the Renestis, would be investigated as well. When I nodded in understanding, Dian continued.
“If you need manpower, let me know anytime. I’ll support you as much as I can.”
“No, it’s fine. You don’t need to trouble yourself because of me.”
Our house wasn’t about to collapse immediately. We were short-handed, yes, but it wasn’t a life-or-death situation that required urgent rescue.
Besides, an offer of help like this out of the blue felt burdensome, so I declined as politely as I could.
I shouldn’t just keep taking.
Of course, help would be nice, but I didn’t want to rely on others for things I could handle myself. This was something I needed to resolve on my own. If I only accepted help, I might end up depending on it.
When I refused firmly, Dian showed a hint of regret and cleared his throat.
“My mother wants to arrange a meeting soon.”
“Marchioness Odilon?”
“Yes. She said there’s something she’d like to discuss regarding this matter.”
Is she trying to wrap things up?
I’d been meaning to meet Lady Odilon myself anyway, so I agreed readily. Last time, I hadn’t been in good condition. This time, I thought it’d be better to greet her properly, in good health, perhaps with a small gift.
“I’m fine anytime, so please set it at her convenience.”
Dian nodded in agreement. I lightly bit my lower lip and glanced around.
When are we going to part ways?
It felt like we’d already been walking for a good thirty minutes. I’d assumed he’d suggest splitting up by now, but he showed no sign of doing so—almost as if he intended to walk with us to the bitter end.
We don’t really have much left to say.
All the work-related talk was done. And personally or publicly, it was an awkward relationship for casual conversation.
It’d be strange to have a cozy chat with my former fiancé, wouldn’t it?
After a brief moment of deliberation, I decided I’d have to create an opportunity myself.
“Young Lord Odilon.”
“Dian.”
“…Pardon?”
“Didn’t you used to call me by my name?”
…We were closer than I thought?
In noble society, calling someone by their given name was reserved for family, lovers, or friends close enough to be considered as such.
Otherwise, etiquette dictated using surnames only. Yet even after becoming former fiancés, we’d been on a first-name basis—meaning we must have been quite close.
This is hard to read.
So far, I’d been careful with my words, and nothing problematic had happened, but I figured I should be more cautious from now on.
“I think it’s better if I address you appropriately now.”
“…Because of the broken engagement?”
“Most likely. Others might find it odd if they hear it, and…”
“If you don’t mind, then—”
No, I mind.
If I went around calling my former fiancé by his name in public, what would people think? I’d finally managed to escape gossip. I didn’t want to become the talk of the town again.
Besides, Lady Odilon might take offense as well.
“I think we should be careful when we’re outside. You never know who might be listening.”
“……”
Dian frowned slightly. I wasn’t sure if it was dissatisfaction directed at me, but it was clear he didn’t like the situation.
Better to set things straight now than to invite misunderstandings later.
It’s better for him too.
Just as I was about to add another word, I felt a faint pressure on my arm and turned toward Matthias. He gently pulled me toward himself, narrowing his eyes.
It was obvious he was wary of the other man. I quietly squeezed the hand he was holding.
“We have somewhere we need to stop by for a moment, so we’ll be heading back now.”
“Just the two of you?”
Suspicion flickered across Dian’s face.
But I nodded confidently.
“We decided to take some rest today.”
It wasn’t a lie. Coming out together today was part of resting.
I quickly bowed my head.
“Then we’ll see you another time.”
Having clearly expressed my intention to leave, I swiftly turned away.
That was when—
“Wait—!”
Just as Dian’s hand was about to touch my arm—
“Don’t touch her.”
Matthias snapped viciously, grabbing Dian’s hand midair. Caught by the wrist, Dian stared at him in surprise before his brow twisted into a scowl.
Standing awkwardly between the two of them, I swallowed the sigh I hadn’t managed to let out.
In dramas, I used to envy female leads caught between two men.
But actually experiencing something like it…
I genuinely wanted to turn into dust and disappear.
“……”
A little while later.
Dian clenched and unclenched his hand as he looked at the now-empty space beside him.
The presence that had felt so full just moments ago shattered in the blink of an eye, like sand scattered by the wind.
I hadn’t planned to speak to her in the first place.
As Aria had said, the two of them were in an awkward position for private, personal meetings.
They’d been close, yes—but hadn’t they gotten engaged and then broken it off? And hadn’t it been his own mother who first suggested ending the engagement?
At the time, he’d thought of her as nothing more than a friend. Since he hadn’t harbored any other feelings, he’d accepted the decision, even if there’d been a twinge of regret.
Yet the moment he saw her again—especially when he saw another man at her side—his body had moved on its own.
In a way, it had been instinctive. And this wasn’t the first time. Seeing her again now, she felt different somehow.
A subtle sense of distance. Even her attitude, as if she were treating him like a stranger.
He didn’t know why, but one thing was clear: her feelings had changed since the broken engagement.
And there was someone else who bothered him, besides Aria.
The man standing so openly beside her. The same guy he’d run into in the alley before—once again, he was at Aria’s side.
Just who is he?
Too intimate to be merely a guard. And even as friends, it wasn’t common for a man and woman to walk around holding hands like that. If they hadn’t been trying to hide it, it wouldn’t have been strange at all for rumors of an affair to spread.
And that grip—strong enough to block his own. Dian, who had never in his life been physically overpowered by anyone, had no choice but to be shocked.
When he’d reached out toward Aria, that man hadn’t merely restrained him—he’d looked ready to break his wrist.
Feeling that sharp killing intent, Dian couldn’t shake the discomfort even after the two of them left.
I should look into him.
He didn’t know why someone like that was by her side.
But one thing was certain—he wasn’t ordinary.
