TCBCVF 13

~Chapter 13~

“Ugh, this is so annoying!”

“W-Well, that can’t be true. I’m happy when my friend receives good service too.”

A moment later, Seraphina forced a smile and spoke up.

“By the way, you didn’t come alone, did you? You don’t know much about fancy places like this, do you?”

Her jade-green eyes looked at me with feigned pity.

“If you really wanted to visit such a place, you should’ve told me earlier. I would’ve brought you here at least once…”

She knew nothing.

Without my help, she wouldn’t be able to do anything.

The subtle malice hidden beneath her seemingly benevolent attitude.

In the past, I would’ve been hurt by her behavior, anxious, and tried my best to please Seraphina.

But now, I just felt indifferent.

“Well, I didn’t say I came alone.”

“What?”

For a moment, Gregory’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Do you mean you have company?”

What? Why did he suddenly snap?

I was confused and turned to look at Gregory.

“What do you mean? A lady with an engagement, unable to behave decently…”

“……”

Excuse me, it’s been only a few days since I sent the breakup letter.

Is he still talking about my fiancée?

“Why haven’t you replied to my letters? I’ve sent so many!”

“……”

As I stared at Gregory, I sighed deeply before answering.

“Oh, those? They were filled with so many unnecessary details that it didn’t seem worth replying.”

“Larith!”

Gregory shouted loudly.

“You’ll regret this! Who would marry you if not me?!”

“Why do you think I’ll regret this?”

I retorted while observing the atmosphere around us.

I could see people were starting to pay attention to us.

In places like this, most of the guests were nobles and gentlemen.

‘This is good.’

It would be better to make it clear in front of many people that I sent the breakup letter to Gregory.

I made my decision and spoke clearly on purpose.

“If I were going to regret, I wouldn’t have sent the letter in the first place.”

“What did you say?!”

“Honestly, I don’t have a reason to regret. I’m the heir to a barony, but you’re the second son of an earl, right?”

Gregory’s face turned bright red with embarrassment and anger.

I enjoyed watching Gregory’s face, which looked as ripe as a tomato.

“I’ll be the next Marquis Ansi, but you’re just a man with no title, right?”

“You, you! Have you finished talking?!”

“I’m just stating the facts. Why are you so angry?”

I retorted sarcastically.

As the princess had taught me, nothing was more painful than stating the truth.

Just then,

“What’s all this noise about?”

Click, click.

The sound of sharp heels echoed as the princess approached us, tilting her head arrogantly.

“I heard that Lady Anshi has already sent the breakup letter. So, you two aren’t even engaged anymore, right?”

“Th-That’s…”

“Then why are you still clinging to Lady Anshi like this?”

The princess looked Gregory up and down, as if she were inspecting an insect, and muttered.

“Pitiful.”

Princess, you’re amazing!

I clenched my fist.

But the princess’s truth-bombing wasn’t over yet.

“It seems that Lord Gusto Young-shik is still holding on to Lady Anshi.”

“I-I would never do such a thing!”

“Oh really? That’s good then.”

With a sneer, the princess threw another jab.

“Then, how about keeping quiet and stepping aside? I want to enjoy my meal in peace.”

“……”

Gregory looked like a person who had been hit with an uppercut three times—like a lifeless body.

He was clearly out of his mind.

Meanwhile, the princess, who had lightly crushed Gregory, turned to me with a confident smile.

“Lady Anshi.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“You’ll be receiving an invitation soon.”

“An invitation?”

“Yes. It’s for a salon I regularly host…”

At that moment, Seraphina’s eyes shook violently.

The Duke of Claudius’s salon.

The wives of the Duke’s family traditionally host salons to invite and support the Empire’s rising artists and writers.

Currently, the Duke himself is unmarried, so his younger sister, the princess, takes charge of it.

Most importantly…

‘Seraphina always wanted to go but could never attend.’

The princess proudly raised her chin.

“When that happens, be sure to wear the dress I buy for you. Got it?”

Princess, I guess you really don’t like my attire…

For a moment, I felt uncomfortable, but then,

“Yes, Princess.”

I smiled brightly.

Seraphina and Gregory’s faces contorted in frustration.

Seraphina and Gregory, unable to properly eat, quickly fled the restaurant.

As for Larith, that was understandable.

It was because they couldn’t endure the princess’s piercing gaze.

‘When did Larith and the princess become so friendly?’

Seraphina bit her lip nervously, her face tense.

She had always believed that Larith would be beneath her, unquestioningly.

But now, that firm belief was shaking.

…It was really bothering her.

At that moment, Gregory whined from the side.

“Seraphina, what if Larith really calls off the engagement?”

“Ah, shut up! Really!”

Seraphina snapped, but then hesitated.

“Se, Seraphina?”

Gregory stared at her, his eyes wide in surprise.

Flustered, Seraphina quickly forced a smile.

“No, it’s just that Larith likes you a lot, right?”

“R-Right?”

“Then, this time, she’s probably just upset. Don’t worry too much, okay?”

As she comforted Gregory, Seraphina’s eyes coldly gleamed.

‘I have to find Larith and talk to her.’

A Few Days Later

I was leisurely lying in bed, reading a letter from the princess.

[To Lady Anshi,

It’s Evangelina.

Did you sleep well last night?

Are you wearing the clothes I bought you? I’m sure you threw out those horrible rags, right?]

Huh, does this letter have voice support?

It felt as if I could hear the princess’s sharp voice.

I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

[By the way, when are you coming to visit the townhouse?

If we made a friend contract, I think it’s important to stick to it.

I’m not sending this letter because I’m waiting for you, I’m doing it because the contract is important.]

Really, how many times is she going to emphasize the contract?

I clicked my tongue and continued reading.

[Oh, and when you come, wear the dress I bought for you.

The sky-blue dress with lace trim at the hem, remember?

I wasn’t particularly paying attention, but I think that dress suits you really well.

It’s really hot during the day now, so don’t forget the parasol we picked out.

Also, make sure you fix your hair.

If you show up again with your hair hanging down like a ghost, I’ll really get mad.]

Did she actually notice which dress suits me?

I felt a bit moved in my chest.

[I’ll be waiting for your reply.

Please make sure to tell me when you’ll be visiting the Claudius townhouse in your response.

Or, you can just come find me instead of sending a reply.

– Princess Evangelina]

The letter ended there.

I smiled contentedly as I folded the letter and slipped it into the envelope.

‘I’ll have to visit the princess soon.’

Then, I felt a bit puzzled.

‘But why is the princess so laid-back about all of this?’