Chapter 75
Who’s the One Caught in the Trap? (3)
“Have you swept the floor completely? Once that side is done, this side too—”
Noel strode forward and suddenly grabbed her wrist.
“Ugh. Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”
“Do you think this little floor is the real problem right now?”
Ellysiana frowned and shook off his grip, glaring at him.
“Then, what is the problem?”
“I heard everything you were saying with the servant.”
Ellysiana flinched at his unusually cold, hardened expression.
She knew he tended to be direct with his emotions, but was this really something to get angry about? Technically, Noel had nothing to do with this matter. Still, she kept her composure and said,
“Good. That means no explanation is needed.”
“Lucy… are you really going to do as they said? This is way too unfair.”
“I know. That’s why we’ll just clean up and leave as is.”
Noel looked momentarily stunned, apparently surprised by her answer.
“…Leave just like this?”
“What more should I do? This isn’t a fight we could win by charging in.”
“…That’s true, but… what about the penalty fee?”
“Is money the problem? If we resist, someone’s bound to get hurt. It doesn’t matter to either side.”
Shrugging, Ellysiana adjusted her sore wrist and picked up the props basket again.
Noel stared at her and sighed deeply before extending his hand.
“Give it here. I’ll help you.”
“That’s fine. See those props over there? Gather those too. We’re leaving before the servants return.”
Ellysiana paused, holding the basket close, and looked up at Noel.
“But, El… aren’t you misunderstanding something?”
“Huh? Me? What am I misunderstanding?”
“You’re a day laborer hired by me today. You’re not helping out of kindness—you’re just doing your job. Understand?”
“Oh, right. Day laborer.”
“Good. Then stop saying silly things and get moving. And—”
She exhaled softly and set the props basket down.
Then she stepped toward Noel and poked him firmly between the eyebrows.
“Relax that frown. Did someone die? The only thing people might forgive you for is a pretty face. What’s this attitude?”
“Lucy… aren’t you angry?”
The air, which had just lightened, became heavy again. Noel lowered the finger pressed against his forehead and stared directly into her crimson eyes.
“If I stepped in, you wouldn’t have to endure this kind of disrespect.”
Ellysiana studied Noel, whose face seemed even angrier than hers.
Why was this man so agitated over something that wasn’t even his concern? Did he really think they shared a deep friendship?
Even if she accepted his help to get through this crisis, what would really change?
She consoled herself, thinking this would end here, but the fact that Lady Eragost came to the commoner district to single her out meant this problem wouldn’t be a one-time occurrence.
‘Whatever the reason, it’s bound to repeat until they’re satisfied.’
She couldn’t go asking him for help every single time.
Ellysiana said firmly,
“I appreciate you taking my side, but what happens after that? Will you support me every time something happens? They are nobles, El. If there’s no justification, there’s no room to interfere. That’s the unwritten rule. It applies to you too, doesn’t it?”
She gave a bitter smile and continued,
“And this fight was one I was doomed to lose from the start. This contractor is a noblewoman of the highest rank, and I… am at best a branch manager of a flower shop.”
“…You’re a commoner—”
Noel paused mid-sentence. Ellysiana still didn’t know he was aware of her true identity. But if he revealed it now… what would happen?
Noel’s deep purple eyes trembled with unexpected shock.
At that moment, Ellysiana tapped his arm.
“Stop overthinking. Let’s just go. We’ll talk outside.”
With that, she grabbed Noel’s arm and started pulling him along.
Was the warmth radiating from their touch unusually intense, or was it just his imagination?
Noel felt a sudden dizziness from the flushed heat.
“Why are you just standing there? I said let’s go!”
She turned back, rolling her crimson eyes to lock with his.
Eyes like the evening sunset, glowing softly and captivating. So clear and beautiful that it sparked a fleeting urge to steal them away.
“El. Can’t you hear me? Snap out of it.”
Ellysiana shook his unmoving arm, worry creasing her face. Noel met her gaze, just a span apart. If he tilted his head slightly, wouldn’t he almost touch those full, red lips?
At that thought, a sudden sharp pain shot through his chest.
“Ugh.”
Noel clutched his chest in pain, startling Ellysiana.
‘Why do all these men feel sudden chest pain? Even the Grand Duke did… and now this one!’
Scanning quickly for help, she realized where they were and focused on Noel’s condition.
“What’s wrong, El? Are you hurt? Tell me. Where does it hurt?”
Noel looked down at her small hand holding his arm and felt a strange sense of fulfillment.
Her thoughtful gaze examining every detail of his face.
Her anxious urgency as she worried for him.
‘I want all of this.’
His face turned bright red.
“El. Are you okay? Speak to me, will you?”
“…Just a moment. I’ll step outside for some air.”
“You want to go alone in that condition? What if you collapse? Come with me instead.”
Ellysiana grabbed his arm to support him, but Noel gently pulled her hand away.
“I’ll be back soon. I’ll avoid being seen… and… thank you for worrying about me.”
With a faint smile, Noel disappeared like the wind. Ellysiana blinked and gave a wry laugh.
“Gone in the blink of an eye… I guess he’s fine. Haa, I really don’t know anymore. He’ll manage on his own.”
Shaking her head, she tried to sit, but sighed deeply.
Seeing the table and chairs draped in pure white cloth, her desire to sit vanished.
“Living is really hard… then and now.”
Ellysiana collapsed onto the floor, thinking she’d leave as soon as Noel returned.
But her plan did not go as expected.
“Wait here.”
“Huh? Here?”
Ellysiana was stunned at the servant’s audacity.
Finally, the servant returned and led her to a secluded garden, then smiled as if his job was done.
‘The one who said he’d be back soon… didn’t bother returning.’
Ellysiana pressed her throbbing temples and said to him,
“I’ll pay the penalty. Step aside.”
“Now is inconvenient.”
“The one inconvenienced isn’t me, it’s you. Here, take the money.”
The servant sighed lowly at the heavy pouch of coins.
“I cannot accept this. Please give it to the lady personally after the banquet.”
“Are you joking?”
Ellysiana restrained her anger with extreme patience.
‘If I reveal my identity, would he still act this way?’
But even if she did, nothing would likely change. To them, the daughter of a fallen house is nothing but a joke.
And this servant held no authority.
So she had no choice but to be forceful.
“Since words don’t work, I have no choice! Step aside!”
She shoved the servant aside and quickly crossed the garden. The fact that he didn’t follow immediately bothered her slightly, but leaving here was the priority.
Without time to notice the increasing light, she ran toward the likely exit.
Then, a clear voice rang out.
“Ah! She’s coming! That lady is the branch manager who decorated the flowers in the Ruber Hall’s fragrant garden!”
Ellysiana froze in her tracks and turned toward the voice.
In that instant, her crimson eyes churned like angry waves.
“Thank you all for attending today. Please enjoy the remaining time happily as well.”
On the terrace of the second floor, decorated with lavish flowers, Camilla finished her greeting with a radiant smile.
The attending nobles erupted in applause, showering her with praise.
“It’s as if a section of the garden has been moved here. Truly beautiful.”
“The harmony of the purple and white flowers is especially magical.”
As they said, most guests entering couldn’t take their eyes off the entrance.
Camilla descended from the terrace and approached them.
“I hope this meets your expectations.”
“Oh, Lady Camilla.”
“The flowers are truly beautiful.”
“How can the colors be so perfectly arranged? Lady Camilla’s taste is unmatched.”
One of the ladies lightly touched a flower, her eyes widening.
“The freshness is indescribable, like they were just picked.”
Camilla, wearing a deep purple dress, smiled softly.
“I was lucky. I happened to meet someone very skilled.”
Curious, the ladies gathered around her.
“Could you tell me which flower shop? I’d like to use it for the next banquet.”
“Please tell me too, Lady Camilla.”
As they giggled and looked at her, Camilla plucked a purple flower from the center of the table.
Then suddenly—
“Huh!”
Camilla threw the flower violently. It hit the ground, shattering its delicate form.
And red droplets fell.
Plop.
Plop.
They stained the snow-white tablecloth an eerie, vivid red.
