“It’s said that your father helped you with temple access. Is that really true?”
“Well, I’m not sure.”
Despite numerous questions, when I gave vague answers, it seemed like their patience was running out.
Interesting! Indeed, I’ve done nothing but use “I’m not sure” and “Well, I’m not sure” to irritate my conversation partners.
Remembering my past life when I consistently answered relatives’ questions about studies, job, and diet during holidays with “Well, I’m not sure,” I found their attempts to evade amusing. Eventually, they gave up first.
“Miss Elodie doesn’t have anything straightforward to say.”
“Is that so?”
“…Really!”
The enraged Viscountess Pelé shouted and immediately looked at someone behind her.
It was none other than Dorotea Angelo.
Even amid the turmoil of the Elodie Ferdia inquiry, Dorotea, who had kept silent throughout the chaos, finally spoke up.
“It’s been a while, Miss Elodie. But with the stories I hear, it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long since we last met.”
“The feeling is mutual, Dorotea. I’ve read about you quite often in the articles. It feels like we met just yesterday.”
I’m not the only one caught up in the investigation; rather, Dorotea seems to be more frequently mentioned in the articles. Stories about the Angelo mother and daughter persistently surfaced.
Perhaps the culprit is the Duchess of Ferdia herself. Only the four major families and the royal family could exert such pressure on the newspapers.
Whether she expected to be attacked in my position or not, Dorotea’s expression momentarily stiffened but then returned to a kind demeanor.
“I haven’t been feeling well, so I took a short break. But it seems like rumors have spread.”
Well, good health is indeed a blessing.
“You look healthy, Dorotea. I was quite worried.”
As I spoke while staring at one of her earrings, Dorotea met my gaze without avoiding it.
“Of course. Thanks to Miss Elodie’s concern, I’ve fully recovered.”
“I’m glad. Take care of yourself, Dorotea.”
Maybe she managed to neutralize the poison. Even if it was the Duchess’s poison, it didn’t matter much since she probably intended it to be a mild punishment.
Still, I felt a bit disappointed, thinking I had to keep seeing Dorotea’s face pretending to be kind.
[It’s okay. I find it amusing.]‘Of course, you would. You’re addicted to dopamine, Greed.’
At that moment, familiar figures passed through the bustling crowd.
‘Huh? …The First Prince?’
It wasn’t a mistake. Adenmir, who rarely attended official events, was inside the Matop.
As our eyes met for a brief moment, I instinctively looked away.
But soon, I reminded myself that there was no reason to do that.
‘Oh, right. We agreed to be friends.’
Realizing that fact, I looked back at Adenmir, and I couldn’t help but be perplexed.
“Hmm?”
Adenmir approached without hesitation, walking with his long legs toward where Dorotea and her entourage were.
Why is he coming here? Why is he coming?
‘Go away!’
I silently shouted, but…
“You were here, Lady.”
“…??”
Adenmir came up to me, ignoring Dorotea’s group.
Why is he coming here? Why is he coming?
‘Go away!’
I silently shouted, but…
“You were here, Lady.”
“…??”
Adenmir came up to me, ignoring Dorotea’s group.
“Why are you here?”
As Lord Hicklmeyer hosted the event, the magical device demonstration celebration was a great success.
Among the bustling crowd of prospective buyers, Adenmir quietly revealed himself. Even so, those around who recognized him hesitated and stepped aside.
‘He actually came all the way here.’
Upon hearing that Elodie would be present, Adenmir impulsively cleared his schedule for the day. Why he did that, I’m not sure. Now that we’re no longer engaged, there’s no reason to meet outside official events.
Thinking like that, a single question arose in his mind.
‘Then, have I ever met the Lady outside official events before?’
No, hardly ever. So, this was an excuse.
A clumsy excuse to hide emotions within contradictions, an excuse that was hastily made to justify impulsive actions. It could only be explained as being impulsive.
In any case, there was a need for an excuse to meet Elodie.
Finding Elodie within the Matop after entering was quite easy. When he moved toward where people’s gazes were directed, Elodie Ferdia was there, with her lightly golden hair cascading down as if it could melt at a touch. She stared blankly at the floor, seemingly indifferent, capturing everyone’s attention with her stunning beauty.
Adenmir’s appreciation wasn’t much different from others’. However, there was something strange.
‘Where did the mercenary go, and why is she alone?’
Recently, Elodie was often accompanied by a partner, a mercenary whose absence was conspicuous now. Why would she be alone?
Just as Adenmir was about to approach her to initiate a conversation, someone else spoke.
“Did you get stood up by the First Prince?”
“Oh, how pitiful.”
Someone, unaware of Adenmir’s presence, began gossiping, even though Elodie might hear insulting remarks.
‘Why is she just standing there?’
It was unusual for Elodie not to retaliate with her fiery temper. Even considering her tendency to get worked up and pull people’s hair, she wouldn’t usually stay silent.
Come to think of it, he never heard of Elodie having conflicts with ladies from other families.
‘Is she only hot-tempered with men?’
Just as Adenmir found this curious, Elodie finally moved.
Approaching the murmuring crowd, she began to engage with the young ladies with a smiling face, making her interlocutors increasingly uncomfortable.
Adenmir chuckled as he watched Elodie play with the young ladies using her innocent demeanor.
‘Classic Elodie.’
Her ability to infuriate others without raising her voice was extraordinary. Adenmir found it amusing.
While observing the situation, Elodie coincidentally met his eyes.
Rather than avoiding his gaze immediately, she didn’t. For some reason, Adenmir felt uncomfortable.
So, he decisively approached Elodie.
“You were here, Lady.”
Dorotea’s group was visibly shaken by his appearance.
“First Prince…?”
“I greet the First Prince.”
Addressing them hurriedly, Adenmir nonchalantly asked, “I have something to say to the Lady. May I take her with me?”
“…Yes!”
Adenmir, who was silently observing the nodding heads, spoke in a serious tone.
“Ah, and there’s something to clarify.”
“Yes.”
“I’m the one who got stood up.”
“What? What did you just say…?”
“I’m the one who got stood up, not the Lady.”
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
