Unrequited Love is Over, Fend for Yourselves (5 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 14
Etienne, who had dropped by the restoration room, looked around.
“It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve been here.”
In truth, the restoration room wasn’t a place she’d visited often before. It was somewhere her father—the marquis—frequented far more than she did.
She had come today specifically to see Rani, and for some reason feeling a bit awkward, Etienne found herself aimlessly scanning every corner of the restoration room.
Though called merely a “restoration room,” it was so large that it not only occupied the entire eastern wing of the marquis’s main residence but even had a separate annex building of its own.
While the entire space had been constructed solely for restoration purposes, it was internally subdivided into specialized sections.
Originally created to conceal the direct bloodline’s abilities, it hadn’t been built carelessly—indeed, much actual work truly took place within this restoration room.
Having stood in this state for over two hundred years, it had now become customary for anyone who discovered a rare artifact to bring it directly to the House of Claire.
Upon entering, the first thing one saw was the appraisal chamber.
This was where they assessed whether the items people brought held genuine value, and those who worked here were the most senior and learned among all restoration room staff.
Thus, most of them were older even than Etienne’s father.
After greeting these pillars of the family, Etienne stepped further inside, where the actual restoration space began.
In one area, someone was testing metal similar to the piece being restored, while in another, someone was soaking paper into a liquid solution.
Everyone was so absorbed in their own tasks they didn’t even notice Etienne’s arrival. Passing quietly by them, Etienne searched for Rani.
“There she is.”
Having spotted Rani not far away, Etienne was just about to approach her with a cheerful smile when—
“You were told not to overstep your place!”
Etienne froze at the sharp voice. It had come from precisely where Rani stood.
Rani, holding a rag, had her head bowed low, while the one who’d shouted stood right before her—wearing a white lab coat, clearly a researcher from the restoration room.
“What do you know anyway, sticking your nose into everything?”
“It’s not like that… I just thought if you soaked that paper in heavy water, it might all come apart…”
“Again!”
“I’m sorry.”
At the researcher’s scolding, Rani flinched and lowered her head even more. The other nearby researchers didn’t even turn to look, seeming accustomed to such scenes. Etienne tilted her head, puzzled.
Even if the direct heir of the marquis’s house remained unaware of such incidents, the butler would surely know everything. He kept watch over every corner of the estate—he wouldn’t simply ignore something like this.
“How can you judge the paper’s composition when you can’t even read the writing?”
“But not all paper is made from the same wood. That particular sheet is not only old but also made from dail wood, which makes it especially fragile. If you soak it in heavy water, it’ll definitely disintegrate.”
“Not backing down an inch.”
Even while cowed, Rani still insisted on saying everything she wanted to say.
“We’re trying to dissolve this paper to retrieve another sheet hidden inside—and for that, nothing works better than heavy water.”
Listening quietly, Etienne realized the researcher wasn’t truly scolding Rani—he was using the pretense of reprimand to explain things to her.
Only then did Etienne grasp what was really happening. Though it looked like Rani was being scolded, their exchange was no different from two people sharing thoughts.
“Surely you didn’t think I’d come here to bully a delicate young girl?”
Etienne smiled as the butler, who’d quietly appeared beside her, asked.
“Exactly.”
Acknowledging her misunderstanding, Etienne walked toward Rani. Upon noticing Etienne, both the researcher and Rani hastily straightened their posture and bowed respectfully.
“I have something to say to Rani.”
At Etienne’s words, the researcher quickly excused himself—likely fearing punishment. Etienne briefly considered this but soon turned her attention entirely to Rani.
“Would it be alright if we talked somewhere private?”
“Yes.”
Rani set her rag aside and followed Etienne.
In an empty room, Etienne asked Rani a few questions before sending her off. Left alone, Etienne murmured softly to herself.
“So Rani’s father used to work for Count Pigmen.”
Since she already needed to attend the banquet, it seemed she wouldn’t have to run around gathering information herself.
Though she still hadn’t decided whom to go with.
[This is the timeline separator]“It’s pleasant seeing us share tea so amicably like this, don’t you think?”
At Reinhart’s words, Fernando frowned, his expression clearly saying he couldn’t fathom how anyone could enjoy such a drink.
“I wouldn’t know about ‘amicably.’”
“When two people sit face-to-face sharing tea, that’s amicable by definition. Surely you didn’t come here intending to eliminate me as a rival?”
Alex, standing slightly apart, nearly gasped at Reinhart’s smiling yet biting remark.
Did he just launch a preemptive strike against a younger man?
Even considering they were rivals over the same woman, Alex couldn’t help but think such behavior unbecoming of an elder.
“That might interest you more. This floral tea simply isn’t to my taste…”
Fernando, however, proved no less formidable in reply. One of the few who knew the crown prince’s preferences, he openly declared his dislike for floral tea.
Caught between unexpectedly tense verbal sparring, Alex held his breath and listened intently. He’d followed out of curiosity—but now it seemed he was in for quite a show.
“Then tell me plainly—what do you want?”
“I came to discuss choosing a partner for Count Pigmen’s banquet. After all, we both applied to the same person, didn’t we?”
Fernando spoke bluntly, and Reinhart’s expression showed he’d expected exactly this. Folding his arms and crossing his legs, Reinhart gestured for him to continue.
“Choose someone else.”
“I’d rather not.”
“If you truly have no partner, I’ll help you find one.”
“Do I look that incapable? I can easily find someone to accompany me to a banquet.”
“Then go with that person.”
“But I already have—Etienne Claire.”
Alex clenched his fist in silent excitement. May the best man win—and preferably, let it be Duke Fernando.
“Etienne won’t do.”
Fernando stated it flatly.
“Since when did you get to refuse on Etienne’s behalf?”
“Etienne will be going with me.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to address. Fernando, will you follow Etienne everywhere she goes? You even showed up last time while we were having tea.”
In an instant, Reinhart painted Fernando as nothing but a shadow trailing after Etienne.
“If you need someone to follow around, perhaps you should stick to your parents instead.”
“I’ll be accompanying Etienne.”
“Does Duke Schupraher know you’re acting like this?”
“Yes. And does His Majesty the Emperor know His Royal Highness is behaving this way?”
“…”
For the first time, Reinhart was left speechless. He’d already been troubled by the emperor’s growing interest in Etienne—and now Fernando had struck right at that sore spot.
Of course, Reinhart had intended to play innocent, but Fernando couldn’t have missed the momentary hesitation that betrayed him.
“If you agree to drop this here, I won’t go to His Majesty.”
“Do you think threats like that will make me back down?”
Reinhart replied with clear disdain, prompting Fernando to rise from his seat—as if truly preparing to confront the emperor himself.
“If His Majesty finds out I’m acting like this, he’ll surely list Etienne as a candidate for crown princess.”
Reinhart’s words halted Fernando in his tracks.
“Will you still go and tell him, even now?”
Fernando, already standing, fixed Reinhart with a sharp glare.
“I don’t want to burden Etienne like that either—so please, don’t involve His Majesty.”
Having said that, Reinhart seemed to have an idea and proposed it to Fernando.
“Here’s what we’ll do. Since neither of us intends to withdraw, let’s return to the beginning.”
Reinhart insisted this was the only way and tried to calm Fernando.
“Let Etienne choose—doesn’t that make sense?”
Alex, who’d been silently listening all along, shook his head wordlessly.
Thus ended the heated argument between the two men—abruptly and anticlimactically.
[This is the timeline separator]With the banquet approaching, Etienne’s burden grew heavier like a rolling snowball.
“Why are both of them doing this to me?”
Her name had already become the talk of high society.
To such an extent that she’d lost count of how many friends had visited the marquis’s house today alone—and including letters, easily dozens had expressed interest.
“Do you know what Rachel just told me? I’m apparently the most famous person in society right now—all because of that one banquet!”
“Congratulations.”
“Is that really something to congratulate me on?”
While receiving invitations from two such prominent figures was understandable, it only added to her stress.
“Is it difficult to choose, my lady?”
Butler Letin asked as he offered her a calming tea. Taking the steaming cup, Etienne’s expression softened—whether from the warmth in her palms or the soothing aroma, it was hard to say.
“It’s less about choosing someone and more about deciding whom to reject.”
“Why is that?”
“If I refuse His Royal Highness, I worry it might hinder our house’s future support of the crown prince. But if I turn Fernando away, I’m concerned how Duke Schupraher might react.”
Etienne took a sip of tea before continuing.
“Remember how the duke made such a fuss last time, claiming I’d taken Fernando intending to make him my husband? Won’t he throw that back at me now—‘When you were happy to take Fernando before, why reject him now?’”
Hence her dilemma.
Whichever choice she made, consequences awaited. Thus, Etienne had no choice but to proceed with utmost caution.
“My lady.”
“Hmm?”
Etienne, sipping her tea, looked up at the butler.
“How old are you, my lady?”
For a moment, she almost answered “twenty-one,” but averted her eyes and mumbled instead.
“Are you asking because you don’t know my age?”
“My lady is sixteen this year.”
Though she saw her own increasingly youthful face every day, the number “sixteen” still felt strange to her.
“Then why complicate things so much? Even if you choose His Royal Highness, Duke Schupraher won’t hold it against you—and if you pick Duke Fernando, who would claim that means our house no longer supports the crown prince?”
“Oh… I suppose you’re right.”
“At your age, my lady, you shouldn’t be weighing familial interests—you should be wondering who you’d feel more excited and happy attending the banquet with.”
The butler eased Etienne’s worries, reminding her that since she wasn’t yet of age, she should simply think and act according to her years.
“That’s true. I am sixteen.”
“Have you decided?”
“Yes.”
Thanks to the butler, Etienne’s heart felt considerably lighter as she nodded. She thought she’d sleep well tonight.
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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