For a while after that, the two were awkward with each other.

Even when they occasionally ran into each other in the hallway, they only exchanged one or two formal greetings.

During meals, it was mostly Eida who spoke, while Edric and Melly only agreed with her words but said nothing to each other.

‘Why have these children become so quiet?’

Eida found the sudden estrangement between the two strange, but didn’t think much of it otherwise. She just assumed they had nothing to say to each other and let it go.

And she secretly thought it was for the best. She had hoped they would stop being so close at this point. For the sake of her son’s dignity.

But Melly, unaware of Eida’s inner thoughts, decided to make peace with Edric first.

It was partly because she was the type who couldn’t stay in an uncomfortable state for long, and also because she felt it wasn’t right to continue being sulky towards the Pelton ducal family who had taken her in.

Melly took out two of her teacups that Edric liked.

And she brewed Darjeeling tea leaves with even more care than usual.

She thought that if they drank his favorite tea and chatted comfortably, the emotions tangled between them would unravel.

“Hmm… it smells good?”

Oz, who had approached at some point, inhaled deeply the freshly brewed golden-brown Darjeeling tea aroma and exclaimed in admiration.

“Are you going to have tea time with His Grace after a long time?”

“Yes.”

At the words “long time,” Melly felt bitter.

There was a time when they naturally drank tea together and talked every day, but now they had become people who needed to make an effort to approach each other.

“His Grace will like it. He likes both the tea you brew personally and you, Miss.”

‘I hope he still likes me now.’

Melly wished earnestly in her heart.

The time when she felt upset that he didn’t think of her as a woman now felt like ancient history.

How cruel was the price of daring to harbor feelings, not being satisfied with just being friends. She wanted to do anything if they could go back to being good friends like before.

Melly picked up the tea tray and walked out of the kitchen.

It was when she passed through the living room and entered the lobby.

“…!”

Melly stopped in her tracks at the sight of Edric, who was just coming down the central staircase.

Judging by his neatly dressed black suit, he seemed to be going out.

“Your Grace, the carriage is ready.”

The butler ran up and bowed, reporting.

“I’ve also sent word to the Adel viscounty in advance. That Your Grace will be visiting soon.”

Edric passed by him quickly with an expressionless face. His confident stride seemed to slow down for a moment as he passed by Melly.

“…”

Melly swallowed hard.

She thought he might stop and say something. But Edric didn’t even look at Melly out of the corner of his eye.

“Cancel all of this afternoon’s schedule.”

He ordered the butler thus, and as if to compensate for his briefly slowed pace, he strode past her quickly.

Melly felt as if she had become an invisible person.

She was nothing in his mind now. She was now nothing to him.

‘This is what I brought upon myself.’

Melly dropped her head weakly.

The carefully brewed tea was still giving off steam.

“I wonder if he noticed there were two teacups?”

Looking down at the now meaningless teacups, Melly murmured softly.

She had a feeling, beyond a premonition, that she might never be able to go back to how things were with him.

“Ah…”

An ambiguous smile appeared on Rosalyn’s face.

It was a smile that seemed like it would disappear instantly, like a leaf precariously swaying in a storm.

“I must have misheard just now, right?”

“No, you heard correctly.”

Edric politely confirmed.

“Let’s break off our engagement.”

“…”

In the end, the storm won.

The smile completely disappeared from Rosalyn’s face.

After wearing a bewildered expression for a moment, she picked up her teacup as if her throat was parched.

A slight spasm also occurred at the corners of her mouth as she drank the tea. But when she put down the teacup, she was considerably composed.

It was an attitude befitting a noble lady of a great family, educated to never behave unseemly in any situation.

“I see. That’s unexpected.”

She said, lifting her chin haughtily with a rather relaxed face.

“What’s the reason? Did you find another woman?”

“Yes.”

Edric answered without hesitation.

Rosalyn was taken aback once again by his brazen and confident attitude. She snorted and said,

“Are you admitting fault? What will you do if I demand compensation?”

A smile spread across Edric’s lips.

“I’d be happy to give you a voluntary consolation payment, but as for you demanding it… well, I’m not sure that would be possible.”

Rosalyn felt uneasy at his calm retort. Edric continued in a composed manner.

“Unlike some people, I don’t have any evidence of fault.”

“What do you mean…”

“I believe Lady Adel knows better than anyone what I mean.”

“…”

“Isn’t that right?”

Rosalyn was at a loss for words.

This man, Edric Ryan Pelton, while seeming to give freedom to his fiancée’s private life, had been collecting all sorts of evidence behind her back. The man hailed as the paragon of noble virtue had been using such despicable tactics!

“Please don’t misunderstand. I was merely preparing in advance in case any unfortunate incidents occurred. Don’t you think that level of precaution is necessary for a union between great noble families with various interests intertwined?”

Edric calmly explained the reason in a voice devoid of any emotion.

In contrast, Rosalyn’s emotions had long since escaped the control of reason.

“Just who is this woman?”

She asked, fuming with indignation.

“Isn’t it only right that you tell me that much? Why? Is she so insignificant that you’re too embarrassed to speak of her?”

“To be honest.”

Edric let out a short sigh and said.

“Her status is a bit lacking.”

Rosalyn’s eyes widened in surprise. She didn’t expect him to be this honest.

Noble men often kept commoner women as lovers. And most of them, regardless of the reality, would say their lover was not one to be ashamed of anywhere in this world. It was because that sounded more gallant.

“…Then why not just keep her as a mistress? Wouldn’t that be better? As you have been lenient with me, I will be lenient with you too.”

Rosalyn didn’t want to break off this marriage.

Not only was there no better match than the Pelton Duchy, but men as accomplished as Edric were also rare. He was the best accessory to enhance her value.

“That is not my way.”

But Edric flatly refused.

“I do not engage in the shabby practice of going back and forth between a wife and a mistress. If I judge that she is the only one for me, I will seat her by my side even if her status is somewhat lacking.”

“What about the family honor you value so much?”

“Most loss of honor occurs not because of the legal wife, but because of mistresses. To be more precise, it’s the result of conflicts arising when illegitimate children born of mistresses covet the position of legitimate heirs.”

Rosalyn carefully scrutinized his face. She felt that she had known too little about this man all along.

‘I thought he was just a typical handsome gentleman.’

The man before her, who was willing to throw away all other admirable things to achieve what seemed to be an insignificant goal, made Rosalyn deeply interested in him for the first time since she had known him.

Why hadn’t she noticed earlier?

That this man, whom she thought was a typical arrogant noble young master, was such an impulsive man like a wild horse.

If she had, she would have seriously considered clearing up her surroundings too.

Rosalyn felt regretful. He was too good a man to let go like this.

“Still, please reconsider.”

Rosalyn gently persuaded.

“Well… it’s for your sake too, not just mine. After all, the position of a duchess requires dignity…”

“Lacking dignity can be improved.”

“…”

“But a heart that doesn’t exist cannot be created.”

Edric was as firm as a rock.

‘What kind of woman could she be.’

Rosalyn became genuinely curious. Was there such a charming yet low-status woman around this man? The only one she knew was Melly, but it couldn’t be her.

Would Francis know? That man is quite perceptive, so he might have noticed something she missed.

She should ask him later.

“Then I’ll take it that you agree to the broken engagement.”

The conversation had reached the wrap-up stage. But… this was actually the most crucial part.

“Lastly, there’s something I’d like you to decide.”

“What is it?”

“I’d like you to decide which of us, you or I, should be seen as having demanded the broken engagement on the surface.”

At those words, Rosalyn smiled slightly and leaned forward.

It was a posture that accentuated her pretty chest.

“I suppose you want it to appear as if I rejected you.”

It was an opportunity for Rosalyn. She planned to use the excuse of granting this request to ask for a few more meetings.

“That’s not it.”

But Edric not only cleanly shattered her conviction, he didn’t even glance at her neckline.

“I broke off the engagement, so the blame should also fall on me. You’ll briefly be the talk of the town as the rejected woman, but as is often the case with gossip, the heat dies down quickly without new fuel.”

“…”

“So please decide comfortably. I’ll respect your decision either way.”

Repeated failures made Rosalyn more desperate, but she didn’t dare to try to hold onto him.

Edric was as firm as a wall. It seemed impossible to even leave a fingernail mark on that wall.

“Fine. I’ll tell you my decision.”

She made her decision on the spot.