Chapter 46: Chapter 46

At first, I doubted my eyes.

Rick Ray, are you serious?

When I prayed for you to appear, not even a shadow of you showed up, but now you just pop out of nowhere like this?

However, the silhouette was unmistakable, familiar after seeing it countless times in the salon.

And…

‘Why does he look like a forlorn puppy? It’s oddly distracting.’

With his broad shoulders slumped, he gave off an air that reminded me of a rainy night in Seoul.

Though, given his build, he was closer to a wolf than a dog.

‘It’s better if I don’t say anything, right?’

He probably had a rough day. Let him rest.

I tried not to even glance in his direction—

“...Lady Doris?”

Did he hear my footsteps?

Rick called my name.

His voice was so quiet that, for a moment, I considered pretending I hadn’t heard him.

But there was something so pitiful about the tone, so uncharacteristic for him, that when I turned to look, his expression struck me like someone grasping at anything to avoid plummeting into despair.

“Oh, Rick! Good evening!”

I feigned exaggerated enthusiasm and approached him.

“Maria told me! You were helping out as a day laborer today? She couldn’t stop praising how diligent you are, never wasting even a single day!”

It was a social lie I pulled from thin air, but each time I mentioned Maria’s name, his face darkened further.@@novelbin@@

I could guess why.

He must have seen Maria and Arthur basking in each other’s attention.

‘If the story followed the original, they would’ve been alone under a cliff creating the perfect atmosphere...’

“Rick, you don’t look so well. Is something wrong?”

“...No.”

He ran a hand over his face and forced a smile.

“I finally got a break after working nonstop, but now that I’m free, I don’t know what to do with myself. And the friend I wanted to see seems busy.”

“Oh dear. Have you eaten?”

“I drank so much water while working that I don’t think I could eat right now.”

“You should have something, though. You must be so exhausted you’ve lost your appetite.”

“They said last year’s workload was much simpler. Perhaps because of the rain, His Highness was particularly meticulous about overseeing the preparations this year.”

“His Highness?”

“Yes. Your fiancé, Prince Tristan, personally supervised us.”

“Oh.”

Hearing that, the pieces clicked in my head.

The reason Rick couldn’t come to Maria’s aid when she was in danger.

‘Was that another butterfly effect I started?!’

Because I mentioned the slippery roads, Tristan tightened the maintenance standards, which overworked Rick, leaving him unable to spare time for Maria.

Rick Ray, I’m sorry for getting mad at you earlier for not showing up!

“Here, take this.”

I handed him a florentine I had saved because it was delicious.

In Seoul, it was hard to find even a decent place selling them. It was a treasured treat for me here too, but it made more sense for someone hungry and down to eat it than for me to hoard it.

Rick’s eyes widened.

“Thank you. Are you sure you want to give this to me?”

“It’s better than me eating it as a snack. I’d rather you regain some energy.”

“...Do I really look that exhausted?”

“A little.”

“How embarrassing.”

Rick didn’t eat the florentine immediately but stared at it in silence. Was my presence making him uncomfortable?

“Well, I’ll take my leave then. Thank you for everything today.”

“Thank me? But we just met, Lady Redfield...”

“Thanks to your efforts, everyone could enjoy a safe hunting tournament.”

I’m sorry! I’m the reason you overworked yourself!

I should tell Tristan to let the workers rest tomorrow.

“Have a good evening. Don’t skip meals!”

“...Thank you.”

Rick seemed a little stunned. He probably didn’t expect gratitude.

As I turned to leave—

“Lady Redfield. May I ask you something?”

“Oh, of course.”

“...It’s a personal question, so if it offends you, please forget I asked.”

Don’t ask me to forget; just don’t ask in the first place.

And then came a truly personal question.

“What does it feel like to have a fiancé? Does it make you happy?”

“Uh… That’s not something I expected to be asked.”

How does it feel? Like my parents view me as property to be bartered away, which is utterly horrifying?

That’s my honest thought, but of course, I gave a proper answer.

“At first, I was frightened, but knowing this engagement was arranged out of my parents’ love, I decided to focus on its positive aspects. Now, I truly look forward to the wedding with happiness.”

“Hah, that’s such a textbook answer. Has anyone else asked you this before?”

“Life in society is like a series of questions where ladies are required to give the correct answers.”

“...I see.”

“Did that answer your question?”

“Well enough that I can’t argue.”

“Then please rest well. I hope we meet again.”

I bowed gracefully and headed to the garden. A few glances back revealed Rick still staring at the florentine.

This is making me feel conflicted.

I never wanted to witness the sad, unrequited love of a supporting male lead play out so vividly.

‘But I suppose this is better than watching him sacrifice himself for the heroine.’

If I had to listen to him munching on that florentine, I’d probably feel even worse, so I quickened my pace.

I soon reached the small maze garden.

Mother had once told me that couples exchanged all sorts of intimate whispers in the gardens at night.

But despite the number of people visible beyond the hedges, the atmosphere was unnervingly quiet.

At first glance, it seemed like pairs of men and women were enjoying each other’s company, but…

‘Their minds are elsewhere.’

The focal point wasn’t hard to find.

Deep within the maze garden, a young man and woman sat on a small bench, a hand’s breadth of space between them. They were the quiet topic of the evening.

Arthur Albion and Maria Meyer.

They weren’t saying much.

The occasional exchanges were things like, “Are you cold?” “No, I’m fine.”

Their stilted sentences, combined with the physical distance, made them look like two people on their first blind date.

“Boring.”

“Is this even scandal-worthy?”

Some bystanders muttered in disappointment.

But I knew the truth.

They had already shared countless words and were now at the point where all that was left was to confirm their feelings for each other.

Moments like this—when they were alone—were crucial.

I turned away.

There was nothing I could do here.

It wasn’t as though I could throw them off a cliff.

‘At least the worst-case scenario of the male lead liking me didn’t happen.’

Let’s get something to eat.

I headed back to the banquet hall.

But I knew snacks wouldn’t satisfy something deeper inside me.

“Rick, you asked what it feels like to have a fiancé?”

It’s like growing an unfamiliar organ inside your body.

One you’re stuck with for life.

Don’t envy it.

Supporting male leads like you are always handsome and capable.

You’ll find someone better.

I’m sure of it.

***

After Doris Redfield disappeared from view, Rick considered throwing the florentine into the bushes.

A palm-sized almond cookie couldn’t possibly fill him, and it would only make his mouth sticky.

‘And I absolutely refuse to accept her pity.’

The cursed Redfield family, who stole the Blue Atrium.

Yet, even as she left, Rick found himself unable to discard the florentine.

‘This woman… What is she?’

In such a brief encounter, everything she did seemed to stick in his mind.

Does a noble lady sneak snacks for herself? And then give them away without a second thought?

‘Does she not care about her reputation?’

Even during their last meeting at the Redfield estate, she’d lingered in the kitchen, ensuring every cup of tea and cookie was perfect for the guests.

‘She’s not fit to be called a lady.’

And yet such a woman was engaged to that arrogant, flamboyant prince.

‘Ha, they’ll both suffer.’

Whatever hardships the daughter of the Redfield family faced were none of his concern. At worst, she’d cry into silk handkerchiefs while living in luxury.

He was bitterly imagining her future when he absentmindedly took a bite of the florentine.

It was sweet and buttery, much better than he had expected.

‘...Not bad. For once.’