Chapter 72: Chapter 72

“Did you forget?”

Well, he had been quite drunk, to the point of falling asleep while we were talking.

Seeing my disdainful gaze, he hastily asked again.

“I’m really sorry, but what did I say that day?”

“You said, ‘I heard she’s the most graceful lady in high society, but she doesn’t seem quite aristocratic, it feels out of place.’”

“….”

“And.”

I purposely dropped the bait, throwing in a line he hadn’t even mentioned.

“You said you wanted to find her weaknesses.”

“Her weaknesses? I couldn’t have said that! I don’t have bad feelings toward her, well, I don’t have any good feelings either!”

Rick was genuinely flustered.

Even when he was drunk, he said the same thing. He had no intention of finding any weaknesses.

Can I believe him?

I sighed a little in relief and shook my head.

“You didn’t say you were going to find her weaknesses. You said, ‘I’m not trying to find any weaknesses, but I was curious.’”

“Ah… that’s it.”

“And you were grumbling about receiving an impolite gift. What was it again? Unwrapped cookies. Looks like you had quite the grudge?”

“…Please forget about the cookies.”

“Of course, I should forget about it. Though, it could be a clue that would lead me to figure out your identity.”

I gently continued, striking at Rick’s discomfort.

“Don’t worry. I’m not close to Doris Redfield, and I’m not planning on unmasking you. If you want, I’ll bet the salon membership and my family.”

Because I am Doris Redfield! And I already know who you are!

I wasn’t lying.

Rick let out a deep sigh.

“I made more mistakes than I realized that day. As expected, alcohol is nothing but harmful.”

“You must have been really hurt by your rejection. I guess something as simple as a cookie would stay with you as a grudge.”

“Please stop with the cookie talk… I envy you, though. You don’t seem like the type to get so drunk you forget everything.”

“What do you mean? Getting drunk enough to lose your memory?”

“The experience of losing love right in front of you, and then losing yourself because of it.”

“….”

“Though, I haven’t seen your true expression, I imagine you’re always so composed, analyzing everything even outside of the salon.”

“…That’s an overstatement. It’s not that I’ve never had my heart broken, but I’m not strong.”

I wasn’t strong with my ex either. I slowly fell for him, a visitor to the library, enjoyed the fluttering feeling of dating, and let myself be swept up in it without realizing it was wrong. Then, at some point, the illusion was shattered. The whole process was like a Ferris wheel on a stormy day—lifting me up, shaking me, and dropping me.

And now…

“I guess I just don’t understand my own feelings.”

“Feelings?”

“Yes. Until recently, I had something I thought was mine.”

“A man?”

“Yes.”

At this point, denying it wouldn’t make sense, so I continued with a somewhat annoying tone.

“He was a man who always said he loved me since we met. He expressed his feelings with beautiful dresses, sparkling jewelry, and huge bouquets of flowers.”

“He must be quite well off. I envy him.”

“Not a single bouquet, not even a flower, just a guy who couldn’t even send me a decent gift…”

“Sorry, I’ll shut up.”

“Anyway. Because of that, both our families believed we’d marry. I didn’t actually love him, but I accepted that he’d be in my future.”

“…”

“But, over time, the frequency of our meetings dwindled, and then I saw him with another woman.”

“Ah…”

“I still don’t love him, so there’s no need for jealousy. Marriage is more of a family alliance, and he’s likely to return to me eventually. Honestly, when I think about it coldly, it’s not a problem at all.”

That’s right. The prince will marry me.

Life is 90% fulfilled with a soft bed and good food, and the remaining 10% can be spent managing a library someone else takes care of. Love is not a necessary element.

I can ignore that little twinge of anxiety in my heart.

“But why do people always want to dig up unnecessary emotions in their lives?”

“…Lady, what I’m about to say…”

“Haha, it’s okay. You don’t seem very good at comforting people.”

“Tch, you hit the nail on the head.”

“Well, you’ve infected me with your gloom, so now you owe me a fun topic.”

I purposely changed the subject.

I came here to relax, but it looks like I’m stuck with a side of gloom.

Luckily, Rick didn’t seem to fit the heavy atmosphere and quickly responded cheerfully.

“A fun topic, huh? How about this: Do you know what those young masters do when they have no prey for the hunting competition? From what I’ve heard…”

***

In order to figure out Doris Redfield’s preferences, Tristan had, of course, chosen Maria as his means.@@novelbin@@

Even with Tristan’s improper behavior at the start of the social season, the friendship that developed between the two women remained strong and became a talking point at various salons around the capital, even after he had corrected his actions.

Well, Tristan didn’t have the right to comment on their friendship, even if he had two mouths.

If Doris had any other friends besides Maria, I could have asked them...

Of course, even if Tristan had fixed his behavior, he couldn’t just openly schedule appointments with Maria.

Tristan, taking advantage of a recent meeting regarding the renovation of the training grounds, planned a series of meetings with several nobles who had training grounds at their estates. Afterward, he’d visit each of them.

He couldn’t afford to waste all that time, so he made sure to gather information about the training grounds of the estates he was visiting. He was tired, but gritted his teeth and endured.

If I put in this much effort, I shouldn’t be doubted!

And finally, the day arrived when he was set to visit the Meyer estate under the guise of business.

Maria didn’t like to go out, so he was sure she would be at home, and he assumed that since the Baron disliked social gatherings, he would bring a commoner to tea in order to avoid a one-on-one with the prince.

All of these predictions turned out to be perfect.

Except for the unexpected extra.

How did Doris end up being there? She should have been practicing for her performance in the music room. And why today of all days?

No matter how much I questioned it in my mind, Doris didn’t disappear from the table. She remained there, smiling softly like a delicate and weighty piece of porcelain, keeping her place.

Some might call Doris boring. But what’s more important than fun? Time seems to pass so quickly just by looking at her. If it had been fun too, I’d have completely wasted my life.

That day, Maria asked:

“-Are you all interested in the first viewing?”

“No. I’ll leave the enjoyment for that day.”

Just meeting Doris alone had already twisted my most important plan. If I heard her sing, would I be able to spend the rest of the day with my sanity intact?

So, I politely declined.

And yet, the annoying guy beside me spoke up again.

“If you need an audience, I’m happy to oblige!”

What am I supposed to do if you say that?

Tristan quickly changed the subject. Need to practice and evaluate? Well, of course, he had to! He couldn’t ignore his fiancée’s requests!

“If needed, I’ll…”

“After it’s finished…”

What is this guy?

I almost let out my frustration. If Rick Ray hadn’t looked equally perplexed, I would have said it out loud.

I really don’t like him.

Usually, when getting to know someone, the first impression doesn’t always stick, but Rick Ray kept making me feel the same discomfort I first felt.

His practiced smirk irritated me. The cold, sharp gaze that surfaced once the smile faded made me even more uncomfortable.

And the most unsettling thing was that Doris didn’t seem as uncomfortable with him as Tristan did.

They were together for a brief moment during the hunting competition.

What kind of conversation did they have back then?

I have no right to ask about that.

Tristan never once apologized or explained his behavior regarding the bouquet for Maria or the dance invitation. He had no right to comment on his fiancée’s actions.

Swallowing my growing doubts, time passed swiftly, and soon a servant came upstairs to inform Tristan that the training grounds were ready.

No time to waste. With a sense of relief, Tristan got up and spoke to Doris.

“I’m looking forward to your performance.”

I was glad I was used to hiding my emotions when speaking.

…Or at least I was good at speaking.

His gaze didn’t leave me for a moment, but I was the first to retreat. Now, we wouldn’t meet face-to-face until the charity performance.

As we walked to the underground training grounds, Rick spoke.

“I’m always grateful to Lady Redfield. Before she became close to Maria, Maria was always so lonely.”

“You worry a lot about Maria. Are you two friends?”

“...Honestly, yes. We’re friends. Of course, I’m a subordinate in public, and I have no intention of denying or overstepping that fact.”

“Don’t jump ahead. I’m not here to give etiquette lessons.”

“Haha, thank you.”

The servant guiding us gave an expression as if they wanted to bite their finger. Of course, neither of us paid it any mind.

Tristan still had one more question for Rick.

“You’re friends with Maria. Maria’s friends with Doris. So, are you friends with Doris?”

It would be nice if this guy could replace some of Maria’s usefulness.

It was a lighthearted question thrown with that thought.

But the moment Rick heard it, he suddenly lost his words and clenched his teeth.