CH 49

After that, I joined my friend’s speech and spoke a few words myself.

Eventually, I was invited to go for a drink after the speech, but I declined. I wanted to move my body a little, and I also had to prepare for the evening party.

I wanted to somehow get the recent incident out of my head.

I parted ways with my friends and headed to the dojo that I often visited when I came to the capital.

There, they taught martial arts from a country south of here, and both men who used it as a form of exercise and wealthy aristocrats and businessmen who learned it as a way to fight were there.

If I didn’t exercise a little, my physical strength would quickly decline, but I couldn’t go on a long trip on horseback in the capital.

So I learned martial arts instead.

I thought it would be better if it could also be used for self-defense.

After sweating there for a while, I returned to the mansion and began preparing for the evening party. However, in the middle of getting ready, when I had to stop thinking about something, the unpleasant experience suddenly came back.

“…Damn it.”

A face that came to mind involuntarily. Laughter during the day. When I put my hand on my temple, I felt my ears ringing. I shook my head. How can I bury this unpleasant memory in the darkness?

Sighing, I raised my head.

Don’t think about unnecessary things.

I tell myself that.

While telling myself that, I hoped that the woman with honey-colored hair would attend the party I was about to go to. If I just focus on her, I can be temporarily released from this unpleasant memory.

Eventually, I finished getting ready and headed downstairs to get on the carriage.

This time, it’s not far from my mansion. The host is the widowed Marquis, who is quite well-known in the social world. She has many connections with nobles, wealthy people, politicians, and celebrities, and holds various events during this season. This one may be small-scale, but many nobles, wealthy people, politicians, and celebrities are invited.

My mother said she would come later, so I could have gone with her, but I wanted some time alone.

That’s why I left a little early.

We proceeded on the paved road and arrived shortly. Many people had already gathered and were enjoying the evening party. I went to greet the widowed host and her son, Marquis and Marquess.

At that moment, I felt like I caught a glimpse of honey-colored hair in my field of vision.

After finishing the greetings, I turned my feet in that direction and stopped.

“…Ah, as I thought.”

I muttered as if groaning.

The daydream from earlier in the day appeared again.

The deep laughter and the beautiful dress.

Despite being born into a noble family, the lady in question was unable to make a living due to her father’s dissolute behavior, and she had almost no property to speak of. She relied on her beauty and eloquence as her only weapons.

She appealed to wealthy gentlemen, using her charming way of speaking to both express her plight and please men.

Many men fell under her spell. Dario was one of them, and he offered her a helping hand early on. He allowed her to live in his house and acted as her guardian.

Gradually, he began to believe that her feelings were directed towards him, and he proposed to her.

She accepted, and the two became formally engaged.

However, just three months later, as soon as she found a wealthier and more attractive man, she employed the same tactics of drawing attention to herself. It worked, and the engagement was broken off.

Dario, who had believed in her, died in a riding accident while trying to recover from his disappointment.

I will never forget the exchange I had with her upon hearing the news.

She said, “I’m sorry, I don’t remember him that well. But I do remember that he was a good person. It’s really too bad. He must have just had bad luck.”

I countered, “He was really down. He was hurt by the one-sided cancellation of the engagement by you.”

“Is that so? Well, I didn’t know that. When I explained my change of heart, he accepted it easily. It didn’t seem like he was that obsessed with me.”

Without ever saying it was her fault or apologizing, she ended the conversation.

“I’m sorry, my husband is waiting for me. I feel sorry for what happened to him, but he’s no longer someone I have anything to do with. Goodbye, Lord Jeremiah.”

With a smile that seemed refreshing, she left.

It became clear that she didn’t even consider it a betrayal.

Watching Dario, I thought to myself. It’s better not to expect anything from the beginning than to be betrayed. What women with a desire to marry want is primarily status and wealth. They want a guaranteed life by marrying a man who has those things.

Can she be blamed for that?

I won’t blame her, but there may be some lingering emotions in my head.

The ideal woman.

Someone who looks gentle and understands my foolish ideals. A woman who I can believe will never betray me and who I can love.

I laughed at myself.

There’s no way such a woman exists. In this aristocratic society filled with calculation and desire, there is no such woman.

Let’s switch our thinking already. Right now, all I want is to complete this small revenge. Disgusted with myself for being dragged down by unpleasant memories, I looked around everywhere.

She’s not here. But if what I saw earlier wasn’t a mistake, she should be coming. I’ll find her before she leaves, remember her name and face, and stare at her too.

I stroll around the venue leisurely.

The murmurs of people, mixed with the scent of perfume, and the smell of cigarettes from afar. It seems like someone is playing a card game somewhere. I have no intention of participating tonight.

After walking for a while, I suddenly felt that chilling sensation on my neck.

When I turned around, I met the gaze of a petite woman with honey-colored hair. She opened her eyes in surprise, but still looked at me for a while.

“Oh, so you’re not running away tonight… in that case.”

Naturally, we ended up staring at each other.

Surprisingly, I couldn’t stop the corners of my mouth from lifting. It’s a game of who will feel awkward and look away first.

Finally, my wish is fulfilled.

I realized that my sinking feeling had turned into excitement.

The unpleasant feeling until then disappeared, and only joy filled my heart. The girl who didn’t look away was so amusing. I stared at her while laughing recklessly.

I have no intention of looking away from her.

In the meantime, I observe her carefully.

She was quite young, in her late teens, and seemed to have just entered society. Her shining honey-colored hair was tied in a simple style, and she was wearing a yellow dress. Her arms and waist were thin. She looked plain, but not bad.

If you had to determine whether she was your type or not, she was definitely your type.

Her eye color was not clear, but her round eyes were cute.

After staring at each other for a while, she was called by someone. For a moment, she looked reluctant to leave, but she was either forced or finally looked away.

I slowly pushed through the crowd and followed her.

If you want to see it that badly, I’ll let you watch as much as you want.

In return, I won’t stop until you look away. Tonight looks like it’s going to be fun. I naturally smiled and followed the girl in the yellow dress.

Even if someone calls out to me on the way, I politely decline and make sure not to lose sight of her.

The time for revenge has finally come. I won’t let anyone get in my way. With that thought, I followed her and the other girl into a separate room.

Even I stopped in my tracks.

Apparently, a group of women were going to get together for a light tea. I sniffed. I knew it was not a good idea to go in there, no matter what.

Reluctantly, I stood by the door and waited for her to come out.