Chapter 89: Provocations

Chapter 89: Provocations

I wore the most annoyed expression I could muster and leaned back against the carriage, opening my mouth.

“What is your business?”

“I came here to say hello. Young Lord.”

In fact, I'd never spoken to her before, so her current actions could only be termed as shameless. I was certain her intentions weren't noble, evident not just in her gaze but also in her peculiar behavior.

“I am Perl of the Paerious family, the major ore supplier to the Baslett family.”

“Is that so?”

Uninterested, I cut off the unnecessary self-introduction. I aimed to avoid any situation that might lead to Shael misunderstanding.

Despite the potential hurt to the pride of a noble lady, Perl pressed on with the conversation.

“By the way, where is Young Lady Shael? Is she in the carriage while making the Young Lord stand outside?”

In essence, she implied that Shael was being abusive towards me, her fiance. The woman’s comment hinted at an underlying intention to separate Shael and me.

Such words were typically left unsaid. I surmised that the rumor about me being unable to break our engagement due to Shael exploiting some weakness was the reason for Perl's audacity. The absurdity of such a rumor testifies to how wild gossip had become.

I responded with truthful words.

“Since we ki*sed quite a lot, she is tired and sleeping.”

“...?”

It was an unexpected answer.

For a fiancée unable to dissolve the engagement due to his weakness being exposed by a vile villainess, it was an absurd response.

Nevertheless, Perl persisted, seemingly undeterred.

“You can tell me the truth. Without that, there’s no way you’d be outside the carriage sighing alone...”

I had stepped out to cool my flushed face from kissing Shael, and I hadn’t sighed. This woman was making her won convenient assumptions.

I took a deep breath to compose myself. Even if her behavior was based on the rumors and ignorance, it was also true that she lacked manners.

Of course, such people existed in the world. Raised in the gilded confines of a noble family, they lacked a sense of propriety. The discovery of a rich iron vein and the rise of the Paerious family likely played a role in Perl's audacity.

As I frowned, Perl, sensing something was amiss, said, “Oh, I forgot to go to meet my father. See you at the Social Gathering shortly, Young Lord.”

No, she hadn't realized something was wrong. Was there something I needed to attend to?

I sighed and retreated into the carriage. First and foremost, I wanted to check on Shael inside.

Shael was still asleep. I desired to watch her a bit longer, but alas, I had to wake her up.

“The Social Gathering is about to start. You should wake up now.”

Shael nodded in her sleep, naturally falling into my arms.

Suddenly awake, she spoke, “This smell...”

“What smell are you talking about?”

“It smells like perfume.”

It seemed the smell of perfume had lingered even if we exchanged just a few words. Shael's keen sense of smell detected even the faintest details.

“Someone came over to greet me. Naturally, I treated her coldly and avoided conversation as much as possible.”

I made a clumsy excuse, which Shael would probably find hard to believe.

I exhaled, gathering my composure.

Sensing my anger, Shael spoke, “Your face is red.”

“It’s because it’s hot. I’ll go get some fresh air.”

A nearby balcony provided an escape.

As I entered, the voices slandering Shael were muffled by curtains.

However the unwanted voices persisted as someone also approached the balcony.

It was Perl Paerious, who was among those cursing Shael.

“Oh, what a coincidence.”

“...” I didn’t respond.

I shot her an annoyed look, silently urging her to leave.

Yet choosing to remain oblivious to my displeasure, Perl grinned, “It was a pity that I couldn’t say goodbye just a while ago. I guess it’s fine now, Young Lord Eran.”

Consciously aware of Shael beside me, Perl continued, “I hope next time we will have a chance to talk alone.”

The two of us had a conversation without her knowledge—a remark that blatantly scratched at Shael’s inner turmoil.

It seemed the Paerious family failed in properly educating their children.

Turning my head, contemplating how to handle the ill-mannered Perl, I noticed Shael frowning. She teetered on the brink of losing her temper. Her left hand, the one that held the wine glass earlier, trembled. Now, she seemed poised to splash wine on Perl.

Quickly, I reached out, intercepting her. I even confiscated the wine glass Shael held.

“...!”

Shael panicked, as if unaware I would do this. She exchanged bewildered glances between the wine glass and me, seemingly unable to fathom that I had taken it away.

Perl did not conceal her sneer. She even had a look on her face as if she had won.

However, that triumph was short-lived.

“Ah!”

A bright red picture was drawn using empty space as a drawing paper.

Soon, Perl’s white dress was stained red as the spilled wine drenched her.

‘...no.’

To be precise, it splattered.

Seeing Perl's expression, the opposite of moments ago, brought a refreshing feeling.

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