The Duke’s Fake First Love - Chapter 8
Chapter 4.2
Then, a sudden thought crossed my mind, and I voiced the question.
“Do you perhaps like me? Is that why you’re having such a hard time letting go?”
“…Don’t be ridiculous! Me, like someone like you?”
Even though I had only said it to mess with him, Diego totally lost his cool and snapped back at me.
“Know your place. I’m only irritated that something mine might slip into another’s hands.”
“I know exactly where I stand, that’s why I called off the engagement. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of someone destined to be the next emperor, would I?”
I really wish he’d just step aside already.
Between the accumulated fatigue and having to deal with Diego, I felt like I was going to pass out the moment I closed my eyes.
“I have no idea where you get your confidence from, but the emperor’s not going to change his mind. I’m the one who asked him to set up your marriage in the first place.”
His words jolted me awake.
‘So he was the culprit after all.’
“So even if you grovel to His Majesty, it’s pointless. Why don’t you try begging me instead?”
Diego closed the distance between us, gripping my chin to force my gaze upward.
“Get on your knees and beg, and maybe I’ll save you from being sold off as some old man’s wife.”
“….”
“Oh, but don’t get me wrong, I have no intention of marrying you. That’s your punishment for forgetting your place and calling off our engagement.”
“So what, are you saying you want to make me your mistress?”
“Why? Are you not satisfied unless you’re the legitimate wife?”
We were definitely speaking the same language, so I didn’t understand why it felt like we weren’t communicating at all.
“With the way things are for you, you should be thankful I’d even consider making you my mistress.”
“I’m afraid I’ve already given my heart to another.”
I lied smoothly, without missing a beat.
Since I would be accepting Louis’s proposal soon anyway, I figured dropping a hint now would probably save me some trouble later.
That was the idea, but Diego just twisted his lips in a mocking smirk.
“Another? Don’t make me laugh. Who could you possibly, other than me—”
“I’ll introduce him to you soon.”
That one simple line was enough to make his face completely fall apart. I expected fury for interrupting him, but instead, he asked a question I hadn’t anticipated.
“…Are you serious? You’ve truly fallen for someone else?”
“Yes.”
When I replied without so much as a change in expression, he clenched his jaw tight.
‘Didn’t expect that reaction.’
I thought he would just scoff and ask what I expected him to do about it. Then, I pulled my hand free from Diego’s grip and drove the final nail in.
“If I get married, it’ll be to him.”
Not to you, Marquis.
︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵
As the carriage began moving, I closed my eyes against the wave of exhaustion. Seeing Diego’s twisted expression at the end was a bit satisfying, but overall, the victory felt hollow since it caused more trouble than it was worth.
‘I need to meet Louis soon, but it might be too much to schedule a meeting right away.’
If I return to the count’s estate like this, I probably wouldn’t be able to go out again for a while.
“Lady, someone asked me to deliver this letter to you.”
“A letter?”
“Yes. I checked it just in case there was anything suspicious, but it’s just an ordinary letter.”
Since I had been stuck in the palace all day, it wasn’t strange for someone who knew my whereabouts to show up. I immediately looked over the contents of the letter. As Ase said, there was nothing particularly unusual.
But after I finished reading, I changed my destination.
︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵
Like every letter nobles write, it was packed with meaningless pleasantries, comments about how beautiful the weather was, or how a clear lake supposedly reminded them of me, and other such fanciful talk.
‘The only useful detail was the shop address written at the end.’
Even so, I couldn’t ignore it because of the seal stamped at the bottom. It was shaped like a rose. Although it wasn’t an official crest from any noble house…
‘The same pattern was embroidered on the inside of the coat Louis once lent me.’
Just in case, I searched through the coat as thoroughly as possible, and it was worth the effort.
Ding.
The shop door chimed brightly as I walked in, greeting us with a cheerful sound.
“My lady, what is this place?”
“It’s a café I used to visit a lot with my sister Alice.”
And it was also the meeting place Louis had chosen.
“They’re known for their lemon tart here, so make sure you try it.”
“Ah, yes! Thank you, my lady!”
I told Ase to give the count’s name and order whatever she wanted, then showed the rose-shaped seal from the letter to a staff member.
“Right this way.”
The next moment, the staff led me to a table on the third floor. It looked like the whole floor was reserved since there wasn’t anyone else around.
“Lady Bellasi has arrived.”
Louis, who had been reading through some documents, finally looked up at me.
“Forgive me. I had some urgent matters to take care of.”
“It’s alright.”
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