I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 61

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 61

‘Ugh.’

Somehow, an embarrassment like being caught peeking washed over me……

I quickly flashed an eye smile.

“Hello, Count Disraeli.”

“I greet Princess Laventess.”

The Count also politely returned the greeting.

Since we had already exchanged greetings, it was only natural to make some brief small talk.

I casually approached the Count’s side.

“What painting are you looking at?”

“It’s a painting by Jaber. This is my first time seeing the real thing.”

On the canvas was painted a woman strolling through a flower field.

The woman’s white dress rippled softly with each step.

Her long pink hair flowed against the blue sky in the rushing wind.

That sight harmonized with the flower field, making it look as if countless cherry blossoms were scattering.

‘Hmm, pink hair.’

That’s not a common hair color.

Besides, I’m also wearing a white dress today.

With that thought, I playfully asked without thinking.

“The woman in the painting, don’t I look like her?”

“……”

Suddenly the Count stared at me with coldly hardened eyes.

No, there’s no need to look that serious…?

I quickly waved my hands dismissively.

“I was joking. You don’t need to look so serious.”

Only then did the Count relax his expression a little.

Geez, I can’t even joke around.

Clicking my tongue inwardly, I whispered to change the subject.

“Come to think of it, you and I…”

“Yes.”

“This is the second time we’re meeting without masks.”

I flashed a bright eye smile.

“It’s nice to see you. I hope we’ll have more days meeting without masks in the future.”

“……”

At those words, the Count stared at me intently with an unreadable gaze.

I unconsciously stiffened my shoulders.

‘What, did I say something wrong again?’

But fortunately, he didn’t seem particularly offended.

The Count answered calmly.

“I’m pleased to see you as well.”

Wow, what’s this?

I didn’t expect him to say he was pleased so readily.

Just as I was trying to hide my surprised expression, a welcome voice reached my ears.

“Miss.”

It was Isabel.

“Ah, Sister-in-law. You’re here?”

I turned to Isabel with a brightened face.

“This is Count Disraeli. Count, this lady is my sister-in-law, the Duchess of Laventess.”

“Hello, Count.”

Sister-in-law greeted him first at my introduction,

“I am Richard Disraeli.”

The Count also politely greeted Isabel in return.

At the same time, I watched the atmosphere between the two with sparkling eyes.

‘Ah, it would be perfect if I had some popcorn!’

This is the meeting between the original work’s female protagonist and sub male protagonist.

Some sparks flying or a sweet atmosphere forming… that should happen naturally, right?!

But.

‘Huh, they’re barely even talking?’

Contrary to my expectations, the two only exchanged businesslike greetings.

They showed no particular interest in each other.

Rather……

‘They look a bit awkward?’

Just as I was subtly furrowing my brow.

Suddenly the Count turned to me.

“Everyone seems very interested in the Princess’s dress.”

“Do they? What do you think of this dress, Count?”

I asked the Count back without much thought.

Well, the ladies’ opinions were the most important, that was true.

But it wouldn’t hurt to look pretty to the gentlemen too.

Meanwhile, at those words, the Count silently looked at me.

And.

“You are beautiful.”

…Huh?

At the same time, the Count gently lowered his eyes.

Though it was such a faint smile that it would be hard to notice unless you looked carefully.

Still, certainly……

‘Didn’t he just smile?’

I blinked my eyes blankly.

He wasn’t someone who never smiled normally, but that smile felt somehow different.

Plus that way of speaking and tone.

It sounded like he was saying I was pretty rather than the dress……

‘Well, he must have meant the dress?’

There’s no particular reason for the Count to compliment me after all.

I inwardly shrugged my shoulders.

Meanwhile, that smile disappeared quickly like morning dew under sunlight.

The Count returned to his calm expression.

It vanished so cleanly that I found myself doubting whether I had seen an illusion.

“Look over there. Count Disraeli is here too.”

“Oh my, I want to try talking to him……”

Just then, the ladies’ whispers could be heard.

The Count’s face seemed to stiffen slightly,

“Then please have a pleasant time.”

He politely took his leave and disappeared.

He probably felt burdened by the ladies who had started glancing at him.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

But my smile didn’t last very long.

“There you are, Elodie.”

It was because David happened to be approaching this way at that moment…….

I, who had casually turned around, had to make tremendous effort to reflexively keep from frowning.

And for good reason, since Marquis Bartsen was with him too!

It’s not like he’s a goldfish’s poop, so why do the two of them keep wandering around together so intimately?!

“I couldn’t see anyone but the Princess at today’s exhibition.”

Meanwhile, the Marquis quickly attached himself to me as soon as he spotted me.

“Your beauty is so outstanding, you see.”

Then he gazed at me intently, and that greasy stare was somehow…….

‘Ugh.’

Goosebumps rose on the back of my hand.

At the same time, the Marquis gently posed a question to me.

“So, are you enjoying this exhibition?”

“Ah, yes.”

As I was nodding my head halfheartedly.

David eagerly butted into the conversation.

“This works out perfectly. Marquis, could I ask you to look after Elodie?”

“The Princess?”

“Yes. After all, no one knows this exhibition better than you, the host.”

David flashed a bright eye-smile.

“Our Elodie would be much better off hearing your expert opinions on the paintings. Right now, well, she’s pointlessly interested in things like dresses…….”

Then he looked me up and down as if I were pathetic.

‘That bastard?’

My eyes blazed with fire.

You go listen to expert opinions yourself.

I don’t want to be paired with the Marquis! I don’t want to!

But the Marquis was already more than ready to accept David’s proposal.

“Hmm, if Your Grace puts it that way.”

Marquis Bartsen glanced at me sideways.

Then he smiled broadly.

“Shall we tour the exhibition together?”

“Ah, I…….”

“I won’t disappoint you.”

I desperately pulled the corners of my mouth upward.

If I didn’t, the smile I was struggling to maintain would completely crumble.

“I gratefully accept.”

* * *

Richard, who had briefly stepped away, returned to Jaber’s painting.

His ash-gray eyes scrutinized the painting thoroughly.

He hadn’t noticed when he first saw the painting, but now he understood.

Certainly, the woman in the painting…….

‘Resembles the Princess.’

Richard subtly furrowed his brow.

Why was it.

The reason he felt so confused.

* * *

I made a round of the ship with the Marquis.

Since there were limitations to the venue, there weren’t many works on display.

However, separate from my antipathy toward the Marquis.

‘Well, the works are generally decent.’

I had wondered how high the quality of the works would be, given how confidently he had handpicked distinguished guests to invite.

Honestly, it was better than most exhibitions.

Separately, it was difficult to focus entirely on the paintings, and the reason was.

“This painting was done by Robert in his later years. He expressed the harvested fields with thickly layered paint, representing the loneliness felt in old age…….”

……because the Marquis was excessively showing off his knowledge.

He chattered away beside me so much that my ears were getting sore.

‘If you’re going to do this, why don’t you just switch careers to become a curator?’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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