I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 69

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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 69

I looked at the Count with a puzzled expression.

But that bewilderment disappeared in an instant.

The Count answered with his characteristic expressionless face.

“Matthew Paul is a performer I’ve been interested in for some time. Since I received an invitation, I decided to attend.”

“Ah, I see.”

Well, that made sense.

According to the original story’s description, Count Disraeli had always had various hobbies.

Half was to prove the public’s assessment of him as something of a dilettante, and half was genuine interest.

Among those, the arts were a field the Count was quite interested in.

Just as I was nodding my head.

“Oh my, Count Disraeli!”

A lively voice interrupted our conversation.

“Thank you so much for coming to our family’s charity recital today.”

A Lady dressed as splendidly as a red rose.

It was Catherine.

“…….”

I looked at the emerald necklace around Catherine’s neck with cold eyes.

The green jewels, exactly resembling Isabel’s eye color, brilliantly reflected light in all directions.

‘Ah, that necklace… she gave it to Catherine?’

Or perhaps Catherine had demanded it from Marisa first.

Even so, to think she would boldly wear that necklace to an event where Isabel would be present.

‘How shameless.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

Isabel also quietly stared at the emerald necklace.

If it had been an ordinary person, they would have shown at least some guilty reaction.

But Catherine was extraordinary in many ways.

She puffed out her chest, deliberately exposing the necklace to make it more visible.

‘Ugh.’

I was completely disgusted.

‘Yes, that’s just like Catherine…’

Well, one would need to be that pure-minded to willingly play the role of a married man’s mistress, wouldn’t they?

I wanted to say something here.

But Catherine was a bit quicker to speak.

“It’s truly an honor to have Count Disraeli attend our recital.”

Having started thus, Catherine looked at the Count with sparkling eyes.

Her gaze was so bright and eager that even the usually expressionless Count seemed somewhat overwhelmed.

“Ah, yes.”

Watching this scene, I felt uncomfortable in a different way.

Wait, she usually acts like she can’t live without David.

Why is she looking at the Count so sweetly?

At the same time, the Count spoke again.

“Lady Scofield. There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“Yes, please speak freely!”

Catherine answered with a bright smile.

“About this recital’s setlist.”

Setlist.

This refers to the list of pieces to be performed in this recital.

As someone interested in the arts in general, he must have looked into it beforehand.

“Matthew Paul is a dynamic pianist with excellent expressiveness. His explosive and intense performances that touch emotions are his strength.”

“…Yes?”

Catherine blinked her eyes blankly.

“But this time, you’ve mainly arranged relatively calm and quiet pieces. I’m curious about the reason.”

The Count looked genuinely curious.

“I heard that this setlist consists mostly of pieces selected by the organizers rather than Matthew Paul himself.”

“Th-that’s…”

Catherine stammered for a moment before trying to answer nonchalantly.

“I thought performing pieces that everyone knows well… would be more approachable.”

“So you’re saying you selected mainly famous pieces?”

“Yes. I wanted many people to be able to enjoy it comfortably.”

This was too crude an excuse…

Honestly, her true intentions were obvious.

This charity recital’s ticket proceeds would all be donated.

Moreover, they had to pay Matthew Paul’s performance fee.

That meant.

Catherine, and House Scofield, would gain no financial benefit whatsoever.

‘It must be a complete loss, right?’

So she probably wanted to exercise some kind of power trip.

Like interfering with the setlist.

In that process, she completely disregarded the pianist’s strengths.

“I see. I understand.”

The Count didn’t press further and politely nodded before stepping back.

However, his face clearly showed disappointment.

“I-I need to greet other guests… excuse me.”

Probably embarrassed, Catherine disappeared hurriedly with a reddened face, as if fleeing.

The Count, who had been quietly watching Catherine’s retreating figure, glanced in our direction.

“It seems the recital will begin soon. Would you give me the honor of escorting you both?”

“No, we…”

I was about to decline.

But Isabel smiled brightly and interrupted me.

“We gratefully accept.”

Huh?

I looked back at Isabel with puzzled eyes.

Isabel’s face now bore a mysterious smile.

How should I interpret that expression?

As if she had witnessed something very interesting…

“Shall we go?”

Just then, the Count addressed us again.

I quickly came to my senses and nodded.

“Ah, yes.”

Following the Count’s lead, we made our way into the concert hall.

* * *

Beautiful melodies filled the air.

Richard’s gaze was fixed on the pianist on stage, bathed in the spotlight.

It was true that she had been interested in Matthew Paul.

However…….

‘How boring.’

It was exactly as she had predicted.

The setlist didn’t showcase the pianist’s strengths at all.

Although Matthew Paul was performing with considerable passion, it wasn’t satisfying in the least.

And it seemed other audience members were feeling the same way.

Everyone was biting their tongues to suppress yawns, or some had even dozed off.

‘What am I even doing here.’

So it was inevitable that Richard became lost in thought.

To begin with, he couldn’t understand why he had bothered attending House Scofield’s charity recital.

If he had truly been interested only in Matthew Paul’s performance, he could have attended other recitals.

Or he could have invited Matthew Paul separately to the count’s residence to listen.

Yet the reason he had come all the way here was…….

‘Elodie von Laventess.’

That name suddenly surfaced in his mind.

Richard unconsciously clenched his fist tightly.

‘By the way, what brings you to such an occasion? I thought you disliked crowded places.’

It had been nothing special of a question.

Yet the moment Richard heard that question, he felt as if his heart had been pricked with a needle.

‘Matthew Paul is a performer I’ve had interest in. Since I received an invitation, I decided to attend.’

And so, he had answered while being careful not to let his expression waver.

Fortunately, Elodie didn’t seem particularly suspicious.

Rather, it was Richard himself who couldn’t hide his suspicion.

‘Why did I manage my expression in front of the princess?’

His own behavior was extremely puzzling.

This was as if…… he was being conscious of the princess.

Moreover.

‘Earlier, the Duchess Laventess, what on earth.’

He remembered that moment when those beautiful deep green eyes had stared directly at him.

As if she had noticed something.

That face with its mysterious smile…….

“…….”

Recalling that gaze made Richard feel suffocated, as if he had swallowed a boulder whole.

* * *

The recital finally came to an end.

In a typical concert, audiences would head straight home once the performance ended.

But occasionally, some nobles with connections would gather separately to continue socializing over light refreshments.

In colloquial terms, this was called an encore gathering.

‘More people stayed than I expected.’

Elodie glanced around at the faces of those who remained.

Rather than for socializing with Catherine, they seemed to have stayed to pay respects to the Laventess women.

From Marisa, the grand duchess, to Isabel, the current duchess, and Elodie, the princess.

All of them had remained for the gathering.

Incidentally, she had expected Richard to leave immediately after the recital ended.

Surprisingly, he had also stayed for the encore gathering.

‘He didn’t seem particularly pleased with this performance, so why?’

Elodie glanced sideways at Richard.

‘But hasn’t he been strangely avoiding me since earlier?’

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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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