Siena Dating Agency - Chapter 22

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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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22.

The main designer and owner of Valerie Atelier, ‘Deborah Valerie’.

She was famous for having a keen eye and exceptional sense.

‘That’s why they say once someone visits that place, they can’t stop coming back.’

Siena said.

“Deborah Valerie will probably figure it out the moment she sees you, Marquis.”

“…”

“That you like Lady Violet. She’s that perceptive of a person.”

“…”

“So this time, rather than trying to win Lady Violet’s heart, you need to win over Designer Deborah Valerie.”

That way, Deborah would read Johan’s feelings and help him.

‘The problem is that the designer knows Violet likes The Prince…’

But Siena believed.

No matter how much Violet’s heart was set on Castillian, Johan was still Johan.

Regardless of who Violet liked, Johan was such a wonderful person.

To someone as perceptive as Deborah, that would surely be apparent.

‘Let’s think realistically.’

An unknown Prince she’s never seen before, versus Johan who sparkles so brilliantly in person and even seems to have a good personality.

‘Who would the designer support?’

Obviously Johan, who’s right before her eyes.

‘After all, you favor those closest to you.’

Of course, she wasn’t guaranteeing this plan had a 100% success rate.

Even when bribing people and orchestrating situations, unexpected variables could occur, and this time Johan had to lead the situation from start to finish.

It was a kind of gamble.

‘But I trust Designer Valerie’s judgment.’

Moreover, Deborah Valerie seemed to cherish Violet more than her other customers.

“Oh my, I’ll pray every day. Since our Lady Violet wishes for it so earnestly, I’ll pray that The Prince will surely attend.”

Though she called her ‘Lady’, Deborah’s attitude clearly seemed like she was treating a beloved younger sister.

‘Or maybe like a second mother…’

That’s why this plan was simple.

‘Johan just needs to win Deborah’s favor.’

Then that picky mother figure would naturally support him.

“Designer Valerie will surely think highly of you, Marquis. She’ll subtly help you.”

“…”

“So you just need to show perfect acting that day, Marquis.”

Johan, who had been listening to Siena’s story, curved his eyes.

“I can’t say I’m not worried at all. But hearing you say that, Center Director, puts me at ease.”

“…”

“As expected of you, Center Director. I trust you.”

Siena secretly clenched her fist.

‘Good heavens. With that face saying such lines…’

It was fortunate that Johan wasn’t a missionary for some cult.

He had the kind of face that could completely bewitch even non-believers.

‘He’s so sacred it’s difficult…’

She felt her cheeks growing warm.

Siena cleared her throat unnecessarily and stood up from her seat.

“I… excuse me for a moment.”

The reason for suddenly standing up was simple.

‘If I keep this up, I might unconsciously say something like ‘I’ll take responsibility’ again.’

Johan nodded.

“Ah, please take your time.”

“Thank you.”

Siena turned her back to him and fanned herself with her hand.

‘I need to go to the restroom for a moment and calm down.’

She left the reception room with the butler’s guidance.

Thus, only Johan and Lian remained in the reception room.

“…”

“…”

How many minutes had passed?

The suffocating silence showed no signs of ending.

Lian had been sitting with his legs crossed since earlier.

Arms folded, maintaining a completely unreadable expressionless face.

Johan occasionally glanced at him.

Naturally, given Johan’s personality, it wasn’t because Lian bothered him.

‘He’s also an employee.’

He was just pondering what words to say to overcome the awkwardness.

After thinking, he spoke up.

“I haven’t been able to greet you properly until now. As you probably know, I’m Johan Beloster.”

Lian, who had been staring at the table with an expressionless face, turned his gaze.

Johan continued the conversation with a similar expression to when he spoke with Siena.

“I’m always grateful to the Center staff who work hard because of me.”

“…”

“I know you must be busy with work, but I wanted to thank you for willingly coming all the way to the manor today.”

“I didn’t come willingly though.”

Cold words suddenly burst from Lian’s vocal cords.

The warm smile that had been rippling across Johan’s lips faded.

‘Huh…?’

He hesitated and asked back.

“…Pardon?”

Lian, who had been silently staring at Johan, curled up one corner of his mouth.

“I was talking to myself. Don’t mind it.”

Johan, who had been frozen in bewilderment, slowly began to blink.

Goosebumps rose on the back of his neck.

Why was that? The temperature in the reception room was neither cold nor hot.

Lian, who had been making eye contact with Johan, turned his head back to his original position.

Flustered blue eyes rolled around restlessly.

‘That man… was he always like this?’

Johan had encountered Lian several times while visiting the Center.

But he had never had a proper conversation with him.

So Johan had only thought of Lian as ‘an employee who seems absent-minded’.

But now, the atmosphere was different.

‘It’s like… he dislikes me.’

What’s this…

‘Did I do something wrong to this person?’

Johan began to worry whether he had unknowingly made some mistake with Lian.

Hesitating, he posed a question.

“Did I perhaps make some mistake?”

Lian’s gaze traced a slow arc before reaching Johan.

“Please tell me. I’d like to apologize.”

The red eyes reflecting Johan’s image remained dry as ever.

Lian, who had been maintaining silence, finally answered belatedly.

“No, nothing like that.”

“….”

“The Marquis has made no mistakes.”

Lian added with a tone as sharp as his gaze.

“I simply hope you’ll conduct yourself in a way that prevents me from committing any improprieties.”

It was a completely incomprehensible statement.

Johan, who had been blinking, tilted his head.

“Pardon? What do you mean by that….”

“Until now, neither I nor the Marquis were in such positions, but one never knows how things might unfold in the future.”

“…?”

“I trust that Marquis Beloster will do well.”

Whether he was giving a warning or encouragement,

it was impossible to tell.

Johan, who had been staring blankly at Lian, drew in a thin breath.

‘I have no idea what that was about….’

But it’s certain that man is hostile toward me.

‘He said I didn’t make any mistakes, but seeing how much he dislikes me, there must have been something I did that upset him.’

Johan, whom Siena liked, wasn’t particularly stupid.

Usually when a character’s personality is seriously good to a fault, the ‘fool’ option comes attached.

Johan rolled his tongue inside his mouth.

‘What could I have done that would upset that man….’

After pondering for a moment, he suddenly widened his eyes.

‘Could it be… does that man also like Violet Bringer?’

…That’s right.

Johan wasn’t stupid, but he wasn’t meticulously clever either.

He was convinced.

‘He has feelings for Violet, so I’m getting on his nerves.’

Yet another tremendous misunderstanding had begun.

Just then, footsteps echoed from the corridor.

Soon after, Siena returned to the reception room.

She immediately sensed something strange in the atmosphere.

“…Huh?”

Why is the mood like this?

Of course, the scene in the reception room was no different from before.

The half-finished tea and desserts were still there, and Johan and Lian were sitting in the same positions as before.

But…, the air felt somehow different.

‘Did something happen?’

Johan smiled with his eyes.

“You’re back.”

He still hadn’t realized that Lian had been acting prickly because of ‘Siena.’

Siena, feeling bewildered, quickly returned to her seat.

‘I must be imagining things.’

Seeing Johan greet her brightly, she believed nothing had happened.

Though Lian did look a bit sulky….

‘That guy said earlier that he acts up because he wants attention.’

So she decided not to worry about it.

“Then let’s look at the script and discuss it.”

“Yes, sounds good.”

“If you look at the first page here….”

Siena opened the script, and Johan began reading the stage directions she was pointing to.

For a while, their voices filled the reception room.

Lian stared at the back of Siena’s head.

Then he let out a small sigh and turned his gaze to the window.

“Ha….”

Today’s weather was clear.

Not matching his mood in the slightest.

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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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