The Problem Is, My Ex-Boyfriend and I Are Both Dating Other People - Chapter 11

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

Chapter 11

“You’re truly willing to become the Future Empress’s guardian?”
“That’s right.”
“This dreary Capital will chain you down for who knows how long. You’ve already received your title and lands—all you need to do is return to the North and you’re done!”
Ignoring Philip’s whine, Lihardt removed his shouldered coat. The Emperor, who had merely regained consciousness, was weakened to a degree incomparable to the last time he’d seen him. Neither Lihardt, the head of staff, nor even the Emperor himself spoke it aloud, yet it was plain enough to discern that death was imminent.
“If you’re so eager to leave, go ahead.”
“What? If I go back alone without an escort, won’t everyone try to kill me?”
“Then die.”
“…You’re being rather harsh, aren’t you? If you keep this up, I might just eat the messenger bird Asta sent.”
At this unfunny threat, Lihardt extended his hand. Philip grumbled but dutifully handed over a stack of paper folded several times.
“I’m no expert, but it seems there’s trouble within the House. Apparently, the accountant who managed the previous generation’s ledgers fled all the way to the Hot Forest—it must be quite serious.”
“The Hot Forest?”
“You know, the place where the noble folk go to hunt deer and bears when autumn arrives.”
Philip made a ridiculous shooting gesture, even mimicking gunfire with his mouth—bang-bang. Lihardt didn’t reprimand him for it.
Honestly, the Hunting Festival hosted by House Beluoa seemed like child’s play to Northerners who faced monsters.
Lihardt, who had once won considerable distinction at that festival and caught the eye of important people, merely smiled faintly at the memory.
“So, you couldn’t find out what the trouble is?”
“Either I couldn’t find out, or I didn’t care to look. But as you’ll see, the letter’s full of nothing but talk about Noah.”
Philip was right. Lihardt clicked his tongue.
Watching his expression, Philip quietly pulled out a bundle of broadsheet from his pocket and offered it to him.
“Ahem, and this is today’s Troublup. I thought you should see it.”
Lihardt’s brow furrowed before he even read the contents, but he accepted it. As he’d anticipated, the cheap paper was full of gossip about last night’s ball.
[Did the serpent clutch flowers in both hands?
Anyone who hasn’t heard the rumor that House Beluoa indulged in a secret meeting at last night’s ball ought to reflect on themselves.
At the start of the ball, the House Beluoa appeared to be a perfect match with The Sun. Had they not enjoyed a secret rendezvous on the Terrace with the Northern hero after the opening dance, everyone would have believed without question that she would become the Future Empress…….]
“Ha.”
The cheap broadsheet crumpled wretchedly in Lihardt’s hand. His sharp gaze bore down on it for a moment before he hurled it into the fireplace. Philip, watching from beside him, could endure it no longer and spoke.
“Commander, what on earth happened at the ball last night?”
“Nothing happened.”
“Nothing? Then why are you rounding up the servants since dawn like you’re catching rats, and burning innocent paper to ashes?”
Philip clicked his tongue and gestured toward what remained of the Troublup—now just ash.
“Your mouth still works, so you seem plenty lively. Want to spar?”
“Good heavens. Never mind. So what’s the matter? I need to know whether to help or look the other way, don’t I?”
The fact that he’d said he might look the other way proved he was worthless—but Philip was right. Ever since he’d seen Isabella’s tears last night, Lihardt had been losing his composure.
The Isabella he knew was not one to shed tears easily. She was a woman who had grown up receiving an education befitting House Beluoa from the moment of her birth.
She had not wept when bidding him farewell, nor even when she’d torn him apart with such cruelty—and yet she had wept. That was no small matter.
Lihardt did not think Daimon possessed such capability. Daimon? The Emperor, though afflicted, had delayed abdication—the reason was unknown to others. And yet all found him incompetent enough to accept it regardless.
If such a Daimon were blackmailing Isabella, then what could it be?
“Go to House Beluoa, Philip.”
“Sir?”
“Ask when they’ll invite you to the tea party you promised. Don’t come back until you have a firm answer.”
“…Wait. Me? So you’re telling me to go and pester them for the tea party date?”
Watching Philip’s bewildered expression, Lihardt gave a curt nod.
“If you understood, why aren’t you leaving?”
At this brazenly direct question, Philip’s mind went entirely blank.
But what could he do? Orders were orders.
Philip, suddenly drafted into the role of Cupid, departed for House Beluoa with a vacant expression.

* * *

I rolled my eyes anxiously. Things were taking an ominous turn.
The Social Season would begin soon. Nobles who had departed for their estates and retreats were converging on the Capital, and invitations to the Debutante Ball that announced the season’s start had arrived long ago.
Now that we’d passed mid-August, I had to prevent the Hunting Festival from being moved up.
The best solution would be to replace it with something else—and there were precedents, so it wasn’t impossible.
Save for the fact that I couldn’t meet with either the Emperor or Daimon, things wouldn’t have seemed so bleak.
It was something I could have solved!
I stole a glance at the man sitting across from me.
‘How did things become so tangled?’
The problem began when I met a knight of House Winston on the way back from the Imperial Palace, where I’d gone to see Daimon and returned empty-handed. Or perhaps it was when I’d answered “whenever you like” to the question of when I’d invite him to tea.
‘I said anytime, but that didn’t mean today!’
Unlike me, fidgeting with anxiety, Lihardt remained composed as he’d come specifically to get his tea.
‘Noah’s regular reports should be arriving around now.’
I couldn’t contain my restlessness and broke the silence.
“If the mint tea doesn’t suit your palate, shall I have something else brought, Count?”
Drink it quickly and leave, I thought.
Whether he’d read my mind or not, Lihardt chuckled softly. He lifted the nearly cold teacup and drained what remained in one swallow before speaking.
“How long do you plan to keep using that ridiculous title, Bella?”
At the pet name rolling off his tongue, I swallowed a sigh. If I wanted to get Lihardt out of here quickly, I had no choice but to play along as he wished. I relaxed my rigid expression and nodded.
“…So why did you come?”
“What happened yesterday?”
“Yesterday?”
“Don’t play dumb, Bella. You cried on the Terrace after dancing with the Crown Prince.”
He came all this way to bring that up? I was momentarily at a loss for words.
Why?
I couldn’t understand Lihardt. Hadn’t he been holding a grudge against me?
I’d even spoken harshly to him yesterday, drawing a line by telling him not to concern himself, not to interfere. Yet now he appeared to be worried about me.
I couldn’t tell whether what Lihardt felt for me was affection or hatred. So how could I open my mouth carelessly?
When I didn’t answer, Lihardt’s brow furrowed.
“Did Daimon threaten you?”
“Even if that were true, I have no obligation to tell you. Have you forgotten, Lihardt? That we’re no longer the kind of people who should concern ourselves with each other?”
“What kind of people are that?”
“You know.”
“Are you going to tell me we’re strangers now, to stop caring?”
I bit my lip. One thing was certain, whatever else might be unclear.
This man remembered every word I’d said ten years ago. And he used them against me, probing at my wounds.
If I’d been even slightly younger, I would have fallen for his manipulation. I’d have let emotion overtake me, spilled secrets I shouldn’t, exposed everything. But I was already twenty-eight.
Instead of responding, I wrapped my arms around myself and sank into the sofa. It was a wordless refusal to dredge up the past. Lihardt regarded me, his brow creasing slightly.
“…I might become Sasha’s guardian.”
A sigh leaked through his muttered words. Was he actually considering accepting that proposal?
“What?”
“Your troubles with Daimon could affect me too, so I wanted to make sure.”
I stared blankly at Lihardt’s words. After a long moment, understanding dawned.
Ah.
His interest wasn’t in me—it was in Daimon. Or rather, in this case, his interest was in Sasha.
I swallowed the hollow laugh rising in my throat.
‘How cunning.’
The moment Lihardt revealed his true purpose, disappointment washed over me. Even as I told myself not to harbor false hopes, I couldn’t stop the disappointment from coming.

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