The Reason I Got Engaged to My Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 38

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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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Episode 38

 

When I opened my eyes in the morning, I felt so miserable that I just wanted to stay holed up in my room.

 

But I forced myself to get up.

 

‘If I just stay alone in my room, I’ll only dig myself deeper into misery.’

 

Being depressed and not going out or even skipping meals would only hurt myself.

 

That’s why my philosophy was that during times like these, I needed to sleep well and eat properly.

 

‘I need to build up my strength by eating and sleeping well.’

 

I made sure to eat breakfast, which I usually skipped, and headed to Boutique Street.

 

At a nearby dessert shop, I packaged a cherry pie as a gift from Mary to Mary. Complete with vanilla ice cream on the side.

 

“….”

 

And so I became an outcast in the bustling boutique.

 

Even though I tried my best not to show that I was upset, it must have been written all over my face, as no one approached me.

 

I just kept cutting and eating the cherry pie.

 

“Owner.”

 

Then, Chris quietly approached me.

 

It seemed the other employees had pushed him forward, and he ended up taking the bullet.

 

I only lifted my eyes to respond.

 

“What’s wrong this time?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Whenever you’re in a bad mood, you always eat something at this spot.”

 

“Nothing’s wrong.”

 

Anyone could tell from my voice that something was definitely wrong.

 

Chris’s expression turned sour, and he soon shook his head before sitting across from me.

 

He sat straddling the chair with the backrest facing forward, like a natural troublemaker.

 

“Since you separate business from personal matters, I’ll just get straight to the point. About the Foundation Festival that’s coming up soon.”

 

I could guess what he was going to say next, so I cut him off without listening further.

 

“Fine, apply for a booth.”

 

“….”

 

Chris looked devastated and started pretending to cry.

 

“I thought I could enjoy myself freely this year too…. My fate of being caught by an evil owner…. Poor me….”

 

Whatever. I cut a large piece of cherry pie and put it in my mouth.

 

The Obern Empire’s Foundation Festival.

 

The Foundation Festival was held in the town square of the capital, Tererrosa, and consisted of two main events.

 

First, the street festival.

 

It was an event where commoners mingled with nobles who wanted to enjoy light entertainment. With such diverse social classes, the booths participating there were equally diverse.

 

“Is Young-ae participating this year too?”

 

Then, Yenika appeared from somewhere and asked in a cheerful voice.

 

“Yes, Princess.”

 

I nodded calmly.

 

Originally, our boutique rarely participated in Foundation Festival booths.

 

We preferred to enjoy the Foundation Festival rather than worry about running a booth.

 

Still, the reason I wanted to participate this year was….

 

“Really? I’ll definitely come! But what’s the booth concept?”

 

“Well, that’s a secret. A trade secret.”

 

It was because of the perfume.

 

I planned to showcase perfume at the Foundation Festival booth. In connection with the boutique.

 

Since the brand needed to catch the attention of the upper class as quickly as possible rather than growing steadily, that was the most reliable method.

 

I wanted to uncover the truth about Sister’s death, even if it meant using everything I had.

 

“Ugh, saying that just makes me more curious!”

 

Yenika playfully exclaimed, then suddenly tilted her head.

 

“Oh, but if you open a booth, does that mean Young-ae won’t come to the observation tower and will stay there the whole time?”

 

The second event, the performance at the Rose Observation Tower.

 

While nobles showed ‘tolerance’ by mingling with commoners on the streets, they also wanted to be clearly distinguished from them.

 

That’s why the Rose Observation Tower in the square was built.

 

The observation tower, which was normally kept tightly closed, only opened on special days like the Foundation Festival. And only royalty and nobles could enter.

 

‘They even divide ranks within there.’

 

The top floor with the best view of the performance was for the Imperial Family and direct members of Ducal Families, the floor below was for branch members of the Imperial Family and Ducal Families, and the bottom floor was for members of Marquess Families and Countess’s Family.

 

In principle, those of lower status couldn’t enter, but in practice, they operated flexibly by allowing even direct members of Viscount Families and Baron Families.

 

“No, I have to go to the observation tower. The employees will handle the booth.”

 

“…Sob sob, poor me indeed….”

 

Chris started making crying sounds again.

 

Yenika didn’t even glance at Chris and responded.

 

“Great, make sure to come! The baby’s coming too, right? And the Colonel?”

 

“Um, yes. Probably.”

 

Originally, I could only access the first floor, but this time I would probably go to the top floor.

 

While it would normally be impossible since we were only engaged, it would look strange to send Pipi to the upper floor while I stayed on the lower floor alone.

 

‘And as the Princess said, we’ll have to accompany each other….’

 

Even while accompanying each other, we probably wouldn’t exchange a single word.

 

‘In the past, I would have tried to reconcile somehow, but now there’s no need to.’

 

Rather, we had been spending unnecessarily too much time together.

 

So this was right.

 

“….”

 

I felt miserable again.

 

I diligently finished eating the remaining cherry pie.

 

***

 

“Miss, about this afternoon.”

 

In the early evening, Marsha approached me as I came out after a quick shower.

 

Marsha spread her arms as wide as possible and said.

 

“Well, the butler was carrying luggage thiiiis much and going somewhere.”

 

“And?”

 

“So when I asked where he was going, he said he was going to the Naval Base. That the Colonel ordered him to.”

 

“….”

 

My mood soured.

 

It seemed he planned not to come home for several days because he was upset about yesterday’s incident.

 

Rather than being angry, I was dumbfounded.

 

“What kind of behavior is that, like some First Academy freshman would do. How old is he supposed to be?”

 

“Um, it seemed like he won’t be coming back for about a month….”

 

“Fine, just tell him to go live out there forever.”

 

I waved my hands dismissively. I didn’t want to care anymore.

 

I had planned to have dinner with Sophia tonight.

 

“Come sit down, Miss Mary.”

 

Sophia was wearing a bright floral dress today as well. The tablecloth was silk with a morning glory pattern.

 

After exchanging light greetings, I cut into the lamb steak placed in front of me.

 

Both Sophia and I preferred simple meals, so we usually skipped appetizers.

 

“Did you two have a fight?”

 

At that unfiltered question, the knife moving across the plate stopped.

 

I calmly affirmed.

 

“Yes.”

 

Sophia clicked her tongue lightly as if she had expected as much.

 

“Well, obviously it’s all my son’s fault, so I don’t really want to interfere.”

 

Though that wasn’t exactly the case, I didn’t bother to correct her.

 

“Still, try to work things out. At times like this, it’s the subordinates who suffer the most.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

“And you’ll be going as partners to the Foundation Festival, so won’t it be uncomfortable for both of you if things aren’t resolved by then?”

 

Then shouldn’t you tell your son to come home first?

 

Instead of responding that way, I just nodded.

 

“Though it’s probably not my place to say this when my husband and I barely talk once a week, problems usually arise from poor communication. If that child has hurt your feelings in any way, please speak honestly about it.”

 

“…”

 

“He’s not the type who wouldn’t listen, at least not to Miss Mary.”

 

I hesitated for a moment before answering.

 

“Do you really think so?”

 

“Well, if you’re not sure, why don’t you try talking to him first.”

 

“…”

 

“Refrain from thinking that the other person will naturally know without you saying anything.”

 

Sophia continued in a gentle voice.

 

“There are more things in this world that aren’t as obvious as you’d think.”

 

I couldn’t respond at all. I felt like she had hit a nerve.

 

Sophia, who had been watching me intently, naturally changed the subject.

 

We finished our meal while she told me she would personally help me choose a dress for the Foundation Festival and assured me not to worry since she would accompany me to the upper floors of the Observation Tower.

 

***

 

That night.

 

I heard a knock from beyond the door.

 

“Miss, Madam has sent this.”

 

It was Senya, Sophia’s personal maid.

 

What Senya brought was none other than a cup of refreshing tea. The surface of the teacup was cold, as if it had been chilled.

 

“If you think it might upset your stomach, you don’t have to drink it.”

 

Normally I would have declined since it was bedtime, but remembering my principle that I needed to eat well now, I quickly drank the tea.

 

Senya watched me calmly, and then unexpected words flowed from her lips.

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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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