The Reason I Got Engaged to My Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 39

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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 39

 

Senya said.

 

“Even if Madam pretends otherwise, she pays a lot of attention. More to your fiancé than to the young master.”

 

I tilted my head.

 

“To me?”

 

“Yes, you are the only person who understood our Madam’s taste in floral patterns.”

 

“….”

 

Was that… such a remarkable thing?

 

As I just blinked, Senya spoke in a calm voice.

 

“As you probably knew, our Madam doesn’t engage much in social activities.”

 

“Mm, I did hear such rumors often.”

 

“Yes, so there are those who dare gossip that Madam acts haughty because she’s from the royal family… But in truth, Madam simply doesn’t have many noble acquaintances in the Empire.”

 

Senya continued.

 

“Our Madam is from the kingdom, you see. She needed to make connections quickly, but she missed the opportunity when she had a child right after marriage. The only person she’s close to is Lady Aljesha Segwede.”

 

I silently sipped my tea.

 

“Moreover, the Duke isn’t particularly affectionate either. Madam is a very lonely person.”

 

Senya moved the empty teacup to the tray.

 

“I hope you will understand Madam’s heart.”

 

The loyal maid who had served one person for decades left those words and disappeared.

 

I suddenly wondered if I could live as if nothing had happened after everything was over.

 

I was confident that even if Sophia felt betrayed by me, she wouldn’t torment me or anything.

 

But I felt like I would keep remembering this moment. Even the sweet fragrance of the tea Sophia had sent.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, late at night.

 

Near the upper stream of the Rüpel River.

 

Lionel was walking along the long bridge, fanning himself with his hand.

 

The Rüpel River suicide incident.

 

Because of this, the Security Bureau selected several officers to patrol the Rüpfel River Bridge in shifts.

 

Of course, Lionel, who was in charge of the eagle case, had nothing to do with patrol duties.

 

“…Sigh.”

 

Nevertheless, why was he doing work that wasn’t even his responsibility on this hot summer night?

 

The reason was simple. The personnel for this case only patrolled until exactly 10 PM.

 

“Hey hey, generally the time when incidents are most likely to occur is around midnight and dawn, but you guys are going to clock out right at 10 PM just because you were told to patrol until 10? Do you think this makes sense?”

 

It was absurd. But it wasn’t something to argue about with his juniors who wanted to leave work right after finishing their patrol.

 

“Whether it makes sense or not, you can check the public official application section of the Imperial Legal Code.”

 

The real ones to argue with would be the Security Bureau higher-ups who gave lots of work but wouldn’t hire more personnel…

 

After hearing Mary’s words, Lionel became convinced that the Rüpel River incident wasn’t a simple suicide case.

 

He couldn’t stand by and watch such a case be neglected due to lack of personnel.

 

Thus, the Empire’s righteous officer, Lionel Dapite, had been voluntarily working overtime for several days.

 

“Oh my, it’s hot, so hot.”

 

Lionel intensified his hand-fanning.

 

He thought it would be fine since it was night, but as he kept walking, he really felt that it was summer.

 

Walking by the riverside at midnight made him think a lot. Like, why did he have to go this far?

 

‘No, I have to.’

 

If only to help support the livelihood of his always-respected uncle and his sister who wasn’t quite like a rabbit… just ordinary.

 

As he continued his patrol while having such various thoughts.

 

“….”

 

Suddenly, his feet stopped.

 

Someone was standing at the end of the bridge.

 

Lionel frowned and shouted.

 

“There, what brings you here?”

 

“….”

 

“I’m an officer currently on patrol. I’d appreciate your cooperation.”

 

The man didn’t turn to look at Lionel.

 

…Something was definitely suspicious.

 

Lionel steeled himself and slowly approached.

 

Though he didn’t show it, his timid heart was pounding. He could feel cold sweat flowing down his forehead.

 

‘O-Oh Father in heaven…’

 

Lionel tightly gripped the cross pendant on his necklace as he continued to move forward.

 

And then.

 

Whoosh-

 

The man’s body tilted toward the river.

 

“…!”

 

Lionel quickly threw his body forward.

 

Fortunately, this righteous officer was merely timid, but was a talent who always ranked high at the Military Academy.

 

Thud, he barely managed to catch the man’s collar, but…

 

“Ugh…!”

 

Holding on with just the collar of a man bigger than himself was grueling.

 

“Q-Quick! Quickly give me your hand!”

 

Lionel struggled desperately, using all his strength to pull the man up.

 

But the man didn’t budge at all.

 

As if already lifeless, his body was like a waterlogged piece of wood.

 

Then the man slowly raised his head and made eye contact with Lionel.

 

“….”

 

In that moment, Lionel felt his spine grow cold.

 

The man’s pupils were bright red. His eyelids were dyed pitch black as if rotten.

 

“…W-what are you doing…!”

 

Then, the man raised his hand and removed Lionel’s hand that was gripping his collar.

 

Splash. The massive body sank into the water.

 

***

 

Two days later.

 

I was holding a perfume bottle in my hand, timing when to speak to Chris.

 

‘Finally completed.’

 

Dun Like’s first perfume.

 

I had put so much effort into this perfume that I had spent more time in Semaphelaz than on Boutique Street.

 

‘At least it was fortunate that Sir Melvin kept looking after things.’

 

It seemed his promise to keep an eye on Louis to prevent him from doing anything foolish wasn’t empty words.

 

Every time Louis approached with that idiotic smile, Sir Melvin would smilingly escort him away.

 

“Now now, Sir Louis. Today too, let us work diligently to show our loyalty to the Admiral and His Majesty the Emperor.”

 

“No, if you keep coming at me like this, I won’t be so easy-going either…”

 

“For the glory of the Obern Empire.”

 

Louis flailed like an overturned frog as he was dragged away by Melvin’s hand.

 

So the time spent listening to Louis’s nonsense was considerably reduced. It was fortunate since I was already busy.

 

‘There were already plenty of problems just with the fragrance blending.’

 

I fiddled with the empty bottle containing the perfume.

 

In all fields, there’s always a ‘main trend’ that works well with people.

 

Perfumes also had scents that people generally preferred.

 

Moreover, the perfumer was the famous Frill.

 

A perfume with popular notes that wouldn’t divide preferences, made by a genius perfumer.

 

‘…That alone wouldn’t be enough.’

 

The problem was that I wanted to create a brand targeting the upper class.

 

And nobles valued exclusivity that could clearly draw lines and distinguish ranks with others. Like the Rose Observation Tower at the Founding Festival.

 

Following a route that everyone would reasonably like, while also needing our perfume’s unique specialness…

 

What kind of warm ice cream nonsense was this?

 

After much deliberation, I decided to follow the former approach regarding ‘perfume notes.’

 

And.

 

“The price is 120 gold per 40ml.”

 

“…Do you think that will sell, Miss Berry?”

 

I decided to pursue ‘specialness’ in other aspects.

 

‘I don’t really like dividing people by money either, but…’

 

Since catching the attention of upper-class people was urgent, it couldn’t be helped.

 

‘So now what I need to do is…’

 

I quickly called Chris over as he came this way.

 

“Chris, come here for a moment.”

 

“I don’t know what this is about, but it’s Diana’s fault, not mine.”

 

What was he talking about? I ignored him and continued.

 

“About this.”

 

I pressed a small empty bottle into Chris’s hand.

 

Chris’s eyes widened.

 

“Spray this around the boutique once in a while. Either on the dresses set on the mannequins.”

 

“Huh? What is… this?”

 

“A product for special sale at the Founding Festival booth. I’m getting it supplied from some brand representative from the Kingdom of Elistair to sell.”

 

“Wait, suddenly?”

 

“Why? Who was it that spent an entire hour talking about needing aggressive marketing to enhance the boutique’s image and atmosphere?”

 

“…”

 

Perhaps remembering the ordeal of getting the painting from the auction house, Chris closed his mouth.

 

By the way, after delivering Justin’s painting to Frill, a new painting was hung in Piaceroux.

 

It was a new painting Justin drew as thanks, and it suited the boutique so well that Chris was satisfied too.

 

“Now, this is important from here on, so listen carefully.”

 

I explained Chris’s ‘real mission’ with a serious face.

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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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