The Reason I Got Engaged to My Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 4

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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 4

Two days later.

Yenika, the youngest daughter of Duke Cledius, climbed into the carriage with a dazed expression.

“Oh my, Miss…”

Her maid anxiously examined Yenika’s complexion.

Yenika Cledius, who was she?

In the Overn Empire, known as the ruler of the seas, there were three prestigious families.

The Cledius Duchy, which flourished the empire as the emperor’s advisors.

The Segwed Duchy, which protected the sun as commanders of the Imperial Guard.

The Arviente Duchy, which safeguarded the continent as owners of the Westport Line.

Long ago, the Imperial Family feared the founding duke families who held great power.

So they seated each heir close to the sun to keep them in check, and this became a long-standing tradition.

What worries could the youngest daughter of such a powerful Cledius family possibly have?

‘Whenever I think of Young-ae Blin, sob…’

Yenika was a gold-tier customer at Piacce Lux, visiting there daily.

But…

‘That was a long time ago.’

A year ago, the boutique’s doors had closed.

“My goodness!”

After such a long silence, she heard that Mary had returned to Tererrosa three days ago.

Moreover…

【 Celebrity Mary Blin’s Return! But…? 】

Mary apparently had an illegitimate child.

Right after hearing this news, she was now rushing to the boutique.

‘Did she leave Tererrosa after finding out she was pregnant?’

Yenika pondered over the article.

‘They said they wouldn’t reveal the father’s identity, but…’

It must be the Colonel.

Though there were rumors they had broken up, he had been Mary’s longtime lover.

‘…Could that be why they broke up?’

Certainly, there was a high possibility of that.

‘Even if Piacce Lux is famous, the Count’s family is somewhat looked down upon.’

Above all, the other party was Arviente. It could have been quite burdensome for Mary.

‘I think I heard that the Colonel is more cruel and cold than he appears. Yes, I heard he’s quite feared among the demons.’

If that were the case…

Though she heard about the breakup a few days ago, Mary must have broken up before leaving the Capital.

Either she was afraid the man famous for being a demon might harm the child, or she didn’t want to cause trouble through a union of families, or she didn’t have the confidence to endure all those circumstances…

Well, for reasons like that.

‘…This is just like a romance novel!’

Having finished her roughly logical reasoning, Yenika opened her mouth.

She was reminded of the passionate drama between an arrogant duke and a maid that she had read a few days ago. In the end, it was an ending where the duke desperately regretted and begged.

‘What should I do?’

Just as she was imagining Mary looking fondly at a child resembling Ransel, they arrived at Piacce Lux.

Many young ladies had already arrived. Yenika moved hurriedly, thinking she was late.

‘It seems Young-ae Blin hasn’t come yet.’

Then she felt relieved after confirming Mary wasn’t there.

“No, I don’t know either.”

Just then, a familiar voice was heard from somewhere.

‘That person is…’

It was Chris Moore, Mary’s closest aide.

He had received a substantial vacation bonus before Mary left, and as if proving how much he had enjoyed himself, his face had tan marks in the shape of sunglasses.

“If Mr. Moore doesn’t know, who would!”

“Good grief, I was also shocked reading the newspaper and came running. No, I practically flew here.”

Being the person closest to Mary here, he seemed to have been constantly pestered by the young ladies.

‘What other circumstances could there be that even her closest aide still can’t grasp the situation?’

Yenika waited for Mary with an anxious heart.

***

The carriage heading to Piacce Lux rattled.

‘Congratulations to me for becoming the protagonist of an unprecedented scandal as soon as I returned after a year.’

The first thing I did was silence the servants of both the Count’s and Marquis’s households.

“My daughter’s affairs must not be leaked anywhere. Don’t even think you’ll be safe after talking, and if you’re not confident, just don’t leave the mansion.”

It was also a rare moment when Father, usually gentle, became sharp.

The carriage slowed down as we seemed to have arrived.

I lightly touched my green redingote and got out of the carriage…

“…”

I paused at the scene that unfolded.

The area in front of the boutique was packed with people.

Nobles were always thirsty for interesting news, so I had expected it, but I couldn’t help my body freezing up.

‘Well, it’s probably also due to the boutique reopening.’

I cleared my throat and slowly approached.

“Ah, Young-ae Blin!”

The first to make eye contact was Yenika.

Led by the princess’s voice, the young ladies’ gazes focused on me.

Hmm. I awkwardly lifted the corners of my mouth.

“Everyone, it’s been a while…”

hasn’t it.

Before I could even finish speaking, the young ladies each threw out questions.

“Is, is that really true?”

“You left after finding out you were pregnant, right!”

“There’s actually a rumor they’re twins…”

…Where should I even start explaining this?

I was flustered as the rumors seemed to have spread more creatively than I thought.

As I just rolled my eyes, I recalled the setting I had conceived since yesterday. There was such a setting.

I slowly spoke up.

“It’s true I left after finding out I was pregnant. I lived alone with just a maid in Ranghilden. Back then, I thought that was the only way to protect the child…”

“…”

“It’s complicated to say more. For now, I’m living with the child at the Blin Estate.”

“Ah…”

The young ladies, who had been quiet during the explanation, responded one by one.

“I knew it!”

“How much you must have suffered…”

“Still, I’m so glad you returned safely!”

Hmm.

What’s this?

‘Everyone doesn’t seem disappointed in me.’

It wasn’t the reaction I expected, which was confusing, but also relieving. There was no need to hear harsh words after all.

“Yes, thank you for worrying about me.”

I smiled artificially while waving my fan.

“Oh, I think I understand now.”

Then, Yenika spoke up with a flushed face.

“Colonel Arviente didn’t want the child, so Young-ae did what she did.”

Since everyone seemed to be buying into it, I was casually nodding along when I suddenly stopped.

What?

I think I heard a name that I couldn’t just let slide.

“Excuse me?”

“So, when Young-ae found out she was pregnant, she asked the Colonel. What would he think if they had a child together.”

“…Excuse me?”

“But the Colonel said he didn’t want children. Not knowing that Young-ae was already carrying one! And unfortunately, the Westport Line hasn’t been able to return for nearly a year…”

“…”

That sounds like something from the romance novels Marsha reads.

I stared at Yenika speechlessly, dumbfounded.

Then suddenly…

‘…Does that story actually make sense?’

I thought that story might actually be quite plausible.

After all, everyone in the Capital knew about my relationship with him.

‘If someone like me had a child, they’d naturally assume it was Ransel’s.’

The reason I was only now considering this possibility was because from my perspective, it was absurd.

‘It’s not like a seagull delivered the baby.’

Sure, we didn’t spend our entire relationship just holding hands and kissing, but I had been celibate for over a year.

“Now I understand. Yes, I understand everything. That’s why Young-ae tearfully broke up with the Colonel.”

Meanwhile, Yenika added what felt like the perfect finishing touch.

Unintentionally, everything fit together like puzzle pieces.

The best way to deceive someone is to mix a little lie with the truth…

“Um, that person is not the father of my child.”

Still, using my ex-boyfriend like this didn’t seem right.

“…What?”

Right at that moment, the atmosphere turned cold.

The young ladies who had been moved by this romance novel come to life widened their eyes.

“Then…?”

“…Well, you see.”

I hadn’t decided on that yet. No matter how much I thought about it, there was no suitable man to blame.

Then suddenly, a good excuse came to mind.

I immediately gave a wan smile.

“It was just a one-night stand… I can’t reveal who it was. I’d prefer if you didn’t pry.”

“Ah…?”

The young ladies’ eyes widened, then murmuring sounds followed as if they were trying to understand the situation.

Then Yenika whispered to the other ladies with an even more serious expression.

“I still think it’s the Colonel’s child.”

The problem was that I heard that perfectly clearly.

“But she doesn’t want to put the Colonel in a difficult position…”

“…”

“Let’s all pretend we don’t know.”

At Yenika’s words, the young ladies nodded with determined expressions.

“Yes, let’s go with that.”

Having reached that conclusion on their own, Yenika looked at me again.

Her face was pitiful, as if she understood everything.

“We’ll respect Young-ae’s choice.”

“…”

What exactly were they going to respect?

‘I clearly said it was a one-night stand.’

I was flustered.

The situation seemed to have changed quite a bit, no, a lot from what I expected.

‘But to say more here…’

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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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