The Reason I Got Engaged to My Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 55

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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 55

 

I couldn’t reveal that I had finally established an opposing stance against the Crown Prince.

 

“The Crown Prince! The Crown Prince ordered it! W-we only take clients who clearly reveal their identities because we’re afraid of being abandoned later.”

 

“Did you also sabotage the observation tower’s lighting?”

 

“Damn, what’s that about?! I don’t know anything about that. Observation tower or whatever, XX, do I look like someone who could get into a place like that?”

 

The man caught in the bedroom confessed easily. He seemed to be an assassin tied to a single commission, not some loyal knight of the Crown Prince.

 

‘The problem is…’

 

The bullet casing I received from Angelica really did have traces of magic on it.

 

Perhaps it might be connected to the temporary gate leading to the Demon Realm.

 

Ransel, who had been wondering whether to report this, eventually revealed everything to the Emperor.

 

“…I see.”

 

The Emperor nodded with a weary face.

 

Even though he had said what he so desperately wanted to hear, that he would personally investigate Cael’s death, the Emperor didn’t seem particularly pleased.

 

Perhaps the Emperor was always torn between his positions as a nation’s monarch and as a father.

 

The Emperor wanted to pull down his second son who held a position beyond his station, yet didn’t want to acknowledge that he had committed heinous acts.

 

“Well then, I’ll be heading to Semapelaz now.”

 

At that moment, Derek said while humming.

 

Ransel looked at Derek with an incredulous expression.

 

It was already absurd that he had followed along, talking about support just to create some spare time, but now he wanted to go out and play again before even returning to his office?

 

“Get lost tactfully. The Admiral has his eye on you.”

 

“Hey, I’m not just playing around, you know? Originally, the surveillance role is the most arduous in anything. What tremendous responsibility it carries.”

 

“You volunteered to go, so there’s nothing to be responsible for.”

 

At the words that precisely hit the mark, Derek pretended not to know and changed the subject.

 

“And there’s this really pretty and charming commoner lady there.”

 

…Beyond slacking off, now women too.

 

When Ransel looked at him with disbelieving eyes, Derek waved his hand as if it were preposterous.

 

“Oh please, neither I nor the other guys can just think such thoughts and carelessly approach her. She has this mysteriously unapproachable… aura, should I say? And she also seems incredibly busy.”

 

Then, as if thoughtfully recalling something, he stroked his chin and continued.

 

“That lady is, how should I put it, like a hamster that lives very diligently.”

 

“…”

 

“But now with a bit of a temper…”

 

At the somehow familiar description, Ransel hesitated for a moment then shook his head.

 

No way, it couldn’t be.

 

Mary, if anything, was closer to a cat than a hamster. With that cautious personality of hers, there was no way she would keep those navy guys close when they weren’t even helpful to her work. Therefore, the thing Ransel was worried about wouldn’t happen in that port city.

 

…Yes, that’s what he thought at the time.

 

***

 

That evening, at the Arviente Estate.

 

“Sit down, Miss Mary.”

 

Belzebutte, who was already seated at the table, gestured with his eyes.

 

I sat across from him with a slightly nervous expression.

 

‘The people in this family really… like dining alone together.’

 

Of course, the level of pressure was dimensionally different from my first meal with Sophia.

 

Belzebutte had called for me.

 

It was naturally a summons I couldn’t refuse, so I had obediently come to the dining room.

 

Finding comfort in the fact that at least his face resembling Ransel’s was familiar, I placed my hand on the appetizer fork.

 

“Miss Mary.”

 

At the calling voice, I looked up.

 

“Yes, Your Grace.”

 

“I heard about what happened to you two during the Founding Festival. And I also know what Miss Mary did recently at the estate.”

 

He seemed to be referring to encountering the assassin and catching the internal spy, respectively.

 

I only nodded slightly.

 

“Actually, I don’t like Miss Mary.”

 

I paused at the words that followed.

 

Even though it was a fact I already knew and natural words, hearing it said so directly honestly didn’t make me feel comfortable.

 

“I’m not talking about Miss Mary herself. I don’t know Miss Mary well enough to evaluate her in the first place.”

 

Belzebutte continued speaking.

 

“However, the Countess’s family is not a house that catches my eye. And it’s not like Miss Mary has any other background either.”

 

“…”

 

“Getting engaged without ever formally discussing marriage isn’t a typical case either, is it? I know that nowadays nobles often date like commoners, but frankly, it looks vulgar to my eyes.”

 

“I see.”

 

Though somewhat direct, it wasn’t particularly wrong, so I answered plainly.

 

“However.”

 

At that moment, a subtle change occurred in Belzebutte’s eyes.

 

“I think Miss Mary’s actions last time are worthy of recognition. Without Miss Mary, it would have taken much longer to catch that rat.”

 

While saying this, he gestured toward the guards inside the dining room.

 

It was a sharp gaze blaming their incompetence for failing to filter out such a spy, but the feelings of the guards getting thoroughly scolded by the scary Duke weren’t my concern.

 

I answered calmly.

 

“It was a dangerous situation for me too. If we could catch them, we had to do it quickly.”

 

“Still, stepping forward without being scared isn’t easy. Anyway, in that sense, I called Miss Mary here.”

 

Belzebutte closed his mouth for a moment, then continued speaking again.

 

“If there’s something you want, tell me. I’ll grant it.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

At the unexpected words, I looked at Belzebutte with a dumbfounded expression.

 

I thought he was quite cold, which was correct, but he also seemed to be generous when he needed to be.

 

Since I had done what he as the family head should have done, he might not have wanted to let it pass ambiguously.

 

“I don’t know what Miss Mary might want, but whatever it is, I don’t think there’s anything I can’t grant.”

 

“…”

 

I didn’t decline by saying I had only done what was natural, or how could I dare discuss such things with Your Grace, but immediately put my mind to work.

 

A wish granted by the head of a prestigious family that no one except the Emperor could easily approach. It was a golden opportunity.

 

‘A golden opportunity… though it is.’

 

Of course, there were many things I wanted.

 

I wanted to freely enter and exit the Imperial Palace, use the ducal family’s people, and even temporarily borrow some of a high noble’s authority.

 

‘But…’

 

Just as Belzebutte didn’t like me, I also didn’t find him trustworthy or feel any sense of familiarity.

 

So I didn’t want to make a request that would reveal my true intentions.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

Then how could I use this golden opportunity efficiently?

 

“Your Grace.”

 

After pondering for a while, I opened my mouth.

 

“Once a month, please give flowers as a gift to your wife.”

 

“…”

 

“You must deliver them personally.”

 

“…”

 

Belzebutte looked at me with an incredulous expression.

 

‘Well, it’s not that difficult anyway.’

 

During the Founding Festival, Sophia had looked delighted just by going out from the third floor of the observation tower to the festival street. That sight kept bothering me.

 

For Sophia, who had made it possible for me to live comfortably in the Duke’s mansion all this time, I wanted to do at least this much.

 

Meanwhile, Belzebutte spoke as if he could guess why I was saying such things.

 

“It seems even Miss Mary finds Sophia pitiful.”

 

“She’s not someone I would dare have such thoughts about.”

 

“Well, the other things in this house were quite talkative.”

 

With that, his sharp gaze turned toward the maids instead of the guards this time.

 

Now I could understand why the servants had been quiet, watching Belzebutte’s mood before the Founding Festival.

 

‘Still, he didn’t say he disliked the idea.’

 

Trying to guess the Duke’s incomprehensible inner thoughts, I moved my fork.

 

***

 

After finishing the meal with Belzebutte.

 

‘As expected, Lady Sophia would like flower gifts the most.’

 

Since Sophia was a lover of floral patterns. Even if she didn’t know who was giving the gift, she would probably like the gift itself.

 

I was having such thoughts while passing through the corridor toward my room.

 

…Press.

 

Something touched my back.

 

Just as I was about to reflexively turn my head, a low voice flowed out.

 

“Guide me to where Colonel Arviente is.”

 

My mind went completely blank at this unexpected situation.

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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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