The Reason I Got Engaged to My Ex-Boyfriend - Chapter 68

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

Episode 68

‘Well, it’s not like I was planning to blame her for it…’

As long as Sophia was by my side, Seria wouldn’t be able to pull any strange stunts, so I wasn’t too worried.

I changed the subject.

“So who else did you invite besides me?”

“Huh? Besides you… I invited Young-ae Solbiet. Ester Solbiet Young-ae.”

“Young-ae Solbiet?”

That family shouldn’t have any daughters.

When I asked again, Yudite went “Oh right,” and began explaining.

“She’s a commoner who was adopted after catching Count Solbiet’s eye. I guess they kept the adoption quiet because of her background.”

“But how did you get to know her?”

“We became friends at a reading club. We’re friends.”

Ah. I nodded.

Even though Yudite doesn’t seem like it, she’s surprisingly soft-hearted. And well-connected too.

I looked at Esther, who was standing awkwardly in front of the tea table in the distance, and said.

“But didn’t you expect that friend wouldn’t fit in here?”

Anyone could see she didn’t belong.

The other nobles were openly ostracizing Esther, so it was understandable.

Glancing at her with malicious looks, whispering among themselves, giving her the cold shoulder.

Though they said it was a quiet adoption, it seemed like everyone who needed to know already knew.

A spiteful girl who dared to try to stand at a similar position to them, despite being a mere commoner.

At my words, Yudite shook her head as if she understood.

“That’s exactly why I need to invite her to occasions like this to give her a chance to adapt. She can’t hide forever.”

“Even so, you should stay by her side. You shouldn’t be here having this kind of conversation with me.”

“…Is that so?”

Yudite’s eyes widened as if she had just realized.

I stared at Yudite like that and turned around. Go quickly and clean up the mess you made.

After delivering the donation items to the servant and returning to the table, Sophia grabbed my arm like a child left alone by the water.

“Miss Mary.”

She continued in a dejected voice.

“…I think I came here for nothing.”

The contrast with her bright floral dress that she had carefully chosen made her look even more melancholy.

“That can’t be.”

I thought Sophia had absolutely no reason to feel discouraged.

Everyone might find her a bit intimidating, but no one in the Empire would avoid getting close to a lady who ranked among the top three most precious.

At my consolation, Sophia spoke in a much brighter voice.

“Still, the atmosphere isn’t bad. Yes, I like people’s outfits too.”

That made sense.

Most of the ladies attending the charity party were wearing floral dresses.

‘I didn’t intend it…’

【 Mary Blin’s outfit brings glamorous trends again this year! What could be the intention behind the dense floral pattern? 】

My floral dress from the Founding Festival had even made it into the newspapers and seemed to have quite an influence.

‘Since Lady Sophia seems to like the people too, maybe I should take this opportunity…’

Let’s try to improve the perception of Lady Sophia.

I drank my tea with a determined expression.

As the atmosphere ripened, the main event began.

“First, I’d like to thank everyone who participated. All donations will be contributed to the Temple and used to help those in need.”

Mrs. White, standing on the podium, skillfully conducted the event.

The donation items prepared were typical of such events.

Among them, I could see items that seemed to be prepared just to fill out the selection, items that seemed prepared hoping they’d go to better use elsewhere, and items that seemed to flaunt their owner’s authority.

What I prepared was a white tiara. It received exactly the response I expected and sold for exactly the price I anticipated.

And when Sophia’s donation item appeared, talk about the previously introduced items quickly died down.

“That’s…”

“My goodness.”

“Oh my, to bring that here…”

An intensely red gem that caught everyone’s attention was brought up to the podium.

What Sophia had prepared was actually a treasure of the Ellister Kingdom.

Called the heart of Princess Lunette who married the legendary hero, it was a treasure among treasures.

‘That’s not really something suitable for a donation event.’

It was such a precious gem that its value couldn’t even be estimated.

That’s why I initially wondered if Sophia didn’t really understand what a charity party was.

“Donations are supposed to go to people who can use them better than me, right? I don’t really like gems because they hurt my eyes.”

But Sophia was truly nonchalant about donating Lunette’s heart.

“Uh, this is… well, it was prepared by the Duchess of Arviente.”

Mrs. White explained while catching her breath.

While glancing at Sophia with a bewildered expression, if I were to guess the meaning behind her face, it was roughly this:

Didn’t she just come along with Mary Blin? We don’t even have any particular connection, so why did she bring such a treasure? Does she really want to help the Temple donations? My goodness, she must have a surprisingly warm heart.

I guessed that much and nodded slightly.

She does have a warm heart when you get to know her, but actually she brought the gem because it hurt her eyes rather than for Temple donations…

Well, anyway, it was good that Mrs. White and the other ladies thought that way. I could clearly see the fear disappearing from their gazes toward Sophia.

And the decisive blow that would change people’s perception of Sophia.

“Lady Sophia.”

It was when Lunette’s heart had been sold and the auction was proceeding smoothly.

I called Sophia while covering my mouth with a fan.

Then I pointed to the poetry book next to Mrs. White.

“Doesn’t that look nice?”

Earlier, I had seen Esther hand a poetry book to the charity party organizer. It was definitely the donation item Esther had prepared.

At my question, Sophia seemed to examine the poetry book for a moment, then asked back.

“Do you like that?”

“Yes, what do you think of it, Lady Sophia?”

“Hmm, not bad.”

Though it was a reaction that didn’t show any particular interest, I was certain that Sophia would definitely purchase that poetry book. Because…

‘Lady Sophia likes me.’

As I expected, Sophia immediately joined the auction as soon as Mrs. White introduced the poetry book.

Sophia wrote something on paper, folded it neatly, and handed it to her servant.

Mrs. White’s eyes widened as she unfolded the note.

“Ah, the Duchess of Arviente has… offered one thousand gold…”

The surroundings stirred at such a large amount from the start.

Among them, the most surprised person was Esther, who had donated the poetry book.

“…”

Esther looked at Sophia with a displeased expression. She was still sitting in a corner, seemingly unable to adapt.

And from the stirring surroundings came the reaction I had aimed for.

“Why would the Duchess bother with such a commoner…”

“She must really have a warm heart. They probably have no connection, but since it was obvious no one would buy it, she’s trying to boost her spirits…”

If an ordinary noble had bought the poetry book, they would have been severely criticized for not knowing their place and trying to associate with commoners, but Sophia, who ranked among the top three most precious in the Empire, was different.

The ladies went on to offer favorable interpretations about Sophia on their own.

Not only had she presented a priceless treasure at the charity party, but she also had the warm nature to casually extend a helping hand to a pitiful lady of common birth who was being ostracized by the nobles….

“…Viscount Chartinez’s daughter just offered twelve hundred gold.”

At that moment, hearing Mrs. White’s voice that followed, I forgot to manage my expression and looked toward the podium.

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