Looking for My Fiancé's Lover

“I’m so glad to hear that. The maids’ gaze toward me somehow seemed stinging so I thought I wasn’t welcome to visit. Anyone who sees it would think it was the family’s illegitimate child stopping by.”

Elysée covered her mouth and smiled quietly, then hurriedly lowered her hand with an apologetic look. Before long, her fine white face distorted into a tearful expression as she spoke.

“Ah! I’m sorry, my lady. I said it without much thought. I didn’t mean to mock the fact that lady Caron was an illegitimate child. You understand, right?”

“Of course. Don’t bother with the trivial matters.”

“Oh my…your heart is as beautiful as your face. No one will believe that lady Caron is the duke’s illegitimate child. I’ve never seen any noblewoman as perfect as you. You must have poured your blood sweat and tears into learning etiquette. I’ve always felt it, but I think you are amazing. It’s not that easy to overcome your innate limitations.”

T/n: this b*tch, it’s like she’s rubbing it in her face on purpose.

“…You’re right.”

Caron’s speech was both formal and elegant. Elysée raised the corner of her mouth again as she continued.

“I have spoken for too long. I apologise if it’s been inconvenient. Then… is sir Pancion inside?”

“My brother is about to go out after receiving a summon from His Highness Nezar.”

“Oh, should I have contacted him before visiting?”

Caron looked quite tired. Whoever saw it could tell. Whatever Elysée said, Caron, standing in front of her, just nodded as an appropriate response.

Entera maids’ attention was all on their conversation. Even if they acted nothing was wrong and pretended to be deaf, every time they passed Elysée, I could feel their hidden anger fuming over the ceiling. It was no different for me either. How important that woman was for Caron to give in to her?

My face hardened as I recalled the first time I and Caron had talked to each other. Briefly after, I started giving strength to each step of mine, and it wasn’t long before the two’s attention was on the noise of shoes resounding. Before her lips could part with a puzzled face, I took the initiative and spoke to Caron.

“I have to go now, Caron. Let’s share the unfinished discussion through letters. Brother Lockherd has returned home, so I don’t think it’s polite to be absent from Ezelot for too long.”

Caron, with her eyes wide open, came to my side and grabbed my hand.

“Already? Why don’t you have lunch here first and then come back later? The meal will be ready soon.”

“Nah, I’m not hungry for some reason today. If it’s okay with Caron, I’ll send you a letter the day after tomorrow.”

“Then…I guess it can’t be helped. I shall wait for your letter.”

I lightly embraced Caron and turned around to head outside. While I was at it, I intentionally pushed Elysée’s shoulder hard as I passed by.

“Ah.”

Playing dumb, I turned my head and faced Elysée. Looking closer, she was a pretty alluring woman with eyes as fine as Caron’s. But at this moment, it didn’t really matter whether this woman was alluring or not. I brushed my shoulder lightly with a displeased expression.

“Caron, who is this?”

As always, Caron answered me in a soft voice.

“This is lady Elysée Romand. She has been visiting for a while.”

“Romand? Was there such a family in our empire?”

Slightly straightened my back and opened my chest as I took one step forward, I scanned over the woman’s body. My action was not polite in every way, but the other party was much ruder.

Contrary to what I thought, however, Elysée’s face was very calm. Before long, she bowed to me with a bright smile.

“Judging from your words, are you perhaps lady Katrina Ezelot? Nice to meet you. My name is Elysée Romand. Our estate is not very large, but Romand is located less than seven hours from the capital. It is a region that must be mentioned in the first class of imperial geography, which is a basic course in the first year of the academy. It is also a territory that all women should know as basic knowledge. I would like it if you can visit us sometime.”

Anyone who heard it could tell that she was straightforwardly calling me stupid. Even though it had only been three minutes or so since I had known her name, it was easy to notice that she was a woman who had a knack for offending people.

But how unfortunate for her, I was Katrina Ezelot. If it had been the ladies of other noble families, they would have made utmost use of verbal skills and their family honour to avoid a quarrel…But as she had said, I was an idiot with a small mind.

“Lady Romand.”

“Yes.”

“It’s great that you were born in the territory mentioned in the first imperial geography class. What does it feel like to be born into such a prestigious family?”

At my question, Elysée hurriedly shook her head.

“A prestigious family? Please don’t say that. How dare I be so boastful in lady Ezelot’s presence?”

“So, you’re saying that you knew yet still tried to lecture me with that lacking manner of yours?”

Elysée’s expression, which had been relaxed thus far, was slightly cracked.

This was why having no friends was in fact good sometimes. I didn’t have to care much and could act however I wanted without needing to please anyone. Even though it was almost the only advantage, it was of good use at times like this. I didn’t have the talent to hide my inner feelings and put on a fine smile like Caron. For that, I stared at Elysée with a cold face that showed no sign of a smile, not even a formal one.

“I don’t know what makes you so confident, but do try to straighten up your shoulders while looking at people. I’m a little sensitive to people who can’t catch on quickly.”

T/n: I’m guessing squaring up shoulders is to show formality and respect while the other woman was just too relaxed and arrogant.

This remark could have left a negative impact later on. However, since I didn’t have the head to calculate the far-off things, I decided to stick to my current feelings. That said, there was no need to hear what Elysée would say in response.

“No need to come out to send me off, Caron. Then, I will send you a letter later.”

Right before Elysée’s thin lips opened, I lightly patted Caron’s shoulder and turned around. Even though I turned my back without any further thought, I felt uncomfortable in a corner of my heart when I was about to get on the carriage. She did pay for it, but what if Caron got hurt? The milk had already spilt, but my head became buzzing with regret.

This is why people shouldn’t be rash. Think once before saying, and think twice before acting!

Even though I had such thoughts in mind, it was certain that the following day I would do the same thing again. Reassuring myself that it would be all right, I left the servant’s farewell behind and tried to climb into the carriage. But something was a little strange. The interior should have been empty, but instead, a seat was occupied by a man with tall stature.

“(Gasp)!”

As my shoe heels were still on the footrest, I was startled and fell back. At that moment, as surprised as I was, pupils widened with tension came into sight. Simultaneously, something gripped my body tightly. When I came to my senses, Pancion’s strong arms were supporting my waist.

“Are you okay? It could have been serious.”

The person sitting in the carriage was none other than Pancion. More than half of his voice sounded unrecovered breath, as if evident that he was taken aback by the sudden situation.

As for me, I couldn’t calm down and just looked up blankly.

Thank god, my heart is still beating.

I almost died at the age of twenty in this life.

His eyes were wide open as he took a deep breath, while the arms supporting my waist slowly withdrew.

“I was on my way to the imperial castle, so I was planning to ride with you. I told the maid to relay the words, but it seems you didn’t get it.”