𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

The dress I put my spirit into is violet, the same color as my eyes, with a slim design that accentuates my figure. The skirt, layered many times over, falls straight down without puffing out. The shoes, tied with a ribbon at the ankle, are also made of the same violet fabric.

“You look beautiful, Ellen-sama.”

“Thank you, Hanna. I have to put my spirit into attending the evening party from today.”

“Do your best. I’m cheering for you.”

Stephan, who was waiting by the carriage, also had a face that seemed to say “Σ(･o･;) .”

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s embarrassing.”

“You look very beautiful today as well.”

“Thank you.”

I place my hand on the one offered to me and get into the carriage. Until now, Samuel was always with me, but from tonight, I will be alone. It’s my first evening party to attend alone.

I consciously straighten my back.

The venue for the evening party is brightly lit, with lights set up in the garden. From the open windows, the melody played by the orchestra and the murmuring of the guests overflowed.

“Oh, Ellen. I didn’t think you’d attend. Are you okay now?”

“Yes, I’m completely fine.”

“I didn’t think he would do such a thing. People can’t be judged by their appearances.”

“I’ve forgotten all about it.”

“That’s the spirit. There are still plenty of good men out there.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I was able to talk and laugh because the person who spoke to me was my childhood friend, Sophie. Thanks to her, my tension eased considerably. Friends are indeed valuable.

I was approached and sympathized with everywhere. I was prepared for it, but I gradually got tired of being seen as a “woman who was hurt but is bravely trying to recover.” It’s slowly eating away at me. I take a cold drink from a waiter and decide to go out to the terrace. I want to feel the wind.

“Oh, Ellen-sama. It must have been tough for you. If it were me, I would have been bedridden. It’s amazing that you’ve recovered so quickly and are looking for your next partner.”

“Thank you for your concern. Excuse me.”

A troublesome person has come to bother me.

This young lady once had feelings for a certain man, but when he rejected her, he brought up my name. As a result, she holds a grudge against me. It’s an undeserved misfortune.

“Would you wait? Let’s talk.”

“If it’s about Ferguson-sama, I have nothing to do with it. I’ve never even met him. My name was just used.”

“!”

I included the nuance of “He just wanted to reject you” in my words, and it seems to have gotten through. The lady, taken aback for a moment, tried to splash wine on me.

The weak lady’s movements were slow, and I was able to easily dodge them. I twisted my upper body and smoothly moved to the side. With a small sound, the red wine made a large stain on the back of a man standing diagonally behind me.

The lady who splashed the wine gasped. I felt sorry for the man’s expensive jacket, which was now ruined.

The people around us fell silent, watching with bated breath. The man slowly turned around.

“I see. It seems that it rains wine at recent evening parties. I was careless.”

“Duke-sama!”

“It’s Felix-sama.”

“Oh, how terrible.”

Duke Felix Von Howden, who is likely the guest of honor tonight, looked straight at me with a graceful smile.

“I’m glad you, the beautiful one, didn’t have to suffer.”

Ugh. He’s still saying things that make my teeth float.

“I’m sorry that my dodging caused the wine to splash on Duke-sama. I apologize.”

“It’s okay. I have a change of clothes. That young lady over there, I think it would be best if you disappeared while my guards can still hold back.”

“Eek!”

The lady let out a strange shriek and disappeared without even apologizing. I couldn’t remember her name until the end, but oh well.

“Then I’ll be going now…”

“Wait, Ellen. I think you can keep me company.”

Saying that, the Duke turned his back. Ugh. I can’t help it. Felix-sama and I are childhood friends.

“Please change your clothes first. I won’t run away. I’ll be waiting on the terrace.”

“Understood. I’ll be right back.”

The terrace was cool. I was prepared, but I was relieved to escape from the curious eyes. Soon, Duke-sama arrived.

“You didn’t run away.”

“I told you, didn’t I?

Felix-sama looks at me with an amused expression.

“What is it?”

“Most young ladies get nervous around me, but you always seem calm.”

“We’ve known each other since we were children.”

“There are many young ladies who tremble and can’t lift their faces, you know?”

“Well, I can’t imagine that.”

Felix-sama chuckles.

“Your family is wealthy, you’re beautiful, and you’re smart, so maybe that’s why you’re not nervous around me.”

“But my fiancé was taken away.”

“He’s a fool, isn’t he? Do you know what he’s doing now?”

“Stop it. I don’t want to know, so don’t say anything.”

“Hmm. So you still have feelings for him.”

“…That’s what I don’t like about you, Felix-sama. You say things you don’t need to say.”

Felix-sama gives a bitter smile.

“My mother says that’s my flaw.”

“I agree with Felix-sama’s mother. And it’s not that I still have feelings for him. I’m just not healed yet.”

Felix-sama becomes serious and apologizes, “I see. I’m sorry.”

“You haven’t changed since we were kids.”

“What part of me?”

“You’re not good at handling situations. You’re beautiful, but you don’t use it.”

“Even if you praise me that much.”

“I’m criticizing you.”

“Oh.”

We both laughed. Then we fell silent. The orchestra’s music was playing, and it was comfortable even in silence.

“If you’re having trouble finding a husband, I could take you.”

“I’m supposed to find a son-in-law. I don’t plan on getting married. And you’ll have to deal with poisonous snakes, frogs, spiders, and plants.”

𝐓𝐋: 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭: 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐧-𝐢𝐧-𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 “𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝,” 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬.

“Ugh, I hate all of those. I had nightmares all night after seeing that room when we were kids.”

“My mother scolded me severely for showing it to you, Felix-sama.”

We both give a bitter smile.

“Well, cheer up. Not all men are like that.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“If you can’t find anyone, I really will…”

“Yes, yes, I know. Thank you.”

There aren’t many people I can talk to so casually, so I want to stay friends. If we become lovers, the only outcome is a breakup because he’s also an heir.

“I don’t want to lose any more friends than I already have, so I want to stay friends with Felix-sama.”

“I hope you find someone good. Ellen, you’re the type to touch poisonous snakes with your bare hands, but you’re timid when it comes to people.”

“…”

“I’m sorry again. I was wrong. As an apology, can I invite you to dinner sometime soon?”

“Yes, I’ll accept that as an apology.”

After that, we continued to reminisce, and in the end, I couldn’t talk to any other men except Felix-sama.

It was fun, but my first memorable evening party was a disaster. I hope the next one will be peaceful and full of new encounters.

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