Male Lead, Please Dump Me Three Times - Chapter 17

A heavy feeling settled in.

On the surface of the envelope, I could feel a cold aura. Perhaps that’s why my fingertips trembled ever so slightly.

“No way… It’s probably nothing… It can’t be.”

Hoping it was nothing serious, I began to read the letter carefully.

⟨To Lady Carnelian:

You are formally invited to the Crown Prince’s Birthday Celebration Banquet.

We hope you will grace this joyous occasion with your presence.

May joy accompany the Empire’s peace.⟩

My heart started pounding as though I had an arrhythmia.

The word ‘Crown Prince’ flashed through my mind.

The unpleasant feeling I had when I faced Killian a few days ago resurfaced.

“XX, should I just run away to another country…”

Everything felt strange.

Why would the Imperial Palace, which had shown no interest in me and hadn’t sent a single invitation until now, suddenly did?

“And how did he know who I am…? Come to think of it, when we met at the market… back then, he clearly called me Lady Carnelian…”

The sight of those eerie violet eyes briefly crossed my mind.

Did he hear something about me from Delian…?

As much as I didn’t want to go to the Birthday Celebration Banquet…

I kept my distance from the dull and boring social circles. Especially formal gatherings.

I could decline noble parties on my terms, but…

It’s different if it was an invitation from the Imperial Palace.

Especially if it was a Crown Prince’s Birthday Celebration… It was clearly a difficult social event to decline.

And if I accepted this invitation, it would be like attending my first social event.

But of all things, a ‘Crown Prince’ Birthday Celebration Banquet.

Somehow, I felt uneasy and didn’t want to tell my parents.

But I couldn’t ask Delian for advice either.

After all, they are currently in a relationship…

And seeking help from Delian means it would likely reach Killian’s ears.

Where could I find help in this situation…?

“Hmm…”

At that moment, a man’s face and voice flashed through my mind.

“Right! There’s Ray!”

He’s a high-ranking noble after all.

Wouldn’t he know more about the social circles than I do?

I quickly wrote a letter to him.

⟨To Ray:

I have something I want to ask you about, so I’m writing this letter.

Have you attended many social events?

I received an invitation to a ball at the Imperial Palace… but I’m not really keen on going.

Would it be okay to decline the invitation from the palace?

I haven’t been attending social events, and suddenly I was invited… I don’t really want to announce it to others, and I don’t have a suitable place to seek help.

I’m wondering what to do; do you have any good suggestions?

I’ll wait for your reply.

Daisy.⟩

Time was running out until the date of the banquet mentioned at the bottom of the letter.

I didn’t know much, but…

Inviting someone so urgently to an event that was going to be held soon without any prior notice?

Leaving aside the damned original 

No, I preferred the fucking original.

From the start, the female lead ended up with the sub-male lead…… Does it even make sense!

“This is insane. Really…”

‘I’d rather someone… just make me faint and wake me up in about 5 years.’

My life had been relatively quiet and peaceful for the past 3 years.

Was all that peace just the calm before this storm?

‘Killian… well… I guess I’ll just have to keep a low profile….’

There was a separate, important issue.

‘How am I going to save Delian from Killian’s clutches…?’

I fell into deep thought for a moment.

“Ugh. Forget it. What am I thinking? No matter how much I think about it, will it make a big difference?”

For now, let’s just focus on what I can do.

* * *

I nervously bit my nails.

There hadn’t been any reply from Ray yet.

Well…

It had only been half a day, so it was natural.

‘If I have no choice but to attend the banquet… I should at least know basic etiquette.’

If I mentioned it to Mom, she would definitely make a fuss… Let’s think of someone else.

‘If possible, since I don’t plan on going, there’s no need to build up expectations in advance. The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.’

In that case…

Yes.

Let’s subtly mention it to Ellie, who is the most reliable.

“Um, Ellie. I have something on my mind.”

“A concern? In that case, you definitely need this Ellie.”

Ellie patted my chest twice as she spoke.

Even after some hesitation, I eventually handed Ellie the invitation that was in my hand with caution.

Ellie’s eyes widened as she examined the invitation.

“My goodness. What is this? Our young lady finally…!”

“Shh! Keep it down!”

I firmly covered Ellie’s mouth. Ellie’s voice echoed in my hand.

“Mmm! Hmm.”

“Ellie! Shh. This is still a secret from my family. Lower your voice.”

Ellie stopped making noise and vigorously nodded her head.

Only then did I release Ellie’s mouth from my grip.

“Phew… Miss.”

“Yes?”

“This is an opportunity. You must go. What are you hesitating about? The Count and Countess will surely be delighted if you tell them.”

Ellie’s honest words were impactful.

“No. I really don’t want to go… I’m not interested in such places.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Ellie let out a sigh and held my hand lightly.

“Miss, but this isn’t just an ordinary event; it’s an invitation from the Imperial Palace! And not just any invitation, but to celebrate His Highness the Crown Prince’s birthday…!”

“That may be true, but…”

As I trailed off, Ellie began to speak with anguish, squeezing her chest.

“It’s too late to say that now. Do you know how painful it was for me to keep you hidden at home? Your beauty should be widely known in the world! But! You have no interest in social circles whatsoever!”

“……”

It seemed like Ellie had completely forgotten my earlier request for a quiet conversation.

It was hard to tell whether Ellie was whispering or shouting at me now.

“You spend all day reading books at home… This is a loss for the Empire! This person is none other than our young lady! I am Lady Carnelian! Why can’t you speak up?!”

Considering how things were going, it seemed like blood would soon start pouring out of my ears.

Seeking advice from someone like Ellie when I was an outsider to social circles was probably a mistake.

“Ellie, please calm down…”

“Phew. Calm down, how should I handle this? I’ll give it a try for now.”

Ellie seemed to have caught her breath as she placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath.

For some reason.

She said without even taking a breath.

That was the moment.

“Is that true?”

‘What? Where did that voice come from…’

I slapped my ear with the palm of my hand.

There was a moment of silence. We exchanged puzzled glances.

“Ellie, did you hear that just now…?”

“Yes… I distinctly heard the voice of the Count…”

At that moment, our eyes turned towards the entrance of my room at the same time.

Someone was watching us through the half-open door.

“Oh my. Honey, our Daisy is finally…”

“That’s right. Dear. No, this is not the time. Right now I…”

The people visible through the crack in the door were none other than my parents.

What’s so sad…….

Mom was nestled in Dad’s arms.

Where did they come from. They’re gently tapping their eyes with a handkerchief.

Even Dad’s emerald eyes seemed to glisten with wetness.

My parents stood side by side in front of Ellie and me, who seemed to be out of it.

Mom, perhaps shocked, still leaned on Dad for support.

Soon, Mom carefully took hold of my hands.

I felt a slight tremor in her touch.

“Daisy. Your mother could die at any moment…”

“No… what are you saying?”

“It was my lifelong wish. I always worried if I would ever be able to see you wearing a beautiful dress and socializing before I die.”

“No… why go that far…”

Mom shouldn’t be saying this.

Fortunately, Dad, who had been watching from behind, had a slightly calmer expression compared to Mom.

Yes.

The only person who might take my side… was Dad.

I sent a sharp gaze towards Dad, like a hyena finding prey.

Yes. Dad is quite rational.

If I explain my situation calmly, he might respect my opinion…

“You’re at a good age, so why do you always stay at home? If you had entered society earlier, the trends and sights there might have changed. Time is cruel…”

No. His side was also affected.

‘What should I do? I got my hopes up too much. It seems like a complete disaster…’

Everyone except me was already in a festive mood.

But as I watched the scene in silence, I could only bite my lip and shake my head.

Then, Dad’s low voice came through.

“By the way, dear.”

“Yes?”

“Who is the guy who dares to escort our daughter?”

* * *

At that moment. At the Duchy of Croit.

“Duke. A letter has arrived from Lady Carnelian.”

Soon, a green envelope with the symbol of the Count of Carnelian was handed to Ray.

Ray’s expression shone brightly.

As he read through the contents of the letter, his red eyes moved slightly.

Soon, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

“Ruehen.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Summon the tailor. Oh, someone with considerable experience.”