Male Lead, Please Dump Me Three Times - Chapter 18

In the morning, there was a commotion at the mansion.

“Miss, hurry! Something big has happened!”

I jumped in surprise at Ellie’s voice and got up from the bed.

“What’s wrong?!”

Ellie was struggling to hold a very large box. She pretended to just drop by with a little white lie.

“It arrived for you! Um….”

“Um….?”

Ellie carefully placed the box on the table and approached me cautiously.

Then she whispered in my ear.

“…It’s from Duke Croit! I brought it secretly just in case.”

“From Ray? Why did he suddenly send something?”

“I don’t know! But it seems like you should check it first!”

Out of the blue, Ray sent something.

I was a bit surprised but raised my thumb, showing approval of Ellie’s quick thinking and said,

“Well done, Ellie! You’ve got great sense!”

The dark navy box on the table was surrounded by a gold border on the edges.

The upper right and lower left parts were tightly tied with red ribbons.

It had been a few days since I sent a letter to Ray, but I hadn’t received a reply from him during that time.

So I thought Ray might have ignored my letter.

“Miss, open it quickly!”

“Huh? Okay. I’ve been trying to open it for a while now, why is this so tight…”

It couldn’t be helped.

I was struggling to open the box lid with force while leaving the ribbon alone.

Ellie might have noticed my foolish behavior, so I smoothly moved my hand towards the ribbon.

With a ‘snap’ sound from my fingertips, the ribbon came undone.

“Oh no. What on earth…”

A startled Ellie covered her mouth with both hands.

“Wow. Crazy.”

A short and crisp exclamation escaped my lips.

Inside the box was a deep navy dress, resembling the night sky.

Tiny diamonds were intricately embedded in the soft silk bottom.

It felt like looking at a galaxy embroidered on the night sky.

“No way, look at these colors… unbelievable….”

Ellie stared at the box containing the dress with sparkling eyes.

“This is even my favorite color… I go crazy for shades of blue….”

How could it hit my taste so accurately…

Although I wasn’t particularly interested in clothes, I wanted to show off this dress everywhere.

“No, this isn’t right. You should try it on right away! I’ll help you.”

I nodded in agreement.

Ellie and I exchanged determined looks.

“Let’s not call anyone else since I prefer to try it on quietly. What do you think?”

Ellie must have known very well how eccentric the people in this house were.

Ellie nodded at my words with determination.

“Sure. I’ll take care of everything.”

I preferred comfort over beauty, so flashy dresses weren’t familiar to me.

The soft silk texture created a cool breeze. And it perfectly fits my body, like it was tailored for me.

Soon, I heard the sound of the zipper locking smoothly behind my back.

“Already finished, Ellie?! But this is not as uncomfortable as I thought?”

“It seems like they considered all that when making this? I’m quite knowledgeable in this area, and it’s definitely not an ordinary design or material.”

Ellie’s words were correct.

The dress fit snugly on my body as if it were tailored for me, and it accentuated my figure.

But I didn’t feel any tightness or restrictions at all. Instead, I felt comfortable.

“All right, done!”

At Ellie’s words, my gaze turned to the mirror. The deep navy dress matched well with my hair color. Adorned in the dress, I looked like a full moon floating in the night sky.

“Miss, you’ve been appointed as the Duke’s partner.”

“Why?”

“Well, why…? You just received the dress.”

“No, maybe it could have been given as a gift.”

It was a situation where it was natural to think like that. 

Considering I just revealed the fact that I was a newbie in high society… 

And that I requested his help because I didn’t know where else to turn.

“Our young lady is really something…”

In response to my question, Ellie leaned her head against the wall, furrowing her brow with a pitiful expression. Tears welled up in her eyes, seeming like they might flow down her cheeks soon.

Fortunately, Ellie soon returned to her usual self.

“Why would they go to the trouble of sending you this dress? The fabric alone is top-quality silk.”

“No, actually, I asked for something… pretending to be pitiful… So he might have sent something nice. This is his sincerity.”

Ellie suddenly leaned her head back against the wall and tightly closed her eyes. Her nostrils were slightly more open than usual.

To be honest… 

After days of no response, I was halfway giving up. 

Had I unintentionally crossed a line…?

That’s what I thought.

‘But… he was preparing this all along.’

“Wait… there was definitely a note under the dress!”

Ellie suddenly snapped back to attention and rushed to the box. In her hand was an envelope with the Duke’s crest.

Ellie cautiously handed it to me.

“I wonder… receiving such a high-quality dress. It wouldn’t be polite to accept gifts and then pretend not to know…”

I carefully began reading the letter.

⟨To Daisy,

Do you like the dress? 

I hastily prepared it, so I’m not sure if you’ll like it. 

If you received a direct invitation from the palace, it’s probably best to go. 

Since you seem worried, I want to escort you myself on that day. 

Due to final preparations before the ball, I couldn’t deliver this message in person. 

There are a few matters I need to discuss before the event… 

It might be a bit lengthy for a letter, so if it’s okay with you, would you come to my study? 

I’ll have a carriage sent to Carnelian Manor on that day. 

You can come at your convenience.

Ray.⟩

Coincidentally, that day was when my parents were attending a couples’ gathering. 

It was a perfect time to avoid their eyes.

“But… if it’s Killian’s birthday… will Delian be attending too?”

* * *

“Wow… It’s really big.”

“Miss, we’ve arrived at Feliche Castle.”

Upon entering and passing through the massive outer walls, grand stone structures greeted me. 

I walked lightly toward what seemed like a plaza.

But soon, I became confused. 

I couldn’t tell which building or floor Ray’s study was on. 

Maybe I should have asked a servant…

“I didn’t realize it was this big inside.”

I decided to head towards the largest building first. Ray’s letter didn’t specify the exact location of his study.

Well, I arrived an hour earlier than our meeting time.

So even if he intended to come out to meet me, I would have to wait for quite some time…

At that moment, two men were walking towards me, engaged in conversation. 

They had brown and red hair.

“Excuse me? Can I ask for directions?”

“Sure? Where are you headed?”

The brown-haired boy looked at me and smirked. 

Was I dressed inappropriately for a castle where knights lived?

“Um… where is Duke Croit’s study?”

“……”

“……”

Without answering my question, the two boys frowned at each other and exchanged glances full of suspicion. 

Their doubtful eyes darted around restlessly.

It seemed as if they were saying…

‘Who is this person? Why is she talking to us?’

The atmosphere suddenly became serious, and the air felt heavy.

Then one of them spoke up, 

“Are you the Commander’s girlfriend?”

“What are you saying? What girlfriend?”

“See! I told you! It’s the first time the Commander has invited a woman to his study; this idiot!”

What? I haven’t even said anything yet!

“No, everyone. Just now, what did you say about a girlfriend? I couldn’t hear the beginning because you spoke too fast.”

“Hey! What would she do if someone asked her if she was his girlfriend… She’s not a kid. You should ask if she’s his lover. Sigh…”

The two boys began scolding each other in a pitiful manner.

“No, what are you talking about so suddenly, what lover?”

“Didn’t she just get off the Commander’s carriage? Wow… unbelievable! The Commander never! To no one! He doesn’t give rides on his carriage.”

“You saw it too? Oh, we were together. Right. Even when I sprained my ankle last time, he absolutely refused to give me a ride. He said that much was fine.”

Wait… isn’t that too much for someone with a sprained ankle…

“Wow, Commander. You’re amazing! Even though you’ve never shown any interest in any woman! Giving up your carriage…!”

“Excuse me… it’s not that…”

“So. Are you about to get married? If the ice-cold Commander has invited a woman to his study already…”

“Already what? What do you mean by ‘already’?”

“Hmm… It’s just a feeling.”

“Are you here too? I’m just in time. I feel it.”

The two boys were now completely perplexed, holding their chins.

“Just a moment! Focus, please. Just five seconds without saying anything.”

Finally, the two boys closed their mouths and looked at me.

“Hey, I’m not the Duke’s girlfriend, okay?! Not even a lover. We’re not anything like that.”

I said, meeting their eyes directly.

The two boys finally looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Soon, they cleared their throats in embarrassment and adjusted their voices.

“Hmm… Oh, sorry. We were just so surprised. Are you in a secret relationship perhaps…?”

They inquired discreetly as if they were asking for some secret information.

Feeling deep irritation, I bit back a retort.

At that moment, behind the two foolish brothers, a familiar figure appeared.

I crossed my fingers over my chest and showed an ‘X’ sign.

So that the foolish brothers in front of me could see it.

Because Ray was standing behind them.