Male Lead, Please Dump Me Three Times - Chapter 22
Mom’s lips were adorned with a faint smile.
Soon, Mom set down the fork she held with a graceful motion.
“No… Why are you agreeing?”
I was fortunate to have at least one family member on my side. But…
Mom’s reaction was enough to pique my curiosity.
I swallowed nervously. There wasn’t any particular reason to be nervous, but not knowing Mom’s intentions made me unknowingly tense.
Mom tapped my lips gently with a napkin and spoke carefully.
“He’s the Empire’s most handsome man, isn’t he?”
“……”
The rest of the family, including me, couldn’t find words.
“Well, it’s true that Ray is good-looking. But is that the only reason…?”
Everyone’s eyes, except Mom’s, widened in surprise. Then they exchanged puzzled glances.
Mom observed us one by one with a pleased smile and continued speaking.
“Power, looks, wealth. He has it all. Why would I oppose it?”
“Ah…”
“This mother thinks so. To take the place by your side, he must have those qualities.”
At that moment, Dermian interjected.
“Why… don’t you consider the Duke’s perspective?”
“This mother is quite objective. Your sister is the Empire’s top beauty.”
“Your mother is right. So, just stay quiet, Dermian.”
Dad completely cut off Dermian’s words.
“Anyway, Daisy, I really like him. My thoughts differ from your father’s.”
Mom put the approval necklace1a symbol of celebration and recognition for the individual’s hard work and accomplishments on Ray.
But Dad remained speechless, looking bewildered.
“Dear, do you know why is inner beauty so important?”
I had a vague idea of what the answer to that question might be.
Mom continued in a soft voice.
“Because it’s not visible, it’s considered ‘inner beauty.'”
“…?”
“…?”
“Ah…”
“How can you understand someone’s inner self? Of course, there may be people who are not judged by their appearance, but ultimately it’s a matter of luck. If you fall for the wrong person, it’s just bad luck.”
“Believe what you see. Judging by appearances is not always wrong.”
After listening attentively, her words seemed quite logical.
I nodded in agreement with Mom’s words as if I deeply understood them.
“Yes, inner beauty is not visible… That’s definitely a valid point.”
For some reason…
Dad still seemed unable to recover from the shock.
Mom looked at Dad with a smile. Then she took Dad’s hand that was placed on the table and said,
“That’s why I chose your father.”
Ah…
“And look at your younger brother Dermian. He may lack a bit, but isn’t his character good? He’s not like the typical boys these days.”
Dad and Dermian, who had shown shocked expressions just a while ago…
Were now subtly smiling.
“Ahh, Mom is also… quite embarrassing. But now that I think about it, it does sound right, Sister.”
“…?”
“Ahem. You too. Embarrassing us in front of the kids… Well then, have a good time and take care of yourself.”
“Yes…? You’re telling me to go? You’re allowing it?”
Wait, why is there such a sudden change in atmosphere?
You’re allowing it so easily?
Dad, who was vehemently opposing just a while ago, seemed like a completely different person in an instant.
“You’re allowing it? Really? No, if you both don’t agree…”
“Go, Sister.”
“Take care on your way out.”
It was actually me who felt flustered.
Indeed, Mom’s presence in the mansion was remarkable.
“Ah… Yes. Please don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
Is this really right…?
* * *
And time passed until the day of the ball arrived.
“Miss! You must hurry now. Duke Croite has arrived.”
“Oh, okay!”
“Oh my… Goodness! Miss… Did you just descend from heaven?”
“Dear me, this mother’s eyes were never wrong.”
It was as expected.
Both my parents and the staff of the count’s mansion were waiting for me.
Whether it was because I was the only daughter of the Count of Carnelian or because it was my first social event…
The mansion staff were more excited than me.
I walked towards the entrance amid people’s enthusiastic cheers.
As soon as the mansion gates opened…
Excited murmurs could be heard everywhere.
“Oh, my goodness… What did I just see?”
“It’s just as I heard… Wow…”
“So… Is this real? Have I really gone crazy? It’s an illusion. It’s an illusion. It’s a fantasy. I can’t believe it.”
The last remark was my exclamation.
In front of the entrance stood Duke Croite’s carriage.
Ray had his bangs partially styled up and was wearing a deep navy suit that bordered on black.
Ray glanced at me and paused for a moment.
His crimson eyes seemed to flicker ever so slightly upon meeting mine.
The sleeves and lapels of his suit were adorned with brightly shining transparent jewels arranged meticulously.
The colors and designs of our outfits matched perfectly.
‘Is this a couple attire…?’
Constant murmurs from people could be heard in the background.
Indeed, the appearance of the Empire’s most handsome man…
At that moment, I made a vow once again.
In my next life, I’ll be born as an extremely handsome man.
Ray lightly bowed towards my parents who were watching us from behind.
Even in that slight gesture, there was an air of elegance.
‘Come to think of it… Today marks the first direct meeting between my parents and Ray.’
Although Dad had readily agreed…
Now that the day had arrived, he seemed visibly uncomfortable.
As a result, he maintained a stern expression throughout.
But Mom’s demeanor was quite different.
She wore a satisfied smile as if saying ‘I was right.’
Ray cautiously extended his hand towards me.
He gently placed my hand on his broad palm and lightly kissed the back of my hand.
‘Tch.’
He gave me a brief kiss on the back of my hand. The touch of Ray’s lips on my hand felt like a fiery bloom had blossomed there.
Feeling embarrassed and awkward, I giggled and said to Ray who was looking down at me,
‘Aaah…! It feels a bit awkward.”
He escorted me carefully to ensure I didn’t step on my dress. Thanks to him, I could safely get into the carriage.
The carriage we boarded set off towards the banquet hall.
As I stood facing Ray, I couldn’t stop looking at him.
“Ray.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know?”
“What?”
I barely managed to calm down the corners of my mouth that didn’t want to go down and said,
“You look really handsome today.”
“…Ah.”
“Well… you were always good-looking, but today… there’s something more.”
“More?”
“I mean, you look handsome. Oh, all the ladies at the banquet will be impressed. It’s really… thrilling. How lucky they are…!”
Ah… why do I feel so good?
Just this morning… I wondered if going like this was really right.
Despite the time I spent thinking, my mouth kept rising endlessly.
I gave up hiding my expression any longer.
“I’m not very popular.”
I looked at him as if to say,
“What nonsense is that?”
“Gosh. It’s unbelievable… Tell me honestly. You know you’re good-looking, right?”
Ray tilted his head with a relaxed smile.
Gosh… he knows…
Look at that relaxed expression. It’s kind of cute, isn’t it?
But soon an inexplicable worry crossed Ray’s face.
He exhaled lightly and said,
“Daisy, you must stick by my side today.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“I’m worried.”
“What are you worried about?”
I asked him, tilting my head.
Ray carefully avoided my gaze.
I don’t know why, but his ears were turning red.
Is he not feeling well today?
But even if he looks unwell… he seems fine to me…
I started to imagine dangerous scenarios in my mind for a moment.
“It’s nothing.”
The moment I heard Ray’s voice, the sinister scenes I had been imagining in my head scattered like dust in the wind.
“The life of an unpopular person… up until now… and in the future… you’ll never understand.”
“It’s really not like that.”
This person really…
Excessive humility is a sin.
I crossed my arms, narrowed my eyes, and said to Ray,
“Hey. You must have received many confessions, haven’t you?”
That was the moment.
The atmosphere in the carriage suddenly turned cold.
‘Wait… what did I just say…’
As Ray’s slightly trembling eyes shifted towards me, my gaze slowly dropped to the floor.
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