Chapter 12. Uninvited Guest

* * *

Meanwhile, Paris, who had appeared out of nowhere, stood firmly in the lobby, causing the butler of the Francis estate some distress. The sight of him holding a bouquet of flowers was quite striking.

The butler looked at the bouquet with wary eyes.

What on earth is the notorious playboy of the Blanche family doing here?

Given Paris’s history of causing trouble for Camilla, his visit put all the Francis household staff on high alert.

To be honest, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Blanche family had poisoned the thorns of those flowers. The butler, full of suspicion, asked again.

“Are you sure you have an appointment?”

“Yes, I do. How many times do I have to say it? Are all Francis people this slow to understand?”

Paris retorted sharply, growling. He was already irritated by the wary looks he’d received since stepping into the lobby.

He raised his chin arrogantly.

“Camilla will be pleased to hear I’m here.”

Yeah, right.

The butler glanced coldly toward the stairs where Serri had disappeared. Just in case there really was an appointment, he had sent someone to confirm.

The butler sighed and said,

“I’ll escort you to the drawing room.”

* * *

Hearing the unexpected name, I turned to Serri.

“Huh? Paris Blanche?”

Not Aster?

Serri, seeing my bewildered face, spoke as if she had expected this.

“Of course not, right?”

“Of course not! Why would I meet Paris?”

“Then why is he here?”

“Here?”

“Well… Paris Blanche is here now.”

“What? Why is he here?”

I shouted and jumped up from my seat. While I had an appointment with Aster, I had no memory of arranging anything with Paris.

As I wondered about this, a troubling thought came to mind. It was the conversation I had with Helen at the penthouse.

‘Alright. I’ll prepare accordingly.’

At that time, I hadn’t paid much attention to Helen’s words, lost in my own thoughts. I had felt uneasy then too.

‘Could Helen’s preparations have something to do with Paris?’

Aster was due to arrive soon. To avoid any unnecessary confrontation, I decided to quickly get rid of Paris and headed to the drawing room. Paris spotted me and waved nonchalantly.

“Hey there.”

“Hey there?” Seriously?

I felt my sanity slipping away and let out a hollow laugh. What was even more infuriating was the pink rose bouquet in his hand, clearly meant for me.

‘What on earth is he planning?’

I felt the urge to twist his annoying hand but held back. It seemed he had come with Helen’s backing, but the important thing was to get rid of him before any trouble started.

I frowned and asked,

“What are you doing here?”

“Huh? What do you mean? I came because I wanted to see you.”

His words made the servants’ faces scrunch up. My face was likely even more contorted.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Hey, that’s harsh. At least show some sign of welcoming me. You really have no cute side.”

He puffed himself up and whispered as he got closer.

“I thought you had everything sorted out with Helen.”

“Sorted out? She just spouted off and left.”

Paris laughed loudly at my serious response. He then handed me the bouquet.

“Don’t be shy. Well, this is kind of cute.”

It was clear he hadn’t understood a word I said.

Who’s going to fix this delusional ducal prince? He looked like a greasy fly.

I stepped back and pointed to the door.

“I have no intention of looking cute to you. Get out.”

“What? Why are you acting like this? I came all this way just for you.”

Paris’s face cracked at the clear dismissal. He took a step closer and said,

“Helen told me everything. You said you didn’t want to marry Aster because of me. I know you came here because of me, so stop pretending.”

“What? What does that have to do with you?”

“Of course it has to do with me. You like me, don’t you?”

Paris shoved the bouquet into my arms and replied irritably. Just as I was about to be taken aback, he delivered a powerful blow.

“Marrying the younger brother of the man you love is awful. I understand your feelings, Camilla Francis.”

His attitude, as if he was ending a pure, unrequited love, made my head spin.

“I don’t even know where to begin correcting you.”

I let out a hollow laugh at his ridiculous statement.

When will this misunderstanding end?

Paris Blanche probably thought every woman in the world liked him. Realizing this wouldn’t do, I took a deep breath. This guy needed a good beating.

Maybe getting hit with flowers would knock some sense into him, huh?

Just as I was about to hit him over the head with the bouquet, Paris approached and patted my shoulder.

“Don’t worry. You’re not my type, but I can talk to Father. Once he understands the situation, he might call off the engagement out of pity.”

“…….”

“Oh dear. The bouquet must have really touched you. Look at your hands shaking.”

Paris chuckled and patted my outfit. Just as I reached my limit and raised the bouquet high,

“Aagh!”

Suddenly, Paris screamed and backed away from me. I missed my chance to strike and watched as someone twisted Paris’s wrist.

“Aster?”

When did you get here?

I belatedly realized it was Aster and looked bewildered. I hadn’t noticed someone entering the drawing room because I was so heated from Paris’s antics.

“This is quite unexpected.”

Aster looked at Paris with a cold expression. Paris, whose wrist was still twisted, groaned in pain.

“Ow, ow! Hey! Let go of me!”

His voice was pitiful, but Aster only tightened his grip. Still not satisfied, Aster asked,

“Is everything that guy said true?”

“Are you mocking me right now?”

“You were just sitting there listening quietly.”

“I was just about to hit him with the flowers.”

When I gestured with the bouquet I had raised, Aster’s fierce expression softened a bit. Honestly, if he hadn’t intervened, Paris would have been beaten to a pulp by me.

A moment later, Aster released Paris. Of course, it was more like he threw him away. Paris staggered and fell backward with a loud thud. The butler quickly stepped aside rather than helping him.

Aster said,

“Then that’s fine.”

“Absolutely. Don’t misunderstand ever again.”

I repeatedly confirmed, glaring at Paris. His face was red with embarrassment from falling in front of me.

Well, he was someone who lived and died by his pride. To have fallen so disgracefully in front of everyone, especially in the Francis estate, was infuriating for him.

“You little…!”

Paris snarled and tried to rush at me, but Aster pushed me back and stood in his way. Paris, easily subdued, couldn’t contain his anger and screamed.

“Aaah!”

“Falling on your butt wasn’t enough, huh.”

In contrast, Aster remained calm, making Paris look even more pathetic. Aster warned him sternly.

“Mother must have ignored my words. This is the last warning, Paris.”

“What?”

“Go back. Stop being a nuisance.”

You don’t know what I’ll do next.

His chilling words even sent shivers down my spine. This was a side of Aster I had never seen before. Paris calmed down a bit at the mention of their mother.

“Damn it.”

He stepped back, adjusting his clothes. Then, as if granting a favor, he warned.

“I’ll see you at home.”

His coat flapped as he walked away, looking like he was fleeing with his tail between his legs. Watching Paris leave, I told the butler,

“Tom, sprinkle salt at the entrance immediately. I don’t want any bad luck.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Butler Thomas answered seriously and went off to find some salt. Serri took the bouquet from me and said,

“Let me dispose of this.”

Then, glancing at Aster, she disappeared with the bouquet. She seemed to realize too late that calling something given by a Blanche ‘trash’ in front of the young duke of Blanche might be a problem.

But Aster didn’t seem particularly offended. Given his attitude towards the Blanche family, it was clear they were on hostile terms.

Feeling my affection for Aster rise, I said,

“Shall we go then?”