1.8

“One month is longer than you think. So, I don’t think you need to be so pessimistic.”  

It seemed Donna had finally accepted everything and continued to encourage Ellen, telling her she could do it. With Donna’s support, Ellen felt her confidence grow.  

At that moment, she saw Leon and his companions entering the ballroom. Judging by how they were looking around, it seemed they were searching for Ellen.  

Could he be planning to confess in the middle of the ballroom?  

Receiving a confession in front of everyone sounded nice, but it also didn’t seem right.  

If Leon confessed with genuine feelings, it would be different. However, since it was a confession without any real emotions, doing it in front of many people might make him change his mind.  

Should I create a situation where it’s easier for him to confess?  

She also wanted to protect his pride as much as possible. So, it would be better for him to confess in a place with fewer people.  

“If Sir Guilford comes looking for me, tell him I’m sitting on the bench in the garden.”  

Ellen thought it best to go to a spot suitable for a confession and told Donna where she would be. This was in case Leon couldn’t find her.  

Then, avoiding Leon’s gaze, she headed to the garden.  

“She’s hopeless. How could she marry another man when she’s so smitten?”  

Donna clicked her tongue as she watched Ellen leave the ballroom.  

Ellen deliberately sat on a bench a bit farther from the ballroom. While it wasn’t a crowded area, it was still in a visible spot, making it easy to find.  

When will he come?  

Although it hadn’t been long since she came to the garden, time seemed to drag on. Even though the confession hadn’t happened yet, her heart was pounding as if it would burst.  

She was so excited that just sitting still made her feel out of breath.  

Will he really approach me and start a conversation?  

Ellen tried to calm her racing heart, but it was impossible. Whenever she recalled the men’s conversation from earlier, her heart raced even faster.  

“Excuse me….”  

Hearing someone speak, Ellen immediately turned her head toward the voice.  

He’s finally here!  

The bright smile on Ellen’s face froze instantly. It wasn’t Leon she saw but a man approaching her out of curiosity.  

She had intentionally stayed alone, thinking it would make it easier for Leon to approach her. But now, this stranger was disrupting her plan.  

Although it might seem rude and impolite, Ellen had no choice but to firmly reject the man who was drawing near.  

“What are you doing here alone? Would you like to chat with me for a while?”  

“I’m sorry. I’m really hungry right now, so I’d like to focus on eating.”  

“….”  

She showed the man a cookie she had picked up from the ballroom and began chewing it crudely.  

Though it was far from elegant or refined behavior, it was better to act strangely to fend off unwanted advances from frivolous men.  

“Oh… I see.”  

The man, seemingly appalled by her lack of grace, quickly left as if he had seen enough. Other men approached her after that, and she had to repeat the same act each time.  

‘Why are so many men talking to me today of all days?’ 

Ellen grew anxious. She worried that only strange men would approach her, causing Leon to miss his chance to come to her.  

It’s just a meaningless confession, so he wouldn’t change his mind so quickly, right? Surely not.  

As Ellen scanned her surroundings with a nervous heart, she finally noticed Leon watching her, looking for an opportunity to approach.  

Oh! He’s finally coming. 

Their eyes met briefly, but Ellen pretended not to notice and looked away. She was too nervous to meet his gaze.  

It felt as though all the sounds in the world had disappeared. At that moment, it seemed like only Ellen and Leon existed.  

Ellen could hear the sound of a single pair of footsteps. As they grew closer, her heart raced faster, and her breathing became heavier.  

What will he say to me? Will he really confess? Or will he ask me to date him?  

Countless thoughts filled her mind in that brief moment. She felt like she should prepare a response, but strangely, the more she thought about it, the blanker her mind became.  

I can’t lose focus now….  

“May I speak with you for a moment?”  

Finally, she heard the voice of the man she had been waiting for.  

“Huh? Yes, of course!”  

Ellen nodded several times reflexively. In her nervousness, she ended up acting in a way that anyone could tell was unnatural.  

He doesn’t think I’m strange, does he?

When she looked up to gauge Leon’s reaction, he didn’t seem to find her behavior odd. In fact, he seemed more awkward than she was.  

With a rather troubled expression and stiff posture, it was obvious he wasn’t thrilled about what he was about to do. If she hadn’t known about the wager, she wouldn’t have understood why he was speaking to her.  

Even though he had initiated the conversation, Leon hesitated. He opened his mouth several times as if to speak but then closed it again. It seemed he was still unsure whether to go through with the bet.  

Come on, have courage! Just a little more! Do it for your sister, Miss Guilford!  

Ellen didn’t show it, but she cheered Leon on in her heart.  

The man who had accepted the bet to protect his sister should have been the one feeling desperate, but Ellen found herself feeling even more anxious and impatient.  

“I’m sorry to say this right after meeting you, but I like you. Will you go out with me…?”  

After taking a deep breath, Leon finally managed to speak.  

“Alright.”  

“What?”  

She should have waited for him to finish speaking, but Ellen was so nervous that she answered before he could even finish.  

Oh no…. 

It was only after she answered that Ellen regretted her actions.  

I had been too hasty. Why had I interrupted him? 

It seemed her quick response had caught Leon off guard.  

‘He must think I’m strange.’  

Leon had likely expected to be rejected. Her immediate “yes” must have been a shock to him.  

No! I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long!  

Nearby, she could hear sighs and bewildered laughter. It seemed his companions, who had been secretly watching, had also expected her to reject him.  

“Are you joking with me?”  

Is he about to say it was just a joke? I hope not.

Afraid he might take back his words, Ellen quickly asked Leon to confirm if his confession was genuine.  

Even if it was a fake relationship, she wanted to experience dating the man she loved, even if only for a month. She didn’t care if his feelings weren’t real.  

Please! Don’t say it was a lie.

Biting her lower lip nervously, Ellen waited for his response.  

“No, I’m not.”  

Thankfully, Leon didn’t deny his words. Ellen let out a silent sigh of relief.  

It worked!

Tears of joy threatened to spill. She was ecstatic about the chance to date the man she loved, even if only temporarily. Her heart raced, and a smile tugged at her lips.  

I’m sorry. Please bear with me for a while.  

She felt bad for making him maintain a fake relationship with someone he didn’t like, but since it was a situation he had brought upon himself, Ellen decided to set aside her guilt.  

Instead, she resolved to enjoy her time with him to the fullest.