#Daily Life 3.2

“Excuse me for a moment…”

Annabelle, who had been diligently drinking her juice, sought permission. As she couldn’t leave the young girl alone, Leticia gestured to me and got up to follow.

As I watched the two of them head towards the café entrance, I took a bite of the cake. Being left alone, the sound of conversation from the table behind me entered my ears.

“You know, there’s a rumor that the Dequa Festival might be abolished from next year.”

“What? Why?”

“Some crazy guy claimed that its purpose is unpleasant and should be abolished.”

“No way! Some good-for-nothing bastard wants to eliminate a tradition that has been passed down for centuries?!”

“I know, right? Rumor has it that it’s a high-ranking noble. They say they’re someone that only the emperor can approve.”

“Well, even so, they wouldn’t actually abolish it. It’s ridiculous.”

“I guess so.”

As I listened to the giggling laughter that said all sorts of silly rumors were circulating, I remembered the last Dequa Festival. It was the day Diart first expressed his feelings. We got lost in kissing by the lake illuminated by fireworks. How could a man who had never kissed before be so skilled? It was good. Yes. It was the moment I realized that the male lead was a prince charming.

It would have been a more romantic memory if I hadn’t often heard Jarvis’ resentment that his wound of being abandoned that day would never heal.

“Hello.”

Startled out of my reverie by a strange voice, I looked curiously at Baron Dory who was sitting next to me. Then he smiled with an obvious intention.

“I think this is the first time we’ve met.”

“Yes, and I don’t think we’ll ever meet again.”

I replied curtly and turned my head. But the persistent Baron Dory continued to pursue me.

“Since you entered the café, I couldn’t take my eyes off your unique aura. If it’s not too much trouble, may I know which noble family you belong to?”

It would be better not to know anything. I looked at Baron Dory like a puppy. He was obviously objectively handsome. But perhaps because I remembered Diart looking at me with lazy eyes while wiping his wet hair just a moment ago, he looked like a potato with facial features.

“Lady?”

“Thank you for your kindness, but I have a husband.”

So stop making useless moves and leave. Despite clearly expressing my resentment, Baron Dory didn’t retreat and continued to flirt.

“Don’t you need a lover?”

Seeing his moral sense hit rock bottom, it was clear that Leticia was right about him being a scoundrel. His persistence of not listening to my words made me feel uncomfortable, and then,

“Eek!”

I heard a familiar scream from the café entrance. I reflexively turned my head and dropped the fork I was holding. It was because the man who should never be here was standing in front of the door.

Diart, who met my eyes, gave me an amused smile. Of course, his eyes weren’t smiling at all.

Damn it, I wanted to scream.

‘Why is the man who said he was going to catch a spy of the duchy here!’

“You really are my dream girl, and it would be a shame to see you walk away. Could you allow me some time?”

I didn’t even hear his irritating pick-up line. I was too busy checking Diart’s expression as he alternated his gaze between me and Baron Dory sitting next to me. At that moment, I felt a dirty touch on the back of my hand.

“I’ll make sure you have a memorable night.”

I was so surprised by Baron Dory’s blatant appeal that I slapped his arm in shock.

“How rude!”

What are you doing when Diart is watching? Are you crazy?

Baron Dory seemed to have misunderstood my unspoken warning to get out of the way quickly if he wanted to live, so he grinned even more.

“Your husband is not fulfilling your needs, isn’t he? Let me satisfy you.”

My stomach lurched at the bullshit and the blabbermouth who didn’t seem to realize that the air around him was freezing. Just as I was about to beat my chest in frustration, a voice so low I could have sworn it came from hell sounded too close.

“Is that so? Were you unsatisfied with me?”

I couldn’t muster the courage to turn my head as a chill ran down my spine. I could sense that the situation behind me was becoming even more menacing as I averted my gaze.

“Are you just going to keep looking at useless things like that?”

I felt that ignoring it would only worsen the situation, so I slowly turned my head and clenched my lips. While he was clearly speaking to me, his fierce pupils were glaring at Baron Dory as if he would tear him apart any moment. Yet, there was a hint of questioning in his gaze, if that’s what you could call it. Finally realizing the gravity of the situation, Baron Dory fell silent.

Suddenly, the warning from the fortune teller I met on the street echoed in my ears.

‘A storm cloud is approaching. It would be best for you to go home right away!’

You should have been more specific. How could I understand what you meant when you spoke so abstractly?

I cursed the fortune teller and shuddered at the black aura creeping up behind Diart’s back.

“How did you know about this place?”

Did you put a GPS on me or something?

As I asked cautiously, Diart’s gaze turned to me.

“Am I not allowed to come here?”

“No, it’s not that, but…”

“I didn’t realize that my house was being ransacked while I was out policing the Empire.”

Diart retorted sharply and gestured to the back. Lambert, who had been watching us with great interest, quickly approached us. With a serious expression on his face, he looked at me and secretly raised his thumb.

“Arrest him.”

Startled by Diart’s words, I stood up suddenly. How could he just arrest someone like that? I was about to stop him, but Lambert was one step ahead of me.

“Baron Phoebe Dory, you will be arrested for mocking the nobles and leaking state secrets, among other foreign crimes.”

Baron Dory’s face turned pale. Unable to even open his mouth under Diart’s fierce gaze, he was quietly taken away by the knights. I blinked in confusion, wondering what was going on.

Diart leaned in close to me, resting his hand on the table. His ferocity was palpable in our proximity.

“Well then, shall we continue our conversation?”

“…….”

“Now that you’ve even changed your hair color, it seems like you were determined. So, did you enjoy your outing?”

Diart ran his finger through my pink-dyed hair and touched my lips. His gentle touch and calm voice were even more unsettling. If that’s the case, can you please soften your piercing gaze?

“I can never take my eyes off you, can I?”

No, I didn’t do anything. I hadn’t even thought about doing anything, but being interrogated like a guilty spouse caught in the act of cheating was incredibly unfair.

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“It doesn’t seem like a simple misunderstanding.”

What are you saying! Didn’t you see my firm expression when I looked at him?

“It’s true. I have a reason for coming here today.”

“A reason?”

Diart raised an eyebrow as if asking me to explain. The truth that I had arranged for Annabelle to meet a man was something I couldn’t bring myself to say. I shifted my gaze to where I hoped there would be people to defend me. Annabel and Milto, who couldn’t take their eyes off each other in an awkward posture, were hopeless. I asked for Leticia’s help with a worried expression.

‘Leticia, please come up with some kind of excuse quickly.’

Leticia raised her eyebrows and avoided my desperate gaze.

“I’m sorry, Roeni. I’m so scared.”

Even you, Leticia! I was shocked when Leticia, whom I had trusted, turned away.

“It better be a good reason. I’m not in a very good mood right now.”

That’s why I’m so petty. Diart whispered low in my ear. I pressed my lips tightly at his intimidating voice. I couldn’t be more mortified that I’d ignored the fortune teller’s warning that I’d regret it tonight.

“…Diart.”

“Hmm?”

“You know that I love you, right?”

“I love you too.”

So, I’ll forgive you this time too. Diart said with a smirk. But it’s a bit unfair to just let it go like that.

“You’re not unsatisfying.”

I have to clear up the misunderstanding. Diart pulled me closer by my waist. The unsettling energy I felt from his hand made me very uneasy.

No, I really didn’t do anything! I feel so wronged!

Throughout the journey back to the mansion, I desperately pleaded my innocence, but Diart didn’t buy it at all. Damn it.