CHAPTER 20

How The Male Lead Cures The Young Lady Who Has A Limited Time

"The dress made by the designer suits the Count so well!"

At Philia's praise, Yvette glanced down at the dress she was wearing.

There were only two conditions she asked of Berry.

It has to be comfortable and pretty.

She thought it was not an easy combination, but Berry made a wonderful dress that was beyond her expectations.

The dress, made of light and soft material as if flowing down, did not stick to her skin but showed her body's lines properly.

The hem of the dress, which reached the top of her instep, fluttered whenever she moved.

It was a dress that wasn't fancy, but was made with care for small details.

"Since the dress is dark navy blue, I think it makes the Count look so much brighter."

"Is that so?"

Yvette answered lightly and turned her gaze to the mirror again.

With the hair done, all that was left was to choose the accessories.

As Yvette browsed through the accessories Phillia had brought out, she suddenly stopped in one place.

It was because the earrings Noel had bought her stood out.

"I think this would look good on you!"

At the same time, the same item also caught Phillia’s eye..

As she pointed to the earrings Noel bought for her, Yvette blinked slowly.

Originally, I was going to go with a different earring.

But after hearing Philia's words, it seemed as if that would not be a bad choice either.

'…Since he gave me a gift, should I wear it?'

"Of course, let’s go with that."

"Yes!"

Yvette nodded, and Philia carefully took the earrings out of the jewelry box.

The sky-blue jewel embedded in the center shimmered in the light.

Yvette did not forget and wore the ring that Noel gave on her fourth finger.

It felt awkward because she didn't wear it often.

"Now, it appears it’s almost time for the Duke to come."

Finally, Philia, who was checking Yvette's attire, looked out the window.

When she let out a small exclamation, "Oh my,"

Yvette asked, wondering.

"What's wrong?"

"It looks like The Duke has arrived. He's a gentleman, he keeps his promises to you really thoroughly."

At that, Yvette also got up from her seat and looked out the window.

Then, her eyes met Noel, who was getting off the carriage.

Whatever the wind was, Noel, who usually prefers to be neatly dressed, was wearing a colorful uniform.

The black uniform with gold details looked very good on Noel.

'…That’s surprising.'

Yvette hurriedly turned her head as soon as their eyes met.

At last, it was a more comfortable atmosphere, but today's Noel seemed to have been decorated from head to toe.

It was harmful for a person's heart because his face was already a weapon.

'I can't believe I'm excited just because I made eye contact with you. Anyone who sees it would think that I was a teenage girl.'

Yvette shook her head and walked away from the window.

* * * *

"You're wearing the earrings I bought you."

On their way to Marquis Theron estate by carriage, Noel, who was sitting facing Yvette, opened his mouth.

When his gaze reached the earring, Yvette lightly shrugged her shoulders.

"I think it'll go well with this dress. It just so happens I wore this on the day I met with you."

"Are you trying to show it to me?"

"Let's just say it's just a matter of fact."

Noel smiled at the coy answer.

"It definitely suits you."

Then, Yvette replied with a smile.

"Maybe it's because you're my fiance, but I don't think you have a bad eye."

"That's obvious."

Noel answered blatantly and reached for Yvette's face.

As his hand drew closer, Yvette unconsciously flinched and closed her eyes.

At that moment, she remembered when he kissed her on the cheek.

"...Some people might think I'm trying to eat you up."

Noel smiled and sat down in place.

Slowly opening her eyes, she saw a small leaf in her hand.

Yvette coughed softly and avoided Noel's gaze.

"...Wait, there's something in my eye."

"Of course, I guess that’s what it is."

After Noel's low laughter, a shallow silence passed between the two of them.

Noel stared quietly at the passing scenery, and Yvette tried to recall the manners she had studied for the past two weeks by cramming.

Such a long time has passed.

The carriage, which had been running endlessly, finally came to a stop in front of its destination.

The two of them got off the carriage and immediately entered the mansion of Marquis Theron.

Noel handed over an invitation to the servant who was guarding the front door.

Soon after, the servant, who confirmed the contents of the invitation, shouted in a cheerful voice.

"Duke Noel Aberon and Count Yvette Blanche are entering."

Then for the first time, Yvette learned that a boisterous ball could suddenly become so quiet.

People standing in a row in the hall stared at only one place.

Yvette could easily guess where their gaze was headed.

"…"

Noel frowned at the silence that followed.

Yvette had seen a face full of frustration that she had never seen before.

Seeing his expression, the nobles flinched and turned their heads.

Then, in a blink of an eye, I heard conversations start back up again from across the hall.

"Hoho! So, the dress that's in fashion this time is…..."

"I heard that the number of prey in the wolf forest has decreased a lot recently. Did you hear the news?"

"Haha, your daughter grew up so beautifully."

After that, Noel, who had a satisfied expression on his face, extended his arm to Yvette.

"I'll escort you inside, Lady."

It was a playful voice, he almost gave a colorful atmosphere.

Yvette hesitated for a moment when she saw his outstretched arm.

'There's nothing I can do today.'

Even considering the twist of the study, she decided that it would be better to pretend to be his faithful fiancée today.

That way, people's doubts can be reduced even a little.

Yvette secretly folded her arm to Noel's arms.

As the distance between the two grew closer, Noel smiled at her.

"Let's say hello to the Marquis first."

Yvette followed along calmly as Noel led.

A middle-aged woman with an elegant impression stood where they walked.

"Duke Aberon!"

The wife of the Marquis found Noel and welcomed the two of them with delight.

"Thank you for coming again this time. Maybe it's because there were rumors that you were coming, so the invitation was sent out by ship."

"Is that so?"

Noel just nodded, showing no expression.

In response to his slightly stiff reaction, Yvette's eyes widened.

‘Is Noel normally like this?'

Unlike Yvette, Marquis Theron's wife seemed familiar with Noel's reaction.

She burst into laughter with joy and covered her mouth with a fan.

"Is the Lady next to you the fiance you admire so much?"

When the Marquis' wife showed interest in Yvette, Noel nodded reluctantly.

"Yes, that's right."

"Then you should hurry up and introduce her to me too! What are you doing standing still, really?"

Noel, who couldn't win against the urging of the marquis' wife, introduced the two one by one.

It was her first time being officially introduced to someone, so Yvette couldn’t help but feel awkward.

"Nice to meet you, Madam. I'm Yvette Blanche."

When Yvette greeted politely, the Marquis' wife looked at her with a keen stare.

"Nice to see you, Count Blanche. I've heard rumors about your fame, but this is the first time I've seen you in person."

"Rumors?"

Yvette asked again, wondering.

'Aside from being Noel's fiancée, was there anything else that was being said about me?'

As if to resolve Yvette's doubts, the Marquis wife slowly continued to speak.

"My daughter is also attending the academy now. I think there are a lot of stories about you there."

Yvette's eyes widened at the unexpected story.

'If it's an academy, is she talking about Luhen Academy?'

There were several academies in the Aiden Empire, but among them, Luhen was the most prestigious academy.

It was a place where talent is recognized regardless of one’s status, it is said that all the talented people of the Empire came from Luhen.

' It is the place where the main characters first meet in the original story.'

When the thought came across, Yvette frowned.

This was because the original suddenly came to mind.

'Come to think of it, I’ve completely forgotten about the female lead.'

The time she possessed her current body was still before the original story started.

The original will start soon, on the day of the 100th Alumni Reunion at the Luhen Academy.

'How could I forget? This is the place where not only the female lead, but also the villain appears for the first time!'

Like a wave, the settings of the original that had been forgotten came to mind.

Noel and the female lead were not the only ones to appear at the alumni reunion of the Luhen Academy.

Kerbel Petoras, the villain of the original, also appears there for the first time.

"Yvette."

When she hadn't answered for a long time, Noel opened his mouth.

Only then did Yvette, who came to her senses, looked back at him.

"...Yes? Did you call me?"

"The Marquis' wife asks if you're going to attend the Alumni Meeting."

Yvette faltered for a while at the words.

"A-Alumni Meeting? What Alumni Meeting are you talking about….."

"Of course, he means the Alumni Reunion at the Luhen Academy in a month."

Marquis Theron's wife quickly folded the fan she was holding, she asked in visible confusion.

"The invitation must have already been sent. Did you not know about it this whole time?"

At the question of the Marquis wife, Yvette awkwardly smiled.

'Of course I didn't know! How was I supposed to know that the extras that don't even appear in the original attended the Luhen Academy!'

Yvette struggled to smile, barely holding back the feeling of wanting to tear her head off.

"Ah, haha. I guess I forgot for a moment because I had a lot to think about recently."

"Are younger people already using that excuse?"

The Marquis clicked her tongue a little and continued to ask the question tenaciously.

"So, will Count Blanche attend the event?"

"M-Maybe, I'll attend."

Yvette, unable to overcome the momentum of the Marquis’ wife, nodded reluctantly.

It seemed that the atmosphere would become very awkward if I said that I would not attend.

Whether she was satisfied with her answer, the Marquis' wife smiled brightly.

"Of course, take care of my daughter then. She seems to admire Count Blanche very much."

Following those words, the Marquis’ wife excused herself saying that she had to take care of the other guests.

Yvette let out a deep sigh as soon as the Marquis' wife disappeared.

Though I just had a simple conversation, why do I feel so exhausted?

-to be continued

Translated by Aria

Not 100% correct

Credit to the Author

<<PREV - NEXT>>