In the end, I succeeded in dragging Leonie with a very moved face to pick out a dress.
Moving is the best way to change the topic.
Of course, during the move, I tried to talk about the merits of Archduke Cygnus, but somehow there was no gap in our conversation.
“Leonie, you are so pretty.”
Leonie chose a bluish dress that went very well with her blonde hair.
“But Libe, wouldn’t the skirt be too much? I think I'm a little burdened."
"What are you talking about? You have to wear something like this to stand out.”
"yes?"
“Oh, no. Leonie is so beautiful. Let’s do this dress.”
I am also a master of persuasion and negotiation.
After a lot of hard work, Leonie decided on a dress that fluttered like dragonfly wings and had a gorgeous skirt.
At the ball, Leonie must be more beautiful than anyone else and stand out.
That way, it will be in Gerlac's eyes!
So, when the two fall in love, it will proceed smoothly as in the original story, and I just have to say goodbye to this world. I have been having a hard time, and let's not meet again.
"So pretty. Shall we go pick out the ribbon now?”
"Ok, fine."
It was when they were leaving the shop after examining the dress together.
“Oh my, who is this? Lady Bernadette?”
Turn your head to the sound behind you.
A girl with a familiar face was standing with a fan covering her mouth.
Paley Easley.
The Isley family was a family that was connected to the imperial family thanks to the wealth accumulated through the wine business.
He was the one who took the lead in harassing Leonie with me in 『Undying Leonie』.
'At first, Liberata was just playing pranks on Leonie, but as she got close to Paley, it got worse.'
Paley Easley, befitting a young lady from a wealthy family, believed that money could solve everything.
“The two of you must have come to see the dress together.”
Paley stared at me and said.
what is that face
Normally, Paley would have bullied Leonie by playing behind the scenes with me.
Because of my childhood friend, Leonie followed me well, but Liberata (former) took advantage of Leonie's heart.
“We have already chosen all of them. Happy shopping, Lady Isley!”
It was the moment I grabbed Leonie's arm and was about to leave in a hurry.
Paley quietly approached and muttered lowly in my ear.
“I heard that Lady Bernadette went through something interesting yesterday, is it true?”
Ha, really.
Who climbed up the hill and yelled into the loudspeaker?
I knew very well how to respond to Paley.
A flimsy excuse won't work, but it's a situation that can't be ignored at all.
“I always have fun things to do. Enough then.”
At times like this, it's best to mumble and turn around with a slightly dazed, stupid face!
"Wait."
But soon, a chilling voice flew into the back of his head.
When I quietly turned my head, Paley lowered her fan and glared at me.
What is that face?
“Yesterday at the ballroom.”
“Ah, yes.”
“I heard that His Highness Archduke Cygnus hugged the drunkard Lady Bernadette. Is it true?”
I'll be thrilled
I managed to hold back the almost reflexive closing of my eyes.
“Ah, that.”
How should I make excuses?
Paley's face said that she somehow knew everything, so don't even dream about lying.
“I drank too much yesterday. therefore."
"therefore?"
“I just made some mistakes.”
“Just a mistake?”
“Yes, I guess it was just a minor mistake.”
“Then you two.”
Paley pressed a little closer to me and whispered.
“Is that all? Did nothing happen?”
“What, what happened?”
I was sweating profusely on the inside, but I was trying my best not to show it.
“Why are you suddenly stuttering? His expression also looks uneasy.”
Paley was glaring at me with eyes like a venomous snake.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. Anyway, Lady Almaz is waiting for me, so I have to go.”
As I shook off Paley's hand and turned around, my heart skipped a beat.
Then, Paley leaned on my back and added a cool word.
“It would be better not to get lost in vain and act straight forward. Because he is going to do great things in the future.”
“… … .”
I hurried away from her, but my heart felt like it was about to come out of my mouth.
'What is it?'
It was true that Paley was mean, but she had never shown me that kind of attitude before.
'Was it a problem that he looked close to the Grand Duke?'
Of course, it could be because he is a hot topic in the social world, but it was a bit of an overreaction for just that reason.
'No, wait. So what? Do you really have a crush on the Grand Duke?'
Whoops, nonsense!
Paley has a crush on Xerlac?
'Wait a minute, then you helped me in the past and kept bothering Leonie... … Is it because you thought the grand duke was taken away?'
Paley was just a flat villain. However, he didn't come forward and cleverly harassed Leonie.
It was Liberata who always led the charge. So I wasn't too curious about Paley's feelings.
Could it be that?
ahh that's nonsense If that's the case, things get very complicated.
At that time, Leonie spoke to me with a very worried face.
“Ribe, are you okay?”
"yes."
“What did Lady Isley say? Are you serious?”
Leonie asked me with a pensive face.
“Oh, no, I didn’t say much.”
“Hey, Libe.”
Then Leonie pursed her lips.
There's something I want to say, but I don't know if it's okay to say it.
"Leonie, it's okay, tell me."
"that is."
“What were you trying to say?”
“Libe, I don’t know how this may sound to you, who has no prejudices towards everyone.”
“… … .”
"I think you'd better stay away from Lady Easley."
“Leonie.”
“I know. That you often spend time with Lady Easley these days. But there are a lot of bad things to say about him.”
“Don't worry, Leonie. I won't do anything that would cause you to worry.”
This was actually something I was saying to myself.
Let's not make Leonie worry.
Let's not make the story more disjointed and twisted.
Stay still, Libe!
At my words, Leonie stared at me with a moved face again.
“Live, you always listen to me. thank you."
I-I don't think this is enough to say thank you.
Leonie put her hands together and made a vague expression.
“I’m happy to have a confident and reliable friend like you.”
“Hahaha, ooh, shall we go alone?”
Why is Leonie's smiling face scarier than Paley's cold eyes?
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
A few days later, an unexpected guest came to the mansion.
“I apologize for coming suddenly.”
“Excuse me, Your Highness the Grand Duke. don't say that Feel free to visit anytime.”
don't say that
Feel free to visit us anytime!
Just a few hours ago, the news of the arrival of the Grand Duke turned the entire mansion upside down and created an uproar.
Mother stamped her feet and went all over the house, and the servants were red-faced, dusting, wiping, and sweeping… … .
In the meantime, I was led by Eclat's hand on the second floor, and I had to choose a dress and do my hair.
When I asked if my mother had to go this far, she didn't even pretend to hear me and chose her favorite teacup and the most elegant dress she could wear.
After that, he stood quietly in the drawing room with a fan open.
My mother might have a nervous breakdown if Zerlac only came twice, but he would come anytime.
“Welcome, Your Highness the Grand Duke. It is an honor to meet you like this.”
The mother spoke out the words she had been repeating over and over again for hours and looked very content with herself.
“I came thinking it was rude because I have something to say to Lady Bernadette. Could you please give me a minute?”
Zerlac immediately revealed that he did not want to have long unnecessary conversations.
“Ah, of course.”
At his words, father and mother looked at each other and quickly walked out of the drawing room.
After mother and father went out, only the two of us were left in the drawing room.
For some reason, I was nervous about looking at his face, so I only touched the hem of his clothes.
“Long time no see.”
He lazily opens his mouth.
“Yes, how have you been?”
As I barely managed to say hello and glance at him, Jerlac's expression looked somewhat uncomfortable.
As if the porcelain-like face was incontinent.
He did not sit down in the prepared chair, but stood up straight and asked dryly.
“Are you angry with me?”
Yeah? Is that what I want to ask you now?
Asking me if I'm angry with that look.
“Are you angry?”
“Because I haven’t heard from you since that day.”
I didn't know what to say, so I hung my head.
Oh, so I'm trying to connect you and Leonie right now.
“I managed to catch him trying to run away, and sent a wagon for a ride. Are you going to treat me like a stranger now?”
“Yeah, that can’t be.”
I swallowed a dry saliva once, but Jerlac walked leisurely and came closer.
His scent lingers in my head. I took a step back, fearing that the scent would make me happy.
"I'm glad to see you after a long time, but you don't seem to be like that."
For some reason, it was difficult to look straight into his face.
I couldn't make eye contact and my heart raced uncomfortably.
“I came to see you, who was talking to me that night.”
“… … .”
“Why don't you say anything?”