HIFH | Chapter 20

Episode 20

This girl has been provoking me for a while now.

I clicked my tongue and stared at Cecil.

Honestly, I wasn’t that upset.

Back in Catacle, situations like this were common.

But still…

Should I push back?

I was already struggling with how to handle Everlyn’s growing affection for me.

If I retaliated here, my reputation in high society would plummet.

Screw it. Let’s do it.

I smirked and locked eyes with Cecil.

Then—

“What do you mean by that?”

The words didn’t come from me.

It was Lu’s soft, measured voice.

“I find it rather curious that you’d say such a thing when my fiancée is standing right beside me.”

Cecil’s face instantly turned pale. Clearly, she hadn’t expected Lu to step in.

“Huh? Oh, no, I didn’t mean—”

“Lady Cecil, are you perhaps unfamiliar with the concept of ‘consideration’?”

Oh, boy.

Here it comes—Lu’s signature sarcasm.

“Or is your new social etiquette to pretend people don’t exist even when they’re right in front of you? That would certainly be… innovative.”

Lu’s weapon of choice was always a sharp tongue wrapped in a velvety tone.

Cecil’s face stiffened further.

“N-no, that’s not it! I was simply stating a fact. Objectively, you and Lady Everlyn look perfect together!”

“Objectively, you say?”

Lou tilted his head slightly.

“I’d love to hear what objective analysis led to the conclusion that my fiancée and I are not a good match.”

All eyes turned toward them. But Lu showed no intention of stopping.

“Or do your eyes possess a special ability to assess other people’s engagements? If so, what a pity. It would have been far more useful had you offered your ‘objective’ advice to couples of greater significance than us.”

“I-I didn’t mean—”

“Have you ever ‘objectively’ considered that offering unsolicited advice might actually be impolite?”

Cecil’s face burned red. Lou smiled sweetly.

“Well, ‘objectively’ speaking, Charles and I are already engaged. Whether we suit each other or not is entirely our concern, don’t you think?”

She’s going to cry…

I wished he would stop, but Lu was not the type to hold back.

“Taking an excessive interest in other people’s affairs is a long-standing tradition among nobles. I respect that. However, forcing your opinions upon others in this manner is… quite Refreshing, even.”

And with one final nail in the coffin, Lu concluded,

“Of course, your advice was entirely useless.”

Cecil, who had been taking hit after hit, wobbled. At the same time, muffled laughter spread through the crowd.

“I-I….”

Her eyes welled up.

Sensing this, I quickly stepped in.

“Alright, that’s enough. There’s no need to let tempers flare in a place like this. Why don’t we just continue shooting?”

It was an act of kindness on my part.

If Lu kept going, Cecil was going to burst into tears.

But—

“…Why don’t you keep shooting, Lady Charles?!”

Cecil shrieked and stormed off.

Huh.

Why is she mad at me?

Lou was the one who provoked her.

“Oh, Charles.”

Lu sidled up to me and whispered,

“You know, the one who tries to mediate always ends up being the most hated.”

Then he chuckled.

“So oblivious.”

Ah.

Should I hit him?

“Don’t you think I did well today?”

On the way back, Lu sat across from me in the carriage, laughing softly.

“Even Lady Everlyn thanked me. Cecil’s words insulted all of us, after all.”

Cecil had lashed out because she hated me.

If Lu and I hadn’t spoken up, Everlyn might have gotten even angrier.

I probably won’t see Cecil for a while.

Not that I cared—we had just met today.

Though it’s strange that she seemed more upset with me than Lu.

It wasn’t entirely unreasonable, so I let it slide.

“I asked if I did well.”

Lu pressed, unwilling to tolerate even a moment of silence. Ugh.

“Yes, yes. You did great. You were amazing.”

Lu narrowed his eyes at me.

“Your response seems… lukewarm.”

“No, I do think you did well but….”

“But?”

I hesitated.

They say if you’re unsure whether to say something, it’s better not to.

But when it comes to Lou, I have to say it—for my own peace of mind.

“It’s just… I’m glad you’re on my side.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Actually, it’s more like… I wish you weren’t so infuriating despite being on my side.”

I shuddered, recalling Lu’s merciless sarcasm.

“There was a moment when I really wanted to punch you. You were unbelievably annoying.”

Lu blinked slowly, then pursed his lips.

“…Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“Honestly? I have no idea.”

I crossed my arms and shook my head.

“I feel secure knowing you have my back, but listening to you long enough makes me want to smack you. Do you get what I mean?”

“Hmm. Not in the slightest. Could you stop talking now?”

“Sure. I’ll shut up.”

Feeling like I’d had my fill of teasing him, I mimed zipping my lips.

Lu let out a short laugh.

“You really are a peculiar person.”

Look who’s talking…

I was at a loss for words.

“Anyway, I still don’t understand how someone who was supposed to attend a funeral ended up at a shooting range with young ladies.”

“There’s no point asking. I have no idea how it happened either.”

“Well, whatever the case, I’m glad it did.”

“Why?”

Lu leaned forward with a crooked smile.

“The Lockwood family has invited us.”

Lockwood…

That would be—

—”We’re going clay shooting. You should join us. Lady Charles would surely enjoy it, too.”

—an invitation from Evelyn’s dear friend, Agatha Lockwood.

“Lady Agatha seems to have taken a liking to you.”

Damn it.

If I had known this would happen, I would have caused a scene to make her hate me.

“I heard they recently hired a sommelier who used to work for the royal family of the principality. They’re hosting an event to showcase wines personally selected by that sommelier.”

And of course, it’s another gathering of high-profile figures.

My head hurts.

“Don’t tell me this has something to do with the relics, too?”

“That, I don’t know.”

Phew. A small relief.

But I couldn’t let it show, so I forced a smile.

“But wouldn’t it be wise to keep the possibility open?”

“Well… I suppose so.”

“We might just get lucky and find a clue.”

“…Right.”

“So, let’s go together.”

If I refused now, it would only make me look suspicious.

Why aren’t you going?

Do you have something to hide?

Is there something wrong?

That’s exactly how the questions would start.

So, I had no choice but to nod.

“Haha… sounds fun. Really, it’ll be great.”

“You seem a bit awkward about this.”

“No way? I’m totally natural right now. Never been more natural.”

“Charles, you really can’t lie, can you?”

Lu shook his head lightly before continuing.

“Anyway, this is all thanks to you getting close with Lady Everlyn and Lady Agatha.”

Huh?

“Who got close?”

“You and Everlyn, and Agatha.”

“I’m not close with them.”

Lu frowned slightly.

“Then why did you go to the shooting range with them?”

He tilted his head.

“Because they asked me to?”

Hearing my answer, Lu smiled like a teacher explaining something to a child.

“That’s exactly what friends do. Usually, people invite their friends on outings.”

“…Really?”

“I suppose you wouldn’t know, since you don’t have any friends.”

“Hey! Why’d you hit me?”

Fine. I don’t have friends.

I grumbled and turned my head away sharply.

I could hear Lu chuckling softly.

“Charles, I don’t think you know yourself very well.”

Then, with a relaxed tone, he added,