My Lover Isn't Interested With The Female lead!

 

 

 

 

“My lord, you know I’m not good at making empty compliments, don’t you?”

 

“…I know very well that you’re an honest and straightforward person.”

 

“Then do you think I’d give you compliments I don’t mean?”

 

Ezkhiel hesitated, unable to answer. He couldn’t bring himself to say he thought she would.

 

“You’ve seen my brother, haven’t you? People in my family don’t really like sugarcoating things or beating around the bush unless it’s work-related. Kenneth is the softest speaker among us, you know?”

 

“…Even so, as Lenard’s friend, wouldn’t you still be kind to me out of courtesy?”

 

“If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t force myself to be kind. I would’ve avoided meeting you altogether. Even if we did meet, I’d only be polite enough to excuse myself and leave.”

 

Letticia’s firm tone made Ezkhiel nod, his expression conflicted.

 

Worried that he might misunderstand the feelings she had expressed so far, Letticia decided to be more direct.

 

“My lord, do you remember what I said to you during the boating trip? I asked you to come visit me with gifts during the visiting season.”

 

“…I remember.”

 

When Ezkhiel lowered his head slightly, Letticia emphasized her words.

 

“You’re the only one I’ve ever said that to. I didn’t say it to anyone else.”

 

“…..…”

 

At her words, Ezkhiel looked up, his green eyes wide with surprise. Meeting his gaze, Letticia grasped his hands tightly and spoke firmly.

 

“You’re the only person I’ve been waiting for this season. I didn’t invite anyone else or wish for anyone else to come.”

 

“….…”

 

“If it was just an offhand comment, would I have gone so far as to nag… I mean, ask my brother to send you a note because I was worried you might not come the next day? Even though over ten visitors came on the first day?”

 

“…That wouldn’t make sense….”

 

Ezkhiel nodded in agreement, still looking a bit dazed.

 

In truth, even if you combined the second-place visitor count for Seraphina and the third-place count for Lady Wallace, it wouldn’t surpass Letticia’s numbers. There was no reason for her to fret over the absence of a single person.

 

“So now you won’t think I’m only being kind to you because you’re my brother’s friend, right?”

 

“…But, if Lenard had asked you to consider me or said something on my behalf—”

 

“Do you really think my brother would do that?”

 

Letticia, astonished, questioned him sharply. But Ezkhiel still seemed reluctant to let go of the idea.

 

“Ever since we graduated, whenever Lenard and I met in social circles, he always helped me out of difficult situations. For example, when ladies from families acquainted with mine refused to dance with me and mocked me, he would step in and invite me to play cards instead. Perhaps he even suggested that you help me this season out of concern that I might not get to dance again…”

 

“Well, it’s clear that the ladies you’ve been dealing with have poor taste.”

 

Letticia sighed at his words, realizing that continuing the conversation was futile. It seemed this misunderstanding would only be resolved if Lenard himself told Ezkhiel otherwise.

 

“Still, remember this: you’re the only person I’ve danced with twice—whether it was a waltz or any other dance.”

 

“…But His Highness the Crown Prince also danced with you.”

 

“That was an exception. The first time was the Diamond Selection Minuet, so it couldn’t be helped.”

 

Ezkhiel looked like he wanted to say something, but upon seeing Letticia’s sharply furrowed brows, he wisely closed his mouth.

 

“In any case, my lord, I’ve only ever spoken to you with sincerity, not out of courtesy. You’ve seen how I interact with others, like that Lord… Jarvis, or whatever his name is.”

 

“…Lord Jarvis…”

 

For some reason, Ezkhiel’s expression darkened even further.

 

Letticia, sensing she might have said something wrong, hesitated. But before she could speak, Ezkhiel, clenching his fists tightly, broke the silence.

 

“It seems I’ve caused unnecessary concern for you, my lady. I’m sorry.”

 

“Lord Bright?”

 

“I’ll make sure you never have to think that way again. I’ll also remember that you’ve always treated me with genuine kindness and care.”

 

“…As long as you understand, then that’s all that matters…”

 

Letticia wasn’t entirely sure if this was the right way to resolve things, but Ezkhiel swiftly changed the subject, making it clear he didn’t want to continue the topic.

 

“And about the piece for the concert—could you tell me after the meeting when the scale of the event has been finalized? I’ll share my thoughts then if needed.”

 

“Yes… I’ll do that.”

 

Seeing Ezkhiel smile softly, Letticia decided not to press him further. She felt he wouldn’t open up even if she asked.

 

‘Well, one thing’s for sure: I’ll never let him cross paths with Lord Jarvis again.’

 

Having mentally dismissed one of her suitors entirely, Letticia chose to enjoy her conversation with Ezkhiel instead.

 

By the time they reached the next flowerbed, filled with lily-of-the-valley blooms, Ezkhiel had returned to his usual self. After finishing their stroll and tea, he even asked her out on another date.

 

Technically, it was Kenneth who extended the invitation on Lenard’s behalf.

 

“Lord Bright, if you’re free, why don’t you join us for a performance? Our family owns a private box at the Rosen Theater. Lenard suggested we all go together this time.”

 

“If it’s an invitation from Lenard, I’d be glad to accept anytime. Could you send me the details via letter?”

 

Letticia silently thanked Lenard for faithfully keeping his promises. Without her asking, he had even set up a theater outing—a perfect excuse for a date.

 

“Getting to watch a performance with you, my lord, sounds delightful no matter what the performance is!”

 

“If I get to attend a performance with you, my lady, it will undoubtedly be a memory I’ll cherish forever.”

 

As Ezkhiel returned Letticia’s joyful enthusiasm with a soft smile, Kenneth, who had been silently observing their exchange, frowned ever so slightly, sensing something peculiar. However, neither Letticia nor Ezkhiel noticed.

 

***

 

Ezkhiel’s home was a luxurious townhouse located on Belcote Street, where high-ranking officials typically resided.

 

While others lived in family estates or rented cheaper homes on Picard Street, Ezekiel’s role as the Crown Prince’s chief aide required stricter security, making those options impractical.

 

“Sir, Lord David has arrived.”

 

As Ezkhiel stepped off the carriage pulled by two horses and entered his home, his butler greeted him with the announcement. Ezkhiel’s expression became a mix of welcome and mild stress as he headed to the parlor.

 

There, a handsome young man with slightly lighter brown hair and bright green eyes sat sipping coffee prepared by a maid. He was Ezkhiel’s older brother, David Bright—a man Ezkhiel was always glad, yet hesitant, to see.

 

“Ez, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting forever.”

 

“You didn’t even let me know you were coming. You can’t complain about waiting.”

 

Ezkhiel sighed and retorted as he sat across from his brother. David placed his coffee down and smirked.

 

“I wouldn’t have guessed my usually homebound little brother, who spends his days indulging in desserts on his days off, would actually be out. I dropped by because I heard you got a rare day off and thought I’d see your face, but when I found out you weren’t home, I was the one surprised.”

 

“…Even I have plans on my days off.”

 

When Ezkhiel mumbled this while avoiding his brother’s gaze, David nodded knowingly.

 

“You went to visit the Lady of the Sharon family, didn’t you? The so-called ‘Queen of the Flowers.’”

 

“How do you even know about that?”

 

“I read Lucinella, Ez. It’s not just for women, you know. Especially the articles about Diamonds—those are always the talk of the town.”

 

Ezkhiel recalled the Lucinella article he had seen just a few days prior. He vividly remembered his shock when he spotted his name among the list of men who had visited Letticia.

 

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to see your name among the visitors of the season’s top Diamond. Our parents were completely taken aback.”

 

“…Let me guess—they said something along the lines of ‘why aim for a tree you can’t climb.’”

 

“Well, I don’t want to put it in those exact words, but it’s close enough.”

 

Even from that vague remark, Ezkhiel could easily imagine the kinds of things his parents must have said. He lowered his head with a deep sigh.

 

Even though it had been over three years since Ezkhiel had become independent, just hearing what his parents had said made him feel like his whole body was sinking into the floor.

 

Seeing his younger brother in such a state, David sighed with a complex expression.

 

“To be precise, Mother was clutching her neck in shock, while Father said it wasn’t such a bad thing after all. Even though the Sharons are an new noble family, they’re far superior to other new nobles since Lady Letticia has the bloodline of the great Marquess Wade’s family through her maternal line.”

 

“Father’s… opinion doesn’t matter to me.”

 

Grinding his teeth, Ezkhiel spat out the words.

 

Three years ago, Ezkhiel had left his family’s household and no longer had any reason to obey the orders of Baron Bright. While familial duty might still bind them, as fellow nobles, they were now simply the heads of separate houses.