MLIIWTFL Chapter 162

 

 

 

 

“Pardon? An… affair? I had no intention of making a noble lady speak such an immoral word.”

 

“Then are you saying, Lord Jarvis, that you truly had no idea what it means for a man and woman to take a walk together in the morning on this promenade? You, who are supposedly so popular in the capital’s social scene? What were you thinking when you said it was just lucky that I happened to be free?”

 

Letticia, who had been holding herself back all this time, finally exploded. She even let go of Ezkhiel’s arm as she deliberately started throwing sharp words.

 

Her energy was so fierce that even Jarvis, who had always maintained his smirking composure, took an involuntary step back. Ezkhiel, too, was so startled he couldn’t find the right moment to intervene and simply kept his mouth shut.

 

“I believe you misunderstood my words, Lady Sharon. I merely meant that I was fortunate to come across you while you weren’t busy preparing for the music recital. Please, calm down and show me that beautiful smile of yours once more. A frown like that doesn’t suit you.”

 

“Normally, one would say something like, ‘It’s a pleasant surprise to see you outside like this, even briefly.’ I’ve heard so much praise about your elegance and eloquence, yet why is it that I never seem to witness those virtues? Even during the last exhibition, you acted out of turn. I’m starting to wonder if those rumors are just exaggerated.”

 

Jarvis tried to brush it off with his usual sly grin, but it only made things worse.

 

Ezkhiel knew that Letticia absolutely hated people who tried to wriggle their way out of situations like this. She believed things should be straightforward — either it is or it isn’t. Trying to muddle through with vague words was something she loathed.

 

“If I have offended you, my lady, I sincerely apologize. I am, after all, just a man. And standing in front of a lady I admire, it’s only natural that I might be nervous and make a mistake. I hope you can kindly overlook it.”

 

But Jarvis didn’t stop. He seemed to take this as his chance, smiling confidently as he stepped closer to Letticia, clearly intent on persuading her.

 

“Still, won’t you grant me a chance? A chance to show you that I am, in fact, the man most suited for you.”

 

“Step back.”

 

At that moment, Ezkhiel stepped between them. This, he simply could not tolerate.

 

Not just because of the impropriety of approaching a woman who had just announced she was in a relationship — but what kind of man would stand by while another tried to make a move on his partner?

 

Sending Letticia behind him, Ezkhiel stood protectively in front. Jarvis sneered and twisted his lips.

 

“How unsightly, blocking other men from even approaching your lover.”

 

“I don’t block every man. But it’s only natural for a man to be wary of someone clearly trying to come between him and his partner.”

 

“If you were attractive enough, wouldn’t your lover’s heart remain steady, regardless of who approaches?”

 

“Whether I’m attractive or not doesn’t matter. What does matter is that people, regardless of their status, should know better than to pursue someone already in a relationship. Isn’t that basic decency?”

 

“…Hah.”

 

Jarvis’s eyes flickered with mockery at Ezkhiel’s response.

 

It was clear he resented being lectured on nobility and gentlemanly conduct by someone he considered beneath him.

 

“I see you’ve risen quickly through the ranks thanks to the Crown Prince’s favor, but you still seem clueless about the customs of the social scene. Even if someone is in a relationship, harmless banter and light teasing are common enough, aren’t they?”

 

“Well, I’m not that kind of person.”

 

Letticia stepped forward, firmly linking her arm with Ezkhiel’s, and shot back without hesitation.

 

“I’m already with someone so amazing that I don’t even notice other men anymore. Why would I waste time playing games with others? I’d much rather go on another date with Ez. That sounds far more enjoyable.”

 

Upon hearing those words, Ezkhiel’s heart swelled with emotion. At the same time, Letticia’s words and actions began to come back to him, one by one.

 

Letticia, who had cheerfully joined in when he got carried away talking about tea without even realizing it.

 

Letticia, who boldly declared that public opinion could be steered in their favor, so he didn’t need to worry.

 

Letticia, who proudly told her parents she had chosen the right man.

 

Letticia, who didn’t feel the slightest bit embarrassed to link arms with him even in a crowded theater.

 

Everything she said and did gave Ezkhiel a kind of confidence he had never known before.

 

Letticia loved him.

 

Not Lucian Jarvis—the ideal nobleman in the eyes of the old nobility—but Ezkhiel Bright, the man she chose herself.

 

She saw Jarvis’s behavior for what it was: just some guy trying to hit on a woman who already had a partner.

 

There was nothing to be afraid of. No angry father coming after him. No tearful scolding from a mother.

 

With a deep breath to steady himself, Ezkhiel turned to look Jarvis in the eye.

 

Jarvis, who had seemed flustered by Letticia’s cold reaction, now looked even more displeased seeing that Ezkhiel wasn’t shaken in the least.

 

Seeing that, Ezkhiel was able to calm himself and begin speaking with greater composure.

 

“Lord Jarvis, unlike you, I don’t have the confidence to say that I’m the man who suits her best. And honestly, I don’t know when I ever will.”

 

“Oh? I figured you’d try to bluff your way through with the fancy position you lucked into. But at least you seem to know your place.”

 

Even at Jarvis’s snide remark, Ezkhiel stood firm.

 

Words like ‘know your place’ or ‘stay within your station’ no longer had the power to shake him.

 

 

“Then, are you planning to stay just friends with my daughter because you know your place and think you’re not good enough for her?”

 

 

As soon as Patrick’s question echoed in his mind, Ezkhiel answered before he could even think.

 

If it were back when he had believed their love was impossible, maybe he would’ve said yes. But now that their love had come true, there was no way—absolutely no way—he could say he’d give it up.

 

So, just as Lenard once told him—just like Patrick had done in the past—he decided to muster confidence, even if it was only a front, and stand tall.

 

‘Even if it’s all just bluster…’

 

Boasting about his abilities in comparison to others was never something Ezkhiel had been good at.

 

And as a man… even though Letticia constantly praised him, he still couldn’t bring himself to feel confident in that regard.

 

That’s why he chose to ground himself in the one thing he could truly believe in—the one thing he could cling to as his source of confidence.

 

“It’s true that I fall short compared to Letticia. I won’t deny that.”

 

“Ez!”

 

Letticia gripped his arm more tightly, her voice tinged with worry.

 

She looked up at him, afraid he might once again start belittling himself. But Ezkhiel only gave her a gentle smile as he continued.

 

“I’m not particularly handsome, nor do I have the charm to lead her gracefully in a dance. If we were to ride horses, I’d probably just end up trailing behind her. And during the autumn hunt, I don’t think I could catch a prize to present to her and earn honor. It’s honestly still a wonder to me that Letticia accepted my confession despite all these shortcomings.”

 

“To so brazenly confess your inadequacies—what, did you think admitting them yourself before anyone else could point them out would spare you the embarrassment?”

 

“I won’t deny that might be part of it. But more than that, what I really want to say is—”

 

Ezkhiel took a breath, then turned to face Letticia instead of Jarvis.

 

He needed her to see that what was on his face wasn’t shame or doubt—but firm conviction.

 

“Even so, Letticia chose me.”

 

And the moment he said it out loud, Ezkhiel realized: this was the very reason Patrick had come to acknowledge him. It was also the reason he had to hold his head high.

 

“I still don’t fully understand why she chose me. But the miracle of being loved by the one I love—it’s happened to me. And rather than call it too much and let it go, I believe the greatest sincerity I can show her is to cherish that miracle and live with gratitude.”

 

As Ezkhiel finished speaking, a few claps broke out, mingled with murmurs of admiration.

 

Letticia beamed at him, her eyes warm with pride.

 

‘Thank goodness… she’s not upset anymore.’

 

Thinking about all the times his lack of confidence might have hurt her, Ezkhiel felt a wave of guilt wash over him.

 

Moved by both relief and remorse, he gently wrapped his arm around Letticia’s shoulder.

 

Seeing that, Jarvis gave up even trying to fake a smile.

 

“Then, if I may ask the lady herself—what was it about Sir Bright that drew you to him? Among so many suitors, why choose him? Could you please help me understand?”