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My Lover Isn’t Interested With The Female lead!
✽ CHAPTER 40✽
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“Then, would you share your thoughts about this dance?”
Letticia asked.
“What? My thoughts?”
Ezkhiel stammered, clearly taken aback.
“I shared my impressions of dancing with you, but you haven’t shared yours yet. Isn’t it too sad to end without knowing your partner’s thoughts, especially since it’s our first waltz at an official event?”
“Well, that’s true…”
“So, tell me. What do you think about dancing with me?”
Ezkhiel seemed flustered by Letticia’s question, and his posture became slightly unsteady. It was evident he was unsure how to respond.
“There’s no need to overthink it. In such cases, a few compliments suffice as good social etiquette. If you’re worried about my brother’s opinion…”
“I consider it a tremendous honor,”
Ezkhiel interrupted, his tone earnest.
Letticia, who had been trying to lighten the mood with a joke, was momentarily stunned by his serious reply. Despite the absence of flowery language, his words felt sincere.
“Normally, I wouldn’t have had the chance to dance with someone like you, but I was fortunate to be there at the right moment. Holding your hand was an incredible stroke of luck.”
“Not just luck, but an tremendous honor? That’s quite a compliment. Are you praising me because I’m the Diamond of the season?”
“No, I genuinely mean it. You truly deserve to be the Diamond.”
“I’m curious about what makes you think so. I’ve heard various opinions about me. Some even say I became the Diamond only because I’m my mother’s daughter.”
As the dance steps brought her close to Ezkhiel and then away, Letticia twirled and returned to his arms.
After completing four consecutive turns and returning to the basic steps, Ezkhiel’s expression became firm as he spoke decisively.
“Those are demeaning comments. Don’t pay attention to them.”
“But the person who said that holds a high position, so I can’t completely ignore it.”
“In that case, pretend to listen but don’t take it to heart. Even if you inherited great qualities from the Countess, you wouldn’t have convinced the nobles here of your worth as the Diamond if that was all there was to it. After all, you’re the first of the new nobility to be chosen as the Diamond.”
Hearing words she wished she could convey to Matthias, Letticia’s lips curled into a smile. As Ezkhiel said, despite being the daughter of Camilla, Letticia had to convince or at least silence those who sought to belittle her for her new noble status by criticizing her etiquette, dress, and lineage.
The notion that everything could be resolved just by being Camilla’s daughter wouldn’t even make it into a mass-market romance fantasy novel.
“You really know how to make someone feel good,”
Letticia remarked.
“There’s no need to overestimate me just because I’m Lenard’s friend,”
Ezkhiel replied modestly.
“Not at all. I’m being completely honest.”
It was surprising to learn that Ezkhiel was Lenard’s friend, but it didn’t make her see him in a particularly better light. Lenard wasn’t the type to insist on his friends being particularly special.
“Oh, are you being kind to me just because I’m Lenard’s sister? Was that compliment earlier for that reason too?”
“What? No, well, it’s not entirely unrelated, but that’s not the only reason…”
“What? I was really happy thinking you genuinely appreciated me.”
“Oh…”
Seeing Letticia’s slightly disappointed expression, Ezkhiel began to stammer in panic.
“What I said earlier is genuinely how I feel. It has nothing to do with Lenard. Although knowing you’re his sister made it easier to speak freely, I wasn’t just trying to flatter you. I certainly didn’t mean to upset you…”
“Please, it was just a joke. No need to take it so seriously…”
Seeing Ezkhiel so genuinely flustered, Letticia felt a bit at a loss herself. She hadn’t expected him to react so strongly to a simple conversation.
“Oh… It was a joke. I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t pick up on it.”
Ezkhiel sighed in relief at her words. It was hard to believe he was friends with Lenard, who was always making pointed jokes.
“No, I’m the one who startled you. But it’s surprising. Given how close you are to my brother, I thought you’d be used to his jokes.”
“I’ve gotten used to them, but my heart still skips a beat sometimes. He’s quite a bold friend.”
“You could say he’s thoughtless. Even as his sister, I often find him too much.”
Ezkhiel just awkwardly smiled at Letticia’s candid words, but he didn’t seem upset.
Thinking she might step closer, Letticia decided to make a bold suggestion.
“Since you helped me avoid trouble today, I’d like to repay you. Would you consider visiting Sharon Jewelry?”
Ezkhiel pondered briefly before responding.
“Well, I think so. The pendant on my bolo tie has a crack.”
“Then let me know through my brother when you have time. If you’re okay with it, I can help you choose.”
“Are you suggesting that you would help me personally?”
Ezkhiel’s eyes darted around in surprise.
He didn’t exhibit the usual confidence or audacity of men invited by a lady.
“Yes, of course, unless you’d rather I didn’t.”
“No, not at all! I’d never… I mean, that-”
His flustered response seemed genuine. Amused, Letticia decided to push a little further.
“Then I’ll keep that in mind. I should be free in a few days. Would that be okay?”
“…Yes. I need to buy it soon anyway.”
Ezkhiel nodded, not refusing.
Having secured a date with a man she fancied, Letticia spent the rest of her time focusing on the waltz, enjoying even her clumsy steps.
***
Traditionally, balls start in the evening and end at dawn.
The palace ball was no different, starting at 9 PM and ending around 4 AM.
Despite having a few dances left, Letticia left the palace with Camilla around 2:30 AM.
“Is it alright to leave early? Shouldn’t we stay until the end?”
“It’s fine. Leaving a few dances early actually increases your value for future dances.”
Letticia was amazed by the subtle strategies and atmosphere of the social scene. Since she didn’t enjoy such push-and-pull games, it made her more tired.
“So, how were the men you danced with? Did anyone catch your eye?”
“Not really. I did offer to help Sir Bright with his shopping.”
“Sir Bright?”
Camilla laughed, intrigued. It was hard to tell if she was surprised by the unexpected choice or pleased that her daughter had found someone interesting.
“Someone like Sir Bright isn’t bad. He’s considerate, polite, and though he doesn’t use fancy words, that might be better. But he does have a lot of competition.”
“Competition?”
“Of course. As the crown prince’s chief aide, he’s a desirable match anywhere. Plus, coming from an old noble family and being a second son makes him perfect as a son-in-law.”
“He didn’t seem very used to being around women.”
It was uncertain if he had danced with other women before Letticia, but he left the ball after dancing with her. Reflecting on his awkward demeanor, he didn’t seem experienced in conversing with women.
“Usually, the parents are more interested than the daughters.”
“Why is that?”
“In the social scene, flashy men are more popular than diligent and practical ones. Many girls fall for handsome, charming men who pretend to be bold and masculine.”
It was funny hearing Camilla, who looked under forty, say something old-fashioned. Letticia responded with a sarcastic joke.
“First loves rarely work out anyway. It’s better if they remain youthful memories with a bad boy than a diligent man.”
“If it remains a pleasant memory, that’s good. But many ruin their lives. And those types often target girls like you, so be careful.”
“Me? Why?”
“Partly for the thrill of winning a diamond.”
That statement made Letticia feel insulted, as if she were a trophy.
“Usually, it’s either vanity or money.”
“Money?”
The reason, though momentarily forgotten, was quickly understood.
Noble life is costly. Bad boys who enjoy the company of women tend to overspend to keep up appearances.
“Your dowry alone is 30,000 gold, and you earn over 4,000 from Faymont annually. With interest on the dowry, it’s 1,500 gold a year, so that’s at least 5,000 to 6,000 annually, making your dowry effectively 100,000 gold.”
Hearing this from Camilla reinforced the significance of Letticia’s risky investments based on the original story.
Even 30,000 gold is significant, but 100,000 gold is an amount not easily given even by major nobles.
“So be cautious. If you don’t want your money being used to entertain other women.”
“I will.”
Letticia then listened to Camilla’s advice on men to avoid as they headed home.
Thus ended Letticia’s debut.
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To Be Continued…
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