My Lover Isn't Interested With The Female lead!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘It would have been better to say something like a famous work from classic literature.’

 

However, knowing that this was Valerie’s best effort, Letticia did not reprimand her.

 

But, she’s also didn’t want to let those old ladies continue to speak as they pleased, pushing their own standards.

 

It was laughable that the host of a prestigious literary salon would gather debutantes just to criticize them.

 

“Is there anyone else who would like to speak next?”

 

Countess Finsbury asked while looking at the other new noble, but no one answered her.

 

Their authority in the literary world and the power they displayed here were stronger than the authority a professor has over students.

 

Moreover, everyone had seen Valerie being humiliated, so there was no one brave enough to step forward and answer in this situation.

 

“Then may I speak?”

 

Except for one person, Letticia.

 

“Oh, Lady Sharon?”

 

Countess Finsbury looked slightly surprised when Letticia raised her hand, but soon showed a smug expression.

 

“Since you’ve been selected as a diamond in this season, you must have excellent knowledge. Shall we hear what work the queen of flowers enjoyed?”

 

“The Countess’s expectations are too high; I’ll try not to disappoint you.”

 

Although it was a tone that put enormous pressure on her, Letticia answered confidently without being affected.

 

“I was most impressed by <Aster and Katarina,> which I first encountered as a play.”

 

Letticia’s words caused a stir among the other debutantes.

 

Countess Finsbury also looked surprised.

 

“…<Aster and Katarina,> you say?”

 

“Yes. Drama is the earliest form of literature, and tragedy is the origin of literature, isn’t it? So, I thought enjoying drama was studying the roots of literature.”

 

<Aster and Katarina> is a play written by Griselde, considered the greatest playwright in the Ponteon Empire. Though not pure literature, it is considered a classic masterpiece of medieval literature.

 

Letticia, presenting the ‘fundamentals’ that those old women would like, continued with a confident smile.

 

“The original content of <Aster and Katarina> is a tragedy of unfulfilled love, where the two lovers commit suicide. Because of this, it was once banned for religious reasons. Despite that, it is still loved and remembered by people to this day. I found that very interesting.”

 

“…What did you find interesting about it?”

 

An old lady next to the Countess asked. She seemed determined to find fault, but Letticia was not going to fall into that trap.

 

“‘<Aster and Katarina> is not a work that is highly regarded for its literary and artistic value. But if you were to choose Griselde’s representative work, most people would say <Aster and Katarina>. It shows that a work does not need high literary and artistic value to leave its name in history. How could that not be interesting?”

 

She was just looking to pick a fight.

 

But she brought a work by a recognized great writer in literary history, making it difficult for the opponent to refute.

 

The atmosphere quickly froze. No one imagined that anyone could so openly challenge Countess Finsbury, a literary authority.

 

Countess Finsbury also looked at Letticia in shock, and soon her wrinkled face showed anger and contempt.

 

“I didn’t expect Lady Sharon to disregard literary and artistic values. No matter how much you polish your etiquette and dancing, if you do not cultivate your culture and substance, people might start to doubt your dignity as a lady.”

 

“Oh, it seems the Countess misunderstood me. I also enjoyed works like Clezio Verdun’s <Waterdrop Game> and Alfred Rockia’s <Charybdis>.”

 

Countess Finsbury’s eyes twisted fiercely at Letticia’s answer.

 

Both are works with impeccable literary and artistic value, and more importantly, they are modern literature works that Countess Finsbury so reveres.

 

“Especially <Charybdis,> which my mother also enjoyed reading, and we sometimes discussed it. Ah, if you’re wondering what we talked about, please be generous and overlook it. Family conversations are not usually shared with others, right?”

 

When Letticia made a deliberately playful smile, some debutantes burst into laughter.

 

The atmosphere’s control had shifted from Countess Finsbury and the old women to Letticia.

 

Realizing this, Countess Finsbury, her previous twisted expression now smoothed, put on the typical pretentious smile of a noblewoman active in the social circles.

 

“That’s right. No one here would rudely ask about the conversations you had with your mother, so you can rest assured, Lady Sharon.”

 

“Thank you for your kindness, ma’am. I was worried that I might have spoken too freely because you told me to share my opinions comfortably.”

 

“No, it’s my fault for asking you to do so. You did nothing wrong, Lady.”

 

“You are so generous to say that! Then, it’s okay for everyone to speak freely, right?”

 

Letticia quickly scanned the other debutantes and then looked straight at Countess Finsbury.

 

Before Countess Finsbury could get angry at the young lady who dared to look at her like that, Letticia opened her mouth again.

 

And then, she pressed her with the same sharp words that Countess Finsbury had used on her earlier.

 

“This is not a place to judge someone’s taste. We are here to help Countess Finsbury understand what kind of works young people enjoy these days. I’m sure the Duchess will enjoy that more as well.”

 

Countess Finsbury’s face turned red and blue at Letticia’s words. She looked like she wanted to shout right away, but she hesitated when she saw the Duchess sitting next to her.

 

“…Lady Sharon has a point.”

 

The Duchess, who had been observing the situation quietly, was smiling as if she found it amusing.

 

She wasn’t laughing out loud, but the fact that she, who had been stern and frightening, was now smiling and saying that made everyone in the room flustered.

 

“It’s not good to be too intimidated by the elderly, but it’s also not good to be too disrespectful. After all, the world is made by young people.”

 

“Duchess…”

 

Countess Finsbury’s voice trembled, but the Duchess did not respond further and returned to her stern expression.

 

That alone was enough for everyone to understand that the Duchess was siding with Letticia.

 

‘So, the comment about me resembling my mother was a compliment.’

 

Letticia smiled brightly at the Duchess and solidified the atmosphere while the old ladies kept silent.

 

“Ah, and I also enjoyed reading <In the Vineyards of Ardèche>. Modern pure literature often deals with themes like love, influenced by popular novels. However, this work strengthens its literary value by incorporating the structure of classic tragedies. I think it’s a suitable work for those who are not familiar with modern literature.”

 

As she said this, Letticia smiled at Valerie.

 

Valerie, who had looked like she was about to cry the whole time, widened her eyes and soon smiled back in gratitude.

 

“…Thank you for the recommendation, Lady Sharon. And if I spoke harshly, I would like to apologize. It might be because of my age, but I have a bit of an aversion to modern literature.”

 

Countess Finsbury, who had been silent for a few seconds, barely managed to calm her emotions and offered a light apology.

 

Living as an authority in the literary world for a long time, she couldn’t continue to let an 18-year-old debutante take the lead.

 

Moreover, Letticia had silenced her with her own words, so she had effectively choked herself.

 

Therefore, the best thing to do was to use her age as an excuse to settle the atmosphere.

 

“Shall we get back to the original topic? Please, don’t be afraid to speak.”

 

“…In that case, may I speak?”

 

Seraphina, who had been quiet all along, raised her hand slightly. Her voice was calm as if she was unaffected by the previous situation.

 

Countess Finsbury frowned briefly but soon smiled and nodded.

 

“Of course, go ahead.”

 

While Letticia was puzzled by the brief frown, Seraphina stood up from the sofa and looked around the room.

 

“Thank you. And I would like to mention that, unlike the people here, I was tutored by a private teacher. Therefore, I have not experienced discussing my impressions with many people, but I will do my best to convey my thoughts.”

 

With her back straight, Seraphina began to speak her thoughts in a calm tone.

 

“The work that impressed me the most is <Sabrina> by Clezio Verdun.”

 

At the name of the work mentioned by Seraphina, the old ladies raised their eyebrows, and the debutantes looked puzzled.

 

Letticia, who was also trying to recall the author’s name from her memory, was no different.