My Lover Isn't Interested With The Female lead!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Clezio Verdun? He’s an author who only writes pure literature….’

 

Clezio Verdun was a modern novelist, considered a purely literary author. However, <Sabrina> was a work that Letticia had never heard of.

 

“Is there such a work? I’ve never heard of it….”

 

In response to someone’s comment, the Countess explained.

 

“That’s understandable. <Sabrina> is the most underrated novel among Verdun’s works.”

 

“An underrated novel?”

 

“Yes. It’s about a prince and a slave in an ancient kingdom who are switched by a witch, but in the end, they regain their original status. The plot is absurd and too fictional, so it was ignored by the public.”

 

The Countess’s explanation made the old ladies’ expressions change instantly, as if they had found an opportunity.

 

“No wonder I’ve never heard of it.”

 

“So, it has neither literary value nor popularity?”

 

“But why did you find such a work the most impressive? Please explain.”

 

Letticia was bewildered by the sudden hostility of the old ladies towards Lady Wallace. This was not about personal favoritism.

 

“Please, don’t speak so harshly. Lady Eskis should be given a chance to respond.”

 

“Lady Wallace, a true lady should be able to answer properly even in such situations.”

 

“I understand you want to defend your cousin, but shouldn’t you give the person in question a chance to respond?”

 

Lady Wallace’s defense of Seraphina didn’t help much.

 

However, despite the pressure, Seraphina’s expression didn’t change, and she remained upright and unflinching.

 

‘Now I understand why she’s called a swan.’

 

While Letticia was thinking, Seraphina calmly shared her thoughts.

 

“The prince and the slave had their destinies switched and lived as a slave and a prince, respectively. In the end, they returned to their original positions, but the slave was forgiven by God and freed from his status, rising to the position of a minister thanks to the knowledge he acquired as a prince.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“So, it was very impressive to me. It’s rare to see a character who enjoyed wealth and power that wasn’t originally theirs and still had a good ending.”

 

“Lady Eskis seems to prefer fairy tale-like stories more than expected.”

 

Countess Finsbury, who had been silent after she shared the plot, spoke up. Her expression was even more malicious when looking at Seraphina than when talking to Letticia.

 

“Of course, the message of good triumphing over evil is great, but it’s a very typical and clichéd theme. High-quality literary works tend to focus on more philosophical themes. At Lady Eskis’s age, it would be helpful to read such books. Does the proud Western region only read fairy tales before debuting?”

 

It wasn’t just an insult about liking immature things, but also a regional discrimination.

 

Letticia had to hold back from laughing at the Countess.

 

If the Countess tried to regain her composure after almost being outdone by Letticia, it was just like a traditionalist’s behavior.

 

Regardless of Letticia’s thoughts, Seraphina continued her answer calmly.

 

“As I mentioned, I was tutored by a private teacher, so I can’t speak for other people’s tastes. But I believe that works dealing with basic morality should exist, and reflecting on oneself through them is also meaningful.”

 

“Such books often focus on delivering their message, which may result in lower literary and artistic value. Does the Lady think literature’s significance lies in enlightenment rather than emotional impact?”

 

“…Verdun said this: ‘A person cannot be the same before and after reading a book, so the significance of literature lies in its impact on people.’ I agree with this statement. Is that enough of an answer?”

 

Using the author’s words, Seraphina defended her thoughts against Countess Finsbury’s persistent questions.

 

Countess Finsbury stepped back with a displeased expression, unable to find fault with Seraphina’s answer.

 

“I understand Lady Eskis’s views and thoughts on literature. Since you’re in the capital, reading a variety of works might allow us to have more fruitful discussions next time.”

 

Despite the harsh final evaluation, Seraphina simply nodded slightly and sat down gracefully.

 

Watching her, Letticia whispered to Dayna.

 

“Why are they treating Lady Eskis like this? It’s worse than what they said to me.”

 

“…Because she’s a Western noble.”

 

Dayna’s usually calm voice carried a subtle hostility. Surprised by the intensity, Letticia looked at her intently, but Dayna shook her head with a troubled expression.

 

It was clear that now wasn’t the time to talk about it.

 

‘…I knew the old and new nobles didn’t get along, but this is beyond my imagination.’

 

Understanding the tension between old and new nobles and the regional discrimination, Letticia realized why the original characters hated socializing.

 

‘I can see why they hated it.’

 

Although she didn’t particularly like Seraphina, Letticia didn’t want to blindly criticize or ostracize her like those old ladies.

 

She wanted to maintain her own principles, even if she was living in this world.

 

***

 

A few days after the stormy literary gathering, Letticia attended Vincountess Paulette’s picnic.

 

Despite worrying that something might be said about what happened at Countess Finsbury’s literary meeting, the Duchess hosting the event continued to send numerous invitations to Letticia.

 

“Should I say I was lucky, or should I say I handled it well….”

 

“That’s both, both!”

 

Kenneth shouted in a low voice, so it couldn’t be heard outside the carriage as they headed to the gathering.

 

Kenneth, who had to take antacid medicine after hearing what Letticia had done that day, had every right to be angry.

 

“Fortunately, it was known that Countess Finsbury was rigid, and the Duchess supported you, so it was fine. Otherwise, you could have been marked as rude to the elders in the social circles!”

 

“If my mother was worried about such things, she wouldn’t have sent me there in the first place. And it worked out well, didn’t it?”

 

“Worked out well, really….”

 

Kenneth leaned back, rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache. It was a symptom that had appeared often since the incident at the Duchess of Dinever’s gathering in Lucinella was reported.

 

Somehow, Lucinella had detailed how Letticia had confidently faced Countess Finsbury’s criticism and how elegantly Seraphina expressed her thoughts.

 

Thanks to that article, Lucinella’s sales doubled, showing just how much interest there was in the two diamonds.

 

“Don’t expect too much, just please, don’t make headlines again for such things.”

 

“I’ll try my best.”

 

After chatting for a while, they arrived at the meeting place, Rodinia, the estate of the Paulette Viscountcy.

 

The beautiful estate near the capital was bustling with people on picnics during the social season. Though the nights were filled with balls, people often planned picnics during the day to enjoy the spring weather.

 

Rodinia was also lined with the carriages of nobles who had come for a picnic.

 

The Paulette Viscountcy, known for its neutral stance, wasn’t a prominent socialite family but was famous for its beautiful estate, making the picnic gatherings hosted by the Viscountess highly popular.

 

“This time, it seems they’ve mostly invited neutral and old noble factions.”

 

Kenneth raised an eyebrow as he observed the people greeting the Viscountess.

 

“Neutral and old noble factions? Then why did they send an invitation to our family? Is it because I was chosen as a diamond?”

 

“…Half of it could be because of that.”

 

Kenneth examined the attendees with a slightly uneasy expression.

 

Among the invited, only about three couples attended together, while many brought their children or nieces.

 

However, among them, excluding the chaperones, there were only about three young, unmarried men.

 

“It seems there are no families of new nobility besides us. And the three families who brought their sons have always had a close relationship with the Paulette Viscountcy, but the rest brought daughters of marriageable age.”

 

“Ah, so it’s a matchmaking event?”

 

Letticia grimaced at the blatant nature of the picnic gathering.

 

Viscountess Paulette, though not a powerful socialite, had one of the most beautiful estates in Rodinia, a famous picnic spot. It seemed she intended to hunt on her most advantageous home ground.

 

“Oh dear, I just wanted to enjoy the scenery of Rodinia, but now it’s going to be troublesome.”

 

Letticia sighed, but Kenneth only offered advice, knowing that comforting her wouldn’t help.

 

“Such things will happen frequently. Even though you’re unofficially considered a candidate for the crown princess, that makes you a target for many men.”

 

“And that means all the women here will be my enemies?”

 

“Probably?”

 

Kenneth’s blunt confirmation made Letticia even more frustrated.

 

Just as she was about to scowl, Viscountess Paulette, the host of the gathering, approached to greet them.