My Lover Isn't Interested With The Female lead!

 

 

 

 

It wasn’t just a matter of Letticia being humiliated alone; the whole important party, meant to showcase the new jewelry chain collection, was almost ruined.

 

“I should eat this and have another cup of warm tea.”

 

“It would be better to have herbal tea instead of black tea. Although black tea has a calming effect, it might make it hard for you to sleep.”

 

As Ezkhiel gave this advice while sipping his soup, Letticia nodded eagerly, happy to have a topic about tea brought up.

 

“Herbal tea, like peppermint or jasmine?”

 

“It would be better to choose chamomile over the other two. Peppermint is said to actually keep you awake, and there’s no claim that jasmine promotes good sleep. On the other hand, chamomile is known as a medicinal herb used for treating insomnia, and the chrysanthemum-like scent has a calming effect, so it would be beneficial to go with that…”

 

Ezkhiel, who was speaking enthusiastically, stopped mid-sentence, his face slightly flushed as if he realized he was too excited.

 

“I apologize. I was too intrusive.”

 

Ezkhiel seemed to regret saying too much, but Letticia, unlike him, was pleased to have found a topic to talk about at length.

 

‘He must like tea. He knows a lot about it.’

 

Most noblemen in social circles usually prefer coffee or alcohol over tea, so it was rare to find a man well-versed in tea.

 

Come to think of it, Ezkhiel also ordered tea at Faymont. Recalling this, Letticia smiled and expressed her gratitude for Ezkhiel’s consideration.

 

“Then I should drink chamomile tea and get some rest. Thank you for the advice.”

 

“Oh… no. I spoke too much out of excitement, so I’m the one who should be grateful for your understanding.”

 

“There’s no need to apologize. I’m just grateful that you taught me something I didn’t know.”

 

“……….”

 

Ezkhiel, looking a bit disheartened, said nothing. Thinking that he might have considered her words just a formality, Letticia decided to continue the conversation on that topic.

 

“I also like tea, but I haven’t tried many herbal teas, so I don’t know much about them. Do you enjoy herbal teas as well?”

 

“…Yes. I like both black tea and herbal tea.”

 

Trying to be polite, Ezkhiel replied briefly. Feeling that this was a good sign, Letticia enthusiastically continued the conversation.

 

“I see. Then what’s your favorite type of black tea? I personally like flavored black teas like White Opera or Grand Jubilee, but sometimes I also crave Arlene or Brie.”

 

“…I also like White Opera the most. It’s good with milk, and adding lemon makes it refreshing.”

 

“I enjoy drinking it with milk, too. Especially with bread or pastries, making it into milk tea is more convenient. Oh, but adding milk didn’t go well with fruits.”

 

“Then I would recommend adding lemon. White Opera pairs well with citrus fruits since the tea leaves are infused with bergamot oil.”

 

As Letticia led the conversation enthusiastically, Ezkhiel began to respond more actively. While the soup cooled gradually, the conversation grew more lively.

 

“Then I’ll try adding lemon to the tea when I have it with lemon tart. Do you think it would go well with strawberries, too?”

 

“When having White Opera with strawberry cake, I think it’s best to drink it straight. Since strawberries have a strong aroma and flavor, adding other scents to the tea might make the taste too complicated. So, personally, I prefer to drink Brie or Ridere with milk instead of flavored black teas.”

 

Talking about tea and tea foods, a boyish smile appeared on Ezkhiel’s face. As his sullen expression brightened, Letticia felt that the gentle and delicate impression she liked about him became more apparent.

 

‘If only he could get some sleep, it would be perfect.’

 

Feeling pleased, Letticia gazed at Ezkhiel’s eyes, which were a vibrant green like the green garnet she had chosen for him. Just looking at them made her feel happy.

 

“Then, may I ask you to visit Faymot again sometime soon? Chelsea is planning to release a new product, and I’d love to offer it to you.”

 

“A new product? Do you mean a cake? Or a tart?”

 

“No, it’s a type of ice cream. It was so well-received at the tea room today that it sold out before you arrived.”

 

“It must have been delicious…. Hearing you say that makes me even more curious about the taste. I’ll definitely visit soon.”

 

Ezkhiel, openly expressing his excitement and smiling, made Letticia smile as well.

 

“I haven’t had much ice cream before, but which tea would pair well with it?”

 

“Oh, the thing is, ice cream is too sweet to be paired with black tea. Many people prefer to have it with coffee.”

 

“Coffee… I’m not very familiar with coffee, so I can’t quite imagine it. His Highness has also been drinking drip coffee every day recently. But surely, he doesn’t have it with ice cream, does he?”

 

“Drip coffee? That’s the strongest kind of coffee, and he drinks it every day?”

 

The image of office workers burning the midnight oil often includes a fountain pen in one hand and a cup of drip coffee in the other, such is the notorious reputation of drip coffee.

 

Hearing that he drinks it daily while working, Letticia was horrified, and Ezkhiel gave a wry smile.

 

“His Highness is so devoted to his work that sometimes he considers even sleeping a waste of time. So, during particularly busy times, he relies on coffee to pull all-nighters. Because of that, his subordinates are also unable to leave work… No, never mind.”

 

He had let his true feelings slip at the end. A capable yet diligent superior like him would indeed be a nightmare for his subordinates.

 

“There is a reason for all the overtime. It must be truly exhausting.”

 

“It’s tiring, but it’s fulfilling work.”

 

Ezkhiel’s face, though it showed signs of fatigue, also bore an expression of genuine pride and satisfaction.

 

It was the look of someone who took great pride and care in his work.

 

“His Highness is strict with both himself and others, but he appoints people based on merit rather than status. If it weren’t for him, someone of my lowly noble status would never have become the chief aide.”

 

“Yes, I’ve heard that he values competence. I also heard that he doesn’t appoint people to positions if they lack the necessary skills, no matter how high their status is.”

 

Letticia had to agree with that statement. Even though Ralph Barthset had proven his incompetence through several blunders, it would have been more common to appoint the son of another high-ranking noble rather than making Ezkhiel, a lower noble, the chief aide.

 

It was only possible because Matthias, who despised incompetence, valued capability over inherited status.

 

“And while he does assign a lot of work to us, he has never given us an unreasonable task. The overtime was necessary because there was so much to handle in a short period.”

 

“I-I see.”

 

Letticia’s voice wavered slightly without her realizing it. The scene from the original story where Matthias stormed out to visit Ariette, ignoring the aide who had come with a report, flashed through her mind.

 

‘So, you were the aide who tearfully shouted that no one could leave until he approved the report as Matthias shut the door and left….’

 

Ezkhiel, who now spoke so highly of his superior, would be stuck at work, unable to leave in just six months.

 

Letticia, who generally tried not to alter the original storyline, felt compelled to change it out of sympathy.

 

“I’m glad to hear that you find the work fulfilling. But it would be nice if you could find time to visit our residence too.”

 

“There shouldn’t be any major issues until summer. March is usually the busiest time in spring.”

 

“Oh, then does that mean there won’t be much overtime now?”

 

“…It depends on the Chancellor.”

 

His resigned expression looked somewhat distant. Letticia thought she should pray that he wouldn’t have to work late nights.

 

“I hope you can definitely make it to the boat outing. I’m really looking forward to talking with you more.”

 

Ezkhiel’s face turned bright red as Letticia spoke with a gentle smile.

 

His face was even redder than when they finished dancing earlier, indicating that today’s meeting had been a great success.

 

“I also really enjoyed our conversation today. If you don’t mind, I’d love to continue talking like this during the boat outing.”

 

Hearing him shyly say those words to her made Letticia’s face flush with heat.

 

She averted her eyes and nodded slightly, stealing glances at Ezkhiel’s face.

 

“Perhaps that’s when I realized. That this affection wasn’t just about finding him decent compared to others.”

 

It was at that moment she thought that marrying him might not be such a bad idea after all.

 

 

 

~~~

TLN

Letticia : ‘Lord Bright! Please marry me…!?’