NMRJKM Chapter 100

 

Seth closed his eyes and slowly mulled over the lyrics of the song she was singing.

A song for someone who had forgotten them. A poignant love song for someone who didn’t accept their love and instead looked at another woman.

Seth Dolorante stood there quietly until the song ended.

Then, he soon broke into a smile so beautifully stunning that it left the maid and servant momentarily speechless.

“Can I see her now?”

“Please wait a moment. I will inform Miss Ariadeline.”

The maid then knocked carefully before entering her room.

Soon, the door slowly opened, and the maid peeked out.

“She will see you for a moment.”

Despite having waited quite a long time, Seth Dolorante nodded with a face that showed no sign of discontent.

He then took a step through the door the maid had opened. To meet someone he had longed for over a very long time.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

I groggily sat up and looked out the window. It still seemed to be daytime. After all, I had fallen asleep around lunchtime.

I felt an odd emptiness inside. Perhaps it was because I had skipped my meal. I slowly gazed out the window where sunlight streamed in and opened my mouth.

In a low voice, I began to sing. Whenever I felt this way, I sang. That is, every time I feel down.

My voice was still rough from just waking up, but it moved fluidly, creating variations in pitch.

As I tilted my head while sitting on the bed, my blonde hair spilled around me. I thought as I played with my hair.

‘Carlothian never did say he loved me.’

I let out a hollow laugh while singing. The song I was singing was one directed at someone who wouldn’t look back at me, making it feel as if I had become Ariadeline herself.

‘He only asked if I loved him…’

Carlothian does not love Ariadeline. And I do not love him either.

But Ariadeline loved him. Perhaps that fact confused Carlothian.

‘I thought everything that happened that night was just for comfort.’

As that thought crossed her mind, her mood sank once again. Even after singing, it didn’t improve much.

Having never felt this way before, I abruptly stopped singing and swung my legs over the side of the bed. Maybe a walk would help…

Knock, knock—

“Miss Ariadeline?”

I turned my head towards the door. A moment later, it was Dolly who entered.

“What is it?”

“Well…”

She said with a strange expression.

“A guest has arrived.”

“A guest? What guest?”

Dolly approached me, lowering her voice even though it wasn’t necessary.

“Marquis Seth Dolorante.”

“……Why is he here for me?”

“I don’t know.”

Dolly’s confusion transferred to me. Why is that man here for me right now? Especially at this time?

I recalled Seth Dolorante.

The current Marquis Dolorante, Seth Dolorante. He had lost both parents at once and ascended to the marquisate.

Seth Dolorante’s father, the former marquis, was a close friend of the emperor, making their family powerful and well-established within the imperial court.

The emperor had even personally crafted the coffins for the marquis and his wife, openly showcasing their friendship.

‘Of course, what matters most to me is…’

Is that he’s the man who was supposed to be Dorothy’s partner, but had changed his mind and become my partner instead.

A man with a reputation for being gentle, but whose true nature is unknown.

‘Since he came all this way, I can’t just tell him to go back.’

I said to Dolly, “Help me change my clothes.”

“Yes, of course.”

With Dolly’s help, I changed my clothes and stepped out of the room. There he was, impeccably dressed and waiting at the door, looking almost beautiful.

“Did you really wait here for me?”

“I can wait anywhere for you.”

He was the same as ever, whispering sweet words that could easily confuse anyone, smiling often with that beautiful face.

‘No wonder women fall for him.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly, thinking of Dorothy. If I were a young lady, I would have blushed and fallen for that face and manner of speaking in no time.

But unfortunately, I was no longer a teenager, and he was a slightly annoying and suspicious man in his mid-twenties. So, I nodded to him and headed towards the reception room in the annex.

‘Bringing another man into my room in this situation would only make the servants more uneasy.’

I walked straight ahead, pressing my temples to ease the throbbing in my head.

“How have you been?”

“As you can see.”

I answered a bit firmly to his cautious inquiry, not wanting to give him a chance to continue the conversation.

However, he continued to speak to me pleasantly.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well. I’m also relieved that you look the same as always.”

“Is that so? Unfortunately, I’ve changed a lot since then.”

“I’ve heard rumors.”

“Do you believe all the rumors?”

“Of course.”

We arrived at the reception room. Seth opened the door himself, and I naturally stepped inside. At that moment, he said,

“I believe those rumors were intentionally spread by you, so how could I not believe them?”

I paused for a moment, then pretended not to hear him as I walked in and sat down on the sofa. I offered him the seat opposite me.

“I’m not sure what you mean by that.”

All the rumors about me were quite close to the truth. It was also true that I had let them spread intentionally.

‘So that’s why I felt so uneasy. He’s too perceptive.’

I didn’t particularly like clever people. It’s not that I hated them, but those skilled in calculations never made unprofitable deals.

‘In the end, he must have come to me because he has something to gain.’

I told Dolly to bring in tea and then asked him, “So, what brings you to find me?”

“I’ve heard that you were invited to the birthday celebration of Her Highness the Princess.”

“I see. What is the reaction around me?”

“Those who have heard your positive rumors are expressing doubts and showing interest in new gossip, while some say the princess has lost her mind. After all, how could she invite a sinner?”

“I agree with that sentiment.”

The princess wouldn’t call me to the palace without a purpose.

I took a light sip of the tea that Dolly poured and asked, “So you didn’t come just to share the rumor that the princess has lost her mind.”

I looked directly at his face. What he had wanted from me before was only one thing. So, it was only natural that he still did.

“Did you come because you want to be my partner?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

He said it confidently, and I scoffed.

“It’s quite bold of you to come here so shamelessly after the way you treated me in the past.”

“At that time, I was foolish. No, I think it’s because I realized too late who you were.”

So, he’s saying it’s not his fault. I took another sip of tea; otherwise, I felt like I would scoff.

‘What does this man want from me?’

I silently set down my teacup. What benefit could he possibly gain from having me as a partner that he would come to me as soon as he heard about the banquet?

“What do you want from me?”

“I just want to be by your side.”

“Don’t try to gloss over it with such words.”

I said firmly.

“Tell me what you truly want.”

His face twisted slightly at my blunt words. It was a bit different from the beautiful expression he had shown until now. He let out a mournful sigh.

“I really didn’t think you would be so oblivious to my feelings. Even if there’s only one man in your heart.”

I kept my mouth shut and waited for him to continue. I couldn’t interrupt now. With such sweet talk…

“I have wanted you since our first meeting…”

What followed left me flustered.

“I have wished for you. All along.”