Chapter 5
Ella stood in front of the employee, slightly turning her head to smile at me.
“Kaiden, honestly… Even when I say no, he does this, Diana, we’ll meet someday.”
The confused employee’s eyes darted between Ella and me, clearly unsure of what to do about the situation.
However, the employee quickly composed herself and bowed to Ella.
“Lady Ella Rinomor, I’m sorry, but the person I called isn’t you.”
“What? If not me, then who…?”
Other than the employee, only two people were present in this tea room—me and Ella.
Ella turned back to me, with a pale face.
I put my teacup down and stepped up beside her.
“The tea that came in today is so good that I was happy to wait. Should I head up to the fourth floor now?”
“Yes. I’ll take you to the special floor.”
I followed the employee, leaving the tea room behind.
I ignored Ella’s gaze, which had been burning into me as if demanding an explanation.
To be honest, I found her uncomfortable.
It wasn’t just because she was smirking when I got kicked out right after I possessed Diana’s body.
The Fallen Noble Lady Captures the Prince was a first-person romance novel from the female lead’s perspective. It began when the female lead, a fallen noble named Ella Rinomar, attended high society events with the help of a friend and felt a fateful attraction to the male lead.
Ella Rinomor, the heroine of this novel, wasn’t a kind protagonist.
Despite her angelic face, she was dark inside. She seduced the man her friend liked without a moment’s hesitation and shamelessly used everyone around her to make herself look good.
Fans of this novel were divided, with some loving her for being a “scheming queen” and others hating her, calling her a “fox.”
[CatSavesTheDay: Ella, that b****. wish she really got run over by that carriage.
└NoBull: Why the hate for Ella? Scheming heroines are the best.
└AppleSour: Scheming heroine? More like trashy fox. Poor Diana, always getting used.
└DooDooDoo: Why feel sorry for that shady chick? Did Ella steal the guy while Diana was dating him? Diana’s always lashing out when she can’t handle her own mess. She’s the kind of person who deserves to be used, lol.]
… It was always like this.
I never comment on that novel, but I definitely didn’t like Ella.
I kept reading because I can’t stop once I start, but if it weren’t for that, I would’ve dropped the novel quietly.
‘Diana isn’t a saint either.’
Diana was quick-tempered, often snapping and lashing out at others. If she didn’t like something, she’d hit people, and she wasn’t stranger for her to dumping juice on other noblewomen.
But before things went bad with the male lead, she really cared about the female lead (Ella). She introduced her to her dad, helped her in her financial support, took her to social events, and connected her with people. She even used her own allowance to buy her gifts like clothes and jewelry.
‘Did Diana really deserve to be treated like that by Ella?’
Suddenly, memories I’d inherited from Diana came rushing back. The way she valued having her first real friend so much. The shy smiles she gave when she secretly laughed to herself after helping Ella.
The nights she stared at the bracelet Ella gave her before falling asleep.
…And the way she cried all night after seeing Ella kiss Kaiden, the guy she secretly loved. Even though I wasn’t feeling those emotions myself, I couldn’t help but press down on my chest.
“She’s so unfortunate.”
My heart hurt, not because I shared those feelings, but out of sympathy for Diana.
I pitied Diana.
* * *
In front of the door to the special room on the fourth floor, I was a little worried.
From Diana’s memories, I knew the high-end shop always prepared clothes based on the customer’s taste.
But Diana liked to wear dresses with deep necklines and loads of flashy jewelry.
‘Ugh, they don’t suit her at all.’
Honestly, she looked like a woman from the streets.
Unfortunately, there was no one around Diana to tell her that those dresses didn’t suit her.
No family, no friends.
“It’s nice that I don’t have to wear someone else’s clothes, but this is an unexpected problem.”
What should I do?
Even if someone offered me the clothes for free, I wouldn’t want to wear them.
When the employee knocked on the room door, another staff member inside opened the large, arched door.
“Thank you for waiting. We’ll serve you with utmost care.”
Ten employees greeted me in unison. The woman at the front was Madame Rubiche, whom I recognized from Diana’s memories.
“Huh?”
I stepped inside, eyes wide with surprise.
“Lady Diana. I must apologize. The Duke has specifically ordered us not to present any of the mature, revealing dresses you typically prefer. He instructed us to prepare dresses that exude elegance and refinement instead.”
“… Is that so?”
“Yes. Please don’t be upset and enjoy my creations. I’ve selected dresses that I believe will suit you perfectly, Lady Diana.”
Listening to her explanation, I glanced around the room.
Madame’s expression stiffened, perhaps misinterpreting my reaction.
“… Are they not to your liking, my lady?”
“No, they’re absolutely perfect.”
Good job, Duke.
I felt warmth rising from my cheeks, knowing I was about to have a very happy shopping experience.
* * *
“Sniffle, sniffle.”
Harold set down the documents he had been reviewing. A thin line formed between his eyebrows.
“Stop crying, or go cry outside.”
“But, Your Grace… Sniff!”
Evan, his assistant, wiped away his tears with the back of his hand and sniffled.
“It’s just so… sniff… moving to think the Duke might actually live…”
“Sigh. I feel like I’m going to die listening to you, so shut up.”
Harold irritably threw a handkerchief from his drawer at Evan.
Evan caught it and began dabbing at his eyes again.
“If you’re going to keep crying, why don’t you at least report on the state of the Garcia family?”
“Y-yes, sir… sniff.”
He blew his nose loudly and regained his composure as a competent aide.
“As of now, Lady Diana has not shown any significant reaction after being expelled.”
“Hmph.”
“Well, the count only raised Lady Diana, who was originally an illegitimate child, with the intent of marrying her off to someone powerful. Now that she’s no longer useful, he probably won’t care what happens to her.”
“I suppose it’ll be the same even if word gets out that she’s marrying me. After all, officially, I’m still terminally ill.”
“That’s likely. Even though you’re not… sniffle … not terminal anymore….”
Tears and snot that had just stopped started flowing down like rain again.
Harold’s brow furrowed even more deeply, casting a darker shadow on his face.
“Get out. Now, Evan.”
“Are you not… *sniff* … moved, Your Grace? How can you remain so unchanged… *sniffle*!”
“Work and emotions are separate.”
Harold’s firm words made Evan shoot him a look of disbelief.
“If you don’t leave, I’ll give you more paperwork.”
At that, Evan quickly scurried out.
“Tch.”
Harold ran a hand through his hair and took a sip of water.
Just as he was about to return to his documents, a knock came at the door.
“Evan must really want more paperwork, huh?”
Harold’s dark blue eyes narrowed.
“Come in.”
“Excuse me.”
But the one who entered wasn’t Evan—it was Diana, dressed in a new blue gown she’d just bought from the shop.
“How do I look?”
Harold took a quick glance at her before meeting her hopeful blue eyes.
“Much better. Not trashy anymore.”
Even though his comment had a hint of sarcasm, Diana’s cheeks flushed pink.
“Thank you. For the dress and for telling the shop to prepare something that suits me better.”
“Never thought I’d live to see the day you’d thank me. Is the empire collapsing tomorrow or something?”
She chuckled at his sarcastic grin.
“No, it won’t collapse.”
She was sure since the epilogue was still three years away.
“Well, I guess we’ll see about that tomorrow.”
Harold gestured with his chin for her to come closer.
Is he telling me to come over? Diana tilted her head before walking toward him.
Every time she hesitated, Unsure of how close he wanted her to be, she hesitated, but Harold waved her over with his finger every time she stopped.
She stopped right in front of his desk.
“You don’t need to thank me, my lady.”
Harold waved his finger again, this time pointing downward.
“But…”
Is he telling me to bow? Diana’s blue eyes rolled upward in thought before then she bent forward slightly. Harold rose just enough from his chair to extend his arm toward her. His gloved hand brushed past her left cheek and came to rest gently on her shoulder. As her hair, which had fallen over her shoulder, prickled with sensitivity under his touch, a pleasant voice reached her ears.
“Aren’t you mine now, my lady?”
Harold slowly withdrew his arm and started playing with my hair’s thread.
“I’m a greedy man. I take great care of what’s mine—whether it’s an object, power, or a person. I treat it with the utmost care. You’ve made a deal with me, so you’re mine now. I’ll put aside any bad feelings and treat you well. I’ll cherish you.”
Harold twirled the thread between his fingers, forming a small tangled knot.
“But I hate it when what’s mine becomes someone else’s. So, be careful during the duration of our contract. If it comes to that, I’ll ruin you so no one else can have you.”
This was a warning. A warning filled with lingering distrust toward “Diana.”
“Yes!”
She responded energetically.
Harold gave her a look as if he couldn’t believe her, but she didn’t seem to mind at all.
