Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 11

“Father, this information is true, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. Do you think our family’s intelligence agents would lie?”

“……”

My earlier elation vanished completely, replaced by the urge to cry.

I had been so happy thinking I would finally see him again.

It seems he too changed his heart while spending time in our territory.

That passionate proposal was nothing but a deception after all.

“We can’t know his true feelings. He’s escorting you to the ball, so shouldn’t we judge by his future actions?”

Mother said this with a concerned, troubled expression, clearly worried about me.

“Yes, you’re right.”

“Tomorrow will tell. I’m sure it will be fine. He probably just wants to enjoy his freedom before marriage.”

“……”

I returned the documents in my hand to Father and retreated to my room.

“Young Mistress, please rest well to prepare for tomorrow.”

“…Katie. What do you think?”

“About what, my lady?”

“About Lord Leo gallivanting around since returning to the royal capital.”

When I said this, Katie thought for a moment before speaking, her expression unchanged.

“I believe the garbage-like Lord Leo is unworthy of the proud Bergier family’s young mistress.

He doesn’t understand the Bergier family’s importance and lacks the determination to support it. There’s no need to show mercy to such trash.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at Katie’s extreme words.

“You’re right. I’ll make my decision based on his actions tomorrow.”

“Then tomorrow, let’s dress you to become this kingdom’s most beautiful princess.”

“Thank you, Katie.”

I always feel saved by Katie.

Though I was initially hurt by the many suitors who left in the past, Katie always voices my feelings like this whenever I’m hurt.

If that report is true, what will become of my marriage to him?

An engagement is a contract. Once made, it cannot be broken without exceptional circumstances. Would he never come to the territory after marriage? Would he always keep mistresses in the royal capital?

Even after such a passionate proposal.

…I want to believe it’s a lie.

I don’t want to believe it.

I find myself suspecting that the report might be the one containing falsehoods.

Though anxious from the delivered information, I waited for tomorrow.

“Young Mistress Ginette, good morning.”

“Good morning, Katie.”

After being woken by Katie, I went through the motions of eating breakfast and began preparing for the ball.

Katie had put great effort into this ball, coordinating in advance with maids working at the townhouse and apparently studying fashionable dresses, hairstyles, and makeup under the pretext of skill improvement alongside maids from prominent ducal families.

“We’ll make Young Mistress Ginette the most beautiful woman in the kingdom.”

“Thank you, Katie.”

Thus, dressed in ball attire where even the smallest decoration reflected Katie’s meticulous attention, my preparations were complete.

“Young Mistress, everyone is waiting in the hall.”

A servant came to call me, and I was escorted to the entrance hall.

In the entrance hall, both Father and Mother were already waiting in formal wear. And there was one more person—Lord Leo.

Though we hadn’t coordinated our outfits, he had a red handkerchief in his breast pocket.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

When I spoke, Lord Leo turned and smiled at me.

“Ginette, you’re here. You look beautiful.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“…Miss Ginette, you’re incredibly beautiful. Among all the women I’ve met, none have been as beautiful and captivating as you. Please allow me to serve as your escort tonight.”

“Lord Leo, that makes me happy. I’ll be in your care today.”

“Well, time is pressing. We should be going now.”

At Mother’s words, we immediately boarded the carriage.

I don’t want to doubt Lord Leo, who escorts me as always and smiles gently.

I want to believe in him. Was it really true that he was gallivanting with women?

I want to ask.

But I was too scared to voice it, and thought this wasn’t the right place to ask, so I could only remain silent and watch the evening cityscape flow by outside the window.

Contrary to my troubled heart, Father and Mother were chatting happily.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the palace carriage stop.

Lord Leo gently escorted my quiet self to the venue.

“Earl Joseph Bergier and Lady Malphia! Miss Ginette and Lord Leo Barbet entering!”

The announcer called out. The venue was already filled with many people lining up to greet His Majesty.

“So many people.”

“Yes, indeed.”

Escorted by Lord Leo, I entered the venue and joined the line to greet His Majesty.

Though our family doesn’t normally attend balls, since both Father and Mother were attending today, the surrounding attention naturally focused on us.

Especially the conversations among venue guests who saw Lord Leo standing beside me seemed entirely focused on him.

Though my heart was elated by the joy of having a fiancé and his kindness, somewhere in my heart, that report still nagged at me.

I couldn’t honestly enjoy today’s ball.

After greeting His Majesty, we were surrounded by people.

Many nobles who hadn’t seen us in a while came to greet us. And they all uniformly asked if Lord Leo was my fiancé.

He responded with smiles, but his words made my heart feel like it was burning with anxiety.