Dear Ex-Fiancé, I Hope You Regret Everything - Chapter 15

Lord Skyford’s face tightened with intense strain. Veins bulged on his forehead.

His aides peered over, murmuring in a growing commotion.

“Hey, what’s that?”

“Isn’t that Lord Skyford’s companion? Isac, right? Why is he in commoner’s clothes?”

“…Is he mocking us?”

Cutting through the noise, Lord Skyford strode over to me with large steps and extended his hand. Beads of sweat dotted his brow.

“Miss Iris, it suits you quite well. The fact that your dress got soiled during the journey is my fault. Moreover, due to our oversight, we couldn’t promptly prepare a dress in your size. My deepest apologies. Commoner’s clothes are less particular about sizing, you see. I realize commoner’s attire might be unfamiliar and inconvenient, but please wear that for now. Come, let’s go see if we can find a dress that fits you. This way.”

With a strategist-like smile, he took my hand and began walking, feigning calm as best he could. Everyone we passed stared dumbfounded.

Keeping his eyes firmly forward, he whispered to me in a hushed voice, “What in the world is the meaning of this?”

“Um… My clothes were taken away, and after my bath, I was made to change into these…”

“Did you request commoner’s clothes? That’s impossible.”

“Yes! Well, I didn’t outright refuse when they suggested it. Anyway, your quick thinking saved me. I’m just completely lost.”

“…Haira is an independent nation formed about 300 years ago after Isac invaded. There are still many conflicts between native Hairans and Isac hybrids.”

(I’ve heard that but I only had the impression it was a distant country completely separate from Isac.)

“There are records stating that when Isac raised signal fires against Haira, they attacked wearing commoner’s clothes to signify that this country belonged to Isac. War is about utterly crushing the enemy nation. Whether it’s true or not, I don’t know.”

“Then, me wearing commoner’s clothes should be absolutely unacceptable!! Why would you do such a thing?”

“…I’m going to remove Fonmi from your service.”

“No. …I don’t understand her intentions, but may I keep her by my side a little longer?”

“You… what are you saying?”

As we turned a corner, his stride suddenly lengthened.

He hurriedly opened a door with a distinctly different design and practically pushed me inside.

Inside, rows upon rows of dresses were lined up.

“…Even though I haven’t married into the family, if my maid is replaced immediately after my arrival, it won’t lead to good rumors. Besides, what if her replacement is just like Fonmi?”

It seemed the scrutiny towards Isac within Haira was stricter than I had imagined.

He stood frozen, staring at me.

“Lord Skyford?”

“Guh… Sorry. Anyway, change into any dress you like.”

“Then, that one…”

It was a pale cream-colored dress. He swiftly pulled out the one I pointed to and handed it to me, almost pushing it into my hands.

“Your face is a bit red, are you angry?”

“This… it’s not that. Just change, please. I’ll be in the next room.”

“…Um, well, I don’t know how to take off this commoner’s clothing.”

He stood frozen with a look of utter shock, as if struck by lightning, but I genuinely had no idea how this sash was fastened.

I even felt like someone who’d been bound up was being told to free themselves.

“…Don’t hit me!”

His hand slid smoothly onto my back. The sound of fabric rustling echoed. That was all, so why was my body tensing up so much, so nervous?

His bony fingers slid over my back several times.

(My heart’s pounding like this… what am I thinking? This is just him helping me. There’s no other meaning to it!!)

“Here, I’ve undone the sash.”

“Thank… you…”

I let the lace top fall to the floor and tried to remove the pleated cloth beneath, but it seemed fastened somewhere too.

“Lord Skyford. Where is this fastened? Please help me.”

“Ah, that is…… ugh… Just so you know, I have absolutely no ulterior motives.”

He knelt in front of me, reaching around from the fastened part. The position became almost like an embrace around my waist, causing me to lose my balance and stagger.

“Hold still, it’ll be over soon.”

A snap sounded from behind my back. The cloth slid off smoothly.

“I’m not looking. I’m definitely not looking.”

He had twisted his neck to the limit and even closed his eyes.

“I trust you.”

“In a way, that’s disappointing.”

“Huh?”

“Just hurry up and get dressed!”

He shoved the dress into my hands from behind.

I changed quickly and let my hair down.

The shoes were too big, but I managed by wearing the smallest pair available. Once dressed, a wave of exhaustion hit, and we both leaned against the wall, sighing.

“I’m sorry that from the moment you arrived, the people of this country have been nothing but rude.”

“No. I expected it to some degree. Though it was more than I imagined.”

He relaxed with a faint puff of air, and a smile broke across his face.

His fingers brushed against my cheek as they slid away.

“Your smile is my salvation.”

“So please smile too, Lord Skyford. I won’t lose to you.”

A commotion of hurried footsteps echoed from far down the hallway. They were probably looking for Lord Skyford.

“…Um… aren’t they looking for you?”

He didn’t look away. His pale blond hair brushed against my face, and then,

for the first time, our lips met.

“Lord Skyford…?”

“Even if you were to get hurt, I find myself wishing to keep you by my side. Perhaps that’s why you didn’t end up with your former fiancé. I curse this blood of mine.”