Dear Ex-Fiancé, I Hope You Regret Everything - Chapter 18

“…Huh?”

Gulp. I swallowed dryly. What’s gotten into this woman so suddenly?

The room fell deathly silent.

Yet, the person reflected in the mirror spoke even more cheerfully than before.

“‘Huh?’ That’s no way to respond, is it? Is this how those of Haira address their servants? How impressive.”

Thud. It felt like a heavy lump of lead had dropped into my womb.

Thump-thump. My heart was beating violently. Was this really the same young lady from just moments ago?

“I believe I said I wanted you to teach me various things. So, could you tell me what the intention was behind styling my hair this way?”

“Eh…”

I froze unintentionally. I never expected her to say something like that.

Wasn’t I just here, going along with what I was told, being swept along by the flow?

“…Can’t you answer?”

“W-well… I just thought it was a hairstyle suitable for the evening meal…”

It was a lie. It was Haira’s unique updo style that brides wear at weddings.

“Is that so! Well, thank you for your consideration. In that case, let’s first show it to Lord Skyford.”

As she tried to leave the dressing table, I hurriedly stopped her.

“Lord Skyford is already seated for the evening meal.”

“Then call him here.”

“Making the master, who is already seated, get up is…”

“I said call him here. …It seems you really do look down on me. Do you think I’ll fall for the same trick multiple times?”

What on earth has gotten into this woman so suddenly?

“Haa,” she sighed, and began undoing the carefully done updo with a hand comb.

Her long hair cascaded down smoothly.

“…You know, Fonmi. I find it very satisfying to watch how efficiently you work. You put up this hairstyle in no time at all. I think you’re very capable at your job. But you have absolutely no awareness of being a palace maid, do you?”

(How ridiculous! The pride of serving the royal family is my only…)

“…Even considering the circumstances that there aren’t many people from other countries in Haira’s palace, servants from any country have the awareness that ‘their every action is seen as representing their master’s will.’ …You should be thankful I didn’t go to the evening meal looking like that.”

“…Lady Iris… why aren’t you punishing me? Why aren’t you dismissing me from my duties? I thought you would have heard from Lord Skyford that discarding dresses is not proper etiquette, and moreover, having Isac wear Haira’s clothing is rude…”

“You sound like you want to be punished. …Is that it?”

“……”

“As for me, I won’t punish you, and I won’t dismiss you from my service. If you want to quit, you’ll have to say so yourself.”

✳︎ ✳︎ ✳︎

“Hey, Cain! Why do you look so down in the dumps?”

The one who called out was Michael, the prime minister’s son and student council president.

I wanted to leave the academy without meeting anyone if possible. With that thought, I hid my luggage behind my back.

“What’s that? What are you hiding? A present from some young lady? Popular guys are something else.”

“…It’s nothing. Not like that.”

“Hey now, don’t be so cold. What’s wrong?”

He pulled hard on my arm, and the box containing my luggage fell with a clatter.

“…Huh? What’s with all this luggage?”

“It’s nothing!”

“Why are you getting so worked up?”

As I scrambled to pick everything up, Michael crouched down in front of me, his breath catching for a moment.

“Cain. You’re not leaving the academy, are you?”

“That’s none of your business, Michael.”

“Wait, wait, why would you need to leave?”

(If it gets out that I failed, that would be bad. I’d be pointed at for the rest of my life.)

“My father’s suggestion…”

“Your father? Why?”

“Ugh… He says he wants to retire early. I’m to inherit the earldom, and father will live in the countryside.”

“Is that so? Well, managing a territory will be tough for someone as young as you, but I can at least offer advice if you need it.”

“Y-yeah. Thanks.”

“I thought for sure you’d been caught having Lady Iris do all your work and were being expelled, but I guess not.”

A cold sweat broke out on my back with an unpleasant sting.

But Michael maintained his smile throughout.

“What are you talking about?”

“Everyone knows.”

(Everyone knows?)

That I had Iris do everything? They know? All of them?

“You broke off your engagement, right? While you were fooling around, Lady Iris caught the eye of Haira’s crown prince—she’s more capable than she looks. Well, you reap what you sow. It’s too late for regrets now. After all, the other party is that Prince Skyford Savarias. You’re not even worth.”

CRACK!!!

Michael collapsed on the spot.

On top of that, for some reason, my right fist was tingling.

I didn’t know why, but my breathing was ragged. I didn’t understand it myself. Before I knew it.

I had punched Michael. He seemed to have cut his lip.

Looking alternately at Michael wiping blood with his sleeve as he staggered to his feet and the blood on my own fist, I was shaken.

In the distance, female students screamed. Annoying.

“Guh… You…”

“…That’s not it”

“Hah!?”

“It’s not my fault! That Iris bitch didn’t bring the assignment report by the deadline, so I—!!”

“…Are you insane? You’re the worst, Cain.”

By the time I realized, it was too late. My legs trembled and I dropped to my knees.

“I’ll be reporting this to my father.”

Despite having been punched, Michael walked away briskly.

The scattered papers were swept away by the wind.

Iris’s name danced in the wind, and I looked up at it.