Dear Ex-Fiancé, I Hope You Regret Everything - Chapter 20

Today marked the first time since arriving in Haira that I was invited to a grand party alongside Lord Skyford.

It was the engagement announcement of Lady Louisston, the duke’s daughter, and Count Chaudan.

I attended without a single worry about the hairstyle Fonmi had expertly arranged for me or the dress she had chosen. If Lord Skyford had no objections, then there was likely no particular intention behind them, so I could be confident.

To my eyes, it was just a typical hairstyle and an ordinary dress.

“Brother!! You’re late! From now on, I won’t accept it if you don’t come with Nia!”

Suddenly appearing before us, Lady Nia wrapped her arms around Lord Skyford’s and pressed her modest chest firmly against him.

“Nia, sorry for being late. But could you let go? I’d like to escort Iris.”

“…Why? Brother always escorts Nia. It’s always been that way! I thought today would be no different!”

“You’re fourteen now. It’s time to stop with these childish games.”

(She’s right. Even if they’re second cousins, the unmarried Crown Prince wouldn’t escort her publicly.)

“Shall we go?”

He escorted me away breezily. But I could feel a stinging gaze on my back.

“Lady Nia…”

The words slipped out naturally.

“Hmm?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

(I almost said something tactless.)

Exposing someone’s feelings is something I’m too afraid to do.

“She’s still a child. She’s probably lonely, feeling like her big brother has been taken from her.”

“…Lord Skyford, please don’t treat Lady Nia like a child. Even if she’s not yet an adult, she is a proper lady.”

“Why are you getting so worked up?”

“I’m not getting worked up.”

The guests of honor for the day noticed us and smiled warmly.

Simultaneously, Lord Skyford switched to his Crown Prince smile.

“Thank you for inviting us today.”

“It’s been a while, Your Highness, Crown Prince Skyford. Thank you for gracing our engagement announcement.”

Count Chaudan appeared to be in his forties, while Lady Louisston seemed to have just come of age.

“My! And this must be the young lady from Isac who has captured Your Highness’s heart?”

“My name is Iris Dostoevsky. Congratulations on this joyous occasion.”

“I am Starelesska Louisston. This is Count Rock Chaudan.”

“Lady Starelesska, that’s a lovely name.”

“It means ‘on a starless night’ in Haira language. And Iris, is that a flower’s name?”

“Yes, it is. My mother loved flowers.”

“Oh! I thought so! I believe there are irises blooming in this garden as well. Shall I show you? It’s alright, isn’t it, Count Chaudan?”

The Count said, “Of course,” and Lady Starelesska playfully added, “I’ll borrow your beloved for a moment,” taking my hand.

Pulled along firmly, I was somewhat bewildered.

“Um… Lady Louisston!?”

The hand pulling me was strong.

“Starelesska is fine! May I call you by your name as well?”

“I-I’d be honored.”

“Here we are. Shall we enter that gazebo?”

The stylishly built gazebo was filled with numerous cushions.

“Please, have a seat. Tea will be here shortly.”

“Is this alright? What about the party?”

“Hehehe, it’s not time yet, so let’s chat a little. Since we have the chance.”

Looking around, I saw irises blooming all around the gazebo.

“Lovely, aren’t they? I adore these flowers too.”

Lady Starelesska’s gaze, which had been admiring the flowers, slowly returned to me.

“……Hey, you must have thought it strange too, didn’t you, Iris? Count Chaudan is already forty-five.”

“I did think there was quite an age difference.”

“…I actually like my name. ‘On a starless night’—it has a certain meaning, don’t you think?”

(Though it might be rude, would anyone give such a meaning to a child’s name…?)

The tea that was brought in wafted steam gently.

“As you might have guessed, in the ducal house, I am an unwanted person.”

“That can’t be…”

“…In the Louisston family, I’m like a ghost. A phantom.”

(Why is she confessing this to me?)

In response to my confusion, she gave a sad, resigned smile. It carried the dignity of someone who had overcome hardship.

“…Ah, this is the first time I’ve said such things. Perhaps it’s because you’re from another country. I’m sorry, it must be troubling to hear this so suddenly, but I wanted someone to know. Anyone.”

“Eh… Starelesska…”

A strong gust of wind swept through.

“There might be a shower this afternoon.”

Perhaps because a cumulonimbus cloud momentarily hid the sun, Lady Starelesska’s expression darkened as she looked into the distance.

“This is my first time attending such an event since coming to Haira. I’m truly happy that you spoke to me on this wonderful day. Please, would you invite me to this gazebo again?”

“…Well, the party is about to start. We must go.”

“Ah…”

Lady Starelesska plucked a single iris and tucked it into my hair.

Lord Skyford noticed my return immediately and, putting an arm around my shoulder, said,

“I missed you. Did you see the flowers? Oh?”

Noticing the flower in my hair, he smiled. “It suits you very well.”

“The gazebo was surrounded by irises.”

That clouded smile remained stuck in my mind.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

My heart was pounding. Not from excitement. This was a bad omen, anxiety. That kind of feeling.

Lady Starelesska and Count Chaudan, arm in arm, were bowing.

Servants passed out champagne to everyone. I took a glass as well.

My hand trembled slightly as I received it, nearly spilling, which made the servant look at me curiously.

The golden shimmer and rich aroma.

As I gazed into the shimmering liquid,

“A toast!”

Amid applause, cheers of celebration erupted loudly.

“Oh?” Fonmi murmured behind me.

“…Fonmi, is something wrong?”

“…It’s nothing. I just wondered why only Lady Louisston’s champagne is so unusually frothy. Pay it no mind… Eh!? Lady Iris!?”

By the time I realized it, I was already running.

The moment Lady Starelesska was about to take a sip, I slapped the glass from her hand.

“…Iris…?”

(Thank goodness, it seems she didn’t drink any.)

The venue buzzed with “What’s going on!?”

“What is this!! Are you out of your mind!?”

Probably the Duke of Louisston, Lady Starelesska’s father. He stormed toward me, enraged.

(If I’m wrong, so be it. I’ll accept any punishment, even whipping! But if I’m right, I would absolutely regret not acting!!)

I bowed once and said, “If I may,” before continuing. My heart was thumping, and I was drenched in cold sweat.

“It appears that poison has been placed in Lady Starelesska’s glass.”

“Ah! You… from Isac!!!”

Distrust that Isac had brought ill intentions to Haira spread through the venue instantly.

The whispers soon grew into a loud commotion.

“Even if you are a guest of His Highness Skyford, is this how disrespectful people from Isac are!?”

The Duke of Louisston pointed a finger accusingly at me.

“Wait. There seems to be more to this.”

“Your Grace. Please refrain from jumping to conclusions. I, too, would like this properly investigated.”

It was Count Chaudan who chimed in after Lord Skyford.

“Enough!! A member of the ducal house would never do such a thing! This is a false accusation!! Starelesska, what are you doing!? How long will you stay like that!? Get up!!!”

But Lady Starelesska remained motionless, her hands on the ground.

“You…!!!”

“I…”

Just as the Duke of Louisston’s rage peaked, Lady Starelesska let the words spill out.

“What this person, Lady Iris, says is true. I intended to take my own life. I put poison in my own champagne.”

“Starelesska!!! What are you saying?”

Her long hair, shaking faintly, was visibly damaged upon closer look, and the tips of her nails on the ground were chipped.

“…I should have done it when the engagement with Count Chaudan was decided. But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it then. No, to be precise, I thought I would die after shaming you, Father.”

“Wh-what…!?”

“Because, Father, you don’t even think of me as your daughter, do you? You call me a defective, foolish, ugly woman.”

A strained sound escaped the Duke of Louisston’s throat.

“You even said that Count Chaudan, who’s over forty and whose first wife ran away, might take me.”

The gazes that had been on me turned toward the Duke of Louisston.