Dear Ex-Fiancé, I Hope You Regret Everything - Chapter 29

After that, I went on many dates with Nia and somehow managed to safely reach our engagement.

We received congratulations from His Majesty the King, Prince Skyford, and Lady Iris, but the closer I got, the more dizzying Lady Iris’s beauty became.

When I closed my eyes, I could always picture her porcelain-like skin.

“Drag-o-arc! Are you listening?”

“Huh? Oh, my apologies. What is it?”

“Honestly! Ever since the engagement ceremony ended, you’ve been completely spaced out!”

“I’m just so happy, it feels like a dream.”

“It really does feel like a dream. Oh, I’m so happy.”

Nia happily linked arms with me, her desperately stretched dress emphasizing her flat chest in a way that was painful to watch.

In contrast, Lady Iris preferred dresses that didn’t hide her figure yet remained elegant.

Before criticizing my hairstyle and such, I wanted to tell Nia to take a good look at herself first.

“Goodnight, Dragoark. You’ll come early tomorrow, won’t you?”

“Y-yes. Of course.”

As we parted, we exchanged a melting kiss.

I supported Nia as she stood there, looking like her legs might give out.

She kept pulling on my arm as I got into the carriage, seeming reluctant to let me go. Annoying.

Only when I said “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow” did her fingers finally release.

From the carriage window, she waved again and again.

After Nia’s residence, Divers Castle, disappeared small and smaller behind us, I let out a big sigh and crossed my legs lazily.

“Idiot!”

I stuck out my tongue as hard as I could. The childishness was staining my jacket. I loosened my tie with one hand.

“Who’d put up with that damn brat?”

Lately, Nia has been falling for me more and more. Of course, she would—I’ve been lacing her lips with aphrodisiac.

I spat out the window. I mustn’t swallow any of it myself.

My muffled laughter soon turned into loud guffaws.

“Hahahahaha!! So easy to control!”

If I marry Nia, my position will become even more solid. Since she’s so infatuated, even if I cheat a little, whispering sweet words would easily make her forgive me.

Since childhood, she’s blindly adored only Crown Prince Skyford. The moment that attachment shifted to me, I successfully made her believe all the affection she’d built up until now was meant for me.

Love in general is nothing but an accumulation of feelings. Even after heartbreak, once those feelings are purified, one can start a new love. But suppose you switch the object without giving time to sever the connection. Then the distorted feelings tend to depend on someone else, leaning toward self-affirmation that past feelings weren’t meaningless. The human heart isn’t built that strong.

So very easy.

(The day I can laugh loudly as royalty can’t be far off.)

Humming, the carriage raced through the night road.

✳︎ ✳︎ ✳︎

This was my first tea party with Dragoark.

Today, I’d invited several acquaintances who would likely influence high society going forward.

The moment Dragoark opened his mouth, he said:

“My presence might be intrusive, but I’d be happy to spend a pleasant time with everyone.”

He bowed, his tall frame bending.

Some young ladies even blushed at another person’s fiancé. How rude.

Once we sat at the table, questions immediately flew rapidly at Dragoark.

Most were about how he came to fancy me, or what we liked about each other.

(How trivial.)

The smooth-talking Dragoark cheerfully answered every question.

I’d rather keep those things our secret.

Perhaps noticing the aura of restraint I was emitting, one person hurriedly changed the subject.

“O-oh, that reminds me, has everyone been to Chocolate Bitter?”

At those words, the room burst into excitement.

“Oh yes, of course!”

“I’m hooked on the orangettes…”

“They’re just perfect as gifts for gentlemen too.”

“I’m surprised Isac has such delicious sweets.”

“Have you tried them too, Lady Nia?”

At that question, I couldn’t help puffing out a laugh.

“Oh, forgive me. So you all like that sort of thing, hmph. Unbelievable.”

I was so irritated that my thoughts slipped out. But I couldn’t confidently respond cheerfully about that woman.

The room fell completely silent.

I’d actually planned to bring this out a bit later, but given the bad atmosphere, I decided to get straight to the main topic.

“That’s right! There’s a sweet I absolutely want everyone to try.”

“My! What could it be?”

“How exciting.”

“I wonder what kind of sweet it is.”

Servants distributed dishes to each person.

Dragoark froze when he saw the sweet he was given.

“This, is…?”

“It’s a sweet we’ll be selling soon! Please, everyone, try it?”

“Uh… well…”

They all exchanged glances. No wonder, they must be shocked because it’s so innovative.

“It’s apple compote coated with hardened chocolate! It was my idea! It pairs perfectly with tea, and I’m sure it’ll become popular.”

“But this is just like…”

“Shh!”

“I-It looks delicious…”

“The appearance is cute, too…”

They all exchanged glances and took a bite. The surprised expressions when they ate it! Everyone immediately drank down their tea.

Of course, it pairs excellently with bitter tea. With this, even I can drink tea straight.

“Come now, everyone, there’s still plenty more, so please eat without holding back!”

“…Um, Lady Nia. When exactly are you planning to sell this?”

“Early next month! That’s right, everyone. After trying it, please give me your frank opinions!”

But everyone just exchanged glances and looked down.

Maybe it’s so delicious there’s no room for improvement. With this, I can confidently sell it.

As frustrating as it is, chocolate products have become easily available. With the rising demand for chocolate accompanying this, I’ll ride this wave and put that woman in her place.

Dragoark set down his fork and turned to face me.

“You’re selling this, Lady Nia? This? Why didn’t you consult me until now?”

“Hmph, are you surprised?”

“Since you asked for frank opinions, please don’t dismiss what I’m about to say.”

“Of course! I’ll adjust anything that needs improvement.”

“Honestly, I don’t think this will sell.”

“…What?”

“Apple compote with milk chocolate. It’s too sweet, I really can’t eat it.”

“A-are you insane?”

“I hate to think this, but were you inspired by orangettes?”

“No!!!!!!!! They’re completely different, no matter how you look at it!!!”

He twitched his brow slightly and gently pressed his finger to my lips.

“I want to support you in trying various things. But I can’t bear to see you sad if it doesn’t sell.”

“Dragoark…”

“Why didn’t you consult me? Am I that unreliable?”

“That’s not it! I just wanted to surprise you.”

“Really, you’re such an adorable person.”

He knelt and kissed the back of my hand, making everyone exclaim “My!” and blush softly.

The gathering ended there, and I stared at the sweets left on the table.

(…Don’t they all have messed-up taste buds?)

Even though it’s unnecessary, Dragoark is cheerfully seeing off the young ladies.

Feeling somehow frustrated, I ran through the garden.

Lately, when I’m with Dragoark, I feel uneasy. An indescribable unease. Similar to the emotions I feel when I’m with my brother.

So at the same time, I can’t help remembering that woman.

Starting with the orangette sales, trade has expanded, and it’s frustrating but true that her reputation is rising.

(It really makes me angry.)

The young ladies, on their way to their carriages, were chatting animatedly.

“No matter how you look at it, it’s just copying orangettes.”

“Absolutely. So cloyingly sweet, my tongue still feels numb.”

Blood rushed through my entire body. For a moment, my heartbeat stopped.

“…Ladies, even if this is a secondary residence, refrain from insulting royalty. I don’t want to suffer collateral damage.”

The eldest countess sharply reprimanded them.

The two who were scolded looked down awkwardly.

The countess then boarded her own carriage and promptly left.

Watching her go, the other two hid their mouths with fans and whispered.

“…Saying things like that when she probably wanted to say it herself. No matter who sees it, Lady Nia’s thing is clearly jealousy toward Lady Iris.”

“You’re right.”

Giggling “hee hee hee,” they walked away.

I stood frozen, unable to tell if this scene was really happening.