Dear Ex-Fiancé, I Hope You Regret Everything - Chapter 8

I knew Lady Iris was being treated poorly by her fiancé.

I had even witnessed it myself.

It was so painful it felt like drinking boiling water, and my chest ached.

How many times had I thought about scooping up that hand resting on the floor and stealing her away?

(What did you say? The engagement is broken off?)

When I heard the details from Lady Iris, I wanted to hug her.

I want you to know how beautiful you are, even when you’ve lost your confidence.

I knelt once more and extended my hand.

“Then, Lady Iris. I can invite you without hesitation. Please allow me to escort you.”

“…Yes, I’d be delighted.”

Her shy smile was like that of an angel.

I struggled desperately to suppress the urge to hug her, feeling like I might lose control.

✳︎ ✳︎ ✳︎

That evening, the celebration party began.

Introduced as a state guest, I descended the staircase. Together with Iris.

Not only nobles from this country but also several from Haira were present.

Among the many people was Iris’s “ex”-fiancé, Cain Bellad, the son of a count.

The murmurs in the hall were directed not only at me but also at Iris.

“Who is that young lady? Is she from Haira?”

“It’s frustrating, but she suits Lord Skyford so well!”

“How beautiful she is…”

I could hear such sighs mixed with admiration.

Only Cain was different.

He was staring at Iris in shock.

(So, he’s realized that the one beside me is Lady Iris.)

Well, well. For someone who neglected Lady Iris to fool around, he certainly seems to be dreaming about her.

The more I think about it, the more infuriating he becomes.

I deliberately stopped in front of Cain. The flashy noblewoman clinging to his arm was staring at me, her cheeks flushed.

If men will be men, then women will be women.

When I glanced at Trad, he looked exasperated, and everyone in the hall was in turmoil.

“Pleased to meet you. You’re Cain, right? I’m Skyford Savarias.”

“Uh… Wha… Uh…”

“Oh? Can’t you even manage a proper greeting?”

“Guh!!!… Pleased to meet you. I’m Cain Bellad.”

“That’s right, Cain. Thanks to you breaking off the engagement, my dream of escorting Lady Iris Dostoevsky has come true. Thank you.”

Cain’s face turned amusingly pale, and he looked utterly crushed.

“No way!?”

“That’s Lady Iris!? That’s her!?”

“What’s going on!?”

Just as the murmurs in the hall reached their peak, I knelt before Iris.

“Lady Iris Dostoevsky, I have admired you for a very long time. Please, marry me.”

The buzzing hall fell completely silent.

To be precise, it was as if everyone was too shocked to make a sound.

Iris’s hand was trembling.

I squeezed it tightly and gazed firmly into her beautiful eyes.

Iris nodded slightly.

“Yes. I would be delighted to accept.”

I kissed the back of her hand, then pulled her into a tight embrace.

And since I have a bit of a mean streak, while hugging Iris, I glanced over at Cain.

Cain could only stand frozen, torn between lingering attachment and regret for the fiancée he had trampled on, while the woman beside him stared at us blankly.

Trad started clapping with an expression that said, “Of course,” and applause erupted all around. Clapping exaggeratedly, he strode up to me and slung an arm over my shoulder.

“To think the unattainable young lady had her engagement broken. Why has luck always been on your side since forever…?”

“Hmm, I’d prefer to call it the victory of love.”

Just then, my eyes caught a maid staring unnaturally at us from afar.

The maid weaved through the crowd, steadily approaching us.

“Die! Iris!!!!”