I Got My Engagement Annulled… Even Though We Were Never Engaged - Chapter 9

“—But.

‘Um… do you have some business with our territory?’

Three days later, I looked up at Lord Fevan Levesius, who had appeared before me, with a look of dismay.

Why had Lord Fevan, holding a bouquet of flowers, appeared at the entrance of my home?

Lord Fevan, tall enough to look down on me, wore a cheerful, beaming smile.

‘I heard from my sister that you had returned to your territory.’

No, no, that doesn’t really answer my question, does it?

My mother, who had come to the entrance with me, upon seeing Lord Fevan’s beauty, simply said ‘Oh my,’ and then froze with her mouth hanging wide open.

Well, I get it! He has exceptionally rare good looks. But Mother, isn’t it a bit rude to freeze like that with that expression on your face?

Then, my father, who had finally appeared at the entrance, hobbling along with his cane, began to say, ‘Welcome from such a far.’ before freezing solid.

Huh, you too? I turned around and noticed that my father’s eyes were locked onto the bouquet Lord Fevan was holding, and I felt puzzled.

What in the world…? When I took another look at the bouquet, I finally realized and gasped sharply.

…One, two, three, four… Eek! All twelve of them are Eternal Roses?!

What an outrageous thing to bring with him, I nearly felt dizzy.

Just one of those is valuable enough to buy a huge mansion in the royal capital. No, perhaps even more. There must be tens of thousands of nobles who would want those roses without caring about the cost.

As I trembled, going ‘Awa-wa-wa-wa,’ my father was the first to snap out of it, practically shoving me aside as he stepped in front of Lord Fevan.

…I mean, Father! Greetings! Greetings!! Your eyes are completely glued to the Eternal Roses!!

Lord Fevan tilted his head at my father, who was staring at the Eternal Roses with bloodshot eyes, then flashed a grin as if plotting something, and offered the bouquet to my father.

‘Lord Cambrelive, as a token of our acquaintance. I am Fevan Levesius. I have come to request your permission to court your daughter.’

In response, my father, who had reflexively accepted the roses, nodded with a bright smile.

‘Please, please! Stay as long as you like and court her as much as you want!!’

Father, nooooooooo!!

My father, completely hooked by the Eternal Roses, had readily granted Lord Fevan permission to stay.

Even my mother was stunned by this, but with twelve Eternal Roses right before her eyes. Roses one could never obtain in ordinary life. I began to feel it was inevitable that the scales would tip in favor of the roses over his daughter’s distress. After all, that’s just how Father is.

Had Lord Fevan said ‘permission to marry,’ my father’s attitude might have changed again, but it seemed to work in his favor that he said ‘permission to court.’ My father’s attitude practically screamed, ‘Court her all you want!’ and though it irritated me, since the head of the household had given his permission, there was nothing I could do.

According to Bail, my father’s magic potion research seems to be reaching its final stages.

With the potion to restore his own health nearly complete, Father has been in high spirits lately, and his research enthusiasm seems to have risen, wanting to use more Eternal Roses for various experiments. I also know he’s been eyeing the remaining roses in my room.

With twelve Eternal Roses presented to him like that, there was no way Father wouldn’t jump at the opportunity.

…The timing is just too awful!!

Well, from his perspective, I suppose it was perfect timing. He probably didn’t plan it that way, but Lord Fevan might be someone not to be underestimated.

My mother also, while looking at my father, said, ‘What a hopeless man,’ and invited Lord Fevan inside.

If she knew about that broken engagement scandal, she’d probably kick him out, but fortunately, it hasn’t reached my mother’s ears yet. To her now, Lord Fevan is a handsome young man who has come to court her daughter. There’s no way she wouldn’t welcome him.

Feeling utterly drained, I looked up at Lord Fevan as he entered the entranceway with a cheerful smile.

‘What are you thinking…?’

‘What do you mean? I told you. I’ve come to court you, Lady Adeline.’

If that’s a joke, it’s not funny.

‘Lord Fevan, you could choose anyone much prettier than me as you please, couldn’t you? What exactly are you plotting?’

‘I’m not plotting anything, and I told you, you’re cute, didn’t I?’

That again.

I simply can’t understand what he sees in me that he calls me cute.

‘Fine, whatever. Do as you please until you get bored.’

He’s bound to lose interest soon anyway.

At that time, yes, I was underestimating him.