It Seemed My Fiancé Hated Me, So I Distanced Myself—But for Some Reason, He Complained - Chapter 13

“Then might I not accompany you as well? If I were to join Lord Ryan and Sister Clarissa, I don’t believe anyone would criticize us! After all, I am my sister’s sibling, so there should be no issue whatsoever!”

“No, but Miss Chelsea.”

Pressed by Chelsea, Lord Ryan was visibly flustered.

Listening to their conversation from across the room as if it were someone else’s affair, I found myself thinking that might not be such a bad idea.

If that were the case, I wouldn’t have to spend another dreary evening enduring Lord Ryan’s displeased expressions as usual.

Lord Ryan spoke to Chelsea in a placating tone.

“But Miss Chelsea, surely there are many young gentlemen who would wish to be your partner? There’s no need for you to deliberately accompany us.”

“But I hardly know any of them! I’d much rather go with Lord Ryan!”

“However…”

Lord Ryan appeared quite troubled.

Whatever his true feelings might be, being the son of a duke, he must be concerned about how others would perceive him accompanying his fiancée’s sister.

Just as I was considering whether I ought to counsel Chelsea as her elder sister, an amusing thought suddenly occurred to me.

I knew it wasn’t particularly proper. But perhaps I had grown somewhat weary of enduring Lord Ryan’s exasperated attitude day after day.

Before I knew it, I had spoken almost impulsively.

“Lord Ryan, what if you and Chelsea were to attend together? If you explain that you’re serving as chaperone for Chelsea, who hasn’t made her society debut yet, the other attendees would surely understand.”

Upon hearing this, Lord Ryan looked at me with a stunned expression.

After standing there dumbfounded for a moment, Lord Ryan seemed to collect himself and spoke.

“Clarissa, what are you saying!? Do you really think it would be acceptable for me to attend a royal party with a young lady other than my fiancée as my partner!?”

“If you’re concerned about appearances, you may tell everyone that it was my suggestion.”

“Sister, really? How unusually thoughtful of you!”

Lord Ryan glared at me with a fearsome expression, while Chelsea was hopping about excitedly.

Lord Ryan looked at me with resentful eyes as he spoke.