It Seemed My Fiancé Hated Me, So I Distanced Myself—But for Some Reason, He Complained - Chapter 6

“Clarissa, you weren’t with someone else, were you?”

“Huh?”

Lord Ryan stared at me as he asked.

“No! Nothing like that.”

“Good. I doubt anyone would be that charitable, but even if some young master approaches you, don’t get involved.”

“Yes. Of course, I have no intention of.”

“If any man calls you pretty or beautiful, he’s either trying to curry favor with the marquis house or amusing himself. Don’t trust them.”

Lord Ryan spoke in a cold voice. I simply nodded at his words.

I knew this without being told. That young man from earlier was probably like that too.

Even though I was just being reminded of something I already knew, Lord Ryan’s words felt heavier than usual, sinking deep into my chest.

For some reason, I couldn’t get that young man’s smiling face out of my head.

In the end, that day’s party concluded as just another dreary time spent hiding in Lord Ryan’s shadow.

By the time we returned to the mansion, I was completely exhausted.

(…But who was that young man, anyway?)

The shock of having been seen had kept me from thinking about it until now, but who could he have been?

From his clothing, I could guess he was from a good family, but I didn’t remember seeing him before. Was he a participant in today’s party? If so, why was he alone in the hallway?

Lost in such thoughts, I passed through the mansion’s gate and found my half-sister Chelsea waiting at the entrance.

“My, Sister. You’re late. How was the party? Were you able to spend some lovely time with Lord Ryan?”

Chelsea looked up at me with her wide, peach-colored eyes as she asked. Her apple-red lips were curled into a malicious smile.