Our Summer Isn't Over Yet - Chapter 19

Marquis Philville, the host of today’s party, greeted Mia, Dylan, and me. “Duke Richard, and madam. It’s been a while. Thank you for accepting my invitation.”

“No, thank you for inviting us.”

Marquis and Marchioness Philville were very conscious of appearances, so the party was extravagant and magnificent.

It was past seven o’clock, but it was summer, so the days were long and it was still bright. Looking around, I didn’t have to worry about the darkness because of the streetlights everywhere.

“My wife was very excited that the Richard couple would be visiting.”

“Is that so? Where is your wife? I’d like to say hello.”

“She’s inside, greeting guests and chatting. I’ll guide you to where my wife is.”

At Marquis Philville’s gesture, a servant who had been waiting beside her approached her. As Dylan and Mia began to move, they heard the sound of a car stopping behind them.

As it was the largest banquet held by the noble families since the end of the war, Marquis Philville conveyed different times to the invitees in order to personally greet all visitors. So, no one was supposed to come at this time except Mia and Dylan.

The embarrassed Marquis Philville gaped, then closed his mouth after confirming who got out of the car. Mia and Dylan’s gazes slowly turned to that spot as well, due to his reaction.

The first thing that caught my eye was the red hair. The color scheme that matched the setting sun was enough to make my eyes dizzy. The other person elegantly smiled and greeted Marquis Philville, pushing the long red hair behind her ear.

“It’s been a while, Marquis Philville.”

It was Annabelle Rook, the only daughter of the Rook family.

She still looked beautiful, even though she had been confined to her home for nearly three years and lived in squalor.

“Duke Richard, it’s been a while.”

“The Rook family seems to have no manners.”

“Were we ever in a position to talk about manners?”

Annabelle placed a slender hand on her cheek and briefly glanced at Mia, who was standing next to Dylan. The cheek covered by her hand was also the area where Mia had been scratched when Annabelle scratched Mia’s face before.

Mia’s lips slightly drooped as she recalled that day. Ignoring their feelings, Annabelle continued.

“I don’t think I need to be polite to the Duke who killed my fiancé.”

At her remark, Dylan’s expression gradually began to sink. Marquis Philville sensed the increasingly fierce atmosphere and hurriedly tried to defuse the situation by making a cheerful voice and trying to change the subject.

Mia decided that there was no point in staying here any longer. She immediately expressed her intention to Marquis Philville that he should contact the Rook family.

As a short conversation ensued, Annabelle opened her mouth again.

“How is it? These clothes and accessories. You know them well, Duke.”

The atmosphere became even colder.

I wondered why Annabelle was wearing clothes that were so out of fashion, but it seemed she was trying to stimulate Dylan’s guilt.

“Rodrigo gave them to me as a gift before he went to the last war. Do you remember?”

Mia knew why Annabelle was acting like this. It wasn’t because she had affection for her former fiancé, Rodrigo, that she was acting this way.

To be exact, she was trying to use Dylan’s guilt to stay by his side by poking at him in this way.

“Lady Rook, you should stop there. Dylan, let’s go inside.”

“Oh, come to think of it, Her Highness the Princess is here too.”

Princess.

It was no different from saying that she would not recognize her as the Duchess Richard.

“This title is ridiculous now. A princess who ruined my country.”

I knew that Annabelle didn’t care about anyone’s opinion because she didn’t even blink an eye while threatening Mia in front of everyone, but I didn’t expect her to be this rude.

“How does it feel to kill your parents with your own hands?”

I knew that Annabelle wasn’t talking about her own parents. Still, it was hard for Mia to open her mouth.

At that moment, Dylan’s cold voice was heard.

“Lady Rook should be grateful that your father was my superior.”

“What?”

“If that weren’t the case, you would have been dragged away from this spot for blasphemy without any hesitation.”

“I didn’t know you would talk to me like that, Duke.”

Annabelle’s hands trembled.

She seemed to feel betrayed by Dylan. Even with that reaction, he was still cold.

Mia looked at Dylan, who was standing next to her. He usually showed a rather taciturn side, but this was on a different level. He was also quite different from a little while ago, when he didn’t react much to the words that scratched at him.

Mia involuntarily flinched at the spine-chilling murderous intent. As if noticing her movement, Dylan withdrew his murderous intent. Then, he stroked the small hand placed on his arm a few times.

“If you dare to make such disrespectful remarks to my wife one more time, next time you will meet me not in this party hall, but in a courtroom.”

Mia momentarily forgot Annabelle’s remarks and felt a tickling sensation rising from her hand. As she wiggled and tried to pull her hand away, Dylan turned his gaze to Mia and said quietly.

His expression was still stiff, but the words he spoke were not cold.

“Stay still.”

At his iron-clad attitude, Mia released the strength in her hand. Only after seeing Mia become docile did Dylan turn his head and meet Annabelle’s gaze.

“If you don’t want to know that your status and wealth are useless, I hope you don’t do such ignorant things in the future.”

“Your Excellency doesn’t have the wealth to bring down the Rook family.”

As she said, Dylan had no way to beat them. At least, that’s what Mia knew. This was because the Rook family, who had accumulated wealth throughout the war, had considerable wealth.

Besides, Dylan didn’t show any particular attitude regarding ‘inheritance’. As of now, it was clear that he had no way to beat the Rook family.

Dylan, who clearly knew that fact, answered without any hesitation.

“If you’re curious, try it.”

I could faintly hear the sound of Annabelle clenching her teeth so hard. She turned her head towards Mia with a murderous expression. Dylan blocked Mia’s path.

“If you want to maintain a peaceful life in a place where the Rook family’s power reaches, you should listen carefully to what I say.”

Dylan said that without hiding his unpleasant feelings, and then asked Marquis Philville for guidance.

Marquis Philville, who had been blankly watching, blinked and hurriedly gave instructions to the servant. Dylan, guided by the servant, took care of Mia and moved to the party hall, as if he didn’t want to be here any longer. Annabelle took in the sight of the two of them as they were.

She clenched her fists and glared at them.

Marquis Philville cautiously asked Annabelle, who was glaring at the backs of the two, if she would attend the party. He wanted to kick her out right away for ruining the atmosphere, but she was the only daughter of Duke Rook.

Even though she hadn’t shown her face in society for three years, it was clear that the Rook family was behind Annabelle. He didn’t know what attitude Duke Pablo Rook would take if he kicked her out recklessly.

He considered keeping Annabelle until Duke Pablo Rook arrived, but it was time for the next nobleman to visit. Marquis Philville, who let out a short sigh, sincerely asked Annabelle.

“Please, don’t be an uninvited guest at my wife’s long-awaited party.”

However, she moved to the car she had arrived in before Marquis Philville could continue speaking. Her gait was quite confident. She didn’t seem to have any gap of three years. The car carrying her soon passed in front of the Marquis.

Marquis Philville, who was left alone there, wondered whether he should be angry at Annabelle for ignoring him, or be grateful that she withdrew without ruining the party any further.

His thoughts didn’t last long.

“My goodness, it’s like seeing Your Excellency.”

Walter March, who would brighten up this party as much as the Richard couple, appeared. Marquis Philville, who had completely forgotten the previous situation, hurriedly greeted Walter.

Dylan didn’t open his mouth while walking to the party hall. After walking for a while, looking at him with his lips tightly shut, the hostess of the party, Marchioness Philville, appeared.

“Welcome, Duke Richard. And madam.”

Her face was anxious, as if she had been informed of what had happened earlier.

Instead of Dylan, who didn’t answer the greeting, Mia smiled and handed over the gift she had brought to ease the atmosphere.

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