It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 153
“Understood.”
Surprisingly, Lionel didn’t get any angrier than that.
Not only Dantère, but even Vivian and I widened our eyes at the unexpected turn. But Lionel returned to my side as if nothing had happened.
The maids, who’d been eyeing the situation anxiously, began hastily transferring the dishes piled on the trolley onto the table.
“Vivian.”
“Yes, brother.”
Vivian replied, her face visibly tense.
“We’ll have to postpone the annulment.”
“Ah… so Halid refused our offer?”
“Yes. He asked for a little more time.”
Vivian stared off into the air for a moment, then nodded.
“All right. Then I suppose I’ll have to personally…”
Just then, Cale, who had been waiting by the entrance of the greenhouse, hurried over to Lionel and spoke.
“Your Grace, Duke Halid Calitas has arrived.”
…Truly, this mansion’s doors might as well be open to the public. This wasn’t a notice, it was practically an announcement. At this point, isn’t it more of a ‘gathering square’?
Not even a full minute after Cale’s words, Halid appeared in the glass greenhouse, carrying a bouquet and a gift box.
‘Wow… pulled out all the stops, huh?’
Today’s Halid looked like he had put so much effort into being styled to perfection. His neatly brushed silver hair and white suit embroidered with gold thread made his appearance shine all the more.
After offering a polite nod to Lionel and me, Halid made a beeline toward Vivian.
“Vivian.”
Even she seemed startled to see him so dressed up,and bearing gifts, no less. She blinked up at him in surprise.
“Forgive me for dropping in unannounced.”
“…What’s going on all of a sudden?”
Handing her the bouquet and box, Halid spoke with a stiff, somewhat nervous expression.
“Would you accompany me to the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet?”
A formal invitation to be his partner at the Imperial Ball!
Come to think of it, it wasn’t far off.
I remembered Ardin and Dantère having a tense standoff about this before. Had Vivian chosen between them to be her partner already?
‘Since the annulment isn’t yet finalized, she must be weighing her options carefully.’
If the news of the annulment between their two houses had already spread in society, it might’ve been fine. But attending a palace banquet with a man who wasn’t her betrothed before any formal announcement was… improper.
Vivian, who had been staring blankly at Halid, nodded her head.
“All right. Let’s do that.”
So she had rejected Ardin and Dantère after all.
Dantère took a sharp gulp of tea, clearly displeased.
He’d once claimed it was more fun stealing someone else’s partner, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed losing.
According to A Night of Entwined Serpents, both Ardin and Dantère had fallen for Vivian only after sleeping with her.
With last night’s heat still lingering, it must’ve stung to watch another man swoop in.
“Have you already arranged a dress?”
“No, not yet.”
“Perfect. I’ll ask Madame Charlene to come by.”
Madame Charlene was currently the most sought-after designer in the Imperial Capital. She was the one Lionel had planned to summon for my own fittings while selecting my jewelry.
“It must’ve been hard to get a booking… Thank you, Halid.”
Maybe Lionel had given him a hand. After all, the reason Madame Charlene wasn’t taking appointments was me. She’d blocked out three months of her schedule.
Since she was already coming to the Luanax estate, I imagine he simply added Vivian to the list.
‘He really put thought into this.’
Halid said he’d try, and this was doing quite well for himself.
As expected of the male lead I’ve been rooting for!
