It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 59
“Enough.”
Lionel’s low, frigid voice sliced through the air, turning the atmosphere ice cold.
“Do not cross the line, Dantère Ortatum.”
I had been staring at him, so I saw it clearly—the way Dantère’s pupils suddenly expanded and then contracted, as if he had just awoken from a fleeting dream.
“Uh…”
Dantère remained frozen for a moment, blinking twice before slowly lowering the hand that had been propping up his chin.
“Did I overstep? If so, I apologize, Priestess.”
I was honestly surprised by how readily he backed down.
“You’ll forgive me, won’t you?”
“Yes.”
I answered briefly and even nodded once. A relieved smile spread across Dantère’s face.
“Thank you.”
…If he was going to act like that, why did he even provoke Lionel in the first place?
“It’s a shame, though. It would’ve been fun if Sasha had come along.”
Vivian muttered, but I focused on my cake, pretending not to hear.
Of all things, it was the Crown Prince Axion’s birthday banquet. I’d have to be out of my mind to willingly go there.
“If it doesn’t matter who, then perhaps you should withdraw your proposal to Vivian,” Ardin said.
Dantère shrugged.
“Vivian’s bound to go with Calitas anyway, so whatever.”
“You never know.”
“Do as you like. It’s always more fun to steal someone who already has a partner.”
Dantère shot a wink at Vivian, who merely chuckled as if she were used to his antics.
Seeing her reaction, I realized they must have gotten fairly close. That must have made Ardin uneasy.
Though he tried to conceal it, he couldn’t hide the fact that his throat had gone dry—he kept sipping his tea over and over.
“And what about you, Brother? Who will you be attending the Crown Prince’s banquet with?”
Ah…
Now that I thought about it, Lionel couldn’t exactly skip such an event.
What was he planning to do?
“I heard the youngest princess has been waiting for Lord Luanax’s proposal.”
“She’s been following him around since forever. But wouldn’t the Marchioness of Hillis be a better match than that little kid? Her family is close with yours, after all.”
“True, she has shown interest in Lord Luanax for quite some time now.”
Listening to Ardin and Dantère’s conversation, I started feeling… strange.
I had expected Lionel to be one of the most sought-after bachelors in high society. That was obvious. But now that I was hearing actual names, it finally sank in.
Who had Lionel escorted to past official events?
Just as he had done with me, had he offered his arm to someone else, matching their pace with courteous precision?
Had he exchanged glances and given gentle smiles to other women?
The thought unsettled me. It was perfectly natural, so why did I find it so hard to brush off?
As everyone’s eyes turned toward Lionel, he tilted his head slightly.
“Who knows? I’m not sure I even need a partner.”
At his response, Dantère scrunched his nose.
“Well, that’s exactly the kind of answer I expected… You really live such a boring life.”
Ardin, too, seemed unsurprised.
‘So Lionel usually attended alone.’
Well, he didn’t seem like the type to enjoy balls anyway. That thought unexpectedly put me at ease.
But then… why was Vivian suddenly staring at me?
Her expression looked somewhat troubled.
‘Do I have something on my face?’
I discreetly took out my handkerchief and wiped my mouth.
That didn’t seem to be the reason. There was nothing on the fabric.
* * *
After that tea time, not only Dantère but also Ardin started visiting the Luanax estate more frequently.
Not that it had anything to do with me.
Since both of them were here to see Vivian, there was no reason for them to set foot in the annex.
With my healing contract with Vivian officially ended, there was even less of a chance of running into them.
I had also started forming connections with the maids in the main residence, so whenever guests arrived, I would be informed immediately. On those days, I made sure to stay holed up in the annex’s library.
Even when Dantère or Ardin occasionally joined Lionel and me for dinner, they had enough sense not to say or do anything disrespectful toward me.
Gradually, I started to feel more at ease.
Until the day Dantère barged into the annex library with a maid in tow.
