Chapter 41

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 41

Chapter Title: Disastrous Blind Dates

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“Hoo.”

Lucia suppressed her rage, which seemed ready to erupt at any moment, and hurriedly left the cafe.

Fortunately, Simon did not follow her.

‘Whether he follows or not.’

The information Yohan had given her definitely hadn’t mentioned a woman. In fact, it had noted that his relationships with women were clean.

‘Either Father’s information was wrong, or he’s been secretly meeting her while fooling everyone’s eyes. One of the two.’

No, if Yohan had known about this, he wouldn’t have included him as a candidate in the first place—he’d have handled it himself.

Stepping on not just a dud but a total bomb right from the first meeting left her with lingering displeasure that wouldn’t fade.

Lucia quickened her pace even more toward the carriage depot where she had arranged to meet Seyn.

Since she’d finished earlier than planned, it would be faster to go there herself than wait for the carriage.

Fortunately, the depot was nearby. Upon arriving, she came face-to-face with a startled Seyn.

“Young Lady! Did you finish already? It’s only been an hour…”

“This one was a bust. I’ll tell you the details on the way back.”

“Understood. Shall we head straight to the estate, then?”

As she climbed into the carriage with Seyn’s help, Lucia paused.

“Let’s pick up some spicy food on the way.”

Seyn, who knew full well that Lucia craved spicy food when angry or stressed, nodded quietly.

She couldn’t even begin to imagine what the blind date partner must have done to make the usually composed Lucia this furious.

As wished, Lucia bought some chicken skewers slathered in special hot sauce midway and returned to the estate.

The servants were equally surprised by her early return.

As Lucia entered her room without a word, Seyn prepared the snacks she’d bought for a mood boost, along with some palate-cleansing desserts.

Seyn cautiously sat beside her as she sullenly bit into the chicken skewers.

“Can you tell me what happened now?”

Seyn stole a glance at Lucia. They looked spicy enough to make her eyes water just looking at them, yet Lucia ate them without issue.

“He suggested a contract marriage.”

“...A contract marriage?”

“Yeah. He’d heard the rumors that I like Herwin and assumed we had that kind of relationship. Since he has a girlfriend on the side, he thought we should just make it work…”

“What kind of rude, insolent person says something like that!”

Before Lucia could even finish, Seyn gasped in outrage, fuming.

“What does he take you for, to make such a proposal…! And a woman, no less! What a promiscuous scoundrel.”

“It was annoying enough that he admitted to having a girlfriend, but what really pissed me off was lumping me and Herwin in the same category as him.”

More than his confession of having a separate lover, it was the way he’d tangled her and Herwin together into some scandalous affair that fueled her anger even more.

‘How does someone even arrive at that conclusion?’

She’d thought the rumors in high society were limited to her unrequited crush on Herwin, but had some circles twisted it into a messy fling like Simon claimed?

‘No, if that were the case, it would’ve reached my ears.’

Even if she paid little attention to society gossip, she had connections. If such rumors existed, they would’ve trickled to her through some channel.

Which meant it was most likely just Simon’s own deduction.

“Young Lady, don’t just let this slide—file a formal complaint! You can’t let such an insult go unanswered!”

Seyn urged, still unable to calm her own anger.

“I haven’t considered protesting, but I should probably tell Father…”

“Exactly! You absolutely can’t let it be.”

Lucia briefly imagined Yohan’s reaction when she told him the truth.

Soon picturing him in a rage, she clamped her mouth shut.

Her father rarely lost his temper, but when it came to family matters, he didn’t hold back.

If he got truly furious as she expected, it could escalate into a dispute between houses.

She had no desire to stir up unnecessary trouble.

“For now, let’s see how it plays out.”

“Young Lady!”

“There are still three more candidates. If I find someone good among them, that’s that. No need to make a big deal out of it.”

“I suppose, but…”

“Don’t tell Father. That’s an order.”

“...Yes, ma’am.”

The word “order” made Seyn back down.

Lucia finished off the remaining skewers while lost in thought.

‘Surely not all the rest are weirdos too, right?’

The second blind date was in three days. Hoping the next one would be normal, Lucia let out a sigh.

Rattle, rattle—

Inside the jostling carriage, Seyn quietly minimized her presence to avoid irking the person sitting across from her.

The one she was minding was none other than Lucia.

The reason for her foul mood was that all three blind dates had been disasters.

The match right after the first one, Simon Dayhard, was Harriot Solred of the Solred Viscount House.

He was two years younger than Lucia and had inherited the viscountcy young, currently spearheading a major business venture.

No issues so far—but the problems started after that.

‘My mother has recently been suffering from dementia. As I’m her only child, I haven’t been able to care for her properly. If you became my wife, Lady, I’d ask that you look after her. It’s more reassuring for family than a stranger.’

The documents had indeed mentioned his mother’s illness, but they also noted she had a dedicated caregiver.

Yet here he was, making such an excessive request to someone he’d just met.

‘How many children are you thinking of having? As I mentioned, I grew up lonely as an only child. I’d like my own children to have many siblings. I’m thinking at least three—what do you say, Lady?’

Not only that, but asking about family planning before even holding hands.

‘I’m busy with my current business and don’t have much time. Since we both have to marry anyway, why not keep it simple? How about this month?’

And unilaterally pushing for a quickie wedding without a word from her.

None of it sat right.

In the end, Lucia politely turned him down. His response?

‘Are you serious? You’ll regret it.’

‘Why would I?’

‘Because it’ll be hard to find a groom as decent as me, Lady.’

It wasn’t sarcasm—it was sincere. That made it all the more infuriating.

‘Even if I don’t follow society gossip, I know your rumors, Lady. Think about it: what man would accept a woman who’s been pining for another for over ten years?’

‘That’s none of your concern, Viscount.’

‘Is it? Well, think it over. Men like me, who’d take you without conditions, aren’t a dime a dozen.’

Not as outrageous as Simon, but annoying in a different way.

The type who scratches at your insides, then acts baffled that truth hurts. She despised that sort.

After the second date, Lucia steeled herself. Yohan’s documents were detailed, but they said nothing about personalities—too many variables.

For the third, she went in with an open mind.

The third was Aren Balter of the Balter Count House—the only one younger than her.

Approaching the meeting with low expectations, Lucia discovered something unexpected.

‘You were my junior at the Academy. I had no idea.’

‘Haha, really? I’ve seen you around a few times. Shame I didn’t know we’d meet like this—I should’ve said hi.’

With only a one-year gap and most nobles attending the Imperial Academy, it was natural he was a direct junior.

Chatting about Academy days, time flew by unnoticed.

This one seemed better than the previous two.

‘Honestly, I was shocked when the proposal came. I thought you and Senior Herwin were together.’

‘That rumor too?’

‘More like my guess. You two seemed so close, I figured secret dating.’

‘Unfortunately, Young Lord Peneus and I are just friends. We’ve never dated.’

Aren’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘Really? Not even once?’

‘Yes, purely friends.’

‘Ah… I see.’

They talked more after that. For the first time, Lucia thought this one might make a decent spouse.

They parted after agreeing to exchange letters. She appreciated him escorting her to the shop entrance.

‘I’ll be off, then. It was a pleasure, Lady.’

‘Yes, I enjoyed it too. Safe travels.’

After bidding farewell, Lucia waited for Seyn to bring the carriage. That’s when she spotted a handkerchief on the ground.

It had Aren’s initials embroidered on it.

She picked it up and glanced toward where he’d gone—he was just turning the corner.

To return it, Lucia hurried after him.

Rounding the corner, she saw him by a carriage with another man. She opened her mouth to call out.

“Balter Young…”

‘How was Agnes Lady?’

But their conversation reached her first. Lucia froze.

‘You were right. They’ve never even held hands.’

‘Hahaha! Told you! I win the bet.’

‘Damn, there goes my plan.’

Bet? Plan? Ruined? She couldn’t make sense of it.

But one thing was clear: he had ulterior motives.

Feeling her blood run cold, Lucia eavesdropped further.

‘Too bad. Golden chance to snag Peneus Young Lord’s girl.’

‘Tell me about it. Thought she’d dated Senior Herwin for sure—total letdown. Figured at least once.’

‘I don’t get why you assumed they dated. Anyway, why obsess over Peneus Young Lord?’

Aren smirked, raking a hand through his hair. The gentle face he’d shown Lucia now twisted into a sinister grin.

‘He’s too perfect—makes you wanna knock him down a peg.’

‘What?’

‘You know how it is. Wanted to feel superior by getting engaged to Agnes Lady. Bummer.’

‘So, you dropping it?’

Aren frowned as if pondering, then grinned wolfishly.

‘I’ll think it over. Agnes House isn’t bad, and the Lady’s a beauty. Not a terrible wife. She’s already half-fallen for me—just a few nods and she melted. Disappointing, really. Women should play hard to get.’

Learning Aren’s true colors, Lucia’s lips curled downward.

She felt no rage or sorrow—just a blank, emotionless stare, as if regarding an object.

Lucia stepped forward toward the blabbering Aren. Watching his face drain of color upon spotting her was quite the sight.

‘My, what an entertaining monologue.’

‘A-Agnes Lady?’

‘Hiding such a nasty interior behind that smile. Nearly fooled me, Young Master.’

Aren realized she’d heard everything and panicked.

Lucia dropped the handkerchief at his feet—the one she’d meant to return.

‘No point in further meetings.’

As she turned to leave, Aren belatedly grabbed her arm. His face was a bizarre mix of tears and laughter as he wagged his tongue.

‘L-Lady, I don’t know where you heard that, but it’s all a misunderstanding. Us guys joke like that sometimes…’

‘No excuses needed. I have no desire to see you again, Young Master.’

She shook off his arm firmly and strode away. But soon, she glanced back.

‘Daring to surpass Herwin? Arrogant or just clueless about your place.’

Aren’s pale face flushed crimson. Lucia raked him head to toe with a blatant stare.

‘You can’t even match the tip of Herwin’s toe. Drop the delusions, kid.’

‘W-What did you just…’

Ignoring his tantrum, Lucia returned to the estate.

All three blind dates: total failures.

And now, Lucia was en route to meet the final candidate.

None of the men so far had appealed to her—in fact, they’d all been the worst. By this point, her mood wasn’t just sour; her patience was fraying to the breaking point.