LRAB Chapter 72
Chapter 72
“Did you forget?”
Well, he had been quite drunk, to the point of falling asleep while we were talking.
Seeing my disdainful gaze, he hastily asked again.
“I’m really sorry, but what did I say that day?”
“You said, ‘I heard she’s the most graceful lady in high society, but she doesn’t seem quite aristocratic, it feels out of place.’”
“....”
“And.”
I purposely dropped the bait, throwing in a line he hadn’t even mentioned.
“You said you wanted to find her weaknesses.”
“Her weaknesses? I couldn’t have said that! I don’t have bad feelings toward her, well, I don’t have any good feelings either!”
Rick was genuinely flustered.
Even when he was drunk, he said the same thing. He had no intention of finding any weaknesses.
Can I believe him?
I sighed a little in relief and shook my head.
“You didn’t say you were going to find her weaknesses. You said, ‘I’m not trying to find any weaknesses, but I was curious.’”
“Ah... that’s it.”
“And you were grumbling about receiving an impolite gift. What was it again? Unwrapped cookies. Looks like you had quite the grudge?”
“...Please forget about the cookies.”
“Of course, I should forget about it. Though, it could be a clue that would lead me to figure out your identity.”
I gently continued, striking at Rick’s discomfort.
“Don’t worry. I’m not close to Doris Redfield, and I’m not planning on unmasking you. If you want, I’ll bet the salon membership and my family.”
Because I am Doris Redfield! And I already know who you are!
I wasn’t lying.
Rick let out a deep sigh.
“I made more mistakes than I realized that day. As expected, alcohol is nothing but harmful.”
“You must have been really hurt by your rejection. I guess something as simple as a cookie would stay with you as a grudge.”
“Please stop with the cookie talk... I envy you, though. You don’t seem like the type to get so drunk you forget everything.”
“What do you mean? Getting drunk enough to lose your memory?”
“The experience of losing love right in front of you, and then losing yourself because of it.”
“....”
“Though, I haven’t seen your true expression, I imagine you’re always so composed, analyzing everything even outside of the salon.”
“...That’s an overstatement. It’s not that I’ve never had my heart broken, but I’m not strong.”
I wasn’t strong with my ex either. I slowly fell for him, a visitor to the library, enjoyed the fluttering feeling of dating, and let myself be swept up in it without realizing it was wrong. Then, at some point, the illusion was shattered. The whole process was like a Ferris wheel on a stormy day—lifting me up, shaking me, and dropping me.
And now...
“I guess I just don’t understand my own feelings.”
“Feelings?”
“Yes. Until recently, I had something I thought was mine.”
“A man?”
That day, Maria asked:
“-Are you all interested in the first viewing?”
“No. I’ll leave the enjoyment for that day.”
Just meeting Doris alone had already twisted my most important plan. If I heard her sing, would I be able to spend the rest of the day with my sanity intact?
So, I politely declined.
And yet, the annoying guy beside me spoke up again.
“If you need an audience, I’m happy to oblige!”
What am I supposed to do if you say that?
Tristan quickly changed the subject. Need to practice and evaluate? Well, of course, he had to! He couldn’t ignore his fiancée’s requests!
“If needed, I’ll...”
“After it’s finished...”
What is this guy?
I almost let out my frustration. If Rick Ray hadn’t looked equally perplexed, I would have said it out loud.
I really don’t like him.
Usually, when getting to know someone, the first impression doesn’t always stick, but Rick Ray kept making me feel the same discomfort I first felt.
His practiced smirk irritated me. The cold, sharp gaze that surfaced once the smile faded made me even more uncomfortable.
And the most unsettling thing was that Doris didn’t seem as uncomfortable with him as Tristan did.
They were together for a brief moment during the hunting competition.
What kind of conversation did they have back then?
I have no right to ask about that.
Tristan never once apologized or explained his behavior regarding the bouquet for Maria or the dance invitation. He had no right to comment on his fiancée’s actions.
Swallowing my growing doubts, time passed swiftly, and soon a servant came upstairs to inform Tristan that the training grounds were ready.
No time to waste. With a sense of relief, Tristan got up and spoke to Doris.
“I’m looking forward to your performance.”
I was glad I was used to hiding my emotions when speaking.
...Or at least I was good at speaking.
His gaze didn’t leave me for a moment, but I was the first to retreat. Now, we wouldn’t meet face-to-face until the charity performance.
As we walked to the underground training grounds, Rick spoke.
“I’m always grateful to Lady Redfield. Before she became close to Maria, Maria was always so lonely.”
“You worry a lot about Maria. Are you two friends?”
“...Honestly, yes. We’re friends. Of course, I’m a subordinate in public, and I have no intention of denying or overstepping that fact.”
“Don’t jump ahead. I’m not here to give etiquette lessons.”
“Haha, thank you.”
The servant guiding us gave an expression as if they wanted to bite their finger. Of course, neither of us paid it any mind.
Tristan still had one more question for Rick.
“You’re friends with Maria. Maria’s friends with Doris. So, are you friends with Doris?”
It would be nice if this guy could replace some of Maria’s usefulness.
It was a lighthearted question thrown with that thought.
But the moment Rick heard it, he suddenly lost his words and clenched his teeth.