Chapter 58

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

After Cleas left, I held my forehead in both hands.

I almost kissed Cleas!

Honestly, I’d rather kiss a monster that hadn’t brushed its teeth in a year.

‘I thought I was actually going to be sick.’

In the meanwhile, Leonard stared at me, sprawled out on the sofa in exhaustion.

“For a moment, I really thought your goal was to ruin Lord Cleas, Lady.”

“You’re right.”

“…Excuse me?”

I groaned as I sat up.

Leonard looked at me in confusion.

“But when you’re with Lord Cleas, you really seem like someone in love with her fiancé.”

“That’s the impression I was going for.”

“Is it really that easy to pull off?”

“I’ve had a pretty good example to learn from.”

I was talking about Mikarin.

Her ‘talent for seducing men’ was on another level.

‘Especially after I married Cleas, she was practically a goddess at it.’

Compared to the Mikarin from before my regression, today’s Mikarin was like a helpless chick. She even managed to create a tangled mess involving five different affair trains. Since I spent every day watching that goddess-level Mikarin in action, I had plenty of time to learn.

“Why did you comfort Lord Orsen? If it’s really that awful, wouldn’t breaking off the engagement be better?”

“It’s not just Cleas who’s terrible. Mikarin is just as bad.”

I got up from the sofa as I spoke.

“Cleas asking me about the tavern, Mikarin probably set that up.”

“Pardon?!”

“Think about it. How else would he know we went to the pub?”

“Well, maybe the doormen told him…”

“I kept my hood low the whole time and never gave my name.”

“Now that you mention it, that is strange. Lord Ulysses only said you were with him, nothing more.”

Exactly.

If they had tailed Ulysses to figure out who we were, they would also know what we talked about in the alley.

Leonard’s brow furrowed.

“Mikarin Telsi. She had someone follow you, didn’t she, Lady?”

“And then she told Cleas, trying to drive a wedge between me, Cleas, and Ulysses.”

“Then does that mean she also heard what you and Lord Ulysses talked about in that back alley?”

“That’s impossible.”

I raised both hands lightly.

“Ulysses might be a jerk, but you can’t deny he’s skilled. Out of the whole adultery five—I mean, out of our friends, he was the first to awaken his ability.”

“If Lord Ulysses didn’t notice, they wouldn’t have been able to follow you into the alley.”

“Exactly. That must’ve really bothered Mikarin. She hates it when a guy she’s after shows any interest in me.”

“The more I hear, the worse she sounds.”

“So she probably stirred things up with Cleas to get rid of both me and Ulysses at once…”

I let out a small laugh and looked out the window.

“I can’t let Mikarin win. More importantly, there’s something I need to find out from Cleas right now.”

I’ll keep things friendly between us.

And use everything I can.

“Can’t you act a little more like a woman? Look at Mikarin. She just bats those teary eyes and gazes up all pitiful, and any guy would fall for her.”
“I’m not good at that sort of thing…”
“At least try! That’s the only way Cleas, that jerk, will stop looking at Mikarin… tch.”

“When you smile like that and say things like that, I just want to give you everything.”
“Then I’ll smile every day and make a wish. Cleas, my wish is that you’ll stay with me forever.”
“My lovely Mikarin.”

Thank you, adultery five.

Thanks to everything you taught me, I could use it all now.

All for your downfall.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

“…So that’s how I calmed Cleas down and got him to leave!”

Even though I spoke with pride, the person sitting across from me didn’t look pleased. Of course, it was Iscalion, whom I’d finally met at our new place.

“If you can’t stand him that much, why not just call off the engagement?”

“I already told you. I can’t, not until I find out what Cleas is after. And I can’t just let him end up with Mikarin, either.”

I told Iscalion that Cleas and Mikarin were having an affair. I also made it clear that my goal was to ruin them both.

‘You can’t hide your motives from an ally.’

Besides, it would be a problem if Iscalion fell for Mikarin. I couldn’t afford to lose the safety net I worked so hard to secure.

“Mikarin Telsi is the daughter of a humble baron. Even if she marries Cleas Orsen, she couldn’t possibly harm the grand duke’s daughter.”

“…That’s true.”

“So why can’t Cleas Orsen and Mikarin Telsi end up together?”

“….”

“If you ask me, two pieces of trash getting together would just lead them down the path to ruin on their own.”

“….”

I quietly picked up my teacup.

As I took a sip, the Grand Duke’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“So there really is a reason those two can’t be together.”

“By the way, this place is great. I never would’ve guessed there was a hidden space between the second and third floors. No windows, but it feels cozy because of that…!”

“Trust is important in an alliance.”

“….”

“The way you just acted doesn’t inspire much trust.”

“…I know. But later.”

“….”

“I can’t tell you right now… I need to be able to trust Your Highness, too.”

“You’re being awfully mysterious.”

Iscalion let out a thin sigh.

“So, what’s this really about? I doubt you wanted to meet just to chat about daily life.”

“Oh, I actually have a favor to ask!”

I quickly set down my tea and looked at the Grand Duke.

“What’s with those sparkling eyes?”

“Are they sparkling?”

People always said I looked dull and spaced out, at least, that was what the adultery five used to tell me. When I touched the corners of my eyes and opened them wide, the Grand Duke quickly turned his head away.

“…I meant it’s a little unsettling. Go on.”

“You’re holding a welcome-back party soon, right?”

“No.”

“Why not?!”

“It’s too much trouble.”

‘This can’t be happening.’

My plan was falling apart.

I looked at him with desperate eyes.

“I’ll handle all the party preparations. I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly so it won’t be any trouble for you, and I’ll protect the Grand Duke’s reputation… So, would you please let me host it?”

“Do you even know what they call someone who does that sort of work?”

“….?”

This time, Iscalion let out a deep sigh and spoke.

“Why do you even need a party?”

“To make Ulysses and Cleas run into each other! Then I’ll steer the conversation toward the tavern and get them talking.”

“Why not just have someone follow them around, like your cousin did?”

“It’s frustrating, but both of them are too skilled. If I try to tail them, I’ll get caught for sure.”

But in a crowded place like a party, it would be easier to stay unnoticed.

“If that’s all you need, you could use some other party.”

“Lately, Ulysses hasn’t shown up at any events… But if it’s a party at the Grand Duke of Akelos’s house, he won’t have a choice!”

“….”

I clasped my hands together and looked up at Iscalion.

“Please, I’m asking you.”

“…A welcome-back party is out of the question. It’d be a hassle if the emperor or empress decided to attend.”

“I see…”

“But a garden soirée would be fine.”

“Pardon?”

“Lady Bethril’s garden opening was disrupted because of me, so I’ll take responsibility for that and host it instead.”

The Grand Duke would only open the gardens, so he wouldn’t get involved himself. Besides, a garden party was mostly for young people. It wasn’t the kind of event the royals would want to attend.

‘But the young nobles will be dying to get in!’

The heads of the noble houses would do anything to send their kids.

“Ulysses and Cleas will both come for sure!”

“Then that’s settled.”

“No! That’s not my only request…”

I was rushing to get the words out, but when I saw Iscalion’s expression, my voice trailed off.

“What else?”

“I’d like to kiss you.”

“…What?”