Chapter 23

“Do you know me? I believe this is the first time I’ve met you…….”

Gasp.

I hurriedly came to my senses and shook my head.

“Oh, no. This is the first time we’ve met, but… that is…… Um…….”

At my idiotic noise, Yuri appeared to consider something then she spoke while letting slip a small chuckle.

“Oh, sorry. I keep forgetting that my name is rather well known. I suppose you, too, heard the rumors? This is embarrassing, but I am Yuri Elisabeth who has been adopted as Baron Elisabeth’s daughter recently.”

While it was extremely rare for a commoner to be adopted into an aristocratic family, it wasn’t enough to become a hot topic.

However, becoming the adopted child of the ‘Elisabeth’ household was something of an issue.

Baron Elisabeth. Baronage was a rather low peerage, but in reality, it was a peculiar household that wouldn’t be weird if it was granted the title of a Duke, as it was the place where genius magicians gathered. It was a household that was very unsociable, exclusive, and independent, but at the same time, a very powerful one and they were not of higher peerage because they had rejected a higher title.

Such a household had brought in an adopted daughter. Even those who knew Baron Elisabeth had whispered that it was a very peculiar incident.

But for commoners or aristocrats who considered magic as taboo, it was a dull rumor, in fact, the recent incident between Ian and I at the party was far more stimulating, so it had been somewhat buried. And, conclusively, I had totally forgotten that Yuri attended this party.

‘Am I truly mad? Even if it was a trending romance fantasy novel from a month ago, how can you forget such an important scene like this one?’

Even if I had been rather busy recently, it made no sense for me to have forgotten this fact.

If I had a time machine, I would want to go back to the past and grab myself by the collar and slap myself in the face. The idiotic past me had better obediently offered the other cheek as well.

I shouted at myself inwardly but barely made a smile. My cheeks were trembling.

“Yes……. Just like the rumors, no, you’re more beautiful than the rumors say, Lady Yuri.”

“Yes? Ah, thank you.”

I said whatever came out of my mouth and thought to quickly leave the place. I liked the female protagonist, but I hadn’t thought I would meet her so suddenly at a place like this.

So why did Nine run?!

As I started to slowly blame others, I sneakily stepped backed away from her little by little.

“Then, I hope you have a good time. I should……”

“Melissa? Are you there?”

Damn it.

I bit my lower lip.

Ian Basilios stepped out of the flowers and showed up in front of us. Why did that bastard come out from there?

He probably saw leave alone and came to drag me back inside for the marriage announcement.

Even if I have bad luck, why must it be this bad?

This was what I thought, but I soon realized it was fate for Ian to come out from amongst the flowers. He was absentmindedly staring at Yuri. Yuri lifted her head to meet his gaze. The golden eyes and the water-like blue eyes met. Everything was peaceful and the moonlight shone on the two of them.

I gripped the skirt of my dress forcefully in the shadows.

Ian Basilios just fell in love.

The Spring Party was where Ian and Yuri first met. The author had decided it as such, and one of the most famous scenes of the novel was occurring in front of my very eyes.

The person who had jumped in between their fate is me.

I stumbled as I turned around on the spot and hurried out. For some reason, my mood was terrible.

***

“In the end, all I received was hurt, Yona…….”

“Yes, milady.”

“How could I have such bad luck?”

“Yes, milady.”

“…… Yona, are you listening to me?”

“Yes, milady.”

“Boil my shoe and eat it.”

“Yes, milady.”

At the arrogant attitude of Yona, who was clearly not listening to any of my complaints, all I did was rub my face and stopped talking.