•?••? ? ?••?•

Ray, left alone on the balcony, only looked at the place where Iva had been. It was a face and tone that seemed familiar from somewhere, but he couldn’t remember where he had seen her.

As he furrowed his brow, trying to recall the memories, it happened.

‘Have you never loved me? Even once?’

A strange woman’s voice resonated in his mind. It was a voice somewhat similar to Iva’s from earlier.

Ray gripped his chest tightly as a sudden pain struck him.

“Ugh.”

The unfamiliar voice echoed in his head. He stared blankly towards the railing where Iva had stood.

* * *

“Indeed, the bed is the best place!”

Returning to the mansion, Iva immediately flopped onto the bed.

“Oh, miss? You came back early.”

“Yeah, it was totally boring.”

“Weren’t there any young gentlemen, you liked?”

“I tried my best not to like any young gentlemen.”

“What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

“It means I finally became free!”

Iva stretched herself out happily.

“I’m not going to do anything. I’m not doing anything, and I won’t do anything in the future.”

It’s enough to relax and enjoy. Let’s just focus on having fun in this life!

* * *

“What did you say, who came?”

It was midday.

Iva, lying stretched out on the bed, widened her eyes and asked Jane.

“The Duke Castello came to visit.”

“Why, why?”

“I don’t know. But he brought a huge bouquet of flowers.”

“A-A bouquet of flowers?”

Why?

She had clearly ended things cleanly after the debutante ball.

Iva, who didn’t want to meet him, stayed still, but Jane woke her up.

“Miss, you shouldn’t keep the guest waiting, so prepare quickly and go down. Get up quickly.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“If a guest has come, at least show your face and then you can leave.”

“No, I think I’m sick. I feel feverish. I must have caught a cold or something.”

“Judging by how well you’re speaking, you seem perfectly fine.”

Even though she desperately made excuses, Jane wasn’t convinced at all.

Forced to get out of bed and get dressed, she had to make her way to the reception room.

“Duke?”

“Have you come, Miss?”

As she entered the reception room, there was indeed a large bouquet of flowers filling the table.

And there stood Ray, dressed even more elegantly than at the debutante ball.

While he had opted for darker shades during the ball, now he wore a bright beige formal dress, giving him a radiant appearance. However, his physique was so impressive that even this attire seemed like a combat uniform.

Iva couldn’t hide her perplexed expression as she approached the table and stood in front of him.

“What brings you here?”

“First, would you accept this bouquet?”

“Are you giving it to me?”

“Yes, I prepared flowers similar to the color of your hair, Miss.”

This is the first time something like this has happened. I suspiciously eyed the bouquet. It seemed too peculiar.

“I’m not particularly fond of flowers. It would be difficult for me to accept.”

“Oh, I see. I apologize. I thought of something that would complement Miss and ended up preparing the flowers on my own.”

He apologized again. Was he always someone who apologized so easily?

Feeling the awkwardness, Iva wanted to leave this place quickly.

“I will take the bouquet with me when I leave.”

“Thank you if you do. If you have anything to say, please go ahead.”

“May I take a seat first?”

“Is it going to be a lengthy conversation?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

I didn’t have the intention to have a lengthy conversation with him. But it’s also impolite to keep standing and talking, so I gestured for him to sit.

The two of them sat facing each other, their gazes slightly averted.

“I have another appointment coming up shortly. Could you please keep it brief?”

In reality, there was no other appointment besides lying in bed all day, but she pretended to be busy.

“Oh, I see. Then I’ll get straight to the point.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Ray hesitated, unable to speak right away. As his words lingered on, I silently prayed that it wouldn’t be ‘that’ phrase.

After a brief moment of silence, Ray looked directly into Iva’s green eyes with determination and opened his mouth.

“I want to marry you, Young Lady.”

Oh, my goodness. Please, let it not be that.

Iva pressed her forehead with her hand.

•?••? ? ?••?•