Chapter 73
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The Male and Female Leads Broke Up - Episode 73
Soon after, cheerful music signaling the true beginning of the banquet filled the air.
It was the kind of melody that made one's steps grow light.
I watched as people began drifting toward the center of the hall, one after another.
And soon they paired off with their partners, swaying together to the rhythm of the music.
"Mother, Father. I'm going to step outside for some fresh air."
"Is something the matter?"
Mother asked me with concern etched across her face.
"No, the air inside is just a bit stifling. I'll be back shortly, so please don't worry."
"Very well."
"Do be careful, dear."
"Of course."
I rose from my seat at once.
And with quickened steps, I left the Banquet Hall.
'Perhaps I'll visit the Garden again.'
Though I had attended several banquets over the years, the atmosphere had never truly suited my tastes.
I much preferred these quiet moments of solitary reflection.
The night air that brushed against my skin was quite cold now.
With a long journey ahead of me tomorrow, lingering outside in such weather seemed rather unwise.
'Just a little while longer, then I'll head back inside.'
As I was about to turn toward the Garden with that thought, I heard the great doors of the Banquet Hall open and close behind me.
It seemed someone else had also stepped out for a breath of fresh air, just as I had.
Or so I thought.
"Miss of the Heitz Family."
But I was mistaken.
Hearing that calm yet delicate voice call out to me, I realized she had deliberately followed me outside.
I steadied my expression and turned around, but before I could even complete the motion, the person who had called out to me stepped forward first.
"Miss of the Byon Family."
It was Adela.
"Is there something you wished to discuss with me?"
The moment I saw Adela, I immediately asked why she had followed me.
"I saw you entering the Terrace with the Duke earlier."
"Yes, we had something to talk about. Was that improper of me?"
"What exactly did you discuss?"
Adela no longer bothered to conceal the jealousy and resentment in her gaze directed at me.
"Do I really have to tell the Byon Family lady about that?"
"How much did you tell the Duke? Surely you didn't tell her everything she knows?"
Adela paid no attention to my words and pressed me with her own, speaking over me.
"Did you really tell him?"
"...."
I deliberately kept my mouth shut and fixed her with a sharp, piercing gaze.
"You didn't, did you?"
Frustrated by my silence, Adela's voice grew considerably louder.
"Lady of Heitz!"
"Whether you're a lady or a duke, you two really only care about yourselves."
Watching her face flush with anger, I slowly opened my mouth.
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. Your own feelings are the most important thing in the world to you, and you'll do anything to get what you want."
"...."
"You two are really quite well-suited for each other."
With a clear smirk, I whispered softly into her ear, "How unfortunate."
"One last piece of advice: if you want the Duke's heart, think of a way to win it back. Stop these pointless actions that only disgust people."
The word "disgust" was precisely what Adela had used against me—I was simply returning it.
With a slight sense of satisfaction, I had nothing more to say and tried to leave.
But then....
Adela's expression suddenly changed.
The Adela who had been brazenly questioning me moments before was now wearing an expression of utter pity.
"Disgust... me?"
Her voice had transformed so completely that I could hardly believe it was the same person speaking.
"I never knew you hated me this much...."
What?
Why is she doing this?
Unable to understand why her attitude had suddenly shifted, I could only stare at her in bewilderment.
"I wanted to be your friend, so I tried, but I suppose you hate me so much you'd want me dead...."
"No, wait—"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being so inadequate. Sob, sob."
As she spoke, she bowed her head and tears streamed down her face.
"What are you—"
"Sister."
At that moment, Aiden's voice came from behind me.
With my back to the door and my attention focused on my conversation with Adela, I hadn't noticed him enter.
But Adela had seen him come in.
'So that's why she's putting on this act....'
Now I realized it wasn't I who had been blessed with acting talent—it was Adela.
Aiden approached Adela's side.
And I handed her a handkerchief.
I let out a hollow laugh, alternating my gaze between Aiden Byon and Adela.
Then my eyes met Aiden's.
There was still no hostility in his gaze toward me.
But I couldn't bear to meet his eyes, terrified that the warmth that had once shone there would soon transform into something else.
So I hastily averted my gaze from him.
"I have said nothing and done nothing to make the lady cry. So please, take her away."
And I spoke in a voice devoid of warmth.
"Lady of the Heitz Family, I apologize. I apologize for appearing before you. I am a sinner in your eyes, and my very presence must be repulsive to you. Aiden, what should I do? The lady hates me so much—how can I bear it?"
As Adela continued her performance of pitiable victimhood, irritation suddenly flared within me.
"No. I shall leave instead."
So I moved, deciding it was faster for me to remove myself from this situation.
"Belita."
I ignored the sound of Aiden calling my name and turned toward the door.
The doorman was just opening it.
I raised my hand to pause him briefly.
Then, without looking at Aiden, I spoke.
"Please do not call me that. We were never particularly significant to each other in the first place, were we? So I would appreciate it if you would address me with proper formality going forward."
And before he could even open his mouth to respond, I stepped back into the Banquet Hall.
Fortunately, my parents remained seated at their table.
I approached them and took my seat beside them.
"Did you get some fresh air?"
"Yes, Mother."
But suddenly Mother seized my hand resting on the table.
"It must be quite cold outside. Your hand is trembling."
"...Yes?"
At Mother's words, I lowered my head and looked down at my own hand.
Indeed, my hand was trembling so faintly that one would hardly notice without careful observation.
Mother's warm hand enveloped mine completely.
And as if by magic, the trembling ceased.
"Do not stay outside for too long next time."
"I apologize."
Mother smiled with gentle kindness and caressed my hand tenderly.
"You look quite exhausted. Let me speak with your father, and then we shall depart."
"...Yes."
Thus, through Mother's unexpected intervention, I was able to escape the banquet.
After returning to the Manor, my parents called me aside for a moment.
Assured it would not take long, I went to Father's Study without changing my clothes.
Upon entering Father's Study, both Father and Mother were seated together on the sofa.
"Sit, Belita."
"Yes, Father."
The moment I sat across from them both, Father opened his mouth without hesitation.
"Is there something you wish to tell me?"
"Tomorrow, you will set forth bearing the honor of our Heitz Family."
"I understand."
"Do you remember what I told you before? That the power of the House of Fire will protect you?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Then slip the ring onto the third finger of your left hand."
"The third finger of my left hand?"
"Yes."
I slipped the ring set with a crimson stone onto my left ring finger, just as Father instructed.
'What?'
In that instant, an immense power I had never felt before surged through my body via the ring.
A vast, searing aura of flame enveloped me entirely—boundless and overwhelming.
"You feel it."
"Yes, I do."
"Never forget that power."
"I won't."
"The ring's power flows most potently through the third finger of your left hand. Therefore, no matter what happens, you must never remove it. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand, Father."
Caressing the ring, I steeled my resolve once more.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org