My Engagement Got Broken, But I Don’t Remember Getting Engaged in the First Place

Chapter 32: I Can’t Help But Feel Like I’ve Been Set Up

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As she was about to stand up, Elias stopped her. They were in a popular restaurant. Things could get troublesome if they knew the King was there.

“Pardon my ignorance, Your Majesty.” She lowered her head and after sitting back down, stared at the good-looking man in front of her again. As the most powerful person in the country, he indeed emitted a striking presence and a remarkable air of dignity.

“You don’t have to be so proper. It’s your fault, Allan. Nora’s gotten all weird.”

“Elias is the weird one. Please don’t expect me to act like him.”

Indeed, even though it was a pseudonym, he was still the King, and while Elias’ tone was courteous, he treated him as though he was but a normal friend. So even if he was urged to treat him comfortably, it was still difficult to do, primarily out of custom.

Trying to calm myself down, I reached for a glass of grape juice, but I had a sudden epiphany. I felt a chill down my spine.

“Your Majesty, may I ask something?”

“Like I said, Thor is fine. What is it?”

“The House where the party will be held, which is it?”

“It’s the royal castle.”

“Then, forgive me for I must decline.” Nora responded at a wink’s notice as she politely bowed her head.

I don’t know much about what’s going on but that is just outrageous! Better not to get involved at all.

“Now that’s problematic. I’d love to hear you perform.”

Nora felt her patience wearing thin and was also partly annoyed at His Majesty’s rather carefree demeanor.

“The next event to be held at the royal castle is the founding ball, is it not? To be able to perform there is one of the highest prestige for a singer. I reckon that the performers must have already been chosen after careful selection, hence I must politely decline.”

Every singer dreams of performing there. Considering how prestigious the occasion is, Nora has heard that they conduct a strict selection process where not only was the singing ability judged, but the status and appearance of the performer were also highly considered. The same woman has been selected to perform for the last couple of years, and Nora has heard of how excellent she was, both in terms of her singing ability and appearance.

“As it’s a celebration for the founding of our country, it goes without saying that the King has the power to decide which song fits the occasion, don’t you think? That’s why I’m choosing you, the Azure Nightingale. Your voice has immense power. I hope you lend it to me.”

“Please don’t humor me.”

His words sounded more like a request, but he must’ve meant it like an order.

As the Baron’s daughter, she had no reason nor power to refuse.

Elias gently laid his hand over Nora’s, who remained silent and troubled.

“I’ll be with you so you don’t have to worry.”

“That’s not the only…” If she was with the dashing son of the Marquis, she’d probably incur the ire of the ladies. Nora felt drained even before the performance.

“Then what is it?”

“Nothing.”

“What a crowd we have here.” Flora approached their table and handed Nora the score. It would be the song they’ll perform next so she had to bring it home to practice.

“You’re the pianist, aren’t you? I have invited Nora to sing at our party. I wonder if you could do us a favor and accompany her?” As soon as Thor finished speaking, Flora shot a glance at Nora.

“Really?”

“Well, yeah, it just happened that way.”

“Oh. Well, if Nora’s coming then I’m in. So, which House is it?”

“The royal castle.”

Flora, as expected, was momentarily speechless. Her expression was more akin to abhorrence than surprise, but she glanced at Nora, seemed to be convinced of something, then eventually agreed.

There’s no backing out now. I feel like I’ve been set up.

Nora sipped her grape juice, unsure of what to do.

A few days after Thorvard’s visit.

“Nora, have you heard the rumors?” Flora asked Nora as they were getting ready in the dressing room as usual.

“You mean about the Pure-Hearted Nightingale? Shouldn’t it have died down by now? They’re so persistent.”

Nora wondered when they would realize that she had no more money to donate.

If the rumors don’t die down and more people continue to give Nora strange looks, Elias will keep on being strict with her food, drinks and transportation arrangements. It had been such an inconvenience to be unable to freely drink water even in the dressing room, and Nora was getting tired of it.

“Quite the opposite, in fact. Now people are saying the Azure Nightingale donates dirty money, or that she has the son of the Marquis playing at the palm of her hand.”

As she handed the sheet music back to Flora, Nora sighed. “One moment they say I’m pure-hearted, the next they’re calling me dirty. Aren’t they tired?”

“Rumors are such nasty things. I do wonder what they get out of it.”

The money that Nora donated was what was left of the compensation she received for her broken engagement, but as long as the church received it, it was not right to call it dirty. Because saying so would mean that the church that received the “dirty” money would also be dirty.

The son of the Marquis probably referred to Elias and the fiasco over the broken engagement. However, if anything, Nora was the victim by getting unknowingly involved. She didn’t think she was at fault, unless Elias would complain that Nora has been playing him for a fool and he’s having a terrible time.

“In any case, I’m innocent. You don’t need to pay it any mind.”

“I know. But it seems like trouble keeps chasing after you.”

“First I was pure-hearted, now I’m dirty. I bet next time they’ll probably say I’m precious or something.”

Nora and Flora looked at each other and burst into laughter, then started practicing for their performance that day.