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

Chapter 37: I’d Like to Decline If Possible

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“Nora, we have to talk.”

“Later.”

She had to wash off the wine stain immediately. She didn’t mind listening to his nagging but she had to take care of the stain first. The more time had passed by, the harder it would be to remove it. It was the only dress she used for her part-time job, so it would put her in trouble if it looked unsightly. It was a matter of life and death for Nora, who couldn’t easily afford a new dress.

As they entered the dressing room, Flora and Perre looked surprised to see them.

“Someone splashed wine on me so I have to wash it off immediately. Perre, could you get out for a while?”

“What? Wine?”

As she shoved out the confused Perre, she noticed the handsome gentleman with grayish brown hair frowning in front of the door. “I’m going to change my clothes so could you also get out?”

Elias let out a sigh as he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped Nora’s cheeks.

“Um?”

“There was some on your face, too.”

“It’s fine, I’ll wash my face later.”

“No, I’m sure you’ll prioritize your dress and forget about it.” He sighed again as he gently wiped Nora’s cheeks with the handkerchief.

Nora hurriedly went to change her clothes, washed her face, handkerchief and dress. The handsome gentleman watched as the Azure Nightingale washed off the stain. A female restaurant staff noticed the unusual scene and offered to wash Nora’s dress for her instead.

“Please hurry on, I know you’re good at removing stains.” Nora thanked the smiling staff, and she finally returned to the dressing room.

Along with her in the room were Flora, Perre and Elias.

She felt like there was a strange tension in the air. Elias seemed so out of place in the room. It was too narrow for him. Awestruck by the unusual scene before her eyes, she saw Elias took a deep breath.

“Why didn’t you call for me?” From his tone and facial expression, he seemed to be angry.

“It was a sudden request this evening. Even if I had sent word, I figured you might not be able to come anyway.”

Elias emitted a merciless air of anger as he listened to her explanation.

Nora finally realized her mistake. He had reiterated that Nora must be accompanied by either of the twins because people might not be intimidated by Perre alone. It had meant that he was worried about her.

“It was short notice, so I didn’t think carefully. I’m sorry.”

Even though the twins were busy, they made time for Nora. This time, her behavior could actually be interpreted as a sign of impudence towards them. Seeing Nora bow her head in apology, Elias sighed and unfolded his arms. The tension and anger in the air dissipated almost instantly.

“Did you come here to eat?”

“I received a letter from Flora. It said you were coming to the restaurant for a sudden request.”

“You did?”

Flora shrugged her shoulders as she handed some papers to Perre.

“The manager thought no one would bring you home. He figured Elias might not be able to come here fast, but he might make it in time to take you home… But who would’ve thought something like that would happen.”

“The sudden request was probably her doing.” Elias had sat down in a nearby wooden box and sounded annoyed.

The wooden box didn’t make for a nice chair, and yet Elias made it look much better just by sitting on it. The power of a handsome face was indeed frightening.

“She said she was the original singer for the founding ball.”

“Until last year, right?”

“So she’s jealous, huh. How troublesome.”

Nora thought exactly the same as Flora. She didn’t even want the position, much less steal it from her.

“Is it not possible for me to decline?” She knew it was useless but she still asked Elias. He shook his head.

“Unfortunately, no. Because His Majesty requested it himself.”

“Did that person come here merely to complain?”

Now that Elias had mentioned it, if the sudden request had been Rebecca’s doing, then that meant that the old gentleman from whom the request came had been paid to do it.

Did she hire him or threaten him?

Seeing that he had apologized several times, it was likely that she had threatened him.

Was it possible to order the old gentleman, even though he was also an aristocrat, just because Rebecca was an upper-class nobility?

In any case, it seemed that she had resented Nora enough to make such effort to complain to her face.

Even if she held a grudge against her, Nora could do nothing about it.

“Look at what happened today. Going home alone is dangerous. What would you have done if I didn’t arrive in time?”

“Perre is here. I was going to go home with him.” Elias glanced at Perre and narrowed his eyes.

“It doesn’t look like he can hold himself in a fight.”

“A fight? Oh no, of course not.”

His answer wasn’t unusual. Which aristocrat would be used to fighting? He wasn’t like some veteran warrior or a knight of the royal castle. Their poor baron family had never encountered fights of any sort; he was only accustomed to field work.

“Didn’t you learn swordsmanship?”

“Yes, but only the basics. I didn’t have the time or money to practice because our family was in dire financial straits. But if it’s a hoe, I can handle it well.”

In this case, what he meant was that he could easily dig narrow furrows and shallow trenches for plants, not wield it as a weapon. In fact, the furrows and trenches he made were smooth and straight, very pleasing to look at. He always looked impressed with himself every time he had made a good line of ridges. There was a smile on his face as he remembered those perfect ridges he made.

Elias nodded in understanding, seemingly convinced by Perre’s explanation.

“In that case, you absolutely won’t be able to fight well. You won’t be able to defend her should they launch a sneak attack against Nora on her way home.”

“I don’t quite understand. Does she resent me so much just because she was replaced as the singer?”

“Well, it’s the annual ball hosted by the royal castle. Being the singer is of the highest prestige and honor.”

“So declining is…”

“Impossible.” He finished the sentence for her and reaffirmed her thoughts. She knew it was impossible but she still felt dejected. Nora nodded her head in disappointment.

“Does that mean you want me to stop my part-time job for a while?”

But that would mean a reduction in her salary. She wanted to earn extra because they’re in danger of being in debt again from the toll increase.

“No, that’s fine. As long as Allan or I pick you up and send you home, it’s fine.”

“I know you’re confident, but won’t that bring you both danger as well?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t think anyone is dumb enough to challenge Marquis Callum head on. Besides, I could hold myself well in battle should the situation call for it.”

Even though he seemed confident, Nora still had her doubts. She was reminded of that time when her father had once said he could pay back their debts but was unable to do so in the end.

Although she had seen Elias hit another man, she still felt uneasy.

“In any case, I’m sure they’ll still target you, Nora, so only Allan or me should pick you up and accompany you home. You also have to be extra careful with your food and drinks; only take those that I’ve checked. You must do the same at the ball. Never leave my side as much as you can.”

After saying that with a serious expression, Elias turned his gaze to beside Nora.

“You too, Flora. Stay beside Allan.”

“Got it.”

“But why is that? Is there danger at the royal ball?” In response to her unexpected question, Elias simply gave her a dazzling smile.