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

Chapter 45: The Duke Has Arrived

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Why was Duke Lindell here? Nora wasn’t sure if he really was with Rebecca, but it went without saying that he was certainly invited to the founding ball.

Because Nora, who had just finished singing, and Rebecca, the singer until the previous year, were both there, they drew the attention of everyone and gathered around them.

And because Duke Lindell and Rebecca had friendly acquaintances, even more people had surrounded them.

“A pleasant evening, Azure Nightingale. Pardon us for approaching you right after your performance, but I heard that it was you who had cut the strings of the violin for Rebecca’s accompaniment. Why did you do that?”

“Huh?”

As she glanced over at Rebecca, Nora saw the latter holding out a violin with a broken string in her hand, sadness pooling in her eyes. A sad looking figure of a blonde lady with bewitching beauty and crimson eyes—that earned her sympathetic gazes from the surrounding crowd.

“I had sponsored a talented singer, but I didn’t think she would be mistreated by such terrible manners.”

She saw Duke Lindell smirked, and Nora realized what his intentions were.

“The singer for the ball had already been decided but you were able to snatch it away so easily, what audacity! How on earth did you do it?”

Nora was in a pickle when she visited Duke Lindell’s manor and assumed that he simply didn’t like her.

But that wasn’t it at all.

Duke Lindell was a patron of Rebecca, which was why he found Nora disagreeable, who had snatched her position.

It was obvious that she was despised. With the power of the duke’s family, it was easy to ask an old gentleman to request her to perform at the last minute in the restaurant. To them, Nora was in the way too much.

“No, I did no such thing.”

“Is that so?”

“Why would I snatch something that wasn’t yours in the first place?”

King Thorvard had invited Nora to be the singer but didn’t mention anyone else were performing. Rebecca insisted on singing even though she wasn’t called on stage.

Why bother harassing her? Nora had only stated the facts, but Rebecca’s face visibly darkened. Duke Lindell waved his hand in an effort to obscure her from sight.

“The other day, you and your family rushed to my house and asked for my help. And when I refused, you offered your body… Too bad for you because I have standards.”

“I did no such stupid thing!”

Words of mockery and laughter of the people around her rang in her ears.

Duke Lindell was outright slandering her. It was a fact, however, that her family had visited their house.

But she was sure that no matter how she denied it, they would twist the truth to their advantage. He was the duke whose family produces queen candidates after all.

Even if she cried the truth, Nora was but a poor baron’s daughter so people would hardly believe her.

At a loss on what to do, Nora pursed her lips in frustration but something gently touched her shoulder.

“It’s okay.” She looked up and saw Elias’ hand on her shoulder as he smiled at her.

“When did that happen?” Nora heard a deep voice over her ears just as she was about to question Elias.

A middle-aged gentleman approached and Duke Lindell and the surrounding crowd all expressed their courtesy. From the gentleman’s gracious demeanor and everyone’s reaction, it was certain that he was a high-ranking aristocrat.

“I’m Duke Enroth. It’s been a long time.”

“Likewise. What were you saying?” Although he was interrupted, Duke Lindell smiled without a trace of irritation.

Perhaps it was his age or their family difference but it looked like Duke Enroth was ranked higher than Duke Lindell.

“I said, when did that happen?”

“On the day that the Azure Nightingale and her family visited my manor with her parents.”

As soon as he heard Duke Lindell’s answer, Duke Enroth groaned and stroked his fine moustache.

“Are you certain?”

“Of course. But why do you ask?”

“It’s funny, because that was the day I invited Miss Nora Kranz to my manor.”

“What?”

“I had invited her to a tea party as an apology for my daughter’s misbehavior. My wife was with us, and Miss Nora was accompanied by the son of Marquis Callum. Isn’t that right?”

“That is correct, your grace.” Elias answered without a flinch.

This feels strange.

Nora noticed that even Duke Lindell seemed confused by the sudden turn of events.

“You’re lying.”

“Huh? You’re telling me I’m lying?”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“Are you insisting that she came to your house and offered her body in exchange for your help?”

“Well…”

Duke Enroth appeared to have the upper hand. As she watched silently, Duke Enroth suddenly looked Nora in the eye.

“Then, why don’t we ask her. Nora, did you ask Duke Lindell for help?”

“No, all I asked was that he reconsider the increase in the toll fee since it was only raised for our estate. I’ve never asked for any sort of sponsorship. I have standards.”

She threw Duke Lindell’s words back at him and Duke Lindell laughed merrily.

“See that. That only proves that you’re the one who’s lying. You shouldn’t be taunting His Majesty’s esteemed guest at the founding ball, you know.” His face was smiling but his eyes were not.

Duke Lindell stood frozen, at a loss for words, like a frog cornered by a snake.