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

Chapter 54 : He Wants to Make It up to Me

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The melodious sound of the piano reverberated inside the dimly lit restaurant. Nora didn’t hate singing in front of everyone just like in the founding ball. On the contrary, she loved singing amidst the hustle and bustle of the restaurant, with customers talking and eating together.

Today, she was singing a song about a yellow flower longing for the white snow. The flower bloomed with the arrival of spring and was fascinated by the residual snow. The whiteness and brilliance of the snow was something the flower didn’t have, so it felt very envious. However, the snow was also fascinated by the beauty of the yellow flower that symbolized the warmth of spring.

The snow and the flower stood gently side by side, envious of each other.

The song was popular for expressing modesty.

As soon as she finished singing, Nora was given a warm round of applause. She loved singing, after all. Would she have to give it up just because she’s with Elias?

When push came to shove, which would she choose?

She didn’t know the answer herself.

After her performance was over, she changed to her usual clothes and returned to the restaurant. Today, however, she noticed another person sitting next to the dashing young gentleman with grayish brown hair.

The equally dashing gentleman with black hair and vermillion eyes waved his hand in her direction and gave her a smile.

Thorvard Narvel, the king of this country, seemed to be in high spirits as he ate fried chicken skin.

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“Um, Lord Thor.” She couldn’t address him as ‘Your Majesty’ so she decided to use his pseudonym instead. As Nora sat beside Elias, the black-haired gentleman momentarily stopped eating and looked at her.

“Hi, Nora. It’s been a long time. What a lovely performance you did today.”

“Thank you. But may I ask what brings you here?”

“I came to listen to the Azure Nightingale, of course. Plus I missed the food here. You must know it’s difficult to eat to my heart’s content inside the royal castle.”

More than half of the plate of fried chicken skin in front of Thorvard was gone. It seemed like a reasonable amount, but Nora wondered if he ate them all alone.

“Is it to your liking?”

“It goes well with the sake. It has a nice aroma and crunchy texture.”

As long as it’s an order from the king, I’m sure he would be served with similar dishes made from the best ingredients, but does this mean the atmosphere plays a factor in his overall enjoyment too?

“Allan also said the same thing.”

“Oh, I actually recommended it to him. He seems totally addicted to it now.”

I wonder what else the king has recommended to the marquis’ sons?

It seemed like he came to the restaurant quite often. It must’ve been hard for those around him to deal with such a king who loved to go undercover.

“Anyway, I came today to discuss how I could make it up to you.”

“Make up for what?”

Is he talking about what happened at the founding ball?

Nora was poisoned then as a consequence of Thorvard’s plans, but she didn’t really care much about what happened because she was just thankful to have survived.

“It was all my fault. I wanted to discuss it sooner, but the Chancellor wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t make the necessary arrangements… I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused.”

As the king bowed in apology, Nora hurriedly shook her head.

“Oh no, please, you don’t have to do that. I learned of what happened and I’m fine now. There’s really no need for you to make up for it or anything.”

“I couldn’t apologize outright in public. Elias was angry and told me to apologize properly.”

She found it surprising to learn of anyone who dared to be angry at the king, but neither Elias, who was said to be angry, nor Thorvard, who received his ire, seemed to care about it. They were definitely a king and his vassal, but it sounded almost as if they were just close friends.

“So, how’s the Chancellor now? Is he all right?”

“He’s just overworked. Wrapping up the case of Duke Lindell proved difficult and it took quite a toll on him… Besides, he’s also getting on in his years.”

“I hope he gets well soon.”

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She heard that Duke Lindell had poisoned Thorvard a long time ago. Furthermore, he was suspected to have rigged the roster of the queen candidates, and even demanded an exorbitant toll from the Kranz estate alone.

Investigating all of that must’ve been a lot of work, Nora figured.

I don’t know how old the Chancellor is, but even young people would get exhausted having to deal with all that.

“I’m not sure how to make it up to you, Nora… How about I transfer the ownership of the entire area near the road under Duke Lindell to Baron Kranz?”

“Huh?” She yelled out involuntarily then hurriedly covered her mouth.

Thorvard was like handing out free apples, but even though it was near the road, it was such a fairly vast land. It was also very valuable as it covered the area where tolls could be collected.

“What do you think?” Thorvard asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes, but Nora shook her head slowly.

“I’m sorry but I must refuse.”

Thorvard blinked in surprise.

“Are you sure? I think it’s a good piece of land.”

“Indeed, it’s quite a good piece of land. Rather incomparable to the Kranz estate, which has nothing to offer but grapes.”

“Then why?”

Even if it was a gesture of apology, it was too grand an offer. In the first place, if King Thorvard had ordered them to abide by his plans, both Elias and Nora would have no choice but to obey even at the expense of their safety. The fact that he took the trouble to properly apologize for it was unexpectedly courteous of him.

“Lord Thor, you didn’t deliberately mean any harm, so it would be too much to be gifted such a massive piece of land… Besides, I’m not even sure we can manage it well.”

When she heard about the income from the tolls on the road, it sounded like easy money, but reality wasn’t so sweet. The cost of improving the road itself and ensuring the safety along it would be tough. And the Kranz family, who had been devoted to making grapes and working part-time jobs all their lives, had no money nor experience for its maintenance.

“We couldn’t afford to ruin such an important road that leads to the royal capital. Please pardon my refusal.”