No More Regrets, Just Kill Me

Chapter 122

‘Hello.’

No sound came from her lips, which merely moved slightly.

At that, the other person’s smile faltered slightly.

“I hope you enjoy the party today.”

After a brief moment of awkwardness, he stepped away. Leoto chuckled wryly and pulled out a small notepad from her pocket.

‘It’s probably better to write it down and show him.’

After all, sign language was unfamiliar to most people. In one-on-one conversations, the notepad was convenient.

It was difficult to use in group conversations, but she had no intention of inserting herself into a crowd anyway.

‘I just want to have a light conversation with someone.’

As she wished for this, the small chatter around her suddenly fell silent.

Leoto lifted her bowed head. And she spotted the most dazzling woman in the hall.

The jewels on her dress sparkled as she slowly walked down the stairs.

With her chin slightly raised and a somewhat arrogant expression, the woman descending was none other than Ariadeline.

Every step swayed her golden hair, and her sky-blue eyes matched her expression perfectly.

Leoto was momentarily captivated by her beauty, forgetting that she was without a partner.

‘She’s still a beautiful person upon seeing her again.’

Ariadeline walked slowly, as if to showcase herself, heading toward the innermost part of the hall.

People parted to make way for her, and soon they stood facing the crowd.

‘Huh?’

She was suddenly engulfed in confusion.

Ariadeline entered the hall alone.

The nobles each expressed their doubts.

“Is the Duke…?”

“Was it just a rumor that they had grown closer?”

No one could be certain. She was now surrounded by numerous rumors, and it was impossible to discern which were true and which were false.

They waited for Ariadeline to greet them. It was customary for the host of a banquet to address the attendees when such an event was held.

As people exchanged glances, Ariadeline remained silent. The expected greeting was absent, causing confusion among the guests.

‘Could it be that Ariadeline is nervous?’

Ariadeline stared at the people for a moment. Each time her gaze met someone, they turned their heads away.

No one could stand confidently in front of her.

But soon, Ariadeline smiled and took a step forward. She opened her arms wide.

And in that moment.

[Thank you so much for attending the banquet.]

Golden letters appeared large in the air.

The shimmering letters sparkled like starlight, scattering like gold dust and creating a beautiful afterimage.

The letters then formed another message.

[Though I regret the time that has passed, I hope you enjoy today.]

It was magic, pure magic.

Leoto’s eyes widened in astonishment.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the letters that shattered like starlight.

‘Beautiful.’

Her eyes sparkled with the light of the letters. People murmured. Ariadeline was the first to offer such a greeting at a banquet.

“What was that just now?”

“Oh my, how pretty…”

“What a special greeting…!”

[I hope this night is filled with joy for both you and me.]

Ariadeline continued to create those beautiful letters in the air.

As she communicated through writing instead of speaking, the nobles began to whisper among themselves.

A slight discomfort spread among the nobles.

“What’s going on?”

“Come to think of it, I heard she got hurt during ‘that incident’… Could it be…?”

“Has she lost her ability to speak?”

Leoto, who overheard this, felt her heart start to race for some reason.

In the conservative social circles, even the slightest flaw was not tolerated.

The gazes directed at Ariadeline gradually grew colder.

However, she did not seem the least bit intimidated by the scrutiny.

Ariadeline walked slowly through the crowd. People unconsciously parted to make way for her.

No one wanted to approach her.

But on the contrary, Leoto found herself pushing through the crowd toward Ariadeline.

‘Hello.’

Leoto greeted her as she had done with another noble earlier. Then, the golden letters responded.

[It’s a face I’ve never seen before.]

Leoto hesitated as she moved her hand, then quickly pulled out a notepad from her pocket. She began to write another greeting.

[I am Leoto Bertoa from the Count Bertoa family.]

Ariadeline read the letters and nodded.

[Nice to meet you.]

She accepted the greeting very naturally. Leoto felt a surge of emotion and momentarily couldn’t write anything, then hurriedly scribbled on her notepad and held it out.

For some reason, it seemed that the look in Ariadeline’s eyes had warmed a bit.

[If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me how you create those beautiful letters?]

Ariadeline easily responded to her question.

[My circlet is a magical item. My older brother made it for me.]

[Your older brother? The one from the Magic Tower?]

[That’s right.]

Leoto held her racing heart tightly. This meant that even if she couldn’t use magic herself, she could still create it through this item.

After bowing her head once more to Ariadeline, she stepped away from her.

Her heart was still pounding. She returned to her family’s knight with a cheerful expression. She gestured to him.

‘I need to place an order at the Magic Tower!’

Seeing her lively demeanor for the first time in a while, the knight nodded. Leoto was excited like a child again.

‘Maybe, just maybe…’

Her heart swelled with hope.

Meanwhile, numerous nobles pretended not to watch the conversation between the two.

Lady Leoto’s words were written small in her notepad, so they couldn’t be seen, but the words floating in the air were visible to anyone.

“So, it’s a magical item?”

“It seems so.”

“Wow… It’s so beautiful.”

For a moment, even the cold gazes shifted easily to the word ‘magic,’ which was something the high society could easily encounter.

Somewhere between admiration for wealth and reverence for status.

People exchanged conversations while stealing glances at the beautiful letters floating in the air.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

Countless people passed by me.

Among them were those who looked at me with sparkling eyes.

There were also those who approached with smiles, but their eyes held envy.

As I smiled at all sorts of people, the confusion I felt earlier seemed to ease a bit.

Though it was probably just putting my worries aside for a moment.

“How are you? Are you okay?”

At that moment, Dorothea spoke to me. I turned my head and smiled naturally.

[I’m fine. But you must be busy, thank you for coming.]

“Of course I had to come. It’s only natural.”

The surrounding nobles glanced at us as we chatted naturally.

After all, our relationship hadn’t been particularly good even before the false accusations.

[It’s not that I can’t speak at all. It’s just a bit painful. I’m trying to communicate like this in situations like this.]

Dorothea, who had been staring at the letters in the air, nodded as if she understood.

“Don’t overdo it.”

I smiled brightly and waved my hand gently at her, as if to say not to worry.

But after a moment of smiling, I had to lift my glass again to hide my tired expression. Ah, I’m exhausted.

To be honest, I wasn’t really fond of parties. To be precise, I was only holding parties to solidify the position of the Duchess and to reaffirm my status among people.

Still, it seemed that the successful return of ‘Ariadeline Denaves,’ the goal of the banquet, was coming to a good conclusion.

“Well then, I’ll go see some other people.”

[Go ahead.]

As she turned to leave, she suddenly stopped, looking flustered. She pointed to the center of the party and whispered to me.

“And over there, please talk to them. They keep looking over here, but maybe out of pride, they don’t seem to want to speak first. I’m so embarrassed for her as a friend.”

Turning my head, I saw Dorothy and her friends fanning themselves with a haughty air.

I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh. Well, Dorothy does have a strong sense of pride. Since she helped me so much last time, maybe I should talk to her first.

[Got it.]

With that, Dorothea disappeared among the crowd. No, it would be more accurate to say she led the crowd away as she left.

As soon as she distanced herself from me, people rushed over to her. The title of Crown Princess is indeed quite bothersome.

‘At least I’m not surrounded by people…’

I suppose it’s because I can’t speak. Just as I was laughing self-deprecatingly, a group of noblewomen suddenly approached me.

They lifted the hems of their dresses and greeted me politely before cautiously speaking.

“Duchess, how have you been?”

[I’ve been well. What’s the matter?]

“Oh, it’s nothing in particular…”

They gazed at the circlet above my head.

“The letters created by magic are so beautiful that I wanted to see them up close. Was that rude?”

[Well… it’s fine.]

As I created the letters, the group of noblewomen each expressed their admiration.

The letters looked as if they were made by sprinkling golden powder, resembling a fairy’s language. I had thought they were quite pretty when I first saw them too.

“Your brother must be a truly amazing magician.”

“Exactly. To create such a beautiful magical tool for his sister.”

The noblewomen’s eyes sparkled with excitement. I thought about how I didn’t quite understand what part they were so enthusiastic about, but I didn’t express that outwardly.

[Well, I have someone I’m supposed to meet, so I’ll take my leave.]

“Yes, of course. It was truly enjoyable talking with you, Duchess.”

The women who greeted me whispered and laughed among themselves, not taking their eyes off the letters.

As I left them, I felt a mood that was less pleasant than I expected.

‘Is it that I feel like a spectacle?’

My lips curled slightly.

I approached the area where Dorothy and her group were, still holding a smile.

She was standing upright, looking to the side even though she knew I was coming. It’s not easy to look so childlike like that. But I guess that’s what makes her cute.

[It’s been a while, my lady.]

At that, Dorothy glanced at me and began to flutter her fan, as if she had been waiting.

“Hmph… Indeed. It has been a while, Duchess.”

“I am honored to meet the Duchess of Denaves!”

“Thank you for the invitation, Duchess.”

Dorothy and her friends greeted me. I asked,

[So, are you enjoying the party?]

“It’s such a beautiful party.”

“Thanks to you, I’m having a wonderful time.”

While Dorothy’s friends spoke cautiously, Dorothy was different.

“Well…”

It was somewhat rude, but I couldn’t help but smile. As Dorothea had said, she probably hadn’t taken her eyes off me.

And yet, she pretended to look elsewhere as I approached.

[I hope you’re enjoying it. It’s been a long time since I held a party, so I’m a bit nervous.]

“Nervous? You?”

That was written all over Dorothy’s face. I nodded in agreement. I am Ariadeline, but I am also An Hye-in.

The Ariadeline in my heart was steadfast, but An Hye-in was thinking, “If this party fails, it’ll really be a disaster.”

Saying this made me feel like I had a dual personality. I swallowed a laugh and moved next to Dorothy.

As I approached, I could see Dorothy flinch. I linked my arm with hers and smiled bashfully.

I needed something to lift my spirits.

[So, shall we wander around and enjoy the party more?]

“W-why would I…?”

[Come on, let’s go.]

“Uh, uh…”

“L-Let’s go together!”

As Dorothy was pulled along by my hand, it was only natural for her friends to follow. I led them around, meeting numerous nobles. And then Dorothy…

“Lady Ariadeline, could you show us those beautiful letters again?”

“What, does that mean the Duchess has to talk all day to please you?”

“Oh, no, that’s not it…”

She was aggressive towards the nobles who were showing me rude, almost intrusive, attention, as if they could see into my mind.

Oh, it felt good to have a solid ally. Thanks to her, I could smile comfortably.

[Thank you. Really.]

“Why would the Duchess thank me? Hmph.”

Even her reaction was starting to seem cute. We were having a pleasant time in our own way.

Then, someone who could disrupt that joy approached us with light steps. Upon seeing the man, Dorothy’s expression hardened.

“I am honored to meet the Duchess.”

[You’ve come. I thought you weren’t coming since I couldn’t see you.]

Dorothy frowned as she spoke his name.

“Marquis Seth Dolorante…”

Chapter 122

No More Regrets, Just Kill Me

Chapter 122

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