Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy-Chapter 41: The Flower Of The Grand Ducal Betrothal - Unveiling Ceremony (3)

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I can scarcely believe how many years have passed since we graduated from the Royal Academy. I was quite pleased to hear that you’ve been making good use of the valedictorian title you munched off of me.”

Those were Lumia’s words as she extended her hand towards Deron.

Immediately after, his face became pale.

She had long since dreamed of seeing his face like that.

It was satisfying.

“I was worried you wouldn’t recognize me since I changed my hair color...Fortunately, you remembered me! What an honor, I must say.”

She said this to Blund.

Then, a vicious despair took hold of his face.

It was a face she desperately craved to see.

It was refreshing.

“I’m glad we could meet again like this. Say? Did you like my hair? I think you also profit from a change...Silver hair would work perfectly with your current complexion, don’t you think so, Lord Kyle?”

This was the greeting directed at Kyle.

His face mirrored the one she used to have back then.

A face that had just witnessed a deep, endless hell.

His eyes rolled back as he fainted.

It was pleasing.

“......”

Finally, she stood before Elden.

From the moment she saw him, her previous vows about forgetting her revenge and obsession all melted away.

Seeing his tranquil facade, akin to the northern regions in May, caused her resolve to weaken.

That must be why,

“Will you reject me now?”

Her clumsy and nervous question almost ruined a long anticipated moment.

Lumia’s plan, of lording over him with her superiority, filled with composure fell apart as she threw such a question that mirrored a childish tantrum.

As an adult, such behavior was beyond inappropriate and shameful, but Lumia simply couldn’t help herself.

Why did her plans always go awry in his presence?

Why did she feel this absurd need to keep watching for his reactions?

Why had everything become so complicated with him involved?

Now that she thought about it, there was one more reason for him to reject her ‘confession’.

After all, not everyone could boast, saying they had rejected a Duchess’ confession.

Had Lumia’s false confidence turned into arrogance?

That turn of events would be rather comical.

Since the victim who had the perfect opportunity to stand up before her tormentor, would have to reproach themselves for their own arrogance...

This isn’t right.

His face should have been contorted with shock and terror, yet, ironically, Lumia was the one feeling such emotions that twisted her insides.

Deron,

Blund,

Kyle,

The calm facade that helped her deal with those three was gone.

All the satisfaction she had felt until now seemed insignificant.

From the moment she stood before Elden, her guts twisted in complex knots as his crimson eyes seemed to have the ability to reveal her weak and wretched self.

Please,

Just...Give me one chance,

Just let me have my revenge...

Please...

A ridiculous situation unfolded. One where the victim had to beg for the opportunity to avenge herself.

But Lumia had no other choice.

His stubborn attitude and steely gaze were so unyielding that she was seriously considering praying to every deity out there to help her.

It was as if he would slip through her fingers at any moment.

She was so close...

Deron, Blund, and Kyle had already been pushed to the brink...

All she needed to do was push Elden as well.

They all needed to roll the slippery slope in order to walk the path of repentance.

However,

When Elden’s face broke into a kind smile, Lumia’s heart sank.

He was the only person in this world who could make such a kind smile appear so terrifying.

“I appreciate the sentiments, My Duchess. But today’s events have only strengthened my resolve.”

What...?

What resolve?

“What do you mean by that?”

“That I am a man not worthy of even breathing the same air as you, My Duchess.”

Stop spouting nonsense.

How many times are you going to say that?

“You recognize me, don’t you?”

“While it’s hard to believe...I do recognize you. And now that I know the truth, I am even more certain that I cannot accept your feelings. I’m truly sorry, My Duchess.”

How can you even say that to my face?

If you have realized that I am Erenscia, then why aren’t you reacting like the others?

No...

At the very least you should have looked distressed.

That is the bare minimum of decency towards the victim, you fool!

H-how...

How can you hold your head so high even while openly admitting your worthlessness?

“W-Why? Why can’t you accept it...?”

Ah, I get it now.

I understand.

You just can’t accept it because you know I’m Erenscia.

But I’m going to make you take back your withdrawal and you will do your utmost to win the Contest!

“As I said, I realized that I’m not worthy of being loved. That’s why I wish to return to my rightful place. I deeply apologize for my past actions.”

Ah...

So...Even when knowing I’m Erenscia...Even when you’re sorry for your past actions...Do you still refuse to fight for me?

Elden Raphelion...What are you?

Why are you so bold?

Why are you so shameless?

How are you so calm?

How can you even apologize to me so easily?

How can you even sound so sincere?

Do you think I’m doing all of this just to hear one simple ‘I’m sorry’?

If things were going to be like this, then you shouldn’t have tortured me in the first place!

Tears gathered around her eyes.

Tears filled with conflicted emotions.

A lump of sorrow rose in her throat.

A lump of sorrow prompted by that shallow apology.

She almost choked.

But Lumia didn’t wish to show anything.

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Not her weakness, nor her breakdown.

“W-What if I forgave you? What If I granted you all the worth in this world? Would you still refuse it? Why are you even refusing me when you say you’re truly sorry?”

Yes,

If you wish to sincerely apologize, then face me head-on instead of running away.

If you’re not lying, then don’t use words to avoid me. Show me with your actions instead.

Prove it to me.

Whether your apology is sincere or not...!

However,

Instead of answering her, Elden questioned her with a sharp tone.

His tone was sharp enough to cut through Lumia’s chaotic emotions.

“Tell me, Duchess. Were you even sincere in your confession?”

“...What?”

In an instant, the tears that had dampened her eyes dried up.

Then, Lumia realized she had been staring solely at Elden for a while now.

Only then, did the surroundings register as the entire plaza came into view.

Her ears, which had been closed, now opened.

She realized that these ears had been listening only to Elden’s voice for some time.

Only then did the bustling noise of the square reach her ears, which had been filled only with Elden’s voice.

Her closed hyper focused senses expanded.

Confronted with such an unfamiliar and strange sensation, Lumia looked at Elden with trembling eyes.

She had to answer him.

But,

No!

If she answered that...All her plans would be revealed.

Yes.

She just couldn’t answer that either.

No,

She would rather die than say it.

Because it wasn’t the ‘truth’.

This had simply been one of her means to keep a leash on Elden.

“......”

As such, Lumia was caught in a dilemma of her own making, and all she could do was remain silent.

Ultimately, Lumia couldn’t utter a response, turning away.

She couldn’t afford to spend much time with him.

So,

Just like in her Academy Days,

As both Erenscia and Lumia,

She had no choice but to run away from him.

**

“Then, Let us conclude this Unveiling Ceremony with this~!”

Lumia then exited the venue with her father, Logan Winterfell.

This event had only been a prelude to the main ceremony.

A special celebration for the Grand Duke’s youngest daughter’s reveal.

That was a close call.

In an attempt to curb Lumia’s actions, I was forced to ask something impolite.

That wasn’t the time to hold back my cards since her actions could have jeopardized all of my plans.

Otherwise, I might have felt Lumia’s trembling hands slapping my face.

Of course, even if such a disastrous reaction occurred, some things wouldn’t change, but for the sake of my Culinary Journey, I must avoid any further complications.

According to my emotionally and directionally challenged butler, the Grand Duke would travel to the Capital shortly after this event.

After his departure, a second audience would take place in the afternoon.

It’s where the finalists and Lumia gathered to conduct a ceremony.

In the original novel, the real competition would probably start after this ceremony.

Well, at least that’s what I understood from reading the comments on the paid Chapters.

If the original Elden was still here, he would undoubtedly have joined the fray, participating in this Tragic Romance Fantasy.

I felt sorry for Lumia.

While I certainly didn’t have any malice toward her, in her eyes, I must look like a slippery eel or something.

That must be why she keeps throwing those tantrums.

But just because I feel sorry for her, doesn’t mean I’ll partake in that mess of a competition.

I can only hope she starts focusing on the others since the ‘real’ contest will begin.

With such thoughts, I arrived at the Grand Hall.

It still wasn’t the time to play my cards.

No matter how good the hand is, if not used at the proper time, then it’s worthless.

Patience is the key to success.

After going through the security checks by the guards, I entered the Hall.

It was ten minutes before the ceremony started, so everyone should have been present.

The Regretful Trio usually arrived rather early for these things.

But,

...Hmm?

Kyle was nowhere to be seen.

Only Deron and Blud stood in their seats, both with a pale face, as if they were sitting before a cup of poison.

While Kyle’s seat was empty.

Then,

“The Third Northern Duchess is entering.”

So the star of today’s ceremony didn’t appear until her ‘guest of honor’ arrived?

......

......

Well then,

Kyle Beallon.

Are you,

By any chance an escape artist or something?