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The girl was right. Four hours was very short a time.

After brushing my hair, absorbing the oil on my skin, applying powder, choosing clothes, placing accessories, and all sorts of other disruptions, three hours had already passed. I managed to arrive at the restaurant just before it was time for the date.

‘Phew.’

It wasn’t until I sat down in the table chair that I could sigh.

Still, it seemed that the three-hour struggle was not without effect. No, it seemed to have worked excessively.

I coughed uncomfortably, feeling that all the eyes in the restaurant were on me.

Honestly, the reflection of the person in the mirror was so beautiful. I had to wipe the mirror to be sure, but the light still penetrated from the face.

I knew Ariel was a genius perfumer, but I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman before. I sat in my seat uncomfortably, feeling a ticklish glance on my cheek.

‘By the way, why aren’t you coming?’

It’s already been about ten minutes since the appointment. Nevertheless, the male lead was not seen at all.

‘If you’re going to be late, at least give me a word.’

I pouted my mouth and sipped my tea. My evaluation of the male protagonist, whom I have not even seen his face yet, was already negative.

Well, whether the evaluation was good or not, I’m not going to see him after today anyway.

After that, how many more sips did I take?

“….”

Suddenly, I felt the air in the restaurant change a little. Everyone was looking away from me and staring elsewhere as if they had decided before altogether.

“Lady Winston.”

A shadow cast over me. I slowly raised my head.

Black hair as if it was stolen from the night sky. The red eyes that seemed to be solidified by melting rubies.

Unknowingly, I burst out laughing. The romance fantasy novel 〈Sleeping beside You,〉which I possessed, had a lot of descriptions of the man-made beauty. As I read the book, I remember recalling that fantasy is fantasy.

But that ridiculous appearance existed.

I could tell without even making sure. This man standing before me was Cedric Evans.

With a grimace on my face, I gave the man a slight bow.

“Hello, Duke.”

Cedric sat opposite me, slightly loosening the cravat tied around his neck.

“I’m sorry, Lady. I have a lot of work to do today.”

It was an apology for being late. I didn’t feel his sincerity.

I shook my head with a slight smile.

“It’s Monday, that’s all right.”

“Were we going to go to the Gallen Gallery after the meal?”

Cedric recited with a dry face. He seemed to be talking about today’s date.

We were going to the gallery after dinner, as it’s supposed to be a formal date. I smiled inwardly and replied,

“No, Duke.”

Cedric, who was loosening the sleeve buttons of his suit, lifted one eyebrow. I continued with the fake smile I drew.

“I don’t think today’s date is going to be extended more than this.”

“…Oh, is that so?”

A look of surprise flashed through Cedric’s face.

But he soon nodded with an emotionless face. He looked as if he didn’t care. It seemed like he was not here for a date, but an additional extension of his work.

Okay, as expected, Cedric is bothered by meeting me. Then things should be incredibly easy.

I slightly straightened my back and opened my mouth.

“Duke, I have something to tell you.”

Cedric looked up at me. An emotion that he couldn’t hide for an instant passed by in his eyes. It was the emotion known as, ‘annoyance’.

Are you guessing I’m going to bring up anything annoying?

Don’t worry, I won’t. I said the following with a big smile.

“Let’s stop seeing each other from today.”

Cedric frowned. as if he had misheard.

“What did you just say, Lady?”

“Let’s break up. It’s a contractual relationship that started with deterrence, and I don’t feel the same way I used to. I thought it would be good for both me and the Duke.”

“…Wait. Wait.”

Cedric urgently spits out words with a confused look.

How surprised he must have been to even forget his honorifics and speak informally. But I decided to pretend I didn’t hear it.

Oh, I forgot to add something.

“Don’t worry about the perfume. I’ll send it in a package so that it doesn’t fall off. Enough for you to never be a crazy dog again.”

“Crazy… Dog?”

Oh, my mistake. The nickname I used to call the male lead just popped out.

“A slip of the tongue. Duke, you like neat things, don’t you? Let’s cut our ties here neatly, too.”

All right, that was perfect.

After spitting out all the lines I had prepared, I smiled contentedly. I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with this.

Standing up, I stared down at Cedric. The gorgeous eye was staring up at me.

“Then I understand that the Duke agrees, so I’m going to leave now.”

“…”

“This must’ve been a lot of excuses.”

I meditated sincerely.

Cedric must have had a hard time. Because of the only stabilizer that can heal his peculiar constitution, how difficult it must have been to be dragged back and forth by a woman who did not even have a good heart.

‘But now you’re free.’

To be honest, I understood why Ariel hung herself on him too much. But a man’s face doesn’t mean she can die for it.

I turned my back without hesitation. Ariel would now be less than an extra if she didn’t get entangled with the male lead. She’ll have nothing to do with the novel.

It was to have total freedom.

Feeling much lighter, I left the restaurant with flying steps.

I think I might’ve heard a voice calling, “Wait!” belatedly, but. I must have heard it wrong.

I didn’t even look back.

I entered the carriage in a happy mood. Breaking up with the male lead was the most important and essential task for Ariel. I felt invincible to think that I had cleared everything neatly.

As I entered my house, Count Winston’s servants greeted me.

As soon as I stepped into the hall, I opened my eyes wide with surprise.

Someone was glaring at me on the staircase.

“Ariel Winston.”

There was a middle-aged man who seemed healthy. Seeing the servants bowing their heads toward him, I realized at once. The fact that he’s the master of this mansion, Count Winston.

In other words, he was the father of this body.

“Hello, Father.”

I greeted Count Winston, recalling the movements I had seen in the movie.

The Count stared at me with a frown.

“Were you on your way back from meeting the Duke of Evans again?”

“Yes, Father.”

Once I determined his thought, the Count’s face twisted.

“Because of your foul play, the prestige of the Winston’s family is falling to the ground, Ariel. Don’t you know that people point fingers and laugh at you?”

When I heard his criticism out of the blue, I blinked surprisedly. The Count continued without giving me a chance to answer.

“I think the Duke of Evans will abandon you since you’re such a dragon. If I had a heart, I would have already done so!”

An unrelenting roar. I breathed wistfully and cut off the Count.

“I’ve lost touch with the Duke.”

“Your deeds are so evil that you can get anywhere… What?”

The Count narrowed his eyebrows.

“What did you just say?”

“I’ve told you I’m done with Duke Evans, Father.”

I added with a smile.

“It was a neat breakup without a hitch. So you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

“Break up…?”

The count, who stammered blankly, suddenly crumpled his forehead.

“You’ve finally been abandoned! You’ve been hanging on to him for a long time and in the end! I knew this day would come. Are you satisfied now that you have defiled yourself, Ariel!”

Count, I don’t know if you’re worried about your daughter’s prestige or your family’s prestige, but you’re very passionate. I shook my head and said,

“Who do you mean was abandoned? Father, it was a clean, consensual parting.”

“…what?”

“If you’re really worried, ask the waiter at the restaurant I came to today. You must be worried if I was abandoned by the Duke and made a scene with tears, but that didn’t happen.”

“… aren’t you telling lies because you’re embarrassed? Were you calm even after being dishonored by Duke Evans?”

“I was not abandoned.”

I sighed and told him once more.

“I was the first one to mention a breakup. The Duke… Well, he agreed implicitly.”

All Cedric did was stare at me with doubting eyes, but I could tell that Cedric, who was sick of me, agreed as he couldn’t possibly refuse to break up.

The Count stuttered, wondering if he could believe it or not, even though I kindly explained it.

“Wi, with your mouth… You said goodbye to the Duke of Evans?”

“That’s exactly the case, Father.”

Now we’re talking. I smiled lightly and looked at the count. The Count was gazing at me with unfamiliar eyes as if he had seen a ghost.

“What the hell… What are you up to this time, Ariel? If you’re trying to get the Duke’s attention, you’d better quit!”

“No, I’m not. I don’t have any feelings for him anymore.”

The Count’s face turned white as if he had heard something he shouldn’t hear.

“Ah, Ariel. What’s wrong with you? Rina! Check Ariel’s temperature!”

A maid called Rina came running at an infrequent pace and carefully touched my forehead. I laughed in vain. If this body was always obsessed with Cedric, would he not believe what I’m saying?

Well, there’s nothing we can do about the aftermath. I replied with a shrug.

“I don’t have a fever, but I’m a little tired. If you don’t have anything else to say, may I go now? Father.”

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