An Early Engagement - Chapter 49

She remembered the voice that always called out to her after their fights. No matter how much she ignored it at first, Damian’s affectionate tone would eventually make her give in and open the door.

Because Damian loved her.

No matter how much she messed up, he always came back to her. He always forgave her. He was a fool who only had eyes for her.

She thought this time would be the same.

But as days passed, her expectations were shattered, and Shirley spent her time in agonizing wait.

He sent the annulment letter and didn’t take it back.

*Knock knock.*

“Miss Shirley…”

A cautious voice called from outside. It was Sophie.

“I’m coming in for a moment.”

“I told you to leave!”

Before she could finish yelling, the door opened, and Shirley hurled a cushion at it.

*Thud.*

The cushion flew through the air, nearly hitting the visitor who had just entered, but they nimbly dodged it, avoiding disaster.

“Melissa…?”

“Quite the welcome.”

Melissa took off her hat and walked over to sit beside Shirley.

“What brings you here?”

“Thanks for the warm welcome.”

“My brother went to Raye. He won’t be back for a month.”

“I know. I’m not here to see Terban.”

“……”

“I came because I’m worried about you. The Duchess contacted me. She’s worried about what might happen to you if this continues.”

“Mom, really…”

Shirley turned her head away and lay back down.

“Don’t just lie there like that. Get up. The sofa’s going to lose its shape because of you.”

“Just leave me alone! Why is everyone like this?!”

Melissa grabbed Shirley’s shoulders and shook her, prompting Shirley to sit up, her voice sharp and irritable.

“We can’t just leave you alone, can we? Your mother, me… everyone’s worried sick about you.”

“I’m not dying, I’m not dying!”

Even as Shirley yelled, her hair disheveled, Melissa didn’t bat an eye.

“Good to see you still have the energy to yell. You’re not as bad off as I thought.”

“Why did you even come? To make me angry enough to die?”

“No, I have some news you need to hear.”

“News?”

Shirley asked, and Melissa nodded.

“Yes. News you absolutely need to know. There’s a very interesting rumor going around in high society right now.”

“I don’t care. I don’t want to hear any of it.”

Shirley laughed bitterly. In the past, she would have been the first to perk up at any gossip Melissa brought, but now she had no energy for high society rumors.

“Well… but I think you’ll want to hear this. No, you *need* to hear it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s about you.”

“…What?”

Seeing Shirley frown, Melissa straightened up, her expression deadly serious.

“Listen carefully. The rumor spreading right now is…”

“Just say it. What is it?”

Melissa hesitated, as if the words were stuck in her throat. After a moment, she took a deep breath and spoke.

“The rumor is that you and Damian have broken off your engagement.”

“……”

“Shirley?”

“……”

“Did you forget how to breathe?”

Shirley couldn’t respond to Melissa’s words. She sat frozen like an ice statue, staring at Melissa without moving.

“Shirley?”

Only then did Melissa seem to realize the gravity of the situation, her eyes widening.

“Wait, is it… true?”

When Shirley quickly averted her gaze, Melissa gasped, covering her mouth in shock.

“Oh my God, it’s not just a rumor? It’s true?”

“I… I don’t know. I don’t know anything.” Shirley jumped up and began pacing the room.

“Shirley, look at me. What on earth is going on? I came to tell you about this nasty rumor so we could squash it quickly… but it’s true?” Melissa grabbed Shirley’s arm.

“I said I don’t know.”

At Shirley’s irritable response, Melissa looked even more shocked.

“Oh my God. This can’t be. Why? Then… is that other rumor true too?”

“What are you talking about?”

Shirley’s eyes widened in shock.

“……There’s a rumor that at the upcoming ball at the Elpart Ducal Residence, Damian is going to introduce his new fiancée.”

“W-what did you say?”

Shirley grabbed Melissa’s shoulders, shaking her almost violently.

“What did you just say, Melissa? A new fiancée? Damian? With who?”

“I… I don’t know…”

Overwhelmed by Shirley’s intensity, Melissa stumbled over her words.

“Ha.”

Shirley let out a bitter laugh, staggering as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

This can’t be.

The rumor about the annulment is already spreading?

And now he’s introducing a new fiancée?

Damian? My fiancé?

“Shirley, what on earth is going on? What’s happening…? When the Duchess told me you two had a serious fight, I said you’d be back together soon and not to worry.”

“Mom said that?” Melissa nodded again.

In the midst of her confusion, Shirley tried to make sense of the situation. So, her mother still doesn’t know that her daughter received an annulment letter. Meaning…

Damian hasn’t informed either family about the annulment yet…

So, the annulment isn’t official. Even though the annulment letter is still sleeping soundly in her drawer.

“I… I have to go to that ball.”

“Yes, yes?”

Caught off guard by the sudden shift in the conversation, Melissa looked bewildered but nodded her head.

“Y-yes. Shirley.”

“I’ll make sure to look very, very beautiful. So beautiful that no other girl at the ball will outshine me.” Melissa shivered slightly as she saw the almost manic gleam in her friend’s eyes.

“Very… very good idea, Shirley. That’s right, then.”

Melissa thought that Shirley’s eyes looked like those of a rabbit staring at a carrot right in front of it.