My Ruin to You - Chapter 18

“Then why are you just listening? Even the courtesan from House Malsen, who came to me naked, was bolder than this.”

You must be shocked, right?

He glanced at his attendant standing a few steps behind him, and the stern man gave a curt nod. Dozens of eyes, which had been fixed on Valen and his attendant, suddenly swiveled toward the Count’s daughter—the very same young lady from House Malsen who had gone to him naked. Her skin flushed crimson under their stares.

“…What?”

Just as Roseline gasped in disbelief—Ding! The bell signaling the start of class rang out.

For some, it was the closing curtain of a performance. For others, the overture of a coming change. And for yet another, the first toll of their downfall.

◇◇◇

Everyday life had changed.

The rumor spread like wildfire—that the young lady who had once led the charge in tearing down Roseline’s dignity had tried, in the most vulgar way possible, to seduce the Grand Duke… and failed. No matter where Roseline went, whispers of the scandal followed. The young lady of House Malsen left the Academy, just one month shy of graduation. After locking herself in her dormitory, she had slipped away under the cover of night while everyone slept.

“Please forgive our past rudeness. We only misunderstood you because of Lady Malsen’s words.”

“Yes, exactly! You know how little we actually spoke, my lady. Not that we blame you—it was all Lady Malsen’s scheming.”

“How could she be so cruel? We were hurt too—though of course, not as much as you. We’re truly sorry, my lady.”

Lady Malsen’s former followers rushed to offer their apologies. Such shallow friendships. Though their words rang hollow, Roseline forced an awkward smile—better to let it go. They immediately showered her with empty praise, gushing over how radiant she looked when she smiled. Too easy.

The incident had shocked Roseline too. She had suspected the girl’s feelings for Valen—given how she glared daggers at Roseline, as if she wanted to devour him whole—but she never imagined she’d go so far as to strip naked and throw herself at him.

Valen had recounted the story. On a rain-soaked early summer night, Lady Malsen arrived at his estate, draped in a robe from head to toe. The moment they were left alone in the parlor, she shed it, revealing nothing but a sheer negligee underneath. Before he could even react, she flung herself at him. Valen shoved her away immediately and called for his attendant and butler.

But Roseline wasn’t curious about the truth of that night. What she wanted to know was—why now? Why reveal something he’d kept silent about all this time, and in front of so many people?

So she asked.

Valen smiled faintly, as if humoring a child asking something obvious.

‘Your reputation was in ruins. What was there left to hesitate over?’

‘…So it was for me.’

‘For you, yes.’

‘……’

‘Are you still upset? That I met with the headmaster without telling you?’

‘Why did you hide it?’

‘You prefer to see things for yourself. You didn’t want me interfering in your disciplinary hearing.’

This man—there’s nothing he doesn’t know.

Back then, he had sent her off with warm encouragement—Do your best. I hope it doesn’t come to disciplinary action. At the time, she had simply thanked him. But looking back, it dawned on her:

A man who knows far more than he lets on—could he really have been unaware of her shattered reputation?

But before long, she shook her head. That makes no sense. If she assumed Valen had known everything, it would mean he’d deliberately let things unfold that way—and there was no reason for him to do so.

He was a good man. That much, at least, shouldn’t be doubted.

Daily life had regained its peace. Just the absence of pointless conflicts and insults made everything far less exhausting.

Yet learned misery doesn’t fade so easily. No matter how sweetly those people whispered now, she couldn’t relax, never knowing when they might bare their teeth again.

The breakup had blurred into ambiguity. Even when she steeled herself, the words wouldn’t come when she faced Valen—or by the time she gathered her thoughts, she’d already been swept along in his wake, missing chance after chance. She didn’t want to hurt him. She lacked the courage to let herself be remembered as the villain. And the changed circumstances played their part too.

After all, the reason to leave had disappeared.