My New Love That Isn’t Fated - Episode 41

Sitting at his desk in the study, Elad stared at the mountain of paperwork piled in front of him.
His head had been throbbing since yesterday. The kick from Owen had left his face pathetically swollen, and even breathing or drinking alcohol made it ache dully.

“Owen-sama, shall we set the compensation for Lilia-sama at five million Fabrice? Considering her position, we could go higher, but this amount is equal to what she earned for the Griez family over the past six months. We’ll return that to her in full.”

“And how exactly did Lilia earn that money? I heard she was running a stall for fun—surely it couldn’t have brought in more than a child’s pocket change.”

“…You really don’t know anything, do you? Lilia Griez’s stall at the open-air market was so popular that everything sold out by early afternoon. She had a reputation.”

“A noble running a market stall? That’s disgraceful.”

“…Is that so? I manage the finances of House Griez. Lilia-sama barely spent a single coin on herself. She ate simple meals, wore clothes she brought from home, never bothered to dress up. She even sold the dresses we provided, as well as those she brought with her, and used all the proceeds to repay the family’s debts.”

“And what of it? Am I supposed to be impressed?”

Elad slammed his hand on the desk, irritated. Heinz, who had been reminiscing fondly about Lilia, turned his face away.

“You’ve thrown away your own happiness, Elad-sama. I’ll handle the matter with Lilia-sama.”

“Don’t act on your own. The money of this house is mine. You’re a servant I hired. You will follow my orders.”

“Once Lilia-sama’s matter is resolved, I’ll be taking my leave.”

Heinz declared this without waiting for a response and left the room.
Elad kicked his desk in frustration. Because of Lilia, even the servants had started to defy him.
It was her fault—acting like she was some close friend to them.

“Irma! Come here, Irma!”

“Yes, young master. What’s wrong?”

Elad called out loudly, and Irma appeared slowly.
Her eyes were cold—so unlike before—and they were fixed directly on him.

“Prepare twenty-five million Fabrice. If you sell off her dresses, that should cover it.”

“That’s what Lilia-sama said? I wouldn’t know. She listed all the valuable possessions in House Griez in a ledger, but we servants are not permitted to handle the estate’s assets. That’s not our role.”

“Don’t lie to me. You were the closest one to Lilia.”

“Yes. Lilia-sama treated me very kindly. But she always knew her place. She said that managing the estate’s assets was her responsibility and never let us help.”

“Enough talking. Go sell the dresses.”

“You’ll have to do that yourself. It’s not something I can do in my position. Besides, carrying that much money around is dangerous—someone could steal it. That would be terrible, truly.”

Irma excused herself, saying she had to return to tidying up Lilia’s room, and left.
Elad ran a hand through his hair in frustration. No one listened to him anymore.

But—he realized something. These past few months, he hadn’t had a proper conversation with anyone.
He’d been with Louise the entire time.
Or out playing with his friends.
Meanwhile, Lilia had won the hearts of the Griez family staff. She had taken control of this household.

“Dmn it… Lilia… she’s probably with Owen now…”

Being held by him, no doubt.
Smiling as she celebrates her freedom.

He recalled the way she smiled when he gave her roses. Owen would be the one touching her cheek now.
Pulling her close as she blushed sweetly—and mocking Elad as a foolish man.

He lost himself in those thoughts for a while.
How long had he been daydreaming? Irma’s voice woke him.

“Young master, you have a visitor.”

“Send them in.”

“You shouldn’t make that decision alone.”

“Elad-sama!”

Voices overlapped as a woman ran in and threw herself into his arms, her heavy perfume assaulting his nose.

“I’ve missed you, Elad-sama. You didn’t come yesterday, and I was so worried. I just had to see you.”
“Louise…”

Irma, who had shown her in, gave Elad a pitying look before silently leaving.
Why was she looking at him like that?
Louise was beautiful—far more than Lilia.

That’s what he told himself.
But now, even when she touched him, he felt nothing—no excitement or stir of emotion.

Louise had said she was pregnant.
But he couldn’t help but wonder… is it really his child?

“Elad-sama, I’ve been feeling unwell lately. My belly’s starting to show. I can’t stay on stage for much longer. Even the manager is getting suspicious… Please, help me.”

“Louise… we met about two months ago. Isn’t it a little early for a pregnancy to be showing?”

“The doctor said it’s possible to feel symptoms after just one month. Are you doubting me?”

“…It just seems a bit…”

“Elad-sama, if you abandon me now, I’ll tell everyone. I’ll sing about it on stage—how Elad of House Griez defiled me, got me pregnant, then threw me away.”

“You’re threatening me?”

“No, I’m just that hurt. I’m truly happy to be carrying your child…”

Louise started crying, her makeup running.

Was she always… this unappealing?

Even without makeup, Lilia had been beautiful.
Not flashy, but elegant and graceful.
Her smile had been so sweet.

And now, only after losing her, did he finally realize it.