My Second Engagement: Loved by the Duke’s Son and Thanked for My Healing Magic ~ My Selfish Sister Took My Fiancé, but Gave Him Back Because She Didn’t Want Him Anymore~ - Episode 35

This is the highest-ranked soirée, held in the royal palace. I was so excited that I arrived earlier than the scheduled time.

There are still only a few people here.

Since my elder sister Reina is becoming a duchess, we were allowed to attend as well thanks to her. In that sense, I am grateful to her.

With such a high-status gathering, most people my age are probably already engaged. But I won’t give up. There might still be some gentlemen who are free.

Even so, I wonder why Father and Mother couldn’t attend the soirée at the royal palace.

They said they had something important to do.

I feel so lonely by myself.

Would someone please talk to me?

As I was thinking that, a man who seemed to be of rather low status approached me.

“Excuse me. Are you alone?”

“Oh, good evening. If you’re going to greet me, could you at least pour me a drink from over there?”

“Eh? No, I…”

“It’s fine, just go and get it.”

“Uh… understood.”

I was disappointed.

I thought someone had finally spoken to me, but he looked somewhat like Julite, though his clothes clearly marked him as the son of a lower-ranking noble family.

Being alone is lonely, so I might as well use this man as a tool to attract attention from proper gentlemen.

When I saw the drink he brought, I got goosebumps.

“Why is this orange juice!?”

“You told me to get a drink from over there, so…”

“Are you mocking me? I did ask you to bring a drink, but bringing orange juice is unacceptable!”

That said, my throat was already parched, so I reluctantly downed the orange juice in one gulp.

“Listen well. For a noble lady of my stature, I expect an espresso.”

I had trained myself extensively and could now drink overly bitter espresso to some extent.

This must mean I’ve climbed a step higher on the ladder of adulthood.

“Es… espresso?”

“That’s right! Since you spoke to me, you should prepare it quickly.”

“I’ll check on that. Please wait a moment.”

I see, so he isn’t a noble’s son but a servant working at the royal palace.

Hmm… Maybe serving in the palace in the future wouldn’t be a bad option. After all, he does have a fine face.

“Here is your espresso.”

I took a big gulp and finished it in one go.

The espresso served in the royal palace was too bitter.

But I must endure!

I can handle a few more cups.

I need to make the gentlemen believe I am a capable woman.

Since drinking more in a row would be tough, I should change the topic.

“What is your name?”

“Pardon my late introduction. My name is Sanadim.”

“Oh…”

That name sounds familiar.

Since he only gave his name, does that mean he’s a commoner and not a noble?

“I am Almia Falrune, daughter of Viscount Falrune.”

“Ah, so you are Lady Almia.”

“Oh my, you know my name?”

“Yes, of course…”

I was surprised that even a commoner working at the royal palace knew my name.

Well, I suppose that’s only natural.

Still, it made me happy to be reminded of my own importance.

“Sanadim, was it? Since we have this opportunity, you should stay by my side for a while.”

“That would be…”

“No need to hold back.”

For a moment, Sanadim seemed to give a bitter smile…

“Oh, right. I’m feeling hungry. Could you bring me something to eat?”

“There’s still time before the event begins… Understood.”

Saying that, Sanadim headed to the table with food and started placing items on a plate.

“This is the latest trend in the royal palace—Japanese cuisine. Please, enjoy.”

“Japanese cuisine? This is my first time trying it. Hmm, it’s quite delicious! I wonder who came up with this.”

“It was Baron Bettom’s third son, Belard Bettom.”

“What!?”

“He said he learned it in a faraway foreign land.”

That man who mocked me…?

The one who was running such a shabby shop…?

Just in case, I asked Sanadim.

“Uh… is Belard Bettom really an incredible person?”

“Of course. Even the king praises him.”

“WHAT!?”

How could this be?

Even if it’s a lie, I should apologize now and try to reconsider our engagement for the future…

I decided to make Belard my first-choice marriage candidate and keep Sanadim as a backup.

“I need to step away for a moment.”

My stomach started hurting, so I hurried off to the restroom.

Why would that man be favored by the king…?

I simply don’t understand.