The End of First Love - Chapter 28

“Excuse me. May I have a word with you?”

When the voice came from behind, Elizabeth turned around to see a young man with red hair standing there.

“Um… I’m sorry, but I’d like to be alone for a while.”

She had finally escaped from the ongoing petty arguments between women, and had no desire to engage with a man. She didn’t even know who this man was. Though he seemed somewhat familiar, she thought she might have seen him at some evening event, perhaps.

“I see. My apologies,” the man replied politely.

She hoped he would just leave, but instead, he didn’t move and even closed the distance between them. It seemed he had no intention of retreating. With a sense of resignation, Elizabeth sighed softly.

But there was no need for her to respond to a stranger’s pleasantries.

(I should just leave here myself.)

Even if she treated him coldly, the red-haired man likely wouldn’t follow her.

“Well then, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Lady Elizabeth, are you sure? I wanted to speak with you about something regarding your fiancé, Lord Heinz,” the man said, his words stopping Elizabeth in her tracks.

“Lord Heinz?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Yes, that’s right. It’s about your fiancé, Lord Heinz.”

It was a suspicious remark. The man probably thought that by bringing up Heinz’s name, she would be unable to disregard him.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in hearing about Lord Heinz from a stranger.”

“I see. But what if this conversation concerns the rumors that have been troubling you about Lord Heinz?” he pressed.

“Rumors? What do you mean? If I have concerns, I’ll ask Lord Heinz directly,” Elizabeth said, her voice steady.

“Is it about the nun that Lord Heinz has been visiting frequently, as the rumors suggest?”

“…”

The moment the man mentioned the rumors, Elizabeth had a feeling it was about the nun who had been the subject of gossip regarding Heinz. But hearing it spoken aloud made it impossible to ignore.

(What is this man’s intention, trying to talk to me about this, in a secluded place like this?)

Though the truth of the rumors was unclear, the man certainly had new information about them.

“What do you want in return for sharing what you know with me?” Elizabeth asked, her tone cautious.

“Heh heh heh, return? Well, if I had to ask for something, I’d like to be given some help in joining the Crown Prince faction once you’re married to Lord Heinz,” the man said, a smile creeping across his face.

“Heh heh, how amusing. You’re already attending tea parties hosted by the Crown Prince’s fiancée. That makes you part of the Crown Prince faction, doesn’t it?” Elizabeth replied.

“No, that’s not it. I only participated because I used some connections to attend, just to meet you,” he said.

“To meet me? Does he even realize how unnatural that sounds? Or is he trying to provoke me on purpose?” Elizabeth thought to herself.

“If you have connections, you don’t need to use me, do you? It would be easier that way.”

“That wouldn’t be meaningful. You see, I don’t want to be just another noble of the Crown Prince faction. I want to be one of the more influential nobles, close to the Crown Prince himself,” the man said, his tone revealing his ambition.

In other words, he was seeking to position himself among the more influential nobles of the Crown Prince faction. That’s why he was trying to ingratiate himself with the Schwein Duke’s family, which was at the forefront of the faction. What a man driven by ambition.

Elizabeth felt no need to listen to more of his nonsense.

Just as she was about to firmly reject him, the red-haired man spoke again, and his words made Elizabeth hesitate.

“Lady Elizabeth, surely this is not a bad deal for you. Don’t you still feel a sense of guilt about having once been the fiancé of Prince William?”

“That…” Elizabeth’s words faltered.

Was there guilt? If she were to say there wasn’t, she’d be lying.

The majority of nobles in the Crown Prince faction likely viewed her as a woman who had switched allegiance from the Second Prince faction and had cleverly attached herself to Heinz. Many of the women in the faction likely resented the idea of a woman like her marrying into the powerful Schwein Duke’s family. Elizabeth had felt that resentment keenly at the recent tea party.

“I understand how you feel, Lady Elizabeth. After all, my family is one of the leading noble houses of the Second Prince faction. Do you know the Mareille family?” he continued.

The Mareille family. Yes, they were indeed an influential noble house in the Second Prince faction. Was this red-haired man a member of that family, perhaps the son of Count Mareille? She recalled that Count Mareille had a son.

“Are you the son of Count Mareille?” she asked.

“Heh heh, yes, I am. My name is Leonardo Mareille. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” the man introduced himself.

“I see… So, the Mareille family intends to switch to the Crown Prince faction, then?” she asked, trying to clarify his stance.

“No, that’s not it. To be honest, my father still holds on to illusions about the Second Prince faction. After the engagement between you and Lord Heinz was announced, it’s certain that the neutral Baker Duke family will side with the Crown Prince faction. The future of the Second Prince faction looks bleak. That’s why some are already planning to leave it. But my father refuses to do so. While it’s his prerogative to self-destruct, I don’t want to be dragged down with him. However, being deeply tied to the Second Prince faction, I know it will be difficult for the Crown Prince faction to accept me easily. Just like it is for you, Lady Elizabeth.”

For nobles deeply tied to the Second Prince faction, switching to the Crown Prince faction required the support of someone with influence. That was why Leonardo was approaching Elizabeth—using her to get closer to Heinz.

“Lady Elizabeth, this would not be a bad deal for you. If the information I have could make Lord Heinz love you even more, you could silence the women of the Crown Prince faction, couldn’t you? Also, if you join forces with me, you could gain access to information about the Second Prince faction. Their movements, which will soon be in turmoil, could be of great use to the Crown Prince faction. You could help Lord Heinz, and it would also remove the guilt you feel,” Leonardo said, his voice almost whispering.

A voice in Elizabeth’s mind urged her not to listen, to trust Heinz.

Yet the temptation was strong, and his words began to sink deep into her heart.

“Lady Elizabeth, if you ever decide to join forces with me, please contact me.” Leonardo handed her a piece of paper and left.

Elizabeth stood there, staring at the paper in her hand. Time passed, and she still couldn’t bring herself to throw it away.