MFCPCR Chapter 1.1 - The Man in the Terrace

 Translator: Silvia

Editor: Sarcasm

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“Ella! Is that true?”

“Yes, young miss.”

“Ohohoho.”

Alaina Hilt, the esteemed daughter of Count HIlt, started to laugh wickedly in broad daylight.

Alaina was a woman who looked like a living work of art. Her flawless features were chilling and the peachy skin that surrounded it looked phenomenal. Her sunshine blonde hair fluttered down her back, and her rosy pink cheeks seemed to emanate a flowery smell. Her painted eyebrows and smooth nose seemed to be carved by God with great care, and her thick lips were as elegant and full as a blooming flower.

No, in this case, it would be fitting to think that it wasn’t God, but the author who wrote her with good intentions. In any case, Alaina Hilt was a tremendous beauty.

As she burst into a peal of laughter, the maids standing beside her couldn’t help but laugh as well.

Alaina’s cheeks reddened as she couldn’t hide her excitement.

It was due to the good news from her immediate maid, Ella.

“Otherwise, there would be no reason for Idrian to show off the ring to young Lady Pemollo.”

Yes. Isn’t it obvious why Idrian Bielvardo, Alaina’s love, showed the ring to her old friend, Lady Pemollo, and asked her how the ring looked?

Because it was to propose to Alaina. As proof, Idrian had announced his visit this afternoon. Now, if you wait a little longer, you will see the fruits of wonderful and brilliant love.

Alaina held her chin with a hazy face as she recalled her beloved. She thought of his soft golden hair and jeweled blue eyes.

Her heart was pounding. The thrill spread to the top of her head as she imagined the moment when his bigger hand would put the ring on hers.

“Did you see it?”

“Pardon me?”

“The ring. I’m curious as to what it looks like.”

“Oh, I apologize, my lady. I wasn’t able to see it properly. I could barely hear their conversation. If they knew I was there, they wouldn’t have taken the ring out. He looked like he wanted to surprise you.”

Perhaps, that’s true.

Sir Idrian is too much.

“So cute, why does he think like that?”

This was why Alaina was laughing like a happy child. Not to mention, Adrian’s arrival was finally announced.

Alaina left the room in high spirits. Idrian was seen walking around the mansion halls, instead of the sitting room. He personally climbed the stairs as he tidies up his clothes.

“Good afternoon, Sir Id.”

“Alaina, how have you been?”

“I’ve been well. What about you?”

“Thank you for your concern, I am safe and sound.”

He replied in a low and deep voice. In such a cave-like voice he shook up her heart, Idrian reached out his hand.

Alaina smiles shyly and rests her hand on top of his. As their bare hands touched, her heart started to pound.

Idrian spoke quietly.

“I have something to say to you in private.”

It’s happening.

Alaina swallowed her saliva and nodded to Ella. The quick-witted maid winked immediately.

“Then I will prepare the tea. Shall I bring the tea to the garden since the weather is nice?”

“Yes, that would be nice.”

When Alaina answered quickly, Ella nodded. The two of them headed to the garden while accompanied by the blowing breeze.

Alaina held back her humming. It was clear that Idrian was nervous because his hand was damp with perspiration.

He is such an adorable man.

Although he was a brave man who won a sword fighting tournament and was bestowed honour directly by the king, he was this anxious in front of her.

That was charming of him.

Alaina pretended to not notice his nervousness and sat facing him at the prepared tea table. 

While picking at her well-kept nails, she glanced at Idrian’s face.

He looked strangely worried since he was biting his lips. Alaina pursed her lips to help clear her doubts.

Why is he so nervous?

She felt that she should try to alleviate his concerns. Alaina asked in a playful tone.

“Sir Id, why do you look so serious? Are you concerned about something?”

At those words, Idrian stiffened. His face was full of guilt. He barely managed to speak once Alaina’s eyes opened wide.

“The truth is...”

“Please speak comfortably.”

Alaina encouraged him with the softest voice in the world. Then Idrian grabbed her hand.

Now. It’s happening now!

“I'm always grateful for the love that you give to me.”

She smiled warmly and lowered her head. What a great start.

“It’s painful for me to tell you this.”

“Huh?”

A strange sound came out from her, unknowingly. Her face reddened in an instant. Alaina tried to cool off by clearing her throat.

Idrian, who stopped talking for a moment, asked in a friendly voice.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes? Yes, of course. But you just said you were in pain….”

“.....I’m engaged.”

“What?”

You aren’t proposing to me? Alaina rapidly blinked her wide eyes. The mood didn’t seem right.

Idrian started chewing his lips once again. She felt sad seeing his pitiful state, so naturally, her hands reached out to him.

“Sir Id, why are you acting this way?”

But he pushed Alaina’s hands away. With the big and warm hands that used to escort her, he gently but firmly moved her hands away from him.

“Alaina, I’m engaged.”

At those words her voice had gotten weird. Alaina’s vocal cords trembled uncontrollably as she asked.

“With whom?”

“With Lady Pemollo.”

“What!”

What kind of bullsh*t is this. Without realizing it, Alaina’s voice rose close to a shriek.

Huh, what did this man just say? Who did he-? With the Riley Pemollo I know? Eng-engaged?!

“You are already engaged?”

“I have nothing to say. It’s all my fault.”

“Why are you talking about this all of a sudden? How come you and Riley are getting engaged?”

Like a sinner, he even lowered his head.Alaina shook her head. She couldn’t stand this. She couldn’t stand the sight of her knight, no her prince with his head down like that.

“Sir Id?”

At her call, he raised his head. He grabbed her hand and started hitting his head and shoulder with it.

“If this makes you feel better, you can beat me hundreds or thousands of times.”

Alaina looked at his laughable face with a stunned expression. Even at that moment, the hand that was hitting his shoulder was spread out.

I mean, isn’t my hand the one that will hurt instead of his shoulder? His shoulder was like a boulder.

Alaina asked in a calm voice while trying to suppress all of the anger rising inside of her.

“Sir Id, then…. the ring that you showed to Riley….”

Idrian whipped his head up to look at her. His expression was full of  surprise. It was as if he was asking how she knew about it. 

So, the ring that he showed to Riley Pemollo wasn’t for Alaina. It was an engagement ring that was dedicated to Lady Pemollo.

How could I be so foolish.

Once he stopped using her hand to hit himself, either for her sake or his, she shook off his hand. Fortunately, there were no tears.

Perhaps it’s because I’m too shocked?

Right, the weather is too nice to be dumped by a man that you adore. This doesn’t make any sense.

Seeing him looked so distressed, there must be something wrong. It’s not her delusion that today would be the day of the proposal.

Alaina barely managed to ask after justifying her misunderstanding.

“You are facing certain circumstances, right? Right?”

“I am sorry.”

Her anger flared up. The moment she saw Ella, who was stiff as a stone statue while holding the tray, her anger doubled.

Alaina demanded despite her shame.

“What are you sorry for? Are you sorry for not loving me? Are you apologizing for letting me love you one-sidedly? Is that what this is?”

If someone else told me this story, I would have been appalled. If they told me that they were dumped and that’s it, then I would think that they felt humiliated and shamefully thought of what they did to deserve such treatment. 

But when she heard such nonsense from a man who didn’t sound thrilled about the marriage, Alaina wanted to say, ‘Hmph! I don’t want to deal with a piece of sh*t like you anymore! It was awful to meet you, let’s never see each other again!’, but it’s not that easy to say.

They have been dating for over a year. Although formal procedures, such as engagement, were not clear, they were close enough to visit each other one-on-one.

It’s not only a matter of him ending things by saying ‘I am marrying someone else’!

It was even more embarrassing that he sprang up at her words and then dropped down to one knee.

“No, it’s by no means like that.”

Even though you were dating me, you had the gall to look at another woman and ask for her hand in marriage? Alaina opened her mouth in confusion.

“Then, please explain it.”

“.....Although you may think it’s an excuse, I will only ever love you!”

“No, don’t you dare say that. I need a real explanation!!”

When Alaina couldn’t hold down her anger anymore, and shouted, Idrian’s entire body trembled. .

“As you already know, the situation at my home is not very good.”

Idrian Bielvardo was the one in charge of taking care of his five brothers. Even though all of them were grown men. There were no titles, lands, or money to split between the six brothers, who were born with poor probability of success.

Idrian was a brilliant knight with a promising future, but after he inherited his title, he had nothing to give to the rest of his brothers. More than likely, it was because of his poor connections.

However, Alaina was aware of his circumstances. Maybe that’s why she thought the day had come when Ella mentioned the ring.

He couldn’t afford to give her jewelry for no reason, so if he prepared a ring then it must have been for a big deal! If she hadn’t heard about it in the first place, she wouldn’t have expected it.

In fact, she was prepared to cry and accept the ring, even if he made it from flowers in the garden. Even the dowry was planned to be given to him.

Idrian kept speaking without any consideration of her feelings.

“As you know, the Duke of Pemollo has no son. He promised to take responsibility for all of my brothers, as long as I agreed to be his son-in-law and live at their property, instead of my own.”

It was such an unbelievable story that Alaine stared at him with her eyes wide open.

So, Riley is the one who asked to be engaged first? He would seriously blame her for what he did? It just doesn’t make any sense.

The Riley Pemollo that she knew, was no doubt a very good best friend. Especially since they've been close friends since childhood, she even thought that Riley should receive her wedding bouquet.

But there’s no way she would make such a ridiculous offer, right?

No, even if Idrian is speaking the truth, and that’s what happened, why would you accept the offer?

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