Chapter 76
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Fake Engagement
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An engagement ring?!
Yeah.
It was the ring Albert Groble had made for him not long ago.
It had been too small for Tristans finger, but thankfully, it fit Bellas perfectly.
I want you to wear it to the Seven Stars Gathering. Unless theyre idiots, theyll start suspecting something about our relationship. Thats exactly what you wanted, right?
Officially, everyone knew their engagement had been called off.
If Bella showed up at the Seven Stars Gathering with him on her arm, theyd definitely start questioning things.
And if she was wearing what looked like an engagement ring? That suspicion would turn into certainty.
At least it would thin out the herd of guys proposing to her.
......
But... everyone had gone awfully quiet.
Not just BellaBlanche and Helga had fallen silent too.
Had he said something wrong?
Well... whatever. He decided to press on with the explanation.
If were going to put on a show, better make it convincing. It might be a fake engagement ring, but if you wear it, the effect will be real enough.
Hmm... so its fake, you say.
Bella peered at the ring with a subtle expression.
You know... that proposal you just gave me? Not even a little romantic.
If you were expecting romance from me, youre barking up the wrong tree.
Hmph... yeah, figures. No woman would fall for a fake proposal like that.
Doesnt matter. That rings an item that can hold mana. It probably wont come to it, but if an emergency hits, itll come in handy. Fake engagement ring or not, the mana it holds is the real deal.
The time Bella had been kidnapped not long ago, her mana had been sealed, and shed nearly gotten in serious trouble.
The ring couldnt hold much mana, but itd be plenty for a pinch.
Bella muttered in a tiny voice.
...See? You keep making me expect things...
What was that?
Nothing.
Her tone was curt, but she didnt seem as annoyed as before.
She held out her hand primly.
Dont think Im the type to accept a proposal like this, you fake fiancé.
It was her way of saying yes.
Tristan took her hand.
Much appreciated.
Aah... to think I have to play the fiancée again. I really am the most unfortunate woman alive.
You can back out right now if you want.
No thanks. Just testing you. So, can I count on you to play the perfect fiancé for me today, Count?
Ill do my best.
Hee hee...
As Bella took his hand and climbed into the carriage, she said,
Alright then. Tonight only, Ill be all yours.
Oh! Welcome, sir! Come right in! Master Patrick!
Long time no see, old timer.
The traditional upscale restaurant in Luddrows noble district, Eastern Glory.
Owner Jang Chen greeted him effusively, taking Patricks coat.
To think you, Master Patrick, would be representing House Wolfbert at the Seven Stars Gathering... and choosing my place for it!
Come on, old man, no need to make a fuss. Im just the proxy. Dads still spry as ever, so Ive got a ways to go before Im the real head.
Patrick chuckled as he said it.
Truth be told, he was in a good mood.
He was representing the house at a gathering of the Seven Stars, after all.
Even if his father, Gail, had hounded him relentlessly to stand in.
Oh, but its still an honor. This place has lasted this long thanks to House Wolfbert. Since youve put your faith in folks like us, you can look forward to tonights feast.
Glad to hear you say that, old timer.
Patrick glanced at the owner and asked,
By the way, how old are you this year?
Ninety-eight. Heh heh...
So youre not just an old timeryoure a grandpa.
Kuhaha! Why you gotta say it like that? Im still kicking. Should I start calling you young master?
As if.
This restaurant had been Patricks familys go-to since he was a kid.
Naturally, he went way back with owner Jang Chen.
Speaking of, wheres Jang Ryang?
Ryang? Its his day off, so hes out.
Too bad. Was gonna congratulate him.
Patrick shrugged, gesturing to the gift basket his attendant held behind him.
Eastern Glory, the shop passed down for over a century.
After patriarch Jang Chen, the position had now gone to his son, Jang Ryang.
Tsk tsk... if my back didnt hurt so much, Id have stood in the kitchen till a hundred...
Ryangs more than reliable. Time to retire, Chen old man.
You dont know the half of it! Hes still got a long way to go.
After a bit of small talk, Jang Chen spoke up.
But... that gift you brought. Seems a tad extravagant just for my boy, dont you think?
Ah, yeah. Actually, its for someone else.
Heh heh... who on earth gets a gift like that from you, Master Patrick?
Its for Lady Izarkhel.
Oho...? That Cliff Flower?
Ah, yeah, she was definitely the Cliff Flower.
Lady Bella Izarkhel.
The most beautiful woman in the empire, the dukes daughter whose charm bloomed proud and aloof.
What man in the land hadnt dreamed of taking her as his wife?
But Bella already had an owner.
If she was the empires most stunning beauty, her fiancé was its most infamous man.
None other than Count Tristan Ruelverta.
Tristan was a greedy man.
Once something was in his grasp, he never let it go.
And House Ruelverta was the most influential in the empire.
Touch his fiancée, and you made an enemy of them.
Thats why Bella had remained the Cliff Flower for so long.
But no longer.
Yeah. Im gonna pluck the Cliff Flower.
Patrick declared it with utter confidence.
Word had spread through high society not long ago: Tristan and Bellas engagement was off.
No one knew why, but it seemed legit. Neither House Ruelverta nor Izarkhel had denied it.
So the vultures whod been waiting swooped in, proposals flying left and right.
Patrick was one of them.
But none of em are my match.
He sneered.
House Wolfbert wasnt higher-ranked than the others.
He had no intention of leaning on the familys power.
Hed win the Cliff Flower with his own strength alone.
Patrick knew his appeal as a man well.
Towering height, muscles carved like sculpture, a ruggedly feral face.
Pure physical prowess and looks? He ranked among the empires elite.
No woman had ever resisted him.
Even those whod turned him down at first ended up conquered in his hands.
And now, he had his sights on Bella.
He wanted to bend the Cliff Flower with his own power.
To savor the thrill of claiming the empires fairest bloom.
To prove he was a far superior stud than that wretched pig Tristan.
Jang Chen nodded as if convinced.
That explains the lavish prep. But is one attendant really enough? Might be good to flaunt a bit of your influence, Master Patrick.
I dont bother with guards. Im way stronger than any of em.
Patrick clenched his fist.
No bluff.
His martial prowess was already proven in the imperial army.
He was set on seizing the Cliff Flower with his own hands this time.
Ding-a-ling.
The door chime rang, and Jang Chen went to greet the guest.
Welcome! The Eastern Glory welcomes
Jang Chens eager greeting cut off.
Wondering what was up, Patrick turned.
Three people had entered the shop.
Patrick recognized one, and his face lit up.
She was a beauty whod draw eyes anywhere.
A simple white dress suited her silver hair perfectly.
Above all, the cinched waistline of that dress looked downright tempting.
Patrick swallowed without thinking.
Lady Bella Izarkhel.
The flower hed pluck today.
But that joy lasted only a moment. Like Jang Chen, Patrick froze on the spot.
Because beside Bella stood a man who had no business being there.
In a black coat, the genius of villainy.
And the young head of infamous House Ruelverta.
Pardon the intrusion.
The moment Patrick met Tristans sneering eyes, he had to swallow hard.