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The Scorned Noble Lady Picks Up The Path of Alchemy in Her Second Life

At the Celebration Party, I'll Have Some Meat...

Translated by: S3

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

Around the time my one-week vacation to recover my health was ending, a party to commend those involved in the Magic Academy's expedition training was held at the royal castle.

People belonging to the Adventurers Guild and the Alchemists Guild, students attending the Magic Academy and their parents, and the Knights’ Order members who fought through the conflict were all in attendance. Seeing the large number of people who came, I realized anew what a major incident it had been.

「Oh, meat! ♪ Oh, meat! ♪」

Naturally, I, who had worked so hard to make the potions, was thrilled to be participating. After all, I had been suffering from prolonged illness until yesterday and had been forced to live on porridge.

It had been a full week since I had been able to eat a proper meal. I had lost enough weight that my party dress fit smoothly, so I was determined to eat heartily today.

With no fiancé, I no longer needed to diet. No one would mind if I was a little plump. Therefore, I arrived at the party venue, resolved to go for the meat before the vegetables.

No matter that I was a member of a Viscount House, in this place I was merely an apprentice alchemist. Surely, no one would ever approach me—

「Well, well, Miss Mia. I hear you were quite active this time.」

I was about to savor my first moment of happiness in a week, so who on earth was interrupting me...? Even so, upon seeing the person who addressed me, I immediately put on my noble smile.

「Not at all, sir. I apologize for any trouble I may have caused, Count Bruce.」

This was Count Bruce, who had dealt in potions when I was engaged to Lord Zeel. He was from a prestigious military family, and my father was deeply indebted to him, making him a person I couldn't ignore.

「Hahaha, you mean the old business? I don't mind that at all. Rather, I didn't expect Miss Mia to become an alchemist.」

「I feel the same way myself, but I am still merely an apprentice.」

「No need for modesty. If you are willing, I would like to do business with you for potions once again.」

「I am honored to receive such kind words.」

「If you are registered with the Alchemists Guild, I shall submit a request...」

「I look forward to it.」

「The pleasure is mine.」

Watching Count Bruce walk away, satisfied, I thought, Did that just happen?

Even though he was close with my father, to immediately contract for potions just because he learned I was active as an alchemist... Was he planning to cut off the long-term contract with Lord Zeel? Considering my future noble relations, I felt there was little benefit for Count Bruce to deal with me for potions.

Well, there was no point dwelling on it here. Now, time to eat some meat—

「Oh, Viscount Hopewell's daughter. Fancy finding you here.」

「Eh. Duke Wolfwood...! I-I am indebted to you, sir.」

This was more than just a problem of not being able to eat meat. When faced with Duke Wolfwood, who was involved in the management of the Magic Academy, this was no time to be holding a plate.

Moreover, he was also a client from when I was engaged to Lord Zeel. And yet, I had only met him a few times when I worked at the Adventurers Guild, and the potion dealings were handled by his secretary, so I didn't have much of a personal acquaintance with him. To be honest, he was the most powerful person I didn't want to meet at this party.

「Rumor has it you're working as the Court Alchemist's assistant now?」

「Y-yes. Thanks to him...」

I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or sincerely complimenting me. Therefore, all I could do was smile wryly and observe the situation. Furthermore, as if to corner me, Duke Wolfwood leaned his face closer...!

「I shouldn't say this too loudly, but I was surprised when you accepted that matter.」

「That matter...?」

「Surely you heard from Miss Vanessa of the Alchemists Guild? The matter of the potion contract.」

Could he be referring to the C-Rank request that Vanessa-san pushed onto me when I registered at the Alchemists Guild...? I had heard it was a potentially troublesome matter, but I didn't realize the client was Duke Wolfwood.

Hah! Could it be that Vanessa-san was trying to make me, the former fiancée, clean up the mess?! If that was the case, I wish you'd told me beforehand, Vanessa-san...!

「I apologize for causing trouble on that occasion.」

「No, no. While I was certainly surprised, wondering what kind of joke it was, I am completely satisfied now. I hear it proved extremely useful in this recent monster attack.」

「I am grateful to hear you say that. I was worried, as I had heard you were short on potions.」

「The loss of most of the potion bottles after the monster attack had a big impact. However, some people survived and returned safely thanks to the remaining potions. You did good work.」

Saying that, Duke Wolfwood lightly patted my shoulder and disappeared into the crowd of the party venue.

To think that I, from a Viscount House, would receive words of commendation directly from Duke Wolfwood. My head was as confused as it was when Lord Clein offered me the assistant position.

What on earth was going on today? For now, I'll eat some meat and think about it. That's what I thought, but...

It seemed the commotion wasn't over, as noble men approached me one after another.

「Miss Mia, could I have a moment of your time? I hear you're free now.」

「Hey, cutting in is unfair! Miss Mia, why don't you talk with me for a bit?」

「I recommend you leave them be and come with me.」

I had no idea why they were interested in me. I had just broken off an engagement right before marriage, and I was finally freed from the curse of engagement. All I wanted was to act in an un-noble-like way and eat a lot of meat—

「「「You're not engaged right now, are you?」」」

Why are you interrupting me! There are so many other wonderful noble women here!

「Aww... um, I just broke off an engagement, so... I'd say I haven't gotten my footing yet... or that I can't think about it yet... Haha, hahahaha...」

Sensing a bad omen, I quickly left the spot.

I escaped a noble life full of constant worrying and gained the life of an alchemist who creates things freely, and I absolutely did not want to become anyone's fiancée again. I would never again allow myself to be collared by the curse of engagement! I want freedom, just like Vanessa-san!

Thinking I had to hide for a while, I rushed out of the party venue and arrived at the royal castle's backyard. There, I saw a solitary figure.

「...Mia?」

「Ugh! Lord Zeel!」

I couldn't help but blurt out 「Ugh!」 upon seeing the one person I least wanted to meet in the world, my former fiancé.