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

Their Respective Relationships

Translated by: S3

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

*****

After slipping away from the party venue and arriving at the royal castle's backyard, I unexpectedly reunited with my former fiancé, Lord Zeel.

Because I absolutely didn't want to see him, I involuntarily let out the desperate, refusing cry of 「Ugh!」, and the atmosphere became incredibly heavy.

It was obvious that the prideful Lord Zeel would be furious... or so I thought.

「I see I'm thoroughly disliked. Well, I suppose it can't be helped.」

Lord Zeel's demeanor today was different from usual. Rather than becoming gentler, he seemed depressed. He was devoid of life and his cheeks looked hollow.

「I was hoping I could talk to you.」

「W-what do you want now? The annulment of the engagement was finalized, wasn't it?」

「Please don't be wary... though I suppose that's asking too much. I only came because I thought today was my last chance to apologize to Mia.」

Apologize...? Lord Zeel, to me?

Eh, what is he talking about? He has always stubbornly refused to admit any fault.

「Do you have a fever?」

「I see you've become the kind of person who can make jokes like that.」

「I mean that from the bottom of my heart.」

From my perspective, I thought he was capable of telling a joke like an apology. Throughout our engagement, I had never heard a single word of thanks or apology from him.

Yet, an unbelievable sight was unfolding before my eyes. The prideful Lord Zeel was bowing his head to me.

「I am truly sorry for doing whatever I pleased until now. I ruined Mia's precious time.」

Being apologized to by a suddenly changed person is simply frightening. I couldn't help but search for a hidden motive. But I didn't think he was the type to discard his pride just for a ploy.

「My relationship with Lord Zeel is already over. I don't mind anything that happened in the past.」

「No, I mind. I don't know how much of my private assets will remain, but please allow me to pay some form of compensation.」

「I must decline. The annulment of the engagement was formally concluded.」

It might be harsh, but even if Lord Zeel had reformed, I simply didn't want to have any connection with him. The desire to not be involved was stronger than the desire for amends.

「However, in that case—」

「Instead, please tell me what kind of change of heart you had. Being told this so suddenly is, conversely, frightening.」

The surprisingly agreeable Lord Zeel took out a familiar object from his pocket and offered it to me.

「This is a potion I finally completed after putting my full effort into making it. I wanted to show it to Mia.」

Upon receiving it from Lord Zeel and giving it a quick appraisal... I felt I understood everything.

「As you can see, the quality is worthless. Even though I kept trying again and again, it's not even fit for sale. I could only make substandard goods.」

Attempting to try again and again during the period when the royal capital was suffering from a herb shortage would be impossible unless one had hoarded herbs. The fact that he said today was his last chance to apologize might mean he had to take major responsibility.

At the very least, he was expelled from the Alchemists Guild. Since he negatively impacted the Magic Academy and the Knights' Order, his noble status would be downgraded, or perhaps even stripped away...

「The contract with the Knights' Order didn't go well, and I couldn't deliver the potions. If Mia had to cover for that, even an idiot like me would notice. The genius wasn't me, it was Mia.」

「I just like alchemy; I wouldn't call myself a genius.」

「What are you saying, after being selected as the Court Alchemist's assistant and achieving so much? I, who was boasting, seem too miserable.」

I was troubled by his words, but... how did he know I had made the potions?

Now that I think about it, the same goes for Count Bruce and Duke Wolfwood. I was uncharacteristically approached by noble men, and I felt too much information was leaking out.

「I told you previously that I became an apprentice alchemist, but how do you know I made the potions?」

「If you want to blame someone, blame Clein.」

「Lord Clein?」

「The news of Mia's name spread because he refused to take the credit. I heard the royal castle was abuzz with the phrase, 'I cannot steal the assistant's achievement.'」

I could agree with Lord Zeel's words because Vanessa-san had said something similar. While I thought it was just like the sincere Lord Clein, I also felt he should have simply accepted the credit.

Hmm? The royal castle was abuzz...?

L-Lord Clein? Aren't you publicizing information in a terrifying place? I don't think so, but you're not doing this while having an audience with the King, are you?

It's scary to ask, so I'll pretend I didn't hear it.

「For me, taking all the credit alone feels complicated. I see it as a joint production with Lord Clein.」

「I honestly thought it was cool. It showed that he wasn't resting on his laurels as a noble or a Court Alchemist, and he respected his assistant. I feel like I understand why Mia chose that man.」

It was certainly true that Lord Clein treated me well. He took the superior position when teaching me alchemy, and he viewed me as an equal when I was working as an advisor. He was considerate when I was mentally exhausted, and his attitude toward work was sincere, so we did share similar values...

But I felt he was misunderstanding something strange. Lord Clein and I were not romantically involved. We were merely teacher and apprentice. Since it seemed more convenient to let Lord Zeel misunderstand, I chose not to deny it.

「Could you answer just one last thing?」

「What is it?」

「If I asked you to marry me again, what would Mia do?」

「...I think I would politely refuse.」

「I thought so.」

「What was that? Was that a meaningful question?」

「It was a kind of self-admonishment. That I really was an idiot. I'm truly glad I got to hear that in the end. Thank you.」

Lord Zeel, with a somewhat clear expression, said that and walked away.

I realized this might truly be the last time I would see him when I saw a knight following him as if keeping watch.

Normally, as long as we both lived as nobles, we would surely cross paths somewhere. But if he was insisting this was the last time, it must mean his noble status would be stripped away—

「He's changed too.」

「Whoa! Don't startle me, Lord Clein!」

Just as I was getting a little sentimental, Lord Clein suddenly spoke to me. With the potential for misunderstanding, my heart was oddly pounding.

「I apologize. I was curious.」

「How long have you been listening?」

「I just happened to pass by and heard almost nothing. I felt like someone called my name, so I turned this way.」

「Ah... I see. That's probably the effect of Lord Zeel mentioning your name. He said you were cool.」

「I fully expected him to be lashing out, but I suppose I don't understand people.」

I, too, had expected that kind of reaction. Since I, his former fiancée who had been with him for years, couldn't understand him, Lord Clein had no chance.

But one thing was certain: my engagement annulment was truly, completely over. I would no longer be bound by the curse of engagement and could do everything I loved.

To start with, how about I grab a bite to eat...!

「Lord Clein, would you mind accompanying me for a bit?」

「What's wrong?」

「I've been strangely approached by people in the party venue, and I still haven't eaten. Do you know whose fault that is?」

「Undoubtedly self-inflicted. It's Mia's fault.」

「No, it's Lord Clein's fault. For the EX Potion matter, you unilaterally credited only me as the creator...」

On this day, when I returned to the party venue accompanied by the Marquis's son, Lord Clein, I was able to enjoy a very comfortable time. The serious Lord Clein was known in aristocratic circles as a difficult person. Most people didn't know that he was actually a young man sincerely devoted to alchemy.

「Clein. Is this person the assistant in question?」

「Eh. T-t-the King...?」

Excluding some exceptional individuals, that is.