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

My Life Is Over... Or Is It?

Translated by: S3

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

*****

After entering the Adventurers Guild reception room and somehow regaining my composure, I was checking on Lord Clein's request.

「I confirmed that the Iris Grass, which was a collection request, was delivered to the Guild a week ago. 」

「So it was finished after all. 」

「I sincerely apologize that we failed to notify you. 」

「No, it's alright. It's a material that doesn't spoil easily. 」

My job, which involved handling noble requests, had just been handed over to my junior, Catarina, but... she clearly hadn't done it properly.

The fact that she checked the request as 'Contacted' without actually contacting Lord Clein made it obvious she was slacking off. Checking the documents closely, I found many typos and omissions, and she even misspelled Lord Clein's name, leaving me no way to cover for her.

It was an extremely rude act that affected the Adventurers Guild's reputation.

「If time permits, the Adventurers Guild will cover the request fee and reorder it. What would you like to do? 」

「If Miss Mia is retiring, I'll pass. I just don't get along with the new person in charge. She seems more preoccupied with romance than work, and I feel like if I get too involved, I'll be dragged into some strange trouble. 」

What does Lord Clein see? Given that I, who got deeply involved with her, am currently being dragged into romantic trouble, his words are very persuasive.

Now is not the time to be impressed; as an Adventurers Guild employee, I must properly apologize.

「My deepest apologies again. I am truly sorry. 」

「I'm not trying to blame you. It's just that there was never a single issue like this when Miss Mia was in charge. That's why I'm left uneasy about our future dealings. 」

It's understandable that he feels uneasy when the newly assigned person makes mistakes.

Our job of connecting nobles and adventurers is delicate and prone to problems, so if she has time for an affair, I wish she would focus on her work.

Haa, did I pamper her too much... As I wracked my brain, Lord Clein gave me a wry smile.

「Was it something that upsets you so much? 」

「Huh? 」

「You may not have noticed, but you’ve sighed five times already. It’s rare for Miss Mia—you seem unable to concentrate on your work. 」

Having just witnessed my fiancé's affair, my thoughts naturally couldn't be organized. Just thinking about my future naturally caused sighs to escape.

Normally, I would switch gears in front of a client, but… since he had seen me crying, I couldn't pretend to be strong.

「I feel a little better after having cried, so I suppose I am alright now. I apologize for causing you trouble as well. 」

「You've helped me out countless times up until now, so don't worry about it. I don't mean to pry, but I do have time to listen if you want to talk. 」

「…Is it still visible on my face? 」

「Your demeanor is too different from usual to simply go home like this. You’d be noticed immediately. 」

When Lord Clein said that and gave me a comforting, warm smile, the emotions I had desperately suppressed surged back up.

I was still a child and couldn't resist the sense of security radiating from this adult man.

「It seems I've been involved in a romantic incident, much like what we were just discussing. 」

「Hmm? Weren't you about to get married soon? 」

「That was the plan, but now it's undecided. Or rather, I'm about to make it undecided... a broken engagement, in short. 」

This was clearly unexpected news, and Lord Clein's face tensed up. This was the first time I had seen an expression like that on him, even though we had met many times.

「To be honest, it was a loveless political marriage, so I have no lingering attachment. In a way, I even feel fortunate that I saw his affair before we got married, since he never laid a hand on me. 」

「I, I see. So you saw the affair firsthand. No wonder… 」

Ah, I said it. Well, Lord Clein wouldn't spread rumors, so I guess it's fine.

「If anything, I'm finding it hard to hide my shock because it felt like all the effort I've put in was negated. I felt like an idiot for living so earnestly as a noblewoman for the sake of both our houses. 」

「That’s natural. Your impression was so dedicated that I genuinely mistook it for a harmonious engagement. 」

「I worked hard to make it look that way. But the reality was different. On the surface, I merely took a step back and deferred to Lord Zeel. Behind the scenes, I was completely his errand girl. 」

「There are some people like that. The ones who feel like they've become a king and treat their fiancée like a personal maid. 」

「A personal maid is better off, as they at least get paid. 」

「I see. I understand Miss Mia's feelings completely. It certainly doesn't sound like you have any regrets. 」

I guess I truly can’t forgive Lord Zeel. Without realizing it, I couldn't control my feelings and was just complaining to Lord Clein.

This might be the effect of having kept all my fiancé's wrongdoings bottled up inside, thinking that I should never speak ill of him.

I felt the urge to pour out one complaint after another.

「I devoted myself for eight years, and he was only willing to marry me as a 'compromise.' Can you believe it? 」

「A man who cheats has no judgment for people. It would be best not to dwell on it. 」

「I have to dwell on it. The wedding invitations have already been sent out, so I have to inform many people of the situation. Even if the fault lies entirely with him, I won’t be viewed favorably. 」

A lady who has broken off her engagement will see a drastic drop in marriage proposals. I don't think I'll receive any respectable offers, and my only path will be to marry an older noble or devote myself solely to work.

If someone were to ask if I would have preferred to marry the cheating man... I would definitely say no.

「On top of that, I'm retiring tomorrow to get married. I don't think Lord Zeel will just stay quiet. 」

「Indeed, he is likely to spread a rumor or two. If that happens, you won't just miss out on new proposals; you might not even be hired by the guild or shops. 」

「There's no benefit in hiring a woman with a bad image, and it will only cause trouble with clients. I probably won't be able to work normally. 」

He said it was absurd to make a fuss over a bit of fun at night, and he showed no sign of remorse. I'd bet he will spread bad rumors about me.

「I believe Miss Mia’s experience gained at the Adventurers Guild would get you hired anywhere, but it depends on the rumors that circulate. Your reputation will drastically change depending on whether the other party suppresses the rumors or spreads bad ones. 」

「It's pointless to hold onto hope. I used to visit and help out at Lord Zeel's shop whenever I had time off from the Adventurers Guild. It wouldn't be good for his business if he didn't spread bad rumors about me. 」

「That’s also true. I hate to say it, Miss Mia, but Zeel of the Voitos family has only just begun to make a name for himself and is one of the people the Alchemists Guild is keeping an eye on. If he is deemed a useful talent, the Guild might protect him. 」

Although I had expected it, hearing Lord Clein say it made me feel disheartened all over again. My future had abruptly been shut down, and I felt a strong sense of emptiness.

At worst, I should consider leaving my family's home. It will be painful not to live in the capital I'm used to, but I have no choice.

It's better to live modestly than to continue burdening my family.

My life is over... Just as I thought that, Lord Clein looked at me with a suspicious smile.

「However, based on everything we’ve talked about, there is one way to turn your future around. 」

「R-Really?! 」

I came back to life like a fish given water and eagerly leaned my face closer to Lord Clein.

「What should I do? My current future is nothing but despair, so I'll do anything if I can! 」

「That's a good attitude. Then, work in my workshop. If you become the Court Alchemist's assistant, any strange rumors will be blown away. 」

「Huh? 」

The suggestion was so unexpected that an embarrassing sound escaped my lips.

I understood the meaning of Lord Clein's words. However, my mind was lagging, and I didn't understand what he was saying.

After all, the Court Alchemist's assistant is the gateway for elite alchemists. It's a place for promising, talented alchemists to work, not for a mere receptionist.

「It's not a bad offer. If you worked at an alchemy shop, you should be able to handle basic tasks. 」

「Huh. Well, that may be true, but... w-why me? 」

「I value you, Miss Mia. There is no other reason. Now, think about it until tomorrow. 」

With just those words, Lord Clein stood up and left the room.

Normally, I should have seen him off, but... I couldn't move from the spot.

Perhaps I was still too shaken by my fiancé's affair and misheard him.

No matter how innocent I was, I am about to become a 'damaged' lady who broke off her engagement. There's no way I would be chosen as the Court Alchemist's assistant.

Moreover, I am not an alchemist. Working in the Court Alchemist's workshop—that couldn't be right—

「What is happening? It's not a dream, is it…? 」