← Previous Chapter | Chapter Index | Next Chapter →

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

Where I belong

Translated by: S3

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

*****

「Fuwah~. I couldn't sleep at all… 」

Rubbing my tired eyes, I, who had witnessed my fiancé's affair last night, headed toward the Adventurers Guild.

In contrast to the clear, refreshing morning sky, my mind was a mess. Life-altering events had piled up, and I hadn't been able to sort them out properly.

For me, a mere receptionist at the Adventurers Guild, to be invited to become the Court Alchemist’s assistant… I would still be more convinced if he had told me it was a joke, but since Lord Clein had no reason to say such a thing, it only made my head hurt more.

Today was supposed to be my last day of work, yet I couldn't muster any sense of professional readiness.

「I suppose I'll just leave myself to fate for a while. For now, let’s just try to get through today. 」

I made a firm resolution to make sure nothing showed on my face, and as I proceeded, pretending to be calm, I arrived at the Adventurers Guild.

Stepping into this cursed place—the workplace where my fiancé had cheated—I was met with total chaos. My colleagues came running at an incredible speed and surrounded me.

「Do you want to talk about it? 」

The kind words came from Alice, the receptionist I was closest to at the Adventurers Guild.

She was the first commoner friend I, a noble, had ever opened up to, and one of the few girls I could talk to without reservation. Her loyal and genuine personality made her a comforting presence for me, who lived in the rigid, hierarchical world of nobility.

However, today was different. Centered around Alice, my colleagues were emitting a strange aura, making it hard for me to speak.

「There's something you want to talk about, right? 」

「Don’t worry, I’ll treat you to dinner, at least. 」

「In that case, I’ll treat you to dessert. 」

What on earth happened? They shouldn't know about the affair, yet they were all approaching me as if they understood everything.

「W-what’s going on, all of a sudden? 」

「「「It’s fine, it’s fine. Don’t push yourself.」」」

Oh no, they definitely know… Everyone usually just greets me sleepily! This much concern is totally unnatural!

「Wait a minute. How could you possibly know? It only happened yesterday! 」

The couple who cheated wouldn’t talk, and Lord Clein isn't the type to spread rumors. Of course, I haven't told anyone either.

But the fact remained: they knew…

「It’s already spread all over town. 」

「Mia has a good reputation, so that makes it even worse for them, right? 」

「The ones at fault are that rich boy and the pretentious girl, aren’t they? 」

As I was reeling from the sudden confusion, an even more unpredictable situation unfolded.

Not only my fellow receptionists, but even staff from different departments in the Adventurers Guild had abandoned their morning duties and rushed over.

The quiet, stubborn dismantler, the perpetually angry accountant who was strict about expenses, and even the elderly dietician who was like a mother from the countryside…

「Just toss a man who’s all talk in the street. 」

「Shall I teach you how to get alimony? 」

「You're amazing for coming to work. I’m truly glad to see your face. 」

I didn't feel any lingering attachment to my fiancé, and I even thought it was great that I could break off the engagement.

But seeing so many colleagues approach and offer kind words… I just couldn't hold it together. Knowing that so many people were worried about me made me cry for a different reason.

「I’m completely fine. Truly, um… I’m fine. 」

For me, who had become teary-eyed since yesterday, everyone's kindness was too much to bear.

「To make a woman cry—that scoundrel is unforgivable. 」

「We won’t let him off the hook, even if he is a noble. 」

「You must have been through so much to be crying like this. I’m sorry we didn’t notice sooner. 」

No, you guys are the ones making me cry! Thank you, truly...

Perhaps sensing my lack of emotional control, Alice gently hugged me and hid my face.

Her warmth felt especially comforting, and I felt the wound in my heart beginning to heal.

I realized that without knowing it, I had suffered a major emotional injury.

「What are you going to do about your job? 」

「If you want to come back, we’ll go and beg the Guild Master for you. 」

「After all, without Mia, we’d be nervous about the noble requests. 」

I wanted to say I didn't want to think about it right now, but reality was harsh. I was scheduled to retire today to get married.

If I begged the Guild Master, they might cancel my retirement process and let me continue working. However, if Lord Clein was serious about his invitation, I had a greater desire to work as the Court Alchemist's assistant.

Of course, it's not that I hate my job at the Adventurers Guild, and I am blessed with wonderful colleagues, so returning to work here would also be a good option.

However, Lord Zeel comes here to submit his alchemy work, his lover and my junior Catarina works here, and their secret rendezvous spot is here—it's just a place with terrible memories. It would also make everyone worry about me unnecessarily.

I want to avoid interacting with Lord Zeel and Catarina as much as possible… Just as I was thinking that, Alice, who was hugging me, tightened her grip.

「Let’s talk about this later. We need to start the morning preparations first. 」

Catarina must have arrived at the Adventurers Guild. Alice was being considerate, trying to prevent me from having to face her.

「…Thank you, everyone. 」

Realizing that friends are what matter, regardless of social status, I decided to follow Alice's instructions.