The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 59

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“Then, following the classic date routine, we should have a meal at a restaurant.”

 

“…Yes, that sounds good!”

 

Having caused a scene with Marquis Berto, I felt I had proven myself to Duke Kalinos as well. With my mind at ease, the dinner with Duke Kalinos was truly enjoyable.

 

He’s more of a gentleman than I expected. His unexpected use of honorifics, the way his hand firmly enveloped mine as if to protect me, and his strong shoulder that I could lean on. He even gave a fascinating answer when I asked him how he felt about the incident with Marquis Berto today.

 

“Isn’t Marquis Berto like a foreign substance in an exclusive relationship? It’s the same in research. It’s best to eliminate foreign substances rather than try to use them. That’s how you get proper results in research.”

 

Hearing that made me feel completely relaxed. Throughout the dinner, I completely forgot about my plans for revenge against Marquis Berto and found myself laughing joyfully. Even his boring lab jokes seemed amusing.

 

After the meal concluded successfully, we began strolling around the area near the restaurant in the capital.

 

“That guy. His hair, all frizzy and curly, wasn’t it hilarious?”

 

“Yes, it was quite funny.”

 

“If he ever dares to show up in front of me again, I’ll turn his hair into broccoli!”

 

I mostly did the talking while Duke Kalinos responded, but surprisingly, our conversation flowed effortlessly.

 

As we walked along the boutique street and reached the street lined with art galleries, it happened. A painting in a familiar style, hanging outside a small gallery, caught my eye. I squinted slightly, gazing at the painting, which prominently featured a striking green.

 

“Do you like paintings, Your Grace?”

 

“I’ve heard that dates can also be spent at galleries. I don’t mind going.”

 

“You’re quicker on the uptake than I thought! Well then, let’s go in!” I was curious about his knowledge of art.

 

We stepped into the gallery, which lacked a curator and seemed less crowded than expected…

 

Wait a minute. As I entered the gallery, I froze, noticing a painting that was strangely familiar hanging near the entrance.

 

The title of the piece was <The Green Woman>. It was an abstract painting depicting the back of a woman in despair, highlighted by intense green hues. Below it was the name of the artist, ‘Taran.’

 

In the distant future, the paintings of the unknown artist ‘Taran,’ who captivated the world with vibrant colors, would see their prices skyrocket once their identity was revealed to society. And the identity of Taran was..

 

The unknown artist ‘Taran’ who painted that painting is Marquis Berto. Foolishly, I had been so caught up in happiness that I had forgotten about that painting incident.

 

This world isn’t so kind to me. And…

 

The woman in the back of <The Woman in Green> is me. He, who had the refined hobby of painting, had taken me as his muse, wielding his brush without hesitation. But whenever his paintings didn’t turn out well, he would insult me at the drop of a hat.

 

“Let me list all the rumors I heard about you today. A woman as dumb as a rock, ruining her father’s reputation, acting overly familiar with everyone, lacking any depth… What’s wrong with you?”

 

“Stop it. W-Why do you keep saying such horrible things to me?”

 

“Why? Because your vulgar behavior is infuriating.”

 

When all the insults he hurled at me flooded in like garbage, it was overwhelming. He would capture my image, sitting on the floor, sobbing, as if preserving it like a taxidermized animal in a painting.

 

It’s the same in this life too. He must have painted that painting while thinking of me crying.

 

My whole body trembled with rage, and I felt like I was hyperventilating. I bit my lip hard and grabbed Duke Kalinos’ sleeve. Seeing my face drained of happiness and color, Duke Kalinos stopped in his tracks.

 

“Giselle. Are you alright?”

 

I looked at the paintings that filled the gallery, with titles like <The Wailing Woman>, <The Weeping Woman>, and <The Miserable Back>. Below them were idiotic comments from art critics, saying things like, ‘Someone’s despair is more beautiful than anything else. Especially if it’s a woman!’

 

My image, crying miserably, was preserved like the carcass of an animal. Critics dissected each painting, critiquing my sorrow. In that process, I was endlessly deconstructed and shattered. Recalling all those moments, it felt like the world was turning completely black.

 

Right, Marquis Berto. That b*stard was always like that…

 

All the events from the past that I had suffered through flashed before me like a panorama, making it impossible to breathe. I couldn’t stand it anymore. Feeling like I was about to vomit, I rushed out of the gallery.

 

“Giselle!”

 

I didn’t have a moment to respond to Duke Kalinos’ puzzled voice calling from behind. Only when I burst out into the dark alley did the nauseating feeling seem to subside. Yet, the trauma of feeling like everyone was watching and whispering about me remained. As I leaned against the wall, about to slide down, Duke Kalinos caught my arm as if to support me.

 

“Giselle.”

 

“…”

 

“Giselle. You need to breathe.”

 

No, maybe the feeling that I was calming down was just an illusion.

 

Duke Kalinos looked straight into my eyes, breathing deeply as if to guide me. His clumsy hands seemed to protect me, and as I followed his breathing, I slowly began to calm down.

 

It’s okay. It’s nothing. Nothing at all…

 

Marquis Berto’s painting style, which is abstract now, is becoming increasingly realistic with time. At that time, I endured the mocking and ridicule. It continued like that…

 

As I bit my lip hard, Duke Kalinos spoke. “I won’t ask what’s going on. I think it’s best if we head home now.”

 

“Yes, let’s go.”

 

I glared at the gallery in the distance, thinking. He’s not someone who should get away with just causing a scene. He needs to face consequences. I had to make him pay somehow.

 

Duke Kalinos looked at my pale face. I saw myself reflected in his eyes, which had always been so indifferent. As I watched myself in his gaze, I heard him quietly murmur.

 

“But now, I think I understand a little why you wanted to save my father.”

 

“…”

 

“I found myself wishing you would stay healthy and alive.”

 

When all the happy memories were suddenly drowned out by everyone pointing fingers at me, when the urge to die and the intense despair from my past took over my body, there was someone who wanted me to stay alive now.

 

“But, Duke, didn’t you say you didn’t care about anyone’s life or death?” With all the strength I could muster, I joked, and he responded heavily.

 

“Now, I care about your life and death.”

 

“Right. To you, I’m probably just an unusual research subject. A diligent employee you can’t do without. That’s the answer, isn’t it?”

 

“That’s…”

 

“Still, thank you for saying you’re glad I’m alive.”

 

I smiled softly at Duke Kalinos, who was somewhat bewildered. Even if that’s not what he meant, I’ll take it that way.

 

After a surprisingly warm conversation with this indifferent man, I managed to regain a bit of composure. The memories of Marquis Berto’s art gallery, where I was publicly humiliated, began to shift slightly. But still…

 

I have to find a way to catch and punish the trash that trapped me in the painful remnants of the past, don’t I? I want to disgrace him in a way that’s just as humiliating as what I went through.

 

The past me became the laughingstock of society once it was revealed that I was the character in <The Weeping Woman>. Just as he did to my past self, I want to expose his true nature and turn him into a subject of ridicule.

 

“Duke, shall we announce our marriage on the Feast of Saint Gladius? On that day, may I ask you for a favor?”

 

“A favor?”

 

“Yes. I’ve come up with a good idea to remove the ‘foreign substance’.”

 

At that moment, his gaze on me grew a bit more resolute.

 

“If it’s about removing the ‘foreign substance,’ I’ll assist you in any way possible.”