The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 61

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“Did you enjoy the social party?”

 

“Um, no? Everyone hates Giselle, so it wasn’t fun at all!”

 

Even now, there are plenty of ladies over there wearing expressions like, ‘Why the hell is that stupid Giselle sitting at that table?’

 

“What did you say?”

 

The gazes of both the Kalinos and Florette families landed on me at the same time. I just shrugged and replied, “Giselle is real~ly really sad!”

 

At that moment, Count Florette, suddenly overcome with emotion, dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief from who-knows-where.

 

“I swear. I should just deal with those people.”

 

I had expected that kind of reaction from Count Florette. Instead of comforting him, I let my gaze drift into the air. It was enough if only my in-laws thought differently. To take a daughter-in-law with such a terrible reputation? It’s absurd.

 

Whispers that sounded like they were slandering me kept drifting over.

 

“Ha. She’s like a flower.”

 

“She’s like a dark flame that’s helpless alone.”

 

The ladies probably thought they were whispering quietly enough that we couldn’t hear, but the four of us could hear every word. All four of us have far better eyesight and hearing than normal people.

 

Neslan’s expression was the first to twist with confusion and disbelief. Once he grasped the situation, he glanced at the table where the ladies sat and muttered under his breath, “What is this… How dare they…” His expression looked deeply uncomfortable. But he was a man who understood chivalry. He showed no intention of punishing the ladies who had spoken out.”

 

“You think I’m a terrible daughter-in-law who can’t even properly control rumors, right? Yeah, yeah, Giselle understands.”

 

“That can’t be true.”

 

I was caught off guard when I saw what looked like tears welling up in his eyes.

 

“The world has gone to hell while I’ve been holed up for five years… I suppose I really must pay a visit to His Majesty.”

 

“…What?”

 

“This isn’t the time for me to be spouting nonsense about dying…” He gave a hollow laugh and cast a strangely sharp glance across the ladies’ table.

 

The other ladies, who hadn’t caught Neslan’s words clearly, blinked as if confused about what was going on. And I was the same…

 

I got the wrong person. This is seriously bad. Hurriedly seeking peace of mind, I turned my gaze away from Neslan and looked at Yuliana instead.

 

Yuliana showed no change in expression. Instead, she called over a maid standing nearby. “Ladies who speak without thinking should be warned.”

 

I was grateful she was standing up for me against those who insulted me, but it felt a bit excessive. Yuliana truly cared for me. In a world where I’ve become a complete disgrace, yet everyone still likes me. How does that even make sense?

 

The hollow echoes of ladies laughing as if unaware that a single petty rumor had ended their social lives rang out.

 

My employer, I’m sorry. I glanced nervously at Duke Kalinos.

 

Coincidentally, Count Florette also fixed his gaze on Duke Kalinos and spoke. “Duke Kalinos, what are you doing?”

 

“What do you mean by what I am doing?”

 

“Duke, you’re gripping the table so tightly I’m afraid it might break…”

 

“Ah.” Duke Kalinos, who was beside me, slowly unclenched his fist.

 

Looks like the table might have cracked. Or maybe I’m imagining it.

 

Count Florette muttered quietly. “Duke, what do you think about their current behavior of collectively bullying Giselle?”

 

Four pairs of eyes turned toward Duke Kalinos. I already knew what he was going to say. My employer paid me five billion to cause a scene. If my reputation takes a hit, that’s actually a good thing.

 

“I’ve remembered the names of those who spoke carelessly.”

 

What the hell is this? Weren’t we supposed to agree on me being the troublemaker? Is being a doting fool contagious? What is going on?

 

Leaving my endless confusion behind, the announcement of the event’s schedule came through. The long-awaited swordsmanship competition, which Marquis Berto and his fiancée Shabel had eagerly anticipated, was about to begin. And this time, it’s a moment I’m really looking forward to.

 

A small gong sounded to signal the start of the competition. At the same time, a grand, translucent competition bracket appeared like a hologram in the center of the beautifully decorated garden arena. Everyone, including me, looked at the large bracket in the center with eager anticipation. But when people saw the name written at the very bottom, their faces turned pale.

 

“What did I just see?”

 

“Is Duke Vientin Kalinos really participating in the swordsmanship competition?”

 

It was Duke Vientin Kalinos himself. He had never once entered the swordsmanship competition until now. They said he was busy just cutting down monsters in the north. Still, in people’s minds, he was always the top swordsman.

 

“So what happens to the nobles who were strong contenders for the championship?”

 

“I don’t know for sure, but shouldn’t they at least aim for second place?”

 

“Still, someone like Marquis Berto might be able to put up a decent fight, don’t you think?”

 

“No matter the outcome, this is pretty interesting!”

 

Excited eyes turned to Duke Kalinos’s stern expression and Marquis Berto’s figure. For Marquis Berto, this was essentially a new variable.

 

Duke Kalinos, who had been staring intently at Marquis Berto, gathered his sword and said, “Is there a problem?”

 

No one dared to challenge Duke Kalinos. Everyone fell silent, unable to utter a word. Yet even amid this, there were brave ladies. A few of them, excited, clasped their hands together and murmured.

 

“Oh! Could it be to present the victor’s flower to a lady?”

 

“Maybe the news about his marriage announcement was true after all?”

 

“My goodness! I’m so curious about who the lady could be!”

 

As soon as I heard them, I furrowed my brows. Given the circumstances, it’s highly likely to be me. Do they really not know? The information that Duke Kalinos was getting married had already been shared, and I was even sitting at the same table as the Kalinos family! Just how far does my reputation as a ‘female lead in a regret novel’ reach?

 

Anyway, the swordsmanship competition began with no one knowing who Duke Kalinos’s lady was.

 

* * *

That madman is entering the swordsmanship competition? Marquis Berto bit his lip hard.

 

Shabel, standing beside him, looked at Marquis Berto with anxious eyes, darting them nervously. “What do we do? We have to receive the victor’s flower.”

 

“Don’t worry. I will make sure to get it.”

 

Duke Kalinos was always exceptional. But even someone like him had weaknesses. Marquis Berto had reviewed Duke Kalinos’s swordsmanship over a thousand times, analyzing every detail. Maybe this is my chance to finally beat that guy. It might actually be a good thing. Gripping his sword tightly, he tried to forget the dull headache that lingered faintly.

 

Fortunately, fate was on his side. Facing a bunch of foolish swordsmen, Marquis Berto swept through the rounds with unstoppable momentum. The real challenge was the final match. He would have to face Duke Kalinos.

 

Marquis Berto glared at Duke Kalinos, who appeared leisurely on the opposite side of the arena. Just like the last time when he watched with Giselle, Vientin looked arrogant and calm. I’ll definitely show you in this swordsmanship competition. Giselle Florette, what you grabbed was a rotten rope.

 

With bloodshot eyes, Marquis Berto boldly stepped into the center of the arena. It didn’t matter that everyone was betting on Duke Kalinos’s victory. “I will win.”

 

Duke Kalinos looked at him with an expressionless face in response to his provocation. “You won’t.”