MLBR 22

chapter 22

“After investigating, it turns out the journalist who wrote the first piece of evidence I presented actually has a higher social standing.”

Today, it was my responsibility to convince Herace.

“Contrary to my thoughts, Herace said that Whistler wouldn’t be the one to bring up breaking up first.”

At first, I dismissed it as a far-fetched guess, but thinking back on our last encounter, it seemed closer to the truth. More importantly, my trust in Herace’s statements had increased significantly.

Perhaps Whistler really didn’t want to break up with me.

“Yes, he wouldn’t. Even if you tried, he’d hold onto you.”

“I know that Herace finds it ‘boring’ when my mouth utters Whistler’s name and when I spend time alone with him.”

“Really?”

“Whistler is the perfect stimulant for the publicity of our scenario.”

If Whistler suddenly disappeared, our story would inevitably be compared to the hype we’ve built so far. Until our story fully establishes itself, using him is the best script.

“So… we meet separately without me? Once is fine, but I don’t want it to continue. It’s annoying.”

“We’ll keep it to just once. I promise.”

I showed my pinky decisively and added,

“This time, when I meet Whistler, I’ll say we need ‘some time apart.’”

“That’s not saying you want to break up?”

“Although it’s often used in that nuance, some people take a break and then reconcile. Whistler is proud, so he’ll interpret it that way. It’s a perfect line to confuse him—neither fully breaking up nor staying together—and it’s ideal for using him in our scenario. Even if we start dating afterward, it won’t cause many issues; plenty of people would understand, like Herace does.”

“Hmm, so you have a plan?”

“Of course.”

I shone my eyes and held Herace’s hand tightly. Just as he had done, I interlaced my fingers with his, feeling his warmth. I showed my willingness to cooperate in increasing our physical closeness.

“We’re going to use Whistler as a supporting character in our scenario and then discard him. This can also be done with a sense of revenge!”

“Our Filena, how did you come up with such a fun idea? You didn’t even think about revenge at first.”

“When I thought broadly rather than confining revenge to a box, there were so many possibilities. The ultimate goal is to become far more successful than Whistler, though.”

“Oh, right. That advice your friend gave. I agreed with it too.”

I had exchanged brief letters with Herace about the meaning of revenge before. Since it wasn’t the main goal, I didn’t include it in contracts or go into detail.

“Our teamwork and abilities helped a lot. Because we had a contract, the risks and uncertainties were lower, which helped us think creatively.”

“Alright, then let’s do it.”

Herace’s unexpectedly quick response made me blink. He smiled lightly and playfully tapped my head.

“Since our Filena came up with such a clever idea, there’s no way I can say no. But you’ll have to tell me, right?”

“Tell you what?”

“What you talked about and what you did with Whistler. That’s how I’ll get my fun.”

That’s nothing. It’s for Herace’s amusement, so of course, I would.

“And, besides that, our girlfriend should take it easy for a week.”

Herace lightly pressed my nose and spoke in a relaxed tone, as if it was no big deal.

“You’ll be busy for a week, so don’t think about the scenario. You can’t keep working either. Then I’ll contact you.”

Recognizing it was time to part, I let go of Herace’s hand I had been holding. The air around me felt strangely empty without his embrace.

That night, after Herace left, I called Clara. Since I had decided to meet Whistler, I needed to control this situation perfectly.

“There’s that journalist who wrote an article about the triangle between Herace, Whistler, and me, right? Contact him and send the information anonymously.”

At this point, Whistler probably hadn’t noticed our plan at all. I needed to use this timing wisely.

‘Honestly, who would suspect?’

That we wanted this kind of noise marketing. Even if we were called a villainess and a villain, nobles would assume we’d maintain our noble dignity.

‘After the department store incident, Whistler will probably try to avoid entangling with us publicly. He’d especially avoid public places where he can’t control the situation.’

In private, he might lower his guard. And I wanted us to be seen in that moment.

“Tell the journalist where and when Whistler and I will meet.”

The scenario had already moved from the “setup” to the “execution.”

Herace hadn’t lied. Three days passed, and there was no letter from him.

‘Normally, there would’ve been at least one.’

The sudden disappearance of something both confusing and delightful made Herace’s absence feel significant.

In contrast, thinking of Whistler made my chest sink. I didn’t know why this change happened or when it started.

‘Even when I saw Whistler’s artificial side before, I never felt excited, but now it’s incomparable to the past.’

The flutter I felt as a teenager seemed like a mistake. Now, as an adult, the relationship with Whistler was lukewarm, like watered-down tea. Apart from visual enjoyment, it was nothing special.

‘Watered-down isn’t bad, but it was lukewarm.’

I walked to the restaurant where I was meeting Whistler. The staff member who spotted me smiled with capitalist enthusiasm. Clara would wait in the carriage, so I was alone.

“Marquis Gas is already waiting.”

I had a feeling it would be like this.

Looking closer, it wasn’t staff but the restaurant owner. The interior, famous among nobles, was overly quiet.

Whistler had rented the entire restaurant for this meeting.

“Do all upper-class nobles live without financial sense?”

“Excuse me?”

“Just talking to myself.”

Following the owner inside, I saw a familiar figure. He looked at me and slowly stood.

“Filena, it’s been a while.”

Whistler carefully pulled out my chair. I felt discomfort at his gentlemanly gesture but forced a long smile.

“Let’s order food first.”

With a kind smile, Whistler gestured to the menu. After choosing soup and meat, the waiter came to the table.

“What would you like to order?”

I slightly hid my face behind the menu and looked up. At that moment, a bright smile appeared at the corner of my lips behind the menu.

‘Clara, good job. Since it worked, I’ll give you 1 extra gold.’

It was the journalist who had been making money from our love story. In effect, our ally.

And on his face, there was a mustache that wasn’t in the photo.

I hadn’t considered this situation before. I gripped my mental composure like a blank sheet of paper.

‘I’ve been practicing lately. I’ve tried. I even acted opposite the woodsman.’

“…Alright, let’s order. If it’s not enough, we can add later.”

I tried not to look at the journalist. First, I had to prevent Whistler from seeing that fake mustache.

Leaning toward Whistler, I whispered in a tiny voice.

“Whistler.”

“…Filena?”

This time, he mispronounced it.

“Wi-sler.”

“…I can’t hear what you’re saying.”

If you want, I can continue translating the next part in the same style—it’s a long chapter and I can do it in segments so it reads smoothly.

Do you want me to continue with the rest?