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Chapter 16
Can it even drop lower than 0%?
Seeing the strange number for the first time, Fleur was taken aback, but she forced a bright smile as if nothing had happened.
“Mr. Colin, you’re here. You came earlier than usual today.”
“I wanted to finish the conversation we didn’t complete yesterday.”
He was smiling softly too. His outward appearance and his inner feelings were completely different—if it weren’t for the status window, she wouldn’t have been able to guess his mood at all.
Without asking permission, Colin sat on the sofa as though it were his own office now. Naturally, she took the seat across from him.
“As I said yesterday, it’d be better to hold the party indoors so people can move comfortably. Of course, if Miss Valen wants, I can even build a large hall out of my own pocket.”
He deliberately emphasized the words “out of my own pocket.”
It was an obvious hint that he had overheard everything. Fleur slowly let her forced smile fade.
She exhaled deeply and brushed back her brown hair.
“I’ve said this all along—I’ll be holding the party in the fields.”
“Then, after a short welcoming ceremony outside, we can head inside.”
“That won’t show them the fields properly. They’re my greatest weapon, after all.”
She extended her hand toward the window, pointing at the farmland outside. At that, the smile on his face also began to vanish.
“Did you forget the people attending are nobles?”
“I’m the one sending out the invitations. There’s no problem.”
“Nobles are careful not to get dirty even inside their own estates. Do you think such people can enjoy a party on filthy soil? If you unveil your new desserts there, the first impression will be a disaster.”
Colin’s voice was calm but sharp, his words quick yet never faltering.
“That’s why I said I’ll put up temporary flooring over the fields, so it’ll look like an open-air hall.”
“No matter what you do, it won’t be the same as a real hall.”
“If I were going to do everything like everyone else, I wouldn’t even bother hosting a party. And don’t other ladies often hold tea parties outdoors?”
“Tea parties are held on clean, manicured lawns, just sitting at a table for light conversation. That’s completely different.”
Their opinions only grew further apart, showing no sign of compromise.
At this rate, they’d be arguing until the day of the party.
Finally, Fleur jumped up from the sofa. Colin looked up at her with a tilted gaze.
“Sitting here won’t solve anything. Let’s go see it in person.”
“See what?”
“The fields you think are so dirty.”
She motioned for him to get up at once. His eyes narrowed.
Big problem. Colin’s favorability has dropped without a quest.
Current favorability: -7% → -10%
The two walked out of the mansion, keeping a little distance between them.
The fields where Fleur planned to hold the party weren’t far from the back gate.
The land had been well maintained from the start. The paths between the plots were wide, the soil soft and free of pebbles.
“Because it’s called a field, you might imagine nothing but dust. But if you tamp it down well, it’s just like flat ground.”
A new fence neatly separated the area from others. Isolated from the surrounding farmland, with the right decorations it could even look like a small garden.
But Colin still looked around with clear dissatisfaction.
Perhaps because his favorability had dropped so much, he wasn’t even bothering with his mask-like smile anymore.
“What if it rains the day before?”
“If the ground is compacted firmly, it won’t be too messy even if it rains. And until the day of the party, I’ll cover it with a huge tent to protect it.”
“The path here will still get muddy and dirty.”
“I can lay gravel and spread carpets to keep it clean.”
“All this is just wasted money when you could simply do it indoors.”
His constant nitpicking was chipping away at her patience.
“Mr. Colin, you seem mistaken. I’m not asking for your permission. I only listened to your opinions out of courtesy since we’re partners.”
“‘Listened to my opinions’?”
“You were eavesdropping in my office anyway, weren’t you?”
At her blunt words, Colin finally dropped the pretense.
“I won’t allow my desserts—my business too—to be presented in a mess like this.”
“How dare you call my precious fields a mess?”
“If you don’t like my way, then maybe our partnership should end.”
Colin folded his arms and tilted his head arrogantly, speaking as though he were her superior, forcing her into a corner.
But this time, Fleur’s anger flared up, and she shot back immediately.
“Then so be it.”
“…What?”
“I can’t accept the way you’re trying to force things either. Let’s call it off right now.”
He hadn’t expected her to agree. His eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Do you even realize who’s at a disadvantage here? Without my partnership, you’ll lack the funds for both the party and your business.”
“I’ll just find another partner.”
“You think anyone else will have an eye as discerning as mine?”
“Of course they’ll be less qualified. But it’s not impossible. I could even find several partners instead of just one.”
Colin opened his mouth to argue further, but Fleur blew a whistle first.
Piiit!
At the sharp sound, Dylan appeared.
“Did you call, Lady Fleur?”
“Mr. Colin wishes to return to the mansion. Escort him.”
“As you command. This way, sir.”
It was clear to anyone she was driving him out. Colin frowned deeply, glaring at her.
“You said you wanted to quit first, Mr. Colin. So I’ll expect the termination papers sent to my estate as soon as possible.”
Big problem. Colin’s favorability has dropped without a quest.
Current favorability: -10% → -18%
If favorability drops to -20%, deviating from proper game progression may reset some data.
Fleur had been ready to end things completely and spill every word she’d been holding back. But the system window made her bite the inside of her cheek.
After losing Rike, the phrase data reset carried a much heavier weight.
She wouldn’t have cared about favorability loss otherwise, but now there was an unexpected trap.
She had no choice but to retreat, just this once.
“Still, I think it would be best if we both took some time to reflect before meeting again. Once you’ve sorted out your thoughts, contact me then.”
Her softened tone made the sharpness in his eyes ease slightly.
“Very well.”
With that, Colin turned away first, Dylan following behind.
Only after being left alone did Fleur bury her face in her hands with a deep sigh.
“…Never thought I’d be worried about his favorability dropping…”
She stood there for a long time, simply staring at the fields where the party would be held.
The next day, Fleur dressed herself in a sea-green gown and ruby earrings, then boarded a carriage.
When the wheels stopped, it was in front of the Hauser mansion.
Escorted by the coachman, she alighted to find Aidan waiting, his face cold enough to chill the air. But when he saw her, he quickly switched to his usual bright smile and approached.
“Fleury.”
“We’re about to be broken off. Stop calling me by that nickname.”
“There’s no law saying I can’t. I’ve called you that since before we were engaged, when we were just friends.”
He clung to that one thing like it was the last thing he could keep. Fleur let it slide.
“Is the Count inside?”
“Yes, he’s in the drawing room.”
Today was the day Fleur would meet Count Hauser—Aidan’s father.
The day she would formally end her engagement.
Though her intentions had already been conveyed through Aidan, saying the words to his father face-to-face was far more difficult.
She stood frozen, unable to step forward, just staring at the mansion. Aidan waved his hand in front of her face.
“Nervous?”
“…Of course. This is more nerve-wracking than when someone proposes for their son’s hand.”
“You didn’t seem nervous telling me you wanted to break things off.”
“That’s because you’re the person I feel most comfortable around. That’s why I could say it easily.”
He gazed at her steadily, then slyly took her hand.
“More comfortable than your aide?”
“…Why are you bringing Dylan into this?”
“Just answer.”
She quickly shook off his hand.
“Enough. Let’s just end this properly today.”
She walked past him toward the mansion first.
Aidan trailed behind, watching her back with eyes full of lingering regret.
