Our Summer Is Not Over - Chapter 19.1
The host of tonight’s party, Marquis Perville, came out to greet Mia and Dylan.
“Duke and Duchess Rihardt, it’s been a while. Thank you for accepting our invitation.”
“Not at all, thank you for inviting us.”
The Marquis and Marchioness Perville were people who cared greatly about appearances, so the party was splendid and grand.
Though it was past seven o’clock, since it was summer, the days were long and the surroundings were still bright. Looking around, it seemed there was no need to worry about darkness thanks to the many streetlights placed here and there.
“My wife was very excited to hear that the Rihardt couple would be attending.”
“Is that so? Where is the Madam? I’d like to greet her.”
“She is inside, welcoming guests and conversing. I will have someone escort you to where she is.”
At Marquis Perville’s gesture, a waiting servant approached Mia. Just as Dylan and Mia began to move, the sound of a carriage stopping was heard from behind.
Because this was the largest banquet held among the noble families since the end of the war, Marquis Perville had personally adjusted the invitation times for all guests to greet each visitor directly.
Therefore, at this hour, there should be no one arriving except for Mia and Dylan.
Startled, Marquis Perville opened and closed his mouth, then, upon seeing who got out of the carriage, fell silent. At his reaction, Mia and Dylan also slowly turned their gazes that way.
The first thing that caught the eye was red hair.
The color, so fitting for the setting sun, was enough to dazzle the eyes. The woman elegantly swept her long, red hair behind her ear and smiled gracefully at Marquis Perville as she greeted him.
“It’s been a while, Marquis Perville.”
It was Annabelle Luc, the only daughter of Marquis Luc.
Despite nearly three years of being confined at home, she was still just as beautiful as ever.
“It’s been a while for you as well, Duke Rihardt.”
“I see the Luc family must lack manners.”
“Were we ever in a position to discuss manners?”
Annabelle placed her slender hand on her cheek and glanced for a moment at Mia, who was standing beside Dylan.
The cheek she covered with her hand was the same spot Annabelle had once scratched on Mia’s face.
Recalling that day, Mia’s lips subtly drooped downward. Regardless of their mood, Annabelle continued speaking.
“I don’t see why I need to be polite to the man who killed my fiancé.”
At those words, Dylan’s expression gradually hardened. Sensing the growing tension, Marquis Perville quickly tried to defuse the situation with a deliberately cheerful tone.
Mia decided there was no point in staying here any longer and hinted to Marquis Perville that he should contact the Luc family.
As a brief exchange took place, Annabelle spoke up again.
“How is it? My dress and jewelry. You’re familiar with these, aren’t you, Duke?”
The atmosphere grew even colder.
It was strange that Annabelle had come wearing clothes so out of fashion, but it seemed she wanted to provoke Dylan’s sense of guilt.
“Before Rodrigo went to the last war, he gave me these as a gift. You remember, don’t you?”
Mia knew why Annabelle was acting this way. It was not because she still had feelings for her former fiancé Rodrigo.
To be precise, she was testing Dylan, trying to stay near him by taking advantage of his guilt.
“Lady Luc, I think it’s best to stop here. Dylan, let’s go inside now.”
“Oh, come to think of it, Her Highness the Princess is here as well.”
Princess.
It was as good as a declaration that she would not acknowledge Mia as the duke’s wife.
“It’s laughable now, that title. A princess who destroyed her own country.”
Annabelle was the sort of person who would threaten Mia in front of everyone without blinking an eye, but no one expected her to be this rude.
“How does it feel to have killed your own parents?”
Mia knew Annabelle wasn’t talking about her real parents. Even so, it was difficult for Mia to open her mouth to reply.
At that moment, Dylan’s cold voice rang out.
“Lady Luc, you should be thankful that your father was once my superior.”
“What did you say?”
“If it weren’t for that, you would have been immediately dragged away for insult, with no need for reconsideration.”
SERIES DISCUSSION
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