Not content with criticizing her actions, he now turned to her attire.
“This dress has frills as well. I thought it was sufficient,” Alice said.
“For standing next to me, it’s not flashy enough. The color is too dull too,” he retorted.
“Is that so…?”
“Yes. The hemline could also be more… I don’t know, cuter and puffier—”
“…”
Alice’s dress, designed specifically for her by incorporating her preferences, was made for this very day. Instead of complimenting it, Lambert continued to nitpick, leaving her feeling helpless.
She loved the subtle frills along the hem and the subdued ash-blue hue.
(More frills and ribbons? I’m not a child.)
Alice held back her urge to argue and instead brushed off his words with a polite smile.
(First, he tells me not to stand out, and now he wants something flashy. How self-centered can he be?)
Though exasperated, she knew avoiding an argument was the better path. She shifted her gaze to her teacup, taking it in hand to sip and let the tea wash away her complicated feelings.
After regaining her composure, Alice smiled at Lambert again—only to freeze at the vision that suddenly filled her mind.
In the vision, Lambert looked more mature, dressed in the white uniform of the higher academy. It seemed to be five to seven years in the future.
“Ah, Lord Lambert, you shouldn’t do this here.”
“Haha, it’s fine, just a little bit.”
“Only a little, okay? I wouldn’t like it unless we continue somewhere more proper.”
“I understand.”
The scene showed a man and woman sharing intimate moments in a room at the academy. Though they were barely dressed, it was clearly not behavior befitting a man with a fiancée.
The cheerful voices of the two grated on Alice’s ears.
(…Wait, what is going on? He is supposed to be my fiancé, isn’t he?)
Doubt and despair flooded her at once.
She had hoped Lambert’s childish behavior would improve as he matured. Yet, the future vision revealed he would grow into an even more deplorable man.
(He will never love me… If that’s the case, is there any point in maintaining this engagement?)
Their engagement had been formed because of his infatuation, but if she were to propose breaking it off now, he might even welcome the idea.
As she opened her mouth to speak, another future vision suddenly unfolded.
In this vision, Lambert was red-faced and furious, flames bursting violently from his hands.
In his line of sight was Alice, writhing on the ground, engulfed in flames.
Regaining his senses, Lambert hastily grabbed a pitcher of water and doused her.
“I’m so sorry. I lost my temper. Please forgive me,” he pleaded, holding her small, limp body and crying as he apologized repeatedly.
She was too stunned even to react. Never had she imagined that her fate for attempting to end the engagement would be to be set ablaze.
(An apology cannot undo something like this.)
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