I AM NOT THE LOVE INTEREST!

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: The Announcement

Chapter 72: The Announcement

—ARIA—

I was having an excellent evening.

For once, everything was proceeding exactly as I wanted.

The noblewomen surrounding me had gradually transformed from potential customers into surprisingly close acquaintances. We had spent nearly an hour discussing fabrics, embroidery techniques, seasonal colors, jewelry pairings, and various complaints about the complete lack of innovation within noble fashion.

To my astonishment, several of them were genuinely delightful.

Who would have thought?

I had spent so much time preparing myself for political maneuvering and social disasters that I forgot noblewomen could simply... enjoy talking about things.

One viscount’s daughter became unexpectedly passionate about sleeve designs.

Another confessed she secretly hated corsets.

A baron’s daughter admitted she owned twelve nearly identical gowns because every dressmaker in the capital seemed terrified of originality.

Frankly, it was refreshing.

I was laughing at a particularly dramatic story regarding a countess who nearly started a feud over lace patterns when the music suddenly stopped.

The ballroom gradually quieted, thr conversations faded.

Dancers stepped away from the center floor.

Curious glances shifted toward the elevated platform near the orchestra.

I followed everyone’s gaze.

Something important was about to happen.

Sure enough, the heir of House Everstein stepped forward.

Young Lord Everstein looked particularly pleased with himself. Just then, a servant handed him a glass while another adjusted the nearby candelabras.

Then he smiled at the crowd.

The smile somehow made me even nervous and I didn’t know why.

"Thank you all for attending tonight’s gathering."

Polite applause followed and the young marquess continued speaking confidently.

"This evening has exceeded all expectations. Seeing so many distinguished guests gathered beneath our family’s roof has been an honor."

Maybe I was just overthinking things, haha.

Everything seems to be going normally, I think? Except for Cynthia who has been glaring at me for quite a while now.

I relaxed slightly.

Perhaps I had been paranoid.

Young Lord Everstein smiled again.

"There is also another reason I wished to address everyone personally this evening."

Several noblewomen immediately straightened. A few mothers exchanged knowing glances and the fathers looked interested.

The unmarried daughters looked alert.

Meanwhile, I looked for something to drink while Ren kept following after me, along with the other three who seemed to have an attachment issue.

"I have spent many years hosting gatherings such as this," Lord Everstein continued. "However, until tonight, no woman has ever truly captured my attention."

The ballroom immediately erupted into whispers.

Oh dear.

Everyone seems to be excited.

Well, I mean, who wouldn’t? I heard Everstein is a special case of a noble family. Although they do appear human, I heard they have a special bloodline and that their mother was an elf.

Must be a really nice modification. Haha!

"Tonight, however, I found myself unable to look away from one particular lady."

The whispers grew louder. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

I glanced toward the women standing beside me while I stuffed my mouth with some chocolates from the table.

Several looked excite and one actually looked ready to faint.

Good for them.

Hopefully it was one of them.

Unfortunately...

A terrible feeling suddenly settled into my guts the moment young Everstein looked directly toward my section of the ballroom.

Oh no.

No.

Absolutely not.

Choose someone else.

Literally anyone else!

The woman beside me gasped dramatically and another grabbed her friend’s arm.

The young marquess smiled warmly then pointed directly at me.

"I speak of Lady Aria Valen."

The entire ballroom froze including me.

I awkwardly laughed and looked behind me hoping he was talking of a different Aria.

But there was not.

"Oh dear," I whispered.

The ballroom exploded and whispers erupted from every direction.

Noblewomen exchanged stunned looks.

Several noblemen nearly choked on their drinks.

One elderly count laughed so hard he had to sit down.

Meanwhile...

I wanted to evaporate.

Young Everstein looked completely sincere.

Which somehow made everything worse.

"Lady Aria possesses elegance, intelligence, grace, and creativity unlike any woman I have encountered."

Please stop talking.

Please.

For the love of every goddess in existence.

Stop.

"Her beauty speaks for itself, but it was her brilliance and confidence that truly captivated me."

I briefly considered faking a medical emergency.

Perhaps collapsing dramatically.

Surely nobody would question it.

Then I remembered the four men standing nearby.

And immediately realized the situation was about to become much worse.

Much.

Much worse.

Slowly, I turned my head.

Sebastian Blackwood was smiling.

The problem was that he looked like a man moments away from committing a crime.

The smile never reached his eyes.

Not even slightly.

"The audacity of this child," he said.

Ezekiel Rowe looked delighted. Not because he approved, but because he found the entire situation entertaining.

Sebastian looked ready to throw him through a wall.

Matthias remained remarkably calm. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Until one noticed the way his jaw tightened.

Or how his gaze lingered on Lord Everstein.

Or how he had suddenly stopped blinking.

Actually...

Perhaps he was not calm at all.

But then there was Ren.

I made the mistake of looking at Ren.

Immediately, I regretted it.

Because Ren looked as though he had just been informed that young Everstein personally burned down an orphanage.

His expression remained perfectly polite but his eyes did not.

The poor marquess had no idea how close he currently stood to death.

Lord Everstein continued speaking.

"I understand my feelings may be sudden, but I wished to be honest before everyone present."

No.

No you did not.

You wished to create chaos.

That was what you wished.

The ballroom had become completely invested.

People were openly staring now.

Some looked excited.

Others looked horrified.

A few appeared to be taking mental notes for future gossip.

I hated all of them equally.

Lord Everstein finally stepped down from the platform.

Then he began walking toward me.

Actually walking toward me.

In front of everyone.

My soul left my body briefly.

When it returned, he was already halfway across the ballroom.

"Oh, he is serious," Ezekiel noted as his voice suddenly turned cold.

"Obviously."

"I thought he might still value his life."

Sebastian’s eye twitched.

Young Everstein eventually stopped directly in front of me.

The entire ballroom watched as he bowed elegantly then extended his hand.

"Lady Aria."

I smiled.

Or at least I attempted to.

It probably resembled a hostage situation.

"Lord Everstein."

"I hope my declaration did not offend you."

"It certainly surprised me."

I awkwardly laughed.

Unfortunately, that laugh only encouraged him.

"I would be honored if you would allow me to court you."

Somewhere behind me, a wine glass cracked.

I did not need to look.

I already knew.

The poor servant holding the tray looked traumatized.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel had completely given up hiding his amusement.

Matthias looked as though he was reconsidering several life choices.

And Ren... somehow had the most threatening reaction of all.

I looked at Lord Everstein.

Then at the four men behind me, then back at Lord Everstein.

Then toward the ballroom doors before realizing freedom looked very far away.

Very, very far away.

With the grace of a woman desperately attempting to survive, I took a careful breath.

"Lord Everstein."

"Yes?"

"You seem like a very kind gentleman."

His smile brightened.

"I also appreciate your honesty. However..." I paused.

Before I could say what was in my mind, a familiar warm voice spoke behind Everstein.

"Oh dear brother, you cannot have her."