Chapter 12

As Adi returned, Mary didn’t know what to say to him if he came back. Judging the situation, Mary hurriedly walked towards the classroom she was heading to.

Patrick and Alicia were already in the classroom. When they saw Mary, Patrick smiled awkwardly and said, "Sorry to trouble you." Alicia, standing next to him, looked so sad that it made one feel sorry for her. Her eyes were red, suggesting she had been crying just a few minutes ago. When she saw Mary, Alicia shuddered and her shoulders trembled. Noticing this, Patrick gently stroked her small shoulder in a caring manner.

"Mary, you must have figured out why I called you here, right?"

"Yes, I came to break it off."

Mary smirked. Faced with her defiant smile, Patrick’s wry smile deepened, while Alicia’s already pale face turned even paler at their exchange. She then interrupted, "Wait a moment!"

"Lady Mary, I... I don’t want to interfere with your engagement...!"

"Alicia, I already told you that."

"But, Lord Patrick, I still think you should have a marriage that everyone can celebrate."

As Alicia spoke through her tears, Mary recalled Adi’s words. From their conversation, it seemed that Alicia was indeed stepping back. She was clearly advocating that Patrick and Mary were the right match. Considering their status and the impact on their surroundings, she was right. In a political marriage, no one would be a better match than Mary and Patrick. However, their personal wishes were not part of the equation, as political marriages were never about that.

Mary listened to Alicia’s plea for a while but, seeing that it was getting nowhere, she sighed.

"Are you, a country girl, planning to give up a man to me?"

She asked Alicia with a dissatisfied tone.

"Mary?"

"…Lady Mary?"

Patrick and Alicia were surprised by Mary’s sudden change in attitude. Ignoring their reactions, Mary continued with a more defiant smile.

"Do you think I, Mary Albert, would be happy with a man who’s left over from a country girl?"

Her dismissive laugh was pure villainy. However, neither of them seemed hurt or angry at her insult. Of course, in this situation, Mary’s words were not out of line. They were twisted and hard to understand, but in her own way, she was affirming their relationship.

"Mary, this is all my fault. You can give any reason you want for the engagement being broken off."

"Oh, that’s a relief."

"Lady Mary… I didn’t mean to interfere. I thought you two were a perfect match. That’s why…"

"Any man who falls for a country girl, I’ll pass on him."

Mary said firmly, turning her gaze to Patrick. His eyes, holding Alicia, showed no hesitation. Meeting Mary’s gaze, he looked back at her steadily.

"I’ve lived my life as my parents wished, to carry the name of the Dice family. But from now on, I will be the man Alicia wants. I will live my life with Alicia."

Hearing Patrick’s declaration, Mary nodded in satisfaction. Patrick was the epitome of a nobleman’s son, raised by his parents to be the heir of the Dice family. Now, he was deciding to live with Alicia, even if it meant throwing away everything he had.

This is a good man I’m letting go… Mary couldn’t help but think sarcastically and smiled.

"So, what do you plan to do about your parents? It’s quite a shock for them to find out that their perfectly raised son has chosen a commoner. They might faint."

"I’ll have to persuade them. If they don’t understand, I’m willing to give up the name of the Dice family."

Horrified, Alicia grabbed Patrick’s arm.

"No, Lord Patrick!"

Mary recalled Adi’s words: "To bring you down to my level."

Even if that happened, Patrick’s dignity and talent would not be lost. His character was not dependent on his family name but on his own efforts and abilities. The family name was merely an added value. Moreover, Patrick could rise to a position equal to the nobility even as a commoner, given his talents.

But for Alicia, it meant losing not only his family name but also his family connections. The life of a commoner, with its simplicity and lack of luxury, would be a stark contrast to the noble life. The effort to rise might be unnecessary if she hadn’t chosen him. The price of love might sound noble, but the losses were too great.

Realizing this, Alicia, with tears in her eyes, desperately tried to hold onto Patrick, repeating, "You can’t do this."

Looking at her, Mary slowly narrowed her eyes. If she hadn’t heard Adi’s words, would she have understood Alicia’s feelings? But even if she understood…

Mary raised the corners of her mouth again. She understood Alicia’s and Patrick’s perspectives. She understood Patrick’s resolve to live for Alicia and Alicia’s fear of losing everything from him.

Because she understood, she would ignore both of their opinions and do as she pleased.

"Are you so desperate to hold on because you’re after Patrick’s family name?"

Mary laughed sarcastically, as if exposing the truth.

Alicia gasped, her pale face turning to a glare.

"How can you say such a thing! I love Lord Patrick himself. Even if he loses his family name, my feelings won’t change!"

Hearing this, Alicia, with tears in her eyes, spoke more strongly than ever. Mary sighed at her determined gaze.

"Then there’s no problem. Or do you want to show a lovers’ quarrel?"

Sniffling, Alicia looked at Mary with teary eyes.

"Thank you, Lady Mary… I…"

Mary waved her hand dismissively, as if to say she was tired of the conversation. Words of gratitude were not something a villain should receive. She didn’t enjoy being hated, but she also didn’t like being thanked.

"I won’t say ‘congratulations,’ but I’ll help persuade your father as a substitute for a celebration."

Relieved, Patrick thanked her. Mary, unable to stand the sight of her ex in a happy state, turned to leave.

Showing a happy face in front of the one who broke up with you and then thanking her—anyone, not just a villainess, would be angry.

As Mary opened the classroom door to leave, she was surprised to see Adi leaning against the wall.

"Listening in is bad manners."

"You couldn’t have entered in that situation."

"Well, that’s true. So, did you buy the drinks?"

"…What?"

Adi, looking confused, seemed to remember something and panicked.

"Um, the cafeteria! Yes, the cafeteria was still open, so I thought we could have tea after the conversation ended instead of buying drinks!"

"…That sounds a bit too convenient, but I’ll let it slide."

"I also got tea and cake. After all, today is a special day!"

"Special day? If it’s Patrick and Alicia’s engagement, it’s a bit early, isn’t it?"

"No, today is your break-up anniversary."

"If you wish, I can change it to your firing anniversary."

Mary glared at Adi, who was acting less like a servant and more like someone who had just been dumped. But Adi’s overly happy expression made her lose her anger. This servant was clearly delighted that she had been dumped. As Mary sighed, she heard the happy voices of Patrick and Alicia behind her, making her sigh even deeper.

When she told her father about the broken engagement with Patrick, he simply said,

"Oh, I thought so."

And added,

"I thought he might take you in."

This made even Mary, who was used to such reactions, almost cry.