I AM NOT THE LOVE INTEREST!

Chapter 52: Bitter Taste

The moment the dining hall doors closed behind Aria, silence descended heavily across the dining hall.

And it was not a comfortable silence.

It felt sharp and unpleasant, settling after a battlefield collision where nobody wished to make the first reckless movement because everyone instinctively understood the atmosphere could still explode at any moment.

Sebastian slowly leaned back against his chair, but the tension in his body did not ease in the slightest. His gaze remained fixed toward the closed doors long after Aria disappeared from sight.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel calmly released the teacup he had absentmindedly picked up from beside Aria’s abandoned seat.

Like none of what just happened was unusual.

Even Duke Valen remained unusually silent at the head of the table.

And honestly?

That alone said enough.

Cynthia looked between the two men uncertainly before finally forcing a careful smile onto her face.

"The Royal Archmage seems..." she began delicately, "...unexpectedly close with Lady Aria."

Sebastian’s expression darkened immediately.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel merely smiled faintly.

"Yes," Ezekiel replied smoothly before his golden eyes shifted lazily toward Cynthia. "You must be Cynthia."

Cynthia straightened slightly.

"Yes, Your Grace–"

"The other daughter."

The sentence landed so casually cutting her off, that for a moment nobody reacted.

Then Cynthia visibly flinched.

Silence crashed over the table again. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Even the servants nearby froze in horror.

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed faintly.

Meanwhile, Duke Valen’s expression sharpened almost imperceptibly.

Because this was not merely an insult.

Among noble society, illegitimate bloodlines were treated seriously, especially within higher-ranking houses. The royal family itself had long established strict lineage laws to preserve noble succession and prevent inheritance disputes from destabilizing aristocratic power.

To openly acknowledge Cynthia as "the other daughter" instead of properly recognizing her status within the family...

It was humiliation disguised as politeness.

And Ezekiel knew it.

Cynthia slowly clenched her fists beneath the tablecloth, though she quickly lowered her gaze to hide the flash of humiliation crossing her face.

"My apologies if I offended Your Grace," she said carefully despite the tension in her voice.

Ezekiel only hummed softly.

"I merely stated what everyone already knows."

Cynthia’s jaw tightened slightly.

Meanwhile, Duke Valen finally spoke.

"Archmage Rowe."

The warning in his tone was subtle.

But present.

Ezekiel looked entirely unconcerned.

Instead, he leaned back lazily in his seat before speaking again.

"In any case," he continued lightly, "Aria and I go way back."

Sebastian’s gaze shifted sharply toward him.

Ezekiel smiled.

"She was quite in love with me during our academy days."

Cynthia blinked rapidly.

Even Duke Valen looked faintly surprised now.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel continued speaking with infuriating calmness.

"Back when we were still students," he added smoothly. "She followed me around rather persistently. It was adorable."

Sebastian’s fingers tightened subtly on the table, though his face remained calm.

Perfectly composed.

But the pressure surrounding him had already shifted.

Cold.

Sharp.

Dangerously restrained.

Ezekiel noticed it instantly.

And seemed entertained by it.

"Of course," Ezekiel added thoughtfully, "at the time she was considerably louder."

Sebastian finally spoke.

"Do not speak so freely about my fiancée’s past without her permission."

The dining hall fell silent again.

Cynthia looked between them nervously now while Duke Valen observed the exchange carefully.

Ezekiel, however, merely chuckled quietly.

"My."

His golden eyes lifted lazily toward Sebastian afterward.

"You suddenly sound very protective."

Sebastian’s expression hardened.

"That is irrelevant."

"Is it?"

Ezekiel tilted his head slightly.

"Interesting. Because earlier you seemed rather comfortable sitting beside another woman while your fiancée sat across from you. But her matter no longer concerns you now that the engagement has been broken off. You now have a new lady."

Cynthia stiffened instantly.

Sebastian’s gaze darkened further.

The atmosphere became suffocating.

Even the servants nearby looked ready to collapse from stress.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel simply stood up from his seat gracefully, adjusting the black gloves around his fingers afterward.

"Well then," he said lightly, "since your daughter has run away from me, Duke Valen..."

His lips curved faintly.

"I suppose I should go catch her."

Duke Valen barely had time to respond.

Because Ezekiel had already turned and begun walking toward the dining hall exit without waiting for permission.

The doors had barely opened again before another chair suddenly scraped sharply against the floor.

"So will I, Duke Valen."

Sebastian stood abruptly.

Cynthia’s eyes widened.

"Kaelen!"

But he ignored her completely.

His gaze remained fixed toward the doorway Ezekiel disappeared through moments ago.

And before anyone else could stop him, Sebastian turned and strode out of the dining hall as well.

The heavy doors closed behind him.

Cynthia slammed her hand violently against the table.

The sharp sound startled several servants nearby.

"Father!"

Her composure finally cracked entirely as she turned toward Duke Valen with visible anger and humiliation burning across her face.

"How could you allow that man to insult me openly?!"

Duke Valen remained silent for several seconds.

Then slowly lifted his gaze toward her.

"It was not an insult."

Cynthia stared at him in disbelief.

"...Excuse me?"

"He merely spoke carelessly," Duke Valen replied evenly, knowing he could not argue with a royal archmage.

"That was not careless!" Cynthia snapped immediately. "He humiliated me in front of everyone!"

Her breathing had quickened now, frustration finally overtaking the soft gentle image she normally maintained.

"And Sebastian!"

Her voice faltered slightly afterward.

Because Sebastian chose Aria.

Immediately.

Without hesitation.

Without even sparing Cynthia another glance before leaving.

And honestly?

That realization seemed to wound her pride more than Ezekiel’s words ever could.

Duke Valen finally exhaled quietly before lowering his cup onto the table.

The sound echoed sharply inside the lingering silence.

Then his cold gaze lifted toward the doors where both men had disappeared.

"...No," he murmured slowly.

"The real problem..."

His voice lowered slightly.

"...is why two powerful men suddenly became interested in your sister at the same time."

Cynthia’s expression stiffened immediately at those words.

Because that implication alone was dangerous.

Very dangerous.

If Aria truly began attracting attention from men like Duke Sebastian Blackwood and Archmage Ezekiel Rowe simultaneously, then the favors would end up with Aria and not her.

And just the thought of it sent a bitter taste on her tongue.