My Villainess Ex Won't Leave Me Alone

"What did you just say?" Celine stopped mid-retreat, turning so slowly that the two girls flanking her flinched. "Good fit? He makes more money in a month than your father in a year. Are you implying the whore's daughter has better chances at success than you two?"

A warm, fuzzy feeling settled in Lucian's stomach at her words, and he couldn't help but chuckle, "Thank you for defending my honor, My Lady," he bowed his head to her, then turned to the other two ladies, "Please, let us not fight. I'm here on official business, not to cause a scandal. I'll take my leave now."

The girls' giggles died in their throats when they saw a few servants and workers bow to Lucian as he passed by, confirming his status.

"We're sorry, Mr. Arclight! We didn't recognize you!" They curtsied, their cheeks red. They followed him with their eyes, before turning to glare at the pink-haired girl, "Why are you still standing there like a fool? Go fetch the tea!"

"..." the pink haired girl nodded and ran off to the kitchen.

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The three girls moved to a gazebo near the construction of the greenhouse, where the servants had set up a table and chairs.

Lucian could hardly focus on his work as he could hear the Viscount's daughters bullying the pink-haired girl.

"This tea tastes like dirty water. Make a new pot."

"Where are the biscuits I asked for?"

"My cup is dirty, clean it."

Lucian wasn't a fan of bullying or harassment, and Celine knew it. She didn't stop the Viscount's daughters from being cruel to the poor thing and even smiled from time to time.

Lucian walked over to the gazebo, and the girls quieted down, turning to look at him.

"May I join you ladies for a cup of tea?" he asked, smiling at them.

The Viscount's daughters frowned at him, it was obvious he was here to rescue the pink-haired girl from their clutches, but what could they say to refuse him?

They had to be nice to him since he was doing work for their father.

"Of course, Mr. Arclight, please sit," the older of the two said, gesturing to an empty chair.

Lucian took a seat and noticed Celine's smile widen a little. He could tell she was amused by his reaction to their bullying, and even dropped her spoon on purpose so the pink-haired girl had to pick it up.

Lucian gave her a look of disapproval as he picked up the spoon, "You don't seem to have a good grip on your cutlery, My Lady," he said, handing it back to her.

"Mm, I'm second guessing my grip on a lot of things," Celine replied, looking at her hand, "It seems like I can't keep anything to myself."

"..." Lucian would have liked nothing more than to hold her and kiss her until her worries melted away, but the situation was not ideal.

The girls at her side giggled at her response, thinking Celine was finding a good excuse to drop more stuff and have the pink-haired girl pick them up.

"Is this the new way of having fun among young women?" Lucian asked, adding sugar to his cup, "Picking on those weaker than you?"

The girls exchanged glances, looking at Celine for guidance, and she merely looked at her manicure and answered in their place, "Yes. A very popular thing to do these days. Would you like to take her place, Mr. Arclight? You seem eager to."

"I would much rather take a stand in stopping it," Lucian replied, stirring his tea with a spoon, "but I don't want to impose on your fun, after all, so if you want me to take her place, I can't say no to you, My Lady."

The girls gasped, not expecting him to go along with it. They thought he was just a goody-two-shoes who wanted to ruin their fun, but now he was willing to take the girl's place and be bullied instead? Who was that whore's daughter to have a man who was willing to do that for her?!

The pink haired girl also had her eyes wide open. Her cheeks reddened as she looked at Lucian, "You don't have to do that, sir. I can handle it," she said softly.

Lucian smiled at her gently, "It's alright. I don't mind."

Who was he trying to fool with this chivalry act? He just wanted an excuse to be closer to Celine.

Everyone was eating it up except Celine, who seemed to be enjoying a private joke.

"Fan me then, Mr. Arclight," Celine said, passing him her hand fan, "I feel hot."

Lucian took the fan from her hand and started to wave it back and forth, creating a nice breeze for her.

The Viscount's daughters stopped with the harsh treatment of the pink haired girl and began to focus on Lucian instead.

"Mr. Arclight, I'm also feeling hot," the older one said, batting her eyelashes.

"Fan me too," the younger one said, handing him her fan as well. "I'm feeling faint," she added.

Lucian chuckled helplessly, "I'm afraid I'm only capable of fanning one person at a time. You wouldn't want me to neglect your esteemed guest, would you?"

The girls reluctantly accepted his refusal. On one side, there was a person of power and influence (Celine), and on the other side there was a nobody living off a man's favor (pink haired girl).

Celine studied the pink haired girl, making the girl shift in her seat uncomfortably. The girl seemed to want to hide somewhere, anywhere, but under Celine's gaze.

Lucian moved the fan to obscure her view of the girl, "What do you think of my fan technique, My Lady?"

"It's lacking," Celine said, reaching for a pastry. As she did, the tip of her fingers brushed against his knuckles on the table briefly.

It was enough to make his heart skip a beat, but not enough to show on his face.

"I'm not feeling any better," Celine continued, "Do you want me to die from overheating?"

'She's actually bullying me!' Lucian thought. It was the first time they had seen each other in months, and she was already picking on him. The little snot.

'If she is so hot, I can help with undressing her later,' he thought, and the idea made him feel a little bit hotter too.

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