Okay what the heck, this is just getting stupid. I get the dude is jealous and that's why he wants to pretend to be lovers instead of wright but this is too much. You're jealous that she wants another dude to play the fake lover of her FRIEND???
And what did they think would happen?? You already know this guy is nuts and the Duke is engaged to Ripley, so of COURSE a rumor would start. On top of that, eventually, the Duke will announce his engagement and marry Ripley, so it'll be known to the creepy dude that the blonde girl is single and go after her again.
This whole situation is so dumb and honestly I'm starting to get pissed with the two main characters. I could put up with the mess from before but this conflict is so uneeded and they better not drag it out.
On that note, thank you for translating this! It's really smooth and I appreciate it