Villainous Lady, The Obsession Begins

【Chapter 37】

 

She wore a white dress that bared her shoulders, and on her chest was a large ruby brooch that matched Elga’s eye color. In her hair, she adorned a silver headpiece intricately woven with diamonds.

“All right.”

In the mirror, the lovely Minuelle with her light pink hair flowing down looked as if she had never experienced any setbacks, her eyes sparkling with vitality.

‘Ugh, I’m captivated by my own face.’

Even without a fiancé, I’m beautiful! I’m the best!

Enchanting myself with a spell, I sprang up and energetically shouted.

“Alright, let’s go!”

Theodore has returned to the waiting room to escort his cousin. However, Ramande is still waiting for my sister and me.

“You’re beautiful, Minuelle.”

Ramande, who spoke to me like on Sister Juella’s wedding day, held my hand as if wrapping it around. There was a sense of sacredness, along with the warmth of knowing my heart better than anyone else.

Instead of expressing gratitude, I responded with a bashful smile. Ramande smiled back at me, understanding my heart.

Knock knock.

The sudden knock on the door shattered the warm atmosphere that had been building up. Shattered might be an understatement. The moment I opened the door and saw the visitor, everything fell apart irreversibly.

“What brings you here, Your Highness?”

I glanced wistfully at Esadien’s figure beyond Ramande’s shoulder.

‘What is he trying to do?’

Esadien was dressed in a similar shade to the dress I had discarded a while ago. Moreover, he held the gloves that I had thrown at his cheek.

“Minuelle’s escort…”

“Young Duchess will be accompanying Lady Minuelle as her partner.”

‘Ooh.’

Without being told to, I whistled inwardly at how skillfully he dismissed Esadien.

However, Esadien didn’t back down quietly.

“Step aside. I will talk to her directly.”

When he tried to push Ramande aside and come in, I shook my head at my sister.

‘Let’s quickly clear that away and go.’

Sister Elga knew my intention perfectly from just that and opened her mouth.

“Third Prince, as Priest Ramand says.”

“Young Duchess.”

“We will send an engagement annulment letter to your side soon.”

“Engagement annulment…?”

His vacant gaze turned toward me. Of course, I ignored Esadien.

“Did you just say a breakup?”

A clearer objection emerged once again. At the same time, Sister Elga prevented the hand that was about to grab my arm.

“I respectfully request, in accordance with the duties of serving under His Imperial Majesty, that you kindly refrain from causing a disturbance and return now.”

“Minuelle, just a moment…..”

“Your Highness, I do not wish to commit any rudeness on such a fine day.”

Even as my sister exuded a chilling aura, Esadien finally seemed willing to listen. Although he reluctantly stepped back, his gaze remained fixed on me. Yet, I never turned to look at him.

💧

Upon entering with Sister Elga, a hushed murmur spread through the banquet hall as everyone turned their attention toward us.

‘I didn’t know either. I never expected my coming-of-age ceremony to be this hot…’

Now that I think about it, those who attended the tea party hosted by Theodore’s cousin were likely to be here.

In other words, those who witnessed Esadien unexpectedly appearing from Lafesch’s carriage like a surprise gift.

“Are you okay?”

Sister Elga asked with a worried expression.

“Yeah.”

‘Even if they talk a bit, what can they do about it?’

Given my personality, I might have said it that way, but I expressed it a bit differently. As a lovely younger sister, I was obligated to protect my sister’s fantasies.

“Whatever those people may say, I am the Princess of Karinen.”

Although I may have forgotten it while meeting the prince, I am a Princes! An inhabitant of the pyramid top, with no need to bow my head among the nobility!

“You’ve grown up, our youngest…”

As always, composed, but at the end, Sister Elga’s voice trembled. Enough to be heard only by me, who was standing very close.

“Uh….”

I couldn’t quite figure out at what point my sister was moved, but for now, I smiled and bent my knee.

“Would you dance with me, Young Duchess Karinen?”

“It would be an honor, Lady Karinen.”

With the grace befitting a knight, she lifted one hand to her chest and gracefully bent at the waist.

‘Sister Elga seems like she would be cold, but surprisingly, she fits well in a place like this.’

After dancing with my sister, I exchanged greetings with my parents’ acquaintances and my sister’s friends.

I even grabbed Ramande, who tried to run away, and danced with him…

A group of young men approached me as I took a break from busy wandering and sat down to catch my breath.

Among them was one of Theodore’s cousins. Since she seemed cheerful and without any pretense in her interactions, I greeted her without hesitation.

“Lady Lalique, are you enjoying the banquet?”

“Yes, Princess Karinen! Thank you for earlier. Dancing with the Young Duchess. It’s like a dream!”

“I always think my sister is cool, too. Lady, can I call you by your name?”

“Oh my goodness! Of course! Please call me Rene!”

“Rene, who was lively, introduced all her friends who came with her. Among them, one of them asked me.”

“I heard that the lady is engaged to the Third Prince. Why did you come with the Young Duchess?”

“La-Lady Lucien?”

Frustrated, Rene tried to stop her, but I answered regardless. Of course, I decided to remember the name Lucien Levimer.

“Prince Esadien has come to have feelings for someone else, not me. I found out later, and I let him go.”

Before I knew it, there were quite a few people gathered around me. Thanks to that, the excitement spread widely.

“Are you saying you want to break off the engagement?”

“Well, even if you say that, it’s just…”

It may sound naive.

Although I internally clicked my tongue, I responded with a smile on my face.

“Is there a need to continue loving someone whose heart is elsewhere?”

What do I lack?

“But it’s a decision made by the elders of the household. Won’t His Majesty be displeased?”

Well, can the Emperor truly be angered over a mere engagement between the youngsters? Besides, when it’s their fault. I was about to speak with a sardonic smile.

“Minuelle.”

Esadien approached, striding through the crowd.

Towering over other nobles, his significantly tall stature and a beauty that seemed to reflect off a mirror caused a flutter of admiration among the attending nobles.

Reluctantly, I rose from my seat in the midst of them and curtsied.

“I greet the Third Prince.”

Even if he lived like a recluse, he was of royal blood. Others followed suit, lifting the hem of their garments and bowing. 

However, Esadien, as if oblivious to everyone else, only gazed at me.

‘Ah, why do you keep appearing and causing a commotion?’

The loss of affection was a truly frightening thing. The gaze that used to bring joy now felt distant.

“Minuelle, the Young Duchess’ words a while ago… is that also your intention?”

“Yes.”

I answered briefly and sat back down.

Whether he granted permission or not, standing with a straight posture was not an easy task,  it consumed quite a bit of energy.

Esadien was somewhat pensive, but my gaze on him grew more indifferent.

‘Please don’t ruin the atmosphere. Shoo, shoo!’

“Are you serious?”

Esadien asked again.

‘What’s the deal with this guy?’

I couldn’t understand his actions, but soon, the words I heard a while ago passed through my mind, and it felt like a refreshing breeze piercing through my confused mind.

 

“Won’t His Majesty be displeased?”

 

People of the Grand Duchy have been loyal to the imperial family for generations, but human emotions are complex. 

In terms of political reality, if there is a means to establish a more substantial alliance, they would pursue it. In that sense, strategic engagement was an excellent tool.

From the beginning, Esadien and I had a relationship that was suitable for maintaining such an engagement. So, what he currently desires is Karinen’s name and influence.

‘It can’t be anything else.’

It was truly annoying, yet I was grateful.

‘I can behave shamelessly without hesitation.’

So, I could answer the connected question kindly once again.

“Are you serious? Minuelle?”

“Yes.”

Looking up at the stiff-standing Esadien made my neck slightly sore. 

Upon closer inspection, he was a man who lacked even a hint of meticulousness. It was clear that his face had enchanted me. 

I added softly with self-derision.

“So, please refrain from calling my name from now on, Your Highness.”

“…Is that sincere?”

Esadien’s clenched hand was trembling.

“Didn’t you say to me… that you love me?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Didn’t you say it wouldn’t change?” 

Astonished gazes were focused on me.

‘Are you suggesting we hold a people’s trial or something?’

I became suddenly tired, but it was a battle I had already walked. I didn’t want to avoid it. 

With an angle that seemed the most innocent, I turned my head and blinked my eyes slowly.

“But, Your Highness, you met someone else and said you were uncertain about your feelings toward me.”

Whisper whisper.

“When I asked about the relationship with that person, you didn’t even answer.”

Whisper.

The once respectful gaze of the audience, which used to hold high regard, now viewed Esadien as a notorious playboy.

“Th-that… “

“Or can you tell me now? The reason for lying to me and meeting another woman.”

After waiting for a moment, Esadien remained silent.

The young ladies’ fans fluttered vigorously once again. I let out a faint smile as if suppressing deep sadness within and continued speaking.

“Wine changes when you leave the cork open.”

Esadien couldn’t say anything more. After taking a deep breath several times, he pulled something out of his pocket.

“Take only this with you. It’s something I gave you.”

It was that darn glove.

‘I’m going crazy.’

I was restless because I couldn’t return whatever was buried there.

Take back the present you gave to your ex-boyfriend when you broke up. Who in the world would just casually accept it in this situation?

“…That’s right.”

Yes, I received it.

“Here.”

And then, call the servant who was passing by carrying a tray.

“Dispose of this, please.”

I handed over the maddening gloves.

“What is this…..!”

Behind the agitated Esadien, the figure of Lafesch, unable to blend in with the crowd, was visible. I smiled warmly and waved in that direction.

“Lady Celeste! Over here.”

The people around collectively held their breath. There was an air of anticipation, waiting to see what would unfold.

💧

Thank you for reading!