Looking for the Villainess Who Spent the First Night

Chapter 14

The sudden appearance of Zerlac chilled the air in the banquet hall.

Paley Easley, who had a wildcat-like face just a moment ago, changed her color in an instant.

“His Highness the Grand Duke.”

Paley was polite, like a docile sheep.

Standing next to him, I politely bent my knees.

Zerlac stared at me and gave out a low voice.

“There is no time to be quiet where you are.”

Well, it's not entirely wrong.

Since there are many eyes to see, he said quietly without trying to pout his lower lip.

"sorry."

No, it wasn't because I wanted to get angry, he said he started a fight.

I almost snitched like a student who was called in front of the teacher, but I managed to hold it in.

Saying a lot in front of Zerlac won't help the situation very much.

Plus one more thing.

'Maybe here... … , wouldn't you say that I didn't wear the dress she sent me?'

As I thought about it, my hands started to sweat.

But my quiet silence seemed rather interesting to him.

While I was silently putting on a shy face, Paley stepped forward and spoke to Zerlac.

“Your Highness, thank you so much for hosting such a beautiful ball. And welcome again to Mütten.”

Paley elegantly added a greeting, and Zerlac replied with a gentlemanly smile.

Paley's face was eager to say something more.

“What are you planning to do today?”

Zerlac turned to me and spoke.

“Oh, what… … , do you?”

After a short question, I kept my mouth shut, and Zerlach quietly approached me and whispered.

“Wine in moderation.”

A voice barely audible.

“Today I have a lot of guests, so I don’t think I can take care of you.”

“… … .”

He took a step back and smiled faintly.

Uh, what have you done to me now?

“Your Highness, the family of Duke Bertrand of Lorec has arrived.”

At the aide's words, Zerlac left immediately without a brief greeting.

When he disappeared, Paley turned cold again.

Ha, Paley.

It seems that being an actor is a vocation, but it is a waste of talent to rot like this.

“What did you do a moment ago?”

"What?"

But his face turned red and he couldn't say anything.

That's right, because I really just stood there without saying anything.

In the meantime, the party standing next to Paley all put their hands on their chests and groaned.

"under… … .”

"Soooooooo AWESOME. What should I do ? I think I'm completely in love."

“I will never give up on this.”

“What if I can’t concede?”

“Actually, it doesn't matter if the Archduke has an extra eye on his forehead. How could he be as handsome as a chiseled statue like that?”

“So that is it. Where has His Highness the Grand Duke gone?”

“Let’s go and stand near us.”

Paley folded her fan noisily, as if trying to calm the tumult. As Paley folded her fan, her servants quickly shut up.

“Lady Bernadette.”

“… … .”

“Didn't I make it clear that it would be better to act upright in front of His Highness?”

I feel like I've heard something like that before.

Having decided to become a target in place of Leonie a moment ago, I did not back down.

“So what?”

Paley's eyes widened as if she was unable to speak.

“I guess you haven’t seen it before. I was still, and the person who spoke to me first must have been the Grand Duke.”

“… … .”

“I’m sorry, that was all I said.”

Every word was correct, so Paley couldn't say anything and just put her strength into the hand holding the fan.

“Then, young lady, have a good time.”

After saying that, I grabbed Leonie's wrist and moved to another place.

"phew."

After getting away from Paley, I somehow felt very drained.

'Anyway, Mr. Pe is of no help in my life.'

I touched my face once and turned to Leonie.

“Libe, how do you know the Grand Duke?”

“Ah, that’s what you mean.”

I told Leonie the short story of meeting Zerlac the evening after I was alone at the ball.

"I see. Anyway, Lady Isley's expression wasn't good. You better be really careful.”

“Yes, I understand.”

As Leonie spoke, she fidgeted with the knotted bracelet wrapped around her wrist. It seemed that something was unsettling.

Besides, Leonie's expression is somewhat unusual.

“Leonie.”

"Yes."

It seems that both cheeks are flushed somewhere, and staring at somewhere with blank eyes is like... … .

“Leonie?”

“Ribe, wait a minute. I met a face. I know I'll come and say hello."

“Uh, yes.”

Then, holding on to the fluttering hem of her skirt, she disappeared into the crowd.

'what.'

I was worried that Leonie would follow me, but I'm not a child.

I just sat around and sipped champagne.

Ha, I have to connect Leonie and Gerlac at the prom today.

When Leonie comes back later, I'll take her to see the Grand Duke again.

By the way, didn't the two of them feel something destined when they met earlier?

As I was thinking about that, I saw a very familiar face in the distance.

Oh my God, it's my mother.

It would be the end if my mother found out that I didn't even dress properly in such a shabby dress.

Even if it wasn't so, she insisted on going with Leonie to avoid her mother's eyes.

My hand holding the champagne trembled and I quickly ran out of the banquet hall.

Leaving the banquet hall did not calm her heart.

My mother was still trying to connect with me somehow, asking if anything had happened that night with Her Highness Cygnus.

But if you found out that you came to the prom like this.

Ooh, just thinking about it makes me dizzy.

After walking for a long time in the huge and long hallway, a balcony overlooking the garden came into view.

My heart calms down quite a bit as I caress the handrail painted with jade white paint.

"phew."

The garden overlooking the balustrade was very peaceful.

Then, the wind blew the hem of her skirt, and she grabbed it with one hand, and the crisp feel and faded color made her feel bitter.

“What is this?”

The wind, which I don't know where it came from, whipped my long, curly hair.

My already messy hair was getting more messy, but I just let it go.

“Whew, what do you know?”

Ever since I came to this world, I haven't had a day where I feel comfortable.

No matter how hard I tried, things didn't go my way, and if left alone, I ran into a difficult situation.

The moment she was about to give up everything, she was unexpectedly involved with the Grand Duke. It wasn't enough, and he ended up making the heroine in the novel unlucky.

In addition, I heard that if you do not live this life properly, you will perish.

What is this all about, really.

“Can I say this? It might be stupid.”

It was a time when the thoughts that filled my head were scattered in the wind.

"What's stupid?"

The moment I turned my head to the sudden voice, I almost stopped breathing.

"ah."

Standing in front of him was Archduke Cygnus.

"You're quiet when you're with people, so why are you muttering to yourself?"

“… … .”

"You look like you're not happy at the prom."

You said you're going to be busy with guests from far away today, so why are you here?

"It's a pleasure, Your Highness the Grand Duke."

"I've felt it before, but you're bad at lying."

"It's a lie, it's true."

It was clear I wouldn't believe it.

“Why are you out alone?”

“What about the Grand Duke?”

“Doesn’t Bernadette ever answer at once?”

His voice was neither cool nor blunt, and I reflexively shrank.

Is it because the memories of long ago remain in the body?

“To be honest, it’s not that much fun, nor is it terribly boring.”

Zerlac raised one eyebrow ironically as if my answer was interesting.

Then, after glancing at my gray dress, he continued:

“Looking at how hard we prepared, it seems like there was definitely something to look forward to.”

“Are you kidding me?”

I almost glared at him, but I managed to hold it in.

Oh no, who is this all for now!

Phew, dying and reviving several times only increases my patience.

“No, I was thinking about what you were thinking in choosing this dress.”