The Villainess with a Heroine Harem

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Emilia could obviously tell that Alexander's 'companion' wasn't even listening to her anymore, and she couldn't help but frown while waving her hand in front of the girl in confusion. "Hello? Anyone in there?"

Fortunately or not, Rhea snapped back to reality just as the crimson-haired girl started to pout at being ignored.

With chills running up her spine in terror, the girl immediately broke through her maximum acting potential in an instant, and somehow convinced herself that she was just playing a role in a movie. "Hi! Sorry, I was just in shock since I'm such a big fan of yours, and never thought I would actually get to talk to you!"

Emilia naturally didn't believe that was the truth, but she just smiled instead of expressing her doubts. "Is that so? In that case, I don't mind having a chat with you in private after we're done with dinner."

Terrified as she was at the thought of reaching a 'bad end', Rhea didn't dare to reject the crimson-haired beauty's offer, and nodded 'happily'. After all, she was playing the role of a fan, and which fan wouldn't be ecstatic to get such an opportunity?

Alexander naturally didn't think an emotional and jealous girl like Emilia would have any good plans in mind for her 'love rival' when she put forth such a private invitation, but he didn't seem displeased at all.

If anything, his grin was even wider.

Emilia couldn't guess his thoughts, but going by how Crystal tightened her grip on her palm, it definitely couldn't be anything good.

Fortunately, the arrival of the President of Red Dusk prevented her from being pestered by Alexander further, though facing his over-enthusiasm was a type of torture in itself.

"Empress Emilia! It is so nice to finally meet you in person, ahh, you won't believe how eager I have been for this fated meeting—"

The crimson-haired girl normally didn't mind being showered in compliments. In fact, she usually quite liked it.

But for some reason, whenever it was this man who was the source of those exaggerated compliments, it only made her feel annoyed and impatient.

Perhaps it was the fact that she couldn't feel any sincerity from him deep down, or maybe she just didn't like him.

Cynthia couldn't help but grin. "I find it very likely that you just don't like his face."

Fortunately, the prime minister of Phoenix arrived earlier than most people expected, putting an end to most of the discussions in the hall.

With her shoulder-length red hair and amber eyes, Emilia had to admit that the woman had a sharp, dangerously attractive aura around her that made it hard to believe that she was almost forty years old.

And in her glittering black backless mermaid gown, she looked more like a movie queen at an award show than a prime minister who was already on her second term.

Many people came forward to greet her, and Emilia noted that while the woman always responded to them with a smile, she continued walking towards the prepared podium at the same steady pace without pause.

Emilia couldn't help but approve of the way she handled 'obstacles' without letting them distract her from the 'goal', but she didn't go forward to join the crowd.

Of course, while most people had their attention shifted to the prime minister, a few were still keeping an eye on the crimson-haired girl, and they couldn't help but scrutinize her behavior.

Most thought she was just too proud and haughty, while Amos just scoffed at her expected conceit while ignoring how he hadn't moved from his place either.

Alexander, on the other hand, only felt more satisfied with the girl. Although he had been pushed aside when the Commonwealth's president came along, Emilia at least knew who was more important to stick by in the end.

Too bad that she didn't have the courage to close the distance between them in front of the crowd, but perhaps that was for the best.

White Deer Corporation might be barely acceptable as his bride's background, but Emilia's status as the second daughter made her less than ideal for that position. Associating with her in public would only lower people's perception of the Gray Wolfe's prestige.

As for the girl's status as the Empress of Blue Dawn… Alexander never thought of it as anything to be proud of. That country was like a half-eaten apple that his father snatched from Black Tiger to punish them, and then threw away in disgust.

The fact that his future concubine picked it up while it was rotting by the roadside… it was good enough that he didn't feel ashamed, wasn't it?

The room darkened twice during his inner monologue, and Alexander was vaguely aware that the 'guests of honor' were being called on the podium by the prime minister, but it wasn't something he really cared about.

Still thinking about Emilia's recent behavior, he couldn't help but sigh in disappointment. 'Fortunately, I saw through her stupidity early, and didn't think of her as wife material from the start. Even for a bed warmer, though, I might need to tone down her jealousy a bit.'

Looking at the girl listening to the prime minister on the podium attentively, he frowned. 'She used to be more obedient before, right? Or did I remember it wrong?'

Just as he was about to call her out, however, the lights in the hall dimmed again, and this time the spotlight shone directly on the girl he was looking at, who blushed like a beautifully blooming red rose, and started walking towards the podium shyly.

It was only then that Alexander came back to his senses and realized something unbelievable. 'Wait, what…? Impossible!'

Looking at the two people already on the stage, one was a renowned scientist who made a major breakthrough at the end of last year, and the other was a business mogul who donated half of his entire fortune to charity just recently.

And the third spot… was empty.

It didn't take a genius to put two and two together, but Alexander still refused to believe it.

How can a girl who barely qualified as his concubine receive an honor that even his mother had never got before?!

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