CH 16

If you don’t want to answer, don’t answer. What’s with that sarcastic face?

“How kind of you.”

Davan mumbled as he grabbed his teacup.

I didn’t know what he was thinking behind that mask-like face, but it was his eyes that made me nervous for no reason.

‘If I was Leah in the original…’

I looked back at my memories.

If it had been Leah in the original story, there would have been no chance of even meeting Cadel Vernon.

She wouldn’t be particularly interested in anyone except for Davan.

In particular, with her feisty personality, she had no reason to show kindness for nothing.

‘He has to repay me for the favor.’

The horse’s eyes, which were unusually bright, came to mind.

Had it not been for that horse, there would have been no reason to have anything to do with Cadel, or to be making excuses for Davan here.

I, who was stabbed, added an excuse.

“He’s already a very famous man, isn’t he? The maids of the Imperial Palace and even Lindy knew the rumor.”

“Rumor?”

“There are many rumors that he is a person with ability, character, and good manners. He’s the second son, and he succeeded the duke at that young age, so it’s only natural.”

I recalled the words I had heard from Lindy, and from Cadel whom I had encountered personally.

Golden hair that glistened in the sunlight, clear green eyes, a beautiful smile…

“Actually, I saw him as a very handsome man.”

Perhaps because it was such a strong memory, I unconsciously lowered my head.

“Especially, the hair color was very beautiful, as if it were woven with gold thread.”

“…”

“Naturally, such a color would come out-”

That time when I was muttering casually…

Ttak!

Davan put down his teacup.

‘Ah, that surprised me.’

My forehead wrinkled unconsciously at the sharp sound.

“The tea tastes terrible today.”

When I suddenly looked at him wondering what was wrong with him, Davan furrowed his eyebrows as if there was a bitter taste in his mouth.

As if he didn’t want to eat any more, he roughly threw the napkin he had wiped his hands with.

‘Why are you so uncultured?’

The servants were startled and flustered by Davan, who was now looking obviously so uncomfortable that anyone could feel it.

“Pardon? But it’s the same as what you usually eat…”

“Daisy, you talk too much.”

As the maid in charge of the tea mumbled, Heins winked sternly.

The maid clenched her lips and stepped back.

“There must have been some poor quality tea leaves left. I’ll be careful.”

Heins bowed his head without even making an excuse. I couldn’t help but be surprised by his skillful handling.

‘What’s the matter with him all of a sudden?’

He looked unfamiliar.

— His Excellency is so indifferent to everyone.

For most of the time, Susan’s words were convincing.

Every word he uttered felt intimidating, but he was not at all picky or on the complaining side.

“Should I get you the soup again?”

Heins seemed to be concerned about Davan’s plate, which still had almost all of the original contents for the first time.

But he sprang to his feet at once.

“…”

Davan suddenly looked down at me sitting opposite.

“Are you leaving?”

The eyes were cold as usual.

But when I asked politely, he smiled.

“I have lost my appetite.”

At first glance, it was a smile that was refreshing enough to leave you dazzled.

‘What…?’

But seeing it up close, I knew for sure.

That he was not really smiling.

It was a smile that made me lose my appetite.

“Well, then take care.”

I was trying to find out why I felt bad, but I quickly gave up.

Why should I offend him for nothing?

“By the way, we will join His Majesty for tonight’s dinner.”

At Davan’s words, my eyes stopped.

What? Join the emperor…?

Tonight’s dinner?

“An important guest will also come.”

Davan’s eyes were wrinkled openly.

Suddenly, I remembered the conversations I had with Lindy yesterday.

Currently, Davan…

AD

‘…is looking anxious.’

Among the irritations, there was the look of anxiety.

Anxious about losing something.

I was convinced by Davan’s reaction that this ‘guest’ would not be so simple.

I was curious about who the guest was, but rather than that, I’d rather stay alive first and see it personally.

“Do I have to go too?”

When Davan turned his back, I called him back in a hurry.

“The three of you must have important things to say, so do I really need to go?”

At my words, Davan made a face like he just heard something ridiculous.

“You must be by my side.”

“…”

“Wherever you go.”

My face hardened at those words.

‘Ha, oh dear,’

I was the one who was really dumbfounded.

Do you think I’d shed tears of joy if you treated me like a fiancee and reserved the seat next to you for me?

“I don’t think it’s my place to attend. Tell His Majesty that you’ll be the only one receiving—”

“Why on earth—”

My shoulders reflexively leaned back. It was because Davan was leaning towards me slowly.

“Since when have you asked me why?”

His was a persistent gaze, as if to look into my head.

“…!”

The distance was close enough to feel his cool body scent.

“Aren’t you kind to everyone?”

Davan tapped my stiffened cheek and frowned.

“You’ve been very annoying lately, Leah Prezis.”

The cool eyes made my heart beat fast.

“…”

“What’s your answer?”

He seemed like he’d only let me go if he heard my answer. The servants glanced at the increasingly cold atmosphere.

“I’m sure my attendance—”

“Answer.”

“F-fine.”

Ugh! There you go, you stubborn bastard!

I had to raise the white flag in the end.

Those dark blue eyes were so hard to deal with.

“I will go.”

Only after hearing the answer did he turn his back.

This is why handsome trash is dangerous. My heart was still pounding after staring at each other for a moment.

I held up the cup of water with trembling hands, and I heard Davan’s voice.

“Let’s leave together in the afternoon.”

“Together? Not separately?”

Nnngg? My face wrinkled.

You must have a lot of money and a lot of carriages, so why do we have to go together?

Looking down at me who was asking anxiously, Davan smiled slightly.

“I must have told you.”

The falling voice was cold.

In the midst of this, he was still uselessly pretty and smiled in an upsetting way again.

“Wherever you go, you must be by my side.”

“…”

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

With a firm remark, Davan left the dining room.

‘Leaving after saying your piece.’

I glared at his tall back.

It was only when the room was completely quiet that I could relax.

“Sigh, I’m exhausted.”

Leaning against the chair, I stared blankly at the ceiling.

By the way…

I can change the ending, can’t I?

***

As soon as I got into the room, I stretched out.

I dozed off for a moment, and the time was already approaching 1 p.m.

“My lady, get up!”

“My lady!”

“My ladyyy!”

“What’s wrong with you guys?”

There were at least five hours left until dinner.

The problem was that Lindy and the maids were already making a fuss.

“Oh dear, I had your hair done in the morning, but how could it look like this now?”

While combing my frizzy hair, Lindy stamped her feet.

“How long has it been since you went with His Excellency? You used to go in different carriages every time.”

“I don’t think it’s something I would like.”

My voice sounded bored.

The second problem was that I had to see that face all morning and evening.

And now we have to go in the same carriage?

‘What the hell did I do wrong in my previous life…’

A scream of pain rang out of me.

Lindy’s voice was full of excitement, as if she couldn’t see my darkened face.

“My lady, are you going to wear pink again this time?”

Lindy put down the comb and beckoned, and the maids lined up and came in with five or six dresses.

‘Hmm.’

What is all that?

All the while, my eyes started hurting as I looked at the unfolded dresses. All of them were too flashy.

Although the designs were different, they all had excessive decorations in the primary color of pink.

Are those laces and frills hanging on to it a bonus?

“Are those…all?”

I felt it last time, but Leah’s taste in dresses seemed quite unique.

Lindy seemed to wonder at my frowning face.

“I brought only the dresses that my lady cherished the most.”

“Is this my taste?”

“Yes, you liked the particularly colorful dresses.”

I remembered Leah’s description in the original.

‘Wherever she went, she wanted to be the most colorful, the most dazzling, the most sparkling.’

This was too much.

Most people did not even spare the polite praise in front of Leah, but those who laughed at her appearance behind her was a frequent story.

‘It got worse and worse. ‘

After the appearance of Ollina, the pure-looking female protagonist, Leah became more obsessed with colorful decorations and appearance.

In the end, she was compared to Ollina in every case, to the extent that she became the tacit joke of social circles.

But that was natural, wasn’t it?

That is the formula for the main and supporting roles. The more Leah collapses, the more the protagonist shines.

Even when I read the original, I thought it was a good setting for Leah, the villain character…

“I can’t stand it.”

My face crumpled up.

This is just too much!