49 – Fishing (1)

[Selina Idenea's POV]

Selina was enjoying the attention she received at the social gathering. It was because banquets such as social gatherings were always quite enjoyable for her, who had a rather outstanding appearance.

But today was even special for her, as Princess Rodenov was coming. Selina was eagerly awaiting her arrival.

She always drew attention even more than the Princess of Rodenov, who had enormous and absolute prestige, and countless compliments poured on herself. Moreover, the appearance of Princess Rodenov falling in comparison with herself was very thrilling to her.

What she enjoyed the most was watching the moment when a person with a higher prestige than herself eventually degenerated into someone inferior to her.

She knew herself to be a rather lowly human being.

Selina was aware that she was the kind of person who was jealous of others and enjoyed making other people deprived of attention, so she could also see that this tendency was the kind of habit she shouldn’t reveal to others.

So she formed a group, where she didn’t have much to do.

It was because Selina's followers drove those out who were against her without her needing to step up.

Because of that, she just had to set the tone. So she had been able to hide her bad habits all this time.

As she was the daughter of a prestigious count and also had a great appearance, there were quite a few princesses who clung to Selina and tried to get closer to her.

That was why Selina had the confidence to be the main character of any social gathering. In particular, she was looking forward to this day more, because she remembered the image of Physis Ortaire she had seen in the previous Great Duel.

He was wonderful. His appearance was also very beautiful, and he even beat the winner of the National Day martial arts competition with his overwhelming skills, he would become a fairly famous knight in the future. Too bad. To think that such a person should be dedicated to that monstrous princess. 

‘No, no. Should I just take him? If he is taken away, what expression will that monster princess make?’

While her outrageous imagination expanded into the realm of absurd delusions, she was able to arrive at the banquet hall where the social gathering was being held.

Several princesses were jealous of her, and many showed interest in her and tried to talk to her one more time. Among them, a handsome man approached her and waved.

“A long time no see. Selina.”

As soon as William started talking to Selina, the people around her started talking among themselves, avoiding their seats. Because they all knew that the two of them had always hated having their conversations overheard.

“Yes. Long time no see, William. But what kind of social gathering is this all of a sudden?”

“Do you need to have any other intentions for the fraternity party? I just wanted to see each other’s faces. Seeing our monster princess after a long time is also included.”

“Wouldn’t it be better not to say such things outright? Do you want to play Great Duel too? It’s a shame since no one listens to us right now, if we did it somewhere else, this very social gathering would be the last of you, right?”

“What? It’s true. Tsk, Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.”

“Ah, indeed. Did you have a phobia of reptiles? Since the old times, I have been trembling whenever I see a lizard. But doesn’t Princess Rodenov look like a lizard? The skeleton is completely human, only her skin is scaly.”

“Shut up. After all, it’s true that she has scales. anyway, I don't know why the nobles living in Rodenov say that the blood of such a monster is so sacred and great.”

“Well, it could be. Since there is also a legend of ancestors, Princess Rodenov is a living witness of that legend. Of course, not all of the North is Rodenov, but… … Because Rodenov’s influence is the strongest. Be careful. Daevaton can also be like Aiden.”

“We should be. Anyway, what are you planning to do today?”

“What, is there anything special? I should just enjoy it.”

“You are thinking of grabbing another person and driving him away. You’d better be careful, right?”

“It’s not true!”

Selina smiled and retorted William’s words.

“No. No matter how I look at it, it looks like you have a lot of plans.”

“No, nothing special. It’s just that I rather like Prince Ortaire.”

“Isn’t that man a bit dangerous?”

“How do you know that?”

“I can feel it just by looking at him. Well, you better not touch him.”

“Why? I think I heard rumors about Ortaire’s mad dog when he was engaged to Rodenov last year… … Is his personality that bad? When I think of Great Duel or National Foundation Day, he was rather very gentlemanly.”

“He just doesn’t seem like that.”

“What?”

“I don’t feel well about him.”

“Feeling? With just that?”

“Do you even know how many monsters I sliced and ate?”

“Ah. You must have been a knight too.”

“You...”

“Anyway, does your knight’s intuition say that Physis Ortaire is dangerous?”

“Yes. It would be best not to get involved. I don’t want to run into you with your neck turned.”

“Do you really have to be so cruel to your friend?”

“It’s because of you, you idiot. Don’t make a big deal out of being seduced by a guy with a smooth face, take care of yourself.”

“That’s something I’ll figure out.”

When Selina spoke dissatisfiedly, William only sighed as if he was too tired to speak. At that time, a servant came to William’s side.

“Sir.”

“What’s going on?”

“The carriage of the Rodenov has arrived.”

“I get it.”

“Did they arrive?”

Selina, who heard it from the side, asked William with a curious expression.

“What’s new after you’ve heard it anyway?”

“Anyway, I’d like you to go then.”

“Yes. See you later. Don’t get hit.”

“Be careful.”

Selina separated from William and mingled with the crowd of princesses she used to be with. To a place where everyone compliments each other's pretense and praises them.

The story they were talking about today was also repeated in the past. But Selina liked even that. The cycle was no different from the cycle of interest and happiness.

“Rodenov’s rightful heir! Princess Adilun Rodenov and Ortaire’s second son, Sir Physis Ortaire, winner of the National Day Hunting Competition and Jousting, is entering!”

Eventually, the voice of a servant who had been standing in front of the door all day shouting about the position of the nobles was heard, and the door opened.

And Selina couldn’t help but be astonished at the sight that was revealed.

No, it wasn’t just a story limited to Selina. Everyone there was in a huge shock.

Dark blue hair tied up and a tiara on top.

A bluish-white dress that wasn’t overdone and showed off the wearer’s charm with a shawl that covered her shoulders in a color similar to her hair.

And sharp golden eyes that even looked somewhat decadent.

The reason why everyone was shocked was because of a beautiful woman who could be called a goddess in common words.

Even if she was so beautiful to simply focus everyone’s attention on her, the servant’s previous words just heard passed through everyone’s mind, and their gaze turned to the woman’s head.

Blue-white horns.

Looking at something that could never be seen as a human being, they finally realized who that tremendously beautiful beauty was.

Adilun Rodenov.

Who was called the monster princess, the successor of Rodenov who had been ostracized everywhere except Rodenov.

Her golden eyes scanned the banquet hall with a sharp gaze, and everyone who touched them shivered as if their feet were numb.

And at that moment, everyone present had a hunch that Adilun would be the one to receive the most attention at this social gathering.

* * *

[Adilun's POV]

I looked at the scenery of the banquet hall.

They were really ugly. No matter how important appearance was, was it enough to send admiration and praise in an instant to the person they hated so much?

It was pathetic. Laughter flowed out. Had I still worn the scales, those gazes would have been filled with disgust and contempt.

On the other hand, what about Physis? Even though he was the first to see my change, he was worried about my safety first.

He was worried that the scales had fallen off, that something was wrong with my body, or that I was in more serious pain.

I realized all over again that he was a different person from them.

Holding hands with Physis, I moved forward.

Was this the gaze of those who didn’t even pay attention to me? I felt disgusted all over again.

The soggy gaze began to cling. A gaze filled with shady desire. It was a look I’d never received before the scales fell off.

A sneer of disgust escaped from my lips.

“Are you okay, Adilun?”

I heard a cautious question from the side. It might be difficult to hear because of the noise, but I could always hear his words.

“Yes. it’s okay. It is rather funny.”

“You will have to get used to being stared at like that. You will experience it often in the future too.”

“It’s okay because I’m prepared. Anyway, are you ready?”

“Yes. That's why I'm not even looking at you. To be honest, I am very sorry.”

“You looked at me from the wagon a while ago.”

“Even so… … It’s quite upsetting that they can see you and I can’t.”

Physis, who threw trivial words, perhaps to relieve my tension, gave me joy. In this disgusting place, he was the only one who could make me laugh.

However… … Now it was time to catch the fish. Perhaps there would be coldness in that gaze, and we would spit out gossip toward each other.

Our plan was simple. To gossip about each other when people get together after the first dance.

That alone will catch a lot of people. We’ll spit out bad stories about each other.

Their future actions were clear at a glance. Princesses who cut me down out of jealousy will approach Physis, and Princes who wanted to do something to me out of shady desire will cut Physis down.

This was a friendly party. Originally, it was a place where you should build friendships.

But for me and Physis, it was nothing more than a fishing ground for those who were against us.

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