Chapter 8: Engagement (6)

I can feel eyes on me from every direction, as though they could pierce through my body. Most of them were filled with negative emotions.

Jealousy, disgust, anger—those were the dominant feelings. Having experienced countless lifetimes and seen these stares many times before, I could easily understand their meaning.

But one thing felt out of place: despite harboring such negative emotions, no one dared to approach us.

Even though I, a villainess, had suddenly become the duke’s fiancée, it was strange that people weren’t flocking around.

“Abel.”

“Hm? Is something the matter?”

I hesitated for a moment, thrown off by his polite tone, something he rarely used. 

When I looked up, Abel was gazing at me with a smile on his lips. His smile appeared kind, and the way he led me with such precision was filled with elegance. 

Was he acting like this to manage the eyes on us?

But even taking that into account, his actions were far too natural.

As expected, a duke really is different from the rest.

“Why aren’t people coming over to us?”

I whispered, and after a brief pause, he lowered his head in thought, then answered quietly.

“They know I’m not fond of social gatherings.”

His tone felt oddly significant, sparking my curiosity, but I doubted he’d explain further if I asked. So I dropped the question and turned toward the person whose gaze had been bothering me since earlier.

Unlike the others who held negative emotions, this gaze seemed to carry only a hint of curiosity.

‘...That person.’

Turning my head, I saw a woman staring at me. Even from a distance, her long golden hair and shining golden eyes were unmistakable.

‘Princess Aria...’

In the original story, she was more like a cameo, appearing without much significance. A character who always gave off a mysterious, shadowy vibe, with no clear intentions.

My friend had once explained that all the clues about her in the story turned out to be red herrings. In other words, she was a peculiar character whose true identity was never fully revealed.

‘...Now that I think about it, she really does resemble Abel.’

Even setting aside the shadowy aspect, the way she looked at me felt very similar to the way Abel did.

‘Come to think of it, weren’t they together?’

I was too nervous to notice it before, but now I recalled seeing Abel and Aria standing together on the balcony.

What kind of relationship do those two have?

My head was getting crowded with thoughts as the music playing in the background suddenly stopped. The orchestra was taking a short break before starting the next song, signaling that it was time for the ball’s next dance.

‘...Wait a second.’

Before I could finish my thought, Abel smiled and extended his hand.

“May I have this dance?”

“...Of course, let’s.”

At the very least, we needed to look like we were smitten with each other in front of everyone. Even if it was just for show, dancing would be better than doing nothing.

I stepped as I had been taught by the dance instructor. But just as I was about to take his hand and move, I twisted my ankle slightly. Luckily, Abel noticed and pulled me gently, preventing me from spraining it.

“Careful, Adele.”

“...Thank you.”

As expected of a male lead in a romance fantasy.

Not only his manners but even his dancing skills were impressive. It made me wonder if Abel had any shortcomings at all.

“...Even I have my flaws.”

“...Pardon?”

“Isn’t that what you were thinking?”

He really is a shadowy character, isn’t he?

To think he’d read my thoughts so easily. Feeling a chill, I shuddered, and he sighed softly.

“It’s all written on your face. You should learn to control your expressions.”

“...Thank you for the advice.”

I thought I’d mastered a poker face, but... I guess it’s true, shadowy characters are on a whole different level.

***

‘This is infuriating…’

It’s one thing to see me as just another male lead in a romance novel, but that look in her eyes, as if she’s observing a different species, really gets under my skin.

Even though I’ve lived in this world for over 20 years, I’m originally from the same modern world as her. I didn’t expect her to look at me with such disdain. Annoyed, I started leading the dance a little faster.

Adele, who wasn’t as skilled at dancing compared to me, was so focused on keeping up with my steps that she lowered her head and concentrated solely on her feet.

Whenever she missed a step, I adjusted mine to smoothly continue the dance. I had been strictly trained by Allen, so something like this wasn’t difficult for me.

The music, which had resumed, was now heading toward its climax. Adele was so busy keeping up with me that she hadn’t even looked up to meet my eyes.

As the end of the song approached, I slowed down the pace of my steps. With a bit of room to breathe, Adele finally lifted her head and looked at me.

She whispered softly, her voice filled with frustration, just loud enough for me to hear.

"Is this because of that?"

"Well, who told you to look at me with those eyes?"

"Those eyes?"

"The ones where you seem like you’re looking at another species."

She fell silent at my words, as if she had nothing to say in return. She must have realized she had indeed looked at me like that.

"...I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d be upset."

"There’s no need to apologize."

"Huh?"

I whispered close to her ear and, in a playful act of revenge, subtly tripped her. Adele, naturally falling backward, was caught by my hand at her waist while my other hand held onto her thigh.

It was a high-difficulty move, one of the more advanced dance endings in the guidebook. Not to mention, it was also the kind of pose that would leave the female partner feeling the most embarrassed.

“Huh?”

“I’ll accept your apology with this.”

I said with a light smile, and Adele stared at me in a daze. Then, as she regained her senses, her face quickly turned bright red like a ripe persimmon.

Seeing her blushing and squirming in embarrassment was surprisingly endearing, more than I had anticipated. Who would’ve thought she’d be this flustered over a simple dance pose?

Come to think of it, since she’s possessed this character, this might be the first time she’s ever properly danced with a man. With Adele von Este’s reputation as a villainess, no one would have dared to ask her for a dance.

So, I guess it makes sense that she’d react like this. I remember reacting similarly when I first started, after all.

After staying in my arms for a moment, she quickly pushed herself away and whispered in a small voice.

“…I’ll be careful from now on. That’s enough, right?”

“I’m glad you understood my point.”

At my response, Adele turned her head slightly, fanning herself with her hand. Though I doubt that would bring the redness of her face down anytime soon...

While I was thinking that, the orchestra finished its piece.

As the music ended, some people began leaving while others swapped partners. However, the young noblemen who had been more than willing to ask other noblewomen to dance hurriedly averted their gazes whenever they locked eyes with Adele. It seemed they were still not accustomed to high society.

Blatantly avoiding eye contact like that must have been a severe breach of etiquette.

“It seems Adele isn’t very popular with the young gentlemen.”

“...Be quiet.”

I whispered playfully, but Adele replied irritably and began heading toward the exit of the ballroom.

“Are you heading back to the duke’s mansion?”

“Yes. The engagement has already been announced, hasn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

I wasn’t exactly sure how engagements worked in the real world, but at least here, there wasn’t any formal engagement ceremony. 

Since an engagement isn’t as binding as a marriage, it can be broken off easily depending on the circumstances of each party, so engagement ceremonies were rare. Only in cases where the two families had a long history of interaction would they hold a formal engagement ceremony.

Despite that, Adele and I had decided to hold an engagement ceremony. It was necessary for appearances, to make it seem as though we had fallen for each other at first sight. 

A duke and the daughter of a count holding an engagement ceremony, something not usually done, all to show that we had fallen in love at first sight. 

The romance-obsessed young noblewomen would gossip amongst themselves, spreading rumors that the story of us falling in love at first sight was true. 

If that happened, Adele’s villainess image might soften a bit. Then again, it could also worsen out of jealousy.

As I thought about this, Adele spoke up.

“Then I’ll be leaving first, Abel.”

“No, I’ll go with you.”

At my words, Adele gave me a questioning look.

“Didn’t you have other business to attend to?”

“Not particularly.”

Adele gestured with her eyes toward a corner of the ballroom. Standing there was Princess Aria, her long golden hair flowing, looking directly at me.

When our eyes met, Aria gave a mischievous smile and waved slightly.

‘...Here we go again.’

I glared at her, irritated by how carefree she looked. In response, Aria quickly looked away and pretended not to notice. She should really learn when to joke and when not to. It’s not like she wants our relationship to be exposed, so what is she even doing? 

Officially, Aria and I only had a business-like relationship, so her teasing was dangerous. 

While I was lost in thought, Adele, with a suspicious expression, asked again.

“What kind of relationship do you have with Princess Aria?”

I sighed and answered.

“We only know each other’s faces.”

Of course, I couldn’t tell her the truth.

Aria and I were working together to bring down the royal family. It wasn’t something I could share with Adele because I didn’t trust her enough. 

Sure, I understood Adele’s personality well enough from the original story. I knew she was the type to keep her mouth shut and not spread others’ secrets. But trusting her with something as serious as my collaboration with Aria, which was tied to treason against the royal family, was another matter entirely.

As I was lost in thought, Adele asked again in a doubtful tone.

“...Really?”

“Of course.”

“...Alright. Let’s head back to the duke’s mansion.”

Adele frowned as if something was bothering her, then turned and walked toward the carriage. Her maid, Lily, who had been standing nearby watching nervously, quickly followed behind her.

...What exactly went wrong? After spending the past five years with no involvement with women, I really couldn’t figure it out.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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