'As if he would.'
Feeling a little sad that none of my jokes would ever land with him, I carefully turned the hat over with the Grand Duke inside.
As I placed it on my head, the hair the maids had so carefully styled spilled down around my shoulders.
'Whoa... this is heavier than I expected.'
I let out a small groan and rolled my neck once.
If the hat came off, it would be a disaster, so I tightened the strap securely beneath my chin.
“Well then, Your Grace... shall we go?”
Everything was ready.
I was now fully prepared to become Lisid's avatar.
With renewed determination, I reached for the banquet hall doors.
Just then, I heard his tiny voice.
“Airel Blandiche.”
“Yes?”
“Don't wear yourself out today.”
“Do your best and help me.”
...What?
What's gotten into him?
His voice was still as cool as ever, but somehow it sounded like encouragement.
Feeling strangely energized, I pushed open the door.
“Oh, wait, Your Grace.”
“Did you take your shoes off?”
“What on earth is that fashion?”
“Why is Lady Blandiche wearing such a hideous hat...?”
I'd entered confidently enough...
But the moment I saw the grand banquet hall packed with people, I hesitated.
“Hah, isn't it obvious? She's desperate to catch the eye of His Grace, the Grand Duke of Ephenterion, the guest of honor.”
Groups of nobles immediately began whispering while stealing glances at me.
Well...
I'd expected this reaction.
Airel Blandiche was constantly criticized for her violent personality.
Yet despite that, she remained the center of high society.
The young lady of a prestigious ducal family...
Blessed with extraordinary beauty...
The object of both envy and admiration among noblewomen.
Suddenly, I remembered an episode from the original novel.
Seria, the heroine, who knew nothing about noble society, once wore a dress that happened to be fashionable.
People mocked her, accusing her of copying Airel.
'Well... that's not going to happen anymore.'
Obviously, no one would ever make this ridiculous hat fashionable.
From today onward, everyone would simply question my taste.
'Honestly... what a strange world.'
They looked down on the villainess...
Yet admired her.
They hated her...
Yet couldn't stop paying attention to her.
Shaking my head, I clenched both fists.
That's right.
I am Airel Blandiche.
'So don't lose.'
Lisid told me to do my best!
'If I back down here, all that's waiting for me is death.'
There was nothing scarier than dying.
Repeating that like a mantra...
Turned out to be surprisingly effective.
“Lady Blandiche! You look beautiful today!”
Several young noble ladies suddenly appeared and greeted me.
And to my own surprise...
I didn't panic.
“Are you referring to my hat?”
I smiled shamelessly and pointed at it with my index finger.
Please, Your Grace.
Someday, when you remember today...
I hope you'll at least think...
"Well... she really did try her best for my sake."
“Uh... y-yes... your hat...”
“Haha...”
The young ladies exchanged awkward smiles.
Then I heard someone whisper from the crowd,
“Lady Blandiche is bullying innocent people again.”
That's not fair...
Sniffling inwardly, I decided to stop tormenting the poor girls and continued walking.
“Three o'clock.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
His voice came quietly from inside the hat.
But noble ladies weren't the only people who stopped me.
“We meet again, Lady Blandiche.”
“Your Eminence?!”
I looked up with a bright smile.
The High Priest respectfully inclined his head, his white hair gleaming beneath the lights.
“It's an honor to see you again.”
“The honor is mine!”
“It's even nicer meeting you somewhere like this.”
In truth...
We'd only met once.
But to me, the High Priest was practically my lifesaver.
If he hadn't permitted me to enter the temple...
None of this—kidnapping the Grand Duke and carrying out my plans—would've been possible.
“Thank you again for that day, Your Eminence.”
I sincerely bowed once more.
“No.”
“The temple should always be open equally to everyone.”
“It was my own misjudgment that restricted your access.”
“My behavior was the one that was wrong.”
“I'm simply grateful you gave me the chance to make up for my mistakes.”
I imitated the High Priest's reverent gesture and smiled.
He chuckled warmly.
“Lady Blandiche...”
“You've truly changed.”
“This is the first time I've seen you smile like that.”
“It suits you very well.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I mean every word.”
The angelic High Priest is cheering me up again today.
Meeting someone who genuinely viewed me positively...
Especially in the middle of such a nerve-racking banquet...
Brightened my mood considerably.
My heart felt warm and full.
I smiled again.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“I merely spoke the truth.”
“How could I dare flatter you?”
“What's wrong with that?”
“Oh, while we're at it...”
“You can just call me Airel.”
“I'm grateful for the offer.”
“But if you were to call me by my name first...”
“Then perhaps I'd gather the courage to do the same.”
Look at this guy.
He's really good at conversations.
No wonder women would fall for someone like him.
Handsome.
Polite.
Kind.
And even his voice was warm enough to melt anyone's heart.
Forcing down the smile tugging at my lips, I nodded.
“All right.”
“Next time we meet, I'll call you by your name.”
The truth was...
I had absolutely no idea what his name was.
I'd have to ask Janice later.
You're lucky today.
Thinking that to myself, I decided to end the conversation here for Lisid's sake.
“Well then, it was wonderful seeing you again, Your Eminence.”
“I should be going now.”
“The pleasure was mine as well, Lady Blandiche.”
I gave him a slight nod and turned back in the direction Lisid had indicated.
Just then—
“Your Eminence! There you are!”
A bright, cheerful voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Were you looking for me, Saintess?”
“It's my first banquet, so there are a few things I'd like to ask...”
The noise around me faded away.
The moment I heard that title—
Saintess.
I froze.
'Could it be... Seria?'
Every instinct screamed at me not to turn around.
Yet another part of me desperately wanted to.
The thought that the heroine of the original novel might be standing right behind me stirred my curiosity.
In the end...
I swallowed hard...
And slowly turned around.
Then—
“H-Hello...”
Round, sky-blue eyes like a rabbit's.
Beautiful pink hair resembling cherry blossoms.
I found myself looking straight into the eyes of Seria.
The heroine of the original novel.
...Wow.
It really is Seria.
Startled, I instinctively took a step backward.
I knew she'd be attending the banquet.
Still...
I'd never imagined we'd run into each other this quickly in such a huge ballroom.
“Lady Blandiche?”
“Is something wrong?”
The High Priest approached me with concern, probably because my reaction seemed so strange.
“A-Ah... no!”
The instant those words left my mouth, I hurriedly turned my head so the Grand Duke couldn't see Seria.
They were the original couple.
Who knew?
Maybe simply making eye contact would ignite the flames of love.
'I'm not trying to stop their romance...'
'But not yet!'
Seeing my neck twisted at such an unnatural angle, Seria asked nervously,
“Um... are you all right?”
“Yes!”
“There's absolutely nothing wrong!”
So please... don't come any closer!
Waving both hands frantically, I sidestepped away like a crab.
Just then, the Grand Duke lightly tapped the inside of the hat.
“My lady.”
“Why are you suddenly acting like this?”
I shook my head as though nothing was wrong.
There was no way I could tell him,
'Because the woman you're supposed to fall in love with is standing right over there.'
All I had to do now...
Was put some distance between him and Seria.
Yes.
That was all I had to do.
“Excuse me, Lady Blandiche.”
A large, warm hand gently caught my wrist just as I was about to move away.
“Y-Yes?”
Startled, I looked up.
Smiling warmly, the High Priest held out an artificial rose.
“Here.”
“You dropped this flower a moment ago.”
“A flower?”
A passionate storyteller who loves creating immersive worlds and captivating characters.
