Chapter 10 Part 2
If she answered that they had that kind of relationship, her public title as the Holy Maiden candidate would naturally be tarnished.
On the other hand, if she said they were nothing, that would be an indirect insult to Abel in its own way.
After appearing so affectionately as his partner, dismissing it as nothing significant would instantly render all those scenes false.
“Ah, that…”
Hertiana’s closed lips finally showed a gap.
I could feel the nobles around carefully tilting their ears, pretending not to.
I, too, was curious about how she would answer.
But… it’s best to stop this mischievous prank here. I decided not to torment Hertiana in this life.
“It seems the Holy Maiden candidate doesn’t mind the gazes around her. In that, we are alike.”
When Hertiana’s lips were opening, I voiced a step faster than her.
It was true that I wanted to make her uncomfortable and was curious about her answer.
But if I did that, I wouldn’t be any different from my former self.
No matter how tactless she might be, she should understand the meaning of my words just now. That she doesn’t need to answer such a difficult question.
“Rosiel, it’s best if we move elsewhere now.”
Hyle removed his jacket and placed it over my shoulders.
The heavy warmth settling on my shoulders involuntarily relaxed my stiffened face.
This was a signal that it was enough. That there was no need to exchange more words with Hertiana.
As it was, the murmuring around us was gradually getting louder.
A young woman from a remote viscount family who became a Holy Maiden candidate overnight and, moreover, occupied the Crown Prince’s side, would hardly be viewed favorably by the nobles.
That was precisely why I, as the villainess, had tormented Hertiana in the first place.
While they might not approach rashly now because she’s with me… once I leave, Hertiana would instantly be alone, holding her breath against the fierce gazes flying at her.
And Abel wouldn’t protect her. Even now, he’s ignoring his partner and talking with others.
Really, why did you come as Abel’s partner? No matter how unfamiliar you are with the social landscape, how could you just follow along because Abel said to come?
At this rate, she’ll only end up as prey for foolish nobles filled with jealousy and envy. How careless the female protagonist is…
…Wait, what am I doing? Why am I worrying about Hertiana? What reason do I have to worry about the female protagonist who will find happiness somehow?
It’s me whose life is at stake, if anything.
“You were worried about me, weren’t you? Thank you.”
As I was about to turn away, Hertiana’s hesitant lips opened slightly. Then, through that frail gap came a steadfast voice.
Sensing that Hertiana had changed her demeanor from earlier, I stopped moving and met her gaze once more.
“But I’m fine. Despite appearances, I came here with my own thoughts. The reason I approached you, Lady Laté… is because I wanted to show you that His Highness and I are nothing. I simply needed a partner.”
Just now, that was… better spoken than I expected? She just didn’t cry; I’d always thought she was at a child’s level.
Honestly, it’s true that I had rescued Hertiana every time we met before.
“There’s a misunderstanding. I wasn’t concerned about the relationship between Lady Brissel and His Highness. So there’s no need to worry. The previous question was just a joke, since you seemed intimidated by me.”
“Rosiel, you… are quite brazen.”
At my eloquent words flowing smoothly, Hyle lowered his head beside me and let out a small laugh.
Regardless, I faced Hertiana with a more relaxed expression.
“A joke…! So that’s what it was! You’re truly kind, Lady Laté. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t understand your deep intentions at once.”
Hertiana, who seemed to have received a not insignificant shock for some reason, covered her mouth in surprise.
Then, with a somewhat ticklish face, she bowed her head and smiled freshly.
…I heard it again. That word “kind.” Even though I’m now “Rosiel Laté,” not “El”…
Hertiana, aren’t you a bit tougher than you look?
Until just recently, I thought her head might be quite a flower garden, but looking again, it felt like I’d confirmed that all those flowers were solid metal.
At times like this, it’s true that people who look gentle are more dangerous than those who look scary.
Could it be that she knows I’m El and is acting this way? If so, I’m completely being played. No, at this level, it’s almost being toyed with.
With Hyle right beside me, I can’t secretly peek into that benevolent and pretty mind of hers—this is troublesome.
While I was briefly entertaining dangerous thoughts, Hyle gently stroked the back of my hand.
I looked up at him, startled by that strange touch without even realizing it.
“What are you thinking so deeply about? Let’s leave this spot. Too much attention isn’t good.”
When I suddenly looked around, I realized excessive attention was focused on the meeting between Hertiana and me.
Of course, it’s understandable, but… certainly, maintaining such scrutiny wouldn’t be particularly good.
But how to get away from Hertiana? Escaping someone so sweet and gentle is quite challenging.
I nodded slightly to show I agreed with Hyle, and he immediately took my hand with a firm grip. My hand completely disappeared in his large one.
“Then, Lady Brissel, I hope you enjoy your evening.”
Huh? Can I really escape Hertiana with such a simple line? She still looks like she has so much more to say…
“Oh…! Yes, yes! I’ve taken up too much of your time. It was lovely chatting with you!”
But Hertiana quickly stepped aside.
Good heavens, was it always this easy to ward off the sticky problem that is the female protagonist?
Since the day I first encountered Hertiana at the temple, I’ve never been able to escape her this easily…
Hyle is incredibly skilled at naturally imposing his opinion on others. To think he could so easily dispose of someone who had given me trouble for so long.
Perhaps Hyle’s decisiveness and his oblivious social skills might be helpful in situations like this?
Come to think of it, isn’t Hyle affected by Hertiana’s presence? If I remember correctly, in the original story, Hyle showed considerable interest in Hertiana’s fairy-like appearance…
Anyway, I turned away, escorted by Hyle.
At the corner of my eye, I caught Hertiana watching me with a somewhat peculiar expression.
“How about going to the terrace? You don’t look well.”
“Let’s do that. I need some cool air.”
After that encounter, Hyle’s romantic skills being inferior to Abel’s didn’t seem entirely bad. Rather, there was a certain freshness to him, like an unripe fruit.
“Lady Brissel, have you finished your conversation?”
As Hyle and I headed toward the terrace, the voice of an unwelcome visitor suddenly cut in.
Ugh, just when we’d finally escaped the crowd…
His voice was a bit louder than necessary for addressing Hertiana. Obviously, he wanted me to hear it.
This wasn’t just my ego talking… it was truly the case. Otherwise, why would Abel’s violet eyes be fixed on me while talking about Hertiana?
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Hertiana’s calm voice resonated pleasantly.
They made an exceptionally beautiful couple that would captivate even a passing dog.
Pure white Abel and star-bright Hertiana complemented each other like a fantasy couple.
It was a natural scene. Everything in this world was designed to flow toward these two, a timeline created just for them.
The nobles’ gazes inevitably converged again on the pink aura surrounding the couple, who appeared closer and more affectionate than any other.
Wow… everyone attending this party must be thinking they made the right choice coming here.
There’s not a single dull moment, not one.
For them, they’re witnessing both a royal romance and an affair scandal simultaneously—how could that not be entertaining?
“Rosiel. You don’t really need to intervene.”
“True. He’s adding fuel to the discord rumors himself… Not what I expected, but it works out.”
Of course, Abel probably hadn’t intended this either. But given the nature of the party, it couldn’t be helped.
Not attending would have made me conspicuous, but attending meant directly contributing to the discord rumors like this. He must have agonized over the decision.
In the end, he must have leaned toward the latter. Abel isn’t the type to hear news through others, regardless of the outcome.
