I can feel eyes piercing into my body from all directions. Most of them are filled with negative emotions.
Jealousy, hatred, and anger dominate their stares. After countless reincarnations and experiencing numerous gazes, I can understand the meaning behind their looks quite well.
However, there is one odd thing: despite harboring such negative feelings, none of them dare approach us.
It’s a bit strange that nobody is flocking to a villainess like me, who has suddenly become the Duke’s fiancée.
“Hey, Abel.”
“Hmm? What’s up?”
He momentarily hesitated at the use of polite language that he usually doesn’t employ. When I looked up, I found Abel gazing at me with a smile on his lips.
His seemingly kind smile and poised movements conveyed an air of elegance. Is he acting like this because he’s mindful of others’ gazes?
But even considering that, his behavior felt incredibly natural.
I suppose when it comes to dukes, they must have something different about them.
“Why aren’t people approaching us?”
When I whispered my question, he bowed his head as if pondering, then answered in a soft voice.
“Because they know that I dislike social gatherings.”
I felt a question arise from his somewhat cryptic tone, but I doubted he would provide an answer if I asked. In the end, I gave up on questioning him and turned to look at the source of the particularly unsettling gaze that had been bothering me.
Among the stares directed at me, one seemed to carry a hint of curiosity amidst the negativity.
‘..That person…’
As I turned my head, I spotted a woman looking at me. Her long golden hair and shimmering golden eyes were visible even from afar.
‘Princess Aria…’
In the original story, she was more of a cameo character with little significance. Always shrouded in mystery, she gave off a vibe of hidden agendas.
The tidbits my friend provided about the princess became irrelevant as they led nowhere. In a nutshell, she was a peculiar character whose true identity was never revealed in the original.
‘..Now that I think about it, she really looks like Abel.’
Setting aside the mysterious aura, her gaze felt similar to his.
‘Wait, weren’t they together?’
In the carriage, I was so tense that I didn’t notice, but now that I think of it, didn’t I see Abel and Aria standing together on the balcony?
What is their relationship, anyway?
Anxiety crept in, making my head feel all jumbled.
Just then, the orchestra that had been playing suddenly stopped. It was an indication that the next piece would start. And it also meant that it was time to dance at the ball.
‘..Hold on.’
Before my thoughts could continue, Abel smiled and extended his hand.
“Would you like to dance a piece with me?”
“..Of course. Why not?”
At least, if we want to appear as if we were smitten with each other at first sight, we should at least dance a bit. It’s better than not doing anything at all.
I stepped according to the choreography I had learned. Just as I reached out to take his hand and begin dancing, I twisted my ankle. Thankfully, Abel seemed to notice as he gently pulled on my hand, preventing my ankle from hurting further.
“Be careful, Adele.”
“..Thank you.”
He truly embodies a gentleman from a romance fantasy novel.
His manners are impeccable, and his dancing skills are quite impressive as well. At this rate, one must question if there is anything lacking in Abel.
“..Even I have my shortcomings.”
“..What?”
“Isn’t that what you were thinking?”
He really is the mysterious type, isn’t he?
I surely didn’t expect him to read my thoughts so casually. Feeling a bit uneasy, I shivered, and he sighed before saying,
“It’s written all over your face. You should learn to manage your expressions.”
“..Thanks for the advice.”
I thought I had learned a decent poker face, but perhaps being mysterious is something else entirely.
*
‘Something’s irritating me…’
It’s one thing for him to see me as a male character from a fantasy story, but that otherworldly gaze really churns my stomach.
No matter that I’ve lived in this world for over 20 years, I’m still a modern person like her, and I can’t believe she looks at me like that.
I felt a surge of annoyance and began to lead the dance a bit faster.
Relatively less skilled at dancing, Adele seemed to be focusing solely on her feet as if mesmerized by my steps.
As she fumbled her steps, I adjusted mine to seamlessly continue the rhythm. Thanks to strict training with Allen, I could manage that with ease.
The music that started again was quickly building toward a climax. Adele was so focused on matching my rhythm that she barely met my gaze.
As the song neared its conclusion, I slowed my pace a little. Perhaps finding some respite, she finally looked up at me.
With what seemed like frustration, Adele whispered just loudly enough for me to hear, “Is this how it is?”
“Who told you to look at me like that?”
“What kind of look?”
“The sort that feels like you’re viewing me as a different species.”
At my words, she fell silent, seemingly at a loss. So, she really had nothing to say in rebuttal. After all, it was true that Adele had looked at me that way.
“..I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“No need to apologize.”
“Really?”
I whispered that in her ear and, feeling mischievous, lightly tripped her ankle. Grabbing her waist with one hand and her thigh with the other, I executed a finish pose that, according to textbook rules, was relatively challenging. Most notably, it was the sort of pose that would embarrass a female partner the most.
“Eh?”
“I’ll take this as your apology.”
As I said this with a slight smile, Adele stared at me with a dazed expression. Soon, as her mind caught up, her face began to redden like a ripe persimmon.
Her face writhing in embarrassment was cuter than I had anticipated, and I couldn’t help but find it amusing. I never thought she would get this flustered over just one pose.
Given that she’s a reincarnator, it’s likely her first time dancing properly with a guy. No one would dare dance with her due to her reputation as the villainess, Adele von Este.
So, it makes sense for her to react this way. I remember showing a similar reaction when I first danced with her.
After a brief moment of her being in my embrace, she hurriedly pushed me away and spoke in a small voice.
“..I’ll be careful next time. That’s enough, right?”
“I’m glad to see you’re finally understanding me.”
At my words, Adele turned her head slightly and began fanning herself with her hand. Doing that isn’t going to hasten the return of her color, you know…
While I thought this, the orchestra’s music came to an end.
As the music ended, those who were supposed to leave began to do so, while others seemed eager to change partners.
Among them, young noblemen who had been confidently asking other noble ladies to dance suddenly looked away when their eyes met Adele’s. Perhaps they aren’t used to the social scene yet.
Such blatant avoidance of eye contact feels rather against etiquette.
“Adele doesn’t seem to be popular among the younger noblemen.”
“..Shut up.”
Jokingly whispering that, Adele responded irritably and attempted to leave the ballroom.
“Are you heading back to the Duke’s Residence?”
“Yes. The engagement has been announced, hasn’t it?”
“Well, that’s true.”
I don’t know how engagements are handled in the real world, but at least in this world, there’s no separate ceremony for them.
Engagements, unlike marriages, can easily be broken depending on personal circumstances, making the event of an engagement itself quite rare.
Usually, an engagement ceremony happens only when there’s a long-standing relationship between the two families.
Still, Adele and I decided to have an engagement ceremony. This would help to present our relationship as one where we fell in love at first sight.
A Duke and a Count’s daughter having an engagement ceremony, which they typically wouldn’t, would surely spark rumors among the romance-obsessed noble ladies that we fell in love at first sight.
If that happens, Adele’s villainess image might slightly lessen. Or perhaps, it might even worsen due to jealousy.
While I pondered this, Adele said,
“Well then, I’ll go ahead.”
“Not at all. I’ll go with you.”
Upon my remark, Adele looked at me as if she found something strange.
“Didn’t Abel have other matters to attend to?”
“Not particularly.”
Adele pointed to a corner of the ballroom with her gaze. There stood Princess Aria, her long blonde hair flowing, staring directly at me.
When our eyes met, Aria grinned and waved slightly.
‘..Here we go again.’
I shot her a glare out of irritation, noticing how cheerfully she appeared. Immediately, Aria averted her gaze and started looking elsewhere.
One should distinguish between when to joke around and when not to; it doesn’t seem she wants our relationship to be discovered, so what is she doing? Officially, we have a business-like relationship, so her playful actions are quite dangerous.
As I mulled over this, Adele looked at me with a questioning expression.
“What’s your relationship with Princess Aria?”
Sighing at her question, I replied.
“We’re merely acquaintances who know each other’s faces.”
Naturally, I couldn’t divulge the nature of the relationship between the princess and me.
After all, we are collaborating to bring down the imperial family. I don’t trust her enough to share that relationship with Adele.
Of course, I have some understanding of Adele’s personality from the original work. I know she is a guarded person who would not disclose others’ affairs.
However, whether I can trust her is a separate matter. Even Adele, with her villainess label, carries the potential consequence of revealing our rebellion against the imperial family.
Just as I was thinking this, Adele further questioned me in a tone that suggested suspicion.
“..Really?”
“Of course.”
“..I see. Let’s go to the Duke’s Residence.”
Adele turned away, frowning as if displeased, and started walking toward the carriage. The attendant, Lily, who had been observing her nervously, hurriedly followed suit.
..What on earth is the problem? I’ve lived without getting involved with women for five years, so I’m utterly lost.
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