Just when I was pondering whether to introduce myself or respond foolishly to the question, a reprieve saved me.
“Ah… I apologize for my rudeness upon our first meeting.”
Fortunately, the Grand Duchess retracted her question and politely gestured for me to sit.
“Hm, who would’ve thought she would personally intervene to prevent my escape…”
She must have made a different decision since the story had deviated from the original plot.
By the way, with Gelwood displaying such vague reactions, I wondered if the Grand Duke himself had come to visit, but…
“I didn’t expect it to be her.”
In the original work, Logan Winterfell was unaware of the humiliation his daughter had faced at the Royal Academy.
Not even Gelwood from the half-dragon clan knew about it.
Lumia had meticulously concealed all the facts.
At least up until the free chapters, only a maid named ‘Marien’ was aware that the quartet of villains had made it to the final candidates.
Thus, even if the news of the least impressive candidate, Elden Raphelion, withdrawing wasn’t welcomed, it wouldn’t be considered a disaster.
However, it seemed that His Grace had delegated all decision-making authority to his daughter.
“Plan B is sharp and ready.”
As they say, one must always prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Plan A would be the best-case scenario: my withdrawal being accepted smoothly.
If Plan A fails, then it would be time to initiate Plan B when they reject my withdrawal.
Lumia Winterfell.
True to a female-focused fantasy prototype, she possessed a gentle yet coldly analytical personality.
After graduating from the Academy, rather than seeking revenge, she chose to dive into magical research and alchemical experiments, holding such a broad mind that she could nearly forget those three hellish years.
If handled properly, there shouldn’t be any significant issues with her.
I also know what she expects from the villainous quartet.
“It’s alright. The context simply eluded me, so I couldn’t provide an adequate answer.”
I sat down facing Lumia.
I knew meetings between candidates and the Grand Duchess were strictly forbidden before the final evaluations to prevent favoritism or bias.
Thus, I earnestly hoped this private meeting wouldn’t reach the ears of the Idiot Trio as I conversed with Lumia.
“You must have come due to my withdrawal declaration.”
Even with her mask on, I could still see her eyes.
Those oh-so-blue orbs hidden within the shadow.
People might suspect her to be disfigured, but I had seen how her face was described in the original work and the illustrations released in the notices.
So naturally, it was expected that the face behind the mask would be clear to me.
“Indeed. That’s precisely why I’m here. I was curious.”
“Curious about what?”
“The real reason behind your withdrawal.”
“…I believe I have communicated this clearly to Advisor Gelwood. Did he not inform you?”
“He did.”
“Then…?”
“On what basis did you conclude that you are unqualified? Are you claiming that there is an error in my family’s analysis and decision-making?”
“Haha, how could that be? I just realized a mistake in my own judgment.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I thought I was someone worthy of the Third Duchess but it seems that my decision to participate in the betrothal contest was flawed.”
“……”
The eyes behind that mask began to probe me.
Lumia was also remarkably insightful.
While not on par with Gelwood, her persistence as an investigator and researcher was trying to uncover the reasoning behind my withdrawal.
Observation and interpretation were her daily practices and specialties, so I had no doubt she was attempting to unearth my thoughts at this very moment.
But I didn’t shy away from her gaze.
There was no reason to evade her scrutiny.
Elden Raphelion might have shied away, but Jun-Woo was actually obliged to embrace the invasion of privacy.
It’s perfectly natural to defend oneself against someone peering over your fence without permission.
Of course, I understood Lumia’s position well.
She would naturally be curious about the reasons for my withdrawal, my change of heart, and she would seek to uncover this through her expertise.
So, it was only logical that I wouldn’t express any displeasure to her.
Such was the fate of a transmigrator who embodied a villainous character.
The perpetrator had no right to express displeasure in front of the victim.
After a moment, Lumia presented the results from her initial investigation.
“I didn’t realize you were such a silver-tongued speaker.”
“That’s flattering.”
“So, is that your reason for withdrawing?”
“Yes, because I am a villain.”
“…Are you serious?”
Absolutely.
“I am serious.”
Elden Raphelion, the final candidate, isn’t just unfit to stand by her side; he lacks the qualifications to be part of her family and isn’t even fit to become the head of a household—he’s merely a madman.
Someone who could never be loved by anyone.
Lumia began to tap her index finger on the armrest of the sofa.
‘…Hm.’
This was a long-standing habit often depicted in the novel.
She would do so when she found a fascinating research subject or when an experiment yielded good results.
Given the current situation, it was more likely the former.
Lumia’s interest in me was something I preferred to avoid at all costs, yet from the moment I cast my withdrawal vote and entered this room, it was inevitable.
In her eyes, I was the worst kind of scum, a villain worse than a demon.
It would be impossible for me, just an ordinary salaryman, to act as a villain of such stature. Any attempts to do so would only draw suspicion and not intrigue.
Meanwhile, being the daughter of the Grand Duke, she was at the peak of the societal hierarchy, just beneath the King.
So, it would be wise of me to stick to my current stance rather than behave inappropriately and risk facing severe repercussions.
Ultimately,
‘It would be only a matter of revealing my true self.’
This was a crucial step for Plan B.
“So, you see yourself as a Villain? Have you committed many wrongs then?”
“I have.”
“……”
Hm?
Perhaps that was a touch too blunt?
“Ah… Well, don’t we all make mistakes in our lives?”
“Even so, no sane individual would run away from the perfect opportunity to rebuild their fallen house.”
“It’s not fleeing. I’m simply returning to my rightful place.”
“……”
Silence lingered again.
Tap, tap, tap-.
After several seconds, her fingers assaulting the armrest halted.
Then, Lumia opened her mouth.
“So, if I’m understanding this correctly, you’re giving up your best chance of rebuilding your house just because of your past mistakes?”
……Did she abandon her roundabout methods and opt for a straightforward confrontation?
I responded without hesitation, as I suspected her behavior mirrored that of a researcher exploring various paths to reach desired results.
“Yes.”
“Liar.”
Her response was instantaneous.
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t believe that’s the true reason you’ve given up on this opportunity.”
“For someone who’s only just met me today, you seem to know quite a bit about me, my Duchess.”
Lumia paused for a moment, then crossed her legs.
That was another habit I was quite familiar with.
She would do this when her experiments didn’t go as expected.
However, Lumia was a determined investigator and wouldn’t give up at the first obstacle.
She would keep digging until she found an answer.
And just like that, a heated verbal sparring match ensued.
“You don’t seem like the type to give up so easily.”
“Appearances can be deceiving.”
“Oh, but appearances do matter, don’t they?”
“I believe what lies beneath is what truly matters.”
“How can you prioritize the unseen over what is visible?”
“Precisely because they are not visible, they hold value; it’s something to be wary of.”
“Are you suggesting I should be cautious right now?”
“Haha-. Who would I be to lecture the wise Duchess?”
“Then enlighten me, Sir Elden Raphelion, why do you consider me wise on our first meeting?”
“Consider it mere flattery from a trivial individual.”
“Why would someone trying to withdraw from the betrothal contest flatter me? Or is this all part of your scheme?”
“Not at all. I merely wish to extol your greatness as the lady of a Grand Ducal house.”
“Quite the experienced flatterer, aren’t you?”
“It’s an excellent survival tactic practiced by the weak in a world dominated by the strong.”
“Isn’t flattery the tool of liars and deceivers?”
“If that’s how you see it, then I apologize.”
“No. I didn’t come here to receive an apology…!”
Recognizing her agitation, Lumia abruptly halted, swept along in our debate.
Being perceptive didn’t equate to omnipotence.
In the end, perception was merely the ability to see through things; it was entirely different from being skilled in social interactions.
While the Idiot Trio might fall into her games, that wouldn’t work for someone like me, who desperately wished to avoid a tragic end.
Moreover, Lumia had spent most of her life in seclusion, making it hard for her to develop social or leadership skills.
She hadn’t had the exposure to social situations that most noble ladies enjoyed.
Thus, it’s only natural that she’d be swept up in an unwarranted conversation, as she was more accustomed to expressing herself than concealing her thoughts.
Of course, there was nothing to gain by provoking the protagonist, and I definitely didn’t expect to be the one steering the chat this way.
Even if it intrigued her, that wasn’t my concern.
Because Plan B remained robust.
Tap-.
Lumia’s tapping ceased.
Then, she rose from her seat.
And then…
“This is decidedly intriguing.”
She commented as she began to exit the room.
So, I followed her and asked,
“Does this mean my withdrawal is approved?”
Fufu-.
A sweet chuckle escaped from beneath her mask as Lumia exited.
“We shall meet again, Sir Elden.”
Leaving behind only a farewell that sounded more like a question and an answer.
…Hmm.
I wonder if this chill stemming from that chuckle was a sign that I made a dreadful error or if I’ve become her primary subject of fascination.
Perhaps both?
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