A World Where You All Are The Villains [Novel] Chapter 76

Although the assigned room was somewhat compact, it was no less luxurious than the ducal estate itself.

"Ugh, my whole body aches…"

Sitting motionless in that carriage for over three hours made me feel like every bone in my body had been thoroughly trampled.

And to top it off, I couldn't even lie down properly because of my hair and makeup.

Damn it!

I gingerly leaned back on the sofa, contemplating why on earth I had to suffer like this.

Following right behind me, Nancy quickly began massaging my legs.

"Are you alright, my lady?"

"No."

"Should I rub your shoulders too?"

"I'm starving…"

My body was aching, sure, but my stomach was practically glued to my spine.

It was only natural, given that I had been starving all day because of this damned Eve Banquet.

"The Eve Banquet is starting soon, so please eat your fill there."

Nancy comforted me with a sympathetic expression.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before word arrived calling us down to the courtyard.

Stepping outside, twilight had already settled in under the darkening sky.

The banquet grounds were lavishly decorated: centered around a fountain in the middle were round tables, surrounded by topiary bushes meticulously trimmed into shapes of flora and fauna.

Unusually, while three sides were enclosed by the castle walls, the side facing the main building opened wide toward the sea.

It seemed they had created an observation deck so guests could easily watch the total lunar eclipse and the subjugation battle.

Gleaming lights of gold and crystal cast a soft illumination over the venue.

And as the finishing touch, heaps of flowers adorned every corner…

"My lady, take this. It's the medicine the physician gave you."

Nancy quickly handed me my allergy medication.

Frowning, I gulped down the bitter pills.

"Aston and I will be waiting over there, so if you feel unwell at all, please come right out."

"Thanks, Nancy."

Giving her a quick nod, I stepped into the courtyard.

Having come out as soon as I heard preparations were complete, the venue was still relatively quiet.

The Ducal family's table was located relatively close to the front.

The seats were completely empty, and Ethan hadn't arrived yet either.

The waiter who escorted me to the table poured champagne and began explaining the menu courses.

"I will bring out the appetizers shortly."

"Leave out all fish dishes."

"Ah… Yes, of course!"

I didn't forget to mention it in advance to prevent any mishaps like last time.

Shortly after, the appetizer arrived: bite-sized tarts topped with cheese and fruit.

After devouring the subsequent bisque soup in the blink of an eye, my blurry vision finally cleared up.

With my stomach somewhat satisfied, I had the breathing room to look around.

Musicians were playing live music on one side of the venue; a marble dance floor stretched out before them; and elevated head seats were set up on a spacious landing along the stairs leading to the main building.

For a detached palace on a small island, it had everything one could ask for.

I carefully inspected the golden chairs atop the stairs, decorated with far more grandeur than the other tables.

Since the Emperor wouldn't be able to come today, it was likely meant for the Empress or the Crown Prince.

Just as I was nibbling on dinner rolls while pondering, a shadow suddenly loomed over me.

"Did you come here just to eat?"

Reflexively lifting my head, my face immediately crumpled into a grimace.

A blue-haired guy, dashingly dressed in a cream-colored tailcoat.

It was Vincent Leandro.

"We need to talk."

Without asking permission, the bastard pulled out a chair and sat right next to me.

I intended to ignore him completely.

However…

85%

I couldn't help but look back at him because of the stat floating above his head that had surged in the meantime.

And our eyes met.

"…I said let's talk, Edith."

he pressed, an anxious look on his face.

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Then just listen."

"Haa…"

My appetite instantly vanished.

Setting down the bread I was eating, I let out a heavy sigh, causing Vincent to flinch.

The thought crossed my mind for a moment, but I quickly realized I was mistaken.

The guy babbled on with absolute audacity, like someone who'd thrown all sense of shame to the dogs.

"…Honestly, you're in the wrong too."

"…"

"A young lady roaming around recklessly late at night… and spending the entire night with a strange man before coming back, does that make any sense at all?"

"Keep your voice down. People are looking."

I hissed, nervously glancing around.

In the meantime, the eyes from the half-filled tables were all focusing on us.

"Look over there, Lady Blake…"

"Next to her is Young Marquis Leandro… Are those two still…?"

I could hear covert whispers as people stared at Vincent and me.

Irritation flared up as my peaceful dinner went down the drain.

Clueless about my inner frustration, he snidely continued.

"Do you even realize how disgraceful that was?"

"Nope. My father actually praised me for it."

"…What?"

Ignorant of the full story of how that night had concluded, Vincent let out an incredulous laugh.

"Are you honestly expecting me to believe that?"

"Whether you believe it or not is none of my concern."

I scanned the area to check if there were any listening ears nearby.

hankfully, the occupied tables were quite a distance away.

Lowering my voice, I whispered as if sharing a secret.

"If you came here just to pick another fight, please piss off. This is my very first meal of the day, and I don't want indigestion because of you."

It felt like my language was getting sharper the more I dealt with him, but since polite words never got through to him, I had no choice.

As expected, my words seemed to hit home, as Vincent's face went rigid.

I felt a slight wave of tension, worried that he might fly into a rage and use his ability like he did a few days ago.

But surprisingly, Vincent didn't lose his temper.

He simply stared at me with a peculiar expression, then suddenly drooped his eyes like a docile puppy.

"…Isn't that a bit too harsh to say to a friend?"

"Coming from someone who threatened to kill me with my allergies, that's rich."

"Fine, I admit I went a bit too far back then."

"…"

"…I'm sorry, Edith,"

he added sullenly.

"So let's just make up. Are you still mad?"

Flipping his attitude just like that?

Confused at first, I soon saw through his scheme.

Acting like this in front of everyone so I'd be forced to accept it.

With no female lead around, I couldn't comprehend why he was so obsessed with his relationship with me.

He seemed to have completely erased the fact that I had broken off our friendship twice already.

Whether his apology was sincere or fake, I had zero desire to accept it.

But if I just sat here like this, there were only two possible outcomes: passively accepting it, or getting framed as a villainess for rejecting him.

Ultimately giving up on my meal, I abruptly pushed myself up from my seat.

"W-where are you going?"

"Restroom."

"Right now?"

"…"

"Hey, Edith…!"

Did he not anticipate this move?

Leaving a thoroughly bewildered Vincent behind, I crossed the courtyard without a single regret.

The ceremony wouldn't officially begin until whoever was hosting, the Emperor or the Crown Prince, arrived to give the opening remarks.

Just as I was hastily heading toward the entrance in case that bastard Vincent tried to follow me…

"Ah…!"

Because I kept looking back, I failed to notice the person coming from the opposite direction and bumped right into them.

@sfx moion
Grab!
@end

Someone firmly grabbed my staggering shoulders and steadied me.

"I'm sorry…"

Apologizing out of reflex, I gasped and shut my mouth the moment I saw who it was.

Crimson hair blazing like embers even in the dark.

49%

Floating above his head was the same stat, unchanged since I purified him two weeks ago.

I avoided Male Lead No. 2, only for Male Lead No. 3 to pop up.

It felt unreal.

"…Are you alright?"

"…"

"Lady Blake."

A low bass voice echoed in my ears.

Snapping my eyes away from the space above Dylan's head, I bowed my head first.

"Yes. Thank you for catching me."

The best policy with this persistent guy was not to engage in conversation at all.

After muttering quickly, I immediately shifted left to bypass him.

However, a massive frame instantly blocked my path.

"…?"

This time I moved right.

Blocked again.

Glancing up, I met a pair of grey eyes brazenly looking down at me.

"I would like to have a brief word with you."

"…I'm sorry, but something urgent came up. Let me take a rain check."

"When is next time?"

"When I'm not busy."

Lest I be blocked again, I zoomed right past him.

And just as I was hastily moving away…

"Didn't we agree on a reward?"

A low voice sounded from behind.

It was a statement that forced me to whip my head around involuntarily.

"…I believe I sent it to your countship's estate the very next day. Did you not receive it?"

"Indeed."

"Pardon?"

"I did not receive it."

"What…"

Looking at a thoroughly stunned me, he spoke slowly, emphasizing every single word.

"Because it was not the reward I desired."