chapter 11
‘As if I’d know.’
Feeling a bit sad that I couldn’t even crack a joke, I carefully flipped over the hat the Grand Duke had been holding.
As I placed the snug hat on my head, the hair the maids had so beautifully styled came tumbling down.
‘Ugh, it’s heavier than I expected.’
I let out a small groan and rolled my neck once.
Since it would be a disaster if the hat fell off, I fastened the strap tightly under my chin.
“Then, Your Grace, shall we go!”
I was now fully prepared to become Lishid’s avatar.
With a spirited shout, I placed my hand on the banquet hall door handle.
At that moment, the Grand Duke’s quiet voice reached me.
“Airel Blandiche.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t tire yourself today. Do your best and assist me.”
…What’s gotten into him?
Though his tone was still somewhat cold, I felt energized by his words of encouragement and pushed the door open.
Ah, but—
“Wait a second, Your Grace. Did you take off your shoes?”
“Unbelievable, what kind of fashion is that?”
“Why is Lady Blandiche wearing such a hideous hat…?”
Unlike my bold entrance, I hesitated slightly as I took in the people filling the dazzling banquet hall.
“Hah, it’s obvious. She’s desperate to catch the eye of His Highness, the Grand Duke of Effenterion, the star of the welcoming ceremony.”
Groups of nobles began whispering among themselves, casting sideways glances at me.
Of course, this reaction was expected.
Airel Blandiche might be criticized for her fierce personality, but she still stood at the center of high society.
A young lady from a prestigious ducal family, admired and envied by others for her beauty.
Suddenly, I recalled an episode where Seria, the original female lead who knew nothing of social trends, wore a fashionable dress—only to be ridiculed for copying Airel.
‘Well, that’s not going to happen anymore…’
There was no way this ridiculous hat would become a trend, and from today onward, people would start doubting my sense of style.
‘Sigh, what a strange world.’
They mock the villainess, yet admire her; dislike her, yet remain curious about her.
Shaking my head, I clenched both fists.
Right. I am Airel Blandiche.
‘So I won’t lose.’
Lishid told me to stay strong!
‘If I retreat here, it’s death.’
There’s nothing scarier than dying!
Repeating that mantra to myself—
And it worked surprisingly well.
“Lady Blandiche! You look as beautiful as ever today!”
Even when some young ladies suddenly approached and greeted me, I didn’t panic.
“Are you referring to my hat?”
With a sly smile, I pointed at it with my index finger.
I just hoped that someday, Lishid would look back on today and think, “Well… at least she tried for my sake.”
“Ah, um… the hat, you mean?”
“Haha…”
The young ladies exchanged awkward smiles, their eyes darting around.
From somewhere in the crowd, I heard a whisper:
“The lady is tormenting innocent people again.”
So unfair…!
Deciding to stop bothering the poor girls, I started walking.
“Three o’clock.”
“Yes, sir.”
It was because I heard the Grand Duke’s voice from inside the hat.
But it wasn’t just young ladies who blocked my path.
“We meet again, Lady Blandiche.”
“High Priest?!”
I looked up at the familiar face with a bright smile.
His white hair shimmered as he bowed politely.
“It is an honor to see you again.”
“The honor is mine. It’s even nicer seeing you here.”
Though we had only met once, the High Priest was practically my savior.
After all, the only reason I could pull off abducting the Grand Duke and doing all this was because he had granted me access to the temple.
“Thank you again for that day, High Priest.”
I bowed sincerely.
“Not at all. The temple should be open equally to all. Restricting your access was my misjudgment.”
“It was my fault to begin with. I’m just grateful you gave me a chance to correct it.”
As I mimicked his solemn gesture and smiled, he let out a soft laugh.
“You… have changed quite a bit, Lady Blandiche. It’s my first time seeing you smile like that—it suits you very well.”
“Really?”
“Yes, sincerely.”
This angel-like High Priest always knew how to encourage me.
Meeting someone who viewed me kindly in such a tense setting lifted my mood.
Feeling my heart swell, I smiled again.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“I merely stated the truth. How could I dare presume to compliment you?”
“What’s wrong with that? Oh, by the way, you can just call me Airel.”
“I appreciate the offer, but if you call me by my name first, I’ll gather the courage to do the same.”
Well, look at him.
He’s quite smooth with his words.
‘He must be very popular with women.’
Handsome, polite, kind—
And even his voice was warm enough to melt hearts.
I forced down the smile creeping up my lips and nodded.
“Alright. Then next time we meet, I’ll call you by your name.”
In truth, I didn’t even know his name—but I pretended to be composed.
I’d just ask Jenis later.
‘You’re lucky today.’
With a glint in my eyes, I wrapped up the conversation for Lishid’s sake.
“It was really nice seeing you, High Priest. I’ll be on my way now.”
“The pleasure was mine, Lady.”
I gave a slight nod and turned in the direction Lishid had indicated.
But then—
“Ah, High Priest! There you are!”
A cheerful voice from behind stopped me in my tracks.
“Were you looking for me, Saint?”
“Yes, it’s my first time at a banquet, and I had something to ask. If you could…”
The surrounding noise faded in an instant.
Saint.
The moment I heard that title, I froze.
‘Could it be Seria?’
A part of me screamed not to turn around, while another urged me to look.
But the possibility that the original female lead was right behind me kept tugging at my curiosity.
In the end, I swallowed hard and slowly turned my head.
And—
“Ah… hello…”
Round, sky-blue eyes like a rabbit’s. Soft pink hair like cherry blossoms.
I met the gaze of Seria, the original female lead.
‘…Wow.’
So it really was her.
Startled, I took a small step back.
I knew she would attend the banquet, but I never expected to run into her this soon in such a vast hall.
“Lady? What’s wrong?”
Perhaps my reaction was too strange—because the High Priest approached me with concern.
And I—
“N-No, it’s nothing!”
The moment I said that, I quickly turned my head to block the Grand Duke’s view of Seria.
They were the original couple—who knew if just meeting eyes would spark romance?
‘I’m not trying to stop their relationship, but not yet!’
Seeing my neck twist at such an unnatural angle, Seria asked hesitantly,
“Um… are you alright?”
“Yes! Completely fine!”
So please don’t come any closer!
I waved my hands and awkwardly sidestepped away.
That was when the Grand Duke tapped the hat lightly, as if he couldn’t understand the situation.
“Lady, what’s gotten into you?”
I shook my head briefly, as if it were nothing.
Because I absolutely couldn’t say, ‘The woman you’re destined to fall in love with is right there.’
Now all I had to do was get away from Seria.
Yes—that was all I needed to do…
“Excuse me, Lady.”
A warm, large hand gently caught my wrist as I tried to move away.
“Y-Yes?”
Startled, I looked up.
The High Priest, wearing a gentle smile, held out a rose ornament to me.
“Here. You dropped this just now.”
A flower?
