I could feel that he was gaining confidence little by little by little.

Then came a knock outside the door.

Pernia, are you ready?

That was the voice of my father.

I can feel he is more merrier than usual.

He seemed to be quite happy to see notorious people coming to the mansion after a long time, while living in a house on the verge of ruin.

I'm done. I'm coming out now.

In fear of getting an earful from him, I opened the door and uttered a small exclamation.

Wh

Waiting for me at the door, was not my father.

It was Lucian.

He wasn't wearing a comfortable outfit like I've seen for the last few days.

Wearing white robes decorated with red rubies just like the color of his eyes, the silver hair was neatly arranged.

Like an art piece made without a single error, the perfect man's figure caught my eye.

You've bewitched me again today.

Muttering inwardly, I managed to open my mouth.

You arrived early, Lord Kardien.

.Yes.

I grinned at the unseemingly late reply.

You look great today. I tried my best in dressing up, but it was hard to beat you.

(I meant it but) Lucian shook his head with a serious look, even though I was joking.

Don't say that. Lady Pernia is really

Beautiful. There, I thought you would compliment me, but then, something unexpected popped up from him.

Awesome!

He used that word!

* * *

Why are you laughing like that, Lady Pernia?

Because you're awesomely cute.

I thought he wouldn't like it if I said that, so I changed the subject.

Wow, there's the Duke of Esteban. He doesn't show up at banquets like this. Our engagement ceremony must be great.

Lucian and I were receiving guests at the engagement. It was hard work, but surprisingly easy.

Thanks to my father.

Every time a guest came in, father would shake his whole body like a wind doll and launch a too much talk attack under the guise of a greeting.

The guests, who lost half of their life due to my father's attack, were well-mannered.

I smiled at the guests and said to Lucian next to me.

You know, Lord Kardien.

Yes?

Your Majesty and my family insisted on this engagement. Lord Kardien doesn't have any intent on continuing with the engagement.

Lucian looked at me with a frown.

If so, that's fine.

What do you mean?

If in the middle of the engagement ceremony, a woman suddenly appears and yells that the baby in her arms is Lord Kardien's baby.

Huh.?

It could be a man, not a woman.

Lady Pernia!

So, I'm saying, whatever happens, I'll understand, so do whatever you want.

It's okay if you show your heart to other women or confess.

Whatever you want to do.

I told him because I was afraid he wouldn't be able to express his feelings to the saint because of his sense of responsibility or guilt for me, but his expression was strange.

He was looking at me with a face he had never shown before.

The red eyes twinkling like a ruby were dimmed.

Like blood.

I had slight chills behind my back.

What's wrong?

The man, who had not been making all sorts of mistakes so far, flinched.

Did I say something offensive? I've never done that. It's not time for blackening yet.

I began sweating on my back.

Your Royal Highness is entering.

There was no word that the Crown Prince was coming. My eyes widened.

And when I saw a man in the banquet hall, I closed my mouth.

Why is he here?

It was surely Prince Carlix who walked proudly in the roaring crowd.

The real male lead of the original novel and the super notorious elementary kid male lead.

(T/N: used the word ; means dog; is slang for elementary kid; basically, he's an hole)

He's been shoveling his feelings all the time without knowing how much he likes Estelle. It's only after she leaves that he regrets it.

The female lead will be attracted to a man like that.

Come and read on our website wuxia worldsite. Thanks

But the male lead is the male lead.

Carlix was a tough, rebellious, handsome man with black hair and black eyes.

It had a completely different charm from Lucian, who had a noble beauty.

Standing before Lucian, Carlix spoke with a grim face.

I didn't come here because I wanted to. It's just that dad and mom kept asking me to go.

Lucian bowed politely to Carlix, who has been making dog noises since his first line.

(T/N: used the word ; means dog; means noise/sound; could also mean talking nonsense)

Thank you for your precious steps, Your Highness.

It was just that, but the atmosphere of the two was no joke.

Standing still, I was almost out of breath.

Indeed, they're the male lead and second male lead.

Carlix looked at Lucian and turned to me.

I bowed my head.

I am pleased to meet you, Your Highness the Great Prince of the Empire. I'm Pernia, the daughter of the Marquis Lilac.

Yes, I've heard a lot about you.

Carlix, like a male lead, was not interested in anyone else, except for the female lead.

So I thought you wouldn't pay me much attention like I was dust, but what?

I opened my eyes wide and Carlix spoke with a sullen face.

I hear you've asked a very special favor to the saint.

This is ominous.

You asked her to do the dance of blessing. With you and Lord Kardien.

The voice of Carlix, who uttered the name 'Kardien,' was as eerie as ice.

Only then did I realize what he was saying.

According to the original story, Carlix and Estelle were still before the romance began.

Around this time, Carlix denied his affection for Estelle, saying, 'I don't believe in love!'

His interest and obsession with Estelle was great.

The same was true with jealousy.

You're upset that Estelle is dancing with Lucian, right?

And I was the one who made such an opportunity for Lucian.

I wanted to shout, 'Hey, you childish bastard,' but I couldn't say anything. Carlix's eyes were so creepy.

So scary.

Physiologically the body reacted.

I clasped my trembling hand, and Lucian, who was standing next to me, opened his mouth.

Your Highness. I dare ask you.

At Lucian's voice, Carlix turned his attention to him. Lucian continued his words with a soft voice.

Please don't look at her like that.

What?

Carlix frowned.

Lucian, who has been so gentle, seems absurd to say such a thing.

What was that now? Did you help me?

What's this? What's going on?

In the original, Lucian had no interest in Pernia.

I, Pernia, who, no matter how frustrating I was, didn't care.

I can't believe he said that for me.

Honestly, I was moved.

It was worth teaching you dance for two weeks.

I shed tears of joy in my heart, but Carlix's reaction was unusual.

How dare you tell me what to do? A dog who swore allegiance to the imperial family?

Oh, right. He's an 8th grader.

Carlix was the notorious elementary kid. His personality is nasty.

Carlix's eyes were creepy beyond comparison.

It was the same with Lucian who was next to me.

There was no sign of gentleness on Lucian's face, which had been expressionless.

Hey, hey, you two.

The atmosphere before was lovely.

Now, it's not just suffocating, but it was like my whole body was going to be crushed.

At that moment, I felt that my life was threatened, thinking, 'Maybe I will die of suffocation?'

Your Highness the Crown Prince! Lucian!'

Her voice was as clear as a glass bead, so I almost screamed in my head, 'Older sister!'

It was Estelle, the heroine of this novel and a saint loved by everyone!

Estelle walked slowly through the banquet hall and came this way.

In the novel, she was described with an ordinary appearance.

Though ordinary in appearance, she fascinates people with her lovely personality.

Writer, you liar.

She's not ordinary at all!