Clear, white jade-like skin, blazing golden hair, sparkling blue eyes.

She was not a gorgeous beauty with clear features, but she had a pure and fair face that was not likely to be liked or disliked by anyone.

In other words, hella attractive.

Estelle approached the two men who apparently were having an unusual conversation.

What were you two talking about?

Estelle, who asked in a clear voice, opened her eyes wide and turned her head toward me.

I have to greet the main character of the party first, but I have made a mistake.

She greeted me with a curtsy.

Thank you for inviting me to a rare occasion, Miss Pernia. I'm the saint, Estelle Sangria.

It's not the perfect greeting of a noble. It was clumsy.

Even so, it was even more lovely.

Resisting the urge to give her a tight hug, I bowed my head gracefully.

Thank you very much for accepting my invitation, saint.

Estelle replied with a big smile.

I give you 500 points for smiling.

Turning around, she also greeted Carlix.

Your Highness the Crown Prince, it's been a long time. Have you been well?

It was just a greeting, but the impact was incredible.

The acrimonious energy of Carlix, which was just about to destroy the continent, had disappeared.

In an instant, returning to a state of tranquility, Carlix spoke to Estelle.

Still a clumsy gesture. You're like a commoner.

Oh, that middle school 8th grader squirt.

Even though it makes me want to cry, watching her from the side, Estelle was not angry.

Her face just turned red to the ear.

I've been practicing hard, but I'm still clumsy.

Then she lowered her eyebrows and smiled.

Next time, I'll show you a more ladylike greeting.

Hmph. She's not an angel, she's more like a bodhisattva. (T/N: female Buddhist)

At Estelle's pretty words, Carlix looked like he was sorry and wanted to die, but it's too late.

Estelle's eyes were on Lucian.

Congratulations on your engagement, Lucian.

I certainly saw it as I was close by.

The slight tremor of Lucian's fingertips.

After a while, Lucian replied.

Thank you, Estelle.

Lucian's voice wasn't shaking. It wasn't even low.

It was just calm.

So it was sadder.

My heart hurts when I think about how painful it must have been to say that.

But what can I do for him?

I'm just a supporting villain, a forced fiancee.

After a moment's thought, I tapped my finger on the back of his hand.

Are you all right?

That's what it meant.

Whether he understood the meaning or not, his hand flinched and gently bent his eyes.

* * *

The engagement ceremony went smoothly.

I sincerely thank you for coming to the engagement ceremony of my lovely and elegant daughter, Pernia, who loves dancing and jewelry, and Lord Kardien, the greatest knight of the Empire and most trusted knight of the Emperor. This hall has a history of 300 years. It is the place where Richmond Lilac, my ancestor and the first marquis of the Lilacs, had a wedding ceremony, and it was designed and constructed by Leonardo, a famous architect of the time. It's a place that still shines 300 years later because it uses the finest Lemabel marble.

It's deadly how long father's too-much-talk speech was.

It was Carlix who had crossed his legs with arrogance that ended the long speech.

I didn't ask, and I'm not curious.

Good Job.

I'm sorry to my father, but it was the right time.

My father had a look on his face, but he couldn't tell Carlix off for interrupting.

.I'll end my speech now.

A round of applause came from somewhere. I stopped when my father looked at me.

The ball began after the speech was over. The main characters of the dance were of course me and Lucian.

When I and Lucian went out to the hall, many people's eyes stared at us.

It has been quite a while since they were engaged, but this is the first time they are together in public.

People eagerly whispered at us.

Well, it's obvious they would whisper about those things.

Some will sneer at the marquis's daughter for abandoning the pride of a nobleman, being engaged to a bastard man, and some will sympathize with Penia, who is engaged to a cursed man.

Either way, they both insult Lucian.

I faced Lucian.

He looked as gentle as usual, but he felt a little nervous.

Are you nervous?

Yes.

I grinned at the remark.

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It was cute that a man who fought with a sword in front of a million enemy soldiers was only nervous about this.

Don't worry. Because I didn't go easy on you. And..

I said, putting my hand in his hand.

If there's a person who laughs at you for not being able to dance, I'll scold them.

The music began to flow.

He did not become the dance god with only two weeks of training.

There were times when the steps were barely followed through, and the movements were a beat late.

But a sweeping victory in facial acting!

He had a completely different face from when he practiced with me.

He and the face of the most relaxed man in the world, not an embarrassed, astonished, and despondent face that he had shown me the whole time.

He was so handsome that the effect was great.

I knew that Lady Pernia had great skills, but I never knew Lord Kardien was such a good dancer.

I know. He's really handsome.

He's handsome because he's a good dancer?! I don't know the relationship between the two, but it was not a bad reaction.

It's nice to have a handsome face.

I murmured and looked at Lucian.

The last part comes soon. Will you be able to do it?

Yes.

Lucian nodded with the most serious face in the world.

Even if a sudden earthquake had caused the earth to split in half, he was ready for it.

The final move of the dance was for the woman to spin around and return to her partner's arms.

With the audience, I also became a little greedy.

No matter what a supporting villain does, she won't have a halo like the female lead, but it's self-satisfaction.

I paid more attention to the steps, but they were distinctly different from when I practiced.

The hem of the skirt fluttered, and the voluminous hair fluttered in a pleasing way.

After turning gracefully, I was back in Lucian's chest.

As soon as I entered his arms, a cool, peppermint scent hung at the tip of my nose.

Good.

Wrinkling my nose, I lifted my head slightly and looked at him.

I bent my eyes and laughed.

How was it? Wasn't that bad right?

Ah

As soon as Lucian blinked and tried to say something, I slipped out of his arms.

I said in a small voice, frowning my eyes.

Bow.

Lucian, who understood me, soon straightened his back and bowed gracefully.

I bowed my head in front of him, too.

At the same time, I heard the clapping of those around me.

In particular, my father, who shouted in an excited voice, clapping like a seal.

What a great pair! In fact, a fortune-teller, who gave her name on the day Penia was born, said that Pernia will save the Empire from crisis. And Lord Kardien actually saved my empire after a long war. I'm sure they're meant to be together.

Oh, father, stop talking.

I said to Lucian, sympathizing with the aristocrats who had been beside my father and had been humiliated.

Well done.

Lucian said with a face reminiscent of what I had said.

It's all thanks to the Lady.

I nodded and grinned.

I think so too.

However, there was no time to relax and enjoy the successful dance. Because nobles flocked to me and Lucian.

Both of you, that was a great dance.

My heart was pounding.

When did you practice like that?

I whispered to Lucian.

First, focus on the task.

* * *

As time went by, the attention for me and Lucian disappeared, and the popularity of the banquet hall was divided into two.

Lord Kardien, it's so nice to see you at the banquet. Please continue to show us more often.

Don't put pressure on me. How can a man who always lives on the battlefield be so relaxed?

The so-called Kardien fans.

Most were young aristocrats.

The older aristocrats implicitly ignored him, saying he was a commoner, but not the younger ones.

They didn't hide their fondness for the most valiant knight in this empire and for a dazzlingly beautiful man.

Lord Kardien, is it true that you alone fought more than a hundred men?

No, not a hundred, but a thousand. Right, Lord Kardien?

Those who twinkled their eyes and talked about all kinds of words related to Kardien could be said to be fanatics of Kardien.

You are right.

I turned my head to the other side, feeling pleased with those of the same taste in people.

There were people who had him completely different before.