Chapter 49 – Conquering the Villainess Sister (2):
When I introduced myself, Diane let out a small gasp, as if she had just remembered who I was.
“Oh, the famous one! Nice to meet you. I’m Diane Set Jupiter.”
At her introduction, I deliberately widened my eyes with admiration.
When meeting someone for the first time, the best way to win them over is to show that you like them first.
No one spits on a smiling face, after all.
“Oh my! Did you say Jupiter…? Are you the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom of Jupiter?”
I wasn’t sure how well-known Odelia was in the Empire, but Diane was so famous the sun and moon could vouch for it.
I looked at her with sincere admiration—not overdone flattery, just a truthful recognition of her status—and watched to see how she’d respond.
“Yes, I am.”
Diane gave a short reply instead of going into detail.
Very fitting behavior for a princess of a kingdom.
Too much flattery might backfire with someone like her.
How much could I move her with genuine goodwill, not pointless sweet talk?
Still… she was truly stunning.
If Odelia had an innocent and pure beauty like untouched snow, Diane had the sharp, cold beauty of shattered moonlight—icy and glimmering.
That’s what made her more eye-catching.
Like how snow-covered old trees draw the eye more than blooming flowers.
Compared to Odelia, who receives everyone’s kind smiles, Diane’s reserved coldness was even more captivating.
It felt like staring at a proud feline.
As Diane looked at me with proper posture, I gave a bright smile.
“Meeting you again like this must be fate, Princess Diane!”
“Is that so.”
Though her reply was cold, her expression wasn’t displeased.
Correcting a past mistake without repeating it often helps repair a relationship.
It seemed Diane appreciated that attitude.
The displeasure from earlier quickly faded, and a softer expression took its place.
She wasn’t as unreadable as I’d thought.
After all, she was only nineteen.
A high school senior, in modern terms—how good could she be at hiding her emotions?
Even adults with more life experience struggle to hide how they feel.
Whether it’s cold beauty or warm-hearted emotion, both are human traits I liked.
So, bonus points for humanity!
I looked up at Diane like a loyal puppy.
She was beautiful when I first saw her, but now that she stood before me like a goddess, I was moved even more.
Just looking at her was entertaining.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
She asked, seemingly flustered by my gaze.
If someone asks, “Why are you looking at me like that?” it’s only fair to answer! Not for world peace—but because something beautiful naturally draws the eye.
What should I say?
Strangely enough, ever since I woke up in this world, those fake, smooth lines I used to say so easily just wouldn’t come out.
Telling lies or pretending to feel something I didn’t became hard—almost physically uncomfortable.
So I wanted to tell Diane the truth, not some empty compliment.
“Because you’re incredibly beautiful, Princess Diane.”
It was a sincere pick-up line.
Diane’s eyes widened like she’d been struck, and she covered her mouth with one hand.
Then, as if truly surprised, she inhaled sharply—before bursting into laughter.
Her soft laughter tickled my ears.
It was like the cold moon finally met a sparkling star and smiled.
Even her laugh was beautiful.
As her laughter settled, Diane spoke.
“You already said that earlier.”
“I know. But I still feel like it’s not enough—because you’re just that beautiful.”
I smiled as I said it sincerely, and Diane blushed.
Seemed like my cheesy words were working on her.
The fact that I could make her laugh with just a few words made me so happy that I stared even more.
After laughing for a while, Diane stepped closer to me.
Her dazzling smile came within arm’s reach.
In a kind voice, she said:
“Please, call me Diane, Lady Snifter.”
In the Kingdom of Jupiter, names were only used by family, lovers, or close friends.
This meant she accepted me into that circle. My lips lifted in joy.
“Then, please call me Odelia as well. That would make me so happy.”
“You’re… just as lovely with your words as you are with your looks.”
She looked awkward saying that, and I nearly hugged her right there.
Oh my god—did that elegant beauty just mumble awkwardly?
And she even blushed?
Goodness. How could someone be this pretty, unnie!
I tried to calm the fireworks going off in my heart as I stared at her pink lips moving shyly.
No. Calm down. You shameless sincerity!
If Diane finds out how genuine this is, she might freak out.
Calm down, emotions.
While I was still scolding my heart, Ian approached us from behind.
Diane, who had been chatting with me with a lovely smile, immediately switched back to her aloof expression and bowed.
“Crown Prince Ian Imperial of the Empire. I am Diane Set Jupiter, Princess of the Holy Kingdom of Jupiter.”
“I see. So you’re the Princess of Jupiter. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The honor is mine.”
Maybe he listened to my advice earlier, because Ian greeted her politely.
No hint of disdain or rejection—just calm courtesy.
Diane was the same.
A formal greeting between royals from two nations—nothing more, nothing less.
And maybe that was the problem.
Despite the utmost politeness, the air between them felt chilly.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
He dismissed her without context.
Shocked by Ian’s sudden and absurd farewell, I glared at him.
But I realized this might be the most respectful way he could treat Diane.
And she didn’t seem offended either.
“Yes. It was an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
“Ah, wait a second!”
Her composed and dignified demeanor irritated me for some reason.
Why should she have to put up with this just because Ian is considered “great”?
Sure, Ian was impressive as the Empire’s Crown Prince.
But Diane was also hailed as the Saintess of the Holy Nation.
They had equal power—so why did he get to order her around?
And I didn’t want my enjoyable time with her to end just yet.
I quickly followed after Diane as she turned away.
When she saw me chasing her, a subtle emotion flickered in her eyes.
“I don’t want to part ways so suddenly. Can I stay with you, Diane?”
I smiled brightly as I asked, and Diane returned a small smile.
“Of course, Lady Odelia.”
Even with Ian still watching from behind, Diane’s faint smile was as cold as ice—and yet, still beautiful.
I heard Ian calling after me as we walked away, but I didn’t turn around.
✧✧✧
I led Diane to a table along the wall.
Usually, it was where unaccompanied women waited for men, or where couples rested after dancing.
But most people used private rooms or secret terraces, so the spot was empty.
I pulled out a chair for Diane and gestured politely.
“Please, have a seat, Diane.”
“…Tha-thank you.”
She smiled awkwardly, seemingly flustered by my kindness, and sat down.
Even as she did, her smile remained so beautiful that I didn’t mind.
Before sitting, I asked a passing servant for two glasses of sparkling wine—non-alcoholic, of course.
I had to stay sober for this.
“Aren’t you thirsty? It’s non-alcoholic wine.”
“…Yes.”
Diane glanced down at the wine I handed her, then looked up at me.
Hm? What’s wrong?
She wasn’t a big drinker—neither was Odelia.
That’s why I picked something safe like sparkling wine.
Ah… maybe she didn’t like this type?
“Do you dislike it? I can get something else.”
“No, it’s not that…”
I didn’t want her to misunderstand me, so I pressed gently.
But she hesitated, looking a little conflicted.
Had I unknowingly offended her?
“It’s just that… Lady Odelia… you looked really cool.”
“…Sorry?”
My brain momentarily shut down from the unexpected comment.
Cool…? Was that a compliment?
I tilted my head, confused, and Diane ran her finger along the rim of her glass as she continued.
“You move like a gentleman. Like you’re used to this.”
Oh, that made sense.
In this world, things like pulling out chairs or offering wine were usually done by men.
Not so in my world.
If you’ve got hands, you can pull out chairs. And if you want to impress someone, you act considerately—it doesn’t matter if you’re a guy.
“I couldn’t help myself. You’re just so beautiful, Diane.”
“…Even the chair-pulling and wine were because of that?”
“Yes.”
Diane turned her gaze back to the wine and swirled it gently.
A blush bloomed on her cheeks.
She wasn’t drunk. She just looked happy.
Her silver eyes sparkled as she watched the golden liquid in her glass.
I couldn’t believe such a lovely person would meet such a tragic end.
She had to be happy.
Fall in love normally. Have kids. Start a family.
Live an ordinary, happy life.
This time, I would make that happen.
Thinking of this as one of my many little missions, I sipped my wine.
Diane followed suit.
From her lips came a sweet sigh, tasting faintly of fruit and wine.
“You’re so cool… I thought you were trying to seduce me.”
“Pffft—!”
That was way too adorable.
Words like ‘saintess’ and ‘goddess’ didn’t suit her when she smiled like that.
Laughter spilled from my mouth.
A messy, unladylike laugh—which made Diane stare at me in surprise.
But this time around, I would make sure her ending wasn’t tragic.
At the very least, I wouldn’t let her story end in misery.
Smiling mischievously, I propped my chin on my hand.
“So… did I succeed in seducing you, Diane?”
“…I’m not sure.”
“I hope I did.”
“What?”
At my teasing tone, Diane stared at me, wide-eyed like a startled rabbit.
She looked her age—and it was utterly charming.
“I want to be close to you, Diane. As a good friend. Can I?”
At my playful request, Diane’s face flushed red.
