72. Count Vermont’s ‘True’ Angel
Unaware that someone was watching her from above, Shailo enjoyed a leisurely time on the deck of the ship.
She was basking in the languid afterglow of her private audience with the Emperor.
She wore nothing but a thin shawl over a semi-transparent negligee that clung to her body’s silhouette.
Even in a private area, such attire was hardly appropriate for strolling around the palace.
Yet, despite the objections of her maid, Countess Garcia, Shailo maintained her free-spirited dress.
After all, such daring clothing was certainly effective in winning the Emperor’s favor.
The sun beat down on Shailo’s sensual figure with almost oppressive intensity.
The sunlight poured over her brilliantly, while a gentle tailwind pushed the ship forward.
There was nothing to fear. The radiant sun would always light her path.
After enjoying herself for some time, she disembarked from the ship.
Evelyn, waiting onshore, rushed over and opened a parasol.
“You shouldn’t get your skin burned… and without a sunshade? Please, come inside.”
Evelyn tilted the parasol toward Shailo, but her gesture was clearly perfunctory. She barely met Shailo’s gaze.
Even after being chosen as a maid, Evelyn had never been accustomed to serving anyone diligently.
Especially when the person in question was the Emperor’s notoriously vulgar commoner mistress.
A faint snicker escaped Shailo’s lips.
Her pomegranate-red, luscious lips curved into a subtle smile.
Countess Garcia, who had followed Shailo off the ship, scolded Evelyn.
“Lady Balton, show proper respect to Lady Shailo. At least, have some awareness of your duties as a maid.”
“……”
“Have you not already been reprimanded for your attitude? Are you planning to cause trouble again? This time, a mere warning won’t suffice.”
Countess Garcia issued a stern warning. She had originally been a maid to the Empress but had been reassigned to serve Shailo by the Emperor’s command.
Those chosen as Shailo’s maids were typically daughters of noble families—young ladies inexperienced in etiquette, or women of good reputation but modest backgrounds.
Countess Garcia served as the stabilizing force among them.
Yet Evelyn, instead of correcting her behavior, pouted.
“Before you lecture me, maybe deal with that hideous nightgown of yours.”
“Lady Balton!”
Countess Garcia gasped, ready to reprimand Evelyn, but Shailo simply patted the Countess on the shoulder.
“Let it be, Countess.”
“Eh? But—”
“I’ll handle it myself. No need for the maids to raise their voices.”
Shailo smiled.
Countess Garcia was flustered. Evelyn tried to hide her surprise, but it was just as shocking to her.
A mistress with all the refinement of a snake—vulgar and shameless.
That was the prevailing opinion of Shailo.
With a sly smile, Shailo gestured to Evelyn.
“Come with me for a moment.”
[SYSTEM: The ‘Invincible Shield, Male Lead Shield’ item effect is activated!]
“What?”
As if triggered by the system notification, Count Vermont dropped to one knee in front of Icarte.
Overcome with emotion, he pressed his lips to Icarte’s hand.
It looked like a polite gesture toward a beautiful lady… but in reality, it was closer to the blind desperation of lust-driven courtship.
Icarte recoiled as if touched by something filthy and shook him off.
Count Vermont’s eyes widened.
“Please, do not step a single foot away from me! My heart will shatter!”
He clutched his chest dramatically.
‘What is wrong with this man now?’
Just then, the Administrator appeared.
[Administrator: hahahahaha]
[Administrator: As expected.]
[Administrator: Cupid’s arrow doesn’t discriminate its target.]
[Administrator: Today’s romance business is in full swing!]
[Administrator: ⸜(ˊᗜˋ)⸝]
A complete romance lunatic had appeared.
Icarte, seeing this, drew his longsword from his waist.
“What on earth is he doing? Does he want to die?”
He didn’t hide his disgust for Count Vermont.
Exuding lethal intent, Vermont resolutely knelt.
“Then kill me. If that releases your anger, I am prepared to embrace death gladly.”
“…….”
“I will haunt you as a ghost, following your every move. To stay by your side endlessly would be the greatest honor.”
“Ugh.”
Count Vermont spoke with the theatrics of a tragic hero scorned by love.
Hearing he would follow even after death, Icarte’s face turned completely pale.
He lowered his sword, his murderous intent gone.
[Administrator: Oh, is Icarte finally going to accept him?]
[Administrator: ( •⌄• )✧]
…In what world?
[Administrator: You know, in romantic fantasy, sub-couples often appear alongside the main couple.]
[Administrator: Looks like it’s time for a new pairing.]
[Administrator: I’m all for this combo.]
[Administrator: ꉂꉂ(^ᗜ^*)]
Just because you approve doesn’t mean everyone does.
Icarte was disgusted and wanted to kill him.
If Icarte had heard the Administrator, he might have gone after him first.
Still, seeing the Administrator casually comment, it didn’t seem too serious… right?
Icarte sighed deeply.
“What is he doing? Has he finally lost his mind?”
“Lost his mind? Can’t you see the burning passion in my heart for you?”
“Crazy talk…”
“Please, don’t look at me that way! If hatred touches your angelic eyes, my heart will be torn into pieces beyond endurance.”
“Shut your mouth.”
Icarte pressed his forehead, his grip on the sword tightening and loosening repeatedly.
After a deep breath, he finally calmed himself and returned to his usual icy tone.
“Using a debt to threaten a lady and now mocking me—such a vile man is not worth my time.”
“V-vile?”
Thunk.
If this were a game, that might have been the sound effect.
Count Vermont, misinterpreting Icarte’s words, looked utterly devastated.
For the first time, his sly, snake-like face showed despair.
“That’s not it. I… what must I do to make you understand my heart?”
Flustered, he hurriedly pulled out a sheet of paper from his chest.
“That is—”
A promissory note detailing a debt to Marquis Blaine.
Holding it firmly, he said,
“Please, see my sincerity clearly.”
“……!”
Without hesitation, he tore the note to shreds.
Seraphine’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.
The paper, shredded in midair, destroyed the symbolic chain that had bound her.
“If such a scrap of paper becomes a barrier between us, I will tear it ten, a hundred times over.”
Desperately, Count Vermont clung to Icarte’s feet.
“Please, do not look at me with such contempt.”
‘A man obsessed with money, tearing up a promissory note…’
How sincere is this man?
Seraphine was dumbstruck, unable to laugh or cry.
Icarte frowned at Vermont’s madness.
“Have you ever seen such a lunatic?”
“Of course, you’ve lost your senses. If the Devil had taken your soul instead, it might have been less painful. You’re a poor lamb, intoxicated by the sweetness that is you, losing all reason.”
“…….”
What should she call him?
A moth flying into a fire, fully aware it will burn?
“How can I make you understand my love? I wish to worship you from the lowest depths of my heart.”
“……!”
Unlike Icarte’s cold, piercing gaze, Vermont could not contain the fire in his chest.
Finally, he pressed his lips to Icarte’s feet.
Icarte’s expression immediately darkened.
“Philip! Throw that away immediately!”
“Yes, yes!”
He hastily removed the shoe, throwing it aside.
Philip handled it as if it were a plague, keeping his distance.
“What the hell…?”
What was all this commotion about?
Amidst the chaos, I looked around, trying to regain my senses.
‘There must be a reason this happened.’
As I searched for the source—
[Administrator: There, there.]
[Administrator: (๑^⩊^๑)]
The Administrator pointed behind me.
‘Behind?’
Away from the dining table, quietly watching, was Cayenne.
When I looked at him, he had a proud, satisfied expression, like a puppy waiting for praise.
“Did I do well?” was written all over his face.
XD
One ML sacrificed another for the sake of…a former FL. What a mess.