Chapter 24
She looked at me with a bewildered expression. Beyond her gaze, I could sense the size of her mischievous curiosity.
“Don’t ever bother Adel again.”
“You’re angry, Anastasia,”
Lernet murmured softly. I didn’t look away from her eyes, full of over-the-top, naughty thoughts.
Even though this woman could be capricious and difficult, she wasn’t without weaknesses. In fact, she was full of holes and arrogant, which is why she got beaten in the original story.
If only I were affected, I could endure it, but if Adel got involved, it would be a completely different matter.
“Do you think I’ll just get angry? I could do something worse. Since I’m going to die soon anyway, shouldn’t I make a proper ruckus so people remember me longer?”
Ugh! I cannot stand seeing anyone else bully Adel, even if candy wrappers got stuck in my eyes!
Her deep, captivating violet eyes focused entirely on me. Unlike when she faced Ash, she no longer smiled.
“I see. Anastasia, you were actually a very brave person. The day you came to the villa alone and took revenge on Ash—it was all for Gongja.”
Lernet continued slowly.
“Don’t worry. I won’t do that anymore. I’d rather not be hated by you. Partly because Gongja has become scary.”
“I hope you’ll stick to your word.”
I didn’t lower my suspicion, and Lernet pouted, clearly showing that my rebuke stung.
Of course, it was just an act.
“But you did realize how overly protective Gongja is of you, right?”
Does this woman have eyes, really?
“In what world is that ‘overprotective’? I was on the verge of death!”
That huge guy was about to sink his teeth into my neck! As I protested, Lernet patted my shoulder.
“Anastasia, no matter how much of a royal niece I am, I would never act foolishly or recklessly to hurt a noble lady. I’m sure Gongja knows that too. But he killed the victim just in case you got even a tiny scratch. And very cruelly. He could have simply subdued them with his skill, but I’m sure he intended it as a warning.”
Uh, sis, in the original story, you did all sorts of foolish and reckless things.
For instance, she spent three whole days collecting cockroaches just to put them in Olga’s shoes. And those cockroaches started laying eggs at the Bliss Duke House…
“If I keep acting up, won’t I be next? Ah, how terrifying. You’re scary, Lernet,”
Lernet cooed in a sweet voice, fawning at me. Don’t tempt me!
“I… I’ll go to where Adel is. When Ash comes back, we’ll have fun together.”
I backed away blatantly, which seemed to displease her.
“What? You’re not happy? I sacrificed myself to prove to Gongja that he thinks of you specially.”
I gave a perfunctory nod to the villainous sister.
“I’ll go.”
Intending to find Adel, I left the party hall. Just as I closed the door and turned, I bumped right into a man with light green hair who was about to enter.
“Ah.”
I instinctively stepped aside, at least politely. That was until the man muttered.
“…Dirty.”
What did you just say?
“Was that directed at me?”
Having been insulted out of nowhere, my tone came out harsh. The man looked down at me with eyes like soft brown sand. His light green hair brushed his forehead and swayed slightly.
I froze. There was only one man with hair that unusual here.
Reilly Lucrecia, who had pined for Olga in the original story and even suffered lovesickness.
A holder of divine power ranked among the top five in the empire, he was sensitive enough to tear up at a sunset’s beauty.
But what is going on now?
“Please don’t come closer. I don’t want to be near someone as filthy as you.”
Was this guy really that clueless?
Speechless and stunned, I watched Reilly enter the party hall.
He must have come back after hearing that the victim had died, given his extreme dislike for cruelty…
“Anastasia, why are you out here?”
A sweet voice, like chocolate, brought me back to my senses.
Adel had silently approached. His hands were impeccably clean, and his clothes seemed magically maintained.
With golden hair and snake-like red eyes, Adel looked like a god from some foreign land.
Though his demeanor was slightly languid, seeing his ever-gentle expression made me feel a sudden relief mixed with sadness.
With worried eyes, Adel looked at me, and I asked, sniffling:
“Adel, am I dirty? Unclean?”
He smiled in a way I couldn’t read, looking at me kindly.
“Who said that?”
“Some obnoxious guy just tossed it out at me and left.”
Bastard. Calf. I tried hard to restrain the stream of curses welling up. Adel said:
“Just tell me about his appearance.”
His voice, friendly and warm, made me feel no discomfort at all.
“It was a man with light green hair… did I have something on my face?”
So that’s why he said I was dirty?
Adel looked at me calmly and denied it.
“Impossible.”
“Then what was it about?”
Completely insane, right?
I couldn’t shake the shock. I had never been called dirty or unclean by a stranger before.
And Reilly Lucrecia, usually pure and tearful, someone who cared for dandelions on the roadside, why did he spew such venom at me?
Adel calmly comforted me.
“Don’t worry about it. He probably won’t even remember what he ate ten minutes ago.”
His voice was so noble and innocent I thought I misheard. Yet Adel remained perfectly composed.
“Adel, you really speak harshly with such a harmless face…”
I need to get used to this quickly.
Returning to the party hall, I was already quite exhausted.
Ah, I want to change into comfortable pajamas and flop on my bed.
Compared to a normal festival where you can laugh and chat freely, attending a noble’s party even briefly was draining. Breathing itself felt scrutinized. I wished I could wear a hat here.
Many people, seeing Adel, hesitated when approaching me. They had been staring intensely but seemed unsure how to act.
I briefly glanced at Reilly at a table far from the entrance.
He was socializing with people, smiling awkwardly just like the Reilly Lucrecia from the original story.
It was hard to believe he was the same man who had glared at me before.
I frowned and looked away, catching the eyes of the young ladies I met at Ash’s villa.
Waving slightly in greeting, the young ladies blushed and ran over.
“Lady Anastasia!”
“We’ve been waiting for the chance to talk to you! Finally, it’s our turn!”
Their enthusiastic chatter was adorable, and I greeted them warmly.
“How have you all been?”
“Of course! We’ve been eagerly awaiting our reunion with you!”
“You’re dazzlingly beautiful today as well. My heart nearly stopped when you walked in.”
After telling them they could call me by name last time, they now all called me at once.
“Do you know that when the young ladies first arrived, everyone was silent?”
“And you fit so well with Gongja…”
As the young ladies started chatting with me, others who had hesitated slowly approached Adel. We were soon surrounded.
At that moment, Reilly Lucrecia noticed the commotion and looked in my direction.
I expected him to scowl, but suddenly he went pale.
He wasn’t staring directly at me, but at something near me.
I looked around. Adel, meeting my gaze, smiled harmlessly and turned his head.
What? Did Adel glare at him?
“Anastasia?”
“Your expression is stiff. Are you very tired?”
The young ladies examined me with concern. I didn’t deny my fatigue.
“Yes, a little.”
Even surrounded by people, Adel immediately came closer upon hearing my small reply.
“Anastasia, shall we head back if you’re tired?”
After a brief hesitation, I nodded obediently.
“Yes, that would be better. I definitely don’t want to throw up here.”
“I’ll take you to the mansion.”
I noticed people itching to speak to Adel but unable to get his attention.
Unlike me, Adel had engaged in social activities since childhood. No one doubted his true nature.
How much must he have had to suppress of himself?
“Are you sure that’s okay?”
I hesitated out of courtesy, but Adel replied as usual:
“My priority is always you, Anastasia.”
Hearing Adel’s words, everyone around was even more impressed.
“Did you hear what Gongja just said?”
“So amazing…”
I agree. He has a way of capturing hearts so deftly…
“Sorry, my health isn’t what it used to be. I think I should head back now.”
Once fatigue hits me, I could easily collapse, so I didn’t insist. The young ladies understood generously.
“No need to apologize. We all know Anastasia isn’t well.”
“Of course! Just coming to the party is enough.”
“Please have a long and beautiful love!”
I flinched at the words of a young lady with big eyes. Isn’t she going to block Adel’s future marriage? But Adel wouldn’t listen to me refusing anyway!
“Wait, Anastasia! If you’re leaving, you have to say goodbye to me too!”
Before I realized it, the villainous sister had pushed through the crowd to stand right in front of me. I reluctantly acknowledged her presence.
