Chapter : 65
“What did you say?”
Sirinieu was staring straight at me.
It wasn’t the first time our eyes had met, but it was the first time I saw him make that expression.
Sirinieu, lifting the corners of his lips into a smile, slightly opened his mouth and spoke.
“You look pretty… in that dress.”
I couldn’t believe my ears.
‘Did he just compliment me?’
Of course, he was praising the dress, but still.
“It’s beautiful… the flowers.”
I stared at Sirinieu, my mouth unconsciously open.
I couldn’t understand his sudden strange behavior.
I was already uneasy enough—why was he acting like this?
I narrowed my eyes at him, and then I realized.
‘So this is why they say you can’t reason with a fool.’
Looking at Sirinieu’s face, I felt all my previous worries and anxieties melt away.
Yes, from today, I’m officially smitten again.
After all, the chances of me ending up with Sirinieu in this story were slim.
I was just a supporting character, increased in importance only to act as an obstacle to the love between the two main characters.
It seemed fine as long as I admired Sirinieu from afar and supported the relationship between Eloi and Sirinieu.
I hadn’t done anything villainous to interfere with their love.
Resolving to gradually distance myself after this party, I placed my hand on the arm Sirinieu extended toward me.
However, he didn’t move, merely watching me quietly.
“Your hair color suits you. It’s pretty.”
“…Stop it.”
Unable to take it anymore, I slapped the back of his hand.
Ah—this wasn’t supposed to be that kind of contact…
Sirinieu, hit on the back of the hand, raised one eyebrow and looked at me.
“I’m sorry.”
…That startled me a little. I quickly apologized, then, glancing down shyly, added softly,
“You don’t have to apologize. I’m not running away—I’ll dance with you.”
“What?”
Sirinieu tilted his head slightly, as if dumbfounded.
“I endured the parade, so what’s a dance?”
“Were you trying to run away?”
Sirinieu asked, looking at me.
I felt like his purple eyes had deepened a little.
I shrugged.
“If I were going to run, I would have left already.”
“What do you mean by ‘you don’t have to’?”
“Huh?”
“You mean I shouldn’t compliment you?”
Why is he acting like this today?
I cast a suspicious glance at the person standing before me—is this really Sirinieu?
He caught my gaze and looked confused.
“They say women like to hear they’re pretty.”
I opened my mouth in disbelief.
Who taught him this nonsense? Didn’t he learn it wrong from a book somewhere?
Of course, his handsome face and awkwardness around women weren’t bad.
It was even better than being too skilled.
‘But that doesn’t work in this world either.’
After all, Sirinieu had to fall in love and get married in this story.
He might do fine just being handsome in this world, as a male lead candidate, but…
‘If he were just a little kinder…’
His relationship with Eloi could advance more quickly.
Even if he was brusque with all women, being kind to his woman was the best.
Just randomly saying he’s pretty would backfire.
Anyway, I was going to leave here, but before I did, I wanted to see Sirinieu happy in the ending.
If there was anything I could do to untangle the story I’d messed up…
While I was lost in thought, Sirinieu asked,
“Do you like my face that much?”
“Huh?”
It was obvious, but suddenly?
“You kept staring at my face.”
It seemed my gaze had been on his face while I was thinking.
“No, I wasn’t.”
I denied it first. It was true, but admitting it so directly was a bit embarrassing.
“Not true?”
Before I could finish, Sirinieu leaned closer and looked at me.
In an instant, his face was right in front of mine.
‘A too-handsome man this close is dangerous for the heart…’
I stared into his eyes, entranced, and nodded.
“…Your face is nice.”
At my answer, Sirinieu nodded with a satisfied smile.
I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to stop my mouth from acting on its own.
Sirinieu lifted his arm toward me.
My heart was on pins and needles, but my eyes were enjoying it…
I gave up thinking and placed my hand on his arm.
Before any more strange words could come from Sirinieu, I signaled the servant to open the door.
The door opened, and Sirinieu and my names were called. Everyone in the hall turned to look at us.
“Walk up to His Majesty the Emperor.”
I nodded and followed Sirinieu.
Walking along the path covered with a deep-colored carpet, I could hear people murmuring.
“Oh my, the color of her dress is so beautiful. I haven’t seen this design before.”
“The flower by her ear suits her well too—like a flower fairy.”
“Grand Duke Refrics looks splendid as well. Did they really match this well?”
It was hard to ignore the compliments, louder than I expected.
I felt my ears heat up and tried not to step on the hem of my dress.
I glanced at Sirinieu in the process—his expression was unreadable, as if he couldn’t hear anything.
So handsome guys really don’t care about this kind of praise.
I straightened up and walked along the carpet.
The Emperor sitting on the platform looked at me with a pleased expression.
I lifted the hem of my dress slightly and bowed.
“I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”
As I spoke, the Emperor stroked his chin pleasantly.
“I hope you enjoy this party, Miss Weddon, who accomplished such great deeds.”
“Oh no, I didn’t really…”
I bowed, and the Emperor stared intently at me.
He seemed pleased with my humility, but his deep gaze studied my face closely.
He smiled, but it didn’t feel like a normal smile.
“I have heard a general account, but I wish to hear from you about the details of this journey.”
“I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince has already reported.”
It seemed he would know more than I could tell.
The events from when we sealed the Demon Lord were already starting to fade from my memory, and my words trailed off.
“I wish to hear from Miss Weddon what she experienced.”
The Emperor kept smiling, but his gaze was serious. I lifted the corners of my mouth and replied.
“There was nothing extraordinary… but if Your Majesty wishes to hear, I will gladly tell you anytime.”
The Emperor nodded, seemingly satisfied.
“Enjoy the party today. I shall send another invitation soon.”
I bowed and left the Emperor’s presence.
Now, maybe I can hide in a corner…
As I rolled my eyes to find a good hiding spot, a familiar voice reached me.
“Miss Selene.”
A soft, gentle voice—Noel.
“Oh, Lord Noel.”
I quickly bowed in greeting.
Noel smiled brightly and extended his hand. I placed mine on top of his.
Noel lightly wrapped my hand, bringing his gloved hand to his lips.
It wasn’t unusual for a greeting, though not something we did often, so I didn’t think much of it.
But instead of looking at me, Noel’s gaze shifted to my side.
‘Hmm?’
Where his eyes landed was Sirinieu.
I tried to pull my hand back to avoid greeting him, but Noel didn’t let go.
When I looked at Noel in confusion, he smiled and spoke.
“As always, but today you look especially beautiful.”
“You flatter me.”
I smiled gently, trying to pull my hand away again.
But Noel held it tighter.
‘What is this?’
“Do you have something to ask me?”
I looked back and forth between his hand and his face, and Noel said,
“You are so beautiful I would very much like to dance with you. May I?”
‘Exactly. If you’re flirting, you have to do it like this.’
It was natural in expression and tone—I admired him silently.
Thinking of Sirinieu’s earlier ridiculous “you’re pretty” attack, I suddenly felt my hand suspended in midair.
“Huh?”
“No, that won’t do.”
It was Sirinieu.
He removed my hand from Noel and placed it on his own arm.
Noel’s hand was left hanging in midair, and he tilted his head.
“Why are you saying that, Grand Duke Refrics?”
“Because you are my partner.”
Noel’s eyes widened slightly. Glancing at me, he smiled lightly.
“I understand that. And you’re fast, too.”
“You knew, and yet you asked to dance?”
“As long as it’s not the first dance, it shouldn’t matter, right?”
Indeed, I had never heard that one must only dance with one’s partner.
Sirinieu was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by Noel’s words.
In the air, their eyes met.
I looked between their faces, feeling awkward.
Through the tense atmosphere, Sirinieu finally opened his mouth.
