Chapter 70
[ ‘Johan’ Dislike Level: 50 ]
As expected… I knew it. The only emotion that could make Johan speak to me like this—
Jealousy toward another man.
When I played through the <Reverse Harem Route>, I had purposely chosen only the options that Johan would hate. With that, I’d once managed to push his dislike level all the way up to 50.
Because I’d been disappointed so many times before, I couldn’t fully trust him. But even so, there was still that particular tone he used whenever he had some favorability toward me.
The same dislike value, the same expression, the same tone of voice as back then. Everything was identical. That’s why I could be certain.
His favorability has to be at least 10. Maybe even 20 or higher.
In my previous life, I would never have expected Johan, who hated me to that extent, to ever develop positive feelings for me…
I don’t know how it happened, but since it did, I should make use of it.
I decided to test him.
“My taste in men isn’t that awful, Your Highness. It’s just that no one has asked me to dance.”
Odette smiled bitterly as she said that, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
That only made her sound more pitiful, more empty. Johan stared at her intently.
Unlike the last time I showed him the scar on my leg, he isn’t looking away.
Odette didn’t avoid his gaze either. Soon, the prelude to a waltz began. Johan swiftly tugged at the dance card on her wrist.
「Johan Müller Lüzens von Bartseha」
He opened the card and scrawled his name in elegant cursive, the force of his pen strokes almost obsessive.
“…Hoo.”
Then, after a deep breath, he held out his hand to her.
“Lady Odette. May I have this dance?”
The very same words Johan had said three years ago. And back then, Odette had replied—
“Absolutely not. Why on earth would I dance with you, Your Highness?!”
“Absolutely—”
With a playful smile, Odette began with the same words as in the past. Johan froze for a second, clearly remembering her old rejection.
“—yes, sir. I’d be delighted.”
But unlike before, her answer was different this time. She placed her hand in his.
The moment her lace-gloved hand touched his, Johan flinched, then gripped firmly. His expression looked complicated, but one thing was certain—he didn’t dislike it.
[ ‘Johan’ Dislike Level decreases by 5. ]
The system message popped up.
As Odette and Johan walked from the terrace to the dance floor, hand in hand, gasps and murmurs of astonishment rippled across the hall.
Even Zion, who was leaning against the wall, cast a glance their way.
Neither Johan nor Odette was known to dance at events like this. In fact, they were infamous for being sworn enemies. No one could have imagined the two of them dancing together.
Not even Odette herself had imagined it.
Good thing I sent Paula away beforehand.
If the Count or Fernand received word of this, they would never let her off the hook.
I don’t have to worry about rumors. As long as there aren’t any photos, I can always make excuses.
Besides, the Count wouldn’t have time to worry about a ball anyway. The moment he returned home, he’d find Lady Becker locked up.
But if the Count’s eyes and ears were here tonight, that would be a different story entirely.
“…I know this is childish and stupid to ask, but…”
Johan’s voice cut into her thoughts. His tone carried self-mockery.
“Wouldn’t you say my dancing is much better than that sergeant’s?”
“Such a cruel comparison, Your Highness. That poor sergeant only learned to dance at the military academy. You, on the other hand, received private lessons from the empire’s finest dancer.”
Odette replied lightly, thinking it idle chatter. But unexpectedly, Johan answered with sincerity.
“I haven’t danced in three years. Haven’t practiced either.”
You’re a transcendent, aren’t you? Anything physical should be thousands of times easier for you than for normal people.
Besides, he’s the male lead. There’s no way he could be worse than some random extra…
That’s what Odette thought, but she didn’t want to spoil the mood. So she simply nodded.
“Your Highness’s skill is overwhelming. Just look at all the eyes on you.”
She glanced past Johan’s shoulder. Among the guests, Marco stood glaring at her as though he could burn her alive with his eyes.
That bastard Marco has to go too. He’s Father’s most loyal spy.
Yes, once this dance ended, she would meet with Corporal Marco on the terrace. And right after, she would deal with that damned potato bastard—
“Good. I hope no one ever thinks of me in the same breath as Marco. I want the only dance in their memory to be the one I shared with you.”
But Odette, distracted with plans to get rid of Marco, didn’t hear Johan’s low mutter.
Some time passed.
As they continued their flawless waltz, Johan suddenly froze mid-step.
Because Odette and Johan had already been the focus of the room, their sudden stop drew every eye.
“Your Highness…?”
Odette looked up to see Johan’s face flushed red.
“…Your scent—it suddenly… flowers…”
Flowers?
Realizing it must be connected to purification, Odette instinctively recoiled in shock.
Why flowers? There shouldn’t be any problem with the scent.
Just in case, she had already taken the real Mengele antidote earlier that dawn.
Is it because the rose fragrance is too strong?
As she stepped back, suddenly—
Whoosh.
Her surroundings changed in an instant.
Odette now stood in the place she’d only ever seen in dreams—the land of the heart-wasps.
…What? Why am I here? I was in the imperial palace just now.
She looked around, bewildered.
Did I fall asleep somehow?
Most of the wasps with heart-shaped wings were gone. Only a few weakly twitched on the cracked, parched ground.
Her eyes lifted to the enormous tree stump in front of her. She had thought it dead, yet pale green sprouts were beginning to emerge.
It was like watching a timelapse of new life bursting forth. Entranced, she stared at the tender shoots.
And then—at the very center, a single flower bud bloomed open.
Hah!
Her vision snapped back to the ballroom. Johan’s arm was around her waist again, supporting her as before.
[ ‘Johan’ Dislike Level decreases by 3. ]
Odette looked around, shaken.
What on earth was that just now? Was I hallucinating from exhaustion?
“Are you alright? Your body suddenly went limp.”
Johan asked. Odette calmly replied,
“Ah… it’s nothing. Just a momentary dizziness.”
Judging from the orchestra’s music, only two or three seconds had passed.
Unbelievable.
She had watched that flower bloom for minutes, at least.
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
Even Zion had come to her side now. Just then, the waltz ended.
“I… need some fresh air. I’ll go to the terrace, so please don’t follow me.”
Odette’s voice was uncharacteristically cold and stern.
For over a month, she had always spoken gently to please the male leads. But now she was utterly firm.
Perhaps because of that, both Johan and Zion stopped in their tracks. Which allowed her to leave alone for the terrace.
The reason she had spoken so firmly—
Was because of the status window floating before her eyes.
