~Chapter 35~
Aveline thought Count Juan was just picking a fight, but he was actually the one who almost ruined her life.
It was because of him that she almost got engaged to Viscount Berta, ended up in Theron’s carriage after hitting Berta, and accidentally absorbed Theron’s magic, which got her stuck in this mess.
‘It’s all because of him, isn’t it?’
Seeing the person who almost destroyed her life, Aveline’s heart went cold.
‘I can’t just let him go.’
She hadn’t met many people yet, but even Aveline knew she shouldn’t show weakness to someone who was openly hostile.
She remembered the scary, sharp-tongued characters from books and spoke to Count Juan.
“By the way, Count, could you please speak a little more quietly?”
“Quietly? Hahaha, are you worried someone will overhear?”
Count Juan laughed, thinking Aveline was embarrassed.
“No, it’s not that…”
Aveline looked straight at him and took a step closer.
Count Juan flinched, surprised by how suddenly Aveline came close.
“I was just worried about your vocal cords, Count. You must be used to looking up at people and shouting, but with me, you can speak softly. I’ll still hear you just fine.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, we’re at eye level.”
Aveline gave him a sweet smile.
“You’re making fun of my height…!”
Count Juan’s face turned red with anger as he realized what she meant.
Aveline opened her eyes wide and covered her mouth, acting innocent.
“Oh my, I never said anything like that.”
“Are you playing games with me?!”
Count Juan, having his weak point poked, lost his temper and shouted.
“Oh dear.”
Just then, someone clicked their tongue and came to stand beside Aveline.
“…Duke Ribes?”
Count Juan frowned, surprised to see Theron appear.
It showed on his face—he didn’t think a noble from the opposing faction like Theron needed to get involved in an Emperor’s faction quarrel.
‘When did he get here?’
Aveline was just as shocked by Theron’s unexpected appearance. She’d tried to get away from him on purpose.
Theron calmly stood next to Aveline, looking down at Count Juan with a relaxed face.
Count Juan, who was at least two heads shorter, had to step back just to see Theron’s face properly.
Theron spoke with an indifferent expression.
“It’s true Lady Herolds is being considerate.”
“What, what did you say?!”
A vein bulged on Count Juan’s forehead.
“I said you’re short.”
Theron just shrugged, not caring about Juan’s reaction at all.
“How can you say something so rude…!”
Count Juan trembled with anger, feeling defeated by words.
“I was just being honest. If you get angry at my honesty, that actually makes me feel a bit disappointed.”
Theron even copied Count Juan’s earlier tone.
“Are you teasing me?”
“Why would I tease you, Count?”
“You just said I was short!”
Count Juan huffed in frustration.
“Who are you calling short?”
Suddenly, the Crown Prince joined in, having heard the commotion and come over.
“Your Highness!”
Count Juan looked relieved, happy to have Serio on his side.
Serio was joined by Ares and Count Herolds, who had followed him.
“What’s going on here?”
Ares whispered to Aveline, confused to see everyone gathered.
Aveline quickly leaned over and explained what had happened.
“What?!”
Ares was shocked when he found out it was Count Juan who tried to set Aveline up with Viscount Berta.
He remembered everything that happened—the failed engagement and how Aveline got entangled with Duke Ribes.
Ares looked like he was ready to jump in, but Aveline hurriedly stopped him.
“Let’s just watch for now. It’s gotten big enough already.”
Now that so many people were involved, all eyes turned to them once again.
“Explain what happened,” Serio said, asking Count Juan directly.
Count Juan, who still hadn’t calmed down, suddenly pointed at Aveline.
“It’s all this young lady’s fault!”
‘Why is he blaming me all of a sudden?’
He was the one who picked a fight in the first place.
“What did Lady Herolds do?” Serio asked, turning to Count Juan.
“She insulted me!”
‘What?!’
Aveline couldn’t believe how ridiculous his accusation was.
“I saw something different.”
Logan, who had been watching from the start, stepped forward.
“I was with Aveline the whole time. Count Juan came up to us and started the trouble.”
“Hmm.”
With Logan stepping in, Serio’s face grew even more serious.
You could tell he was calculating how to handle this, since a fight between members of the Emperor’s faction at Marquis Nor’s party would look bad, especially with someone from the neutral Casey family (Logan) involved too.
‘This doesn’t look good.’
What bothered Serio most was Theron, standing there with a completely calm face.
‘Theron always shows up in the middle of everything these days…’
And, looking for a common point in recent incidents, Serio glanced at Aveline—who stared back with a look of frustration.
When their eyes met, Aveline’s expression drooped, making it obvious she felt wronged.
‘She’s easy to read.’
Serio couldn’t help but smile a little.
But then he locked eyes with Theron, who stared back blankly.
For a moment, Serio guessed that maybe Aveline was at the center of all these recent events involving Theron.
“Lady Herolds, come here for a moment.”
Serio called Aveline, clearly wanting to see Theron’s reaction.
Aveline looked surprised and worried at being singled out.
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
Serio answered, glancing at Theron from the side.
But Theron, as always, showed no emotion at all.
Was he wrong?
Just a moment ago, Theron seemed unhappy when Serio smiled at Aveline.
As Aveline hesitated and reluctantly followed Serio, looking like she was heading for the slaughterhouse, Theron finally spoke up.
“Your Highness.”
Serio, pleased to get the reaction he wanted, turned around.
“Yes?”
Aveline also looked surprised that Theron would call out.
Poor girl. Serio actually felt a little sorry for her, being caught in Theron’s gaze.
Still, he was sure Theron’s interest wasn’t romantic—he suspected there was a hidden motive behind even something like sending flowers.
“Please just leave Lady Herolds alone.”
Theron openly defended Aveline, but Serio kept his composure, curious to see how Aveline would react.
Normally, any young lady would be flustered by such attention from the famously handsome Theron.
But Aveline…
She glared at Theron sharply, as if warning him.
‘What’s this?’
And Theron—
‘Is he… smiling?’
To Serio’s shock, Theron gave a genuine, human-looking smile—a first in Serio’s experience.
‘There’s definitely something going on.’
Even if he didn’t know what, Serio could tell there was something only those two understood.
Just as Serio’s curiosity began to burn, Theron opened his mouth to speak.
