Chapter 23.
Vienna’s eyes widened at the sudden directness, while Roni remained completely composed.
They both already knew how they felt, so it was better to speak openly and form an alliance. With a flustered look, Vienna fanned herself and said awkwardly,
“Huff, was it that obvious?”
“I just have a quick eye for things.”
“Honestly, I came hoping to hear you say you were going to marry Allen. I thought it would be easier to stop my feelings that way.”
“I see…”
‘I knew it, so I pushed to meet with you quickly. You’re allowed to like Allen more. Right now, he may seem interested in me, but the truth is, he’ll end up loving you. That’s how the comic goes.’
Roni gently clasped Vienna’s hand resting on the table.
“For now, I’m planning to postpone the engagement until Allen comes of age. I know he’s talented, but I don’t want Romanit using him for their own ends. The Sharligane family is a shield for him.”
Of course, Allen didn’t really need that shield anymore. He’d been sponsored since childhood and had entered the magic academy with skills far superior to what he had in the comic.
He could now wield both sword and shield on his own. But there was no need to share all this with Vienna.
Then Vienna, looking concerned, said to Roni,
“I think Allen likes you.”
Maybe she thought his feelings were the most important thing. Ah, what a kind person. Roni looked at Vienna and delivered a decisive blow.
“Allen’s feelings aren’t love. It’s just the naive infatuation of a student mistaking admiration for affection.”
“But still…”
“Even if Allen likes me, I have no intention of marrying him. I plan to become an artist and travel the world.”
Traveling the world was another way of saying she would become a wanderer. It meant leaving the Sharligane family and living as a free person.
That was a shocking thing for a noblewoman to say. In the Ron Empire, noble children of age had to make a choice: marry their fiancé, succeed the family, swear loyalty to the imperial palace, or renounce nobility and live freely as a commoner.
But the option to live as a free person was mostly symbolic. It was meant to signify forging a new path outside the family’s shadow, but in truth, no one wanted to give up their noble privileges.
I mean, who would give up a golden spoon at birth and choose hardship?
But for Roni, that didn’t matter. She was going to disappear in a year anyway—there was nothing she couldn’t say. Vienna looked quite shocked at Roni’s declaration.
“This is actually the first time I’ve told anyone. Of course, it’s just between us.”
“I understand. If that’s what you’re thinking, your family would surely object.”
Vienna nodded in understanding. Roni could feel that she was listening sincerely. It was time to say the final piece.
“So I hope you’ll take Allen with you.”
“…What?”
Vienna stared at her in surprise, her cheeks slightly flushed despite the confused look on her face.
She really is lovely, Roni thought. The one who could make Allen happy was, indeed, her. Looking at Vienna, Roni gave a radiant smile, as if everything was completely fine.
“I plan to do my best to run away from Allen.”
The festival had begun. As expected, Allen asked Roni to be his dance partner. And unexpectedly, someone else also approached her for a dance.
It was the male lead, Ian.
“Sir Ian?”
“Surprised?”
A little? More like a lot.
Roni stared at Ian, wondering what he was doing now. He looked quite serious.
In the comic, Ian had a bit of an inferiority complex toward Allen. Though he was hailed as a swordsmanship prodigy since childhood, he had been overshadowed by the sudden appearance of genius Allen, which hurt his pride deeply.
Ian knew Allen was interested in Vienna, and at first, he intentionally approached her. That initial impure motive eventually turned genuine as he got to know her, and when Vienna was kidnapped, he had acted like a madman.
I guess a person’s nature doesn’t change. Roni felt a little bitter. She had hoped Ian would choose a different life this time since he’d been getting along well with Allen.
She felt the fondness she had for Ian cooling rapidly. What should she do with him?
“I’m Allen’s fiancée, you know.”
“I’m aware.”
“Aren’t you two friends?”
“Friends, and also rivals.”
“…I’ll have to decline.”
Roni rejected him flatly, like she didn’t even need to hear more. She felt she’d only be more disappointed if the conversation went on. But Ian was persistent.
“I heard you turned down Allen’s invitation. Does that mean you already have another partner?”
“No, I wasn’t planning to dance at all.”
“May I ask why?”
“Do I really need to explain?”
Her words came out curtly without her realizing.
Ian seemed startled by her response. He sighed quietly as he watched her turn away coldly.
This wasn’t what I meant… I think I seriously gave her the wrong impression.
In truth, Ian hadn’t planned to ask her to be his partner. He didn’t like dancing, and he wasn’t the type to hit on his friend’s girl.
It was just… Allen had been in a terrible mood lately. When Ian asked what was wrong, Allen confessed that Roni had turned down his offer to dance.
Ian had wondered if maybe Roni had someone else in mind, and out of curiosity, made a bold move.
But now, this icy response… it stung.
It’s not like I wanted her to hate me…
He hurried to explain.
“If I offended you, I sincerely apologize. I only asked because Allen’s been acting off lately. I wondered if you might already have a partner, and I didn’t mean to upset you. I apologize again.”
Roni’s eyes widened at his words. So he hadn’t meant to upset Allen on purpose.
Wait a second… You don’t hate Allen?
Ian didn’t know one important fact—Roni was an extreme Allen fan.
She felt bad for misunderstanding him. And then she had a thought—this could be a chance. If she danced with Ian, Vienna would be left without a partner.
Then naturally, Allen and Vienna would end up dancing together. It was simple but effective.
Roni called out to Ian just as he was about to walk away, looking slightly downcast.
“Wait a moment!”
“…?”
“Let’s dance.”
“…Excuse me?”
Ian wasn’t sure if he’d heard right. But Roni’s next words confirmed it.
“I mean dance. With me.”
Ian hesitated, sensing something wasn’t quite right. The young lady who had just treated him so coldly was suddenly warm and friendly.
“…Are you serious?”
“Yes. I’ve danced with Allen plenty of times. I thought it’d be nice to try with someone new.”
“If Allen finds out, he might kill me.”
“You’re the one who asked me first, Sir Ian.”
“Ah, my lady…”
Ian groaned. He hadn’t even gotten to hear the real reason for her earlier rejection, and now he felt like he’d walked right into a trap. A trap called Allen’s Wrath.
Unaware—or maybe fully aware—Roni beamed.
“Don’t refuse. If you do, I’ll tell Allen that you tried to flirt with me and formally accuse you of insulting me to the Bernique family.”
Now that he thought about it, she wasn’t just cheerful—she was dangerously skilled at threats. Ian found himself caught between a rock and a hard place.
If he declined, Roni would tell Allen and bring shame upon his family. If he accepted, he feared Allen’s reaction.
Who knew she was this scary? She didn’t seem like it…
No matter what he chose, it felt like the worst option. But Ian was someone who valued his family. There was nothing to gain from offending the Sharligane family. In trying to help a friend, he had put himself in danger.
Ian thought of Allen for a moment. They were close, but not as important as his own family. And they had gotten pretty close recently—maybe Allen would understand if he explained it well.
Determined to come up with a convincing excuse before Allen found out, Ian looked at Roni with pleading eyes and said,
“Then… please don’t tell Allen. I’d rather not die before I get to dance.”
“Of course.”
Roni smiled more brightly than ever. Ian had the strange feeling that she was a bit wicked.
Oddly enough, she even reminded him of Allen a little. The more he got to know her, the more fascinating she became.
