Chapter 2.4

One afternoon, the Weiand mansion became busy. One maid was working hard on Prillance’s hair, one on her face, and another on her nails.

Prillance was very happy with the luxury she received for the first time. But quickly, she became exhausted by the endless preparation that continued ever since the morning began. She closed her eyes and envisioned today’s plan, leaving herself in the hands of her maids.

Today was the day Prillance was going to implement her second plan. It was for this reason that the maids were in full spirit.

She was one of the people who thought that Prillance’s appearance, while worth a glance, was completely useless. However, this was the only weapon she had.

“Young miss, you’re all set.”

After putting on the dress, Prillance’s reflection in the mirror was really beautiful. The thick, half-braided hair with a half-ponytail, unlike the usually relaxed makeup, though not glamorous, gave her a graceful look.

Prillance gave one last determined look at her reflection in the mirror before finally climbing onto the prepared carriage.

Inside the rattling carriage, she closed her eyes and recalled Ver. A plan was needed for him to be happy.

Now that the first plan had been delayed, today was even more important.

Roman Tonz. The male protagonist of the novel. He was a Duke of the Arceo Empire and the King of the neighboring kingdom of Barua.

The kingdom of Barua was once a country under the rule of the Empire, but now it was an individual country with independent diplomatic powers.

Nevertheless, by inheriting the title as a Duke of the Empire at the same time, it was almost the same as being ruled by the empire.

He was cold towards strangers but warm towards his people. Unless it was a person he trusts, he was a man who does not give a single piece of sincere laughter. For Roman Tonz, Prillance was just a terrible woman chasing him.

But today she had to offer him an engagement.

She sighed at the difficulties she would face today.

She felt more nervous at the confrontation than the fact that today was her very first ball.

***

As soon as she entered, in line with the novel’s description of her as the Flower of Society, all the aristocrat ladies’ attention became focused on her.

Among them, Prillance listened, only nodding with a perfunctory smile.

Then, at the right time, she made her escape and headed toward the second floor lounge.

It was still early since the ball had just begun, so the deserted hallway was quiet. Prillance opened the door in front of her.

“I think it ’s somewhere here.”

She couldn’t remember the exact location other than that it was the lounge on the second floor. She carefully entered the room whose lights weren’t turned on. If she had known this would happen, she would have read the main character’s part diligently. She tried to turn on the lights.

Before she could feel the presence of someone else, someone pushed her against the wall and shut her mouth.

“Who are you?”

Because of the man’s hand covering her mouth, she couldn’t scream. Furthermore, because of the darkness, she couldn’t see the man’s face.

But Prillance had an idea who this man was.

She managed to reach out and turn on the light, and only then did she see the man’s face.

“Prillance. What are you doing here?”

Roman Tonz. He was the male lead of the novel and the reason she came to the ball today.

Roman soon withdrew from Prillance. Coldness and annoyance coexisted in his eyes.

“I greet the Duke.”

Prillance greeted him first, but Roman didn’t even bat an eye. It was obviously an attitude of disregard for her. It was also a quick glimpse into what kind of person Prillance in the novel was to Roman.

“I asked what you are doing here.”

Before she knew it, Roman was already seated arrogantly on the sofa located on one side of the lounge.

“…I have something to ask.”

“All this time you’ve been chasing me because of that curiosity.”

There was a chill of ridicule in his words. Yet, he still wasn’t looking at Prillance. She took a deep breath, thinking how glad she was that he wasn’t looking at her.

If her memories were correct, the families of Duke Tonz and Viscount Royne were engaged shortly after Grant’s aristocratic title fell. Prillance was going to change that.

“I want to know what your relationship is with Lady Royne.”

Only then did Roman look at her. Any woman would have been charmed by the handsome blonde young man’s appearance. If it weren’t for his cold eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

Unlike his sharp eyes, Roman asked as if he didn’t know what she was talking about.

“You’re having dates together, you two.”[1]

Only then did he get up and approach Prillance. His fierce dark green eyes were still looking at her.

“I didn’t know the Lady had attached someone to watch me.”

Before she knew it, she could feel Roman standing close by.

“I think I should listen to this story more closely.”

He was in a very bad mood now. He could see Prillance’s body cowering as if his anger was being directed towards her.

Prillance chased after Roman as if he was the only man in the world. But for Roman, he was used to women flinging themselves at him, so Prillance’s behavior wasn’t that new. Even if she had a high title as a Marquis’ daughter.

For him, Prillance was just a nuisance, just like any other woman.

Since childhood, Prillance had followed Marquis Weiand in and out of the his estate, becoming the closest woman by Roman’s side. Roman left her alone without giving an ounce of attention towards her.

When Prillance ostracized all the women in society who associated with Roman, he just let it be. Because all her actions meant nothing to Roman.

“How did you know about this?”

A low voice fell from Roman, who took a step between them. He never took his eyes off as he approached Prillance. If looks could kill, she thought she would already be dead by now. Though she expected him to be angry, this was far beyond her expectations. Prillance gripped the hem of her dress in fear.

“Even if I don’t attach someone to the Duke…anyone who comes in and out of your estate would know.”

Prillance spoke with difficulty in the surrounding heavy air.

“Lady Weiand. I think I’ve been quite generous to you, what do you think?”

Suddenly, Prillance was grateful for her status. Roman might have looked like he was about to rush in and grab her by the collar, but he didn’t show any movement in his voice or in his actions.

“An engagement to Lady Royne…are you going to do it? “

Prillance asked, sneaking away from Roman’s gaze. She wanted to look as calm as possible.

“If there’s a law that says you should be engaged when you go on dates with someone, then we would already be considered engaged. But thankfully, there is no such law in this empire.”

Roman grabbed her chin and looked at her. Faced with Roman’s angry gaze, Prillance instinctively stepped back away from him.

“Rather, I think it’s a lie to say that you didn’t attach people to watch me.”

Roman took another step closer, looking into Prillance’s eyes shaken with fear. Prillance again took a step back. When Prillance’s body touched the closed door and she could longer take a step back, Roman straightened himself and made the face of a languid predator looking at his prey.

“Lady Weiand, I’ll ask again. Did you attach someone?”

Because of the close distance, Prillance naturally looked up at him. She could not move her body at will as Roman channeled his anger towards her.

“…No. That’s…impossible. “

Prillance was so scared that she wanted to collapse right away. She struggled to speak as she grasped and crumpled her dress. Tears seemed to gather in her eyes. She felt like crying. Only then did the anger directed towards her gradually subside.

“Alright. I don’t know what I would have done to you if you had.”

Roman smiled beautifully. But the beautiful smile from Roman was never sweet.

Prillance nodded, not even thinking of breathing properly. After seeing her like that, Roman stepped back.

Only then did Prillance breathe weakly, exhaling the breath she was holding. He was pleased with Prillance’s appearance and smiled.

[1]The original word in korean here was to “eat together” i.e. they were meeting and eating together.