Chapter 8

"Eh? What did you say just now?"

At the dining table where the menu is tailored to my body, I froze.

"I said I made a dress for the next party."

Thanks to my guidance, the menu for my father and the others has changed from a rich, fatty one to a health-conscious one. My father, whose skin has improved significantly over the past few days, tilted his head.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Um, um, um, um, um, could it be that I already replied to it a long time ago?"

"A month ago."

Damn! I've been had!

Since my father has already given his permission and it's a promise from last month, I can't break it.

He must have known and came to remind me!

Now there's no choice but to go to the party.

I have no other option but to go.

"Did you not want to go? I thought it would be fine since you always attend parties."

Father asked cautiously, perhaps thinking he had upset me.

"No, it's fine."

Maybe if I ask, Father will say I don't have to attend.

However, not attending a party I've already agreed to is a breach of etiquette.

I don't mind if only I get criticized, but since Father gave his permission, I don't want the family to be criticized.

I sighed at the nervous Father.

"I'll go and leave quickly."

"You're not going to enjoy the party!?"

I ignored Father's comment and was only thinking about how to slip away on the day of the party.

◇◇◇

"You came."

In the carriage, Lewis said arrogantly, and I wanted to slap him.

"I didn't come because I wanted to."

I glared at Lewis.

He doesn't understand how much energy it takes to dress up for a party.

I don't mind wearing beautiful dresses, as long as they don't drain my energy.

"I knew you were coming from the beginning, didn't I?"

Since Father had approached me a month ago, he must have been confident I would come.

"No, I can't tell with you. You always slip out of parties halfway through."

"That's because my body can't handle it!"

Even though I told him last time, Lewis doesn't seem to believe me.

I was about to complain more, but the carriage stopped with a jolt. We had arrived at our destination.

Lewis smoothly offered his arm.

"Technically, we are engaged, after all."

While feeling irritated by Lewis's words, which clearly conveyed that he didn't want to, I placed my hand on his arm.

"That's my line."

I'm not doing this because I want to be Lewis's fiancée.

Lewis seemed annoyed by my implication, but I ignored it and started walking.

When Lewis and I entered the venue, everyone's eyes turned to us for a moment, but we walked on as if we didn't notice.

We greeted the host of today's party.

"Thank you for inviting us."

"Ah, please enjoy yourself."

The Duke of Bolfil, the host of today's party, greeted us warmly. We moved away to make room for the next guests.

Then Lewis released my hand from his arm.

"From here on, we'll go our separate ways as usual."

Without a care, Lewis left me behind and joined the party crowd.

Incidentally, this is our usual routine.

It clearly shows how much Lewis doesn't want to be with me.

"Normally, engaged couples stay together at parties..."

I couldn't help but say it spitefully.

At parties where engaged couples are invited together, it's expected that they spend time together.

Not doing so is only for couples who are extremely incompatible.

In other words, Lewis and I are such a couple.

"I don't want to be with Lewis either..."

I don't want to, but...

I felt tears welling up from the piercing gazes.

Ah, I can tell everyone is pitying me... the poor girl whose fiancé ignores her...

I didn't want to attend the party not only because of my health but also because of these gazes...

"Oh, it's Lady Fiona."

"When will you leave today?"

And I didn't like the gossip either.

Yes, I am the hated villainess.

I'm never at parties until the end (due to poor health),

My expression is stiff and looks angry (due to poor health),

I'm always distracted during conversations (due to poor health),

And sometimes my tone is harsh (due to poor health).

"Thinking about it, it's no wonder I'm hated..."

If I had known the reasons for my behavior, I wouldn't have been treated this way, but before I regained my memories from my past life, my pride prevented me from telling anyone about my weak constitution.

As a result, I became just an unpleasant person.

Ah, why did my past self have such unfathomable pride...

As I recalled my former self with a distant look, someone approached me, who usually had no one near her.

"Lady Fiona."

I turned to the voice.

There stood a young lady.

Her long, vivid red hair flowed smoothly, and her slightly slanted pink eyes looked straight at me, showing her strong will. Her excellent figure was evident even through her dress, and her beauty, which could be seen even with her mouth partially hidden by a fan, made both men and women sigh.

Red hair. Pink eyes.

I knew who she was just from that.

She snapped her fan shut.

"I have a warning for you."

She is the daughter of the host of this party, the Duke of Bolfil, the top candidate for the Prince's fiancée, and the belle of the social scene.

"You should be more careful."

She is the other villainess in this game, Camilla Bolfil.

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