IDEFYEM - Chapter 52
Black Man, I'll Do Everything For You Except Marriage!
"Well, something urgent has come up for me, so I have to go now."
"I, too, please forgive my rudeness."
The two nobles who had invested the largest amount in the duchy left in a hurry. There was a sense of agitation even among the nobles who had invested a small amount of money in entertainment due to their departure.
Now those who have returned home will begin their own investigation.
They say there is no one who doesn't get dust when they shake something off, but the Duke was a particularly serious person. In addition to what I said lightly, serious problems will rise to the surface.
It's enough to divert the Duke's attention elsewhere for the time being and give me some free time.
'Just try hard to fix it.'
I made a very embarrassed expression and spoke as if I didn't know what to do.
"Why is everyone.... I didn't make a mistake, did I?"
"Is that possible, Young Lady? It's okay."
No one would think that I would go to such lengths to intentionally cause damage to my family. The eyes that were wary of me gradually decreased, and new eyes appeared as if they were looking at a missing bomb.
It wasn't a very pleasant feeling, but at least I didn't have to worry anymore.
'A big hurdle has been overcome.'
Just then, the orchestra, which was playing cheerful music with good timing, changed the atmosphere to a calm melody.
The chamberlain hurriedly walked out and announced the next schedule.
"His Royal Highness the First Prince will come out soon to personally congratulate the winner!"
Wow, this wasn't what I expected. At most, I thought it was a toast to the winner, a congratulation from the Prince.
It's burdensome... No, it's really burdensome.
Especially now that I know that the other person may have joined hands with the Duke in a bad way. But it wasn't something I could avoid just because I wanted to.
Soon, people all bowed their heads and began waiting for the royal family to appear. Following the servant's guidance, I walked forward on the long carpet.
And I was bent over for a period of time that felt quite long.
Jerk, jerk.
Soon, the sound of footsteps approaching the throne was heard. The first Prince, who could not sit on the chair yet, stopped and said.
"Raise your head."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
I bowed politely and straightened my back, which had already become stiff. And then I made eye contact with the Prince.
'Oh, that face....!'
The main villain of the novel I was possessed by was Grand Duke Kronhardt.
Due to the nature of the novel featuring the kingdom's second Prince as the main character, the first Prince also did not have a positive image.
When I looked at his physiognomy, it was indeed the same.
Although he was not very ugly, his face lacked the majesty of a royal family, with a hint of meanness and meanness embedded in every corner of his features.
I remembered what I heard during my meeting with Sophia a few days ago.
"The Second Prince is a crazy boss, but... He is a good leader."
When looking back on their actions, it was the Second Prince who achieved good work results and was not involved in accidents. However, I heard that trouble is brewing due to the succession order that prioritizes the eldest son.
I swallowed those sentiments, but the Prince did not hesitate to criticize me.
"You're as beautiful as I heard."
"Ah... Thank you, Your Highness."
"I was wondering why that iron-blooded Grand Duke Kronhardt was crazy about women."
Why is the story about the Grand Duke coming up here again?
I covered the corners of my mouth and pretended to smile, my tight mouth quivering.
The Prince laughed heartily and finally got to the point.
"Congratulations on your victory. Lady Wintersoar. You had good friends."
It may sound like an obvious compliment, but there is a different meaning behind it. I think I won the championship thanks to those who gave me their prey.
'It scratches gently, this thing."
Although he was an unlucky person according to my first impression, I answered with a smile.
"Thank you for the honor, Your Royal Highness."
"Now then, let's toast to our winner!"
Fortunately, the conversation was short-lived. The nobles who were looking this way all raised their glasses.
"For the honor of the winner!"
A lot of attention and attention.
I smiled, trying to look as natural as possible. As I raised my glass, the taste of victory went down my throat.
The first Prince quickly left as if he wanted to show off his royal dignity. Anyway, there were many people who would feel uncomfortable if he was here.
After the short meeting. I went back to where I was before.
"The winner is back!"
"Ah, haha...."
That was the moment when I laughed awkwardly. The lights that were brightly lighting up the surroundings went out all at once with a clicking sound.
I wondered if it was the wind, but the air here was calm indoors. Despite the nobility's murmurs, the situation continued, and soon even the remaining candles began to go out.
It happened in just a few seconds.
'What on earth is this...?!'
The banquet hall, which relied on lanterns to maintain bright light, suddenly turned dark. Pitch-black darkness covered my vision so much that I couldn't even see an inch in front of me.
And not long after, a noble Lady's loud scream broke the momentary silence.
“Aaaah!”
"S-It's an attack! It's war!"
"Calm down! Don't just run out, evacuate in an orderly manner, ugh!"
"Aww, Mom, Mom!"
A complete chaos broke out with everyone making noises. I started shouting against the wall to avoid being swept away by the crowd.
"CA, calm down, everyone!'
I'm using luminescent magic right now...
"That's a bad idea."
At that time, an eerily low voice reached my ear. I trembled, shaking my shoulders and hastily leaning back.
'I'm used to this bass.'
I felt it before, but there was an unforgettable foreignness in the voice. In the meantime, there were loud footsteps on both sides, as if people were evacuating.
He and I were the only ones standing quietly in the huge hall where everyone was running around.
Grand Duke Raphael Kronhard.
"Are there any injuries?"
The voice I heard again contained unexpected content. I nodded my head up and down, trying to understand the discomfort.
It was a low, low sound as if it had been artificially modulated. A power outage that seemed intentional, and a man who appeared as if he had been waiting.
No matter how much I thought about connecting the two, it all led to one conclusion. I thought carefully and then asked with a trembling voice.
"Is this what the Grand Duke did?"
I took a small breath as the man nodded in silence. Could it be that he is trying to kill me under the cover of darkness without even a rat or a bird knowing...!
But if that was the plan, he wouldn't have asked if there were any injuries.
I shook my head and clenched my fists. Thinking of Sarah and Sophia, Enrica.
'I decided not to be prejudiced!'
"Why, no... Rather, what are you planning to do to take care of it?"
"It's okay, the Prince owes me a debt from the hunting banquet."
As I listened to the sentences pronounced in a flowing voice, there was a thought that somehow wouldn't leave my head. Some people might say what a ridiculous idea this is.
'It looks like that when Kael's voice is altered.'
Goosebumps appeared on the back of my neck. That can't be possible, but...
"Excuse me, but may I know the color of His Highness's hair?"
In the end, even though I was shaking, I couldn't hold back and asked in a loud voice.
The Grand Duke answered in the dark, tilting his head slightly to the side.
"My hair color is...Very bright."
"..."
"Don't you like it?"
"Yes?"
It was an unexpected answer perfectly suited to an unexpected question. If I think about it carefully, the Grand Duke wasn't a very adventurous person even in the original work.
Although he was a ruthless villain, he knew how to wear a mask during social life and got along with people appropriately.
After remembering that, I set the mood with a reasonably light answer.
"Yes, I didn't know, but I tend to like men with dark hair."
In the pitch-black darkness, a small sound of laughter was heard. Wow, it makes me laugh too.
I opened my eyes and scratched my chin for no reason. It was meant to make me laugh, but I really didn't expect that to happen.
The last person to open the door and go outlet a ray of moonlight shine into the inside of the banquet hall. At that time, I looked up and caught a glimpse of the Grand Duke's hair.
It was undoubtedly a bright, pale yellow gold as if she were wearing a wig. Even if I look back, I can't remember if the villain was portrayed like this in the original.
'It doesn't fit the image.'
While I narrowed my brows and pondered, the Grand Duke spoke in the quiet banquet hall.
"I heard that the ceremony will be held soon, but I don't think there will be a chance to talk before then."
"Ah, yes...."
"So is life on the run fun?"
Cough. Cough.
I let out a few dry coughs at the sudden question.
"No, ask why first."
"Yes? Why?."
"Why did you do that? Now I need to hear the whole story."
The Grand Duke asked in a voice that revealed his humanity for the first time. I felt pressured to answer that question properly.
"Why did you run away from me?"
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