“…Lady Latni, I was worried regarding your sudden absence from the salon these past few days.”
“I heard you have come back from a three-month vacation. Did you enjoy your time?”
“When will you return to the salon? It wasn’t entertaining in the least these days, now that Lady Latni wasn’t present… It was quite fun showing off my slaves to the lady.”
I casually glanced over the startled nobles that rushed across the ball to greet me.
The salon… I’m sure they’re referring to the perverted meetings where the nobles boast, torment, and enjoy assaulting each other’s slaves.
As I recalled the contents I’d previously read from the book and frowned silently, the noblemen and women all looked on and shut their mouths, alerted at my sudden change in expression.
“I will not be attending the salon anymore.”
“…Yes?”
“B-but why?”
One person, taken by surprise at the noble’s bluntness, striked the man’s shoulder, which then caused them to fall smack on the chair. I don’t know why the original Serrine enjoyed such entertainment, however…
I am not the ‘real’ Serrine, so I absolutely refuse to engage in such perverted hobbies.
“Lady Latni, please take a look at this.”
“…”
As I turned my head indifferently with my chin held upward, a shining jewel happened to catch my eye. An unknown nobleman kneeled before me with a tomato-red face and pulled the object towards me.
“This is the jewel you wished for the last time. It is made of the mermaids’ tears.”
“La, lady Latni! Please see my present. This is a necklace I have brought from another country for you.”
I scanned the shining jewel with my index finger.
What would the original Serrine say at a time like this? I’m sure she’d ignore the jewels they presented, wear an arrogant expression on her face, and comment something such as: “Get out of here.”
But of course I was different. Though it was after I learned there existed no favor that didn’t require cost.
The fact that I was currently sitting here on behalf of the ‘real Serrine’ was the result of thoroughly ignoring that ‘unpaid favor’.
“I will not be having conversation with anyone who hands me jewelry in the future, so get rid of it.”
The jewels embroidered on the skirt of my dress glistened brilliantly against the light of the chandelier as I leaned my back against the sofa.
All the people who heard my sudden declaration nodded ecstatically as they put away the gifts.
‘Why do you seem so elated in such a situation?’
They’re really weird guys. I can’t believe everyone’s blushing after being cursed like this.
A deep sigh escaped my mouth.
What on earth did Serrine think when hanging out with these second-class nobles and hosting such meetings?
“Young lady of the Count Latni.”
I heard a familiar voice calling for me as I pressed down on my burning temples and tried to sort out my complicated thoughts. In the meantime, the admiring cheers and whispers of the spiritual noblemen and young ladies could be heard.
‘Yes, it’s about time.’
As I turned my head with a resigned expression plastered on my face, a man in an all white uniform was smiling brightly. The main character of today’s social party, Prince Paryan. His perfect appearance caused the young ladies to bow their heads and shy away from his blinding halo.
“I have something I wish to tell you in private… Could you spare me some of your time?”
He asked in a sweet, tender voice, as sweet and soft as madeleine. Surely others would believe that the soft madeleine was safe to eat and enjoy, but somehow I felt as if I would choke the moment the cake slipped down my throat.
He had always been conscious of other people’s eyes, so he was currently using formal speech while addressing me.
‘Yeah, I’d rather take you than deal with all these people.’
As I nodded and gently accepted his outstretched hand, I could immediately sense the envious gazes of the young men and ladies who were surrounding us. Prince Paryan also seemed to have felt their stinging eyes as he triumphantly raised his shoulders, a satisfied and fulfilled expression written on his face.
He always remained overjoyed whenever I was beside him, as if he carried a top-class jewel instead. Perhaps that was the purpose of my presence.
‘He’s bluffing.’
It was the balcony across the party hall where the Crown Prince led me toward.
He closed the window of the balcony and shut the curtains so that no one could hear our conversation. After that he turned and smiled delightfully at me.
“You are still beautiful today, Serrine.”
“…You seem to have forgotten what I told you last time. I made it clear that I didn’t wish to hang out with his Highness the Crown Prince privately.”
“Won’t you be attending the salon any longer? It’s been more than a week since you last arrived from your trip, but you haven’t hosted one.”
I conveyed I didn’t wish to speak any longer by covering my mouth with the fan I was holding. Paryan smiled awkwardly and continued his speech.
“Have you been offended by the rumors circulating lately? I don’t think so. Because your *heart is as wide as the sea.”
*TL/N: Meaning her kindness knows no bounds; she’s really kind.
“It’s narrower than the guts of a cow flea, but it seems you haven’t realized just yet.”
“It is just a rumor that April, your childhood friend, will become the prospective Crown Princess. Serrine, to me, you are my only Crown Princess.”
“April would be disappointed if she heard you.”
“The only person that can give me such a lively feeling is… Serrine, you’re the only one.”
“Just live happily ever after with April. No, that’s what you’re going to do, so there’s no need to go through all the trouble.”
Frustrated by the conflicting responses, he frowned. Conversations with this man always turn out to be like this.
Gorgeous blonde hair that brightened when reflected against the sunlight, gentle green eyes that curve oh-so softly and beautifully, in addition to transparent, clear skin that I doubt ever underwent hardships before. Including his tall nose and sharp jawline.
In short, he is a man who had it all.
‘Why is this guy so…’
If I had not known the contents of the original work, he would’ve been so dazzling in my view that I would’ve fallen for him at first sight.
“Your Highness, Crown Prince Paryan.”
I raised my head to face the beautiful man and drew a smile as fresh as the spring breeze. He seemed to take my smile positively, as he also laughed along with me.
“Next time you pretend to know me like this, I’ll spit on your pretty face, so be prepared.”
The face of the Crown Prince Paryan crumpled and he stood like stone. I, on the other hand, turned away with a pleasant and refreshing aura, leaving him alone atop the balcony.
Everything was perfect and fine.
Except for one thing. The fact that I became Serrine Latni, the villainess of this novel, who was to be killed by the sub male lead due to her disrupting the main protagonist’s happiness.