A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 30.2
Fortunately, Vincent didn’t open his mouth again all the way to the Imperial Palace.
The carriage, passing through a dazzling city of lights, slowed as it crossed the palace Gates.
Bang!
Before it had even fully stopped, Vincent jumped out and strode away.
Let him do what he wants.
I waited until the carriage came to a complete halt before stepping down slowly.
“Welcome, Ducal Lady.”
Even without a decent partner, a knight of the Imperial Guard quickly approached to offer his hand.
Vincent was already at the entrance to the ballroom, showing his invitation.
‘With that temperament… Who’s the real villain here, anyway?’
I clicked my tongue and carefully gathered my dress, making my way up the stairs.
At the very top, it happened.
“Take it.”
A hand suddenly reached out in front of me.
When I looked up, Vincent was staring down, his brows furrowed.
“You told me to use you, right? We need to look the part.”
“I thought you’d given up when you rushed ahead.”
“As if I’d do that.”
He gave a wry, irritated laugh and waved his hand at me, urging me to hurry.
I let go of my skirt and was about to place my hand on his, when—
Smack!
Before I could even touch him, he quickly snatched my left hand.
“Ah…!”
And before I could react, he yanked me forcefully into his arms!
A strong arm cinched tightly around my waist.
“If you’re going to do it, do it right.”
He sneered at me as I floundered in surprise.
Until now, I hadn’t really cared what he said.
But if he actually put his hands on me, that was a different story.
“Could you at least give some warning before you act?”
“I can’t give you a chance. You always try to weasel out of things.”
“Whether I do or don’t is none of your business.”
With that, I lifted the high heel hidden under my dress and stomped hard on Vincent’s foot.
Crack!
“Aaagh!”
He howled, bending over and clutching his foot.
“Damn it, Edith!”
Ignoring him, I walked over to the attendant standing at the entrance.
“Here.”
“Ducal Lady Edith Blake, confirmed.”
After the invitation check, I turned to see Vincent hobbling over, glaring at me with bloodshot eyes as if he might kill me.
“Are you insane?!”
“Hold it in. People are watching.”
Just like he did earlier, I flashed a bright smile and offered my hand.
“…Damn it!”
Apparently worried about appearances, he grumbled and straightened himself up, grabbing my hand roughly.
Crack—
His grip was so strong, it felt like my fingers might snap.
My fingertips turned white from lack of blood, and a dull pain set in.
But more than the pain, the fact that I’d gotten back at him felt incredibly satisfying.
I leaned in close and whispered quietly to him.
“I told you, if you tried anything else, you wouldn’t like what happens.”
“You…”
“Don’t ever touch me without permission again, Vincent.”
Not unless you want to embarrass yourself in front of Llewellyn.
As his golden eyes widened, I immediately pulled away.
At that very moment, the attendant announced our arrival in a booming voice.
“Introducing Young Marquis Vincent Leandro and Ducal Lady Edith Blake!”
The timing was perfect.
As soon as we entered the ballroom, everyone’s eyes were instantly on us.
“Oh my, look over there!”
“That’s Ducal Lady Blake, isn’t it? The one who had a funeral recently…”
“So it’s true she came back from the dead!”
“Isn’t that Young Marquis Leandro beside her? Why’s he with Ducal Lady Blake instead of the Purifier…?”
Naturally, I was the main topic of conversation.
‘Well, bursting out of my own coffin, it can’t be helped.’
I was newly grateful I’d taken the butler’s advice.
If I hadn’t brought a partner, I’d be even more of a spectacle.
Inside, I glanced sideways at my partner, who still wore a murderous expression.
‘Cheap things come with strings attached… It really feels like this is more trouble than it’s worth.’
Vincent and I made our way to a suitably quiet corner, out of the crowd’s attention.
We had to wait for the female lead to appear.
Despite the fuss from the carriage to the ballroom entrance, Llewellyn was nowhere to be seen.
“Let go of me.”
Checking that a column now shielded us from view, I tried to pull my hand away.
But he wouldn’t budge.
He didn’t even look at me, just muttered,
“Stay still. Llewellyn isn’t here yet.”
“My fingers feel like they’re going to break because of you.”
“……!”
At my words, he looked down at our joined hands in surprise.
My fingers were not just white but turning blue, sticking out between his large, crushing grip.
They looked like they’d been crushed.
Snap—
As soon as he saw it, he jerked his hand away as if shaking off something filthy.
“Are you stupid? If it hurts, you should say something!”
The saying goes, ‘He who dealt it, smelt it.’ That was exactly the case.
I didn’t even bother to respond, just snorted and massaged my bloodless hand.
“Weird. Every time I’m with you, something always seems to hurt.”
And it wasn’t even an exaggeration.
From Edith’s death, to the pollen allergy, to this. Every time I saw Vincent, my opinion of him reached new lows.
“…Even so, is there really any reason I should keep associating with you?”
When I glanced at him, his face had gone pale, as if shocked by my words.
“You’re the one who stepped on my foot…”
He grit his teeth, trying to answer, when—
“All rise for His Highness, the Imperial Crown Prince—!”
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