A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 44.1
As if asking, So? What now?
The bastard wiped the smile from his face and stared directly at me.
Thump.
That gleaming gaze made my heart feel like it dropped to my toes.
Reflexively, I turned to look at the Duke and shook my head.
He, too, seemed puzzled by the nonsense the bastard was spouting.
“Pardon? You mean… you want to speak with Edith directly?”
“Mhm. She’s the owner of the earring, after all.”
“Well, that’s true, but… then why don’t you play a round of chess with me until my eldest son arrives? Then we can all dine together.”
Well done, well done!
I cheered for the Duke silently.
‘So what are you gonna do now, huh?’
Even a guest couldn’t easily refuse when the host was offering this politely.
But the bastard exceeded my imagination with his madness.
“Tsk. Duke, you really are dense, aren’t you?”
“Pardon? What do you…”
“I mean, I want to talk to the Ducal Lady alone.”
“……”
At his words—words that could so easily lead to misunderstanding—silence fell over the entryway.
Everyone, including the Duke, turned to look at me with strange expressions.
‘You bastard…!’
Shocked, I flinched and shouted with a shudder,
“N-No! I’d actually prefer to talk with Father!”
“Yes, Your Highness. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but my daughter is still immature and not well-suited to receiving guests on her own.”
Thankfully, the Duke stepped in to smooth over the awkward atmosphere.
“She doesn’t even know how to properly express gratitude. I spoiled her too much, you see… Ha ha.”
“Father’s right!”
I quickly nodded in agreement.
“I don’t have anything to offer as thanks, Your Highness!”
“I don’t mind.”
“……”
“Well then, why don’t we share the story of that hide-and-seek game we played, right in front of the Duke…”
“W-Wait!”
Once again, I shouted to cut off his rambling.
Then, swallowing my tears, I calmly spoke to the Duke.
“…Father. I just remembered I have something to say to the Grand Duke privately.”
“Huh? You do?”
“Yes. I spilled a bit of wine on His Highness at the banquet, and I didn’t get the chance to apologize.”
“What? Then why didn’t you mention it sooner!”
The Duke scowled at my hastily made-up excuse.
I muttered again, feigning a dazed look.
“I fainted and was out of it. I just remembered…”
“How many times have I told you not to be so reckless… Ahem!”
The Duke, his face reddening in anger, was about to yell, but held it back after glancing at the Grand Duke.
Feeling a deep sense of defeat, I added,
“…I think it would be best if I apologized first in private, and then we can have our meal.”
“I’m terribly sorry, Your Highness. But if you’d be kind enough to forgive her, just this once…”
“Hmm.”
Male Lead #4, who had been watching my lies unfold with great interest, stroked his chin.
He looked like he was considering whether to play along.
I glared at him with all the curses I could muster in my eyes.
‘You bastard, you’re the one who said we should talk alone! Cooperate already!’
He grinned like he found my desperation amusing.
“Sure. A little spilled wine is no big deal.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“More importantly, Duke, have you heard why my head’s in this state—”
“Butler! Please prepare refreshments!”
At the sound of that bastard’s voice going off again, I hurriedly called out to the butler.
Then I urgently turned to the Duke.
“It would be terribly rude to keep the guest standing in the entryway too long, Father.”
“Ah, yes, yes, you’re right! Your Highness, do come in.”
“This way, please, Your Highness.”
I turned to Male Lead #4 and practically growled through gritted teeth.
He laughed brightly and said,
“Ha ha. I’m very much looking forward to seeing how you’ll apologize, Ducal Lady.”
I shivered at the face that seemed genuinely excited.
I wanted to run.
Or throw myself at the Duke’s leg and beg to stay.
‘Please, someone save me…!’
Thus began my dreaded reunion with Male Lead #4 after just three days.
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* * *
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Since I’d been to the parlor once before because of Vincent, guiding him there wasn’t difficult.
I took a deep breath in front of the door.
Then, turning the handle, I stepped aside.
“…Please go in first.”
“Shall I?”
He stepped in confidently, not a trace of hesitation in his gait.
I followed after him and quickly scanned the room.
Fortunately, there was a decorative flower vase on the table just beside the door.
The neck was long, perfect for gripping.
Without a sound, I grabbed it and hid it behind my back.
I left the door slightly ajar, not completely shut.
Just in case something happened, someone might hear and come running.
And just as I finished preparing myself.
I looked up.
A few steps away, my eyes met dead-on with those gleaming black pupils.
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