Rolling in Bed with the Male Lead

Evgenia smiled softly.

"Since I am not inconveniencing His Highness, I do not see what the problem is, do you?"

"My Lady."

Daphne's lips trembled, her face rigid. Her gaze wavered.

It has begun.

Richard smiled coldly.

A villainess's specialty.

She had a talent for wielding her tongue like a blade. Right now, her underlying meaning was this:

To have a madman like that as a partner... Lady Beatus has truly fallen far.

The surrounding nobles began whispering among themselves.

Not an incorrect statement.

Why would she choose that man as her partner...

Lady Beatus has fallen quite far.

"..."

He couldn't allow himself to be dragged into this.

Richard immediately met her gaze and subtly raised the corner of his mouth.

"You remain unchanged as ever, Lady Evgenia."

Still desperate because you cannot tear Lady Daphne down yet?

Concealing his true thoughts, he continued.

"It is truly a sight to behold."

It is so childish I can hardly stand to watch.

Richard beamed a bright, pleasant smile. He was saying: How long are you going to keep acting so childishly toward Lady Daphne?

A seasoned opponent would have grasped his meaning long ago.

"My, my."

Evgenia's eyes curved as if amused.

"It seems Young Master Friedrich also remains unchanged, which is a sight for sore eyes."

The tip of her fan fluttered gently.

"However."

Her next words were cold.

"Young Master, you really ought to take a moment to reflect on the position that actually befits you."

Know your place and speak accordingly.

How dare you, a marquis's bastard, speak to me like that?

As the two engaged in their battle of nerves, the nobles pretending to converse began stealing glances in their direction.

Without batting an eye, Richard smiled beautifully.

"My position, you say."

"Yes, Young Master."

"I am well aware of my position. At the very least..."

Daphne looked back and forth between the two with an anxious expression.

Richard let out a short laugh and continued.

"...it is not so lowly that I must grovel beneath someone with such a foul temper."

At least, I have no intention of groveling before you.

"Hmm..."

Her eyes narrowed.

How dare you?

Arrogance flowed through her gaze.

A brief silence passed. Her rose-colored lips slowly parted.

"I, too, have no use for a dog that cannot be controlled."

She haughtily lifted her chin.

As if daring him to try something.

"I am nothing but grateful for your refusal."

"My, my. Coming from you."

Invisible sparks flew between the two.

"Young Master seems not to know the meaning of fear."

"You flatter me."

"Oh my. Did that sound like praise?"

"Was it not intended as such?"

The ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) atmosphere was gradually heating up when—

"Young Lord Sebastian Lutz of the Duke Lutz household has arrived!"

A soldier guarding the entrance announced the arrival of another ducal heir in a booming voice.

"..."

Her gaze flicked in that direction. After a moment,

"How amusing, Young Master Friedrich."

She snorted and turned away.

"By all means, enjoy the ball."

A derisive sneer that seemed to belittle her opponent lingered in her voice until the very end.

"..."

Ugh...

Watching her retreating back as she headed toward Young Lord Lutz, Richard clicked his tongue.

Just the sight of that woman makes me sick.

The unmistakable malice directed at Lady Daphne.

It was nauseating.

"Lady Evgenia never changes, does she?"

As soon as her back completely disappeared from view, Richard crossed his arms.

In any case, she was unpleasant.

"Yes, Richard."

Daphne cautiously patted Richard's shoulder.

"Are you all right?"

Worry colored her jade-green eyes.

"..."

Only then did Richard realize his expression had grown cold, and he smiled again as usual.

"Yes, of course, Lady Daphne."

Perhaps because he was receiving Lady Daphne's concern, Richard felt his mood inexplicably improve.

"Rather..."

Richard looked at her with a gaze full of concern.

"...are you all right, Lady Daphne? That lady..."

He recalled the words the villainess had spat at her earlier.

"Mm, I'm fine."

Daphne forced a smile.

"She's always disliked me, so..."

"..."

"It can't be helped, really."

Though she pretended to be fine, a hint of hurt colored her voice.

"..."

Richard swallowed a sigh.

It's always like this.

For a long time, the villainess had never hidden her blatant hostility toward her, and Lady Daphne had always felt bitter about it deep down.

Why on earth doesn't Lady Daphne hate her in return...

He wondered. Why couldn't she hate someone who despised her so intensely?

It must be because she's kind-hearted by nature.

The answer was readily apparent. Her innate, gentle disposition. Lady Daphne was clearly an angel who had fallen from heaven. How on earth did she hide those wings...

Just as his thoughts were straying into absurd territory—

Thump!

In an instant, all the lights in the banquet hall went out.

Only the central chandelier shone in the darkness.

The opening dance must be starting.

I'm so looking forward to it.

The nobles began murmuring in voices full of anticipation.

The brilliant light of the chandelier illuminated the man and woman standing at the center.

The hosts of the ball.

Duke Bilmar Chesika and Lady Evgenia Chesika.

Balls held by noble families typically began with an opening dance performed by the hosts.

"Evgenia. Go find a partner."

"Yes, Father."

The distant conversation between the two reached his ears.

"Hmm."

Richard's eyes narrowed.

So they are each finding their own partners.

He had thought the father and daughter would dance together...

In that case...

The villainess would choose a suitable young nobleman and ask him to dance. Given that she was known to harbor affection for the Crown Prince, she would undoubtedly choose a young lord unlikely to cause a scandal...

"Young Master Friedrich."

In that case, the likelihood that she would choose Young Lord Lutz was still high.

His disposition was gentle, and his family had no blemishes.

"Young Master Friedrich."

Even if he were a lady, he would have chosen that young lord.

"Are you not listening to me?"

Therefore, the villainess would surely... Huh?

"?.."

Richard blinked at the hand extended before his eyes.

Evgenia Chesika, clad in a bewitching violet dress that seemed woven from rose petals, stood before him with her hand slightly outstretched.

"To be lost in thought while I stand before you."

Her voice, one hand resting over her chest, held a hint of laughter.

"But it is a festive occasion, so I shall overlook the discourtesy."

Her violet eyes shone quietly, filled with interest.

"Would you share the opening dance with me?"

"?.."

Richard stood frozen.

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