IHDOE Ch 29
Satina watched Sharlan's retreating form as he departed as if fleeing the scene.
[Satina] "What is wrong with him all of a sudden?"
[Liv] "It is presumed that psychological changes are occurring as the target character's Affection increases."
[Satina] "Yes, his Affection did rise suddenly."
When he picked a fight abruptly, as always, she merely dealt with him, yet his Affection rose. Though the reason remained unknown, rising Affection was hardly a bad thing.
Bickering with Sharlan just moments ago left her chest suffocating. The music played by imperial musicians and the chatter of the crowd both struck her ears as a noisy racket.
[Liv] "Heart rate is rising. Caution regarding stress levels is required."
[Satina] "I know."
[Liv] "How about taking a stroll in the garden?"
[Satina] "A stroll?"
[Liv] "Roses in the Imperial Palace garden are famous for not wilting even in summer. Liv shall guide you admirably to a secluded location."
[Satina] "Alright, please do."
She stepped out into the garden following the system's guidance.
Though a winter night, warm heat emanated from magic tools placed throughout, rendering it far from cold.
Carefully tended by imperial gardeners, the palace garden was breathtaking as rumored. Despite the winter, lushly blooming flower buds overflowed with vitality.
[Liv] "How is it? Beautiful, isn't it?"
[Satina] "Indeed. Pretty."
[Liv] "Stress index is steadily decreasing. A positive phenomenon."
Following the system's guidance, Satina walked slowly along the garden path.
Then a strange noise caught her attention. From somewhere in the rustling bushes came the faint sound of a groan.
Did someone sprain an ankle?
This area was deserted, so perhaps they failed to find anyone to help.
Her footsteps headed toward the bushes. Parting the bushes, a loud chime rang out even before she could comprehend the scene unfolding before her eyes.
[Liv] "First encounter with Target Character 1! Fame increased by 2."
Under the moonlight, two lovers shared an intensely passionate kiss inside a pavilion that would make anyone blush. Firmly embracing the waist of the woman mounted atop him, the man raised his gaze and looked at Satina.
Lexion Rudnis. The Crown Prince of the Empire and her fiancé.
Satina recalled her twenty-third birthday. On that day, a birthday no one celebrated, she headed toward her fiancé's palace to meet him.
Before recalling memories of her past life, Satina was lonely, wishing anyone would celebrate her birthday. The Crown Prince didn't reject her visit.
As expected, I have only His Highness.
Unaware that knights guarding the palace mocked her, Satina stepped into her fiancé's palace with a fluttering heart. And she witnessed a pair of lovers leaning affectionately against each other.
The instant she saw that scene, emotions suppressed under long-standing neglect and disdain from her family exploded.
[Satina] "How could Your Highness do this to me? How! How on a day like this……!"
Screaming wildly, she grabbed the hair of the woman beside the Crown Prince and struck her cheek. The woman's shriek echoed through the room, bringing the knights rushing inside at the commotion.
Restraining Satina—who was gripping the woman's hair and screeching furiously—the knights forced her to her knees and dragged crying Satina out of the room.
No noble young lady had ever suffered such rude and brutal treatment. Moreover, Satina was a ducal daughter of House Bersabet and the Crown Prince's fiancé.
Yet Lexion merely looked down upon Satina as she was dragged out like a dog with emotionless eyes.
Yes, with eyes just like right now.
[Liv] "Heart rate excessively elevated. Deep breathing is recommended.
The Anxiety levels were high. Caution regarding the player's current state is required.
The player must exit the current situation!"
Successive notification chimes awakened her senses. She slowly blinked, taking in the scene unfolding before her.
Lexion continued kissing his partner while maintaining eye contact with her. As their kiss deepened, scandalous sounds echoed.
Satina decided to assess this situation calmly.
So that fellow was Target Character 1.
Even with someone met for the first time today, a certain amount of Affection normally accumulates based on first impressions. Yet Lexion's current Affection stood at absolute nothing.
Despite maintaining a betrothal for several years, he held neither affection nor dislike toward Satina, remaining akin to a complete stranger.
To him, I was less than a roadside pebble or weed.
Which was why he could look upon her being dragged out of his palace with such cold eyes.
Satina decided to leave this place for now. She held no desire to witness such a messy display any longer.
Just as she turned to leave, her dress hem brushed against the bushes with a rustling sound.
Held in Lexion's arms during the kiss, the woman turned her head upon noticing a presence.
Ah, it was that woman after all.
Though guessing faintly from her back, it was indeed the woman present on Satina's birthday as well.
It was Coraline, ducal daughter of House Radius.
Offering a triumphant smile toward Satina, Coraline wrapped her arms around Lexion's neck once more.
Satina watched the scene quietly. Previously, seeing such a sight brought tears of sorrow and grief, yet now no thoughts occurred to her.
It feels like watching a wildlife documentary.
The sheer secondhand embarrassment of watching a couple make out on the subway made her wonder why people ever do that in public.
Exactly that much. She had no desire to interfere between the two.
Though accepting Coraline's provocation on the spot was an option, doing so personally was unnecessary. Thus, she brushed past the two as if looking at strangers.
And once the two faded from sight, Satina quietly commanded Lekan, who followed her.
[Satina] "Lekan."
[Lekan] "Friend! Here!"
At her call, Lekan—hiding within the shadows of the bushes—folded its wings and perched upon her arm. Stroking its head, she spoke.
[Satina] "Will you go give that woman a gift?"
As she fed it a piece of dried meat, Lekan flapped its wings in excitement.
[Lekan] "Gift! Like!"
And it vanished into the darkness of night once more.
Meanwhile, Coraline cooed while leaning against Lexion's shoulder, utterly unaware of what was about to happen to her.
[Coraline] "Your Highness, what are you thinking about so deeply?"
What is this? Thinking about a woman like that while with me?
Annoyed, she caressed his waist and whispered.
[Coraline] "It has been so long since we met. Do you not miss me, Your Highness……"
[Lexion] "Strange."
He murmured.
[Coraline] "What is so strange?"
Despite her question, his gaze remained pinned beyond the bushes where Satina had vanished.
At any rate, that woman Satina was useless. Disturbing the time she spent with the Crown Prince for no reason.
I wish she would hurry up and die somewhere.
Coraline failed to comprehend how such a wretched woman still occupied the position of the Crown Prince's fiancée. Even if Satina was a Bersabet ducal daughter, Lexion could dissolve such a betrothal at once if he wished.
Besides, House Radius would help as well.
Just as Coraline attempted to draw his attention again by kissing his cheek, a rotten fruit splattered down atop her head with a squelch. The foul-smelling fruit dripped slowly down her beautifully styled hair.
[Coraline] "K-Kyyyaaah!"
While she shrieked, the bird vanished into the darkness once more.
Scrambling up from Lexion, she frantically pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her face. Sticky pulp matted through the hair, styled beautifully for the ball, creating a chaotic mess.
Her face collapsed into tears in an instant.
Returning to the ballroom in such a state was impossible. Even if she wished to order the capture of the bird that did this to her, how could anyone catch a bird that had already flown away?
[Coraline] "Sob……"
Watching Coraline's retreating form as she fled in haste, Lexion burst into laughter.
Glaring resentfully at him, Coraline hurried toward the powder room as the fruit dripped down her forehead.
Coraline's shriek echoed from afar.
Looks like she received the gift Lekan delivered.
Returning to the ballroom, Satina viewed the quest window.
[Quest: Successfully attend the Imperial Ball.
Current Progress: 80% (Time remaining until quest completion: 1 hour)]
Having walked around for quite a while, staying just a bit longer would be enough.
Walking around outside made me thirsty.
As she deliberated which wine among the vast selection lined up in the ballroom to drink, a relaxed voice sounded from her side.
[Lexion] "For this season, I recommend the fruit wine."
Startled by the familiar voice, Satina turned her head to the side.
Crimson hair and golden eyes emanated an overbearing presence even while standing still.
Dressed in fine clothes and acting according to etiquette, yet unable to erase his inherently wild air, the man was the fiancé whose eyes met Satina's just moments ago.
Why is he speaking to me all of a sudden?
Normally, he would remain unaware that Satina even attended the ball.
Having passionately kissed another woman just moments ago, his behavior in approaching her out of nowhere was baffling.
While she fell into brief thought, Lexion approached her once more. She attempted to pull back to avoid him, but he grabbed her wrist, refusing to let go.
He even displayed useless kindness by placing a wine glass directly into her hand.
What is he doing?
While she pondered, Lexion drew closer and caressed the corner of her eye. The sensation of rough fingertips touching delicate skin felt far from pleasant.
[Satina] "……What are you doing?"
At her question, he murmured.
[Lexion] "You are not crying."
Requested by readers—hope you enjoy it! If you do, feel free to leave a rating or review on KakaoPage, Naver Series, Ridi, and Novel Updates.
🤌🏼