KFBRV Ch 70
- Feb 10
- 6 min read
[Johan's Loathing: 50]
I knew it.
There was only one emotion that made his voice sound like that.
Jealousy toward another man.
When she had played through the <Reverse Harem Route> in her past life, she had intentionally chosen every option that Johan hated. Through that, she had once managed to push his Loathing level to exactly 50.
It was a voice that emerged when one could not fully trust the other person due to repeated disappointments, yet still harbored a lingering trace of affection.
That specific level of loathing, that expression, and that tone—everything was identical. It gave her the certainty she needed.
His Affection is definitely above 10. Perhaps even over 20.
She had never imagined that Johan, who had despised her to such an extent in her previous life, would develop affection for her now.
I don't know how it happened, but since it exists, I might as well use it.
She decided to test him.
[Odette] "My eye for men is not that poor, Your Highness. It is simply that no man had asked me to dance."
She offered a bitter smile as she spoke. Her voice carried a hint of shame, as if she were embarrassed by the truth.
The admission made her appear more fragile, her voice ringing with a hollow sorrow. Johan stared intently at her.
Unlike the time I showed him the scar on my leg, he isn't looking away.
She did not avert her gaze either.
Soon, the opening notes of a waltz began to drift through the hall. He reached out and snatched the dance card hanging from her wrist.
[Johan Müller Lützens von Barzeha]
He flipped the card open and scrawled his name in elegant cursive. The pressure of the pen suggested a certain level of obsession.
[Johan] "......Whew."
He took a deep breath and extended his hand to her.
[Johan] "Lady Odette. Would you care to dance a song with me?"
The words were identical to the ones Johan had spoken three years ago. Back then, she had replied with vitriol.
[Odette] "I hate the very thought of it. Why on earth should I dance with Your Highness?!"
[Odette] "Terribly—"
Odette began her reply with a playful smile, using the same word she had in the past. He seemed to remember her old response as well, as his body instantly froze.
[Odette] "—lovely, gentleman. I would be happy to do so."
But unlike that time, her answer was different. She reached out and took his hand.
The moment her hand, encased in a long lace glove, made contact, his arm flinched before he steadied himself.
As he faced her, his expression was a complex map of emotions, but it was clear he did not find the touch unpleasant.
[Johan's Loathing has decreased by 5.]
The status window confirmed her suspicion.
As she took his hand and stepped out from the terrace toward the dance floor, audible gasps and exclamations of surprise erupted from the crowd. Zion, who had been leaning against a wall, also fixed his gaze on her.
Johan and Odette. Not only were they both known for avoiding the dance floor at such events, but they were also famous for being bitter enemies. No one could have imagined them dancing together so harmoniously.
Even Odette herself found it hard to believe.
It's a good thing I sent Paula out early.
If the Count or Ferdinand had received a report of this, they would not have left her in peace.
I'm not worried about rumors. As long as there are no photographs, I can make up any excuse I want.
Besides, the Count wouldn't have the luxury of worrying about a ball for a while. The moment he returned to the mansion, he would discover the imprisoned Mrs. Becker. However, if the Count's eyes and ears were currently present, that would be a different story.
[Johan] "I know it's petty and foolish to ask this......"
His voice broke through her musings. It was tinged with self-derision.
[Johan] "But my dancing is significantly better than that Corporal's, isn't it?"
[Odette] "It's a cruel comparison. That Corporal only learned to dance at the military academy. Your Highness, however, received private lessons from the finest instructor in the Empire."
She treated it as light small talk and answered with a bright tone, but he countered her with surprising seriousness.
[Johan] "I haven't danced in three years. I haven't even practiced."
You're a Transcendent, aren't you? Moving your body is thousands of times easier for you than for a normal person.
Moreover, it made no sense for a male lead to dance worse than a mere extra.
She kept these thoughts to herself, not wanting to break the pleasant atmosphere. She simply nodded.
[Odette] "Your Highness possesses overwhelmingly superior skill. You can tell just by looking at the people watching you."
At some point, Marco had returned. Standing behind Johan among the guests, he was glaring at Odette as if he intended to burn her alive.
I have to get rid of Marco, too. He is likely my father's most loyal set of eyes.
She decided she would still meet him on the terrace as soon as this dance ended. She would meet that damn potato man immediately and—
[Johan] "Good. I want everyone to forget the dance with Marco. I want the dance with me to be the only thing etched into your mind."
Preoccupied with her plans to handle Marco, she failed to catch Johan's low murmur.
After some time had passed, Johan, who had been performing a flawless waltz, suddenly came to a dead stop. Because they were already the center of attention in the ballroom, the guests' eyes were immediately fixed on them.
[Odette] "Your Highness......?"
When she looked up, his face was flushed a deep crimson.
[Johan] "......You, the scent of flowers...... suddenly......"
The scent of flowers?
Realizing that his words were related to her "Purification" ability, she recoiled instinctively.
Why the scent of flowers? There shouldn't be a problem with the fragrance.
She had even taken a dose of real Mengele earlier that morning just to be safe.
Is the smell of roses too overwhelming for him?
Just as she was about to take a few steps back, her surroundings shifted instantly.
Suddenly, she was standing in the space she had only seen in her dreams—the realm of the Heart Wasps.
......What? Why am I here all of a sudden......? I was clearly in the Imperial Palace.
She looked around with a confused expression.
......What? Why...... Did I fall asleep?
The wasps with heart-shaped wings had almost entirely vanished. Only a few remained, flickering weakly on the parched, cracked ground.
She stared at the tree that looked like a giant stake. She had thought it was dead, but now, pale green leaves like new sprouts were emerging from its branches. It was as if she were watching a time-lapse of a budding tree in real-time. She watched the tender green sprouts as if possessed.
In the very center of it all, a single flower bud—pop—began to bloom.
[Odette] "Ugh!"
Her vision snapped back to the ballroom. She was back to her original state, her waist held by Johan as they danced.
[Johan's Loathing has decreased by 3.]
She looked around, her face filled with confusion.
What was that just now? Was it a hallucination from exhaustion?
[Johan] "Are you alright? You suddenly lost all strength."
To his question, she answered calmly.
[Odette] "Ah...... it's nothing. I just felt a momentary dizzy spell."
Judging by the flow of the waltz, only two or three seconds had passed. It was unbelievable. To her, it had felt as though she had been watching the flower bud for at least several minutes.
[Zion] "What is wrong with you? What happened?"
Zion, who had been leaning against the wall, was now standing beside her as well. Conveniently, the orchestra's waltz performance ended at that moment.
[Odette] "I need to get some fresh air for a moment. I'll be on the terrace, so please do not follow me."
She spoke with a coldness and a strictness that was rare for her. It was a firm attitude quite unlike the way she had been catering to the male leads for the past month.
Perhaps because of her tone, both Johan and Zion stopped in their tracks.
Thanks to that, she was able to head to the terrace alone.
The reason she had been so firm was because of the status window that had appeared before her eyes.
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