When the Villains Unite - Chapter 13; Part 2

He knew he had sent an invitation to Ashik, but he was perplexed by my presence as his partner. I had a reputation for never mingling with aristocrats among his friends; he had sent an invitation to the Duke’s residence, but was rejected… Of course, I wasn’t the one who rejected it.

“I know how much the men of Orca adore the princess, and if I were afraid of them, I wouldn’t be able to speak to her so easily, either.”

“The Duke is also so…. Wait, but why did the Duke approach me first?”

“It isn’t good practice to ask questions you already know the answer to, Rose.”

Is this where his acting starts?

I covered my mouth and pretended to be shy in front of him. He smiled as if I was adorable.

It was a good idea to wear a long-sleeved dress today. I felt the hairs all over my body stand up as I looked at his brilliant double personality.

“Seeing the two of you today, I think we can expect some good news for the Empire this year.”

“Um, Marquis. We aren’t that close ye-”

“I’ll feel bad if you put it that way, Rose.”

“Ashik… I thought we were only supposed to say our names in private!”

With all due respect to Marquis de Swanchette, Ashik and I clucked like a pair of chickens. He gave us a friendly smile, apologized for the interruption, and wished us a “good time” before walking away. Apparently, he had no intention of lingering around us.

As he walked away, Ashik and I locked eyes.

“The princess is quite the actress.”

“Although the Duke almost made me break character when you called my name so casually.”

“I wonder, was that what caused your eyes to twitch earlier?”

“Hmmm… Was it obvious?”

“No, I was just close enough to see it.”

I rubbed the corners of my eyes. I didn’t realize how awkward it would be to show affection to someone other than the Orca brothers.

When did the Orca brothers tame me? And how did they do it so well?

When I first entered the book, my feelings were stronger for the faceless Ashik than for the villainous brothers. Now, the opposite was true and I felt hollow without the two men around. As proof, I had only just arrived at the party, but I already began to feel an unexplained thirst for them.

My eyes naturally searched for Dion Pessil, hoping to quickly return to the mansion.

As I did so, Ashik’s gaze was already focused on one spot.

I turned my head in that direction, and I saw a man with pale, red hair talking with other noblemen. Even while talking to others, he noticed and looked over toward us.

“… Huh?”

I was about to ask Ashik if I had seen correctly when I saw Marquis de Pessil’s expression, which faded too fast for me to discern.

Ashik was visibly relaxed as he looked toward Dion. Then, the corners of his mouth started to lift without realizing it, so I quickly stepped on his foot.

“Duke, your face….!”

“Ah….”

At this rate, even if he doesn’t want the Marquis to know his feelings, the Marquis will realize it.

At my words, Ashik hastily schooled his features. He looked down at me, and when I nodded that he was fine, he escorted me over to where the target for today’s scheme was standing.

The nobles, who were watching us with curiosity, made way for Ashik and me as we crossed the ballroom, missing their opportunity to greet us.

It was only when Marquis de Pessil looked around to find the disturbance did he figure out the cause. Ashik, already standing in front of him, greeted him with an elegant smile.

“Dion.”

“Duke…”

He gave a curt bow to Ashik, then did the same for me. I curtsied back, relaying proper greetings.

Ashik called the Marquis’s name in such a friendly manner that I had no choice but to assume they had grown much closer.

“I haven’t seen you since the last time I was at the manor. How have you been, my dear princess?”

“I am as well as always. It’s good to see you after so long.”

I smiled at the Marquis, who slid a little closer to Ashik’s side.

I didn’t think much of him last time, but he was actually a good-looking man. His pink hair, near-black purple eyes, and skin that was almost as pale as Ashik’s made his fluid features stand out.

They look good together like this. It’s not just their colors, but their auras, and the ideal height difference…

“I’ve heard so much about you from the Duke. So, I was wondering what you were really like in person.”

“Ah… I was wondering if the Duke of Euassis told you about me…”

He looked at the two of us with a puzzled expression. I was told that he was meticulous and sharp despite his adorable appearance, but I was surprised to see him a bit dazed.

“You have a big heart for the poor despite your position. I heard that you’re building a private hospital in the slums this time.”

“… Yes. Apparently, they can’t afford the Empire’s expensive medical facilities.”

“How generous of you… Many lives can be saved thanks to you. Marquis, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to make a donation in Orca’s name… Is that okay?”

He remained dumbfounded as he listened to me, but he snapped back to reality at the sound of a donation.

I’m sure he didn’t realize that the most welcoming words he could hear just came from me, Rose von Orca, sister of Bellamy, who rejected his proposal to help the poor.

“If you want to, I have no reason to refuse…”

“Don’t worry about my brother. He is a nice guy who listens to my opinions, despite what he may seem like otherwise.”

“Ha, I thought Bellamy was a nice guy… You must have heard a lot of other nonsense in your life.”

Ashik snorted at his response.

“That’s just the Duke picking and choosing the things I don’t like.”

“Well, if you’re with her, he can’t help it. Do you not like it?”

“Not really, but…”

Yes, he is stuck with me for now.

To anyone else’s ears, it sounds like he’s with me because he loves me so much. However, in his current state of mind, that is the opposite of what he means.

I don’t want to be stuck with Ashik, either. When I go home, I’ll have Bellamy and Damian waiting for me! Of course, Damian is away at the moment…

I covered my mouth with my hand, afraid that my embarrassed expression would be noticeable. At that moment, a cold voice came from in front of us.

“You two… seem to be getting along well.”

“No, not so much… Dion?”

Watching out interaction, the Marquis de Pessil gestured to the servant carrying the wine glasses, picked one up, and drained it all.

His abrupt actions caused Ashik to snatch the glass from him. Just as I was beginning to think that the wine that slipped past his lips was a good look, Ashik brushed the corner of his mouth with an affectionate touch.

“You’re not a good drinker… I’m going to put this away.”

Seeing the concern in Ashik’s way, the Marquis stepped back and frowned.

“The Duke is kind to everyone, I see. The princess is watching, so you shouldn’t do anything to mislead her.”

“Mislead? What do you mean…?”

“Ha… this isn’t it.”

Muttering in a small voice, his face hardened and he turned away. He took one look back toward me, though.

“Princess Orca.”

“Yes?”

“I apologize for not being able to give my proper goodbye today. I will be contacting you at a later date about the sponsorship.”

He finished in a low voice and bowed to me. I couldn’t help but notice his dark expression. The marquis rushed out of the ballroom before Ashik and I could catch up to him.

“This… is that…?”

Ashik, who had maintained a relaxed demeanor throughout the whole conversation, lost his composure as if his previous position was a lie.

His upper body hunched over and it seemed like he was ready to run after the Marquis at any moment. Even so, he looked in my direction and cautiously spoke.

“… Princess, can you confirm my judgment?”

“….”

“This… Is jealousy, right?”

“Wait, you haven’t chased after him yet?”

“Ha… Right. Orange hair, light yellow dress, pearl necklace. Please.”

“Don’t worry about me, just go after him.”

Watching Ashik leave the room, I silently encouraged him to have the most successful night of his life. Then, I approached Susan Sperryn.

It was odd that we, who had come to the party together, were now moving in opposite directions, but what the hell. Ashik’s two-year crush is finally jealous after seeing me with him!

As if on cue, Lady Sperryn, who had been waiting for Dion to leave, tried to follow him.

“Lady Sperryn?”

 Kofi