A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 143

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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143.

I widened my eyes at the remarkably high number.
‘What on earth happened while I wasn’t looking?’
Come to think of it, it had been quite a long time since I’d last seen him.
The last time I saw Dylan was when we talked behind the Security Bureau Building….

― I was wrong, Edith.
― Please forgive me just this once.

The memory that suddenly surfaced brought back the unpleasant feeling.
I reflexively furrowed my brow, and I could still feel his gaze burning against my cheek.
‘Why is he looking at me like that? So overbearing!’
I tried to slip my body behind the large man beside me, but his hazel eyes quickly followed.
“What? Do you know someone here?”
Serge, who had keenly noticed my movement, turned to look at me with a puzzled expression.
“Oh, no. It’s nothing….”
“Count Frederick’s eyes are practically shooting lasers.”
My attempt to act indifferent was in vain as he immediately wore a mischievous grin.
I pouted my lower lip and grumbled.
“If you know, then please hide it.”
“I thought only my eyes were sharp… but this has become troublesome.”
“What are you talking about?”
The moment I tilted my head in confusion at his cryptic words.
Whoosh―!
He suddenly pulled my waist forcefully with one arm.
“Act like someone who’s taken, that’s what.”
“Yelp!”
I let out a sharp cry at his sudden audacity.
But he didn’t stop there—he pushed through the crowd and dragged me relentlessly toward somewhere.
Straight toward the stage in the center of the ballroom!
Realizing what he intended, I cried out urgently.
“I, I can’t dance!”
“It’s fine. I can’t either.”
Just then, the music changed.
From a slow, subtle atmosphere to a fast, intense tempo.
“No, wait…!”
“Just do one turn.”
Whoosh!
He shoved me roughly toward the center of the stage as if spinning a top.
Panicked, I couldn’t even scream as centrifugal force forced me to spin in a complete circle.
Thud—
Losing my balance and stumbling, Serge suddenly appeared like lightning and pulled me back by the waist.
“Ugh…!”
“Ha ha.”
As my vision spun dizzily, a soft laugh brushed against my ears.
When I reflexively lifted my head, I saw a man gazing at me with a bright, childlike smile.
The same man who always kept his expression rigid like a demon, or wore only eerie, unsettling smiles.
Truly delighted and joyful…
Thump.
In that moment, strangely, my chest fluttered, and the bandoneon’s violent melody abruptly ceased.
It was a sensation I’d felt once before.
When was that?
Ah, yes… when I’d just finished the massive purification in Acarna?

— Look at that, Princess.
— Impressive, isn’t it?

His expression as he gazed at the cascading waves of purification light was exactly like now…
When I stared at him in stunned surprise.
Whoosh!
He spun me halfway around, nearly lifting me off the ground, then suddenly spoke in a low voice.
“You truly cannot dance.”
His words snapped me back to reality.
Indignation surged through me, and I gritted my teeth in protest.
“…Your Majesty isn’t exactly graceful either!”
“Why? For self-taught, isn’t this quite excellent?”
“You’re not even following the steps!”
“Just sway to the music and spin a few times—that’s dancing. Now, Princess. Turn!”
“Ahhh!”
He spun me like a top again, pushing me forward.
As my vision whirled, the chandelier’s light scattered wildly across my sight.
I couldn’t even count how many times he’d made me spin.
“Huff, huff…”
Finally, as the music ended, I stood exhausted, breathing heavily.
‘It’s over… you madman…’
Standing there gasping, he infuriatingly remained composed, his breathing undisturbed, smiling handsomely.
“It was an honor, Princess.”
And then, as if he were a well-mannered gentleman, he bowed to me with perfect posture.
“Let’s dance once more in a moment.”
“Don’t spout such nonsense….”
I whispered in disgust.
Clap.
Suddenly, applause erupted from somewhere.
And then….
Clap clap clap clap clap―!
“Bravo―!”
“My goodness, I’ve never seen steps like that before! What country’s dance is it?”
“To think the Grand Duke and the Young Lady would be so passionate… they truly live up to being tonight’s stars!”
Suddenly, cheers and applause poured forth.
Startled, I looked around and saw countless people surrounding the stage.
‘…Did all these people just witness that spectacle?!’
I was horrified.
But that wasn’t all.
Among the cheering crowd, two people with stiff expressions stood out distinctly.
Vincent and Ethan.
‘…!’
The moment I realized they had also been watching this impromptu dance show, my face burned so intensely I thought it might burst.
“See? Everyone’s hoping for an encore, Young Lady.”
Watching that man spout nonsense with a satisfied expression as if he felt no shame at all, I felt my head throb.
Without a word, I turned sharply away from Serge.
But the moment I took a step, he grabbed my skirt.
“Where are you going?”
“Water! I need water!”
“What about the encore?”
‘Forget the encore!’
Smack―!
Shuddering, I swatted his arm away and hurriedly retreated to a corner.
‘Why does this wretched ballroom not have a single balcony!’
Since the Emperor himself was attending, there was hardly anywhere to hide.
Fortunately, the middle of the ballroom opened directly into the garden.
After receiving a glass of champagne from a passing attendant, I finally managed to escape the gazes fixed upon me by reaching a secluded spot among the foliage, far from crowds and flowers.
Glancing back at the brightly lit ballroom, I could see that handsome face already surrounded by many people, laughing shamelessly.
‘Why is my luck with partners so abysmal.’
I’ve only attended Imperial Palace balls twice since coming here.
A man who provokes my anger at every turn, and a man who dances with me recklessly yet feels no shame whatsoever.
I couldn’t decide which was worse.
‘I just wanted to receive a medal and go home….’
I was letting out hollow laughs in disbelief when it happened.
A soft footstep.
Suddenly, I sensed a presence.
Turning my body with a start, striking crimson hair as vivid as my own dress caught my eye.
A man in a deep navy suit, his expression dark and brooding.
It was Dylan Frederick.
‘So that’s why I didn’t see him earlier….’
I felt a slight shock that he’d actually chased me all the way here.
As I stared at Dylan, his lips moved slightly.
“…That was a magnificent dance.”
“….”
“Would you honor me with a dance as well?”
It was absurd.
He chased me all this way just to ask me to dance?
‘Is he mocking me or something?’
I wondered if he was joking, but Dylan’s face held no trace of amusement—only earnestness.
And those eyes, so melancholy and lost in some deep sorrow—what was that about?
‘How ridiculous. What could he possibly think we are to each other?’
I scoffed inwardly and answered immediately.
“No. I’ve exhausted my strength.”
Despite my clear refusal, he merely flinched and didn’t retreat easily.
“Are you… feeling alright?”
“….”
“I heard you collapsed and grew concerned. I sent my men several times, but received no reply….”
“Thank you for your worry. Then.”
Had the situation been more favorable, I might have considered using him as well in my ‘Project: Bring Ruellin Back.’ But.
After that exhausting ordeal, I simply had no such inclination.
Besides.

93%

The high rampage stat glittering above his head was deeply unsettling.
The omens were far from favorable.
Desperate to escape that oppressive gaze and the numbers hovering before me, I quickly bowed my head and was about to slip past him when—
“I would like to have a conversation with you.”
He blocked my path faster than I could move.
“…Is there truly anything left for us to discuss?”
“This is information of utmost importance to the Young Lady. If you refuse to hear me now, I intend to report this matter directly to the Security Bureau and His Majesty the Emperor.”
“….”
“Would that still be acceptable to you?”
He spoke in rapid succession, as though the words could barely contain the urgency behind them.
‘Blackmail really is second nature to him.’
I clicked my tongue in disapproval, crossed my arms, and fixed him with a sharp, sideways glare.
“If this information is truly so important, then by all means—share it.”
“It appears…we have all been deceived this entire time.”
“Deceived about what?”
“About Ruellin.”
He swallowed hard, then forced the words out with visible strain.
“The one who has been purifying the Awakeners, including myself, all this time—it was not Ruellin….”
“….”
“It was you, Edith Blake.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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