I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 80

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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80

“One more song….”

Kail grabbed my hand and muttered that, so I scolded him.

“What are you talking about when you don’t even know the dance moves properly? I’m tired. I want to rest.”

Originally, thanks to diligent practice, I could easily handle about five songs in a row, but I was exhausted from having to lead Kail, who was 1.5 times larger than most men.

My mental energy was also depleted.

Kail pressed my hand firmly before letting go, frowning and pursing his lips.

Making such a sulky expression, he overlapped with his boyhood self.

I found it amusing and almost laughed, but held back.

I moved away from the center and returned to where the audience had gathered.

Kail, who had been suggesting we dance one more song with regret, followed behind me like a puppy.

Brother approached us with fierce eyes.

“Kaileus, did you really learn to dance? You were utterly clumsy.”

Starting with nagging right away upon reuniting with Kail after several years was so typical of Brother.

“Rieze’s first dance partner was supposed to be Darius, so what’s this, you troublemaking brats?”

Then he scolded both of us.

Though calling us brats when Kail is now bigger.

Darius, the actual person whose dance partner was stolen, laughed while covering his mouth with the back of his hand, as if he simply found this situation enjoyable.

If I had danced the first dance with Darius, I would have certainly received the spotlight. I would have immediately become the standout protagonist of this social season.

But it’s fine.

I was worried whether it would interfere with Adel and his romance if Darius and I became entangled like that, and thanks to this, I reconciled with Kail.

Brother grumbled that he had made a losing deal. Fortunately, Kien wasn’t nearby, having gone out to dance with another young nobleman.

Father approached stealthily and greeted Kail with a strange smile.

“Young Master Kaileus…. Oh, it’s been a long time. I just heard the news that you’ve returned….”

Kail also bowed awkwardly.

“Have you been well, Count Brante? Um…, you can speak casually….”

“Ah, yes, I shall do so….”

Father laughed heartily while scratching the back of his head.

I could feel how extremely awkward they were with each other, making my whole body feel itchy too.

Well, seeing Kail’s rapid growth, it’s understandable that formal speech would suddenly come out. I almost did the same at first.

“Rieze. Are you alright?”

This time Father asked while examining me carefully.

“I’m fine, but I’ll rest a little and come back. Everyone please enjoy the banquet.”

I announced to the four people.

Meaning I wanted to rest alone, so whether they danced or watched, they should each do as they pleased.

I grabbed a strawberry panna cotta and sparkling water from the towering dessert display and headed to the table area on one side of the banquet hall.

But when I looked back, weren’t the four men following me like baby ducks following their mother duck? Each holding a drink in their hands.

When I sat at an empty table, Father, Brother, Darius, and Kail surrounded and sat around me.

What is this situation….

‘This isn’t a 4-on-1 pressure interview, but it’s burdensome….’

One 2-person round table was far too small for five people to sit around. Especially since the four people excluding me were all large-built men.

“Why are you all doing this?”

I tapped the table.

“It’s cramped.”

Don’t you know about personal space, these people?

But despite my complaints, everyone just exchanged subtle glances and no one got up.

“I want to rest too.”

“Me too.”

Kail and Darius said consecutively. Kail shot a fierce look at Darius who quickly copied his words.

“Then why don’t you split into twos instead of doing this….”

“….”

“….”

Since no one was moving, I should leave.

When I got up to move to another table, everyone lifted their bottoms as well.

This is so annoying!

“No, you don’t have to go around in circles like this! I’m an adult now, so why are you all acting like this?”

“Because you keep disappearing on your own.”

Brother threatened.

“Ah, I won’t disappear. I’ll sit here and rest, then go back. I’m going to dance more.”

After suffering for months learning that damn ballroom dancing, I’m not going to end it after just one dance.

“More than that, don’t you think that if Father and my brothers guard me like watchdogs, no one will ask me to dance?”

I narrowed my eyes and pulled out the dance card I had tucked inside my clothes.

A card with no one’s name written on it even though we were past the middle of dance time.

“Hmm. That’s true too…. We can’t keep you caged in our arms like a baby bird forever….”

Father muttered gloomily and left, dragging his feet.

Thinking it would be a big problem if I fell behind in social circles, Brother also clicked his tongue and got up.

“Rest and then dance with Darius. And you’re dead if you sneak off somewhere else.”

While making such a threat.

Hmph. Who is he to order me around like this and that?

I stuck my tongue out at Brother’s retreating figure and turned around.

But wasn’t Darius scribbling his name on my dance card?

“What are you doing?”

Kail grabbed his wrist and growled.

Darius smiled slyly and returned my dance card to me.

“When you feel better, dance with me, Miss Rieze. I haven’t danced even once yet because I was waiting for Miss Rieze.”

“Ah….”

So he was stuck here unable to move because of my brother’s insistence.

Well, since it’s not the first dance now, there shouldn’t be any problem.

“Mm. Alright.”

Then Kail turned angry eyes toward me this time.

Huh? But wait a minute. Darius hasn’t danced even one song yet? Where did he abandon the princess?

Wasn’t his earlier conversation with the Countess, Queen, and Princess a mini meeting?

If that were the case, there would have been plenty of time for the two to dance.

Actually, in the original story, Darius reluctantly ended up dancing formally with the princess, and Adel, knowing this, burned with jealousy.

‘I need to address this.’

“Kail. I have something I want to talk about alone with Brother Darius, so could you give us some space?”

“…What is it?”

“If I could tell you that, I wouldn’t ask you to leave. Please.”

“….”

Kail, who grimly furrowed his brow, didn’t seem to have the slightest intention of getting up.

Darius chuckled and said to me.

“Shall we go somewhere else, Miss Rieze?”

Then Kail, grinding his molars, kicked his chair and stood up.

Then he strode away not toward the center of the banquet hall where the crowd had gathered, but in the opposite direction.

‘Why is he so upset….’

He’s still a sulker. I thought it was fortunate earlier, but now that I see it, isn’t he being too childish?

I watched Kail’s shrinking silhouette before turning my head to Darius.

“What did you want to talk about?”

“Hmm….”

I took a bite of strawberry panna cotta and pondered deeply. Whether I should ask Darius about this directly.

After deliberating, I concluded that I couldn’t attempt anything without knowing this.

“Brother Darius, are you planning to get engaged to the Princess? Everyone’s speculating about it. I felt that kind of atmosphere earlier too.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

‘Ah…! What should I do about this…’

As expected, since the romance with Adel had been delayed for over half a year, the engagement episode with the Princess had already occurred.

What should I do?

If Adel doesn’t catch his attention, Darius might calmly accept the political marriage.

Before meeting her, he was someone who simply intended to follow the predetermined path as heir to the Count’s Estate.

Isn’t there some way to persuade Darius to delay the engagement?

I frantically wracked my brain trying to find a solution in the short time available. Just when steam was about to come out of my forehead, Darius supplemented his answer.

“…I thought so too, until earlier. Similar discussions had come up several times before.”

“What?”

“Mother suddenly put up a wall today. She said the merger between a ducal family and the royal family should be approached cautiously. She spoke in a roundabout way, saying we should reconsider it carefully.”

Darius continued his explanation with a refreshing smile.

“Among the Three Ducal Families that maintain a balance of power, only the Diern Family forming an in-law relationship with the royal family is certainly a matter that requires caution. Until now, we’ve tacitly treated it as taboo with each other.”

The Three Ducal Families, including the Diern Family, each independently governed the western, southern, and northern regions of the Elcart Kingdom respectively.

Maintaining the balance of power without forming matrimonial alliances among the three families or with the royal family.

But in the original story, the Countess pushes for the political marriage with the Princess despite knowing this?

She boasts that with the Diern Ducal House’s prestige, they wouldn’t be swayed by the other ducal families’ interference.

“Her Majesty the Queen seemed quite disappointed and upset, but Mother was resolute. Anyway, I was delighted and agreed with Mother.”

Darius drank his beverage with a relieved expression.

I never imagined the Countess would become an ally, but why?

The problem had been resolved for now even without my intervention. Though I couldn’t be completely happy due to the unsettling feeling.

“That’s good… news.”

While I was answering in bewilderment, a new musical performance began. This must be about the eleventh one now.

Looking toward the Banquet Hall at the bouncy, cheerful prelude, I said.

“Oh, this is a song I like.”

Then Darius extended his hand and stood up.

“Shall we go then?”

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