The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 91
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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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Chapter 91
Hair that rippled like dark waves, sharp eyes black as pitch, and crimson irises.
The Crown Prince, nearly 190 centimeters tall, appeared first.
With his overwhelmingly trained, beast-like physique and the oppressive aura he emanated, the villagers held their breath in unison.
Everyone gazed at him, entranced.
It was precisely when my heart began to constrict from merely looking at him.
“…Wow.”
The people let out soft exclamations of wonder.
Following him came a man beautiful as an angel’s statue.
Heinrich.
He swept away the heavy, frigid atmosphere in an instant, transforming even the surroundings with his distinctive presence into something radiant.
Beneath silver hair so pristine it seemed noble, long silver eyelashes framed his eyes.
His violet irises were hauntingly beautiful, and his deep crimson lips embodied “arrogance” itself.
Like a plump, succulent fruit fallen alone upon a cold, white snowfield—he was a beautiful man of striking contrast.
“…You must be nobility, yes?”
“He certainly looks like a nobleman.”
“Look at his attire. Those elaborate clothes suit him without any sense of discord….”
The residents whispered among themselves, their eyes darting nervously—clearly being cautious.
I thought to myself.
‘This is ruined.’
I had specifically told him to come dressed as a commoner, yet he arrives this ostentatiously flamboyant?
‘Heinrich… commoners don’t wear cravats adorned with such extravagant jewels.’
He had the audacity to claim commoner status while wearing gems on his cravat that ordinary people would struggle to afford in a lifetime.
That was precisely when it happened.
“Ah, those must be the members of Winston’s Shield!”
The people murmured, their attention turning toward the entrance.
Led by Kyle, members of Winston’s Shield entered, all dressed in pristine white uniforms.
The very fact that they wore such neat, immaculate uniforms captivated everyone’s gaze.
They didn’t appear gentlemanly like knights, but rather all seemed like rough, capable warriors.
Kyle Winston, the captain leading them, possessed gentle eyes and a refreshingly clean demeanor instead, creating a peculiar impression.
The women all flushed.
“Your uniform is truly magnificent.”
“Captain, your appearance is… quite different from what I imagined. You seem like such a distinguished gentleman. To think someone like you defeats monsters and protects us…!”
“My goodness, so that was Marquis Kyle Winston. I feel like I’ve seen him around the village before!”
This time, everyone expressed themselves freely.
Unlike Sisrain and Heinrich before them, whose presence had suppressed the atmosphere, Kyle seemed to be someone they were permitted(?) to call magnificent.
The three men and the members of Winston’s Shield sat at a banquet table on one side (which I had deliberately prepared in a corner).
‘Insane.’
Had I miscalculated?
I thought if I spaced the three of them far apart, the villagers would have three focal points of attention, so instead I seated them together.
When they gathered together like that, it created an absolutely stunning bouquet effect.
‘Even though I pushed them to the farthest corner, all anyone can see is them…!’
I pressed my forehead with my palm.
‘At least the table is incredibly large, so that’s a blessing.’
It was a distance where they could ignore each other if they really wanted to.
‘Just ignore each other, please.’
I steadied my nerves and tapped my glass with a spoon again to draw everyone’s attention back to me.
Then I smiled brightly and spoke.
“Well then, we’ll be having the cake cutting ceremony! It’s a wonderfully sweet and delicious cake, so please enjoy it~”
“Yaaay! Cake!”
“Cake is yummy!”
Fortunately, with the enthusiastic support of the young guests, the villagers smiled at their adorable reactions and turned their attention to the cake.
The tense atmosphere that had settled over the gathering eased considerably.
“Phew….”
I greeted the guests in turn, and then I went to ‘that table’ (it felt like visiting a kennel full of hunting dogs).
First was Kyle Winston.
“Kyle! Thank you so much for coming.”
He had been sitting properly, but the moment he saw me, his gentle eyes widened and he stood up.
“Master.”
“….”
“We’re grateful for the invitation.”
At those words, with a rumbling sound, the members of Winston’s Shield—who had somewhat intimidating expressions—stood up.
“Anette! We’ve heard so much about you! It’s truly wonderful to meet you in person.”
“Anette! …This is the first time I’ve ever been invited to what they call a village party. It’s deeply moving.”
Among them, the One-Eyed Soldier (his other eye was a glass eye, which was fascinating) clasped both hands earnestly to his chest and spoke seriously.
“Please take good care of our commander.”
“…Yes? Yes.”
“He may seem strange at times, but he’s not quite as strange as he appears.”
…I see…?
So you’re aware that he does get strange sometimes?
Then one of Winston’s Shield members stepped forward with a sly grin.
“Hey, should we call you sister-in-law?”
“Oh my.”
“Everyone, stop that.”
Kyle stepped in and shut it down sharply. Though his ears had turned red from embarrassment.
I watched the members of Winston’s Shield with a smile.
“I’m happy to meet all of you too!”
At those words, enthusiastic cheers and roars like wild beasts erupted. Some even pounded on the table.
What’s with this reaction… I only said I was happy.
After finishing my greetings with them, I moved on to where Heinrich and Sisrain were seated.
It was right at that moment.
Crash!
A rather loud noise came from the Kitchen.
Merilyn’s voice followed immediately after.
“Oh my! How could you make such a mess of the Kitchen?”
I thought to myself.
‘Actually, this is perfect.’
I quickly approached Heinrich and Sisrain with swift steps and spoke.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, thank you for coming.”
Since only Heinrich was nearby anyway, I could openly address him with his title.
Sisrain sat in a relaxed posture, his crimson eyes fixed intently upon me from beneath his dark brows.
“And thank you to you as well, Heinrich. Well then, I should be going….”
Heinrich’s lips twisted slightly as if something displeased him.
I gave a hasty farewell, and with my brows lowered as if to say ‘an accident has occurred and I have no choice’, I pointed toward the Kitchen.
Then I fled hastily.
‘Phew….’
Only after turning the corner and leaning against the wall did I finally feel relief wash over me.
Thank goodness.
At least my shrimp’s back remained unharmed through the greetings.
But this is truly strange.
“…I only exchanged greetings, so why does this exhaust me so?”
My heart had undoubtedly grown weak from dealing with three madmen.
* * *
“What should I do, Anette? The Kitchen has become such a mess. Our Twin Children are a bit mischievous, you see―”
The five-year-old little ones stared up at me with wide, gleaming eyes.
Merilyn scolded them sternly.
“Children! Apologize at once.”
The Twin Children bowed their tiny heads repeatedly with genuinely apologetic expressions.
“It’s alright. Children will be children, after all. I’ll clean it up right away.”
“Let me do it, Anette.”
Oh no, if I let her take my work, I’d have to go meet those madmen again.
‘That absolutely cannot happen….’
I spoke with eyes gleaming like a cleaning fanatic.
“No, I’ll clean this up. Please go outside and look after the Twin Children. It’s dangerous here.”
“Oh my….”
Merilyn apologized several times over and left with the Twin Children.
I glanced around the area.
“―It really is a mess.”
This will take quite a while to clean up.
If I finish cleaning, the Hell Party will be over entirely, won’t it?
Hehe, why am I laughing?
That was when I heard it—a languid, hushed voice from behind me.
“Sister.”
“…! Oh, you startled me.”
I spun around in surprise, and there was Heinrich, leaning against the table with a smile.
“…Heinrich.”
My violet eyes narrowed.
“Why are you so startled? You look like someone who fled here to escape.”
“…!”
Feeling caught, I watched as Heinrich suddenly dropped down to the floor.
“I’ll help you, sister.”
“I can do it alone.”
“The floor is slick with oil—you’ll hurt yourself if you’re not careful.”
―As if you won’t slip too.
Delicate Heinrich, with those soft, kitten-like hands—what could he possibly help with?
Heinrich picked up an oil bottle without concern and asked me, “Sister, why do you call Sisrain ‘Your Highness the Crown Prince’? I call him the same as before.”
“Well, Sisrain is… how do I put it…”
Hmm, how should I explain this?
“He’s changed so much from before. It feels awkward, and when I’m around him, I feel… on edge.”
“On edge?”
Heinrich seized on that single word, asking quietly while his gaze fixed upon me.
His eyes had grown sharp and intense somehow.
“Then what about me?”
“Well, you’re my ‘little brother,’ Heinrich!”
I smiled brightly, tapping his arm playfully as I spoke.
“You’re my baby. My cute Heinrich.”
“…”
Normally, he would have said “Yes, sister” and nestled against me, but instead, Heinrich stared down at the shoulder I’d tapped.
Then he looked at me with an expression that seemed somehow displeased.
‘Oh no, what’s wrong with my baby?’
Heinrich dropped the oil bottle into the trash with a soft thunk and spoke.
“Sister, how did you become close with Marquis Winston?”
“Oh, just like that~”
“It’s strange though. Winston’s Shield is originally in the Capital, so how and why did they come all the way to Bayonere?”
Heinrich certainly has a lot of questions today.
Why is he asking so much?
Besides, given that I need to keep Kyle’s identity hidden, it’s best to avoid this kind of conversation.
‘I should use evasion tactics.’
The most natural approach in situations like this was to turn the question back on him.
In moments like this, turning the question back was always the most natural response.
“How did you end up in Bayonere, Heinrich?”
Tap.
Heinrich braced himself against the table with his hand, turning his body to face me.
Then, his gaze fixed intently on Anette’s innocent face nearby, and his lips—darkened to an almost sinister crimson—curved into a smile.
“Shall I tell you?”
“….”
“I created a ‘living Anette doll.'”
Anette’s pupils trembled.
“Your eyes, your lips, your breath… even a single strand of your hair. I remembered it all ‘perfectly.'”
Zian’s smile curved with a cruelty that was almost obsessive.
“I slept holding that doll every night. I was enchanted when I saw you again.”
“…!”
Heinrich—Anette’s trembling pupils etched his name into them like a shock.
He took a step forward, gazing into her lovely jade-green eyes.
Thud—
Anette’s breath caught in her throat.
“Through that doll, I stole a glimpse of your soul, and that’s how I came all the way here.”
“….”
In that moment, Anette could do nothing.
Then it happened—Heinrich’s eyes widened and he let out a low laugh.
“I’m joking, sister. Surely you don’t think I’d do something so disturbing?”
Anette, who had gone rigid, finally let out a belated, nervous laugh.
“…Right. You scared me.”
She seemed quite tense, pressing a hand to her chest as she breathed heavily and leaned against the table.
That instant.
Slick—Anette’s small frame wavered on the oiled floor.
“…!”
Heinrich caught her. His sinewy forearms supported her weight, and his right hand—large with long fingers—gripped her waist firmly.
She’s fallen into my embrace.
What am I to do?
His violet eyes narrowed with an electric intensity, unable to conceal his desire.
As the startled Anette tried to pull away, Heinrich restrained her with ease, as if handling a child.
“Heinrich….”
At her call, instead—
Squeeze.
He tightened his arms around her, pulling his face close to hers.
His dark eyes, as if they had swallowed the winter dawn, asked softly.
“Do I really seem like just a ‘brother’ to you?”
“….”
“To me…”
His gaze traced over my trembling jade-green eyes, my pitifully flushed cheeks, my bitten lips—as if caressing them with his sight—before his eyes locked directly onto mine once more.
He drew back his lips into a smile.
“You’re a woman.”
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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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