The Teddy Bear Sends the Insomniac Villain to Dreamland - Chapter 58

—————

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

—————

Chapter 58
Blake and the bear plush in a dress were, as expected, the center of attention.
“Look at that. Good heavens….”
“So the rumors were true, and now it’s even worse?”
Everyone was whispering behind their hands, careful not to let Blake hear them call it ridiculous.
【Everyone seems to be staring only at me.】
Blake’s gaze swept across the surroundings. Then he nodded slowly.
【What are you all looking at! Never seen a bear in a dress before!】
“Well, probably not.”
He responded lightly to my telepathy.
The effect of the ‘telepathy’ spell—allowing him to hear my words without me speaking aloud—was remarkable.
For someone like me who had to pretend to be a plush bear throughout the banquet, being able to converse with Blake was more convenient than anything.
Though there was the significant drawback of Blake appearing to talk to himself…
But it looked far more convincing than a talking bear plush.
Fortunately, Blake readily agreed to the spell, saying he didn’t mind much.
As long as I stayed close to Blake, high-quality, pristine mana flowed in rapidly, making it easy to sustain the spell.
“The target hasn’t arrived yet.”
【Then let’s wait here.】
“Sure.”
Blake leaned against the wall in the corner of the Imperial Banquet Hall, drawing the eyes of everyone around us.
He held me in one hand while keeping the other casually tucked in his pocket.
His relaxed posture suggested he had no expectations whatsoever for the banquet.
His eyes remained fixed solely on me.
But I was caught up in the splendor and vibrancy of my first Imperial Banquet.
I had no attention to spare for Blake.
【This place is amazing. So human extravagance all begins at banquets!】
Young noblewomen in flowing silk dresses spun and danced, while young noblemen in white gloves matched their steps from across the floor.
The space around them was adorned with classical artwork, and an orchestra played from beside the platform.
【The ceiling is magnificent too.】
I was too busy marveling at the beautiful landscape painting that must have taken an artist years to complete.
Blake seemed utterly uninterested even in that.
【Blake. Does the Imperial Court have a lot of money?】
Two hundred years ago, before the portal closed, I had no connection to the Imperial Court when I moved between the Human World.
【How much do you think that painting is worth?】
My eyes lit up at anything precious and valuable. Blake responded flatly to my passionate inquiry.
“Probably plenty. I’m not sure how much though. Want me to find out?”
【Oh… no, that’s not necessary.】
I was just curious. At his rather eager response, I stepped back, and my gaze fell upon a painting.
That painting of the desert—I rather coveted it.
The vast expanse of desert spread across it, with a verdant forest depicted along the edges.
It was a painting that reminded me of my home, Halloway Castle.
【…What?】
Wait a moment.
Now that I look at it, this painting really does resemble the Western Territory of the Demon Realm where I live.
“What’s wrong?”
Blake asked quietly.
【Could you take me over there, where that painting is?】
He moved without a word. As we approached the painting, the other nobles standing in front of it hesitantly stepped aside.
When Blake lifted me up by slipping his hands under my arms, I could see the painting much more clearly.
【Oh!】
The painting truly resembled the Demon Realm.
That lake painted in a brilliant sky blue was the most popular oasis resort in the Western Territory.
But who could have painted this?
【…This is quite unusual. I never expected to see our neighborhood here.】
Perhaps someone had painted the Demon Realm during the time when portals existed and left it in the Human World?
If it remained in the Imperial Court, that would make sense.
【There must have been a witch who was close to the Imperial Court. With paintings like this and all.】
Before I knew it, Blake was gazing at the painting with the same expression as me.
Then he asked.
“Do you like it?”
【Huh?】
“Do you like this painting?”
【…Oh? Yes, I suppose so. Since it depicts my homeland, it stirs up a sense of nostalgia.】
“….”
Blake, who had been silent for a moment, nodded. Just then, someone approached him.
The person who stood before Blake, whom everyone had been avoiding, was.
“Blake, how long has it been?”
“Your Highness Ian, it is an honor to see you.”
The protagonist of tonight’s banquet and the hero of this world had made his entrance.
“What’s with the stiff greeting? That’s awkward.”
Ian, finding the formal salutation embarrassing, tapped Blake’s shoulder lightly.
His expression softened slightly.
Though still sharp and cold, his face had returned to its familiar state, and Ian broke into a bright smile.
“Thanks for coming. I thought you’d be too busy to make it.”
Ian was a different type of handsome man than Blake.
How to describe it—more radiant, yet classically handsome.
His angular face, as if measured with a protractor, and beneath his thick brows lay eyes of sky blue.
The long-haired handsome man with warm chestnut hair tied to one side seemed to possess a personality as smooth and rounded as his appearance.
In contrast, our Blake remained consistently cold and distant.
“I happened to have time. I’ve already sent your gift to your palace, so check it separately.”
It was true that the way he greeted a friend lacked warmth and sociability.
“A gift too? Ha, I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll accept it gratefully!”
“Sure.”
The conversation ended.
Ian tried to meet Blake’s eyes with a bright smile.
But Blake showed no inclination to continue the conversation.
This guy was really something!
To treat even someone he could call a friend this way.
I was beginning to feel embarrassed for them.
Then our savior, Lea Everett, appeared.
“Blake!”
She waved cheerfully, then rushed over while gathering her dress skirts, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson.
“You came! I was waiting for you!”
But my high-speed charger merely glanced at Lea Everett with a lukewarm gaze before pulling me closer into his embrace.
I found myself staring blankly at Lea Everett.
Goodness, Lea Everett was the very embodiment of cuteness.
Her clear, soft-looking skin was tinged with a delicate peachy blush, and her golden eyes sparkled brilliantly.
With her chestnut hair tied high in a single knot, she was the very picture of a spirited, sunny heroine.
Captivated by her beauty, I unknowingly sent a telepathic message.
【She’s really beautiful.】
“Not really.”
Blake responded immediately to my words.
【I didn’t ask you to answer!】
Why was he suddenly so responsive these days?
As expected, Lea Everett, misunderstanding Blake’s remark, jerked her head up with a frown.
“What do you mean ‘not really’? I came because I was waiting for you.”
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
Unlike my flustered response, Blake answered calmly.
“Then who were you talking to?”
A hint of irritation flickered in Lea Everett’s round eyes.
“I don’t feel like telling you, so stop asking.”
“…Blake. You have this talent for annoying people ever since last time….”
Undaunted by her small stature, Lea Everett stepped right up to Blake, prompting Ian to hurriedly intervene.
“Come now, both of you, that’s enough. There are too many eyes watching.”
The combination of Ian, Lea Everett, and Blake certainly did draw attention.
And then there was the bear doll.
It was practically screaming, “Look over here!”
“Tch, fine.”
Realizing this fact, Lea Everett quickly became obedient and stepped back.
Ian smiled secretly at how cute Lea Everett was, making sure no one else saw.
Of course, I could see it all.
Was I finally going to witness the thrilling love triangle between Ian, Lea Everett, and Blake Leblanc unfold before my eyes?
Wait. But is it really a love triangle? For me to see the scene I’ve been anticipating, Blake would need to actually have feelings for Lea Everett.
‘His reaction is so underwhelming….’
Combining all his responses so far, he seemed remarkably indifferent for someone with romantic interest.
My suspicions were growing by the moment when Lea Everett suddenly extended her hand toward Blake.
“Show me right now.”
“What?”
“The teddy bear. Let me see it. I didn’t get to look at it last time. My goodness, you even dressed it!”
Her expression was full of anticipation, her hand drawing closer as if she might snatch it from me at any moment.
Even Ian, though he said nothing, had curious eyes. Those sky-blue eyes kept glancing around, studying me from every angle.
Blake, who had been watching the two of them with guarded eyes, shook his head.
“No.”
“Why!”
“It’s mine.”
At the words “it’s mine,” I could hear the gasps of the people around us.
“Did the Prince of Leblanc just say it’s… his?”
“I think he did. My goodness.”
“The more I look at them… they actually seem to suit each other.”
Did he perhaps enjoy surprising people?
He showed no intention of hiding it at all.
Then again, we had looked like an odd pairing from the moment we arrived at the banquet.
Lea Everett pouted her lips. It was a reaction befitting a heroine unaccustomed to rejection.
“Then I’ll just look from up close.”
“Can I see it too? I’m curious. Why you carry it around so carefully.”
“Wait…,”
Before Blake could stop me, beautiful and handsome faces filled my vision.
The distance was so close our eyelashes nearly touched. And I silently cheered with delight.
Banquets really are wonderful.
No matter where you look, it’s a feast for the eyes!
To think I could be this close to the original story’s protagonists.
My heart was racing so fast I thought my cheeks would turn red. And it seemed Lea Everett liked me just as much.
“You’re so… cute! Those round little black nose—I just want to touch it once.”
I was contentedly watching Lea Everett scrunch her nose and stomp her feet when it happened.
Ian’s sky-blue eyes fixed on me and wouldn’t let go.
Ian gazed at me for a long moment, our eyes locked, then tilted his head curiously.

—————

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

—————