The corners of Cain’s lips rose as I asked the question.
As expected, it seemed that he actually laughed a little more than what was portrayed in the novel. Of course, it would usually be a laugh or ridicule, though.
“It’s fun.”
“….”
“I never thought I would be able to have this much fun talking about something like this.”
When I met Cain’s eyes gazing at me with a smile, my heart started beating wildly. No matter how I looked at it, I thought that Cain’s face was harmful to the heart and reason. Looking at that face, I kept thinking that it would be better to ignore the death flag and enjoy this moment.
At that moment, the reason, which remained like a single thread in my head, raised its voice as if it had noticed the subtle weakening of my mind.
‘So, are you going to fall for Cain’s good looks now?’
…Who, who said what? I mean… if he were just a little less handsome, I would not be so shaky.
I spat out words that were not exactly like an excuse in my mind at the whispers that came back with a lot of sharp edges before slowly recalling Irene’s situation with a complicated feeling. Well, let’s think it over. What kind of life Irene lived, and what kind of life I am living…!
Irene lived a life where everyone around her was envious and full of jealousy, just because she was loved by Cain, and her life was threatened by his enemies.
So, what about Adelia?
She was the only daughter of a married couple, Count Blaise, who was Lian’s richest man, and was leading a decent life. The illness that made Adelia’s hair white was now no longer a concern, and her parents put everything they were currently doing aside when it came to Adelia’s business.
Everyone in the mansion also loved Adelia, though her influence did not end there.
Regardless of where she went or whatever she did, she never got anyone’s attention.
The protagonists, constantly driven by all kinds of hardships and adversity, and the peaceful and comfortable extras…
The life, love, and interests of the main characters, who would receive more love and attention than anyone else, might be more than all of the people in the mansion. Nonetheless, it was the life of an extra who did not have to worry about the gazes of other people or the threat of losing her life.
I would be too snobbish to give up the terribly peaceful life of Adelia for a love affair with the attractive male lead. Even more so in this situation where I did not love him, and he did not love me.
I opened my mouth again to him, who was still waiting for me to speak.
“…I don’t think so.”
“What?”
“To be honest, even though I was shaken by what the Grand Duke said, I don’t think I can do it, even if it was you or anyone else.”
I continued speaking with a determined face as I watched him waiting for me to speak with his forehead narrowed.
“It has nothing to do with Your Highness. I just have no intention of getting married right now.”
“….?”
“So, even if it was not the Grand Duke, but any other handsome man from the Empire, my answer will still remain the same.”
“….”
“You can think of it as a belief or you can think of it as a value, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable.”
“If marriage is something you don’t want to do right away, I’ll make special concessions for my Young Lady.”
“…Yes?”
“The wedding will take place a year later.”
“No, I mean, timing isn’t the issue…!”
“And, it seems that Young Lady has been greatly mistaken for something a little while ago.”
The way he gazed at me with a raised eyebrow made me feel anxious. As I swallowed my saliva at his confident appearance, Cain continued to speak in a casual voice.
“From the beginning, the Young Lady’s opinion was of little importance.”
“What, what does that mean…”
“I don’t know what your beliefs and values are.”
“….”
“I intend to destroy the convent if the Young Lady wishes to avoid marrying me and become a nun instead.”
“….”
“If you want to become a saint, I intend to destroy the Vatican.”
“Your Highness…!”
“So, you’d better be careful when you’re answering me from now on, Young Lady.”
“….”
“Unless you want to see the intact buildings and people disappear from the map.”
His playful but firm answer made me speechless and choked up.
I had no way of knowing why I was the only place where the obsession of the obsessive man who had always been towards Irene, was headed for me.
゚· : * ✧ * :· ゚
Yes, it is all right. The original has not even started yet because I twisted it so much. Of course, I never imagined something like this. However, before the start of the original story, it would not be bad to try to be a woman passing by the male protagonist…
…No, maybe my role was not to die before the start of the original, but to be Cain’s ex-girlfriend.
“Then, let’s go now.”
Severing my tangled thoughts, Cain entered the carriage. Naturally, I frowned as I saw the door closed behind his back.
“Now, wait a minute! Lily—my maid, hasn’t got on yet!”
At my restraint, Cain glanced out the window with his eyes. Standing next to the Count’s carriage was the Grand Duke’s carriage. And, it was none other than Lily who climbed onto that carriage, escorted by a stranger.