Translator: Nox

Chapter 21

Regardless of the people gaping at us, Luellian approached me with a gentle smile.

"I figured you'd be at the ballroom, so I checked there first. I looked everywhere for you, Duchess."

"You were looking for me? Why?"

"Are you pretending not to know, or do you really not know? Why does a man seek out a woman, Duchess? Because he's interested."

A smug smile bloomed on his arrogantly upturned violet eyes.

Warning sirens blared in my head.

'Right. So you're going with this tactic, huh?'

It was a natural choice, in a way. He'd probably handled life's few obstacles like this.

Just flashing that smile and pretending to show a bit of interest would have gotten him whatever he wanted every time.

But to me, unaffected by his charm, his gaze was crystal clear.

Unlike his words, those eyes were icy cold.

'No chance.'

Well then, shall I counter with my own tactic?

"For Yeha to show interest in a lowly person like me. I should buy a lottery ticket today. If I have cash, that is......"

I said nonchalantly, opening my bag and pulling out my wallet. The pouch I'd deliberately layered underneath tumbled out.

To draw attention, I made a deliberate noise.

"Ah!"

Luellian reached to pick it up and asked,

"Something valuable?"

"No."

I snatched the pouch faster and stuffed it back into my bag.

"Just a small silver fragment I picked up off the street. Looked expensive, so I thought I'd get it appraised."

I tossed it out casually without even glancing at his face, as if it were truly nothing.

"You're interested down to the smallest details?"

"Thought it might be a gift from a rival. Or not."

Luellian replied.

'So she really picked it up and has it.' For someone realizing that, his tone was too casual. But he's a sly fox, after all.

I glanced at the pouch strap peeking from my bag.

'Whatever. Bite the bait if you want. Ignore it if you don't. Either way, I lose nothing.'

As I casually straightened my skirt...... there was a thud.

'......?'

My mind blanked. Luellian had naturally sat right next to me.

"......!"

The onlookers peeking our way were stunned.

He rarely closed the distance with others like this.

Especially with the villainess he'd pointed at. Of all people.

Gazes poured in from all sides. But as Luellian glanced over, they all shut their mouths and turned away, feigning ignorance.

'He can silence those people, so he's boldly closing in.'

Still, it was surprising.

From the info I'd gathered compiling my suspect list, his behavior here risked crossing a line.

Unlike me queuing up suspects, noble ladies queued to even talk to him......

According to doctrine, God's proxy must not give undue attention to anyone but a spouse or potential spouse.

So he couldn't even flirt lightly.

'Willing to risk crossing that line just to seduce me? Too bad. I'm not the type to fall for it.'

I continued pretending ignorance.

"Sitting on a bench like this. Surprisingly down-to-earth."

"It's a private moment, so I wanted to sit and chat. Be casual with me from now on, Duchess. You too."

Right beside me. His voice came from above my head.

"You seem anxious about shopping money. No need to worry. Because......"

At a distance where we might brush against each other, he pulled out a paper and held it before my eyes.

I'd planned to react indifferently no matter what, but my eyes widened involuntarily.

It was an investment certificate for our 'Black Rose Merchant Group.'

"Yeha's the one who invested in our group? Can God's proxy invest in worldly business?"

"Of course I used another identity for that. And I said be casual."

"No. How could I? It makes me very uncomfortable."

I feigned ignorance of his intentions.

"Sorry, but whoever leaked the info got you scammed. Our group ranks 94th. And we're getting acquisition inquiries too."

"Too honest."

Luellian chuckled.

"But it doesn't matter anyway. My investment's purpose is you, Duchess. More precisely, this time to talk with you. Honestly, you've been on my mind since that day. You're the first criminal to slip from my grasp."

"Honored to leave such a strong impression. But what to do? I've botched business so badly I'm about to get kicked out of the house. Can't even hear Yeha properly. Need to get to work."

I shot to my feet.

Perhaps my imagination, but Luellian seemed slightly flustered.

First time for this reaction. He'd sat beside her himself— who dares stand first?

His eyes, lit by the garden lanterns, darkened intensely. Filled with obsession not to let me go.

He blurted,

"Do you know what the Second Prince's top-secret project is?"

"No interest in that......"

"I do. Didn't they say Zikren was injured?"

My foot halted mid-step.

Luellian didn't miss my reaction. A 'got you' glint in his eyes.

"If you want info, I can share. But there's a condition."

"What?"

"A date."

Getting worse.

I looked at him and opened my mouth.

"Ah...... I see."

"Agreeing?"

"No. I get why Yeha's doing this. Lost a bet with the holy knights? 'Loser asks out the villainess.' Sorry, but I'm not your bet counterpart."

I huffed indignantly and turned away.

Too ridiculous, Luellian was speechless for seconds.

"My date proposal that unappealing? Hurts my pride."

Of everything he said today, that alone seemed genuine. His eyes sharpened.

Whatever. I planned to go my way.

"Conference starting soon. See you."

Luellian frowned slightly at me.

"Fine. You don't grasp how major this business is yet. So one more thing."

He revealed info he'd normally dole out slowly to gauge reactions.

"The top-secret project's identity: supplying stabilizers to control the crown princes' curse."

"......?"

At first puzzled......

Crown Prince-related, so encyclopedia-level knowledge flooded my brain.

'The Curse of Balance.'

Overly powerful beings on earth disrupt balance, so they're heavily restricted.

Specifically, dragon bloodline awakeners suffer soul instability.

'Stabilizers to prevent that.'

Connecting to Luellian's first bait......

Zikren's injury from that?

"Problem with stabilizer supply? This bag was out of stock once for that. Secretly seeking a new merchant group leader?"

"Exactly."

Went to check a wound and uncovered this. Spy-level.

Going that far to hook my interest?

Sure enough, Luellian proposed.

"I'll devise a plan to effectively approach the Second Prince and secure the deal based on my info."

"In exchange for a date?"

"If not, we can just sit and talk like this. Good deal, right?"

For him to go this far, must sting his pride.

Thinking that, I replied.

"Not bad."

Hiding it, but victory flashed in Luellian's eyes, like capturing prey.

"Anyway, Yeha, really gotta go. Conference already started?"

"Right."

Luellian donned a mask covering his eyes. Holy magic changed his hair and eyes to brown instantly.

I led back to the hall. Fortunately, not too late.

"The energy's hot today! Understood! As requested, we'll start with business talks!"

Zikren's earlier crowd had continued nonstop. Everyone desperate for the princes' secret project.

Most leaders queued there, business cards ready.

As I returned, they poked and eyed each other.

"She's here!"

"Quick! Before we run out!"

"No cutting! Warned you!"

Rosen advisors in Zikren's line tensed.

They needed this deal for praise, fearing I'd ruin it.

In the escalating tension, I strode toward them.

And......

"Go to the back! Even Duchess can't cut!"

I brushed past the shouters and joined the other line.

"What?"

Moderator, participants, Rosen advisors—all baffled.

Luellian amid the crowd too.

Under puzzled stares, I spoke.

"Investor, I just said it's not bad—not that I accept. Said it a million times: zero interest in Crown Prince's secret contract. Don't want more ties."

I haughtily declared.

"Just want to make money."