As a Villain I Really Don’t Want To Be Pursued by the Heroine

42

Caring more about me than himself?

It sounds almost like…

Caught off guard by such a direct approach, Charlotte even forgot to hide the astonishment on her face, her cheeks growing hotter by the second, reminiscent of the knightly tales where the hero, even in darkness, refuses to burden the heroine.

He really… I’m moved to tears!

Initially, Charlotte had planned to lead everything, to draw the young man’s attention to her charm with composure, elegance, and restraint, gradually and naturally.

Yet, whether it was the intoxicating fragrance of the wine at the event, the young man’s handsome face, or the concern he had just shown, Charlotte’s mind inexplicably heated up.

“Charlotte?” Feeling the girl’s intense gaze, Roy couldn’t help but be puzzled.

But there was Charlotte, looking at him with utmost sincerity.

“No, it’s fine, I don’t mind, as long as I can be with you—”

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my humble abode, to celebrate my birthday banquet, I am Relo Raymond!”

Elegant music, along with old Raymond’s resonant voice, surged like a tide, drowning out the girl’s words.

People applauded enthusiastically, toasting and mingling, igniting the atmosphere of the venue.

Roy’s attention was drawn by the lively scene, and it took him two seconds to turn back and sheepishly ask the expectant girl, “What did you just say?”

“Eh? You didn’t hear me?”

A complex expression of either disappointment or relief emerged on the girl’s face.

“Uh, sorry, could you say that again?” Roy scratched his cheek.

“Forget it, it wasn’t anything important!” Charlotte waved her hands dismissively, her eyes downcast, her heart a mix of emotions.

It was just as well, just as well. An unprepared, abrupt statement would only make him think she was a lady without any restraint!

Such matters should be reserved for a luxurious palace or a romantic candlelit dinner.

Even as she convinced herself of this, Charlotte couldn’t help but wish he had heard her just now…

Unfortunately, Charlotte was not one to hide her emotions well.

At least not from Roy.

“The banquet has started, I have to go toast soon, so I’ll be leaving first.”

Saying this, the girl was about to leave.

But this time, it was Roy who held onto her hand, not letting go.

“Are you sure it wasn’t something important?”

“Eh? That…,” Charlotte looked down, her words trailing off.

Now, she lacked the courage she had just moments ago.

Roy didn’t know why the girl, who was all smiles just before, now looked so melancholic and anxious, but he knew it was because he had missed something.

Not listening carefully when alone was indeed his fault.

He wanted to make up for it.

“Do you have time after the toast?”

“Mhm, of course.”

“How about we dance together then?”

“Of course… huh?”

Charlotte was stunned, not reacting for a moment.

“Uh, if you don’t want to, then forget it…” “Of course I do!”

Dancing was an indispensable tradition at a noble banquet. Charlotte had been pondering how to invite him to dance with dignity and without pretense, never expecting happiness to come so suddenly.

The little princess’s eyes sparkled anew, her lips curving into a smile.

“That settles it, I’ll come find you later!”

“Mm!”

From noble mtl dot come

After the opening remarks, it was immediately time for the royal family members’ toast, so Charlotte had to leave.

Watching the fiery silhouette depart, Roy couldn’t help but feel sentimental.

It was never mentioned in the original work; who knew this guy was so fond of dancing?

People clustered in groups, men and women alike. Once Charlotte left, Roy found himself alone again.

He could feel the disdainful gazes upon him lessen, but in contrast, a strong scent of lemon intensified.

There was no helping it; Charlotte had many admirers, something Roy had anticipated.

But he didn’t care.

Roy welcomed anyone willing to befriend him, but now, with the princess’s substantial support, he had no need to grovel before others.

To be friends or not, he was indifferent.

Roy was content with his solitude, helping himself to steak, lamb chops, chicken legs, grilled shrimp, egg tarts, strawberries, and finally, a glass of champagne, delighting in his meal.

Yet, not everyone shared his mood in these circumstances.

Under the brilliant lights, another lone figure stood out, incongruous with the merry nobility.

Leann Raymond.

As a scion of the Raymond house, he found himself shunned on his own turf by everyone.

That would have been fine; Leann always prided himself on being sober while others were drunk, relishing his detachment from the crowd.

After all, as a duke’s son, why should he care about the attitudes of these ants?

Leann enjoyed watching these lower nobles, who clearly despised him yet feared his status, forced to bite their tongues.

But today was different.

Instead of fear or disgust, today’s murmurs held an emotion that Leann found intolerable.

Mockery.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, who would have thought the princess held the Ironblood lad in such high regard.”

“Indeed, they even entered hand in hand!”

“Hard to believe, that good-for-nothing brat seems quite adept at wooing.”

“Wait, let’s not call him good-for-nothing anymore, it makes us look worse!”

With that, the crowd fell into a brief silence.

Fair is fair, even if one lacks education or extraordinary talent, winning over the princess is worth everything, and one can’t be called good-for-nothing.

However, there must always be a pecking order, and people always find a new target for ridicule.

“The son of the Ironblood house isn’t good-for-nothing, but compared to him…”

Perhaps intentionally, Leann didn’t hear the rest, but he could acutely feel the piercing stares from those around him.

That was the look they used to mock Roy with!

What a joke, I’m no trash!

Lei An’s flaws were about to split, and he glared back fiercely.

Doing so in the past would always make these cowards shrink away, avoiding his gaze.

In fact, many were indeed cowed, tucking their heads in, not wanting to catch Lei An’s frown.

Hmph, nothing but lowly, vile, filthy cowards, you dare to mock me?!

But just then, a sneer cut through the surrounding laughter and music, landing deeply in Lei An’s ears.

“Vulgar.”

Lei An turned around in a daze.

It was an unfamiliar noble elder.

Unlike the younger generation focused only on romance, the elders often saw more.

Roy’s demeanor and manners had changed completely; they could see that the princess’s willingness to approach him was not attracted by appearance or status.

If in the eyes of the younger generation, Roy was no longer trash.

Then in the eyes of the elders, Roy was no longer the bad youth.

And without Roy, Lei An became the most glaring stain on the white paper.

“Truly uncultured.”

“Too much malice.”

“Far inferior to that boy Roy.”

The surrounding mockery and cold laughter engulfed Lei An like a storm of swords, torturing his pride inhumanely.

He could no longer bear it and fled the venue as if running away.