NOVEL NEXT Chapter 190
During that time, I suddenly realized something new. “Giuseppe, have you grown taller?”
“…What’s with that all of a sudden? Don’t change the subject.” Giuseppe’s face reddened in response to my question, showing his irritation.
He had grown to about the height of my chin. Has time already passed that much?
“You’ll be as tall as me soon.”
As I reached out to measure his height, Giuseppe approached with a sulky face.
“You’re hardly ever home. How would I know? My height has been increasing every month. My legs hurt.”
It was clear he wanted more attention from me. I stroked Giuseppe’s head with a feeling of apology, which made his expression soften. He fiddled with my dress and pouted.
“It’s really annoying… Don’t dress up like this, Sister.”
“Why? Does it look strange?”
“It means don’t dress up unnecessarily. There’s a strange man in the house right now!”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘The Chatty Has Change’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Where did our chatty learn to talk like that? Keep it up.]
I stretched Giuseppe’s soft cheeks, teasing him. “Are you calling me sister now?”
“
Ah
, stop joking around! You’re doing this because of that marquis, aren’t you? Are you going to marry him?”
“No.”
My response made Eloise react as if the sky had fallen. “Yes? He’s so handsome, why not?! At least date him. It’s a crime to let such a face go to waste!”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Over Immersed Otaku’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[I heard that the male leads here are given a chance to date
ㅠㅠ
!! Let’s taste Ozworld too!]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Performance Obsession’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[The show’s ratings went through the roof when Ozworld became a male lead. Gotta row the boat when the water comes in.]
I decided to check the broadcast settings after the Constellations’ comments.
▼
[Broadcast Setting]
Channel Name: BJ Villainess
Channel Rating: Diamond
Channel Ranking: 9
th
Sponsorship: 298,777,000 coins
▲
Clyde had disappeared, and I was a mess, but the Constellations were thrilled about it.
I knew it, but it really seems my feelings or condition don’t matter at all to them.
While Constellations offered support and comfort and acted like friends, fundamentally, our positions were different. They were spectators of my life. And I was an entity that had to continuously showcase diverse aspects to receive their support, comfort, and friendship. A one-sided relationship that could easily break the moment I failed to meet their expectations.
Content is just like that, after all.
This world was real to me but merely entertainment to them. Ozworld’s remark about me being a toy was accurate.
Haha
. A self-deprecating laugh escaped me.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Romance Pass’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[In a dating program, someone who comes in the middle, like Ozworld, is called a catfish, and he’s really a powerful catfish.]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Rofan-Addicted Young Lady’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Ozworld… He looked dignified, unlike when he dressed like a vulgar clown. Seeing his sincerity, let’s give him a chance.]
Well, Ozworld wasn’t a male lead to me, but a villain that needed to be dealt with. Plus, I had just been contacted by someone with similar intentions.
What’s this potential he found in me?
Was it related to Ozworld’s direct intervention in the broadcast? Thinking about it, Ozworld’s actions were incomprehensible. Unless his brain had malfunctioned, he would know he was despised, so why would he willingly become a male lead in this world?
What are you thinking, Ozworld?
While I was lost in thought, the others had a heated argument. Giuseppe squinted even more fiercely and said, “Just by looking, he seemed to have a bad personality, and Theresa, you can’t be with him because of your bad temper. You need to find a man who listens well, is kind, and thoughtless so you can live well.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Professional Trainer’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[I thought this was a fortune-telling session;]
Libby, pondering deeply, slowly responded. “He, indeed, was a very impressive person. Everyone could fall in love with such a face, right? But he was too aristocratic, so I was scared.”
Eloise pounded her chest in frustration. “In romance, it’s always the high and mighty handsome men who are the leads. At first glance, he looks rich! Annoying and repulsive!”
“That’s why it won’t work with Theresa, who has a terrible temper, see?”
As they squabble over Ozworld, the head maid, Miranda, appears. “Milady, your father says it’s time to formally greet Marquis Vallensia in the parlor on the first floor.”
As a mere unmarried noblewoman, I had to show proper respect to Marquis Vallensia, Ozworld, a high-ranking noble. Without Raul’s introduction, I couldn’t approach him and initiate conversation, as per the customs of this place. Thus, I had to go through this cumbersome process.
I hid my disgust with a composed expression. “Understood. I’ll go down now.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Boarding on Ozthere Ship’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Finally!!]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘King of Iron Wall Theresa’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[But I thought Theresa kinda disliked Ozworld, didn’t she?]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Romance Pass’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Love starts with dislike, so it’s fine.]
It seemed the Constellations didn’t really know how much I disliked Ozworld.
Usually, the ads were playing when we met. In the Pantheon, the broadcast was completely off.
That was a relief.
I need to be careful from now on.
Ozworld had many fans. I remembered the day of the interview with him early on when I possessed this body. The overwhelming scene when I didn’t blind any comments mentioning Ozworld still gave me chills. And in the Pantheon, his popularity was often palpable. From the start, the balance in our relationship was perfectly broken.
I appeased the discontented Giuseppe, accepted Libby’s concerns and Eloise’s passionate support, and headed toward the parlor on the first floor. Along the way to the parlor, where Ozworld was, I naturally joined up with Raul. He looked at me, filled with pride yet with a hint of melancholy, and spoke.
“You’re becoming more beautiful by the day.”
Caught off guard by such a comment, Raul offered me his arm.
“I worry Marquis Vallensia might propose the moment he sees you. I’m not ready to let you go yet.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Well,” Raul mumbled doubtfully, “We’ll see about that.”
“How so?”
As I puzzled over his words, Raul chuckled. “Maybe it’s better you don’t know.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Haha Boss’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[The only drug allowed by the Pantheon is Theresa.]
We soon arrived at the parlor.
Click
.
Until yesterday, it had poured as if the sky had been torn open. But today was clear. Sunlight streamed through the full-length windows of the parlor, and the breeze wafted through the open terrace doors. On such a beautiful day, Ozworld stood before me.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Ozworld Dating Ban’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Did he really need to be this handsome
ㅠㅠ
ㅠㅠ
ㅠㅠ
ㅠㅠ
.]
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Face Inspector’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Wow, dressed up like this, he’s a close match with Clyde, right? Now I see why there are so many Constellations crazy for Ozworld
ㅋㅋ
.]
The Constellations were ecstatic about Ozworld’s appearance. There was an unusual lack of negative opinion about him.
Is he deliberately filtering everything out?
It was entirely possible.
To be fair, disregarding my own opinions, Ozworld’s appearance could appeal to anyone. Especially today’s Ozworld, with his natural blond hair flowing back, exposing his lavish features, elicited involuntary admiration. The tightly tied cravat added an arrogant and ascetic vibe, and the perfectly tailored black suit gave off an imposing air. I could see why Libby found him intimidating.
Raul introduced me to Ozworld, who looked every bit the epitome of a high nobleman. “This is my daughter whom the Marquis saved. Theresa, this is Marquis Vallensia. Greet him.”
As if I had no memory of yesterday’s events and was unaware of the danger, I approached him as gently as an herbivore. Ozworld seemed increasingly pleased as I drew nearer. Just the slight curve of his lips was enough to appear so impudent. Astonishing, really.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marquis Vallensia. I am Theresa, the eldest daughter of the Squire family.”
As I curtsied, holding the hem of my dress, Ozworld smirked.
“…!”
Then, without knowing what I was doing, my hand moved towards him. Ozworld, with all his grace, kissed the back of my hand.
“I’m Ozworld Vallensia.”