I Slept with the Villain Holding My Hand

 

✿

 

Angela Fabro took a sip of champagne with a satisfied smile. The banquet hall, decorated more lavishly than ever, was crowded with people.

 

They were all hyenas who came to hear the rumors from Angela.

 

In her position as a countess, it was only natural for her to send invitations to a higher family.

Even if the reply didn’t return, she didn’t care much.

 

The higher aristocrats weren’t idle enough to come to the party of a family with whom they had no special relationship.

 

The party that was held this time was the same. Countess Fabro sent an invitation to a prominent family without any expectation.

 

However, the answer that came, instead of the Duchess in need of recuperation, was that the rumored Princess Rackester would attend.

 

Angela, who was conscious of the rumors surrounding Princess Rackester, also shared the news with Reukis for a more successful party, and he also grabbed the bait and bit it.

 

After that, it was all in one fell swoop.

 

She not only swept and polished the whole annex larger than the one she usually uses but also reordered the decorations for the party in a more glamorous way.

 

The budget was doubled and the schedule was tight enough to cut down on the amount of time she slept, but it was not a waste to think of it as a price to boost her reputation.

 

And finally, the day of the party came. The house Fabro, which was crowded with visitors early on, welcomed guests with all preparations.

 

Everyone was pretending not to, but seeing a lot of new faces, it was clear that everyone came with some intention.

 

To see the face of Princess Rackester, to confirm the truth of the scandal, and to learn the face of the Grand Duke.

 

Other than that, they would have come with different minds.

 

As Angela was talking to people around here out of courtesy, and from a distance, the ladies, who she wasn’t familiar with, approached and talked to her.

 

“Thank you for inviting me to this precious occasion.”

 

“The decoration was very beautiful, madam. You have a good eye.”

 

The two talked like flowing water as if they had been in sync.

Angela also answered with the face of a welcoming host.

 

Relieved by her smile, Baroness Blanchett and Countess Idiris glanced at each other.

 

Baroness Blanchett, whose family wasn’t famous, had a clear purpose because she followed Countess Idris to the party.

 

After all, Baroness Blanchett leaned forward, covered her mouth with a fan, and spoke quietly.

 

“Was it true that they’re coming?”

 

“Who are you talking about?”

 

She knew the meaning behind her words, but Angela enviously tilted her head.

 

In the end, Countess Idris, who could not stand it, intervened and asked.

 

“I heard that Princess Rackcaster and His Majesty the Grand Duke are coming.”

 

Countess Idris was in a position to have her daughter and son introduced, who was of marriageable age.

 

In the midst of that, it was rare to have a chance to meet two people who don’t often appear in society at the same time.

 

Merria and Reukis, who had just become adults from an influential family, were considered to be outstanding candidates for marriage.

 

Others didn’t stop the two from asking directly, like saying it was rude.

 

In fact, from the time Countess Idris asked the question, the banquet hall became noticeably quiet.

 

Everyone was paying close attention to Angela’s answer, although they pretended not to be interested.

 

Angela glanced at the nobles around her, whose ears pricked up, and handed the glass she was holding to the servant passing by at her table.

 

“Yes. I’m thankful for them accepting my invitation and agreeing to attend this party.”

 

Merria would have no other choice but to attend because her mother Raven has already refused once.

 

And Reukis would only come to meet Merria.

 

It didn’t matter if she came or not. It was Angela who didn’t point out the subject for that loophole.

 

She smiled softly, adding that she was truly honored to have them as guests.

 

A moment of silence came and in an instant, the banquet hall heated up.

 

The young aristocrats made bets as to whether the rumors about Merria were true or not, and when they saw them from afar, they blushed and whispered to each other.

 

The ladies approached Angela with smiles on their lips and tried to talk to her.

The host was naturally obliged to welcome guests, so it was necessary to stay close to the two until they arrived.

 

When the commotion subsided a little, the large, meticulous grand door opened silently.

 

There stood Merria with an indifferent face and Reukis holding her hand.

 

Silence descended as if it were a woven moment. Hands held together as if they were a little more friendly than a usual escort.

 

The two were explicitly pointing to each other as partners.

 

When Merria, whose face stiffened with tension, and Reukis, who was expressionless, stood side by side, they exuded sharp beauty like glass.

 

The silence continued until the two walked into the party completely at a slow pace and the door closed.

 

✿

 

“Reukis.”

 

From Merria’s stiff tone. She looked up at him without changing her expression.

 

It wasn’t the kind of expression that Merria had wanted.

 

It was just that the facial muscles didn’t move as she wanted, so it was better to remain expressionless than to make a bizarre and embarrassing reaction.

 

“How do I look?”

 

“You’re beautiful.”

 

When their eyes met, Reukis’ lips softened. It was a sweet voice, but it was not the answer she wanted.

 

Merria asked again, pouting her lips. “No, I don’t look weird, do I? I feel like I’ve lost control of my face.”

 

When Reukis faced Merria, who always had a gloomy expression, grumbled for the first time, his fingertips trembled.

 

He instinctively wanted to do something, but he was able to resist the thought that if he did it here, Merria might have looked at him with eyes wide open in resentment.

 

Instead, Reukis, who smiled as much as he could, shook his head from side to side.

 

“It’s all right.”

 

The nobles, who happened to witness his face while sitting at the entrance, shut their mouths in case a scream would leak out.

 

‘It was true that the Grand Duke fell hard!’

 

I couldn’t even hear their conversation, but thanks to the expressions on their faces, I could read the strange atmosphere between them at once even at a distance.

 

People who didn’t know the relationship between the two people didn’t miss the passionate unrequited love of Reukis.

 

Angela, who was taken together like the others in an overwhelming atmosphere, was the first to take a step like a lady who was seasoned in the society.

 

“Lady Rackester and His Majesty, Grand Duke Frederick, thank you for coming. This is Angela Fabro. It’s a simple party, but please enjoy it.”

 

Behind Angela as she said that, was a giant chandelier gleaming.

 

Merria relaxed at once because she found her appearance a little funny. Merria grabbed the hem of the dress and answered, bowing her head.

 

“Thanks for the invitation, madam. This is Merria Rackester.”

 

Reukis only looked at Angela’s figure dryly.

When Meria finished her greeting, he also bowed his back slightly and greeted her.

 

“It’s Reukis Frederick.”

 

As always, he was polite, but somehow anyone could feel a sense of intimidation. Reukis was the face of a noble ruler when he was the Grand Duke.

 

Merria, who had only seen Reukis like a well-behaved puppy, watched the scene with interest.

 

While we were talking in the middle of the banquet hall, a young nobleman approached Angela.

 

“Mother, aren’t you making me wait too long?”

 

Franz Fabro, who had a playful way of speaking, as usual, glanced at Angela.

 

When I didn’t say anything, Franz, who seized the chance, greeted me in a fairly polite manner.

 

After exchanging greetings with Merria as a courtesy, Franz immediately turned and approached Reukis.

 

At his enthusiasm, Reukis tilted his head slightly and looked down at him. F

ranz, who still appears to be about 15 years old, leans his upper body forward and gives Reukis an intense stare.

 

“I’ve heard the story of the Grand Duke. If it’s okay with you, would you talk to me for a moment?”

 

“Oh… My son also dreams of becoming a knight, so he admires the Grand Duke so much. Please forgive the rudeness.”

 

Before Reukis could answer his refusal, Angela pushed him further.

 

Originally, she would have tried to connect Merria with Franz. But when she saw Reukis sitting right next to Merria, she thought of giving up neatly.

 

It seemed that it would be beneficial to the family to have Franz in the eyes of Reukis at least once more than to win the heart of that shy-looking Merria.

 

It was fortunate that she made a name for herself as a matchmaker, but there was also the reason that she had an eye that could quickly recognize someone’s heart.

 

‘If we interrupt the Grand Duke’s courtship, it could cause a stir in our family as well.’

 

Angela continued in a tone that was hard to cut even with a sword.

“Just hanging out for a while would be an unforgettable time for my son.”

 

“That’s right! It’s a story I would hear directly from his highness, the war hero! Wasn’t it a dream and hope of all who walk on the path of the sword?’

 

Next, Franz responded with bright shining eyes.

 

Merria, who was looking at Franz, reminiscent of a passionate fan, tapped the tip of his finger and called out to Reukis.

 

“He’s an aspiring knight, how about you two talk for a while?”

 

Reukis nodded his head obediently and answered Merria. “Then I’ll be right back.”

 

Franz smiled broadly like a flower and guided Reukis to one side of the hall.

 

“Then this way…!”

 

“Please wait for about ten minutes.” Reukis left a message to Merria before leaving completely.

 

Reukis, who has become more generous than ever thanks to appearing alongside Merria in front of everyone, could make concessions.

 

Hearing those words, Franz’s face turned dark in an instant.

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