Please Leave The Sickly Villainess Alone

“His Imperial Highness Arzenluka Blake De Greffin, the noble sun safeguarding the Empire, and his partner, Lady Laveria Jenne Rayes are entering!”

Quite a grandiose introduction, isn’t it?

The thunderous voice of the announcing attendant, unnecessarily amplifying the tension, caused our joined hands to tremble slightly.

With each step we took, hundreds of gazes trailed after us.

“Ria, are you alright? Shall I render them all blind instead?”

No, that would be a complete concept demolition!

The kind-hearted male lead known for his gentle demeanor was threatening to shed his persona and become a tyrannical despot.

Taking a deep breath, I responded:

“I’m alright. Perfectly fine.”

Senia, the female lead who had fallen for Luka’s compassionate ways, was present. With her here, I couldn’t simply stand by and allow the original story to unravel so drastically.

The nobles lining the path we traversed all bowed respectfully towards the Crown Prince.

Those whose gazes inadvertently met mine failed to conceal their startled expressions.

According to the rampant rumors, some claimed I was a rat monster that had taken human form, while others insisted I was an ancient witch sealed within the Dark Forest for a millennium, breaking free to exact vengeance upon the Rayes. There were even absurd tales of my eyes being on my ears and ears on my mouth.

Astonishingly, a considerable number actually believed these outrageous rumors.

Such gossip had become widespread fact ever since I was registered into the Rayes family, growing increasingly exaggerated.

Certain young ladies with a penchant for scandal had likely anticipated witnessing the monstrous Princess Rayes more than their own debutante ball debuts.

Yet now, they could only gape soundlessly like stunned mutes at my appearance, so contrary to their wild expectations.

While unable to peer into their minds, it was evident my actual looks didn’t align with their imaginations.

Moreover, as the Crown Prince’s partner – their surprise gradually morphed into sheer disbelief.

* * *

Until Laveria and Luka’s entrance, the nobles had divided into factions, praising the beauty of this Count’s second daughter or that other precious young lady attending their debutante ball debut.

Yet they invariably mentioned the rumored Princess Rayes at least once.

“My niece claimed to have seen the Princess on Lerue Street recently. Apparently, she was a maiden of extraordinary beauty? She even seemed rather familiar with the Crown Prince…”

“I too have heard the rumors spread by Lady Gasiv, but her words have never once proven truthful.”

“A monster in disguise, you say?”

“Oh my, you don’t actually believe such nonsense, do you? I heard she had three eyes instead.”

Regardless of which version, the circulating tales were equally implausible. Yet the more they were passed from mouth to mouth, the more convincing they began to sound.

When the Rayes family made their entrance, everyone held their breath, searching for any trace of the Princess Rayes they had anticipated accompanying them.

Yet no matter where they looked, only the renowned Rayes family head were visible – no Princess in sight.

Did this imply she had secured a partner outside the family? From that point onwards, the nobles began voicing their various speculations with baffled expressions.

“Well, it seems she was too unsightly for even the esteemed Duke Rayes to present her, after all.”

Most agreed with his assessment.

For the distinguished Duke Rayes himself to be too embarrassed to bring out his own daughter – how disappointing for those who had eagerly awaited witnessing her.

Feeling the wind taken out of their sails, they swiftly moved on to other topics of discussion.

And when the Kablos Duchy entered after the Rayes, the nobles fell silent, observing the Kablos young lady renowned for entirely different reasons.

Senia Fren Kablos lived up to her reputation as the single ray of light from the villainous Kablos household, exuding an adorable charm.

Her lush purple hair and bluish eyes seemed to possess an enchanting allure, as if capable of bewitching onlookers.

“I heard she recently awakened as a healing mage?”

“The esteemed healing mage. Quite an anomaly for the Kablos family, is it not?”

“It seems Young Lord Kablos won’t be attending today. I had heard he graduated from the academy.”

Senia’s partner was Essil Claire, the eldest son of the Claire Duchy.

The Claire Duchy had maintained neutrality amidst the Imperial and Noble factions, though recent rumors suggested they had begun leaning towards the Emperor’s side due to increased interactions with the Rayes.

Whether Essil’s accompaniment of the Noble faction’s de facto leader’s daughter of Kablos stemmed from their childhood friendship or indicated the Claire’s shift into the Noble camp remained uncertain.

Unsurprisingly, Duke Kablos himself didn’t make an appearance.

He seldom attended official events.

Perhaps he had been concerned about his beloved daughter’s debutante ball being overshadowed by his presence.

After all, there would be no shortage of those harboring resentment towards him.

Next was the entrance of the true leading lady, Princess Rachel.

Having ventured abroad in search of the Crown Prince before returning upon his reinstatement, the timing of her homecoming had set this debutante ball’s date. Hence, none disputed her status as today’s central figure.

Rachel entered while holding the hand of her knight, Count Heild’s son.

Her lengthy black hair and sharp golden gaze, symbolic of royalty, presented a starkly different impression from the playful Princess everyone had recalled two years prior.

Making her first official public appearance in a long while, Rachel had grown even more beautiful. Yet she also exuded a latent danger, akin to a rose concealing thorns beneath its splendor.

She surveyed her surroundings as if searching for someone specific.

It was then that another fanfare resounded, accompanied by the attendant’s booming announcement echoing through the hall.

According to the elaborate introduction, it was finally the Crown Prince’s entrance.

But accompanied by the rumored Princess Rayes…?

From that moment onwards, massive question marks seemed to materialize above everyone’s heads.

None could have imagined any connection between the two that would warrant such familiarity.

While certain exaggerated rumors had depicted them as rather close, people had largely dismissed them as mere hearsay, scarcely worth remembering.

Had the Crown Prince been coerced into partnering with the Princess as a form of leverage, given the Duke Rayes’s assistance in his reinstatement?

Abandoning their prior conversations, they silently speculated, but their doubts didn’t linger long.

As the doors opened and the Crown Prince entered, he had undeniably returned even more devastatingly handsome than before his disappearance.

The immaculate midnight locks framed eyes that shimmered like crimson jewels, capable of rendering any who met that gaze bedridden with lovesickness for at least a week.

In a word, he was blindingly beautiful.

However, the figure who truly left the crowd speechless was another entirely.

‘That’s Princess Rayes…?’

She resembled the living embodiment of a legendary elf maiden.

Her somewhat ashen silver tresses exuded elegance, while her petite, porcelain features – eyes, nose, and lips – seemed to redefine the very golden ratio of beauty.

With emerald eyes as vibrant as a summer meadow, their crystalline purity inspired a humbling sense of unworthiness in all who gazed upon them.

Entering the hall beside the Crown Prince in a crimson gown befitting royalty, Princess Laveria radiated an unparalleled radiance, youthful allure, and noble grace.

* * *

Luka and I claimed a reasonably secluded spot and took our seats.

A discreet corner safe from prying eyes that we had swiftly secured.

‘The tiger’s den, at last.’

Munching on the souffle Luka had brought, I scanned our surroundings.

First, that massive central sculpture that had immediately caught my eye upon entering.

The hall’s interior was spaciously vast, akin to a sports arena. And right in the center stood an immense, towering statue.

Raised high in its uplifted hands hovered…

“Huh?”

There were no chandeliers dangling from the ends! They were simply absent!

‘What the…?!’

Instead of chandeliers, crystalline manifestations of light magic drifted through the air, illuminating the interior with a dazzling glow.

“Ria, what’s wrong?”

“There are no chandeliers where they should be.”

At my words, Luka smiled and explained:

“I had them removed. I recently received a report that the connecting links seemed corroded, so I judged them too dangerous…”

Indeed, they posed a danger – Rachel had died crushed by a falling chandelier in my dream.

“So there are no chandeliers whatsoever inside now?”

Seeing Luka nod, I felt liberated from the constant apprehension that had plagued me.

Right, it had merely been a dream.

Just as an inexplicable sense of relief washed over me and I reached for a pudding to replenish my energy, a voice called out.

“Ria!”

Our humble, secluded table had attracted esteemed guests.

“Your High- ah, hello, Rachel.”

I had begun greeting her formally before adjusting my address upon noting her expression.

“You truly resemble a fairy like this.”

As Rachel brushed aside the stray locks framing my face, she remarked to Luka:

“I had wondered what winds compelled this one, who I had thought would never attend such a debutante ball, to add her name to the roster. Turns out you simply didn’t wish for anyone to whisk her away.”

“You are correct, Sister.”

Luka responded with utmost solemnity to Rachel’s teasing remark, proving him quite an eccentric fellow.

He then turned his gaze towards Rachel’s partner and knight, Count Heild’s son.

Rachel introduced him to me.

“Heild was originally part of the monster subjugation squad today, but our stern Crown Prince has forcibly granted him leave.”

To Rachel’s playful statement, Heild added.

“Not leave, but rather a more critical mission – keeping watch over the unruly Princess, lest she cause any undue commotions… Khuk!”

“Ho ho ho.”

Having received a sharp elbow jab from Rachel, Heild stumbled back, clutching his abdomen – a far cry from his typically impeccable, razor-sharp demeanor.

“For all appearances, he is quite skilled with swordsmanship.”

As the youngest ever Captain of the Fourth Knight Order, his prodigious talents were undeniable.

‘No chandeliers, and Heild is Rachel’s partner as well.’

Reassuring developments kept accumulating. Yet a lingering sense of unease refused to dissipate completely.

It was then that the prelude announcing the start of the dances began to play.

“It commences. Shall we?”

Taking Luka’s proffered hand, I proceeded towards the center of the hall.

The attending young ladies, each with their respective partners, soon assembled in formation.

Luka stood before me, sinking to one knee with his gaze lowered, extending his hand outwards – leaving the choice entirely up to me.

Following Miss Belly’s instructions precisely, I counted to three silently.

3, 2, 1.

Then I placed my hand atop his.

As the orchestra struck up in earnest, the coupled pairs began to whirl around.

From the very start, my gaze remained fixated on the floor.

To ensure my pristine white shoes didn’t inadvertently trample Luka’s impeccable black ones.

The mere thought of Luka hopping about the hall clutching his injured foot in agony caused my mind to blank, throwing off my steps.

“Ria, look at me.”

It was then that Luka whispered into my ear.

“Relax your body. One, two, one-“

From that moment onwards, Luka took complete lead.

While I had continuously practiced with Drehan at the estate, synchronizing with Luka was entirely new. Yet he deftly guided me with practiced ease.

Before I could move, Luka would initiate the steps first, and my body, conditioned through grueling practice sessions with Miss Belly, responded naturally in kind.

To any outside observer, we likely appeared the perfect dance partners.

In time with the music, I withdrew the fan tucked at my waist.

As the folding fan snapped open, Luka playfully peeked out from behind it, prompting an involuntary, relieved giggle from me.

From the side, Rachel whistled in an unmistakably loutish manner, teasing:

“Not too shabby over there.”

Rachel was…

“You can’t dance either, can you?”

Quite brazenly trampling all over Heild’s feet.

“Master…”

Heild called out to Luka, his expression pleading for assistance.

Luka simply ignored him, leading me in another direction instead.

Oblivious to my own dancing, I simply reveled in the joyful experience alongside Luka. And thus, my first dance concluded with the cello’s resonant final notes.

Beholding my bewildered expression, Luka affectionately ruffled my hair in praise.

When had my line of sight risen to meet his so directly? Had I unconsciously stood taller from all the vigorous dancing?

My heart raced swiftly.