The Childhood Friend of the Villainess in a Romance Fantasy

Translator: Elisia

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

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“Amelia, this way. Quickly.”

When I spoke, waving my hand energetically from a distance, Amelia approached me with a curious expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“I feel a savage gaze coming from over there.”

“Savage gaze? …Oh.”

Amelia followed the direction of my glance, and upon seeing who was at the end of that gaze, she let out an incredulous chuckle.

“Why? He looks like he’s about to ask you for a dance, doesn’t he?”

Sure enough, Prince Evan was getting up from his seat. I didn’t want to appear self-absorbed, nor did I wish to ascribe too much value to myself, but honestly, I couldn’t help thinking that way after seeing him rise with a smile the moment our eyes met.

“And besides, all that ‘savage’ attitude? He probably learned all that from you.”

“Learning about savagery and embracing it are two different things. At least I wouldn’t do something like ignoring people’s warnings and bring a pack of wolves into the city.”

I could guarantee that Prince Evan had brought his wolf into the castle.

To be honest, I did want to greet Lobo after a long time, but to do so, I’d first have to talk to Prince Evan.

The last time we met five years ago, he definitely remembered the sparring session.

When our eyes met today, I was convinced. He hasn’t forgotten.

“So, are you planning to run away?”

“I’m not running away. I’m avoiding him. I can’t leave you behind here, anyway.”

“…Is that so?”

Hearing my quiet voice, Amelia glanced in another direction before turning back to me.

“Why? Prince Evan is one of the few people here who would actually suit you well. He’s at least 10 centimeters taller than you.”

“That doesn’t mean I want to dance with Prince Evan.”

“Why not? He’s the main character, isn’t he? Handsome, tall, and, frankly, his personality has improved compared to the original.”

Amelia turned her gaze back to me, her clear eyes locking onto mine. Her light-colored pupils glimmered, reflecting the dim ballroom lighting.

Before I realized it, Amelia had come quite close to me. To be precise, the distance was farther than when I escorted her yesterday or practiced dancing with her. It wasn’t a distance that would raise eyebrows if someone saw us.

But it was close enough to take in Amelia’s entire face.

In romance fantasy novels or manga, evening balls are often depicted as dazzlingly bright, but that’s only half true. No matter how advanced magic was, magical lighting tools were incredibly expensive. Even the royal family couldn’t afford enough lights to illuminate an entire ballroom.

Instead, chandeliers reinforced with candles surrounded the few magical light sources, providing the hall’s illumination.

The area near the chandeliers was quite bright, but just a short distance away, it became dim. Since most of the lighting was from flickering candles, the light reflecting on us wavered a lot.

I’d seen Amelia lit by a fireplace before, but this was different. With her hair tied up, her neckline was fully exposed.

Her elegantly jawline, her smooth neckline, and her delicate collarbones—they were all emphasized by the soft glow.

Even though her dress was conservative and hid her shoulders, perhaps because of the atmosphere or the flickering lights, I couldn’t help but notice a natural allure in Amelia’s appearance.

“Elsie?”

“Huh?”

I snapped out of my daze at Amelia’s voice.

“What do you think? About Prince Evan.”

“Well… It’s best to avoid getting involved with him.”

“Even though he’s so charming?”

Charming?

I couldn’t deny that he was good-looking. The problem was that I wasn’t someone who would fall for a handsome man.

But generally speaking, it would be normal to show favor toward a prince—no, a crown emperor. Handsome, talented, and even capable of riding a wolf because of me. It wasn’t a white horse, but still a handsome man riding something that could exude a wild charm.

“He’s not my type.”

That was my excuse.

“Oh? If he’s not your type, then who is? Prince Allen, the crown prince?”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Amelia chuckled softly at my retort.

“I figured that wasn’t it. But it’s not Harvey either… since he’s your brother. Hmm, so who is your type? You must have a type if you can say both princes aren’t it. Maybe the Tower Master who hasn’t shown up yet?”

“I don’t like people who are full of themselves.”

“Ah, is that it? Then I suppose it makes sense why you’d dislike all three of them.”

Amelia laughed in amusement.

I gently placed my hand on the small of her back, guiding her to move with me to another spot. Amelia flinched slightly at the unexpected touch, her cheeks tinting red, but she didn’t push me away.

I saw the shimmering golden hair moving toward us. Fortunately, it seemed the crown prince was taking his time weaving through the crowd of nobles. No matter how uncivilized he was, he wouldn’t sprint across the ballroom… I hoped.

The nobles greeting him here and there also slowed him down.

Luckily, no one was talking to us.

In the Kingdom of Alwen, directly speaking to a noblewoman without her escort’s consent was incredibly rude.

Noblewomen were typically accompanied by a male protector, and proper etiquette required addressing the protector first before engaging the woman in conversation.

But we were both women.

Given the circumstances, I was closer to being her protector. However, approaching a lady like this without permission would mark one as an ill-mannered rogue.

Even if Amelia initiated the conversation, her status complicated matters.

As the eldest daughter of a grand duke’s house, lower-ranked nobles couldn’t address her casually.

…What a complicated society.

“So?”

Amelia finally asked, seemingly realizing that I was deliberately guiding her around the room to avoid certain situations.

Her eyes were brimming with mischief, clearly enjoying the idea of teasing me.

I glanced at the food in front of me, considering the possibility of pretending to eat as an excuse to avoid the crown prince. Instead, I turned back to Amelia.

What should I say? What would make Amelia drop this topic?

“My type is—”

Oh, that’s right.

Why not talk about Amelia’s appearance instead?

After all, she was a woman, and there was no way she’d assume I was describing her.

“My type is black hair, blue eyes, and a petite figure.”

“Oh….”

Amelia’s lips parted slightly in surprise at my confident response.

“R-really? That’s… quite specific.”

It’s true that not many people would describe their ideal type in such detail. It must have caught her off guard.

Still, my answer seemed to have silenced her, much to my relief.

Although she looked oddly deep in thought, I decided not to worry about it. Amelia often got lost in thought like that, after all.

“Lady Delkis.”

“Eek!”

I nearly jumped at the voice that suddenly came from behind me.

There was only one person who could speak to me like this.

Sure enough, when I turned, the person standing there was none other than the crown prince, his golden hair gleaming. His handsome face was adorned with a faint smile, but something about it irked me.

It wasn’t the expression but the sheer handsomeness that annoyed me. If only I had been born as a prince from another country, maybe I’d have had a better chance with someone like Amelia.

“Y-Your skills seem to have improved. I didn’t sense you approaching.”

“That’s because I cloaked my footsteps in aura.”

Wait, you can do that with aura?

“There’s no need to worry. Only someone of my caliber could do such a thing. If there were assassins with this skill, they would already be renowned.”

More than that, I’m more concerned about your personality that uses aura just to sneak up on a lady.

“That’s quite rude.”

“Pardon?”

This time, the voice wasn’t mine.

It was Amelia, standing confidently by my side.

Her expression was surprisingly composed for someone addressing the crown prince.

“If someone is being escorted, the proper etiquette is to address the escort first and seek permission, is it not?”

The confidence in her voice was impressive, especially considering how deeply lost in thought she had been moments ago.

It was as though she had been preparing to respond like this all along.

…Ah.

She knew this would happen!

And yet, she just stood by, watching me flustered and running around.

…How mischievous.