NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23
After becoming friends with Kabir, I frequently visited him, often bringing Selena along. As a result, the two seemed to have grown somewhat closer. That’s why I often discreetly left them alone to give them some space.
Today was such a day. I discreetly withdrew, taking the knights with me. Bates, who had not received a disciplinary action, was still fulfilling his role as my guard. I wasn’t sure what he had said to Kabir, but him still working was a bit surprising.
“Do you know there’s a ball soon?” Eric started a conversation. He seemed used to giving Kabir and Selena their own quiet time.
“A ball?”
“You really don’t know…”
Eric reacted as if he had expected my ignorance.
“It’s for Lady Selena’s debutante ball. A separate ballroom event before the engagement ceremony…”
“Kabir organized it? He hates social events.”
“…It was the Duke of Erpeso who hosted it.”
Ah, my father.
It had been a long time since I had any communication with the Duke of Erpeso, so I wouldn’t have known about it.
“I don’t want to go.”
“You can’t just not go. They’ll talk badly about you.”
“Let them talk.”
I didn’t care what others said about me, especially if they were just extras in the novel.
However, my viewers seemed to have a different opinion.
[Stress: Sounds fun though]
[Something: Agreed]
[Gold2: Ah, let’s go haha]
[FlowerFlute: I want to see you in a dress, Heo Jiha!]
As avid romance novel readers, they were naturally interested in balls, one of the biggest events in such stories. I understood their desire to see it.
“Just like that?”
“Huh?”
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
[asdf donated 2,000 points!]
– Here
As expected from the big spender in my stream. They donated points just in time.
“There’s no need to attend the ball.”
Bates offered a different opinion.
“It’s also dangerous.”
“Why do you care so much about my safety?”
“Can I really not care?”
Considering the number of incidents I’ve been involved in, it was understandable for Bates to be concerned, especially after witnessing the carriage accident himself.
“This time there won’t be any accidents like the carriage. I guarantee it.”
Assassins wouldn’t use the same method twice, so another carriage accident was unlikely.
“How can you guarantee that?”
Eric seemed curious.
“Are you suggesting the carriage accident was intentional?”
“……”
In moments like this, his quick perception was inconvenient.
Seeing my silence and rolling eyes, Eric gasped in shock.
“Who’s trying to harm you, Miss?!” Eric exclaimed in alarm.
“Shh.”
I quickly put my finger to Eric’s lips to silence him.
“It’s just my speculation. Don’t spread rumors.”
“But… We should at least inform His Grace the Duke!”
“It’s fine, I won’t die.”
I had already died twice, but that’s beside the point. My reassurance was genuine.
Bates seemed calm, unlike Eric. Not surprised at all, as if he already knew.
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“…It’s not confirmed yet.”
True, this was all just my speculation.
“Anyway, please keep it a secret. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“No…”
Eric looked at a loss for words.
“My lady, please take care of yourself…”
“I am taking good care of myself.”
“Ever since we first met, how could you just head to the North alone…”
“That was a little reckless, and you almost got me killed.”
“…Let’s leave the past behind.”
How did this gentle soul exude such charisma? It was truly fascinating.
“Then it might be best not to attend the ball.”
“No, I’m going.”
I had received points for it.
Eric responded incredulously.
“You just said you weren’t going?”
“I changed my mind.”
“I really don’t understand… Bates, say something.”
“…The lady has always been like this.”
That guy. He sure adapted quickly.
I chuckled and said,
“So, you like it then?”
“……”
Bates remained tight-lipped.
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Eric inquired,
“You two seem very close.”
Ah, Eric wasn’t around when I made my impromptu confession.
I casually responded,
“I like Sir Bates.”
“…Excuse me?”
Bates looked resigned.
Eric’s voice rose an octave.
“Since when?!”
“From the beginning?”
“Why?”
“Why? There’s no reason for liking someone.”
“……”
Eric fell silent for a moment before moving away with much less energy than before.
“I need to step away for a bit…”
“What are you talking about? You’re on duty right now.”
“I, I need to use the restroom!” With that, Eric dashed off, quickly disappearing from sight.
Watching his retreating figure, Bates commented indifferently,
“You’ve hurt his pure heart.”
“What’s that? You suddenly sounding so sentimental.”
“I just stated what seemed obvious.”
While I was still puzzled, chat messages popped up.
[asdf: Seems like Eric likes you]
[OnlyFinley donated 1,000 points!]
– Aaahhh!
[PleaseShakeACarrot: Popular Nunaㅋㅋ]
Eric likes me? Why?
What did I do to make him like me? Instead of Bates falling for me, why is Eric behaving this way? It was baffling.
“Does Eric like me?”
“Who knows?”
“He seemed quite happy to keep his distance from me until a few days ago.”
“…….”
Bates explained with a weary look.
“You did save his sister. Maybe that changed his perspective.”
“It wasn’t specifically for Eric.”
“I don’t know the details.”
The idea of Eric liking me was intriguing, yet disconcerting.
“You seem to know quite a bit about this, don’t you?”
I thought he was very indifferent. Surprisingly, he was quite perceptive when it came to matters of the heart.
“You must have lots of experience in romance.”
“…That’s a personal question.”
“But we’re close personally, aren’t we?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
He sure put up a strong wall.
‘Maybe this is an opportunity to get closer to Bates.’
With the ball coming up, the situation was ripe for some thrilling events.
More events were likely to happen at the ball than just staying in the Duke’s residence. I couldn’t miss the chance to witness the original story firsthand.
“I’m looking forward to the ball.”
“…Yes.”
Bates replied as if he had anticipated my answer.
* * *
“Selena, did you hear about the ball?”
“Yes! The Duke told me.”
During our tea time, Selena answered with a bright face.
This was her first ball, and she was understandably excited.
In the original story, Anais instigated trouble and tormented Selena, but I had no intention of doing that. I would ensure she had pleasant and memorable experiences.
“They said they’re calling designers and tailors. You’ll get a new dress too, right?”
“Sure, why not.”
I hadn’t brought any special dress with me, and they were offering it for free. No reason to refuse.
“Make yourself stunningly beautiful and get closer to Sir Bates!”
Selena knew about my feelings for Bates, hence her comment.
However, Bates didn’t seem like someone swayed by appearances. I didn’t have high expectations.
Selena clasped her hands, her eyes sparkling as she spoke.
“Sister, in a beautiful dress at the ball! You’ll look absolutely stunning.”
The star of this ball is supposed to be Selena. I wondered why she was elevating me.
“The star of this ball is you, Selena.”
“Oh… But, I’m actually looking forward to seeing you there more than myself.”
Selena said, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink.
How did she become like this? It’s good we’ve gotten close, but her paying more attention to me than Kabir is a problem.
“Sister, is Selena…”
Finley burst in rudely, but stopped short upon seeing the room’s atmosphere.
“Selena? You’re here.”
“Hello, Finley!”
Selena greeted him cheerfully. Finley’s face immediately turned red. He was so transparent, yet Selena seemed completely oblivious.
“I came to talk about the ball.”
“What about it?”
“We need to go to the Duke’s residence to prepare, since it’s being held there.”
“When is it?”
“Are you going too, sister?”
“Why, you don’t want me to?”
“…….”
Finley didn’t answer, but I could tell what he was thinking.
“Is Kabir attending?”
“What kind of way is that to talk about His Grace?”
“We agreed to be friends.”
“Forget it…”
Finley ruffled his red hair.
“I tried convincing him, but it didn’t work.”
“The Duke dislikes social events.”
In the original story, Kabir attended to boost Selena’s spirits.
But since he’s not as close to Selena yet, he seemed reluctant to attend.
“Should I try convincing him?”
“How would you?”
“We’re friends, maybe he’ll listen to a small request from me.”
“…….”
Finley looked at me with little expectation.
* * *
“Kabir.”
It was during his busy hours. I walked into Kabir’s office.
Kabir casually responded, seemingly used to my visits.
“You might be the only person in the world who calls me by my name like that.”
Not much interaction with the palace, so that made sense.
“That thought is kind of exciting.”
“Exciting in what way?”
Typical male lead… Does flirting come as naturally as breathing to him?
“What’s the main issue this time?”
Kabir seemed to hope I would leave soon.