The Villainous Family Loves Me Too Much!

“Lucian!”

It had truly been a long time since we came face-to-face like this in my room.

“Indeed. How long has it been for us?”

“Probably… two months?”

This was the first time we gazed upon each other alone since that awkward kiss in front of Gabriel.

Since then, we hadn’t broached any discussion about our relationship.

Perhaps that was why this moment felt so thrilling yet uncomfortable.

But it seemed I was not the only one feeling that way.

Glancing up, Lucian’s entire body was flushed red as always.

“Hah.”

Now knowing the reason behind his reddened face and body, I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Am I that funny? What’s so amusing?”

“No, not at all funny. Just… cute.”

Lucian abruptly reverted to a serious expression, reminding me of an adolescent boy, nearly making me laugh again. But this time, I managed to hold it in.

However, there was one thing I had failed to notice at that moment.

“…No, if you go around like that, it feels like you’re making light of me.”

Lucian’s hand gently stroked up my back.

“Like you don’t care about me anymore.”

Glancing in the mirror, the back of my dress had its zipper wide open, exposing my entire back and waist.

“Oh my!”

Embarrassed, I hunched over, covering myself with both hands.

‘Oh no. Now my face must be even redder than Lucian’s.’

After zipping me up, Lucian stepped back, withdrawing his hands.

“Do you… not see me as a man?”

Then I noticed his trembling hands.

Quietly approaching Lucian, I firmly grasped his hands.

“What do you mean, not seeing you as a man?”

“I thought by now, I had expressed myself enough to you, but you-“

“There’s something I’d like to ask, Lucian.”

Cutting him off firmly, Lucian tensed, staring intently into my eyes.

“If you would, please.”

Slowly turning my back, I gathered my long hair draped down and swept it over my nape.

“Could you… undo this for me?”

Flustered, Lucian suddenly staggered before regaining his balance. He approached me slowly.

“Wh-Why, why undo it a-again? Wh-What for?”

Uncharacteristically, Lucian even stuttered.

Though I couldn’t see from behind, his face must have flushed an even deeper red.

“I need to change clothes. I can’t very well sleep in this wedding dress, can I?”

“Oh, oh right. Y-Yes, of course.”

As requested, Lucian unzipped the gown to the end, letting out an exaggerated sigh while raking his fingers through his fringe.

“Well then, I’ll step out for a bit.”

“You can stay. As you said, we’re husband and wife, aren’t we?”

Lucian gripped the door handle but made no move to open it.

Instead, a short while later, the only sound reaching my ears was the thunderous beat of a heart nearby.

“But you really are too much.”

Simultaneously, two large arms encircled my waist from behind, embracing me.

“Wearing such a lovely dress and doing nothing but sleep would be a true sin.”

Soon after, Lucian turned my chin, pressing his body against my back and made me look at his face.

“Shall we share a dance, my wife?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lucian gently pulled me into an embrace, kissing me.

Mana flowed through my entire being – a sensation I had never felt before.

‘Could this be the bonding ritual?’

Before I could process my shock, Lucian zipped me back up.

In sync with the thundering heartbeat, we began swaying in a dance, bodies joined.

* * *

The moment I opened my eyes that morning, I could scarcely move from the full-body muscle aches.

Not an inch from head to toe didn’t throb painfully.

The previous night, we barely managed to fall asleep just before dawn, and even then only briefly.

Having essentially stayed up all night, I climbed into the carriage with puffy, fatigued eyes.

‘It’s a relief Lord Roati has a different face.’

Donning the disguise mask concealed my weariness.

Upon arriving at the office, I unlocked a drawer and retrieved the prophecy book.

-If those with the power of light, magic power, or a piece of God’s power cannot combine their abilities, the entire Felosite will be destroyed

If last night’s kiss with Lucian was that ‘bonding’, the ending may have changed.

For quite some time, no new content had been added to the prophecy book.

If Lucian and I were truly sincere with each other, this could lead to a happy ending for all.

But… the prophecy remained unchanged, not a single word altered.

I hadn’t expected the bonding to solve everything, but I felt disheartened nonetheless.

Had my wholehearted love amounted to nothing?

‘Could it be he was insincere with me?’

Confusion clouded my mind. I needed to consider every possibility.

Had he sacrificed himself to protect the imperiled Felosite?

Or did the circumstances simply sweep us along?

Though perplexed, I found no answers.

How vexing. I couldn’t help feeling dejected, but what were we, really, from the start?

I had no time to indulge in such childish sentiments.

“Madam Huron has arrived to see you, Lord Roati.”

* * *

“So this is how you appear as Lord Roati, Your Highness.”

Madam Huron studied my face with an air of curiosity.

“Even considering this is Felosite, the progress of these techniques grows increasingly astounding. You look so unlike yourself, it’s rather strange.”

“Please feel free to simply regard me as someone else.”

I responded with a light smile.

Unlike my original delicate, doll-like appearance with long mint-colored hair, as Lord Roati I sported a short blonde cut with an ordinary yet chic look.

Rather than flouncy dresses, to maintain a dignified owner of the company air I primarily wore trousers, shirt, and a cape.

A passing glance could mistake me for a man.

I chose this guise and attire because, while in business, I wished to avoid overly highlighting my femininity.

‘No need to draw unnecessary attention in the imperial palace.’

Roati needed to be a renowned name, but not a renowned face.

That was my policy for succeeding with the palace plans.

“The proposal Your Highness sent was very excellent. I came today to sign a contract.”

After ironing out minor details, Madam Huron and I drafted the contract.

“Once the rental dresses are ready, we will launch ‘Tiered Wedding Packages’ at the company. How long until the dresses are produced?”

“With Your Highness’s assistance procuring materials, and rental dresses not requiring the same meticulous tailoring, it should be possible within two weeks.”

“Then let’s hold the fashion show two weeks from now.”

In addition to tiered pricing for gown rentals based on individual circumstances, we created ‘Tiered Wedding Packages’ for cash-strapped nobles as well.

Offering semi-customized lower-cost options or purchasing and lightly altering previously rented dresses to provide an exquisite high-end feel at affordable prices – a service for impoverished nobility.

Immediately after the contract, we summoned company staff to commence preparations.

“Starting tomorrow, distribute promotional materials. Send notifications to all secured communication stones too.”

Not just dresses, packages included varying sections like catering and direction at different price points for tiered selection.

“And we’ll assign planners to commoners as well. Job postings will go out alongside promotions. Oh, and Madam Huron.”

Madam Huron, conversing animatedly with the staff handling gowns, stopped to approach me.

“Yes, Lord Roati?”