Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Should I go talk to Aseras?

Unfortunately, the emperor began to talk in a low voice before she could move. “Now there’s only the three of us left. You can stay with us, little Miss Dahlia.”

Dahlia didn’t dare excuse herself when the emperor had said as much, so she kept glancing at Aseras instead.

The emperor hid a sad expression as he rubbed his face as though he were admitting to a crime. “I wasn’t going to tell you the details out of pure embarrassment, but my servant told me Cederic is hiding in this ball. Can you let me grab him, quickly?”

Hikan’s expression darkened. He almost looked like he was sympathizing with the emperor.

Prince Cederic must really be a troublemaker if my brother’s reacting like this, Dahlia thought.

“Please do.”

“Right, thank you,” the emperor answered with a relieved smile. His expression turned sharp almost instantly as he looked around the ballroom. The air around him changed. It almost felt heavier.

When Dahlia felt the air change and flinched, the emperor reassured her in a kind voice. “I’m not harming anyone, so relax. Cederic probably used magic to change his eye and hair color, which also means he’s using his magic this very moment. I’m able to tell where that magic is coming from if I purposefully stem its flow.”

“Oh...”

The emperor had the amazing ability to control the flow of magic within a space as large as this ballroom. Dahlia could guess that much since she learned about magic in her classes.

“See, there he is,” the emperor muttered and stomped off in one direction. Surprised, Dahlia chased his movement with her eyes.

The emperor stopped moving just next to a wall of the ballroom. His feet were pointed at a young boy who Dahlia had definitely never seen before the ball. The boy was dressed in the clothes of a servant, which probably meant he was in disguise with a different face and costume.

Dahlia watched in shock as the boy’s hair and eye color changed right before her eyes. He was the second prince, Cederic.

Straight honey-blond hair fell over his nose. Dahlia couldn’t deny that he was really handsome. Perhaps the most handsome person she’d ever seen in her life.

Prince Cederic was smiling, relaxed, even though he was on the receiving end of His Majesty’s fierce glare. “It took you longer this time, Father.”

“Yes, you humiliating child. Change your clothes.” The emperor sighed.

Cederic snapped his fingers. The clothes he was wearing transformed from a servant’s into typical formalwear. He raised his two hands in front of him as though he wanted to be arrested.

The emperor sighed and waved his hand. Then he brought the prince before Hikan. “I’ll be leaving now. I apologize for ruining your ball.”

Beside him, Cederic began talking to Hikan in a kind but mocking voice. “Hi, Hikan. I’m sure it would have been much more fun if that bastard Aseras shut his—”

“Cederic!” the emperor interjected sharply. Cederic huffed a short laugh and stopped talking.

Dahlia recalled a small bit of information that appeared in the game. By acting like an angel, Aseras maintained a good relationship with most people as the emperor’s servant, but he had a horrible relationship with Second Prince Cederic. It was evident that Cederic’s whereabouts had been leaked by Aseras because of their hatred towards each other.

Aseras had a horribly twisted personality, like the stereotypical villain of a dark romance fantasy, but Cederic had a strong personality too. In the original story, Cederic Bercelona Michelio was a side character who didn’t have a romance quest of his own. He appeared in the other characters’ quests sometimes, but he was so handsome and strong that a lot of players requested that the game company make Cederic a male lead as well.

But Cederic treated the entire world like an ant hill or a doll house. He didn’t feel any affection towards other people and didn’t care what happened to others because of his actions. He had zero sympathy and was a stereotypical arrogant Transcendent. In other words, a psychopath. Since he didn’t lack for anything, he didn’t have an insane obsession over the main character.

He’s really interesting.

Dahlia continued to stare at Cederic’s handsome face. She had never seen someone as pretty as him before.

That was when Cederic felt the stare and turned to look in her direction. Surprised, Dahlia covered her eyes. Then she realized how stupid her actions were.

I’m... such an idiot.

She awkwardly lowered her hands from her eyes. Cederic smiled at her. “So you’re Hikan’s younger sister,” he acknowledged, and turned his head away as though he didn’t want a reply.

This is embarrassing. Dahlia cooled her burning cheeks with the back of her hands.

Cederic moved to the emperor’s side. Aseras stopped what he was doing once it seemed like the commotion was over and approached Cederic. Adrisha didn’t follow the emperor’s movements, probably because she had to remain at the ball.

The emperor began making his way towards the exit. “I wish you a good time, Hikan. I’ll see you later.”

“Have a safe trip, Your Majesty. Your Highness.” Hikan called a servant to guide them out.

* * *

Once the storm had passed, people began to enjoy the ball again. Hikan looked slightly tired. He seemed to gather himself, but not enough to dance. “We’ll dance next time.” Dahlia nodded in agreement.

Adrisha approached and methodically followed traditional etiquette as she bowed to greet them. “It’s nice to meet you properly, miss Dahlia. I will be your personal servant from now on. I hope to be in your good care.”

Adrisha’s introduction brought the meeting Dahlia had been so worried about. Hikan and Adrisha had met.

In the original story, Hikan was the epitome of insane obsession, which made him the final villain. But now that these two had met, Dahlia felt a step closer to death, despite the fact that Hikan had asked her to dance with him moments before.

So it happens… Dahlia thought as she looked at Hikan with a worried expression. She wanted to see whether he was already feeling some crazy obsession for Adrisha, or was drilling holes into her with his eyes.

Hikan’s gaze shifted to Dahlia when he felt her stare. He didn’t even glance at Adrisha as he met Dahlia’s eyes. Then, he frowned. “Do you... not like her?” he said, referring to Adrisha.

What?

Dahlia thought she was hallucinating. Weren’t those words too direct to be said in front of the main character?

Maybe he’d asked because she’d made a strange expression. Dahlia shook her head rapidly. “O-of course not!”

“That’s good, then.” Hikan didn’t give Adrisha a single glance as he went on his way, leaving Dahlia to stand awkwardly with Adrisha.

Even if things have changed... how is he so disinterested?

While each male lead’s reason for their obsession was revealed during their romance quest, Hikan had felt an attraction to Adrisha at first sight, even though he knew it was wrong.

But that wasn’t how he was acting now. Setting aside the fact that he was still sane because he hadn’t had his magic flourishment, how could he be so indifferent towards someone he liked so much in the game?

I-I’ll just keep an eye on him for now!

If Hikan continued to be indifferent towards Adrisha, it would uproot the greatest problem of the original story.

Which also means I might not have to die!

Dahlia’s eyes sparkled in hope with the new revelation. That was when she registered Adrisha standing there, waiting for her answer. Jumping in surprise, Dahlia returned the greeting. “I’m sorry, Miss Adrisha... I was so lost in my thoughts, I...”

“It’s all right, Miss Dahlia. If you don’t like me, I can work harder to make myself likable,” Adrisha said and smiled. It was the kind of smile that gave everyone a sense of calm.

She really is my favorite character!

Dahlia felt her heart swell in pride. The game character she loved most was standing right before her eyes, alive. Many, many scenes from the original story swept through her head. How could she not like her?!

Dahlia grabbed Adrisha’s hands firmly and shook her head. “No, I’m really, truly glad you’re here. Please, call me Dahlia.”

Adrisha seemed surprised for a moment, but soon gave another smile. “Thank you for saying that, Dahlia. Please, speak at ease with me.”

“Oh, then, I’ll just call you Adrisha!” Just like that, Dahlia had a very reliable personal servant in the form of the main character of the story.

Dahlia’s mind went to Duchess Blueport. She wanted to introduce Adrisha to her. “If you’re all right with the idea, do you want to go see Duchess Blueport with me?” Adrisha’s smile softened and she nodded in agreement.

Dahlia looked around the ballroom. Duchess Blueport was leaning against a wall. But she was acting strangely. She was leaning against the wall and swaying. It was a far cry from the noble posture the duchess always maintained no matter how sick or tired she was.