An Extra Who Wants To Escape The Obsessive Male Lead - Chapter 44
Chapter 44
* * *
Rustle.
The sound of fabric rustling caught Diello’s attention. He could hear the sound of the measuring tape being pulled out, as well as the sound of it brushing against her skin. His ears were overly focused on the sound coming from behind him.
Despite his efforts to resist, his attention kept shifting to her. He was struggling to calm himself down.
He recalled Krua’s voice, who spoke in surprise and tightened her grip on his hand.
It was real.
He wanted to respond that way, though he had no choice but to hold back. Even by merely lying on the bed together or her being covered by his own shadow, he was satisfied. She glanced up at him with eyes wide open, like a startled rabbit.
Who on earth could be this pure like her?
He touched her forehead. After he stepped back, her tense posture seemed to relax, and she let out a short breath as if her nerves were about to snap.
When Krua was beneath him, when she looked up at him with wide eyes, or when she smiled and said she believed in him… No, even before that. When he measured her dimensions and enveloped her in his arms, he felt a rush of air against his ear.
Since then, he truly thought he was going insane.
“It’s done! You can look now.”
Diello couldn’t immediately turn to face his wife, who spoke those words. It was because if he were to see her face, so serene and pure, it felt like something repressed within him would burst out.
“…Diello?”
So, Diello slowly turned around when she called him again.
He must be going crazy.
He kept trying to suppress the boiling turmoil within.
* * *
The busy dawn came to an end without incident. It meant that they had successfully measured and made the couple’s outfit.
“I can’t say it’s perfect, but there are few who can make clothes of this quality within this time frame!”
The experienced tailor spoke confidently, unlike before.
And he was right. For some reason, the outfit made for Diello turned out to be of such quality that one wouldn’t think it was made abruptly by the tailor. The same was true for the mansion’s tailor, who was entrusted to make my dress.
“You’re truly a skilled tailor.”
“The same goes for you.”
Perhaps a battle between the tailors that took place, making sparks flew between them as they faced each other. Regardless, my dress was also flawless.
“It’s truly beautiful!”
“Anyone who sees it will praise you as the sweetest couple in the empire!”
People exclaimed in awe without being overly sentimental. We were given a white outfit with red decorations to represent Argenta. Diello, dressed in a white suit adorned with vibrant red embroidery, reached out his hand to me.
“Will you come with me?”
In response to the smooth voice, I took his hand. The sensation of the chiffon dress brushing against my legs was vivid. It wasn’t as fiery as his touch, though.
“You look absolutely beautiful!”
As we entered the reception hall, the admiring voice of Elin Cartiel reached our ears. In the meanwhile, Siette Cartiel, who had been unsuccessful in his attempts to spy on us, spoke belatedly.
“It suits you really well.”
Why did it feel like there was no soul in those words?
“Aren’t you an adorable couple? Hahaha!”
Duke Alors laughed wholeheartedly once he saw us. His face was filled with immense satisfaction, and he didn’t forget to wink at me. For once, instead of warning me, it felt more like a compliment saying, ‘Well done.’
It didn’t seem like a compliment for my sake, but rather because he was in a good mood. It was clear that the ‘friends’ who infiltrated as tailor assistants last night had relayed that we had a passionate night together.
Sorry, but he only treated my wounds, you know?
Swish!
Meanwhile, a faint light emanated from Diello’s hand. Since it was an event held in Argenta, it was only fitting to end with Argenta’s flame ability.
The flames that emerged from his hand gradually rose up and spread across the wall, adhering to the chandeliers. In an instant, firework-like sparks spread across the chandeliers, igniting them all at once.
“Wow!”
Applause and cheers filled the room.
Nonetheless, when I glanced at the people, they didn’t seem particularly surprised. It was like they were applauding out of courtesy. Well, that was understandable. I heard that the previous Duke of Argenta had performed a show where three phoenixes flew around during this time.
It was worthy of admiration.
And furthermore…
Whoosh.
I felt it, and surely others did as well.
The flames that Diello had to maintain wavered for a moment. They didn’t extinguish, but the brightness noticeably diminished and then recovered. It was a clear sign that the person controlling the flames was inexperienced.
“….!”
Diello had a slightly bewildered expression, and that expression was exposed to everyone without any filter.
Based on what I knew about Diello, he wasn’t the type of person whose abilities would waver with this level of flames. According to the original story, he was someone who could control not just three phoenixes but even a flock of phoenixes.
Even now, without his Ferro, he should be capable of that, hence, it seemed like he was doing it on purpose.
When I saw moments like this, it seemed like he wasn’t bad at acting after all.
Well, he must be able to naturally do this after pretending to be weak all his life. I thought his weak acting was only limited to acting as a ‘sweet newlywed couple.’ Still, for a moment, the memories of last night came to mind, and I blushed slightly.
Well, I guess that was… no longer the case, right? The hands that briefly touched me while measuring me…
That strangely tantalizing touch and the warmth that made my heart race.
…I guess… his acting wasn’t that bad.
Unconsciously, I fanned myself.
“This gathering was truly wonderful. May there be no discord among the three families until we meet again in three years?”
Diello’s voice resounded.
Of course, this was part of the script. There would still be an ongoing discord between the three families. Anyway, as soon as his words declared the end of the assembly, Siette Cartiel stood up.
“Then, until next time.”
As he passed by us, he whispered clearly in a low voice.
“Now you’re not afraid of the flames anymore, aren’t you, Duke Argenta?”
And without waiting for an answer, he left.
After that, Duke Alors tapped my shoulder with a satisfied expression on his face.
“Well, I guess we can expect more good news.”
It was clear that Duke Alors and his people were anticipating the news of the disappearance of the lilies. And now, we were the only ones left.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the direction they had left.
“I never thought you would be afraid of fire.”
In other words, it meant that he had surpassed Siette’s expectations in handling fire. Since Siette Cartiel was known for his abilities and strength, that remark was definitely unexpected.
In response to my murmur, Diello replied calmly, not showing any signs of anger.
“Well, it’s understandable to say that.”
‘He’s such a soft and gentle pudding!’
I turned to look at his face, at his gentle gaze, accompanied by a serene smile, and it was directed at me. However, unexpected words came out of his mouth.
“When I was young, I was afraid of it.”
“…Yes?”
Really?
When I widened my eyes in surprise, Diello nodded as if to confirm that it was true.
“It’s a story that was publicly known among the three families. Though it seemed that you didn’t know about it.”
He whispered in a low voice to me, who had widened my eyes.
“I was a person without any abilities until I was six years old.”
“…Yes?”
Even without a Ferro, a strong head like him used to not have any abilities?
“But since I was an Argenta, my father forced me to control the fire. That was why he sometimes placed me in the middle of burning buildings.”
He continued.
As a young child, he never managed to control the fire properly.
“Ah…”
Then, he was just like an ordinary child?! Yet they left such a child in the middle of a burning building? It was then that I couldn’t find the words to continue.
Nevertheless, Diello’s eyes remained gentle.
“It’s happened in the past, so it’s fine. Don’t feel too sorry, Krua.”
His whispering voice was reassuring.
“Don’t feel sorry…?”
No, I’m just angry! How could a human do that? The previous Duke Argenta and his wife in the original story were never portrayed as good parents, but I still assumed they had some morals. But now, hearing this, they were even worse than trash.
I pressed my forehead due to the headache.
* * *
The assembly came to an end, and the procession of carriages returning to their own territory stretched out for a long way. Until everyone from each family departed, we were still doing the sweet couple act.
“Well then, until next time, may we meet again on a good occasion.”
Siette Cartiel bid farewell and boarded the carriage without looking back. Even in that moment, we didn’t separate from each other.
“You’re not tired?”
“I’m fine.”
Of course, we didn’t forget to have an intimate conversation.
“You went to bed late last night.”
While that was true, it was because we were busy with the outfit incident.
“How could you talk about that outside…”
I pretended to scold him, hiding my face behind a fan with an awkward expression.
“Oh, right.”
Acting awkwardly, he pretended to cough as if he should be more careful with his words. Duke Alors, who pretended not to see all of that, left with a satisfied expression.
Creak!
And so, the last carriage left. When we were truly alone, I finally could speak freely.
“Diello.”
“Yes.”
His usual calm gaze turned towards me. I sincerely admired him.
“Your acting is not just a higher level. It’s almost like an entirely different level, isn’t it?”
It was, of course, a very small whisper.
Diello looked at me, who was practically leaning against him, and smiled a little.
“Are you cold?”
As he said that, he took off his coat and covered me, then leaned in close and whispered.
“I can’t act, you know.”
…This wasn’t acting?
He consistently remained humble, indeed.
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