I Became the Villain's Master - Chapter 119
Chapter 119
It was driving me crazy.
“What do you mean?”
I shrank under the gazes of Therion and Kiris, who glanced at our joined hands.
‘Excuse me. Why are you doing this to me, and not the heroine?!’
I wanted to shout, but I only managed an awkward smile.
“Please take good care of Aria, my lady.”
Therion, true to his role as the male lead, flashed a charming smile. Kiris glared at him, eyes practically shooting lasers.
The tense, almost palpable, atmosphere thankfully dissipated with the Crown Prince’s arrival.
* * *
The nobles gathered in the large tent moved to the prepared hall for the ceremonial rites.
“His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, enters!”
The nobles rose to greet Cedric, the Crown Prince of the Empire. Dressed in riding attire subtly embroidered with the imperial crest, befitting the Holy Festival, Cedric surveyed the room with an air of authority, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Shing-
An intricately designed sword was drawn, and attendants brought forth something.
‘What is that?’
The attendants placed a creature, seemingly on the verge of death, upon a marble altar.
Kieeek-
The creature twitched and let out a faint cry.
“….”
Cedric impassively stared at the creature before swiftly striking it with his sword, facing each cardinal direction.
Clang- Clang- Clang-
‘Ooh!’
I watched, carefully rolling my stiff shoulders.
The ritual performed at the imperial palace before the Holy Festival. Offering a monster as a sacrifice and giving thanks to the God Moreus was of utmost importance.
‘It’s like a signal for the start of the Holy Festival.’
Whoosh-
Moments later, an attendant set the creature’s body ablaze, and it burned cleanly. Though acrid smoke threatened to fill the air, magic ensured it simply vanished.
“At this Holy Festival…”
I gazed at Cedric, seated in the place of honor, looking down at the nobles. Aside from our encounter at the imperial ball, this felt like the first time I was truly seeing him. There was something different, something… unsettling about him.
Perhaps his features had sharpened, his presence more intense. An indefinable aura emanated from him, but it quickly faded.
‘Snow, do you sense anything?’
I called out to Snow, who had been flitting around in spirit form. It zipped over to me, tilting its head.
[Is Mistress flustered?]
‘It’s nothing….’
Sigh, never mind. I dismissed its odd comment, attributing it to my recent anxieties.
Following the ritual, other ceremonies took place, marking the official commencement of the Holy Festival. The young ladies within the tent presented handcrafted handkerchiefs to their partners. Witnessing so many sweet displays of affection made me feel obligated to do the same.
‘This is embarrassing.’
The other ladies’ handkerchiefs were clearly made by skilled maids, while mine, crafted by my own hand, were… less refined.
Kiris, standing beside his magnificent steed, drew many admiring glances. He seemed to be observing my every move, waiting to see how I, his partner, would act.
“Kiris.”
Just go for it!
Putting on a brave face, I called out to him casually.
Kiris’s eyes curved into a gentle smile as he looked at me. His riding attire only amplified his alluring, almost decadent aura.
‘Gasp!’ It was so overwhelming I almost felt breathless.
“Here. Need a handkerchief?”
I offered him the handkerchief as casually as if I’d just picked it up off the street. Kiris’s eyes widened.
“Mistress, did you make this yourself?”
Thankfully, he seemed pleased, a satisfied smile gracing his lips.
“Yes. I stayed up all night making it. Do you… like it?”
[Rosette Cernia.]
Kiris stared intently at the handkerchief embroidered with my name. While confident in my needlework, I suddenly felt nervous under his scrutiny.
At my question, Kiris took my hand and whispered sweetly, “I love it. Anything from you is precious to me.”
“Gasp!”
Mayday! Mayday!
My legs almost gave way, nearly sending me tumbling to the ground.
“Do you know how much your words affect me? I can barely breathe…”
“Really?”
I shot him a playful glare, but he remained unfazed.
“Well then, be safe, Kiris. You said you can’t use magic, right?”
“Yes. It’s a nuisance, but it can’t be helped. It’s been a while since I…”
Kiris touched the hilt of his sword, a sly grin spreading across his face.
“Used a sword.”
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