The Unlikely Imprint of the Villainess and the Male Lead - Chapter 70

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Chapter 70

Translator: Yonnee

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“Miss…!”

As Deborah retraced her steps with tightly pressed lips, a maid with a worried expression who had been waiting approached her.

“Have you been waiting long? Let’s go back now.”

“…Yes, let’s go quickly.”

Deborah forced a smile as she hurried her steps, glancing at the maid who looked at her with concern.

It wasn’t the first or second time she had been rebuffed by Richt, yet she never seemed to grow accustomed to it.

Shhk—

‘…He’s already gone, huh.’

With a tentative glance over her shoulder, Deborah searched for the tall man with black hair, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Turning her gaze back to the road, she chewed over what had just happened with a confused expression.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

She couldn’t pinpoint an explanation, but an unsettling feeling told her something was amiss.

‘Even that day, it was at least this bad… that cold gaze, and something else—he was strangely different.’

The last time she’d seen Richt’s face was at the year-end ball held a few months ago.

Even then, after exchanging a few words he’d still sent her off, but his tone hadn’t been so detached.

‘…This is strange.’

While climbing into the carriage, Deborah couldn’t help but feel anxious over Richt’s sudden change in demeanor.

* * *

Today was the day Luciana came to the bedroom once a week.

Through several meetings, the two had naturally settled on eleven o’clock in the evening as their meeting time.

‘There’s still time left.’

Having finished his work long ago and already waiting, Richt glanced at the invitation that had arrived a few days ago.

A lion, symbolizing the empire’s bravery, and two crossed swords representing strength and wisdom.

Idris von Odelia. The sender was none other than the Second Princess.

“She speaks so elegantly, yet it’s nothing more than a thinly veiled threat suggesting it would be best for me to attend.”

Richt clicked his tongue as he scanned the contents of the invitation with evident annoyance.

Just as winter hosts a year-end ball and a New Year’s ball, like many other nations, the empire traditionally held grand social events every season.

As stated at the top of the invitation, the Spring Festival was the most representative in spring, followed by the Founding Festival in summer, and a Hunting Contest and Thanksgiving Festival in autumn.

Speaking of the Spring Festival, it was notable for being centered on unmarried nobles. Although married individuals could attend, they were barred from participating directly in activities such as dancing or voting.

Moreover, the most beautiful woman was bestowed the title ‘Spring Goddess’, though in recent times it hadn’t been regarded with the same honor as before.

Nevertheless, the accolade of having the fairest beauty of the land was so coveted that there were still those who eagerly hoped to be chosen as the Spring Goddess.

Still, the majority of the nobles attending the Spring Festival were more interested in seeking a marriage partner of their own rank or spending sweet, amorous moments while strolling among the blossoms with their betrothed.

Wasn’t the very reason for the continued existence of the social scene, from ancient times, to secure a suitable spouse and achieve a successful marriage?

That brief period in spring, held outdoors in a serene setting with warm breezes and a myriad of blooming flowers, was an event eagerly awaited by those who dreamed of either romance or a calculated love.

The unique nature of the Spring Festival, which was designed for the benefit of unmarried nobles, was also evident in the way the event was hosted.

While most social gatherings hosted by the imperial court were overseen by the Empress, the Spring Festival was the sole event managed by an unmarried Imperial Princess.

‘Normally, the First Princess would be in charge, but since she married the king of an allied nation last year…’

As a result, the task of organizing the event naturally fell to the Second Princess.

“Tch.”

Suddenly, Richt recalled the absurd conversation he once had with Idris and clicked his tongue.

On another tedious ball day, when he had planned to just show his face and then leave, she had held him back, of all people.

“Duke Cassio, there’s a rumor in the social circles these days that you’re impotent. Is it true?”

She had so casually inquired about something no other imperial family member dared speak of.

‘Did she gather all those people—who have nothing else to do—at the palace on purpose, just to elicit some cheap gossip?’

As a Duke of the nation who had had a few one-on-one encounters with the Second Princess, Richt was well aware of her un-royal eccentricities.

Not to mention, with her clear desire for his active participation in the Spring Festival she organized, the Second Princess surely wanted him to appear in her playground, since she was someone who loved a bit of mischief.