I Abandoned the Male Lead Who Cheated with the Villainess - Chapter 58
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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“…”
“…”
The thought that she, a commoner, was daring to stare so openly at the Crown Prince struck her with intense force. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t tear her gaze away from the man who seemed to bind her with chains.
‘It feels like when I look at Rix.’
Amidst the softly flowing music, the young nobles busy finding their partners, and the nobles showing excessive interest in Herix’s movements… It should have been noisy around her, yet Ivonne’s ears were filled only with tranquility.
Even she forgot how to breathe until Herix, shadow-like in his thick, long dolman, approached.
As the imposing man stood in front of her, the brilliant light illuminating her was obscured. A man like a blackout curtain, Ivonne thought absentmindedly.
“May I have the honor of sharing the first dance with you?”
It was a polite hand. A refined greeting and an elegant voice.
Yet the gaze Herix bestowed upon her was unbearably clingy. It was like looking into an unfathomable, murky swamp. Ivonne knew she was in no position to hesitate.
Yet, she couldn’t easily extend her hand to the Crown Prince.
‘Why… do I think of Rix?’
Dancing with the Crown Prince wouldn’t make her his in any way. Why then did it feel so wrong to take another man’s hand, to dance and enjoy the ball while leaving Rix behind?
Ivonne was now audaciously contemplating the Crown Prince’s invitation. Those holding their breaths and watching her were each astounded. Of course, the most astonishing aspect was Herix waiting quietly for Ivonne’s decision.
Eventually, Ivonne made up her mind.
“Please, kill me instead.”
A commoner had refused the Crown Prince. As Ivonne bowed her head and offered her neck, those who were openly watching, as well as those sneaking glances, were all agape.
What am I witnessing? Is what I heard real? Did she just refuse His Highness the Crown Prince? Does she have multiple lives or what?
In the silent astonishment, Herix spoke.
“Do you already have a partner?”
His voice was flat, undulating neither with anger nor annoyance, nor was it clear if he was merely curious.
“No, no, not at all. It’s just… I’m here in place of the department head, and I feel my skills are too lacking to share the honor of the first dance with the Crown Prince.”
Worried about offending Herix, Ivonne quickly explained.
“And also… I don’t know. It doesn’t seem right to me.”
What was this all about?
Herix, who had been quietly waiting for Ivonne’s response, tilted his head slightly. His untamed, wavy black hair loosely fell over his face. His collar, unbuttoned in a manner unbefitting of a Crown Prince, made his neck muscles stand out more prominently.
As the fierce light in his piercing eyes dimmed, everyone felt as if their breath was being squeezed out of them, yet Ivonne in front of him seemed unbothered.
“Well, um… Actually, there’s someone sick at home. A colleague of mine who… cares a lot about me… No, I can’t enjoy myself… leaving that sick person alone.”
Ah, what am I even saying! Ivonne wanted to strangle herself for rambling so incoherently.
‘It’s all because of those purple eyes.’
It was those purple eyes, reminiscent of the fox and Rix, that had drawn the truth out of her and made her spill such words to the Crown Prince. As Ivonne’s embarrassment and anxiety deepened, causing her to bow her head further…
“…Hm.”
A suppressed laugh cut through the silent tension.
“…?”
The source was Herix.
Ivonne, who inadvertently looked at him, found it hard to breathe properly this time.
The long, cold eyes she thought were unfeeling were curved prettily. This softened the otherwise deadly sharpness of his gaze, completing a gentle smiling expression.
A literal ‘melting’ smile.
His lips quirked in a smile, revealing even, white teeth, and Ivonne felt an inexplicable longing at the sight of someone else’s teeth.
“Is that so?”
Herix spoke to the dazed Ivonne in a plain tone before standing up, indicating he would leave. Ivonne was at a loss yet felt terribly sorry.
“I, I’m so sorry.”
“I understand. There are circumstances.”
With a shrug that conveyed a message not to worry about it. Even Emperor Arnold was taken aback.
Who exactly was this considerate and composed man? Was he really the same person who had threatened to decapitate his half-brother in front of him and demanded the throne, that despicable madman? If this wasn’t pretense, then what was?
‘Or perhaps, the Herix standing there might be an impostor.’
That would be regrettable, considering they’ve employed such a poor actor to impersonate Herix! Arnold shuddered at the thought before snapping back to reality, pondering coldly.
‘Wasn’t it said that he behaves like a small animal in front of that woman?’
The tale of Herix cutting off the cherished locks of Lady Celestia of Marquisate Cyand and marking the face of Count Ulfest had also reached the Emperor’s ears.
Additionally, there were both subjective and objective accounts of his pupils dilating at the scent of blood, yet reverting to a normal expression and feigning innocence when Ivonne stumbled.
These stories were interesting to Arnold.
