The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 62
***
The procession for Roxelyn’s departure to Kaluta was meant to be modest.
Well, she wanted it to be modest.
But being an envoy to a foreign country, it couldn’t be too modest…
“This is for defense, and this is for offense. This one has your father’s Abyss fused into it, so it can give a strong electric shock… This is a blanket with an Abyss that retains warmth… This… And this too…”
Especially, Roxelyn’s carriage was anything but modest.
Looking at the mountain of unidentifiable items, Roxelyn smiled brightly.
“Father, except for the blanket with warming capabilities and the electric shock crossbow, please remove everything else.”
Having listened to the entire explanation with a smiling face, Roxelyn spoke firmly.
Disappointment showed on Zerti’s face, but Roxelyn didn’t want to unnecessarily increase the number of carriages she was already bringing with her.
Roxelyn just waved one hand tiredly.
“Hey! You! How did you coax Father to choose you as the representative instead of me?! I’m the one who’s whole while you’re a mere half-blood!!”
Roxelyn glanced disdainfully at the ranting Second Prince and turned her head.
As he said, the leader of this envoy was the Third Prince.
But given the Third Prince’s frail nature, the Second Prince’s influence was expected to be significant.
‘What was the Emperor thinking arranging the selection this way?’
Having two leaders could easily lead to disarray.
‘Where is the Third Prince anyway?’
Roxelyn pondered as she walked past the noisy Second Prince, weaving through the crowd.
Not far away was a man with sleek black hair swept back, whose expression looked a bit unpleasant.
He had a notably striking appearance.
‘Who is that?’
As Roxelyn looked at him, he seemed to feel her gaze and casually glanced back at her with indifference.
“What are you looking at?”
Speaking informally at first sight.
Roxelyn internally clicked her tongue and frowned.
Was he related to the imperial family?
‘What an unpleasant character.’
When she turned to ignore him, the man suddenly and gently grasped her sleeve.
“U-Um, I knew it, t-this really doesn’t suit me, does it…?”
The brash charisma from moments ago was gone, replaced by a man with a crestfallen face, his eyes crinkling as if he was about to cry.
“…Who are you?”
When Roxelyn asked, the man looked at her with a somewhat sorrowful expression.
“…I am the Third Prince, Arma.”
“Ah…”
With an awkward silence, the carriage finally set off after a while.
***
‘…To think that man was the Third Prince.’
Roxelyn mulled over the recent encounter. Glancing over, her eyes met his again.
Just the act of slicking back his bangs and exposing his forehead had completely changed his aura, she realized for the first time that a person’s demeanor could change so drastically.
He had a completely different atmosphere when his mouth was closed, but it changed entirely once he spoke.
Roxelyn slowly blinked as she looked at the Third Prince, Arma, sitting before her with his cheeks tinged pink.
And next to her, confidently taking his place, was the boy, Batar.
For some reason, Batar had been glaring menacingly at Arma since earlier.
‘Maybe because he’s had bad experiences with men?’
The underground auction they had been to was filled with men, after all.
‘It’s possible he’s scared of men.’
With that thought, Roxelyn lightly grabbed Batar’s hand to reassure him.
Batar twitched his shoulder, then softened his menacing gaze and relaxed his mouth into a mushy smile.
At the same time, Arma’s expression darkened.
‘The other two are already being escorted by the imperial knights…’
Of course, Roxelyn didn’t notice the gaze she missed because she was preoccupied.
‘This should be enough for a gift, shouldn’t it.’
As Roxelyn nodded, Batar smiled widely.
Sitting there, Batar seemed uncomfortable in the imperial-style clothing, constantly fidgeting with his attire.
“Roxelyn, who is that man?”
“His Highness the Third Prince.”
“I can see that! I’m asking what he is to you!”
Batar spoke in a strange tone that was neither formal nor overly familiar, somewhere in between.
“My fiancé.”
“…You had a fiancé?!”
Batar asked with a shocked face. Arma’s face flushed with pride.
“Yes, if things with Kaluta are settled well, we’ve planned to break off the engagement.”
And then his face darkened again.
Conversely, Batar’s face bloomed like a flower.
“That’s good. In Kaluta, we don’t care at all about a spouse’s past! Don’t worry!”
“I know.”
Roxelyn responded calmly and nodded to the sudden comment with a puzzled expression.
The carriage carrying a brightly smiling Batar, a gloomy Arma, and an expressionless Roxelyn swiftly moved forward.
