Villain, Let Me Touch You! - Chapter 97
Chloe had been watching Rienna ever since she appeared alongside Helios.
Even from a distance, Rienna stood out.
A petite frame, a round, soft face, and rare pink hair.
It looked as if a gentle fragrance would waft from her hair whenever the breeze made it sway.
She’s cute.
She was undoubtedly an obstacle, someone who would interfere with Chloe’s plans — yet, despite herself, the first thought that came to mind was how endearing she was.
Her small-animal-like appearance and aura made Chloe’s initial wariness gradually fade.
Because she had been so captivated by Rienna, she missed the perfect timing to approach Helios under the guise of coincidence.
By the time she regained her focus, Queen Demyr had already arrived.
Chloe’s eyes narrowed. The way Demyr looked at Rienna was subtle.
Her expression was cold, devoid of even the faintest smile — so why did it feel warm?
Did the Queen decide to support Helios?
That was the first thought that crossed her mind.
I heard they didn’t get along…
It wasn’t just some rumor picked up on the streets. It was information from a reliable source.
Even the Duke advised that it would be wiser to align with Priscilla rather than Demyr.
Not because Duke Marzov had any special ties to Priscilla, but because if Helios were forced out of his position as crown prince due to the Imperial Consort’s opposition, Macaulay would take the title by default.
That was why so many nobles supported Macaulay.
But if Demyr was now openly backing Helios?
Then Macaulay wouldn’t even have a chance.
A faint smile formed on Chloe’s lips as she finished her calculations.
I need to win over Helios.
She would imprint her name onto his body, no matter what.
She had made this resolve before, but this time, it felt different.
Back then, she had merely planned to use Helios as a stepping stone. But if Demyr truly stood behind him, then she was even willing to have his name imprinted onto her own body as well.
Whatever the case, the first step was to imprint her name onto Helios’s body.
As that thought settled, an image flashed through her mind. The wall where Helios’s name remained unfinished.
Why is it so easy to engrave onto others, but impossible with Helios?
Chloe grit her teeth, the sweetness in her expression quickly hardening into something sharper.
Focus.
There were many people she needed to meet today — Benz, Helios, and Rienna.
Chloe scanned the ballroom. As expected, finding Helios and Rienna was easy.
With his tall stature, Helios’s head stood out above the crowd. It was impossible to miss him.
Once again, Chloe didn’t approach them immediately. Instead, she observed.
The way Helios treated Rienna was different.
He moved around her like she was the air he breathed. The warmth in his gaze, the soft curve of his smile, the way he instinctively looked after her…
He likes her, doesn’t he?
It was the unmistakable picture of a man in love and a woman completely oblivious to it.
Was that why Helios couldn’t be imprinted on? Because he had already given his heart to someone else?
Let’s confirm it one more time.
There was one other person Chloe had failed to imprint on.
As if on cue, that very person crossed the ballroom, heading straight for Rienna.
Benz Peter — the man who had rejected Chloe’s imprinting just recently.
Chloe watched as he spoke to Rienna, his expression alight with joy.
A quiet chuckle slipped from her lips.
Benz was just like Helios.
Every bit of his body language screamed that he wanted Rienna to see him in a good light.
The difference was Rienna’s response.
With Helios, she was receptive, but with Benz? She kept her distance.
She might not realize it, but to Chloe, it was obvious.
First Helios, now Benz. Both men were drawn to Rienna.
The real variable here was her.
Cute. Adorable, even. But perhaps it would be best to get rid of her.
***
Priscilla made her entrance.
And what an entrance it was — loud, extravagant, utterly over the top.
Anyone watching might have thought a coronation was taking place.
The fanfare was so deafening that I nearly dropped my lemonade glass.
