I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original Chapter 149

There were plenty of eyes glued to Michi. People who wanted to strike up a conversation with her, those eager to ask her for a dance, and some who were content just watching from afar… Among them, two particularly blatant gazes belonged to Michi’s two original male leads who had sided with Prince Erenst—Tiel Orelli and Arthur Marderung.

 

“Those f*cking conscience-lacking accomplices in confinement…!” Agnesia’s light blue eyes blazed with fire. “Do they think they would have been invited if it were up to them?”

 

[Whoa, whoa. They can hear you.]

 

Of course, it wasn’t Selleana’s will that invited them. Since Selleana didn’t want it, neither did Rakrensius. But today’s wedding was an imperial wedding. They couldn’t not invite the captain of the imperial knights from a prestigious family that had been loyal to the imperial family for generations, and the heir to one of the top five merchant guilds in Nepelsian.

 

It seemed their friendship, which was once close enough to assist Prince Erenst with kidnapping, wasn’t the same as before. Since Prince Erenst was exiled to his homeland, it was rare to see the two together. Even today, the two remained apart. But that did nothing to quell Agnesia’s anger.

 

“Those damn b*stards, I hear they’re going around saying they’ll apologize if they run into her… And yet, even on such a good day, they’re being f*cking shameless. Ah, why is there no one around Michi right now?”

 

[Could you please remember that it’s me and not them hearing your curses?]

 

At that moment, Di, without ears, seemed to shudder as if in pain.

 

“Oh, over there.”

 

[Fyuh. At least they’re finally moving away. Now, can you keep it down..]

 

Agnesia and Di both fell silent, focusing their gaze on the change occurring around Michi.

 

“Ahem, Lady Michi.”

 

“Ah, Milord.”

 

The person who approached Michi was none other than Theonis. He took Michi’s nearly empty glass, placed it on a passing servant’s tray, and handed her a new glass filled with the finest sparkling wine from Hampgonyu. His movements were as smooth as flowing water.

 

The atmosphere surrounding the two was so warm that anyone could tell they were close. The gentlemen who had been glancing their way quickly averted their eyes. On the other hand, the gossipers began to scrutinize them intently.

 

“Milord, aren’t you going to dance?”

 

“I already did.”

 

“Dancing with Lea is a given for you. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen you dance at recent parties.”

 

Michi chattered more quickly than usual. It was because she felt awkward. She was embarrassed about instinctively looking at him right after catching the bouquet.

 

Why did she do that? Was it because she thought he might be interested in her? That was just speculation, and Theonis had never directly expressed any such intention. To clear her mind of these chaotic thoughts, Michi kept talking without pause.

 

“Even Lord Peredo was dancing with the ladies all day, saying it was a joyous occasion. In the past, you used to dance for at least the first five songs, didn’t you?”

 

However, throughout Michi’s incessant chatter, Theonis didn’t respond at all. He simply gazed down at Michi’s pink eyes, which every gentleman in the Nepelsian social circle called the most beautiful rose in the empire.

 

“Perhaps…”

 

As his gaze lingered, Michi, unable to endure the awkwardness, brought her nose to the wine glass and sniffed the aroma.

 

“Shall we dance now?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“It seems I finally have the leisure for a dance.”

 

The ambiguous words, without a clear subject, resonated with multiple meanings. He had found peace of mind. Or perhaps Michi, who had been surrounded by various gentlemen, now had some freedom.

 

The man who uttered the vague words simply pressed his lips into a line and stared intently at Michi.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

The contemplation of the two interpretations soon led to thoughts about the speaker. In other words, thoughts about Theonis. Could it be that he really has feelings for me…?

 

Indeed, some things could be felt without being said. Theonis, who always brought back wine as a souvenir from his trips, even though he didn’t particularly like it. Theonis, who would visit Selleana on nights when she returned home late, bringing rare wine from the cellar and asking her to explain what it was. Theonis, who suggested to Michi, who was planning to move to the townhouse within the imperial palace, Selleana’s newlywed home, to stay at the duke’s residence under the pretext of a wine business. Theonis, who, at some point, stopped even speaking to potential romantic interests at social gatherings. Could it really be…?

 

As curiosity continued to grow, Michi found herself at a loss for words to break the awkward silence.

 

“…I think Hampogonyu suits my taste the best.”

 

“Ah, yes. You like the white wine, don’t you, Milord? Its aroma is as complex as red wine, and the fine bubbles make it smooth to drink. Milord really has such a refined taste.”

 

Michi quickly responded to Theonis’s casual remark. She realized she had blurted out something trivial and felt her cheeks flush slightly. Even though she had known him for over two years, it felt like she had reverted to the shy days when she would walk around with her head down and glasses on.

 

Without glancing at her, Theonis quietly swirled his long glass, inhaled its scent, and took a sip. Michi, not wanting to be outdone, also took a sip from her wine glass. As they both sipped their wine, the silence continued.

 

“About the bouquet earlier.”

 

“Ah, that, earlier…”

 

Michi instinctively tried to explain her actions. It was a result of her prolonged, unnecessary worries. Whether Theonis liked her or not, she didn’t feel the same, so whether she caught the bouquet or not had nothing to do with him. Perhaps…?

 

“It was pretty.”

 

“Right? Our lady has a good eye. She insisted on not including any roses, and even without them, it was as beautiful as any other bouquet. Of course, it’s thanks to Mr. Thompson’s excellent greenhouse care—”

 

“No.” Theonis gently interrupted Michi’s rambling. “It was pretty because you were holding it, Lady Michi.”

 

“Ah…”

 

In the direction of the wide-eyed, rose-colored gaze, Theonis stood with a calm expression as if reciting the laws of nature.

 

“Oh my…”

 

At that moment, among the eyes watching the two was the gaze of Duchess Elard.

 

Is Theo finally making a move?

 

While her daughter had started a grand romance known throughout Nepelsian and was clamoring to move in with her lover as soon as possible, both of her sons had shown little to no interest in marriage or romance, making her wonder if it was a coincidence. Especially Theonis.

 

Theonis had always been a son who required little attention. As if he knew from birth that he was the heir to the ducal family, he easily accepted all his duties from a young age and grew up to be the perfect heir. Not that she ever forced anything upon him. Of course, neither Peredo nor Selleana required much attention either…

 

The duchess left the matter of marriage to Theonis. He would undoubtedly fulfill his duty as the heir by marrying into an appropriate family and producing an heir. But who would have thought that at the age of 28, there would still be no news? But Duchess Elard had noticed subtle changes in her son for a few years now.

 

“What do you think?”

 

“Pardon? About what…”

 

“About Theo.”

 

The duchess’s question was directed at Rakrensius, who had just become her son-in-law and was moving in time with her to the slow rhythm of the dance.

 

Rakrensius, upon checking the direction she gestured towards, made a face that suggested he understood. It was quite different from the frozen expression he had just moments ago, and the duchess suppressed a smile. It seems he’s gotten quite close to Lady Branto and Theo, being of the same age.

 

Currently, Selleana is dancing with Duke Elard. Left alone among strangers once again, Rakrensius’s face grew even paler, prompting the duchess to step in. As an adult, she wanted to discuss matters that might be difficult to bring up on any other day.

 

“Do you think Theo is interested in Lady Branto?”

 

“That’s…”

 

“I won’t object to it, so feel free to speak your mind.”

 

“…You won’t?”

 

At the duchess’s words, Rakrensius couldn’t hide his surprise.

 

“Theo is such a straightforward and conventional child… If he were to enter a typical arranged marriage as the head of Elard, I can already see how utterly boring their marriage would be.”

 

“…Boring, you say.”

 

Rakrensius furrowed his brow deeply. Well, it was the marriage of the heir to Elard, after all. He knew better than anyone how happy a union with love could be, but wasn’t his situation different from those like himself or Selleana, who had no family obligations or considerations?

 

Of course, there were obstacles to their union. However, after overcoming some incidents, the bond between the crown prince and Elard had strengthened, and Rakrensius himself, being a prince, found it easy to proceed as the long-discussed union between the imperial family and Elard was realized, albeit with a change in personnel. In fact, thanks to that, Elard’s prestige had risen even higher, so was it acceptable for a commoner-born adoptee from a baron family to occupy the position next to the heir?

 

Does that mean the position of the next hostess can be filled without considering the family’s interests…? Lea really takes after someone, after all. Thinking of his lover, who was brimming with pride in the name of Elard, Rakrensius gave a faint smile.

 

“Duke, do you think Lady Branto will accept Theo?”