The Male Leads Were Stolen by the Extra Chapter 71

 

“Who dares reject me? Not even the great Princess Basin could reject me.”

 

Helius chuckled with pride, running a hand through his soft, platinum blonde hair.

 

Although his status as crown prince was indeed a privilege, there was no woman who hadn’t fallen in love with this face.

 

Helius remembered Sellonia. He’d seen her at every banquet held in the Imperial Palace in the past.

 

Sellonia, with the support of the Besin family, was haughty and arrogant.

 

Of course, the look on her face at the pre-subjugation ceremony was a sad one, like an animal being led to the slaughterhouse.

 

She wasn’t even being coerced into going, she had declared her intention of going herself. That’s why he thought, what was that expression?

 

“Anyway, she’s a woman I don’t like.”

 

Helius frowned as he remembered the last time he saw Sellonia.

 

He wasn’t happy about taking such a woman as crown princess, but if that was his father’s will, then there was nothing he could do. Well, since she’s Princess Basin, it wouldn’t be a bad way to solidify his position.

 

“Your Highness, this celebration is truly important. His Imperial Majesty has put a lot of effort into it.”

 

“Denvers, you really don’t know anything.”

 

Helius glanced at Denvers, who was chattering away, with pity.

 

Unlike Denvers, Helius, who had met many women thanks to his handsome looks, knew very well how to bring down arrogant women.

 

“The more attractive a woman is, the less you should be kind to her.”

 

“Pardon? What kind of nonsense is that?”

 

“Tsk, tsk. That’s why you can’t find a woman.. Attractive women are surrounded by so many kind people. They think all the kindnesses they receive are the same, so they don’t feel special.”

 

“…So?”

 

He thought it was absurd, but upon hearing it, it made sense. Denvers’ eyes sparkled as he looked at Helius.

 

“So, the more accomplished a woman is, the more indifferent I should be, not kind. And even such a handsome man like me is kind to other ladies yet I’m cold to the Princess. What do you think she’d think?”

 

“Wouldn’t she think you dislike her?”

 

“How foolish. Since I don’t show the same attention to her as I do to others, her pride will be bruised. Then she’ll try to catch my eye and make me pay attention to her.”

 

“Ooooh…!”

 

Denvers nodded vigorously, already completely taken in by Helius’ logic.

 

“But even there, I must show no interest. Then, towards the end of the banquet, when the Princess’s pride is so wounded that she refuses to even look at me, my radiant smile and a kiss on the back of her hand will surely win her over.”

 

Helius brimmed with confidence, as if no plan could be more perfect.

 

“As expected! Your Highness! You’ve met countless ladies, and your experience has paid off!”

 

Denvers clapped his hands in rapture.

 

“Hahaha.”

 

Helius laughed heartily, delighted by Denvers’ fuss.

 

Seducing Princess Basin was a breeze, so there was no need to put in too much effort.

 

Helius quickened his pace to see Lady Roana, who was waiting for him.

 

***

 

The Neggit Hall of the Imperial Palace was packed with people.

 

Everyone was there for their own reasons: to celebrate the recovery of Princess Basin, who was so favored by the Emperor that he even held a private banquet for her; to build relationships with the Duke of Basin; to target other influential figures; or simply because they liked parties.

 

“Congratulations on your recovery, Princess. It’s an honor to see you again in such good health.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Sellonia’s lips twitched from responding to the endless stream of formal greetings.

 

Looking at the people crowded into the ornately decorated hall, she was exhausted already.

 

Being the main character, she couldn’t leave her seat, so she had been standing in the same spot ever since she entered the hall, accepting their greetings.

 

Her father had been discussing a charity project they were planning to launch with nobles from afar.

 

“Miss, those are the people we had tea with at the café a few weeks ago.”

 

Sellonia turned her head at the sound of Ella’s voice, who was standing beside her.

 

She saw Lady Abel of the Viscount of Pantagon and Lady Pellaine of the Count of Ikhan approaching her with welcoming faces.

 

She had originally planned to invite them to the ducal tea party, but due to Tan’s sudden arrival, she postponed the tea party and asked them to attend the celebration instead, thus they had come.

 

“What should I do! Princess, you’re so dazzling!” 

 

“That’s right! As expected, you’re the star of the day.”

 

The young ladies approached, immediately raising their voices to speak.

Sellonia chuckled at the unwavering cheerfulness and opened her mouth.

 

“Lady Abel, Lady Pellaine. Thank you for coming.”

 

“Of course we have to. We’re honored to be invited to the Princess’ celebration.”

 

“But I don’t see Lady Roana, though?”

 

Sellonia realized one was missing.

 

There were three young ladies who had joined her at the cafe, yet now Lady Roana was nowhere to be seen.

 

“I’m not sure, maybe she’s dating these days. We haven’t seen each other in a while. Still, she has been looking forward to the Princess’ celebration so much, so she’ll definitely attend.”

 

Sellonia nodded in understanding at Abel’s words. After all, the business of dating is a hectic one.

 

“Princess, isn’t this a dress from Verondi Boutique?”

 

Pellaine, standing next to her, asked with sparkling eyes.

 

At that question, Sellonia instantly noticed the eyes of the surrounding ladies turn to her dress.

 

She knew all the ladies wanted dresses made at Verondi Boutique, but she didn’t expect this much attention.

 

“Yes.”

 

“As expected! It suits you so well.”

 

Sellonia responded, heaping praise upon her.

 

Even though she’d heard these compliments countless times that day, the feeling of embarrassment was almost overwhelming.

 

Sellonia smiled awkwardly, almost mechanically, and then asked a servant, who happened to be walking around with a glass filled with champagne, for a glass.

 

“Here it is.”

 

Sellonia accepted the glass and immediately sipped it. She hoped that if she had some alcohol, people would talk to her less.

 

“By the way. Have you heard that rumor? About Lady Grace. She confidently went into the Verondi boutique to get a dress fitted, yet was turned down so embarrassingly.”

 

“Huh? She’s really a lady who doesn’t know her place.”

 

Pellaine and Abel were chatting with Sellonia in the middle.

 

It seemed the story at the boutique had spread.

 

Sellonia, sipping champagne, listened intently, hoping to hear some new information about Grace.

 

But all she got was gossip, nothing of note.

 

Sellonia, having downed her first glass of champagne, took another and turned to Pelaine and Able, hoping to get some more information.

 

“Lady, do you know anything about ancient magic?”

 

“Ancient magic, you mean that black magic, right? It’s said to be taboo.”

 

Pellaine’s voice lowered as she answered, as if she was quite cautious. When Sellonia nodded in agreement, Abel, who was standing next to her, chimed in.

 

“I’ve heard about it. But I heard it was banned and disappeared so long ago that it’s difficult to find the information.”

 

Sellonia’s face darkened, having once again failed to obtain the information she wanted.

 

So, was this the only option? Asking Tan to sneak into the central library.

 

But that would be too risky. If they caught them trying to read a forbidden book, accessible only to the Emperor, they could be charged with treason.

 

“Um… By the way, Princess, isn’t that person with you today?”

 

As she pondered what to do, Abel cautiously asked.

 

“Him? Who are you talking about?”

 

“The Night Beast. I saw the newspaper article. I heard he’s staying at the Duke’s residence, isn’t he?”

 

“Ah…”

 

Sellonia let out a small exclamation, as if finally realizing it. She wondered why people kept glancing around her, and it turned out they were all looking for Tan.

 

Since he was already famous for his looks and skills, everyone wanted to see his face at least once.

 

“I’m truly surprised! Who knew he had such skills? So, is he officially a member of the Duke’s Knights?”

 

“No. He owed me a great favor, and my father, as a way to repay the favor, allowed him to stay at the Duke’s residence for a while.”

 

“Oh, so that’s what happened. So, he isn’t an official knight yet?”

 

Just then, while she was talking to Abel, a young woman suddenly interrupted.

 

Sellonia checked her face and saw that she was one of the young women who had greeted her earlier.

 

Perhaps her name was Dahlia. Sellonia thinks she said she was the youngest daughter of Count Polford.

 

Maybe because she was a young, 19-year-old noblewoman who had just had her debutante this year. Dahlia, oblivious to how rude it was to interrupt someone else’s conversation, waited expectantly for Sellonia’s response.

 

It was the gaze of a hyena stalking its prey. Dahlia was coveting the coal.

 

Sellonia’s eyebrow twitched in displeasure at the sight.