WAV 30

Chapter 30

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but frown.

‘Is he a pervert? Why does he always want to see people angry?’

Of course, I could tell Vincent had a twisted personality.

It seemed he had been feeding his own ego by watching Edith get upset and cry over my words…

‘Pathetic.’

I was too cold a person to pretend to be hurt for his amusement.

‘At least I’d need to shed a tear to act hurt.’

Honestly, after being bothered since early morning, this meaningless conversation just exhausted me.

I spoke with a hint of disdain.

“…Vincent, aren’t you the one who has amnesia, not me?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“How can you not remember what you just said? You said you weren’t angry.”

The smile lingering at the corner of his lips slowly faded.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“You must’ve understood that you were planning to use me to provoke Ruelin today, right, Edith? Did I explain too complicatedly?”

“Do as you wish.”

“…What?”

“Use me. I won’t interfere.”

“Wh-what…”

He stared at me in disbelief at my indifferent response.

Of course, he expected me to get upset.

But…

‘What’s wrong with being used?’

He wasn’t trying to hurt me.

Pretending to spend time with another woman to make the woman you like jealous is common, isn’t it?

After all, this is a “romance” story.

Honestly, the thing that annoyed me most was that he had barged in so recklessly, and now we were just sitting across from each other.

‘If he knew, he might show up anytime.’

I decided never to tell him. Then I set a condition.

“Fine, but only until we enter the ballroom and face the purifier.”

“….”

“Anything else—like asking me to dance or mingle with others—and you won’t like the outcome.”

For some reason, he went quiet. I glanced at the still tense Vincent and added:

“As you know, I’m not the sharpest. Plus, I lost my memory, so I have no common sense.”

“….”

“You understand, right?”

It was a warning: if he pushed me too far, I wouldn’t hold back.

In the royal palace, powers were restricted to prevent accidents.

Healing or purifying powers were allowed, but visible offensive powers were forbidden.

Magical stones and awakened guards were stationed to detect any dangerous use.

In other words, Vincent couldn’t harm me no matter what I did.

As I stared at him, asking silently, “Well, what now?”

“Ha…”

“…?”

“Ha ha, ah ha ha—!”

He made a strange noise and then suddenly burst into laughter.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

I stared at him like he was crazy.

He clutched his stomach, laughing, then wiped his tears and said:

“Heh, Edith. You’ve really become more fun after losing your memory.”

“….”

“Like Ethan said, it’s almost like you’re a completely different person!”

I flinched reflexively—it was true.

Luckily, he was just teasing and giggled.

“Don’t worry.”

But his playful smile turned into a cold grin.

Leaning lazily on the cushion, he murmured:

“I’ll never ask you to dance.”

“….”

“Did I say that?”

“….”

“You dance terribly.”

He openly insulted me, and when I didn’t respond, he glared in frustration and then suddenly turned his head.

Finally! He lost interest in talking to me!

‘Ha… finally some peace.’

I was relieved.

Honestly, his laugh had been a little scary—like a ghost was around.

Vincent was probably trying to provoke me, but I just felt restless.

‘…How did he know?’

That I was a terrible dancer…!

Thankfully, he didn’t speak again until we arrived at the palace.

After passing the dazzling city lights and entering the palace gates, the carriage slowed.

Bang!

Before it completely stopped, Vincent jumped out.

Do as you like.

I waited until the carriage fully stopped, then got down slowly.

“Welcome, my lady.”

Even without a useless partner, a guard immediately came and took my hand.

Vincent had already reached the ballroom entrance, showing the invitation.

‘Such a temper… I really don’t know who’s the villain here.’

I clicked my tongue and carefully climbed the stairs, holding my dress.

At the top floor, a hand suddenly reached out.

“Grab it.”

Looking up, Vincent frowned as he looked down at me.

“You said to use me, right? Might as well keep up appearances.”

“I thought you left me behind.”

“Why would I?”

He smiled irritably, waved his hand, and urged me on.

I was about to place my hand on his over the dress when—

Thwack!

Before I could touch, he snatched my left hand and pulled me into his arms!

His strong arms squeezed my waist tightly.

“Let’s do this properly.”

I was shocked, and he sneered.

Until now, I hadn’t cared what he said.

But touching me directly was different.

“Give a warning next time, will you?”

“If I give you a chance, you’ll just scheme uselessly again.”

“Whether it’s useful or not isn’t for you to judge.”

With that, I lifted my hidden heel and stomped on Vincent’s foot.

Crack!

“Ahhh!”

He screamed and bent over to clutch his foot.

“Damn it, Edith!”

I ignored him and moved toward the attendants at the entrance.

“Here.”

“Confirmed, Lady Edith Blake.”

After verifying my invitation, I turned and saw Vincent limping toward me.

His eyes red with anger, he glared as if he would kill me.

“You’re crazy!”

“Grab my hand. People can see.”

I smiled lightly and held out my hand, like he had earlier.

“Damn it!”

Still conscious of others’ eyes, he grabbed my hand roughly.

Crack—

His grip was so strong my fingers went numb and pale.

Yet, more than the pain, I felt a thrill from finally standing my ground.

I leaned on him and whispered softly:

“I told you, if you ask for anything else, you won’t like it.”

“You…”

“Don’t touch me without permission, Vincent.”

If he didn’t want to get embarrassed in front of Ruelin.

With my golden eyes widening slightly, I finally pulled away.

At the same time, an attendant announced loudly:

“Here enter Vincent Leandro, Viscount, and Lady Edith Blake!”

Perfect timing.

Entering the ballroom, all eyes turned to us.

“Oh my, look over there!”

“That’s Lady Blake, right? The one from the recent funeral…”

“So she really came back to life!”

“And isn’t that Viscount Leandro? Why is he with a lady instead of the purifier…”

Of course, I was the main topic.

‘I did rise from the coffin, after all.’

I was glad I had listened to my servant’s advice.

If I had no partner, the attention would have been even worse.

I glanced at my partner, who still looked tense, and moved to a corner to avoid the crowd.

We waited for the heroine to arrive.

Even after our struggle from the carriage to the entrance, Ruelin was not here.

“Let go now.”

Making sure we were hidden behind a pillar, I tried to release his hand.

But he didn’t move.

He muttered without even looking at me:

“Stay still. Ruelin’s not here yet.”

“My fingers feel like they’re breaking because of you.”

“…!”

He looked down in shock at my hand, now pale and blue from his grip, stuck between his large fingers.

It looked crushed.

Seeing this, he quickly let go of my hand like flicking away dirt.

“You idiot! If it hurts, you should say so!”

Typical—he causes the problem, then gets angry.

I rolled my eyes, massaging my numb hand, and muttered:

“It’s strange. Being with you always seems to end with pain.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

From Edith’s death, pollen allergy, to now—

Every time I meet Vincent, my opinion of him hits a new low.

“…Do I really need to keep knowing you?”

I looked up, and for some reason, his face went pale, as if shocked by my words.

“You… stepped on my foot…”

He gritted his teeth to respond, but at that moment:

“All rise! His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, enters!”