LFLH 51

Chapter 51

“Are you ready?”

“Uh? Uh, yeah.”

Calliope answered somewhat dazedly.

It was already the end of the prelude.

She placed her hand on Leraje’s shoulder and thought, Why did the atmosphere change?

Just a moment ago, he was acting like a mischievous troublemaker, but now something seemed off. It was as if something precious had been stolen right before his eyes…

What am I thinking?

If he were a predator that had just lost its prey, it might make sense.

Calliope shook off the thought and focused on the dance.

Meanwhile, Leraje was barely holding back a tangled storm of emotions.

He wants to dance later?

Of course, Calliope didn’t mind why she had answered that way.

But strangely, it made him feel uncomfortable.

Why should he treat me so kindly?

He had always been prickly with her, but so sweet and gentle with Lucius.

He recalled Lucius, who had boldly extended his hand to a woman already in a relationship, and Calliope, who had smiled brightly at him.

He doesn’t even know what a trashy guy Lucius is.

Though he ground his teeth internally, Leraje’s expression remained unchanged.

His body smoothly followed the rhythm of the dance.

…Don’t tell me that bastard actually has feelings for her?

Suddenly, he recalled the conditions for Calliope’s future husband.

Despite his harsh evaluation, he realized that Lucius roughly fit those conditions, and he involuntarily scrunched his face.

“Don’t frown. You’ll get wrinkles on that pretty face of yours.”

Calliope suddenly spoke as though she had seen his expression.

Really? Who’s the prettier one here?

Still, Leraje obediently relaxed his expression.

But my looks are definitely superior, right? And this physique.

At least when it came to self-esteem in appearance, he could topple a continent. He was the type who admired his face every time he looked in the mirror.

Anyway, that bastard doesn’t stand a chance.

He had no intention of letting another man take her place by her side either.

Calliope Verdi will marry me.

No one would take her from him. Leraje’s golden eyes turned cold.

Just then, the crown prince entered his field of vision.

Good.

Lucius was glaring at them with eyes that seemed to burn with rage.

Leraje could feel his boiling anger.

He quietly twisted his lips.

Now, let’s see if he’ll live up to my expectations.

Having had years of practical experience with Calliope, Leraje had reached a certain level of expertise in prying into people’s hearts.

“Calliope.”

Leraje flashed a smile brighter than flowers, and Calliope was startled.

“Why the sudden change?”

“You said to do it properly, right? Let’s dance now, just like the most loving couple in the world.”

Leraje tightened his arm around her waist.

At the same time, the music began to rush toward its climax.

At first, Calliope seemed flustered, but soon she joined in the passionate performance. Their gazes locked, fiery like flames.

They continued their passionate dance, their bodies pressed so closely that it was hard to find any space between them.

They looked like a couple whose love had fully ripened.

Then, in the final moment, when Calliope leaned back, Leraje draped his body over hers, and everyone forgot to breathe.

Leraje casually glanced up at Lucius.

The crown prince’s face was turning red with anger.

He must think he’s stolen something that was never his in the first place.

It was laughable and pathetic, and Leraje sneered.

Then, he slowly raised his body, making sure to show off in front of Lucius.

Their gazes met. When Lucius’s eyes widened slightly, Leraje smiled.

With that impudent, frivolous expression that Lucius despised.

Lucius gritted his teeth and turned sharply, storming off.

Leraje silently watched him go until someone poked him in the chest.

“Leraje, what are you doing?”

Only then did the loud applause and cheers fill his ears.

“Let’s go.”

The two of them left the ballroom leisurely.

By now, the sun had set, and the sky had darkened. The palace, shrouded in the darkness of the night, was illuminated by lights made from magic stones.

The lights created a serene atmosphere.

The two headed straight for the garden, knowing it would be quiet now since the banquet was in full swing.

Calliope smiled with satisfaction and celebrated the success of their performance.

“Everything went according to plan. Now, we shouldn’t have to worry about anyone suspecting anything between us.”

Leraje asked.

“So, are we moving on to the next step?”

“Yes. The deadline my grandfather gave us is one year, so we should get engaged as soon as possible…”

“Wait.”

Leraje raised his hand, stopping Calliope’s words, and grabbed her hand firmly.

“What’s going on?”

“Someone’s coming this way.”

Calliope quickly closed her mouth and followed him as he led the way.

When they hid behind a tall shrub, three people appeared.

“Those are…”

Calliope muttered quietly. Leraje, who recognized them, continued.

“Graduates of the Academy.”

They weren’t magic or swordsmanship students. Perhaps they were from the administrative or history department? As Calliope was thinking, one of them spoke.

“I can’t believe they became such an intimate couple so quickly.”

“I know, right? Anyone who doesn’t know how bad their relationship was at the Academy? Every time they met, they fought like cats and dogs.”

When one person chimed in, another added.

“Even though the 7th prince saved her life, I bet the grudges between them didn’t just disappear.”

“That’s true. While the prince might not have noticed, Calliope Verdi hated him. I’m sure the young ladies saw her smiling that pretty face while casting fireballs in the air, right?”

“I was so scared that she’d throw that fireball into the prince’s back while he turned around.”

They nodded vigorously in agreement. Leraje turned to Calliope and asked.

“…Is that true?”

She kept silent.

It would be foolish to give a statement without a lawyer.

Meanwhile, their conversation continued.

“Didn’t the Duke of Verdi say he would only grant the title if she married?”

“And the conditions for her husband were ridiculously strict, right?”

“Could it be that Calliope Verdi approached the 7th prince because she couldn’t find a suitable man?”

Oh, Calliope was impressed briefly. Sharp, huh?

But it wasn’t me; it was Leraje who approached her first.

She wanted to correct them but decided to listen further.

“I’m almost certain. They might not say it out loud, but I bet others think the same.”

“Yeah, definitely.”

After reaching their conclusion, they laughed and walked away.

…

…

A cool breeze swept past them briefly.

Things went exactly as planned.

Calliope sighed in frustration.

“If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have gone through all that trouble.”

She ran a hand through her hair with exhaustion, and Leraje casually responded.

“We’ve certainly had a deep rift, haven’t we?”

“Is that my fault? Eight out of ten times, you were the one who started it!”

“So, you were going to kill me with a fireball over it?”

Leraje’s leading question came right when he needed it. Of course, Calliope, who was used to this kind of interrogation, wasn’t fooled.

“What are you talking about? I was just trying to warm myself up since it was a chilly day.”

“Who uses a fireball to warm themselves up? That’s the height of inefficiency.”

“A genius wizard is made after accumulating diverse experiences.”

Calliope answered without a hint of hesitation, and even Leraje, who knew it was a blatant lie, almost believed her.

Realizing his mistake, he clicked his tongue.

“I get it. You won’t make an unfavorable statement.”

“I learned not to say anything that could be used against me in court.”

“From Duke Verdi?”

“Umm… no?”

Calliope proudly straightened her shoulders.

“My late mother taught me.”