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If My Husband Is a Narrow-Eyed Villain, I’m in Trouble — Chapter : 03
“Good evening. Young Duke, we’ve met before. Do you remember me?”
“Of course, Countess Wellington. Have you been well?”
Ian Crawford’s smile was bright enough to make anyone misunderstand.
That was how flawless his attitude was.
From the moment he approached, Diana realized that many more eyes had turned toward them.
Every single glance was focused on one person.
Wow, my skin is starting to sting.
She expected it, but apparently there were countless noble ladies aiming for Young Duke Crawford.
Even in the middle of all this, the man himself calmly kept smiling as if nothing mattered.
I would absolutely decline, though.
Diana pretended not to notice the staring gazes.
“As I already mentioned in my letter.”
The duchess cleared her throat and looked back and forth between Ian and Diana.
“To my eyes, the two of you suit each other very well. And there’s only a one-year age gap between you, right? I’m sure you’ll find plenty in common.”
“Aunt.”
Ian called out awkwardly, but the duchess only snorted.
“At my age, I have no intention of interfering in the affairs of young men and women. Instead, why don’t the two of you take a walk together?”
Duchess Crawford seemed very experienced with this kind of situation and skillfully led the conversation.
“If you’re going to decide whether to continue meeting, shouldn’t you at least have a comfortable conversation alone first?”
Judging by the look on her face, Diana’s mother felt the same way.
In fact, Helena looked like she was barely holding herself back from pushing them together immediately.
I expected this, but it’s so awkward!
Ian seemed to feel the same way. The moment their eyes met, he smiled awkwardly.
Even that expression could be acting, right?
…Maybe he should become a great actor instead of a villain behind the scenes.
“Anyway, Aunt, you truly have a remarkable talent for making people uncomfortable.”
“How noisy. Just go already.”
“Even if you hadn’t said so, I was planning to look for an opportunity myself.”
What?
While Diana was still startled, Ian walked toward her.
Ignoring the duchess’s scolding, he stopped before Diana.
“Miss Diana, if you don’t mind, would you like to get some fresh air together?”
It sounded like a casual invitation, but in truth, refusal was not really allowed.
“…Of course.”
Diana forced an awkward smile and left with him.
The number of piercing gazes doubled immediately, but that could not be helped.
“Were you embarrassed?”
As soon as they entered the beginning of the walking path, Ian finally spoke.
“My aunt is a very straightforward person, so she often puts others in uncomfortable situations. Allow me to apologize on her behalf.”
“It’s alright.”
To say those short words, Diana had already gone through countless thoughts in her head.
Did I sound too cold?
Should I have added something more?
The man smiling politely beside her looked perfect in every way, yet the longer she stayed with him, the more nervous she became. It almost made her dizzy.
No. You’re doing well.
Silence is gold!
Keep the conversation minimal!
“But Miss Diana, perhaps I’ve done something to earn your dislike?”
“Hm?”
Startled, Diana turned her head.
Then her eyes met Ian’s as he looked down at her—
…D-Did our eyes really meet?
Looking at him up close made it even stranger.
Are his eyes open or closed?
“You’re finally looking at me. Since you’ve barely spoken since earlier, I thought perhaps you disliked me.”
So their eyes really had met.
“Were you very uncomfortable?”
“No. I was simply surprised to meet you.”
Thinking her answer sounded too obvious, Diana quickly shifted the topic toward Ian.
“Actually, I thought you might feel burdened by this kind of meeting, Young Duke.”
“Meetings with obvious intentions are burdensome for anyone. But personally…”
Without changing his expression at all, Ian calmly continued,
“Meeting a beauty such as Miss Diana is always refreshing.”
“…Thank you.”
So this was the kind of person whose mouth would keep floating even if he fell into water. His smooth talking was truly remarkable.
A man like this could probably sell heated floor mats inside a water purifier office.
“Are you very busy with court duties?”
“Embarrassingly so. His Excellency the Chancellor constantly threw work at me even before retiring, but I didn’t expect him to leave things in such a mess right before stepping down…”
“That must have been difficult.”
“Yes. But I must endure it.”
As he said that, Ian laughed softly and rubbed the back of his neck.
“I ended up complaining in front of a lady. I would appreciate it if you pretended not to hear that.”
Diana nodded with a complicated expression.
“I’ve always caused my aunt concern regarding marriage. I suppose she truly found me unreliable if she went so far as to arrange a gathering like this.”
“There’s no way that’s true. She must simply care about you a great deal.”
Only briefly impressed, Diana cautiously brought up the subject she truly wanted to ask about.
“Then… does that mean you have no intention of marrying?”
“Someday, I suppose I must. As the young duke, it isn’t something I can avoid.”
Ian slowed his steps as he answered.
“But I don’t believe now is the right time. There are still… things I must accomplish first.”
“I see.”
If that was true, then it was the best news she had heard all day.
“And what about you, Miss Diana?”
“Hm? Me?”
The arrow suddenly flew back at her.
What answer would sound the most natural?
After thinking carefully, Diana lowered her head shyly.
“I also… embarrassingly enough, don’t feel mentally prepared yet.”
The gesture was obviously fake, but outwardly it looked convincing enough.
Diana carefully chose each word.
“And besides, the Crawford duchy… I’ve never imagined becoming part of such a prestigious family. I don’t think it suits me.”
“Are you perhaps hiding the fact that you dislike me?”
“N-No, that’s not it!”
“Haha, I’m joking.”
His intuition was strangely sharp.
Was this another trait of narrow-eyed villains?
“Then it seems we are in the same situation.”
Ian spoke in a relieved tone.
“I’ll politely explain things to my aunt myself. That neither of us is prepared yet.”
“Will that really be alright?”
“I’ve already caused her enough worry, so I might as well continue a little longer. Though in exchange…”
After adding that, Ian intentionally slowed his pace.
“Would you accompany me and help improve my mood at least until this walk ends?”
“…Yes, of course.”
Diana felt strangely conflicted.
Ian Crawford was exactly as she had imagined.
With his friendly attitude and smooth speech, he skillfully hid his true thoughts.
Very aristocratic.
Though he’s originally the definition of nobility itself.
The childhood friend of Crown Prince Cedric and a genius practically guaranteed the position of youngest chancellor.
On top of that, he was the future head of a ducal house.
Who would refuse such a man?
And because someone like him acted so kindly and approachable, everyone foolishly believed they had earned his favor.
“Please watch your step.”
“Thank you, Young Duke.”
“Ian is enough.”
The two people wearing masks of politeness looked at each other at the same time.
A summer night filled with the sweet scent of flowers.
The lanterns softly lit the walking path.
The atmosphere was romantic enough, yet Ian’s attitude remained unchanged.
“Count Wellington seems to be quite skilled at poker.”
His ability to choose appropriate conversation topics.
“You must have been fooled by my father’s bragging. He has always liked gambling and betting.”
“Is that so? That’s unfortunate. I would have liked to learn a few tricks from him.”
And his casual responses as well.
But questions like, “What about you, Miss Diana?” never came back again.
The same went for comments like, “Shall we do this together next time?”
He never promised a next meeting.
It was a very clear line he refused to cross.
There was a saying that if a man and woman had dinner alone three times without progress, one should give up.
This person really has no interest in me.
The more they talked, the more obvious it became.
Forget dinner—she would probably never even meet Ian Crawford a second time.
Besides, his attention has been elsewhere this whole time.
Was something bothering him?
His movements were subtle, so it was hard to notice…
But he really was looking toward the rustling bushes, right?
He was unusually sensitive to signs of people nearby.
Though he hid it skillfully, one thing was certain.
At this moment, he didn’t even see Diana as someone worth using.
Changing the original story… is going surprisingly smoothly?
The opposite of love wasn’t hatred, but indifference.
At that moment, Diana truly understood the meaning of those words again.
Just as they reached the end of the walking path—
The decoration on Diana’s shoe suddenly snapped.
“Oh dear, are you alright?”
Ian quickly caught and supported her.
“Thank you. I’m alright. It seems the strap is just damaged a little.”
“Allow me to help you.”
“No, it’s alright.”
If she wanted to end this meaningless meeting, now was the perfect opportunity.
Diana shook her head.
“I don’t want to show an embarrassing appearance. I can walk carefully, so let’s part here.”
“But…”
“Besides, if you continue supporting me, many people will misunderstand. It’s better if we separate here.”
“Are you truly alright?”
“Of course. I’ll head to the lounge.”
“If you insist… then alright.”
After her repeated refusals, Ian nodded.
“I enjoyed today, Miss Diana. I hope you return safely.”
“I did as well. Have a good evening, Young Duke.”
After reminding her to be careful, Ian greeted her and left.
The moment he completely disappeared from sight, Diana felt an overwhelming sense of freedom.
She almost wanted to shout from relief.
Success! This is enough! The fiancée route is gone!
I’m sorry, Mother.
But avoiding a death flag is more important, right?
Now alone, Diana suppressed her joy and quickly moved her feet.
Trying not to limp made the soles of her feet hurt even more, and by the time she reached the lounge, her shoes were completely ruined.
But she didn’t care.
At least until then, Diana felt happier than ever before.
“Did you see her earlier, walking so closely beside Sir Ian?”
“I did! She pretended to have no interest at all, but the moment she got the chance, she clung to him like a beetle.”
“For someone from a newly risen noble family, she’s shameless. How can she have no sense of embarrassment at all? Don’t you agree, Carmine?”
“It can’t be helped. Hasn’t it only been three years since the Wellington family was elevated to count status?”
Even though she had been in such a good mood—
“They’re probably starting to realize that money alone isn’t enough to play at being nobles forever.”
