TVKSM 09

Chapter : 09

On the day of the party, Ulysses sat anxiously on the sofa, tapping his leg.

Today, the man claiming to be Evelyn’s fiancé would finally arrive.

What kind of bastard is he that the princess who was obsessed with me suddenly turned away?

Dahlia had suggested he might be a fake fiancé, and Ulysses had initially considered that too—but the more he thought about it, the less it made sense.

Unless she truly hated me, there’s no way she would just kick me aside like that.

For reference, Ulysses’ “that” was perfectly intact.

Anyway, that wasn’t the important issue.

In the entire Empire, aside from the Pravice family, there was no one better than him. So what kind of nobody managed to seduce Evelyn in a single day?

It has to be a fake fiancé. That’s the only explanation.

“…Ha.”

But then again, if it was a fake fiancé, it also didn’t make sense that she had “kicked him away” like that.

“…Your Highness.”

Who exactly is it? Who would dare—no, did I just say “dare”? Why am I acting like I’m the one who got my woman stolen—

“Your Highness!”

At the voice calling him again and again, Ulysses snapped his head up.

Dahlia was there, as expected.

“Your Highness, are you worried about something?”

She sat beside him, holding his hand with a concerned expression.

The moment her soft touch reached him, all the tangled thoughts in his head disappeared like fog.

Ulysses smiled gently, feeling sudden peace, and shook his head.

“No. Nothing at all.”

“…”

Dahlia was certain he was hiding something.

But she couldn’t press further—because right now, his expression genuinely looked calm.

It would seem strange to insist.

So she simply smiled warmly, the expression Ulysses liked most.

“The party will start soon. Let’s go, Your Highness.”

“Yes. Let’s.”

Ulysses stood first and reached out his hand.

But then he noticed Dahlia’s outfit.

He sighed.

“I clearly gifted you a dress.”

He had given her many gifts. Yet she had never once worn the dresses he gave her.

Dahlia fidgeted.

“…It felt too precious for me.”

In truth, she had planned to wear it today—to provoke Evelyn’s anger.

But—

What if I run into that gentleman again?

The man named Raphael had seemed modest. Dahlia didn’t want to appear like someone obsessed with luxury, so she chose a simple party dress instead.

Ulysses misunderstood.

Of course. Before, she would’ve just become a target for that woman’s rage.

Feeling sorry for her, he pulled her into his arms.

Dahlia’s soft scent filled his senses.

“There’s no way. That dress was made for you. If you don’t wear it, who would?”

“Then I’ll wear it next time.”

“Good. You should.”

He released her, satisfied.

They boarded the carriage and soon arrived at the main palace.

As Dahlia stepped out with Ulysses’ escort, the herald announced loudly:

“His Highness Ulysses Etwal Sandrium, Crown Prince—!”

“Wait.”

“Your Highness?”

Ulysses suddenly covered the herald’s mouth.

Confused, Dahlia followed his gaze.

And froze.

In the corner of the wall—

A man and woman were kissing.

“Eek!”

Dahlia covered her eyes in shock.

Ulysses frowned deeply.

“In a sacred imperial palace… what are they doing?”

“Let’s just go, Your Highness.”

But it was too late.

A familiar voice reached his ears.

“Move away, Raphael.”

“Just a little longer.”

The woman’s voice was unmistakably familiar.

Ulysses’ body moved on its own.

“Your Highness!”

Dahlia hurried after him, but couldn’t keep up.

Under the moonlight, the two figures came into view.

Ulysses froze completely.

Dahlia arrived shortly after, out of breath.

“Haa… Your Highness, why—”

She stopped mid-sentence.

Because it didn’t make sense.

Even from behind, she recognized him.

That mint-colored hair—

“Marquis Raphael Celestian…”

The man turned slightly.

And the woman in his arms stepped out.

Lavender eyes, half-lidded and alluring.

Soft pink-blonde hair flowing down.

“…Princess Pravice.”

Evelyn looked down at them calmly.

And there it was.

A smear of red lipstick on her lips.

Ulysses’ expression twisted.

“Princess. What exactly are you doing here?”

“Princess. What exactly are you doing here?”

Ulysses’ shocked gaze locked onto my lips.

So did Dahlia’s.

Ah. I see what this looks like.

The reason was simple.

A butterfly had landed on my lips.

And that was… not a pleasant experience.

No matter how beautiful Evelyn’s face was, I didn’t expect a butterfly to actually land there.

Butterflies are pretty only from a distance.

Up close, they’re kind of gross.

So yes, I freaked out a bit.

And Raphael, trying to help, had grabbed me just as the timing turned catastrophic.

Perfect timing.

Even after the butterfly left, I had rubbed my lips raw trying to get rid of the feeling.

Honestly, Raphael staying close was the real lifesaver.

I smiled lightly and leaned into their misunderstanding.

“You’re asking what I’m doing here? Isn’t it obvious?”

“Wh—why are you—!”

“People do worse things on terraces all the time. What’s the problem with a little kissing outside? We’re engaged, after all. Right, Raphael?”

“Yes, Evelyn.”

Raphael nodded smoothly.

Ulysses and Dahlia froze again.

Especially Ulysses.

“En…gaged? Him?”

“Yes. My fiancé, Raphael Celestian.”

Raphael bowed slightly.

I casually rested a hand on his shoulder, and he immediately wrapped an arm around my waist.

“You told me to bring him today, Your Highness. So here he is.”

“….”

Still, not the reaction I expected.

Both Ulysses and Dahlia were frozen like statues.

Why are they reacting like that?

A bad feeling crept in.

I quickly stepped back.

“Then we’ll head in first. We can’t arrive later than Your Highness, after all.”

“See you inside.”

We walked past the original protagonists.

Once we were out of earshot, I whispered to Raphael.

“Their reaction is kinda weird, huh?”

“Yes. It cannot be described as ‘the obstacle has been removed.’ More importantly, you should fix your lips.”

“Ah.”

Raphael took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the smudged lipstick from my lips.

I let him.

Then I frowned slightly.

Why do they look so annoyed that the villainess is gone?

In the original story, villains existed to be removed so the couple could be happy.

But this reaction…

Don’t tell me this relationship only works if I stay as the villain?

Come to think of it, Ulysses was always the one actively targeting Evelyn in the original.

The “prince rescuing the heroine from the villainess” type.

But he was also impulsive. Hot-tempered, not exactly smart.

The hat incident came to mind.

He still believed I ruined it.

…No way.

I glanced at Dahlia, still shaken.

Better to prepare just in case.

A fox recognizes another fox.

I turned to Raphael.

“Raphael. What do you think of Lady Hebe?”