Chapter 58 : Lover

Stalking? Surveillance? Or voyeurism?

Whichever it is, it’s extremely sinister. They think they’re hidden, probably assuming they can’t be seen.

Even though Teferi’s disguise looked flimsy, it was actually a high-level concealment.

A well-blended mix of spirit magic and dulling magic. Both at master-level skill.

I understand the spirit magic, but why is her proficiency in perception-error magic—part of the dulling class—so high?

It’s a spell that makes the caster’s actions seem ordinary no matter what they do. It’s otherwise completely useless.

It’s not even practical in real combat because it breaks immediately when the caster receives significant damage.

Regardless, her concealment was excellent. Even someone as skilled as Pontego didn’t notice anything.

Of course, it doesn’t work on me. My overly sensitive senses that seemed useless are finally shining. At last!

“Shall we go then?”

I’m a little conflicted.

I don’t like holding a man’s hand, but watching Teferi secretly observing me is enticing.

There’s also the realistic reason that I need to maintain good relations with the main character, Pontego.

Come to think of it, I’ve never had proper revenge, have I? In the original story, Pontego was the male lead.

Although it didn’t last until the end.

Hehe, villainess young ladies love stealing other people’s lovers.

If I’m doing this, then I’ll act quickly. I grabbed his offered hand without hesitation.

Luckily, our bare skin didn’t touch. Thank goodness for gloves.

“Sure, let’s go.”

suddenly I felt a spark. Clearly stronger than regular static electricity.

If I didn’t know Teferi was nearby, I would’ve thought it was just static.

‘Did you see that?’

Pontego and I both flinched at the sudden sting on our fingertips.

Especially Pontego, who jerked his hand back and flailed it dramatically.

He’s exaggerating—it didn’t even hurt that much.

Looking around, I sensed a faint magical hum coming from a bush where Teferi was likely hiding.

Ha! How does it feel to see someone you like getting taken?

“Ah, just some static.”

I firmly took his hand again and shook it enthusiastically.

The magical waves inside the bush started fluctuating even more violently. He’s annoyed.

Even though I’m not blonde or tanned, taking what’s someone else’s feels so satisfying. Serves you right!

“…Do you like it that much?”

Was I paying too much attention to Teferi? Pontego looked at me like I was pathetic.

No, more than pathetic—it was a condescending look.

Well, I guess it makes sense. A noble lady grabbing a man’s hand without hesitation less than 10 minutes after meeting him?

Even commoners wouldn’t make that mistake.

It makes me look like someone who’s easy with her body. That thought really pisses me off.

“Ah, no. That’s not it.”

“Well, it’s fine.”

Pontego seemed to think I’d already fallen for him. Delusional, but he did have plenty of admirers.

To him, women were probably just playthings.

Honestly, he had more than enough ability. He didn’t become the male lead just for his face.

Even though he’s the second son of his family, he surpasses his older brother in every way except birth order.

The position of head of the Trivago family, which he’ll naturally inherit, is second only to the royal house of Howard.

Our family is also a ducal house, but nowhere near the scale of the Trivago family, which governs the entire northern region bordering the

demon realm.

Even if the three dukedoms combined their power, they might barely equal it.

For someone destined to become the head of such a great family, I’m nothing special.

There are other duchesses.

To him, I’m just a nice-to-have, not a must-have—like a trophy.

Sure, marrying into another duke’s family would be useful, but even without it, his power remains unshaken.

This engagement must’ve been something my father barely managed to arrange.

Our family isn’t that old and is comparatively weak in influence.

“Ah, no… That was rude of me.”

I quickly let go of his hand, but Pontego just nodded knowingly and sneered behind his hand.

He already saw me as beneath him.

Though he still used polite speech, the way he dragged his words made it sound like he’d drop the formalities any second.

Seriously, what is this? I just wanted to mess with him a little—now look at this mess.

This is why you should never treat your body lightly, even as a joke.

Even though our meeting was slightly delayed, there was still time before the party started.

He didn’t take my hand again, but Pontego led the way as if dragging me along.

His tone and actions gradually shifted to treating me like someone of lower status.

It was mostly my fault, trying to change the mood by bringing up some territory-related topics I didn’t even know well.

The conversation veered off to politics, and I ended up exposing my ignorance.

Ugh, political theory and philosophy are my brother’s area.

How would I know about the royal family’s poverty relief policy from ten years ago?

‘Ugh, I should’ve just stayed still.’

The streets were crowded with people. Everyone turned to stare and whisper as we passed by.

Understandable. Two dukes entering the academy at the same time? That’s rare gossip.

Just walking together was enough to start rumors.

Pontego seemed used to this kind of attention, sipping from a wine glass he’d gotten along the way.

Is this what celebrities live like? So casual.

But while Pontego was used to it, I wasn’t. Not at all.

Teferi, I was wrong. Help me!

“Is something bothering you?”

He asked bluntly, glancing back at me. My hesitant, slow pace must’ve annoyed him.

His tone was a bit slurred, like he was drunk.

“…No, it’s not that. I’m just not used to this kind of attention.”

“Unexpected. You don’t look like the type.”

He looked me up and down and muttered. Huh? Was that a veiled insult?

I may not be great at reading between the lines, but that definitely felt insulting.

He basically called me the type who enjoys cheap attention.

Even if that wasn’t his intent, scanning someone like that is still incredibly rude.

I haven’t been treated like this in a long time.

“…Sorry, what?”

“Ah, I didn’t mean to offend. Please forgive me.”

No, I was offended. And from your expression, you look like you don’t care.

Your face is practically saying, ‘So what if you don’t forgive me?’

By now, Pontego had emptied his glass and was getting a new one from a passing server.

He swirled the cocktail and took a sip, then shrugged and said,

“Trea Ludbeck.”

“…Yes?”

It’s the first time someone saying my name felt like an insult.

Maybe it’s the alcohol, but his face is slightly flushed.

Still, what he said next was far worse—utterly degrading, something he’d never say to a woman from another duke’s family.

“Honestly, I don’t dislike you. You seem a bit dumb, but your face is nice.

If you want, I could give you a spot as one of my concubines.”

“Politics is about give and take, right? If I make you the lady of Trivago, what can you give me?”

“For example… that body of yours.”

I didn’t hear what came next. I was too furious.

What the hell did he just say?

When did I ever let anyone speak to me like that?

Remember the motto I’ve lived by all my life:

Strong against the strong, stronger against the weak.

To always live with dignity, no matter who I’m facing.

I don’t care if this leads to a territory war between houses—I can’t let this slide.

Pontego had been fidgeting for a while, muttering about static electricity.

Was it Teferi’s doing? I didn’t know why, but it felt like he was helping me.

But I was too furious to think deeply about it now.

Even if I don’t kill him, he’s going to pay for running that mouth.

“Listen here, you little—”

“Pardon me.”

Tap—someone grabbed my shoulder. A hand far larger and firmer than the one I’d held earlier.

The hand pulled me back, and my back hit something solid. Must’ve been the hand’s owner.

“…Who are you?”

Pontego scowled. He didn’t like being interrupted.

But the voice above my head didn’t care at all and replied coldly,

“I’m taking her with me.”

“How rude. Can’t you see we’re in the middle of a conversation? Who do you think you are?”

The other hand came around me. In it was a cocktail, just like Pontego’s.

The scent of alcohol was strong enough to get drunk just from the smell.

Amiter smiled and said one cool word.

“Her lover.”