episode_0007

Episode 7: That’s Why People Dislike Novices

Time passed quickly.

And today, it was already the day of the engagement ceremony.

In the meantime, Andrian had done his best to find information about Blood Awakening, but he couldn’t achieve much.

“And this brooch.”

The strange thing was that no one knew anything about this brooch.

Of course, the Duke was no exception.

“What on earth is it?”

As Andrian glanced at the sapphire brooch he had placed in front of him, being groomed by the maid, her gentle touch on his head, the maid assisting with his dressing, suddenly sparkled with excitement.

“Is this sapphire brooch perhaps yours, Lord?”

Seeing the maid’s eyes shining, Andrian unknowingly broke into a cold sweat.

“Uh, um, it’s mine. Probably?”

Since he was the one who picked it up, it should be right?

Then, the maid continued tidying his clothes, and her eyes twinkled.

“The brooch is so beautiful! Oh my, now that I think about it, it seems to go well with your outfit today.”

Then, the eyes of the maids around them also sparkled.

“Well, the cloak was a bit empty anyway. It looks great now!”

“That’s great! Like this, like that…”

Without any chance to interrupt, the maids quickly attached the sapphire brooch to his clothes.

“Oh my, time flies!”

“We have to finish getting ready for the engagement ceremony!”

The maids moved diligently.

In the mirror, young Andrian, despite his tender age, looked quite handsome, as he tried his best to dress up.

“So, this is what they call ‘clothes are wings.’”

Then, Andrian put on the bracelet he had prepared in advance on his wrist.

Today, this bracelet would play an important role.

It would assist in establishing a connection with Isaac.

“It’s going to be a long day today.”

He had to prevent Rubia from showing interest in Isaac.

And he also needed to maintain a somewhat friendly relationship with Isaac.

“Regardless of Blood Awakening, if I judge based on the novel alone, there’s a high possibility that Isaac is a good person.”

As he murmured to himself, the final touch to his hair was completed.

Then, the maid next to him handed him a flowerpot.

“These are the flowers you asked for, my Lord.”

“Yeah, right. Thank you.”

There was a small plant with a tiny flower bud in the pot placed on the windowsill.

In engagement ceremonies, the fiancé gives a potted plant adorned with flower buds to the fiancée.

It was a local custom for the fiancée to return the potted plant with fully bloomed flowers to the fiancé when they were about to get married, after taking good care of the flowers.

At that moment, a maid standing nearby tilted her head and asked, “But… why did you choose primroses?”

Primroses.

The flowers prepared by Andrian were primroses.

Most occasions like this would have featured glamorous flowers like roses or tulips, so everyone looked puzzled.

Especially because Ruby’s image was as splendid as a rose, everyone was curious.

However, instead of answering, Andrian smiled faintly.

“Perhaps it’s because Ruby has some connection to primroses.”

Thoughts ran through Andrian’s mind, but he remained silent and simply lifted the potted plant.

Ruby used to receive primroses as gifts from her family every year on her birthday.

And after meeting Isaac, Ruby also sent him primroses on his birthday.

Until right before she died.

That’s why he thought there must be some connection between Ruby and primroses.

“Above all, I must use primroses to carry out the plan.”

He couldn’t explain the reason yet, but he was certain that Ruby cherished primroses.

“If it’s Ruby, she won’t entrust primroses to anyone else.”

When she left the party venue to keep the primroses safe, it was his chance.

“I must succeed.”

He took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.

His silver cloak swayed.

“Well then, let’s go.”

To the greatest villainess in this novel.

Andrian’s steps were resolute, without hesitation.

* * *

Upon arriving at the palace, Andrian stopped near the entrance to the party venue.

“She should be coming soon.”

It was only natural to meet at the door and match their appearances, so she wouldn’t be late.

As he thought that, he felt a presence at the end of the corridor.

When he raised his head, the first thing he saw was a dazzlingly beautiful girl.

She looked like a doll carved out of wood, so young and beautiful.

Her black hair was partially tied up, adorned with a tiara.

Her fair and delicate skin was lightly made up, accentuating her beauty even more.

The girl wearing a beautiful dress that harmoniously combined black and red colors spotted Andrian and smiled. “Seems like you were waiting,” she said. Moonlight poured down on her as she walked slowly, exuding an enchanting atmosphere that could make one believe she was a moon fairy. Undoubtedly, despite being young, her cheeks remained rosy, and they swayed softly with each step, yet they were still beautiful. “Indeed, her appearance alone is truly lovely.” She could easily be called the flower of the palace. “Shall we go then?” As Andrian raised his arm, Rubyia’s gaze sharpened. “Escort me well,” her crimson eyes flickered. There was a hint of disdain in her bright red eyes, probably directed towards the seemingly inept Andrian. However, Andrian pretended not to notice and smiled. “Of course.” Seeing him like that, Rubyia’s body trembled slightly. “So, you’ve finally developed some awareness after coming back from the dead…” “Pardon?” Unable to hear her softly muttered words, Andrian asked, but she didn’t respond any further. Continuing towards the entrance of the party venue, Rubyia recognized someone and nodded her head while shivering. “Greetings to Master Berdo and Princess!” In response, Rubyia absentmindedly touched her head and coldly replied, “Hurry up and open it since my leg hurts.” “I-I apologize for causing your leg pain!” The attendant shouted and hurriedly took out a magic device. It was a loudspeaker-like magical device. “Andrian Berdo and Rubyia de Perion are entering!” With a booming sound, the door slowly opened, allowing dazzling light to pour through the crack. Unintentionally, Andrian furrowed his brows. Subsequently, the party venue surpassed mere splendor and radiated magnificence. Jeweled magical devices that emitted light were placed throughout. Glancing around, Andrian and Rubyia slowly moved forward with the people parting to make way for them. Amidst everyone’s gaze, they approached the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince, who were seated on a splendid chair elevated by about five steps. The Emperor had black hair similar to Rubyia’s and vibrant crimson eyes.

The sharp features and pointed nose were reminiscent of Rubia’s.

“And next to her is the Empress.”

Her thick red hair was elegantly braided and draped to one side, while her slightly lowered light green eyes appeared infinitely gentle.

But why?

“Though she has the same green eyes as her mother, there’s something strange about them.”

She was sensitive to others’ emotions.

She could perceive things faster than others and read quickly.

At least she could roughly sense whether this person was favorably disposed towards her or not.

“Perhaps it’s because of my past life.”

In her childhood, her family lived quite comfortably.

Under her successful businessman father, everyone treated her with respect.

But that changed abruptly when her father’s business failed.

As they moved to a smaller house, scorn and ridicule poured in.

Those who saw her father borrowing money sneered arrogantly.

They smiled brightly as if enjoying stepping on someone who used to be above them.

Andrion clenched his fist at the thought of the past.

“Let’s stop thinking about it.”

For now, the important thing was that the Empress didn’t seem to like the Princess as much as expected.

Andrion glanced briefly at the Empress.

“Clearly, anyone can see that gaze…”

Indifference.

She smiled and congratulated, but it felt as if she were watching a stranger’s engagement ceremony without any connection.

“Could she be hiding her emotions?”

That could be a possibility.

“And finally, that boy is Nellac.”

The boy with black hair like Rubia’s looked a little over ten years old, similar in age to Andrion.

His bright green eyes were smiling cheerfully.

As if blessing his engaged younger sister.

He had a warm aura about him.

But looking at him, Andrion could be certain.

“He dislikes Rubia.”

If he cared for her, he would have hated this engagement ceremony.

Andrion had nothing to offer her except his Berdo lineage.

“But being so happy means he despises Rubia and hopes for her power to wane.”

Well, she was a threatening villainess who could surpass the emperor.

If he didn’t have the blood of a dragon, he would have dealt with her right away.

“The content of the book seems slightly different.”

What is the truth, indeed?

While contemplating, Rubyia whispered softly in Andrian’s ear.

“Can you relax your expression a bit?”

A faint scent of gentle baby lotion lingered in the air.

“People might think I’m trying to kill you.”

Andrian replied to Rubyia, who was moving away, in a small voice.

“…I guess I’m a little nervous.”

Rubyia laughed without a care at Andrian’s response.

“Well, yeah. It’s not often we find ourselves in a situation like this at our age.”

Saying that, she smiled mischievously.

With an incredibly adorable smile, she replied.

“That’s why I don’t like kids.”

Upon hearing those words, Andrian was dumbfounded.

“No, aren’t you a kid too?”

Currently, Andrian is 13 years old.

Rubyia is 12 years old.

Considering that in their past life, Andrian died at the age of 29, his mental age is higher than Rubyia’s.

“To call me a kid…”

While having various thoughts, they reached the presence of the Emperor and Empress.

As they bowed their heads, they heard the sound of footsteps slowly approaching. The Emperor, who had stopped in front of them, spoke solemnly.

“Andrian Berdo and Rubyia de Perion, raise your heads.”

In response to his words, Andrian and Rubyia slowly lifted their heads.

Then, the attendant standing beside them brought a splendid box.

“Open it.”

Following the Emperor’s command, they opened it, revealing two rings made of gold inside.

“These rings connect destinies. They are gifts to celebrate the engagement of the Princess. Accept them as a token of congratulations.”

“If you were going to give something, you should have given money.”

Andrian grumbled inwardly but smiled happily as he picked up the ring.

“Thank you.”

However, Rubyia just stared at the ring blankly.

“…Princess?”

When the Emperor called her again, Rubyia suddenly came to her senses and reached out for the ring.

“Ah… Thank you, Your Majesty.”

And she only looked at Andrian.

It meant that Rubyia’s eyes, as she took the ring, were colder than ever before.