Chapter 99

“I’m asking if you returned to the Marquis’ estate that day and told your father I was unwell.”

‘W-What is this…?’

The system window that appeared before my eyes was identical to the one I had seen last time. But this time, there were noticeably fewer question marks than before.

“Answer me, Ardi Aidelis. Did you tell your father that I wasn’t well?”

A sharp, sudden pain left me breathless.

It was just like last time. I hurriedly tried to pull away from him, but instead, Vien only tightened his grip around my waist.

‘Let go of me, you lunatic!’

“Why did the mouth that was just chattering on, pretending to be worried about my health, suddenly go silent?”

Before I could even react, my health dropped again. I was dumbfounded. He claimed to hate me, yet here he was, holding on to my hand and waist like this.

“P-Please let go of me, Your Highness.”

I twisted my body, trying to pull my hand free, but he only grabbed me even more tightly. I could feel curious glances slicing toward us from the crowd.

Finally, I leaned in and whispered quietly to him, while he stared at me with obvious hatred.

“People are staring.”

“….”

“Weren’t you the one who didn’t want to be involved with the Aidelis family, Your Highness?”

At that, Vien flinched, and his hold on me loosened for just a moment.

I used that chance to quickly push him away. He seemed surprised by how fast I pulled away, but maybe my words got to him because he didn’t try to grab me again.

‘I’m already down to 81%.’

Seeing Vien standing there, frozen in surprise, I quickly bowed my head in farewell.

“The dance was enjoyable. May peace and blessings attend you, Your Highness.”

After saying goodbye, I quickly walked away in case he tried to grab me again.

My heart was still pounding in my chest, the memory of that pain making it race even louder.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

After rushing out of the hall to get away from Vien, I staggered and leaned against the wall. My chest still ached, the pain lingering in my heart.

“…What was that just now?”

The relief I had felt, thinking that what happened last time was just a simple error or my own misunderstanding, now seemed laughable.

‘So, it wasn’t a bug? Then what on earth is going on?’

The whole situation was way too unsettling to just brush off. Especially this time, it bothered me even more because it seemed somehow connected to Vien.

‘Is this only happening with Vien…? Or should I see if it happens with someone else, too? But how am I supposed to test that when I don’t even know what’s causing it?’

With no real answer, I was overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness.

I was still trying to figure out what to do next when I suddenly heard a familiar voice behind me.

“L-Lady Ardi, are you there?”

‘…No way?’

I hurriedly hid behind a corner and glanced toward the voice. Sure enough, Allen was wandering the hallway, like he had followed me out here.

Just when I thought I might finally get some time to myself, I felt my breath catch in my throat.

‘What does he want this time? Didn’t he just see me a little while ago?!’

Not wanting to run into Allen as he searched for me, I hurried off in the opposite direction.

“Wh-who’s there?”

Allen called out, having sensed someone nearby.

A shiver ran down my spine, sensing that something wasn’t right. I nearly broke into a run as I rounded the corner. However—

“It seems I’m the one receiving all of God’s resentment…”

The hallway I had turned down to avoid Allen ended at a balcony hidden behind a curtain.

“L-Lady Ardi, is that you?”

I hurriedly tried to go back the way I came, but I hesitated and stepped back when his voice sounded even closer. Just in case, I tried pushing the balcony window on the opposite side, although it wouldn’t move at all, as if it had been locked from the outside.

“I-It really is you, Lady Ardi, isn’t it? C-Could it be that you’re avoiding me?”

‘This is really driving me crazy…’

By now, I had been silent for way too long to pretend I hadn’t heard him.

I was backing away, regretting that I hadn’t just gone out quietly and answered him when he first called me.

Then, at that moment, a door creaked open behind me and a gust of wind swept in.

‘…A breeze?’

As I held my hair against the wind and turned toward the balcony, I met the gaze of someone I hadn’t expected.