Chapter 69: I Stole the Protagonist's First Love
Aster strode over and pulled my arm away from Raymond's hand.
For a moment, Raymond's expression crumpled under Aster's imposing presence.
"If the matter is settled, why don't you leave now?"
His low, deep voice sounded angry to anyone who heard it.
Raymond quietly stood up and stepped back.
As if waiting for my response.
"I understand Sir Raymond's feelings."
Regaining my composure, I quickly tried to defuse the situation.
I placed my hand on top of Aster's, who was still holding my arm.
"But I don't want such incidents to happen again, given how much my partner dislikes it."
His handsome face slightly distorted.
He must have wanted to shout that I had ordered it.
But Raymond could no longer harm me.
In the end, he bowed and stepped back.
The gazes of the people watching us gradually faded away.
I turned to look at Aster.
His expression was unreadable, seeming both angry and embarrassed.
I led him to a corner, holding his hand.
I was grateful I wasn't the protagonist.
If I were, everyone would have been scrutinizing my expression.
The people at the ball were in an uproar, trying to gauge Tatiana's mood.
Given her personality, she was probably too hurt to leave her seat and was just enduring it.
When we reached a place with no one around, I turned to look at him.
He seemed a bit calmer than before, but his expression was still somewhat sullen.
I asked, gauging his mood.
"Were you upset just now?"
After I spoke, I felt strange.
We were just pretending to be in a relationship for our own purposes; there was no reason for him to be upset.
I felt a bit embarrassed, thinking I might have overreacted.
"You don't need to worry."
I felt a bit awkward for caring about his mood just now.
"You seem... unaffected by Raymond's oath."
I tilted my head at Aster's question.
There was no reason for me to be shaken by it.
"Oh, that oath? I made him do it."
Aster was silent for a moment, looking surprised.
"Tatiana tried to have me killed several times. Now that he's sworn in front of many people, it will be harder for him to harm me."
"Yes. The bracelet I wore was made of mana stone. Raymond's magic power was still lingering. In exchange for his oath of loyalty, I agreed not to report him to the Magic Tower."
Aster seemed surprised by my story.
"I thought you didn't care much about the position of the Magic Tower's head, but I was wrong."
I shrugged and sat on a bench.
I had to be mindful of people's gazes if I returned now.
It was better to rest here for a while.
Silence fell between us, but it wasn't awkward.
In the past, I couldn't bear such moments.
'I used to think the silence was a condemnation of me.'
He constantly demanded that I talk non-stop, as if searching for the cheerful Tatiana.
Now, this calmness is comfortable.
"Did you suddenly bring up the engagement for a reason?"
Aster's calm voice broke the silence.
I chose my words carefully to emphasize the necessity of the engagement.
"Since Aster doesn't have a formal fiancée, it seems to reduce your influence in society."
As if encouraging me to continue.
"Right now, His Majesty has no one to exert influence in society. Everyone treats him like a fruit in a painting, and no one reaches out. There might be an unspoken agreement among them. So... I want to repay you."
"An engagement as repayment?"
Aster was silent for a long time.
Did I move too fast? I thought Aster would naturally welcome the engagement.
Even if I proposed first, there was no guarantee his feelings would remain the same.
"If you've changed your mind..."
"No, I haven't changed my mind."
He looked a bit troubled.
His eyes revealed a mix of emotions.
He seemed anxious and happy at the same time.
Emotions I couldn't understand.
"I'm sorry, it's not that I don't like it. If I were to get engaged and married to anyone, I would want it to be with you. But I want to do it when we understand each other better."
His words made me feel embarrassed.
We've only known each other for a few months, so his reaction was understandable.
'Why did I think he would naturally accept it?'
Silence was no longer welcome.
After dancing obligatorily with Andrew, Tatiana sat blankly in her seat.
Many nobles approached to greet her, but her gaze was fixed on the emperor and Karina.
Until now, Andrew and Tatiana were the stars of every ball.
Even when Andrew didn't attend, Tatiana received more attention than anyone else.
"Now it's time for new people to rise. After all, the person who led society has been absent for a long time."
Andrew's mocking tone made Tatiana clench her jaw.
"The most talked-about person now is Karina, so it's natural for people to gather around her."
Andrew's eyes were filled with affection as he spoke.
Tatiana's hands trembled.
"Do you have to talk about it like this in such a setting?"
Her voice was moist with tears, and Andrew's eyes turned cold.
"Don't cry. It's really annoying."
The sudden pressure made her tears dry up.
Silence filled the air between them.
People who noticed the awkward atmosphere came to greet them and then moved away.
Of course, some didn't notice.
Wilhelm, dressed impeccably, approached her.
Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, he swallowed hard.
Tatiana had said she married the person who loved her the most.
At the time of their marriage, Andrew was devoted to her, as everyone acknowledged.
That's why other men stepped back and blessed their marriage.
But now, it seemed like a complete deception.
'Was she just using him?'
Seeing Wilhelm, Andrew stood up.
The duke brushed off his clothes and turned to Wilhelm.
"Please take care of the duchess."
His gaze briefly met Karina's before he left the ballroom.
As Andrew disappeared, Tatiana's body shrank even more.
She was always confident and spoke her mind.
Wilhelm knelt before her and extended his hand.
"Ti-ti, do you want to dance with me?"
Tatiana stood up, grateful for Wilhelm's presence.
She wanted to lean on someone to shake off her unease.
They held hands and headed to the dance floor.
When she appeared, people moved aside as if making room for the star.
Tatiana felt better with the familiar hospitality.
Feeling the world hadn't abandoned her, her steps became lighter.
Dancing with Wilhelm after a long time was enjoyable, and she couldn't stop smiling.
When they finished, thunderous applause erupted.
Tatiana smiled broadly, holding Wilhelm's hand as they left the dance floor.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Ti-ti."
"It's all thanks to Bill. Thank you."
Seeing Tatiana's bright smile, Wilhelm's heart ached.
It had been so long since he saw her like this.
Tatiana, holding a cocktail glass, looked at Wilhelm with an innocent face.
"If you're too tired, tell me."
"Let's run away together."
Tatiana's face stiffened at Wilhelm's proposal.
Only Raymond had ever suggested such a thing.
Even Daniel, who had been by her side for a long time, hadn't made such a proposal.
And the Wilhelm she knew would never suggest something like this.
'Something must be wrong.'
Tatiana quickly touched the bracelet on her wrist.
But the affection meter above his head was broken.
A gasp erupted from behind her.
Raymond, in a white uniform with his long pink hair half-tied, entered the ballroom with a stern expression.
Trying to break the awkward atmosphere, Tatiana waved at him.
But he didn't even look at her.
Tatiana felt a foreboding.
Raymond strode across the dance floor with long strides and stopped in front of Karina.