Chapter 95

"In the cold, you are also charming. It's truly unbearable that I can't see your face behind that unrefined mask..."

Saying this, the man's fingertips lifted Tiara Rose's chin.

Immediately, Tiara Rose used the fan she was holding to push away the man's hand. It was the worst that he would do such a thing to her, a married woman.

"I am not wearing the flower that signifies being unmarried, so it is inappropriate for you to act this way. Of course, it's also inappropriate for you to do this to unmarried women..."

"Hmm, you're strict. But, I find it charming... Could it be because I'm attracted to you?"

"..."

Despite her firm warning, he didn't seem to care at all.

In fact, he even looked excited and was looking at Tiara Rose with a passionate gaze, which was quite helpless.

She needed to get away from this man.

As Tiara Rose was thinking this, the man exclaimed, "Ah!"

"The cute girl you were worried about is now being approached by another man?"

"Eh?"

Hearing this, Tiara Rose also looked at Philine.

Indeed, it was a different man from the one she had been talking to earlier.

He had chestnut hair and a soft, warm-colored suit. At first glance, he seemed gentle, but—Philine's behavior was strange.

She was giving off a tense atmosphere and looked displeased. From the way she was trying to distance herself, it seemed the man had done something rude to her, but from this distance, she couldn't hear their conversation.

—Please don't be rude to my maid!

As she glared, the brown-haired man who had been bothering Tiara Rose chuckled.

"You seem quite attached to that girl. Are you friends or something?"

"...Yes. We've been together since we were little, so I don't want her to be bothered by strange men. Of course, not by you either."

"Is that so?"

She glared at the brown-haired man, but he only smiled.

"Then, you should get closer! You can't hear their conversation from here!"

Saying this, the brown-haired man took Tiara Rose's hand and led her to the center of the party hall.

"Hey! Let go!"

"Come on, it's fine."

Tiara Rose immediately protested, but the brown-haired man seemed to not care and was quite free-spirited.

Since they were a couple, they didn't stand out much. If Tiara Rose had been alone, other men might have approached her.

In a way, it might be good for keeping men away...

As they got closer to Philine, they could hear the conversation.

"Philine, thank you for accepting the engagement."

"Eh...? Could you be Lucas?"

Hearing their conversation, Tiara Rose's eyes widened. The brown-haired man let out a whistle of surprise.

—What's going on?

Philine had been against the engagement, so she wouldn't have accepted it. The only possibility was that her parents had accepted it on her behalf...

"By the way, that man... was it Lord Lucas?"

She was surprised.

After all, Tiara Rose and the others hadn't sent an invitation to Lucas Dantston. The brown-haired man next to her and the fact that this masked ball seemed to be open to anyone... made her feel disheartened.

Of course, if they were acquaintances, they would be allowed to enter, so there must have been some connection.

"You say you're her fiancé, but it seems the woman you're infatuated with doesn't like you."

"...Yes."

"Maybe you're not good with women?"

The brown-haired man laughed, saying he needed to do better.

Tiara Rose turned her gaze back to Philine.

"Why... because Lucas should be in Lapis Lazuli, right? Did he come to Marine Forest just for today?"

"To see Philine, of course. Besides, I have permission from your parents to take her with me when I return."

"—!!”

It seemed that Lucas had already made many decisions.

Hearing this, Tiara Rose felt anger rising. What a selfish man, she thought. It was only natural that Philine looked displeased.

As Tiara Rose was seething with anger, Philine moved.

"I see that talking to you is pointless, so I will take my leave."

"Wait, Philine. Do you really think you can get away with this?"

As Philine started walking, Lucas followed her.

He couldn't run, but he seemed to be walking faster. Despite Philine's clear rejection, Lucas walked beside her as if nothing was wrong.

"Philine, since it's a ball, I wanted to dance with you."

"..."

—What a persistent man...

Lucas was calling out to Philine, but she didn't respond.

Somehow, they managed to leave the party hall and reach an open courtyard. It was a bit cold because it was winter, but it was better than being in the party hall with Lucas.

Philine stopped after confirming that no one was around.

"Stop it, Lucas! I won't get married!!"

"Don't be so selfish, Philine."

"Selfish...!"

This was a political marriage, Lucas seemed to be saying.

Philine had always thought she would get married someday, but she absolutely did not want to marry Lucas.

She knew that a political marriage might not lead to happiness, but she wouldn't be happy at all with Lucas. That was something she didn't want.

She didn't need to be as happy as Tiara Rose and Aquasteed, but she wanted someone who would treat her well...

Tiara Rose watched the two, biting her lip. She thought she should intervene and mediate, but was stopped by the brown-haired man who had followed her.

"! What are you doing?"

"They are nobles, so you shouldn't get involved. Do you have some power to change things? It's better to leave it to them."

"That...”

Tiara Rose thought he was right.

As the queen of Marine Forest, she had the power to order Lucas to leave and even to expel him from Marine Forest.

But that wouldn't solve the root problem, and it would create a rift between Philine and her family.

Reluctantly, she decided to watch a bit longer.

Lucas, now out of the party hall and away from prying eyes, sighed deeply.

"Philine."

"!"

"Come to me."

"No way!"

Lucas took Philine's hand, saying she should be a good girl. Philine tried to pull away, but Lucas was surprisingly strong.

She couldn't break free and grimaced.

"I won't get married! Let go of me!"

"I love you so much. Besides, I've already sent money to your family, so you can't break free from me."

"Such...!"

It seemed that, as she had suspected, things were happening behind the scenes.

Not only had the engagement been accepted, but financial support had already been provided. Philine felt miserable, thinking she couldn't escape from Lucas.

Seeing Philine's silent and bowed head, Lucas thought she had accepted the engagement. He patted her head and said, "It's fine as long as you understand."

"Come, let's go back inside and dance. You should come to the house where I'm staying tonight."

"…No."

"! Enough, Philine. Do you need me to say it more clearly?"

Lucas raised the corners of his mouth in a lecherous smile, pulled Philine towards him, and tried to kiss her—when Tiara Rose couldn't stand it anymore and jumped between them.

"Stop it!"

—Forcing someone is unacceptable!

"…!"

Philine and Lucas were surprised by Tiara Rose's sudden appearance, but Philine sighed in relief when she recognized Tiara Rose's dress.

She forcefully broke free from Lucas's arm and came to Tiara Rose.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry, I should have been more thorough in checking the guests..."

"No, it's not your fault. It's Lucas's fault for coming uninvited."

Philine shook her head, insisting it wasn't Tiara Rose's fault.

"Even though I was talking to Philine... couldn't you have left us alone?"

"…Talking? I saw that Philine looked displeased."

"That's your misunderstanding. Philine and I are engaged. She was just a bit shy."

Lucas didn't recognize Tiara Rose because of the mask, so he maintained his assertive tone.

He probably saw her as just some noble lady.

If he knew she was the queen of the country, he would have turned pale, but even if Tiara Rose used her power to help, Philine wouldn't be happy. She would blame herself for causing trouble.

As Tiara Rose and Lucas glared at each other, a cheerful voice interrupted, "This isn't good, you know?"

Of course, the voice belonged to the brown-haired man.

"You shouldn't treat such cute girls this way."

"…Who are you? This is our problem, so outsiders shouldn't interfere."

"You don't need a reason to help a girl."

The brown-haired man stood protectively in front of Tiara Rose and Philine, facing Lucas.

Seeing this, Philine turned pale.

She hadn't intended to involve others and make the situation worse, and she said so in a weak voice.

"What should we do..."

"It's okay, Philine. Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, but... I've caused trouble for you both."

"Don't worry about it. I owe this man a favor, so this is fair."

Besides, Aquasteed would probably come looking for her soon. So, Tiara Rose thought it was fine to protect Philine.

Fortunately, the brown-haired man was on their side...

As she thought this, Lucas raised his voice.

"Come out, all of you! I'm taking Philine with me!!"

"…!"

In response to Lucas's voice, several men appeared. They seemed to be guards hired by Lucas, but their eyes suggested they wouldn't listen to reason.

Tomorrow's release (I made a mistake in the previous afterword about the release date!!) of "Drowned in Love by the Demon King and the Hero, I Give Up!" is also available. Please look forward to it!

It includes a short story paper about the villainous lady.