Home/I Saved the Villain and Fell Asleep/ch 57

Chapter 57

I couldn't imagine it. The Algenprina Irein I vaguely remembered was a delicate, beautiful boy who seemed like he'd blow away in the wind. Perhaps it was because of his soft, fluffy pink hair. I also remembered him smiling a lot.

"Anyway, I recommend not even setting foot near the Marquis Shimota. If you want to quietly enjoy the Founding Festival and leave."

"If you say so, Young Master, I'll follow your advice. Your eye for people is always spot on. But, Young Master... by any chance..."

"Hm?"

"Do you know anything about the Algenprina princess? Is she pretty?"

"Hmm. Now that you mention it, I haven't heard much about the princess. The Algenprina family all have fine features, so she's probably pretty."

"Ooh."

"Don't get any ideas. Just look from a distance. Do you think the eldest son will let you get close?"

"Yeah, I suppose so."

The man sighed wistfully. But he acknowledged it was just a pipe dream.

'What business does a commoner like me have with a princess?'

Today's goal was simple: enjoy this cutthroat ball to the fullest and return home with all limbs intact. Alright—avoid Shimota and only admire Algenprina from afar.

Standing before the ballroom, I felt nervous. I'd attended small tea parties before, but never such a grand event. There was so much to worry about.

Most importantly, the guy standing next to me, and the Czerban Grand Duke. I also had to dance, and pay my respects to His Majesty the Emperor.

"I want to go home."

"What?"

"I said I want to go home."

Kali looked down at me with a bewildered expression.

"The dress is heavy, my shoes hurt, and I just want to lie on the sofa and play with Bibi."

"Pfft, should we leave?"

"That was just talk. If we leave without even dancing the first dance, people will talk."

"Hmm, then let's dance the first dance and leave?"

"Ugh."

I glared at him sternly, and Kali snorted.

"Hey, time bomb. Let's not explode until we get home, okay?"

"Huh? Time bomb? Want me to really explode?"

"Both of you, stop. We're entering—look ahead."

At Father's nod, a servant announced the Algenprina family and opened the doors. The ballroom suddenly fell dead silent.

...What? What is this? Why did it get quiet the moment we appeared? Is our family being ostracized?

Mother and Father led the way, followed by me and Kali, with Irein and Sier behind us.

Irein giggled as he surveyed the silent hall. For some reason, that laugh sent a chill down my spine.

"Staring holes through me. It's so uncomfortable it's making me mad."

No one said there were two bombs! Irein's temperament was already igniting. Sier sighed and tried to restrain him.

No one approached, only watched. But then murmurs began, and soon voices filled the ballroom again.

Gossip about the Algenprina—about the Duchess, the eldest son, the second son, and even the youngest princess—all poured out at once.

"Wow, this is annoying."

I knew it would be like this, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. It felt like being a celebrity surrounded by rumors.

When I heard whispers about Kali, I tightened my grip on his arm.

Kali scanned the room with a blank expression, but fortunately—or unfortunately—the noble presumed to be Grand Duke Czerban was nowhere in sight.

"Oh my, the Duchess's necklace—isn't that the Ariena diamond necklace?"

"The one that sold for a record price at auction recently? It's absolutely stunning."

It seemed like you could spend three hours just examining one person's appearance.

"Oh my! What beautiful earrings!"

Just then, a loud voice rang out from one spot. A seductive woman with red hair down to her waist was surrounded by people praising her jewelry.

Praise, yes. That was blatant flattery, so obvious it was embarrassing.

"That's the Marchioness Shimota. Openly challenging us—it's rather unsightly."

Sier spoke without moving his lips. Since when could he do ventriloquism?

Mother ignored such pointless provocation and looked around as if searching for someone. As we hesitated, unsure what to do next, an elegant voice came from one side.

"The music seems unusually quiet today."

A noblewoman seated on a nearby sofa said, sipping her wine.

'Huh, have I seen her somewhere before? Why does she seem so familiar?'

"Wow, she's so elegant about telling people to shut up. Countess Sahart is truly impressive."

Irein's eyes sparkled. The Countess, escorted by a young man behind her, stepped into the center of the hall. Her blue dress, swaying like waves with each step, made her even more graceful.

"Goodness, it's Countess Sahart! I heard her health had been poor."

"She's as elegant as ever."

Countess Sahart. Wait, Sahart? She's the female protagonist's social ally!

As the Countess approached our family, I instinctively straightened my back.

Countess Sahart was a kind ally to the protagonist, but she was also known for being picky and sharp-tongued—most people found her intimidating. Except for the heroine.

"No wonder there was such a commotion. Look who it is."

The Countess came right up to Mother. As the Countess and the Algenprina family faced off, covert glances flew our way.

"Brother, do you know what's going on here?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is Mom not on good terms with that lady?"

"Ah, you might not remember this."

Sier smiled at me. Before he could explain, the Countess spoke.

"I wonder how many years it's been since I last saw your face."

"...Countess. It's been a long time."

"A long time, indeed. Yes, it has."

Though clearly a sarcastic remark, Mother didn't flinch.

"Have you been well?"

"How could I be, with someone who never shows her face but sends nothing but piles of letters and medicinal herbs?"

"I apologize for not being able to attend your recent tea party due to various commitments."

"A tea party? Do you think I'd expect you to attend one of my parties? You're the type who only moves when you're on death's door."

The conversation was becoming oddly subtle. There was a playful tone in her voice, as if she were speaking to someone very close. It seemed Mother and the Countess had been exchanging letters frequently.

"Don't say things like that, Countess."

"Ingrate."

Mother stepped closer to the Countess. The Countess looked her over from head to toe, then smiled in satisfaction.

"You look like you've rested well. Are you better now?"

Mother reached out, pressed her cheek to the Countess's, and spoke softly.

"Yes, I'm better now. I have to be."

"Welcome back."

After their reunion, the Countess turned her gaze to those of us standing behind Mother.

"You've all grown so much."

"It's been a long time, Countess."

Irein placed his right hand over his chest and bowed respectfully.

"You've still got at least another twenty years in you, Countess."

"Ugh, your face already gives me a headache. I don't even want your greeting—get out of my way!"

"Countess, that's so mean. You only hate me."

"I said move aside!"

The Countess's fan pushed Irein's arm. As he stepped back with a whine, the Countess appeared right before me.

"Hariella, this is Countess Sahart. You met her a few times when you were very young, but you probably don't remember."

"Countess, it's an honor to meet you. I am Algenprina Hariella."

"..."

The Countess didn't respond to my greeting. What went wrong? My greeting was normal—legs? Feet? Hand gestures?

"Haha."

I heard Father's laughter and glanced up at him. Help! Help me!!

"When you were little, you used to tug on the Countess's skirt and call her 'Countess, Countess.' Calling her 'Countess' must have hurt her feelings."

It seemed our family had been close with her for a long time.

"Ahem. Forget 'Countess.'"

"Countess."

When I quickly changed my address, a faint smile formed at the corner of her mouth.

"You've grown well. All my worry about you being raised only indoors was unfounded."

To be fair, I spent more time running around outdoors, but I decided to keep that to myself.

"And you..."

The Countess's gaze shifted to Kali. If she'd known Mother for a long time, she might have also known Kali's mother.

I was tense, worried she might recognize Kali's true identity—but he spoke first.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Algenprina Kalipr."

"Algenprina Kalipr."

The Countess covered her mouth with her fan and stared at him long enough to be considered rude.

"That one, he certainly has the face to match."

Huh? Out of nowhere? Like this?

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