Home/I Saved the Villain and Fell Asleep/ch 58

Chapter 58

But the Countess's expression was as soft as spring flowers. Even Kali, who had raised an eyebrow with a sulky face, paused at her expression.

"Hoo, since it's a rare occasion, enjoy yourselves to the fullest."

"I'll visit you again, Countess."

"...Yes. I'm glad you've returned in good health. Duke, let's have a chat."

The Countess singled out Father. As he escorted her to the sofa, Mother turned to us with a relieved face.

"I need to go greet some people."

"I'll go with you, Mother."

Sier quickly attached himself to Mother's side. Irein, already bored, was yawning widely.

"Hari and Kali, stay close to each other. And Irein."

"I'm hungry."

"Fine. Go eat something."

When Mother left with Sier, Irein headed toward the food. I quickly grabbed Kali and followed him. My eyes were fixed solely on the champagne.

Since no one was going to greet me anyway, I might as well wet my throat. Hehe.

I snatched a glass of red liquid from the table.

"Hari?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"That looks like wine."

"No, it doesn't? It's just grape juice, right? Here, I'll just taste it."

Before Irein could stop me, I quickly took a sip.

"It's grape juice."

It was wine. I looked at the empty glass after two swallows and licked my lips.

"Good?"

Kali looked at me with pitying eyes.

"Want a sip? It's grape juice."

"I'm not falling for it."

"Chicken?"

"Where do you keep learning such vulgar words?"

"Whayever, I cam geive ip a shawt—mmph!"

Before I could finish, my mouth was covered. Kali was glaring at me murderously, so I pursed my lips. But he must have been curious—he took the glass from me, swirled it like he'd seen somewhere, and took a sip.

"Hck!"

"Pfft!"

I giggled as Kali coughed as if he'd choked the moment the wine hit his lips. Irein leaned down with his arm around my shoulder.

"Oh dear, it's still too early for the little one, isn't it? Right?"

"Right."

"Damn siblings."

Kali glared at us grinning siblings, then downed the wine like bitter medicine.

"I'd love to tease you more, but I'll stop. Here, drink this."

Irein handed Kali a non-alcoholic champagne, then settled in a corner, shoving desserts into his mouth with a bored face.

No one even tried to approach Irein. If anything, they avoided him.

"Will our brother ever get married at this rate?"

"I don't think now's the time to worry about Irein."

"What do you mean?"

Wait, why are his cheeks flushed? I didn't touch his face while I wasn't looking.

"How many of those did you have?"

"What?"

"You're not drunk, are you? We still have to dance."

Czerban Caelius, a lightweight?

If I had a little more time, I could have figured it out, but the announcement of His Majesty the Emperor's entrance rang out.

We stepped back and bowed. The Emperor, seated, gave a brief speech commemorating the Founding Festival, then waved his hand as if to say to continue the party.

It was my first time seeing the Emperor's face. Since I never set foot in society, I'd had no chance. But...

"Kali. Is this your first time seeing His Majesty too?"

"Yeah."

"But why does he look so familiar? A face like that isn't common. Doesn't he remind you of anyone?"

"Wait. No, that's not it. Hmm? But it might be."

Kali was muttering to himself uncharacteristically—I shook him urgently. Normally he'd have shouted at me to stop, but now he just let his body follow my hands.

He's really drunk! Off a few sips of wine!

To make matters worse, the music for the first dance began.

"Ah. Ka-Kali. Can you dance?"

"Of course."

I faced Kali as he strode forward, gripping my hand tightly. If we fall here, it'll be a huge disgrace. Snap out of it, Hariella. I'm the only hope!

The beginning went well. Hope rose that we'd finish safely. But midway through, Kali's feet started to tangle.

"Kali. Step properly, okay?"

I whispered through clumsy ventriloquism, but Kali was unmoved. Time to use my only asset—strength!

I gripped Kali's hands tightly, pressing my thumbs into his palms to guide him.

Cold sweat ran down my back. One moment of lost focus and the spinning steps would tangle.

Why is this song so long! End it already!

I'd hoped to get a closer look at the Emperor's face as we danced near his seat, but all thoughts of that were gone.

"Hey. Stop spinning."

"What? How can you dance without spinning? Are you sane?"

"Dance? I... can't dance."

"Yeah, I know. That's why I'm spinning you around, pushing and pulling like crazy."

"Crazy?"

"Just focus on the steps."

Never letting him drink at a party again! But his drunken state was kind of cute, so I resolved to get him drunk again when we're alone.

After several spins, the song finally ended. I quickly dragged Kali to lean against the wall.

"Kali, want some water?"

"Uh."

"Wait here. Stay put!"

How can someone with such low tolerance function outside? Shouldn't he at least be able to handle champagne?

Worrying about Kali, I was about to head back with water when—

"My lady, if you're available, would you care to dance with me?"

A gloved hand reached out before me. A young man with light brown hair and a puppy-like impression was asking me to dance.

Unless there was a special reason, it was proper to accept, but...

I glanced at Kali, who was leaning loosely against the wall behind him. He was looking my way, and his gaze was far from friendly.

Ah! Why is he looking at me like that? Why did he suddenly flip?!

"My lady?"

"It's been so long since I've attended a ball... just one dance has made me dizzy."

I pressed my free hand to my forehead. Of course, I have enough stamina to dance all night without tiring, but right now the bomb about to explode was the priority.

"Oh dear, shall I escort you to the lounge?"

"Just your kind words are enough! My partner is waiting, so I'll take my leave..."

Leaving the disappointed man behind, I quickly returned to Kali. A sharp glare met me, and I hurriedly poured water into his mouth.

"Drink. Drink."

"Urgh, pfft!!"

Even after drinking water, Kali's eyes still held a dangerous gleam. I was about to slap his cheek to sober him up when the ballroom grew noisy.

I heard the word "Czerban" and looked around—all eyes were fixed on one spot.

Black hair, red eyes. Grand Duke Czerban Isaac.

I quickly stepped in front of Kali. Facing him while half out of his mind was the last thing we needed!

Kali, seemingly unaware of the Grand Duke, just stared intensely at me. Good, keep staring holes through me!

"It's too hot in here—let's step outside for a moment."

"What did that guy say to you?"

"He asked me to dance."

"Did you say yes?"

"What are you talking about? I'm leaving with you right now."

Kali let me lead him. As I guided him out, I turned my head slightly to glance back at the hall.

At that moment, as if on cue, our eyes met with those red irises. I quickly turned my head away.

We, we made eye contact. Definitely. Why was he looking this way?

Once we stepped out into the garden, the tightness in my chest eased.

"Wow, that gave me chills."

"What did?"

"Your pathetic tolerance."

"I'm sober now. Idiot."

His half-dazed eyes seemed a little clearer.

"Let's just walk around once and go back—"

"Kyaa!!"

A sudden scream broke the silence of the quiet garden, where everyone was inside.

Startled, we looked toward the sound—a woman with long, disheveled red hair was sitting collapsed near the fountain.

Ah, is this the trope where I help and we become friends?

Since she'd fallen right in front of us, ignoring her felt awkward.

"Excuse me, are you alright?"

"Hic, I think I twisted my ankle."

The red-haired woman lifted her head and looked at us. The moment I saw her face, I instinctively stepped back.

"Ah, it hurts so much."

Despite the pained voice, her expression showed no emotion.

"Sir, could you help me?"

I wasn't the only one who sensed something off. Kali pushed me back and slowly approached her.

She couldn't be someone who just handles pain well... right? Her expression was as fixed as plaster, only her lips moving—it was eerie.

"Please help me up."

"I'll call a servant for you."

"How cold-hearted."

Her pale grey eyes fixed on Kali. As if she'd forgotten how to blink.

Kali clicked his tongue, bent down, and reached out a hand. The woman, mimicking a laugh with her mouth, suddenly brought her hand close to Kali's neck.

"Hey."

Since my senses were sharper than usual, I reacted faster than Kali.

"If you extend your hand, you should take the hand offered, shouldn't you?"

Our eyes met—her empty grey irises and mine. A chill ran down my spine, and I unconsciously tightened my grip on her wrist.

"Ah! That hurts!!"

Life suddenly returned to her face. Twisting her features, she glared at me venomously and shook off my hand.

"What do you think you're doing? Don't you know you shouldn't touch someone's body without permission?"

"Pardon? But you asked for help..."

"I was just dizzy for a moment—don't you even know how to help someone up? Good heavens. You've left a mark."

"Huh?"

...Is this the same person as before?

Rubbing her wrist with teary eyes, she glared around, then suddenly stood up and stormed off, huffing.

Didn't she just say she twisted her ankle?

"Hey, wait!"

"I'm late—has the ball started?"

Completely ignoring my call to wait, she smoothed her hair and rushed back into the ballroom.

Silence fell between us, left standing alone.

Back   Next