Home/I Saved the Villain and Fell Asleep/ch 95

Chapter 95

"As if I'd want that either. It's not that you're not precious—but I've never had feelings beyond friendship. Ah, no—maybe I did. Though she was prickly, she was quite cute. The young Hariella."

"Philip! Stop provoking Kali. Do you want the Grand Ducal castle to explode? And Kali! Why do you react every time you're poked? I'm the only one allowed to poke you!"

Ah, that slipped out. But it's fun to see him jump.

"Crown... Princess?"

Oh no! Lewena was right there!

Lewena's presence was unforgettable, but Philip's nonsense had swept me away.

"Ah, that's Lewena. This is my childhood friend, Philip—"

Just as I was about to introduce the Crown Prince in disguise as Philip—

Teo flinched in surprise and stared intently at Lewena. Startled, Lewena widened her clear blue eyes and looked at him.

...What? What? What?

Overwhelmed by their expressions, I just blinked and looked between them.

Lewena gave me an awkward look, so I cleared my throat loudly and nudged Teo's arm.

"Philip, this is Sir Silteng. And this is..."

"Philip, sir. Please, just call me Philip."

With an overly bright smile, Teo bowed to Lewena, then turned slightly and glanced at me.

'What is it?'

I mouthed, but he didn't answer—just winked his right eye a few times.

What, you creep!

"Ah, yes. Philip...?"

"Yes!"

When Lewena called his name, Teo spun around and straightened his back stiffly.

"What's wrong with him, really."

I frowned at his fussiness.

"Hari."

"Huh?"

"Look over there."

Kali pointed at Teo's hands—they were trembling pitifully.

"Oh dear, he's young but already has tremors... wait, no—could it be...?"

His expression was nauseatingly soft. I wanted to slap him and tell him to control his face.

"I'm Silteng Lewena. I prefer being called by my name rather than 'Sir.'"

"Oh, y-yes! Sir Lewena!"

"And you and Princess Hariella...?"

"Childhood friends!"

"Childhood friends?"

Lewena's eyes grew suspicious. Understandably—Algenprina was a ducal house, and the man before her looked like a commoner without a title.

"We really are childhood friends, Lewena. There are... circumstances."

Despite Lewena's suspicion, Philip remained beaming.

Wait a minute. In Cold Heart, the man who had a thing with Lewena was the Crown Prince. And that's this guy?!

It didn't click immediately because I still remembered Philip better than Dateon.

He falls for her at first sight here? Not as a Crown Prince and knight, but as commoner Philip and a knight?!

Philip smiled greasily and made small talk with Lewena.

My friend's romance... I'd like to support it, but if the other party is Lewena, that changes things. I really want to interfere?!

"I know this might be forward, but your eyes are truly beautiful—like a lake shimmering in sunlight."

"Huh?"

"Sir Lewena, do you believe in love at first sight?"

"Huh?"

Teo charged in without hesitation, throwing a straight punch. I couldn't resist—I grabbed some champagne to watch the show.

"But that line was cheesy."

Sipping the moderately alcoholic champagne, I shook my head—Kali questioned me.

"Cheesy?"

"Saying her eyes are beautiful at first meeting—that's such a cliché pickup line. And asking if she believes in love at first sight? Come on."

Look—Lewena's giving him a "who is this guy" look!

Lewena kept glancing at me; if he weren't my childhood friend, she probably wouldn't have even engaged.

"What about you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you believe in love at first sight?"

I gulped down the champagne. Kali's face was suddenly close. His green eyes blinked slowly, his long lashes fluttering.

"You're too close! Back off."

When had he gotten so close? Kali looked down at me and asked.

"What's new? It's the same as always."

"B-but..."

"I was worried you'd spend your whole life being treated like a little sister, but I guess not."

Kali's green eyes curved like half-moons. That sly smile... dangerous...

I stepped back in alarm.

"Y-you..."

"So? Do you believe in love at first sight?"

Hearing Kali, I realized—the line about believing in love at first sight isn't cheesy; it's cheesy when cheesy people say it.

...Damn. How could I say no when he asks with that face? Even if he asked if I believed in God, I'd say yes!

"I'm willing to believe... why?"

Did he like me from the moment we met? Love at first sight? In that dusty shed?

"How cheesy, believing in that."

"What?! You started it! You..."

"What did I do?"

You were the one who smirked like a fox and pressured me for an answer!!!

I downed the champagne, annoyed by his teasing smirk.

So annoying!!!

Heat rose from deep in my throat. It was definitely from annoyance. Or maybe the champagne.

"Hariella, try believing it—love at first sight."

"After calling it cheesy?"

Kali took my hand and pulled me forward. Couples taking each other's hands for a dance crowded the center of the ballroom.

Not far away, Lewena and Teo were there. Lewena hadn't refused his dance request, and her expression was much calmer than before.

I already felt bad for not stopping Teo—if Lewena's expression had been worse, I'd have separated them, dance or not.

So what if he's the male lead! The original's already derailed! He might not be the male lead anymore, so it's fine if they don't end up together.

"Focus, Hariella."

Just then, my right hand was pulled firmly. I barely managed a spin and regained my stance.

"Oh ho? You can't even dance well—why so cocky?"

See, the step here is to move your left foot back!

I dug my thumb into Kali's hand, and his step followed naturally. I smiled up at him with satisfaction.

"Now this is danceable. Last time, it felt like dancing with a scarecrow."

"That's harsh, my lady."

"A heavy, wobbly scarecrow."

Kali's arm wrapped gently around my waist.

"Are you really going to keep bringing that up forever?"

"Until you're in the grave?"

"Will you stay by my side until then?"

"Of course."

I answered casually, but his comeback made me sweat a little. My already tight grip tightened further.

"Good, then. When I'm in the coffin, make sure you're by my side."

"What kind of morbid talk is that?"

"I'm saying I want to die before you."

"Are you crazy? You should plan to outlive me!"

I glared at him, fire in my eyes. Do you know how hard I've worked to keep you from going dark?!

"I didn't say I'd die right away."

"Live until you're old and gray."

"Ha, don't use such crude words."

"What words?"

"Those dirty words."

"Poop is dirty—is it supposed to be clean?"

"One-syllable words."

"Poop."

Kali's face crumpled like paper. I almost understood why preschoolers and elementary kids giggle at that one word—his reaction was hilarious!

"Let's stop talking."

"Don't say things about dying. We're too young for that."

"...You're right. We are too young. So stay by my side, Hariella."

His expression looked slightly anxious—or maybe urgent. I silently held his hand tighter.

As the music ended, the dancers bowed to their partners.

I took a moment to wet my throat and looked around for Teo to continue our conversation. But only Lewena remained—Teo was nowhere to be seen.

"Lewena, where's Philip?"

"Ah, he rushed off as soon as the music ended."

What is he, Cinderella at midnight?

Back   Next