Home/I Saved the Villain and Fell Asleep/ch 96

Chapter 96

"He said he forgot something he had to do."

Teo wasn't here just for fun. He'd come in His Majesty's stead to survey the Grand Ducal castle—he needed to bring something back.

"I should go see my father for a moment. Princess, I hope we meet again."

"Of course. See you, Lewena."

After Lewena left, the glances directed at me and Kali grew more frequent. The stares from noble ladies with unmarried children were especially sharp.

The title was certainly appealing—the only princess of Algenprina, and a collateral bloodline rumored to be as cherished as the direct heirs.

"If we bolt to the garden now, another unexpected event will happen, right?"

"Don't move recklessly today."

I fully agreed and understood. But... some things are just unavoidable.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh. I'd thought she was peculiar in many ways, but I never expected her to deliberately spill water on me.

The Grand Duchess, Czerban Ternia. I couldn't read her intentions at all. Was she just trying to mess with me? When had she even seen me before? In the original, everyone with the Czerban name except Kali died, so there's no way to know.

Water dripped down my head. The glass the Grand Duchess had been holding had splashed all over my face.

I shook off the water and opened my eyes, looking around. Everyone's eyes were on me and the Grand Duchess.

If I made a scene here, I'd naturally become the villain.

"It wasn't intentional. Princess, are you alright?"

"Ha! Not intentional? Does the Grand Duchess's wrist have a habit of making mistakes toward specific people?"

Kali sneered at her in a low voice. I squeezed his wrist firmly. This was enough—too many people were watching.

"Such rude words, young master."

She was completely different from the irritable woman who'd disappeared earlier, complaining about being late for the ball.

"Princess, I'll escort you to the lounge. It's my fault."

I wiped the water dripping from my chin with the back of my hand. I looked terrible—I needed to go to the lounge to freshen up. But...

"I'd hate to trouble the Grand Duchess. After all, you're the star of today's ball."

There was no need for the guest of honor to escort me. I'd be fine with a handmaiden guiding me!—I tried to deflect, but the Grand Duchess didn't budge.

"It was my mistake, so let me help. Please don't refuse my kindness."

Judging by her tone, gaze, and actions, she was nothing like the rumors—she was flawlessly composed.

"Then... I'll accept your offer."

Before following her, I quickly whispered to Kali.

"I'll just dry my hair and come back. Let Sier know too."

"I'll follow at a distance. If anything happens, scream."

Screaming would be slower than just hitting her, but she was still the Grand Duchess—the highest-ranking woman after the Empress, who rarely appeared in public. I had to be careful.

After a final exchange of glances with Kali, I left the ballroom. The hallway leading to the lounge was strangely quiet.

Even if they'd stationed most of the servants in the ballroom, it shouldn't be this empty.

"Aren't you cold?"

"I'm fine."

"It was truly an accident—I hope you won't take it to heart."

"It was just water. How could I hold it against you when you've apologized so graciously?"

We walked down the quiet hallway, exchanging ordinary pleasantries. I would have been fine if her limping gait hadn't been so noticeable.

She staggered so badly it was hard to ignore, then pretended nothing happened and walked normally.

Should I ask if she's okay? Or pretend not to notice?

"Pr-princess."

"Yes?"

"Are you engaged?"

"No, not yet."

Did she just stammer?

"Is Kalipr also unengaged? Does he have a fiancée? Is it you?"

She fired off questions rapidly, as if getting to the point.

Why was she asking that?

"Kalipr isn't engaged either. But, Grand Duchess?"

"Yes?"

She turned her head as if to ask why. Her gaze made my shoulders tense.

Did she really not know?

The Grand Duchess, who had been walking in the middle of the hallway, gradually leaned toward the wall until her right shoulder touched it.

No—"touched" isn't accurate. "Pressed against" is more like it.

"Are you okay?"

Just as I asked, her right hand grabbed the wall. There was nothing to hold onto, but she pressed her fingers against it.

Scrape—

Her neatly filed nails scraped the wall. With a grotesque sound, she staggered and collapsed. Her red hair fluttered messily.

"Oh...! Grand Duchess!"

I quickly knelt and reached out to help her—she looked up at me.

I had to work hard to keep my expression in check.

Her grey eyes were shaking violently. Unlike those fear-filled, trembling eyes, her lips curved slowly.

"Oh dear, I must have felt dizzy. Could you help me up?"

I helped her up, supporting her arm. She limped forward with her right foot dragging, smiling gratefully.

I discreetly examined her from head to toe. It was like watching someone whose limbs moved independently.

Her gaze was forward, but her fingers twitched, reaching toward me.

"Grand Duchess, may I hold your hand to support you?"

"Thank you, Princess."

Before I could take her hand, she grabbed mine. Her thin fingers squeezed tightly, making me stifle a gasp.

"Not feeling well today, I see. This happens often. You've heard the rumors, haven't you? About the Grand Duchess acting strangely after a serious illness."

"That's what people say."

I answered honestly without beating around the bush.

"I don't know what the problem is, but there seem to be aftereffects. Sometimes... my limbs don't do what I want."

It looked serious, but she spoke as if it were nothing.

If I hadn't seen her trembling eyes when she fell, I might have dismissed it as aftereffects. But that look had been one of clear fear. I slowed my pace, pretending to match hers.

What were the odds the Grand Duchess was under dark magic? Unlike Venom, I'd never seen her complain of headaches... but there were too many unsettling details to chalk it up to aftereffects.

She limped on her right foot again. Steadying herself, she stood still and looked up at me. That gaze sent chills down my spine.

"Princess? Is something wrong?"

Problems? Plenty!! I wanted to grab her shoulders and shake her until she gave me answers.

I refuse horror-thriller genres!!

"...No, I just felt a chill."

"Oh dear, let's hurry then."

The moment she looked ahead, I glanced back. I briefly met Kali's eyes from behind a pillar. I quietly pulled out my Goblin Club behind my back and dropped the hat to the floor—so Kali could pick it up.

Following the Grand Duchess, we finally reached the lounge. She stood at the door, unable to grasp the handle, swiping at empty air.

What made her actions so strange was how casual she was about it. Any normal person would be embarrassed after stumbling while walking with someone, or missing the handle. But she did it over ten times without flinching.

"This is my private lounge."

A perfect place for something to happen.

"Come in. I'll get you a towel."

She opened the door wide. I entered as slowly as possible, pretending to look around.

"Ugh!"

She gripped my hand with unprecedented force.

This wasn't an act—I felt like my bones would crush!!

"Oh, sorry, Princess."

She held my hand for a long time, struggling with herself. One long nail scratched the back of my hand. Her grip was desperate—like someone clinging for their life.

Click.

The door closed behind me.

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