“Joking? Hah. What a ridiculous joke. Just a joke, you say?” Vinny scoffed, holding one hand on his waist as he chomped into the sauce-dripping goose leg and mumbled with his mouth full.
“Who do you think I am? In the Kingdom of Camella, I’m the number one delinquent! Back when I was wreaking havoc in the capital, you didn’t even know where you were. And you think you’re worthy of scaring me? Hmph.”
“Pfft.”
For some reason, when Aesphyra recalled the scene from a few days ago—of Vinny playing with the kids at the orphanage—she couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
“What’s so funny? You think this is funny?” Vinny raised a brow.
“No, I just thought of something funny, that’s all.”
“Unfathomable woman. Boring.” Vinny gave her a blank look, turned to face the corner, and went back to gnawing on his goose leg.
“Lady Aesphyra.”
A voice called from behind her, halting Aesphyra’s steps.
Her smile began to fade.
No—that wasn’t quite right. It didn’t disappear so much as shift, subtly changing into a polite smile.
“Good evening, sir. How may I assist you?” Aesphyra turned to face the noble youth behind her, holding a glass of red wine.
At first glance, his manner was courteous—gentle, even.
Had Aesphyra not lived two lives, she might have been fooled.
But unfortunately for him, she had lived two lives.
These aristocratic heirs? To her, they were just a bunch of toddlers in oversized coats, still metaphorically in diapers, playing pretend at being “mature gentlemen.”
She could see right through them. And she wasn’t the least bit interested.
Honestly? That so-called “villainous young master” over there, gnawing on a goose leg, was far more interesting.
At least he stayed out of her way. In fact, he actively avoided her.
Which only deepened Aesphyra’s curiosity.
Why was Vinny so different in this life?
What was influencing the changes in the worldline?
Was it her rebirth? Could it be that she, as someone who had lived twice, had created a sort of butterfly effect?
Unlikely. As far as she knew, she was the only Reborn.
But still...
She recalled how she hadn’t encountered a single Crimson Demon in Orel Forest this time.
That wasn’t normal.
Something had altered the course of events.
Was it her?
Possibly. But her instincts told her it wasn’t that simple.
Her eyes drifted back to the figure in the corner—Vinny, quietly chewing in peace.
He was the biggest anomaly in the timeline.
Yes, his reputation was still garbage. Everyone treated him with the same contempt as before.
But his behavior? Completely different.
Helping at the orphanage without asking for anything? That was definitely not something the Vinny of her past life would’ve done.
And then there was his attitude toward her.
In the past, he’d been openly hostile. Constantly throwing petty obstacles in her way like a child acting out for attention.
She hadn’t taken him seriously then. He was just a background clown.
But in the end... that “clown” had pulled off something that flipped her entire life upside down.
She would never let her guard down again.
She had to keep watching him. She had to be ready to strike the moment he reverted to his old self.
But...
What if he really had changed?
What if he wasn’t that demon anymore?
What then?
For a brief second, Aesphyra hesitated.
Even if Vinny became a better person, it wouldn’t erase the fact that they had shared something once—a “lifelong bond” from the past.
So should she... just let him go?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a smooth voice.
“Lady Aesphyra, may I call you that?”
She turned toward the man before her.
A perfectly dressed, handsome youth. Clearly educated. Polished. Aristocratic.
“Who are you?” Aesphyra asked, expression flat.
“I beg your pardon. I am Carrick Barclay, second son of Marquis Barclay.” He gave her a refined bow.
In the Kingdom of Camella, a marquis was about as high as nobility got. And the Barclay family? Founding heroes of the kingdom. Their influence spread far and wide.
Though Carrick wasn’t the heir, just being the second son of such a family was enough to turn heads.
Aesphyra’s response was calm and measured.
“Well, Lord Carrick. Do you have advice for me?”
Her voice was perfectly polite, neither warm nor cold. Just enough to maintain social decorum.
If etiquette didn’t demand it, she wouldn’t have bothered to acknowledge him at all.
Carrick sensed it. That aloofness.
Normally, the mere mention of his name made others stammer or grovel.
But not her.
He forced himself to stay composed.
“Lady Aesphyra, I heard you’re from the Galactus family—so that would place you in the southern regions of the kingdom, yes? I’ve visited Viscounty Galactus before. Their dried fruits are quite delightful.”
He was making small talk. Trying to warm her up before getting to his real point.
Aesphyra had seen it all before.
These noble heirs hadn’t changed a bit since her last life.
Was Vinny the only one who changed?
Carrick mistook her silence for attention.
“Lady Aesphyra, I truly admired your composure earlier—when the unicorn lost control. You didn’t panic at all.”
“You flatter me, Lord Carrick. It was just luck.”
“Oh, hardly!” Carrick said with an approving nod.
“Your poise shows you’re far beyond most noble heirs. Even the tutors have taken note. They believe you’ve already secured «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» an admission quota.”
“I really don’t deserve that kind of praise.”
“Lady Aesphyra,” Carrick leaned in slightly, voice warm, “we’re both citizens of the same kingdom. We’ll likely be classmates soon. There’s no need to stay so formal.”
“Truly, I admire you. So tonight, I’ve decided to host a dance—to celebrate our shared path and the future of our kingdom. Surely... you won’t decline?”
There it is.
Aesphyra didn’t flinch.
“You jest, Lord Barclay. How could I be so rude?”
Carrick smiled.
“Then, Lady Aesphyra... do you have a dance partner in mind?”
A transparent lead-in.
Obviously, she didn’t know about the banquet ahead of time.
And now, she was expected to say she hadn’t chosen anyone yet.
At which point, Carrick would graciously offer himself.
After all—who would dare refuse a marquis’s son?
He’d already accepted that he’d never win Her Royal Highness.
But Aesphyra? A beautiful, talented noble lady?
She was the perfect “consolation prize.”
He knew his magical ability wasn’t top-tier.
But what he lacked in power, he made up for in social instinct.
His gut told him this girl had potential. That she’d rise high.
He reached out a hand, smiling confidently.
She wouldn’t say no.
“I’m sorry, Lord Barclay. But I’ve already made an arrangement.”
Her smile was courteous. Her refusal, absolute.
“Oh? What a coincidence.” Carrick’s face stiffened as he retracted his hand.
Still, he kept up appearances.
“If I may ask... who is the lucky gentleman?”
He was convinced she was bluffing.
The moment she named someone, he’d confront them and call her out.
Aesphyra’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she turned her gaze toward the corner of the hall.
“You know him, Lord Barclay.”
“Oh? Who?”
“A distinguished gentleman. None other than Lord Vinny Varelis, the descendant of the goddess.”
She pointed toward a certain someone...
Who was currently chewing on roasted goose like a starving man, completely oblivious to the conversation.
Carrick froze.
Vinny?
Seriously? She chose him?
What did that make him?
“Ah, I see. Lady Aesphyra certainly has... unique tastes,” Carrick said through clenched teeth.
“I wonder... does Lord Vinny know he’s been chosen?”
“Of course,” Aesphyra replied smoothly. “I’ve already invited him. If there’s a ball, he’s the only one I’ll dance with.”
Far away in his food-induced bliss, Vinny suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
He looked up cautiously.
...and saw Aesphyra walking toward him.
Heads turned to watch.
Vinny glanced left.
Glanced right.
No one nearby.
No no no... she's coming for me?!
He was just about to get up and flee when her voice rang out.
“Lord Vinny, have you made up your mind?” Aesphyra flashed a radiant smile, adding a teasing wink.
“???”
Vinny stared blankly.
Made up my mind about what? What is this woman scheming now?
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh, don’t play dumb, Lord Vinny~ I asked you earlier to be my dance partner. Don’t tell me you forgot? Playing hard to get doesn’t suit you.”
She batted her eyes, cheeks flushed like a shy maiden.
“???”
Vinny’s confusion deepened.
Then he spotted Carrick behind her—and everything clicked.
Ah.
So that’s what this is.
She was using him as a shield.
This woman...
Vinny laughed bitterly.
He’d planned to reject her on the spot.
But then—
A new thought struck him.
You wanna play? Then let’s play.
He hadn’t started this. He didn’t want to be involved.
But if she was going to keep dragging him into trouble, then fine.
Let’s make it fun.
As long as he didn’t go full villain mode, Aesphyra couldn’t do anything too extreme to him.
Carrick was watching closely, expecting him to deny it.
But Vinny took a breath, crossed his arms, and said loudly:
“Ugh, you again. Persistent woman.”
“Didn’t I already tell you? There’s someone else in my heart! Quit pestering me, would you?”
He let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Ah, it’s my fate! I’m just too handsome, too charming. Wherever I go, flowers bloom! Even carriages crash just to get a glimpse of me! I can’t help it!”
He dramatically swept his hand through his hair, the picture of narcissism.
“But you? Sorry, you’re not my type.”
“No matter how much you chase me—it’s useless.”
“You...” He narrowed his eyes and sneered, glancing at her chest with open contempt. “You’re too flat. This young master—doesn’t like that. Give it up.”
Crack.
Something invisible shattered in the air.
Then—
+100 Virtue (Main Character’s Mood Swing)
Current Virtue: 114