"What did you say?"
Alfred spoke in a low voice, articulating each of his words.
Really a third-rate line.
He did hear Jayden, but asked again to intimidate him.
"I-I just said we planned to watch the race together with Edward."
Jayden stuttered but still held his ground.
Was that because of Alfred's status?
Or maybe because he knew Alfred was stronger than him?
I'm not sure what the exact reason was, but Jayden was clearly nervous.
Milleia was slightly behind Jayden; she was squeezing his arm as if trying to stop him from talking further. A conflicted expression adorned her face.
Lyra didn't seem to be there, so they were alone to deal with Alfred.
My bad.
I forgot Thomas, who was next to Alfred.
The more time passed, the more convinced I became that Thomas was Alfred's mistress. I mean, he was always with Alfred; it was weird! Even in the same club now!
Loid was also close to them, but he was in the Familiars Battle Club. Fortunately, I didn't meet him; otherwise, it wouldn't have ended up nice.
[<For you?>]
'For him!'
[<Isn't he stronger than you?]
'That's just for now and a battle isn't only won by force.'
[<Sounds like the typical excuse of weaklings.>]
This useless Goddess…
It's a shame I can't beat her up.
"What does that have to do with what I asked? You can watch with Falkrona for however much time you want. Milleia was the only one I invited."
I concentrated again on the conversation.
Alfred asked Milleia to accompany him to watch the race together, but Jayden interjected, of course, politely to Alfred, because they probably planned to watch the match together with me and Lyra and were waiting for us.
In the game, they were only waiting for Lyra, so there were no significant changes in the course of the quarrel.
"Your Highness… Milleia is with us. We've already planned to watch the race together…you can watch with us if you wan-"
"How dare you!"
It was Thomas who interrupted Jayden angrily.
He couldn't let go such an insult to his 'lover'.
"You are speaking to the Heir of the Celesta Kingdom's throne. Mind your status and your words."
I could feel Thomas restrain himself from spitting a word like 'peasant' or 'commoner' because he knew Alfred's affection for Milleia and the latter was a commoner.
The d*ck ridding is crazy…
How can you change your personality so much for someone else…?
[<That's the pot calling the kettle black?>]
'Shut up! I'm doing it only to avoid the destruction of this kingdom!'
[<That must be only 1% of your reason. The remaining 99% is for your own survival.>]
Did she think of me as a heartless beast?
"P-Please stop."
Milleia finally found the courage to speak.
She had a very good impression of Alfred, so she was a little bothered about how to refuse him without disheartening him, though I doubted that the idiot Prince would be disheartened for so little. It was just Milleia's naive way of judging people.
"I apologize, Your Highness."
Milleia leaned her head slightly.
"I've already promised my friends that I'll watch with them... If you are willing to forgive us, I promise to watch it with you the next time..."
Her innocent tone, coupled with her guilty look, could melt anyone's cold heart.
Just imagine the damage Alfred, who was already holding some degree of affection for her, had received…
"I-It's okay, Milleia."
Alfred stuttered.
Was this guy really the future King of our Kingdom?
Was it okay to leave the reins of the kingdom to this guy?
These thoughts crossed my mind; I mean, I was going to live here.
"Ahahaahaha!"
Right after Alfred's virgin reply, a loud laugh rang in the reception hall.
It was a mocking laugh.
He came, as expected.
Ronald Trueheart.
Louisa Trueheart's younger brother.
Alfred was without doubt the man Ronald hated the most.
…and it wasn't the end.
Next to him was Alfred's worst nightmare.
The Villainess, Layla Adriana Tarmias.
They most likely heard everything from Alfred's invitation to Milleia until his final stutter.
She wasn't wearing a good expression.
"Look at you, Alfred! What was this pathetic voice?! I mistook it for my maid's voice! Ahahaha!"
Ronald burst out laughing once more.
Alfred's face turned red in an instant because of shame and anger.
It was the first time he had shown such a reaction to Ronald's insults. Probably because of Milleia's presence. He always acted cool in front of her, but Ronald destroyed this image with his words.
"Your Highness?"
Next was Layla.
She ignored Ronald's noisy laugh.
No.
She ignored Ronald's entire presence and walked like a true lady toward Alfred with both her hands clasped together behind her.
"May I know why you did not think of inviting me?"
She tilted her head with a smile.
It was an alluring smile, but only her smile was alluring. The rest of her face wasn't showing any expression.
"Layla…I am free to invite whoever I want."
Alfred stated, averting his gaze.
He was good at handling Layla but…
"Oh? Indeed, Your Highness, you are free to invite whoever you want, but isn't it better to invite a lady of your stature?"
She gave Milleia a furtive glance.
Incidentally, Jayden averted his red face when Layla looked at him with a smile on her red lips. Little did he know that it wasn't a true smile. It was the smile that kept her from rampaging around.
"Status is just a word inside the academy. I have not stooped that low to discriminate between nobles and commoners. I am equally considering them as a true noble should do."
Alfred gave a perfect answer without giving a hint of a weakness Layla could exploit. He wasn't a prince for nothing.
Milleia's gaze on Alfred changed slightly for a split second when she heard his words.
Don't believe his words!
He is merely trying to escape Layla's interrogation by spitting bullsh*t!
Not good.
She was really going to fall for him if it continued like that.
Layla's eyes narrowed a little at Alfred's blatant lie.
She knew Alfred very well; he would never lie in such a trivial matter, of course…only if it was a trivial matter for him…
"Oh, I see."
Layla clapped her hands in understanding, but she raised her brow in wonder as soon as she said that.
This girl…
If not for her personality, she would have been perfect.
Her manners, etiquette, and demeanor were flawless, as were her arsenal of facial expressions and words. There couldn't be any noble lady as perfect as her. She knew exactly how to act and how to get an answer just by using her words, tone, and talent in acting.
"But Your Highness, could you please tell me the reasoning for your selection of this common- charming girl to be your conversation partner? If you needed someone to converse with, you had several options. I recall you having a devoted servant always around you."
Thomas gnashed his teeth.
"Pffft-"
I covered my mouth when Layla pointed indirectly to Thomas.
Oh, man, she was really good.
She didn't hold Thomas in high regard even though he was her beloved's friend, because she was aware he was helping Alfred avoid any further discussion about their engagement. Thus, she wasn't holding back at all.
"...or if you were tired of male company and needed some intelligent, funny, and charming woman, then, without being presumptuous, Your Highness, I might be the one you need."
"..."
This time, Alfred couldn't answer.
Everyone around was speechless at Layla's unique and sly way of speaking.
[<Your heartbeat exceed->]
'Shaddap.'
I just needed to get used.
"Don't worry, Layla. If that guy does not want to converse, I will gladly accept you as my conversing partner."
Ronald, aka LaylaSimp, said with a broad smile.
I think he still didn't notice Layla's sour mood.
Since Alfred wasn't answering, Layla was slowly losing her calm.
"Cat got your tongue, Your Highness?"
Layla ignored Ronald and teased Alfred with a giggle.
Obviously, there was no humor in her giggle.
"I…chose Milleia because I know her."
"!"
What the heck?!
In the game, he didn't answer, and Layla would leave with a smile!
Why did that idiot respond?!
[<As you previously stated, Amael. Since Alfred and Milleia met before because of you, Alfred's emotions for Milleia might be deeper than what you witnessed in your game.>]
At Cleenah's words, I recalled.
It was because of Lyra that Alfred and Milleia had spoken to each other earlier, but Lyra said that to annoy me which she hadn't in the game because she never approached me in the game…
"..."
Layla's smile vanished…
Fuck!
…for reappearing like magic a few seconds later.
She was going to take the 'I will freaking torture and kill Milleia' route earlier if it continued like that.
"Milleia?"
Layla put her finger on her chin as if thinking about something.
No…
Don't do that…
Layla finally turned toward Milleia.
Milleia smiled nervously at Layla's gaze.
She was going to say it…
I was convinced.
"Could it be that you ar-"
"It's quite noisy in here."
But I couldn't let her do that.
"Are you shooting a romantic drama or something?"
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[!] LAYLA ADRIANA TARMIAS' PROFILE and REF ILLUSTRATION have been added in the [HEROINE] auxiliary chapter!