The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 78
“Ah.”
Artizea turned in surprise, and Cadriol also widened his eyes, staring at the person who had taken the glass from him.
Cedric had a calm expression on his face, but anyone who was present could easily tell that it wasn’t genuine. It was more of a neutral mask concealing his discomfort.
“Sorry about that. My fiance doesn’t handle alcohol very well.”
“Lord Ced…”
Artizea called his name in a fluster. It was true that she didn’t drink much, but this was the first time Cedric had outright blocked her like this. He didn’t merely suggest she should drink less. He had intervened directly in the conversation and taken the glass from her.
The servant carrying the tray with the champagne glasses hesitated as he passed by, unable to continue without faltering. Cedric placed the glass back onto the tray with a nod, signaling the servant to leave. The servant, feeling nervous despite having done nothing wrong, quickly hurried away.
Though they couldn’t openly surround them, the guests’ eyes subtly shifted towards the three of them.
The mere presence of Grand Duke Evron at the ball had already drawn a great deal of attention. While most guests didn’t know who Cadriol was, just the sight of two tall men standing off like that was enough to attract attention.
Cadriol couldn’t hide the bewilderment on his face as he looked at Cedric. Cedric flashed a soft smile.
“By the way, when did you arrive here? Prince Cadriol of Eimmel?”
“Oh.”
Cadriol unconsciously pursed his lips. With Cedric’s one remark, his discreet visit under a false name had completely collapsed.
A ripple of murmurs spread through the ballroom. Cadriol’s irritation spiked.
Evron and Eimmel had very little connection. From Eimmel’s perspective, there would naturally be some interest in Evron due to the political dynamics within the Empire or the Crown Princess’s inner circle. But Evron had no reason to be interested in a Prince of Eimmel at all.
Wondering if the Crown Princess had informed him, Cadriol glanced around, but Eloise was looking at them with a mixed expression of surprise and interest.
Cadriol forced a smile and spoke.
“Did Grand Duke Riagan inform the Grand Duke of my visit?”
Cedric’s eyebrows twitched. Cadriol was taken aback. He realized that he should be the one angry now. He had been rudely interrupted, and his secret identity had been exposed.
Just moments ago, he hadn’t even thought about Grand Duke Evron, but now he was ready to actively dislike him.
Cedric shook his head.
“I wasn’t informed so I was surprised.”
At that moment, Viscountess Adinne hurried into the ballroom and approached them.
“Oh, Your Grace.”
She had a large shawl draped in her arms.
Cedric had exchanged greetings with her at the entrance, then, after surveying the ballroom for a moment, immediately made his request.
[My apologies, but could I borrow a shawl for a lady? Something warm, if possible.]
[Yes?]
[The night breeze has gotten quite chilly. The garden is beautiful, and I was planning to suggest a walk for my fiance, but I can’t have her shivering from the cold.]
Viscountess Adinne briefly followed Cedric’s gaze, quickly understanding the situation. Well, it wasn’t an unreasonable request. Wearing a thin, revealing evening gown on a night like this would definitely leave someone cold in the breeze.
She was slightly amused by the situation, but she had heard rumors about Grand Duke Evron’s deep affection for his fiance, almost treating her like a child. It was only natural to offer a warm shawl or blanket to a guest.
‘Our garden does look particularly beautiful tonight.’
There was a certain warmth in that thought.
So, she chose the best shawl she had and brought it with her, but inside the ballroom, two tall men were engaging in a silent, tense standoff without hiding their hostility.
When Cedric saw Viscountess Adinne, he thanked her, took the shawl, and casually draped it over Artizea’s shoulders. He then removed the insignia from his chest and fixed it as a brooch.
“Lord Ced?”
Artizea called out to him in disbelief. The cool air on her back was instantly replaced by the warm touch of velvet.
Cadriol was about to say something, but Cedric completely ignored him, turning his body and extending his arm to Artizea.
“Would you like to take a walk?”
“A walk?”
“I hear the garden of Viscounty Adinne is small but quite beautiful.”
Artizea hesitated, then placed her hand on Cedric’s arm. She was about to apologize to Cadriol but found that Cedric had positioned himself so cleverly that she had to move two steps to the side just to face him.
She gave a small, apologetic bow.
“It was a pleasure, Your Highness.”
“No need for thanks. I’d be delighted if you allowed me to make up for today’s disappointment next time.”
Cadriol sensed Cedric’s glare and, consciously narrowing his eyes, smiled while placing a kiss on the back of Artizea’s hand.
It was true that Artizea, who was blushing brightly, looked quite cute in her innocence, and if he could annoy Cedric in the process, it would be a double win.
But when he lifted his head again, Cedric’s face had returned to its calm and composed appearance.
Cedric led Artizea toward the terrace, and as Cadriol watched them leave with a stunned expression, Eloise approached, laughing so hard she was holding her stomach.
“Haha! The prince is in quite a predicament.”
“It’s not just me, though, is it? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Empire must be in the most difficult position right now.”
“That’s true.”
Eloise’s face was lit up with an uncontrollable smile of delight.
“What’s so amusing?”
“I’ve never seen Cedric Evron angry in the last ten years.”
Eloise whispered as if sharing a secret.
“Today, the prince managed to do just that. I never expected it to go this far.”
“I haven’t done anything…”
“That’s what makes it even more amusing.”
She smiled brightly.
“Now that your identity is revealed, it can’t be hidden again. Since things have turned out this way, I want to invite you as a guest to my palace. What do you think?”
“Do you not like Grand Duke Evron?”
“I like him very much. I just wish he was a little more adorable.”
Cadriol stared at Eloise in disbelief. It was rude, but neither Eloise nor Selenea pointed it out.
For a guest who had created such an entertaining situation, it was fine to let go of some formalities. Eloise was willing to consider this prince as a friend now.
Cadriol spoke.
“I’m a friend of Duke Pavel, and considering the position Grand Duke Evron holds in the Empire…”
He trailed off with a slightly evasive tone, and Eloise chuckled, promising him.
“Don’t worry. I’ll introduce you to my close aides, and we’ll all hang out together. No one will be surprised. Handsome men are always welcome.”
“That doesn’t sound bad.”
Cadriol replied readily. After all, opportunities to socialize openly with the future Emperor of the Empire didn’t come around often. In fact, that was why he had come to this ball in the first place.
Right now, though, he was more in the mood to make Cedric’s face twist in annoyance. Normally, it was standard to respond to kindness with kindness and to respond to malice with malice.
Since things had turned out this way, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to talk to Artizea more. If she really was as clever as Pavel had boasted, he could charm her and take her with him.
Seeing how much Grand Duke Evron cherished her, she seemed like a girl with enough worth to be worth the effort.