The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 97

Artizea danced the second dance with Pavel. It was only natural for her to dance first with the partner who had escorted her, so Cedric couldn’t intervene.

While the first dance was customarily reserved for one’s escort, some liked to assign special meaning to the second, saying it was danced with the person one most desired. 

But by the third dance onward, it was hard to justify any symbolic interpretation.

Feeling gloomy, Cedric resigned himself to being a decorative tree against the wall. When Artizea chose Ansgar, the one who managed her party, as her partner for the third dance, the crowd erupted in delighted laughter at the unexpected choice. 

Cedric, however, couldn’t bring himself to smile.

From close acquaintances to casual acquaintances, nearly every young man in attendance lined up to ask Artizea for a dance. Though her not dancing with Cedric made it seem the breakup was definite, the fact that the party was hosted at the Grand Duke Evron’s residence and that Cedric was attending and had even asked her to dance suggested that things hadn’t completely fallen apart between them.

Hazel’s explanation, which quickly spread around the ballroom, added fuel to the speculation.

“Until now, Grand Duke Evron has always been like an older brother to Lady Artizea. Maybe the sudden idea of marriage made things awkward between them. They probably just decided to stay like siblings.”

If that were the case, Artizea’s value on the marriage market would only increase. She was the heiress of Marquisate Rosan, the Crown Princess’s favorite, and effectively the adoptive sibling of both Duke Riagan and Grand Duke Evron.

By nature, Artizea hadn’t been especially close to young noblemen, but she wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to them either. Among Pavel’s friends, a few had exchanged greetings with her often enough.

When it came time for the quadrille, several hands would extend at once. When a waltz began, young men lined up to ask her to dance with sincere expressions. Artizea danced with Grand Duke Roygar, with Cardriol, and even matched steps with Bishop Nikos in a group dance.

Watching all this, Milaira glanced at Cedric with a smug look and gave a snort of satisfaction, as though it was her own pride that had been restored. Cedric sighed and pretended not to notice her provocation.

This was exactly the kind of moment Cedric had always wished Artizea could enjoy. And yet, though it was fleeting, the fact that he wasn’t part of it pained him. It wasn’t that he couldn’t join in, if he tried, he could, but the thought of just being one among many left him conflicted.

Just then, Graham walked up and looped his arm through Cedric’s.

“What are you doing? Sulking over your self-inflicted wounds?”

“How many times do I have to say it wasn’t meant to be public?”

“Whatever the reason, it’s still your own doing. If you’re planning to start over, shouldn’t you begin by asking her to dance?”

“Brother, did you come here just to tease me?”

“Yes.”

Graham answered without hesitation, leaving Cedric with no choice but to sigh again.

“You really do look like someone freshly dumped.”

“I always look gloomy, not like someone who smiles.”

“If you’re upset about not getting attention, maybe you should fight fire with fire?”

Graham glanced around pointedly as he spoke.

Artizea wasn’t the only prized catch on the marriage market. Cedric was just as much, if not more, of a high-value prospect. He was too prominent to be approached casually, and since most of the noble young ladies at the party were close to Artizea, they were hesitant to make a move.

As Cedric followed Graham’s gaze, his eyes happened to meet a young lady’s. Instead of quickly averting her eyes after a polite nod, she looked directly at him and smiled brightly.

Cedric stiffened. 

In truth, he recognized several people here, even if only one-sidedly. He recalled that the woman would be the Madam of the immensely wealthy Viscounty Ramon. 

Of course, not now. She would only rise in social prominence well after her husband inherited the title, more than ten years after their marriage that she became worthy of the Emperor’s memory. 

Cedric couldn’t recall her family background.

In this lifetime, she hadn’t been particularly close with Artizea, but it seemed she had still received an invitation.

Thinking no more of it, Cedric gave her a brief nod and began to look away, but she approached him, as though seizing an opportunity.

“Good evening, Grand Duke of Evron. I’m Laila of County Atia.”

Apparently assuming Cedric didn’t know her, Lady Atia gave a proper curtsy and introduced herself. Cedric unhooked his arm from Graham’s and bowed slightly in return.

“Cedric of Evron. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Atia.”

“Why are you standing here alone?”

Cedric wanted to say he wasn’t alone, he was with Graham, but he didn’t wish to embarrass her, so he held back.

Smiling sweetly, she extended her hand.

“A gentleman shouldn’t just stand against the wall like this.”

Cedric glanced sideways and met Graham’s gaze. Graham shrugged.

Cedric let out a silent sigh. Graham had spoken of a ‘counterattack’ but Cedric could clearly see this was all part of Graham’s plan to escalate the situation and make him uncomfortable.

He hadn’t meant to embarrass a girl who seemed not even twenty yet, but he had to turn her down. After all, this would be his first dance.

“My apologies. I was just about to step out, I have something to attend to.”

Lady Atia’s smile faded instantly. Cedric glanced at Graham. Sensing Cedric was trying to pass the baton, Graham began to retreat, but Cedric grabbed his arm and smiled.

“Grand Duke Altin will be honored to take your hand, I’m sure.”

“…..”

Had Lady Atia not been standing right in front of them, Graham would’ve yelled, “Hey!”, but doing so would be a real insult, so he swallowed it.

Instead, he gave Cedric a pointed look and took Lady Atia’s hand.

“I’m far better company than that grump, Lady. Shall we dance?”

Lady Atia’s cheeks turned red. Though Cedric’s rejection had been humiliating, getting to dance with Graham made the outcome more than worthwhile. He, too, was known for rarely dancing.

Watching the two head onto the floor, Cedric quietly turned and exited the ballroom. He needed to prepare. If he wanted to shift the situation, he had to take action.

Artizea realized Cedric was no longer in the ballroom shortly afterward.

Though she had danced and conversed with others, she hadn’t forgotten about him. In fact, she’d been keeping an eye on him the whole time. She’d nearly run over when Lady Atia approached him.

‘Was I being too harsh?’

She suddenly felt anxious.

Lysia had strongly insisted that Cedric needed to feel some pressure for once, and Artizea had agreed to act aloof. 

But when Cedric didn’t ask her to dance by the third song and instead stood by the wall, she kept sneaking glances his way.

Milaira had even pinched her side and whispered what a foolish move it was.

And now he was gone and that was distracting her.

“Leave him be. If he’s the kind of man who can’t stand seeing you laugh and enjoy your own birthday party with others, then he’s not worth chasing.”

“But…”

“I said leave him. If you run after him, the rumors will only grow. Don’t cling. That’s a last resort.”

Artizea looked at Milaira with a conflicted expression. She spoke with obvious bitterness.

“You think I want to say this? You think I raised you for this?”

“Mother…”

“Just wait. You say it’s real love, don’t you? Then you’d better be able to withstand this. What kind of trust collapses this easily?”

Artizea knew Milaira’s words were meant as advice, but there was truth in her sarcasm too. It was clear she didn’t believe in any so-called trust. 

Even so, Artizea tried to steady her heart.