As the night fell and festivities embraced the Greenfield duchy, the three of us headed out. Borrowing clothes from my mother’s old room that was kept in a pristine state, I wore a casual commoner’s dress she had from her younger days. I suppose my mother also had a hobby of sneaking out when young which was unexpected.

As we left the estate from the back entrance, we could already hear echoes of laughter from the people enjoying the festival. A rather small temple of Light was the focus of attention with many stalls stationed around it and a few temple knights guarding its gate.

Upon seeing the joyous atmosphere, even I felt an anticipation of the night that would follow. I have not been to these types of festivals for a while, at least in the previous life. I was too busy following a man around the Noxarian Empire after all.

Entering the lively crowd, the murmurs of various conversations made it hard to hear what the other two were trying to convey. Something about food? I simply nodded, went to a chicken skewers stall, and asked for a piece. Meanwhile, Alexe headed to another stall selling cupcakes – with the way he looks, you wouldn’t expect him to have a sweet tooth.

The smell of the chicken marinade slowly wafts towards my nose along with the sound of sizzling captures my interest and I cannot help but stare, gulping down my saliva. Ever since arriving back from the future, I have only eaten bread and drank tea so far… The last dinner I had was soup and moldy bread while imprisoned.

“Pffft-”

Turning my head, I look at Feitan who is sniffling his laughter, “What’s so funny? Never seen a hungry person before?”

Wiping an imaginary tear from his eyes he replied, “I have, but never a duke’s daughter drooling over some chicken skewers.”

Giving him a smile whilst holding back my anger, I forced some polite words out, “Well, it is a luxury for me to taste such foods that aren’t served at home. Of course, I would be quite… hungry for it.”

With a teasing smile, he leaned in, “It seems you only purchased one, are you going to starve your guest from a faraway place, my lady?”

With a disbelieving huff, I ask the stall owner to add another piece to my order. “Happy?”

“Of course, I cannot believe a mesmerizing lady such as yourself would invite me to dinner,” grinning as he spoke, he grabbed the already done skewer and left elsewhere.

‘What the-that was my skewer!’ What a piece of work this man is, he seemed all gentlemanly only to steal a lady’s skewer in front of the elders but now he’s showing his true self! Sigh

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The stall owner looks at me, “Miss, the man may look handsome but doesn’t seem to have any virtue! Make sure to choose a better partner next time!”

Slightly surprised, I gave a delayed laugh at the comment given by the stall owner, “You’re right, I will. Thank you for your advice, sir.”

Handing me the piping hot skewer, he gives me a wink, “Of course, always happy to give such a pretty customer some advice.”

As I leave, I look for a seat but as it was busy, most seats were taken at the stalls, so I found a bench a bit further out to sit on.

Looking at the skewer, I squeal a little before putting my calm demeanor on again.

Puff puff

Blowing on the skewer before taking a little bit, I huff and huff as the food was still hot. However… the taste was truly a luxury I haven’t had in so long. The sauce was thick and the taste of salt and pepper with a little bit of a tang was truly seductive. Gulping down the bite, I blow once more before finishing the whole stick.

“Hah…” I lean back onto the bench as I throw the stick into a bin next to me. The ball, should I reject Feitan and ask Alexe to go with me? I truly do not want to be caught up with another man from the empire. Nothing good can come out from it, moreover – the admirers of Feitan are many. To my knowledge, he is called an eligible bachelor at the empire’s high society and the academy. ‘I do not wish to be known as a stalker or villainess again…’

How has such a man not gotten engaged yet? Maybe… Maybe he doesn’t like women? Siting up in shock, I think to myself, ‘what if his carriage didn’t break down and he came here because he fell for Alexe?!’

Slapping my cheeks, I tell myself to wake up. It is impossible as I do remember Alexe getting engaged to a woman, although nothing on Feitans end…

Chuckle

“My lady, you look quite… adorable. What’s got you to hm, caress your cheeks?”

Shocked, I turn around and see him standing there holding two drinks and a bucket filled with a variety of skewers in hand. Stumbling on my words I say, “I-I was uh… J-just thinking about the ball…”

Placing the bucket and drinks on the edge of the bench, he sits next to me. ‘Isn’t he a bit too close?!’

As if I wasn’t shocked enough, he places his hand on mine and looks into my eyes. “Can I call you by your first name, my lady?”

Taken by surprise, I stuttered out a yes. Feitan, without missing a beat continues, “Cordelia, my offer to be your partner is genuine. I truly wish to stand beside you.”

With those words, he throws my mind into a turmoil. Stupidly, I stare at him, mouth agape.

In the midst of his intense gaze and unexpected confession, I found myself momentarily sucked into his eyes. His touch, his breath and the sincerity in his eyes together almost seduce me into saying yes.

However, catching myself back to normal I reply “I appreciate your offer, truly. But… I fear that accepting your offer would your reputation down. Moreover, we barely know each other enough to be partners. Gossip will arise and I hear I will not be able to marry without complications.”

“Then… how about I wed you?”

“…WHAT?!” Flabbergasted at the words that came out of his mouth I pull away and stand, “are you crazy? To ask a woman you barely met to wed???”

Standing up, he pulls me into a hug, “I fell in love with you at first sight. This all your fault, you should take responsibility.”

Breaking away from the hug, he looks deeply into my eyes with whirls of emotions that I could not understand…

“Tell me, do you not hear your own heart race for me? Even if you do not love me, I will still be loyal and loving unlike others! I can swear on the goddess herself-”

Question marks race across my mind as I try to process this madman’s words, I push him away, cutting him off, “You are heir to the Loyalvine dukedom, and I am heir to the Stormcrest dukedom. This is ill fated! Rather, it is impossible for us even if I did enjoy your face!”

Panting after spitting those words out, he suddenly breaks out into a huge smirk, “So, you enjoy my face?”

Flustered, I realize I had messed up! “No… I just…”

Approaching me, he slowly kneels before looking up, “I swear, whether in this life or a previous life, or any life… I have always only had eyes for you. I am willing to throw everything I own away. Goddess, if you hear this oath, please gra-”

Shocked, I put my palms on his mouth before he could finish – ‘this madman was going to swear an oath to the goddess, is he crazy?! I thought I was an idiot for falling in love at first sight but he’s even worse!!!’

“Okay! Stop! I accept, I surrender! Just, don’t say anything more please…”

Suddenly from behind the bushes, Alexe erupts into applause with some random people, “Wow! Congrats young man! Congrats young lady! That was so romantic!”

‘Wh-what the, were these people watching all along?!’