Chapter 33

⋅⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅⋅

Are you a pervert?

Lionel’s expression was noticeably distorted, perhaps uncomfortable with the way Atalante’s name was called carelessly.

Gianna, who was quick-witted, couldn’t have missed that scene.

“I apologise. I’ve made a mistake by daring to bring up the name of that villain in front of Your Highness’ acquaintance.”

Immediately after she apologised with a pale countenance, the sound of cheerful laughter filled the drawing room. 

The clear and bright sound belonged to the woman sitting next to the grand duke.

‘I can’t believe she’s laughing so loudly, without even covering her mouth, let alone using a fan.’

Amongst aristocrats, it was considered frivolous for a lady to expose the insides of her mouth or even twitch her lips. 

However, the girl before her didn’t just laugh loudly, but even habitually slapped the shoulder of the grand duke, who was seated next to her. 

‘Has she gone crazy…?’

Gianna had also forgotten her manners at the sight of her unconventional behaviour, looking at her with a gaping mouth. 

“Oops.”

Belatedly realising that she had been hitting the grand duke while in a fit of laughter, Atalante apologised with a ‘Sorry,’ before giving her a short greeting.

‘Sorry?’

It was equivalent to not giving an apology. Shocked, Gianna almost forgot how to breathe.

“On the contrary, I like it. You can hit me more.”

The grand duke’s following words made her doubt her own hearing. 

It was even more surprising that it didn’t seem to be sarcasm, from the way his lips curved gently.

“…Are you a pervert?”

Ugh, without forgetting to add a sound of disgust, Atalante glared at Lionel with visible distaste. 

A huge frown was also present on her face. 

“W–wait a minute. What in the world is this……!”

What an unbecoming figure of an aristocrat!

The words she added were almost a shriek.

While she wasn’t an aristocrat from the capital, Gianna’s obsession with empty formalities and vanity was both amusing and pitiful.

With a snort, Atalante gently crossed her legs and shifted her gaze back towards Gianna.

For her to cross her legs, was she unaware that it’s ill-fitting of a noble lady!

Atalante carefully observed her expression, as if she could spot the anger within Gianna, before slowly opening her mouth. 

“So what about it, I’m not an aristocrat.”

“What…? How can you be in the presence of His Highness, the Grand Duke when you’re not an aristocrat…”

“Also, you’re right.”

“What?”

Atalante lowered her upper body a little more towards the dazed Gianna, and whispered softly.

“My name is Atalante.”

Gianna paled immediately at the sight of the beautiful villain face, which was right in front of her. 

“Grab her.”

At Lionel’s words, Gianna, who rose from her seat in an attempt to escape immediately, was caught by the knights. 

“You’re the one that’s lacking in manners. To think that you tried to leave without notifying me.”

With his cheek leaning on a long index finger, Lionel stared at Gianna with a subdued gaze. 

“That–that woman, did you know that she’s a wanted criminal? T–the Garrison must be notified immediately, Your Highness! She’s someone famous as an aristocrat hunter!”

“I’m someone that dislikes rowdiness, must your mouth be covered for you to listen to my words?”

As soon as his dulcet voice rang out, the knight, who had been waiting in the frightening atmosphere, prepared a cloth to cover her mouth.

Gianna, who easily realised its intended purpose, bit her lower lip.

It was as if she was caught in the middle of a villain’s den, and not the grand duke’s capital residence. 

“It’s fortunate that we can communicate. Let me say this again. I’d called for you today in order to order Miss Atalante’s debutante dress.”

Gianna didn’t just make clothes for anyone. Even if the asking party was a high-ranking noble, they would be judged based on their reputation and appearance, so there wasn’t any reason for her to undertake a villain’s clothing. 

‘She’s not even an aristocrat, so how is she going to attend the debutante party?’

If it was possible, Gianna wanted to say that she wouldn’t make a villain’s clothes, but she was too afraid of the terrifying aura the handsome man before her was giving off. 

“Make a dress that suits Miss Atalante by next week.”

Miss Atalante?

Rather than the stifling period of a week, it was the term of address used, which completely destroyed their classes, that made her head throb. 

The sole head of the Grand Ducal family used honorifics to a mere commoner, and a wanted criminal from an underground organisation at that?

“…This is ridiculous, Your Highness.”

“Which part?”

The grand duke asked calmly and leaned back into his chair, as if he was giving her a chance to respond. 

The man and woman, who had their legs crossed and looked at her oppressively, were strangely alike.

Come to think of it, the both of them shared a common point, in which they were villains.

“Firstly, I… only make clothes for ladies and gentlemen with worthy characters.”

Gianna had only said a sentence, but it felt as if her lifespan was reduced by about 10 years.

Whether it’s fortunate or not, she didn’t hear any words of admonition, so she swallowed dryly and continued.

“Above all, this is treason, Your Highness. To hide a wanted criminal like this and make a debutante dress that isn’t fitting for her place… It’s ridiculous.”

Although she was trembling, Gianna had spoken of everything she had to say and closed her eyes tightly. 

While she was currently in the clothing business, she was still an aristocrat from the Kingdom of Paille.

She planned to gain imperial citizenship sooner or later, and the imperial nobles admired her ability.

‘Even if he’s the Grand Duke of Blanc, he wouldn’t cause much trouble towards me.’

However, that was just a silly idea.

The reason behind that fact that even high ranking imperial nobles would tremble before the grand duke of Blanc was something that a foreigner like her couldn’t have fully understood. 

Along with a slow sigh, the grand duke slowly opened his mouth. 

“I see. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?”

“T–that’s right.”

Before she could be relieved that he was easily convinced, the temperature of her nape fell quickly. 

“That’s regrettable. I had expected that with your level of skills, you’d be able to make clothes that befit Miss Atalante.”

“Wha…?”

When she realised the thing touching her neck was a cold blade, her entire body began to tremble.

As if he had forgotten about the sword that was aimed at her, a radiant smile was present on Lionel’s face, like he was about to hand her a bouquet of flowers. 

“In that case, I’ll look for other talented people that are able to accept ridiculous situations.”

“Thank you for coming all the way here,” without forgetting to add his words of appreciation, Lionel gently gripped the sword. 

‘Why, why isn’t anyone stopping him?’

Gianna looked around with trembling eyes, but it seemed that there wasn’t anyone willing to stop the grand duke.

This sort of occurrence seemed to be commonplace, as they just stared at her indifferently or turned their gaze away. 

“I am an aristocrat from the Kingdom of Paille! T–the Viscounty of Randall…!”

“So?”

“What?”

“No matter what your status is, it’s meaningless to me.”

With a chilling laugh, Lionel moved the well polished sword nearer to her eyes while speaking in a whisper. 

“Where should I injure, such that it would be inconvenient for you to make clothes? An eye? A hand?”

This man must be crazy.

She belatedly understood why the imperial nobles left the grand duke of Blanc alone, despite the overflowing amount of disregarded gossip. 

They were unable to deal with this man’s madness, that’s why. 

As Lionel looked at the part of her body he was going to ruin, he had the devil’s eye, as illustrated in history books. As venomous as he is beautiful, a devil. 

“S, save me…”

As Gianna prayed that she would be allowed to return with her four limbs intact as long as she complied with his demands, a familiar voice brushed past her ears. 

“That’s enough.”

When she opened her tightly shut eyes, she saw crimson hair that was the same colour as blood. 

After blinking several times, Gianna realised who’s back it belonged to.

A young girl, who had been behind Lionel’s back up till a few moments ago, was now standing in front of her. 

“But there’s nothing we can do if we want to keep her mouth shut. I don’t want your identity to be exposed before the debutante.”

“I don’t want to see blood without a good reason.”

“Would it be hard to create a reason?”

While his voice asking for consent was very polite, the meaning behind his words was filled with endless bloodthirstiness. 

Suddenly frowning again, Atalante spoke resolutely again.

“Just let this person go. You promised me that you’d respect my wishes if I refused your proposal.”

Atalante felt that something seemed off. 

The gaze of the man, who was intoxicated due to the drug and acted like he only knew of her, was fixed upon the wound Gianna gained from grazing against his sword a few seconds ago. 

He was breathing slowly, like he was enduring something.

When Atalante spreaded her arms and covered Gianna completely, Lionel’s unfocused eyes slowly returned to normal.

Ahh, Lionel briefly exclaimed before sweeping up his slightly dishevelled silver hair and speaking.

“Alright.”

“……”

“Make yourself comfortable. I’m a little…dizzy.”

After deftly planting a kiss on Atalante’s crimson locks, Lionel turned around and left the drawing room.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

Was there a problem with today’s meal?

No, perhaps that’s how the grand duke of Blanc was originally.

Her suspicions only lasted for a moment, as Atalante turned her head, recalling that there was a trembling woman behind her. 

Gianna, who was pitifully blue out of fright, fumbled around several times to confirm that her body was in one piece. 

It didn’t occur to Atalante to ask if she was alright.

“Leave this place quickly. The servant will arrange a carriage for you.”

Gianna’s head slowly lifted upwards at those words.

“V–villain…!”

Gianna opened and closed her mouth like she was out of her mind, and a terrified voice appeared from her mouth. 

“That’s right.”

Atalante shrugged her shoulders without denying it and bent her knees.

Greenish brown eyes and light purple eyes met directly in the air.

It was definitely a beautiful face.

As if to prove that point, Gianna forgot that the girl in front of her was a wanted criminal, and inadvertently began to admire her delicate features.

⋅⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅⋅