“Wha-wha-wha-what are you doing!”

To Vivian’s startled small outcry, Luciel gave her a look as if to say “what are you talking about?”

“Dancing, of course. Did you not realize?”

Vivian felt her neck stiffening again. With her neck becoming stiff so frequently today, she thought perhaps she should consult Dr. Klein.

“How long do you intend to dance with me? Over there is a crowd of women desperately waiting for your invitation. Wouldn’t it be better to dance with each of them as well?”

“How sad. Even though you came looking for a husband, you’re too obviously seeking opportunities to dance with other men.”

“Who is!”

Vivian raised her voice without realizing it, then was startled by her own reaction and quickly shut her mouth.

“If that’s not the case, would you please focus on me now? Throughout our dance, I couldn’t meet your eyes once, so I could only assume you were anxiously looking around for other men while dancing.”

“What? Are you insulting me? I did no such thing!”

“Is that so? Hmm…… if you’re not looking for opportunities to dance with other men, then there’s no difference if you dance with me all night. Though I must say, it does seem like there aren’t many men asking you to dance.”

Vivian was so dumbfounded by Luciel’s matter-of-fact expression that she was speechless. He even admitted to watching her standing alone with no dance invitations. How much must he have been laughing inside.

Yes. This was the kind of man he was. To others, they might appear to be a beautiful young couple waltzing with fluttering hearts, but in reality, it was Luciel insulting and mocking her with absurd comments while she was helplessly enduring it!

No matter how much she tried to explain to people that Luciel was actually shameless, cunning, and mean, not a single person would believe her. She alone knew he was a demon wearing an angel’s disguise.

Even as Vivian glared at him with eyes widened in anger, he remained completely unaffected. Instead, he further irritated her by saying, “Yes, that’s it. That’s how you should focus on your partner while dancing. You’re doing well.” She wanted to push him away and unleash a torrent of curses, but that would make her no different from her past life.

Vivian clenched her molars, then finally managed to raise the corners of her lips in a smile.

“Since you refuse to release my hand, should I assume you’re requesting to be my partner for the entire evening?”

At this, Luciel’s expression subtly changed.

From a certain day of the Grand Fête, if two people danced all night as fixed partners, they typically maintained that partnership until the end of the Grand Fête. Therefore, people who formed partnerships from the very first day were extremely rare.

It was considered a losing proposition to be tied to one partner from the first day of this “meeting place” where one could experience a variety of potential matches.

Of course, there were cases where people fell for each other at first sight and became partners throughout the Grand Fête and even married afterward, but this was certainly not applicable to Vivian and Luciel.

So Vivian asked with a triumphant expression, essentially saying, ‘If you don’t let go of my hand right now, be prepared to be tied to me for a week.’

It was a challenge based on the calculation that Luciel, who received everyone’s courtship, would not sacrifice a week of the Grand Fête just to torment her, who was neither from a great family nor an outstanding beauty.

‘This is what you call digging your own grave, you fool!’

Vivian’s bright smile deepened. To someone unaware of her true feelings, her peach blossom-like smile might have caused a spring-like flutter, it was so radiant. However, that pretty smile didn’t last long.

Her opponent was Luciel Evanhart, the two-faced demon she acknowledged.

“If you’re granting me this honor, I gladly accept!”

Vivian was about to flare up at his completely unexpected answer when she realized: It was the same. Nothing had changed from her past life. In her past life too, she had tried to get revenge this way, only to be entangled by his superior moves and blindsided.

The phrase “digging your own grave” applied to herself. She felt like she could go crazy with frustration at why she couldn’t remain indifferent to Luciel Evanhart. She should have just done as he wanted, looking at his face while smiling pleasantly, then breaking away…

No matter how Vivian thought about it, this was wrong. She had participated in the Grand Fête hoping to meet various men and possibly make friends, but if she became Luciel Evanhart’s partner from now on, it was obvious all that would come to nothing.

“Ah…… hahaha…… I was joking, Sir Luciel. What use would it be for me to tie down someone as popular as you? I was just saying it, so please don’t mind. Oh my, you really dance well.”

Translated into their unofficial private language, this meant, ‘Fine, I admit defeat, so could you please take back what you said earlier?’ It was an extremely humiliating statement for Vivian, one she would never have made in her past life even with a knife to her throat. Though that had led to her downfall…

But once again, her opponent was Luciel Evanhart, one who exceeded expectations.

“Surely you’re not trying to insult me? No matter how empty-headed and obsessed with the opposite s*x one might be, no one would propose partnership to a Grand Fête companion only to withdraw it. Isn’t that right?”

Vivian’s face turned pale. This man was truly trying to make her suffer!

In truth, his statement was half right and half wrong.

The correct half was that at the Grand Fête, it was impossible to propose a partnership to someone and then have it rejected. That’s why people delayed making that choice as long as possible.

Of course, since someone else could snatch the person they had their eye on, the timing was determined by the result of intense silent battles, but that’s how it worked.

After such intense silent battles, the proposed partner could refuse the offer. That refusal had to be accepted gracefully. However, for the proposer to say, “On second thought, I’ve changed my mind,” would brand them a scoundrel if word got out.

And the incorrect half of his statement was that both he and she knew her initial proposal wasn’t sincere.

Luciel’s expression was deadly serious. If Vivian insisted on withdrawing her proposal to the end, she would likely face enough scandal to be buried in society. After all, she had dared to “toy with” Luciel Evanhart.

‘As expected…… this bastard is a demon. What grudge could he possibly have against me……!’

Vivian was so furious she could hardly breathe, but she had dug this hole herself. And having just returned from death, she didn’t want to wage war with him again so soon. Anticipating all the jealousy and envy that would follow, Vivian had no choice but to surrender to him.

“Of……course not. I only said it because I couldn’t believe it. Since you’ve accepted, I am truly…… delighted.”

With each word she uttered, flames of anger rose within her as if her internal organs were melting.

But Luciel Evanhart paid no heed to her anger and seemed pleased. No, he seemed pleased precisely because she was angry.

“Right? I was quite surprised, as you’re not one who enjoys jokes. I’m looking forward to a week with such a beautiful person.”

The waltz steps became dizzyingly tangled. Vivian was truly feeling dizzy. Whether from dancing at a ball for the first time in her life or from the frustration of her plans being completely thwarted, she couldn’t tell.

“You seem tired. Would you like a cool drink?”

Luciel asked as he led the stumbling Vivian out of the hall. With her mind already in turmoil, Vivian couldn’t answer, but a cool glass of champagne soon appeared before her eyes.

Her insides felt truly turbulent, so Vivian quickly grabbed the glass and gulped it down, completely disregarding a lady’s etiquette.

Luciel’s expression remained irritatingly kind and gentle. If only she could punch that face, it would be worth the price of the dress she had bought for this Grand Fête. Come to think of it, she hadn’t spent that fortune on dresses just to show them to this man!

She wanted to spew all sorts of curses, but Vivian had now decided to suppress her true nature. Nothing had gone right when she followed her temperament.

‘Ignore him. Just ignore that guy completely.’

Vivian decided to focus on observing her surroundings, turning her head away from Luciel. The hall was still bustling with dancing couples, but the eyes of the noble daughters searching for partners at the edges of the hall constantly glanced toward where Luciel stood.

‘I’m sorry, everyone. I’ve unintentionally monopolized this guy. If any capable person is out there, please take him away. If you leave me because you find me disgusting, I’ll scatter flower petals at your every step.’

Vivian was filled with the hope that someone would please remove Luciel from her, but unfortunately for her, the surrounding women didn’t share her thoughts.

‘That hateful girl again!’

Luciel’s fervent followers gripped their fans so tightly they might break. Feeling their murderous intent, Vivian sighed and hung her head.

⁕⁕⁕

“Vivian! Did I ever tell you that you’re as pretty as an angel?”