The Villain's Sickly Wife Dislikes Being Overprotected - Chapter 2.14

Those who had been watching our conversation with great interest couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Lady Stober glared at them fiercely.

“Ah, I don’t mean the face, but someone with a gentle heart.”

Lady Stober’s complexion rapidly worsened. The face that had been smiling pleasantly until just now was now twisted unpleasantly.

“I… have never heard such words anywhere before.”

“I answered because you asked, so don’t be too disheartened.”

“I’m not disheartened. I’m just dumbfounded. I’ve never been told I’m not gentle anywhere before.”

“I can see the negative emotions you’re harboring towards me on your face, Lady Stober.”

I said, gazing intently at her face.

Her hand on the table trembled. It must be the first time she’s heard such blatant words in front of everyone.

Experience how it feels to hear insulting words publicly.

“You’re quite harsh for a Duchess. Even if you say such things…”

I could guess the unspoken words. Something like ‘Do you think you can dare to put me down like this?!’

Whether it was because there were still many eyes around, or because she was trying to maintain some dignity, Lady Stober glared for a few more seconds before storming off.

Perhaps not wanting to stay in this waiting room any longer, she left through the door leading to the banquet, ignoring the order.

Only awkwardness remained in the waiting room.

Some were whispering, wondering if the Duchess had always been like this.

In any case, it was a relief to have dealt with one person who had always been tormenting Ekette.

The remaining people awkwardly conversed among themselves, and after Lady Stober, no one approached me.

I preferred it that way, it was more comfortable.

I finished the cookies I hadn’t eaten and waited for my turn to enter.

Just as I was playing word chain games in my head out of boredom, it was finally my turn to enter.

Most of those who had been in the waiting room with me had already entered.

As I went out through the entrance door to the banquet, there was a long corridor, and at the end of it stood Kyron.

“Weren’t you bored?”

“No. The waiting time was long though. I should have come a bit later. Was there any trouble in the waiting room?”

I couldn’t say there was no trouble… but telling Kyron would seem like tattling. Since I had already resolved it on my own, I decided not to mention it.

“No, there wasn’t anything particularly problematic.”

“That’s good then. If anything happens later, let me know.”

“Don’t worry. I say what needs to be said.”

He extended one of his arms, and I linked my arm with his.

“Let’s go in.”

Kyron nodded to the servants standing by the door, and the doors opened on both sides. The bright light from the banquet hall poured out.

Since most of the attendees had already entered the banquet hall, it was quite crowded. Their gazes turned towards us as we entered through the open doors.

“It’s the Duke and Duchess!”

“They really did attend together!”

As expected, everyone found our attendance unfamiliar and surprising.

“What could be the occasion? They’re people who usually don’t come to banquets.”

“Did His Majesty the Emperor issue a strict order to attend this time?”

Kyron seemed to have noticed the atmosphere around us as we walked toward the center of the banquet hall.

“It seems all eyes are on us. Is it okay to dance in this situation?”

It was a question about whether it would be alright to dance while receiving everyone’s attention. Considering how clumsy I am.

“We have to try.”

If we don’t dance, that will also become a topic of gossip.

“Let’s just dance casually in a corner.”

I wasn’t very confident since I hadn’t practiced much.

“I’ll lead, so you just try to follow me as best as you can.”

“Alright.”

A loud trumpet sound filled the banquet hall, and our conversation stopped there.

“It’s time for the royal family’s entrance.”

The royal family used separate waiting rooms, so we hadn’t seen them yet.

They appeared in pairs with their partners to the sound of trumpets. The princes, the crown prince, and then the emperor.

The emperor was an old man with graying hair. But his eyes were still sharp. He was the one who would select the best couple.

Before the banquet began, the emperor stood on the platform.

“My beloved imperial citizens, thank you for attending this gathering today. We’ve made many preparations for today, so I hope you’ll enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”

The emperor, who seemed like he would give a solemn speech, unexpectedly smiled mischievously, curling up the corners of his mouth. It was more of a boyish smile than that of a grandfather.

“The highlight of the annual banquet is, of course, the dancing, isn’t it?”

Kyron frowned as if bored.

“We’ll select the couple who dances the best among all the couples. This score will also be included in the final ‘Best Couple Award’ score. Everyone knows about the Best Couple Award, right?”

The Best Couple Award. Given that the dance score was included and Kyron and I were on awkward terms, our chances of receiving that award were zero.

Moreover, Kyron seemed to dislike this event itself.

“How tiresome. It’s just a show for the emperor’s amus*ment.”

He said, furrowing his brow.

“Still, since we’ve come this far, we should at least dance.”

As we had discussed, we stood in a corner that wasn’t too noticeable, rather than in the center of the banquet hall.

Still, due to our rare appearance, people’s attention was focused on us.

“Even after not seeing him for a long time, His Grace the Duke still looks so handsome.”

“That cold expression that seems like he won’t give his attention to anyone is so charming!”

“That’s why he’s so harsh to the Duchess too, hehe.”

“I heard the Duchess can’t dance well, I bet he won’t even catch her if she falls. Tsk tsk.”

How is it that I can hear gossip about me so clearly? And I need to concentrate on dancing.

I tried to shake off the gossip I had just heard from my mind.

Soon, the music started.

Fortunately, the first song had a slow tempo. Maybe we could manage somehow? I was planning to somehow get through this first song and then slip away to just watch for the rest.

I started to follow Kyron’s lead, taking steps.

It was fortunate that Kyron was skilled. He had an excellent talent for keenly assessing his partner’s condition and leading accordingly.

If I seemed to lose my pace, he would quickly adjust to me, and if my feet got tangled, he would promptly catch me.

“Are you managing?”

Kyron asked while I was concentrating on the dance.

“Don’t, talk, to me.”

I was busy trying to focus on the steps and glancing at his face to answer.

In the process, I lost the beat, and my feet got tangled, causing me to lose my balance.

“Whoa…!”

Ah, damn. I think I twisted my ankle.

I squeezed my eyes shut, expecting to fall. But… surprisingly, instead of falling, my body was suddenly pulled and I felt myself floating. My body was horizontal in the air.

It was Kyron’s arm supporting me.

“Are you hurt?”

I was being held by him in a princess carry.

“I think I twisted my ankle…”

When did he manage to catch me so quickly? His reaction speed and agility were truly remarkable.