8. The Protagonists Take the Stage!
This wasn’t Selicia’s first meeting with Mu’en. In fact, before the coming-of-age ceremony, the story had already been set at St. Marika Academy for an entire school year.
During that year, although they were in different academies and grades, Selicia still occasionally heard stories about Mu’en Campbell.
Of course, those stories were all misdeeds.
And in her personal interactions with Mu’en Campbell, her conclusion aligned with the rumors: poor character, arrogant, ignorant, and looking down on others even when facing her, a princess. He was a true spoiled young master.
But today, he seemed different?
“Is it because he’s become more polite?”
After briefly pondering this, Selicia quickly dismissed the thought.
Mu’en had captured her attention only because of that unpleasant fiancé status.
Otherwise, he had nothing worth her time.
“Princess Selicia seems somewhat travel-weary. Perhaps you’d like to rest inside? The banquet won’t officially begin for a while.”
Just as Selicia was looking for an excuse to slip away, Mu’en had already gracefully suggested an alternative.
Selicia couldn’t help being slightly startled, her cold gaze sweeping over Mu’en’s unchanged face once more.
When did this guy become so thoughtful?
She remembered that at the academy, Mu’en had pursued her several times, annoying her considerably.
She had expected to be pestered for quite a while this time too.
“Very well, thank you.”
Selicia nodded lightly, then followed the maid Mu’en called to the specially prepared VIP room for a brief rest.
“Whew. She’s finally gone. That was pretty scary.”
Watching Selicia’s figure disappear from view, Mu’en finally let out a long breath.
Without realizing it, his back had become damp with sweat.
“Truly worthy of being the novel’s leading lady. That aura is genuinely intimidating.”
Just standing before her gave him the feeling of being on an icy plain, with endless cold creeping up from the soles of his feet.
If it was this cold outside, what would happen during a deeper “exchange”? Would certain parts freeze off?
—Mu’en thought wickedly.
But this was no longer his concern. Since he couldn’t actually marry her anyway, he just hoped his hands wouldn’t shake when administering the drug tonight.
Mu’en daydreamed for a while, then suddenly felt the crowd around him stirring.
Something else surprising seemed to be happening. Many people were whispering.
“That illegitimate daughter actually came too…”
“The woman who recently dueled her former fiancé?”
“I heard Count Bugarde just made her his heir.”
“Ugh! Both illegitimate and a woman—what right does she have to inherit the count’s title?”
“Sigh, who knows what Count Bugarde is thinking.”
“Shh, the Count is here too. Don’t let him hear.”
Hearing these deliberately hushed whispers, Mu’en’s vigilance immediately peaked.
His palms even began to sweat, making him more nervous than when facing Selicia.
There was only one person who could make the surrounding nobles talk like this.
Mu’en looked toward the new center of attention.
Even at an occasion where everyone was dressed in their finest, she still wore simple clothes. Her black hair casually draped down, surrounded by others’ idle gossip, yet her eyes conveyed confidence and her smile showed disdain.
Her appearance wasn’t as perfect and stunning as Selicia’s, but she was certainly pleasing to look at. Except for her chest, which was as flat as her back, she was quite the beauty.
But one shouldn’t be deceived by her plain appearance among the dazzling noble ladies.
Because she was…
“Ariel Bugarde.”
The true protagonist of the original novel, the ultimate arrogant female lead who only liked women.
Not long ago, she defeated her ex-fiancé who had broken off their engagement three years earlier in a dazzling duel, completing a three-level jump from illegitimate daughter to the count’s primary heir, slapping the faces of various family elders and onlookers, dropping jaws everywhere.
From birth to experience, from personality to appearance, she was the template of templates, growing precisely along the path of a protagonist.
“Yo, Young Master Mu’en, we meet again. How have you been lately?”
Ariel, with her unbridled smile, walked up to Mu’en. Although she had to look up at him due to height difference, her eyes lacked the deference of others.
She didn’t curtsy, as if greeting a close friend.
But Mu’en knew that his relationship with Ariel Bugarde was far from “good.”
Ariel spoke this way simply because she truly didn’t care about the Duke’s son’s status.
“You disrespectful person, how dare you speak to Young Master Mu’en like—”
At times like this, there’s always a bully’s follower who jumps out to yell, making it easy for the protagonist to show off.
Sure enough, a noble youth beside Mu’en, seemingly trying to curry favor, was already preparing to jump in and teach this presumptuous illegitimate daughter a lesson before Mu’en could say anything.
But Mu’en pushed him back directly. No way was he going to let someone add to his hostility at a time like this!
“I’ve been well, Miss Ariel Bugarde.”
Mu’en maintained his perfect smile and gave Ariel an impeccable noble bow.
“I appreciate your concern.”
“Ah, you.”
Seeing Mu’en so courteous, Ariel immediately looked as if she’d seen a ghost.
Good heavens, this bully who mocked her every time they met had become so polite?
And he didn’t call her a lowly illegitimate child but used her full name!
Her full name!
That brain of his, no bigger than a walnut, actually remembered her full name!
“Did he have a revelation… or is there some scheme?”
Ariel stroked her fair chin, her gaze cautiously scanning Mu’en’s surroundings, afraid he might signal with a cup and suddenly have two hundred executioners appear to chop her into mincemeat.
But Mu’en ignored Ariel’s suspicious gaze, quickly shifting his attention to the somewhat inconspicuous young woman who had arrived with her.
Big.
Very big.
Mountain-range big.
This was Mu’en’s first thought when looking at the young woman.
She was the complete opposite of Ariel. Her tight ceremonial dress strained against her chest so much that one couldn’t help worrying if the contents might burst out, causing observers to initially overlook her pure, adorable, and charming face.
“Hello, Miss Liya,” Mu’en smiled in greeting.
“Eh? How does Young Master Mu’en know my name?”
The young woman named Liya blinked adorably, asking in surprise.
“Hehe, how could I not know the name of an important guest tonight?”
Mu’en’s etiquette remained impeccable, leaving the young woman somewhat at a loss.
But Mu’en acted this way not just out of politeness, but more importantly, because of this young woman’s identity.
Liya Angel, the protagonist’s childhood friend.
Though she appeared to be just an ordinary baron’s daughter without a particularly noble status.
In reality, Liya was already one of the Life Church’s candidates for sainthood, currently undergoing a so-called “mortal trial,” which was why she concealed her identity and accompanied Ariel.
And since she stood beside the protagonist, she would naturally become the true saint of the Life Church later on. A saint’s status was far higher than Mu’en’s ordinary Duke’s son position.
“Mu’en Campbell, what are you trying to do?”
Ariel stepped in front of Liya, her penetrating phoenix eyes fixed on Mu’en:
“I’m warning you, don’t even think about playing any tricks with Liya!”
“How could I? I’m just saying hello.”
“Who would believe that coming from you!”
“Well, if you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.”
Mu’en shrugged helplessly, once again thoughtfully offering guidance to the two.
“You two should go inside. It’s cold out here, and it would be terrible if two beautiful ladies caught a chill.”
“You—”
Ariel suddenly widened her eyes, staring at Mu’en for a long time.
Finally, she couldn’t help but shudder, grabbed Liya’s hand, and walked inside, not forgetting to spit out:
“Acting delicate and gentle. Disgusting.”