Chapter 8: The Protagonists Take the Stage!
Selicia wasn’t meeting Muen for the first time; in fact, the story had already taken place over the course of a school year at St. Marika’s Academy before their coming-of-age ceremony.
During that academic year, although they were in different classes and grades, Selicia still occasionally heard about the deeds of Muen Campbell.
Of course, those deeds were all misdeeds.
She had also had several encounters with Muen Campbell himself, and the conclusion drawn was no different from the rumors: poor conduct, arrogant, and academically inept.
Even in the face of Her Royal Highness, he still looked down his nose, displaying his true colors as a spoiled brat.
But today, he seemed a bit different?
“Is it because he’s become a bit more polite?”
After casually pondering for a moment, Selicia quickly redirected her thoughts.
Muen could garner some of her attention only because of his displeasing status as her fiancé-to-be. Otherwise, he had nothing worthwhile to make her waste her time.
“Princess Selicia seems a bit weary from the journey. How about resting inside first? The banquet won’t start formally for a while.”
Selicia was just about to come up with an excuse to leave when Muen gracefully made the suggestion.
Upon hearing his words, Selicia couldn’t help but pause momentarily, her cold gaze involuntarily scanning Muen’s unchanged face.
When did this guy become so considerate?
She remembered back at the academy, Muen had actively sought her out several times, which had annoyed her somewhat.
She had thought he would do the same this time.
“Alright, thank you,” she said.
Selicia nodded gently, then followed the maid called by Muen to the specially prepared VIP room for a brief rest.
“Phew. Finally gone. That was a bit scary indeed.”
Watching Selicia’s figure disappear from sight, Muen finally let out a sigh of relief.
Unconsciously, his back was damp with sweat.
“No wonder she’s the main female lead in the original novel. Her presence is truly intimidating.”
Just standing in front of her gave him a sensation as if he were standing on an ice field, with endless cold rising from the soles of his feet.
“Outside is so cold already, I wonder if my ‘little buddy’ would freeze off if I really had a deep conversation with her,” Muen thought somewhat wickedly.
“But that’s not my concern anymore. Anyway, I can only look but not truly marry her. I just hope I don’t shake when I slip the drug into her drink tonight.”
Muen pondered these thoughts for a moment, then suddenly felt the crowd around him becoming restless.
It seemed like something surprising had happened again, with many people whispering to each other.
“That illegitimate daughter actually came too…”
“The woman who dueled with her former fiancé not long ago?”
“I heard Count Bugald just passed the position of heir to her.”
“What! An illegitimate daughter and a woman, how can she have the right to inherit the position of a count?”
“Sigh, who knows what Count Bugald is thinking.”
“Shh, the Count is here, don’t let him hear.”
Listening to these intentionally hushed whispers around him, Muen’s sense of alertness instantly peaked.
His palms even started sweating, feeling more nervous than when facing Selicia just now.
Without a doubt, there was only one person who could provoke such talk among the surrounding nobles.
Muen’s gaze shifted towards the new center of attention.
Despite being in such a grand occasion where everyone dressed lavishly, she remained simple in attire, with plain garments and casually draped black hair.
Despite the constant murmurs around her, she exuded confidence between her brows, with a disdainful curve at the corner of her lips.
Her facial features might not be as stunningly perfect as Selicia’s, but they were certainly pleasant to the eye. Apart from the extremely flat chest, which was barely distinguishable from her back, she possessed the essence of beauty.
But one shouldn’t be deceived by her modest and unassuming appearance among the glamorous noble girls.
Because she is…
“Eleanor Bugard.”
The true protagonist of the original story, the ultimate proud beauty who only loves women.
Not long ago, she defeated her former fiancé who broke off the engagement three years ago in a glorious duel, completing a triple jump from an illegitimate daughter to the first heir of the count, slapping the faces of numerous family elders and onlookers, leaving jaws dropping everywhere.
It can be said that from birth to experience, from personality to appearance, she perfectly fits the template of a protagonist in every aspect.
“Oh, Master Muen, we meet again. How have you been lately?”
Eleanor drew her lips into a playful smirk as she approached Muen. Despite needing to look up at him due to their height difference, there was no hint of humility in her eyes like there was with others.
She didn’t bother with a greeting, as if she were just casually saying hello to an intimate friend.
But Muen knew that their relationship was far from “good.”
Eleanor spoke like this simply because she truly didn’t care about his status as a duke’s son.
“You unreasonable fellow, how dare you…”
At times like these, it’s natural for the obligatory shout to come from the lackey of the arrogant villain, ensuring the smooth operation of the protagonist’s grandstanding.
Sure enough, a young nobleman by Muen’s side, seemingly eager to curry favor with him, was already preparing to jump out and reprimand the presumptuous illegitimate daughter before Muen could say anything.
But Muen simply pushed him back, jokingly. How could he let someone stir up resentment against him at a time like this?
“I’ve been quite well lately, Miss Eleanor Bugard.”
Muen still wore a smile on his face and impeccably performed the noble gesture toward Eleanor.
“I must say, I’m flattered by your concern.”
“Ah, you.”
Eleanor looked at Muen’s polite demeanor, her expression turning as if she had seen a ghost.
What in the world? When did this tyrant, who mocked her every time they met, become so polite?
And he didn’t even call her the lowly illegitimate daughter, he called her by her full name! Her full name!
His pea-sized brain had actually remembered her full name!
“Is he having a change of heart… or is there some kind of scheme behind this?”
Eleanor rubbed her fair chin, her gaze cautiously darting around Muen, afraid that he might signal for his bodyguards to come and chop her into pieces at any moment.
However, Muen paid no attention to Eleanor’s suspicious glance. Instead, he quickly shifted his gaze to the girl standing behind Eleanor, who seemed somewhat unremarkable.
Tall.
Very tall.
Mountains upon mountains tall.
That was the first thought that crossed Muen’s mind as he looked at the girl.
The girl was simply the opposite of Eleanor, with her tightly stretched dress causing concern that its contents might burst out at any moment, overshadowing her innocent and adorable face.
“Hello, Miss Liya,” Muen greeted with a smile.
“Huh? How does Master Muen know my name?” Liya blinked in surprise.
“Hehe, how could I not know the name of an important guest tonight?” Muen’s etiquette remained impeccable, leaving the girl slightly bewildered.
However, Muen’s gesture was certainly not merely out of politeness; it was more about the identity of this girl.
Liya Angel, the childhood sweetheart of the protagonist.
Although she appeared to be just the daughter of an ordinary baron on the surface, her status wasn’t particularly noble.
In reality, Liya was one of the candidates for the Saintess of the Church of Life, undergoing the so-called “trial of the mundane world.” That’s why she concealed her identity and followed Eleanor’s side.
Since she stood by the protagonist’s side, it was only natural that she would later become the true Saintess of the Life Church. The position of a Saintess was much higher than that of Duke Muen, an ordinary duke’s son.
“Muen Campbell, what do you want?”
Eleanor stood in front of Liya, her compelling phoenix eyes fixed firmly on Muen.
“I warn you, don’t even think about doing anything to Liya!”
“How could you? I’m just saying hello.”
“Who would believe that from you!”
“Well, if you don’t believe it, there’s nothing I can do.”
Muen shrugged helplessly, once again considerately guiding the two inside.
“Then let’s go inside first. It’s cold outside, it wouldn’t be good for you two beauties to freeze.”
“You—”
Eleanor suddenly widened her eyes, staring at Muen for a moment.
Finally, unable to resist shivering, she grabbed Liya’s hand and walked inside, muttering:
“Being so affected, disgusting.”
