Chapter 25: Engagement Party (3)

Bidding farewell to Sonia’s graceful smile, Leefe distanced herself from the scene. Being slightly forcefully led away by Oliver, she recalled something while feeling bewildered.

(That’s right. I forgot to ask Oliver-sama for his cooperation in preventing my father from bringing any marriage proposals.)

With that in mind, she spoke in a hushed voice so that no one around could hear.

“Oliver-sama, I want to completely drive away any strange marriage proposals my father might bring up at today’s engagement party.”

“Indeed, Leefe’s father is truly odd. Even though I said that you are engaged to me, he persistently sends marriage proposals,” Oliver responded.

“I apologize for the inconvenience. The members of the Duke of Tarrant’s household find it unbelievable that someone like me would be proposed to by someone as distinguished as Oliver-sama.”

By the way, Leefe herself found it completely unbelievable as well, so she could understand everyone’s sentiments. However, at the moment, it is a separate issue.

“So, um… I understand it’s a bit much to ask, but could you pretend to be my true lover for today?”

“……….”

No response. It might have been quite a rude request, Leefe thought, lifting her face to peer into Oliver’s eyes.

As if he had been waiting for that, Oliver seized Leefe’s hand, which had been gripping his arm, and lightly kissed it, intertwining their fingers.

“Is this how lovers act?”

(Eeeek!)

Leefe let out a voiceless scream. She hoped to be praised for enduring without jumping back.

(Wait. Seriously, wait! This is way too advanced for me!?)

Despite Leefe being so flustered, Oliver smiled coolly. Although the young ladies around them had already noticed the atmosphere between the two and started gossiping, Oliver didn’t seem to care in the slightest.

(Firstly, his face is too handsome. Next, his voice is also too good. Moreover, his immediate and perfect response to my impolite request doesn’t allow me to feel any shame. On top of that, this person is the Crown Prince of a major nation… Hey, what’s with this high specification!?)

Right now, she wants to face Rene and shout out my true feelings. However, her contracted spirit was a bit far away from Leefe, eating snacks.

If there’s any danger approaching Leefe, the spirit will likely come flying to her aid. It seems he has quite a bit of trust in Oliver. That implies that Rene, who has a discerning eye, also recognizes the power and capabilities of Oliver.

(I have a weakness for strong men…)

Though she intended to shout and calm down, Oliver’s evaluation rose once again.

Moreover, Oliver believed in Leefe from the very first day they met. Leefe, who had been living in the shadow of her sister Aria, who has the power of the enchanting saint, found that alone to be quite moving.

(Come to think of it, the other day, Oliver-sama came to my room and declared, ‘I won’t leave until you call me by my first name.’ Even then, I was surprisingly thrilled!)

The more she thought about it, the more things piled up.

Even with the advantage of memories from her past life, the difference in experience between Leefe, who just wanted to avoid being alone to lead an ordinary life, and Oliver, who is top-notch in both looks and status, was too vast.

“Is this okay?”

“! Y-Yes.”

Leefe snapped back to awareness. Although their intertwined fingers had been released, his tone remained as sweet as usual. And he was close. Since Leefe felt she couldn’t handle it, she wanted him to step back a bit until her breathing returned to normal.

However, the head of the Duke of Tarrant household and Leefe’s father, who is also the master of not reading the atmosphere, is present here.

“Leefe! Congratulations.”

“…Father.”

Leefe tensed as her father, with unbelievably impeccable timing, greeted her.

However, Oliver, who seemed to have firmly activated the ‘Lovers Behavior Switch, blocked Leefe’s line of sight.

“Well, thank you for coming all the way. What about Leefe’s mother and sister? I intended to invite the entire family today.”

“That’s…,”

After some hesitation, Leefe’s usually carefree father continued.

“She said she wouldn’t leave her room until Leefe came back. I came to the party alone today.”

…”

Leefe wondered if she had been close with her sister.

(No, probably not. I sense a slightly distorted feeling, maybe not wanting me to come back but rather hoping for me not to be happier than her.)

Regardless of what was said, she had no intention of going back, and she certainly didn’t want any strange marriage proposals. So, Leefe psyched herself up in her mind.

(It’s okay. I can do this. I am Oliver-sama’s lover. A special lover who received a passionate proposal and got engaged. In my past life, I was called a notorious villainess, but I can definitely do it, do it, do it, do it, do it.)

Magic might be confusing with its spells, but in interpersonal relationships, words seem to have significant power, especially when engaging in somewhat audacious behavior. Mainly in a brainwashing sense.

So, Leefe successfully entwined her arm with Oliver’s and leaned her head against him.

“I really wish Mother and Aria could have come to our engagement party. Right, Oliver-sama?”

To finish, she looked up at Oliver with a slight upward gaze.

She had never done anything like this before, but it was the result of mobilizing the knowledge she gained from the banquet, where she was treated as a villainess in her past life. From a slightly distant place, Rene was watching them with a cool gaze. Don’t look this way.

In the next moment, a sweet, tingling sensation ran near Leefe’s nape.

(Eek!?)

Apparently, Oliver had casually brushed her hair with the hand that Leefe wasn’t holding.

“Ah. Leefe looks even more beautiful and cuter tonight. It’s a shame that your family won’t be together on the day when I can show everyone that such a charming girl is mine.”

(He’s used to this…!)