Chapter 1390. An Unexpected Debut (25)

‘Did you really think everything would go smoothly?’

What the hell was that bastard even thinking?

“...”

“...”

He definitely had a plan. He wasn't

that

stupid. He definitely had a plan that took Aina Peneloti into account, and he had both the confidence and the means to execute it.

It was just that an unexpected variable had appeared—a variable he could never have imagined.

‘His own heart.’

There had to be a romance novel that started like that somewhere. A story drawn where the male lead realized his feelings too late—a cheap cliché among clichés, but this bastard seemed immune to being outdated, and it was proven by how he was playing the role perfectly.

Perhaps it was something only Commander Jin could do.

He never really understood what it meant to have affection for someone. He saw love as nothing more than a chemical reaction caused by hormones. He even dismissed such emotions as useless, which made this all the more meaningful.

Naturally, he was the most confused of everyone. He knew he was interested in Lady Peneloti, that he found her an intriguing person, but what on earth was it that truly stirred his heart?

Sure enough, confusion was written all over him. Aina Peneloti had to be excluded. This was the right answer. For the sake of the greater cause, distancing himself from her was the correct choice. Of course, he could also attempt to find another way to include her.

If he were to continue to get close to her under false pretenses, just as he had been doing so far, perhaps he could explain his position to her in the future.

However, our First Life Commander couldn’t bring himself to do that.

He had to have finally realized that everything he had done until now was self-deception—the talk of her being a talent needed by the Republic, and the talk about wanting to see the true brilliance of an unpolished gem—these were all just excuses to fool himself.

He had been denying it, and he was probably still unsure if he could call this feeling "love," but he couldn't deny the fact that he cared about Aina Peneloti, that he was the happiest with her, that he didn’t want to put her in danger, and that he didn’t want to lie to her.

"That seems about right... What do you think of my interpretation, Commander? Does it sound about right?"

— There’s no point in asking me. You’d better make a clear distinction from the start. I’m not Marquis Jayce. He and I aren't the same people. Don’t assume I’d know what’s going on in his mind.

"Still, you could at least give me some advice. Say something. Do you really think Marquis Jayce would exclude Peneloti from his plan? He’s not the type to just get dragged around like this, is he?"

— ...

"Oh! Come to think of it, I haven’t heard how your people are reacting. What’s the mood like? At this point, they should be seeing Peneloti in a different light, at least a little... Aren't your subordinates pretty loyal? Overly loyal, even. That’s kinda your group’s specialty, isn’t it? Don’t tell me they’re plotting to get rid of Peneloti or something?"

— Don’t worry. I’m already keeping an eye on it.

"So they are talking about it. Anyway, please, just tell me something. I’m not teasing you, Commander Jin. I’m asking because this is really important."

— ...

"You’re not staying quiet again just because you’re in a bad mood, are you? We need to know how Marquis Jayce is going to act so we can prepare accordingly. What do you think? How do you think he’ll react?

"He’s not going to give up on the Republic or whatever and just chase after Lady Peneloti because he likes her, is he? That’ll be way too out of character for you, Commander. It would mess up the entire storyline of this arc."

— ...

"He seems pretty unsettled right now. You wouldn’t have seen it without a Telescope, but yesterday he was throwing things and having a complete meltdown. You heard him yelling at his subordinates, right?

"‘I said I’d deal with it later! Damn it!’—the way he glared at his subordinate, I thought he’d kill them with his eyes. He keeps glancing over here even now... Anyway, just say something, anything—"

— I really, really don’t know what the hell to say! Damn it!

"..."

— How many times do I have to say I don’t know! Damn it! I told you, I really don’t know! I don’t understand what’s going on right now, why that bastard’s acting like this, or why he’s so sad and confused. I don’t understand a single damn thing!

"Hey, wait, why..."

— Don’t ask me, Lee Ki-Young! I really don’t know! I said I don’t! I don’t know, damn it!

"W-why are you getting so angry..."

— I don’t know! I have no idea why that crazy bastard’s acting like this! How the hell am I supposed to explain it?

"Calm down, Commander..."

— Calm down? Could

you

calm down if you were in my position?! None of this makes any sense. Damn it. Why... why! What the hell is that bastard Marquis Jayce thinking?! Damn it!

‘This guy... He must be under a lot of stress.’

His voice carried raw, desperate frustration. If I were to push him any further, Second Life Commander’s sanity could be destroyed. Even though he knew I had the upper hand, he still ended up shouting like that. His reaction made me feel convinced that he ought to avoid going on missions involving Marquis Jayce for now.

"Commander..."

—

Whoo... whoo...

"Do you... want to take a break?

— ...

"..."

— I think I got a bit worked up.

‘It wasn’t just a bit.’

— Anyway, I made it clear that I don't know anything. As you said, I’ll pay attention to the safety of Kim Hyun-Sung and the ladies of the Black Rose Salon, so contact me again if anything unusual happens.

"Ah... yes. Th-thank you, Commander... And regarding the brigade members..."

— Lee Chang-Ryeol is on their trail.

"Ah, t-thank you."

— Don’t mention it.

‘I shouldn’t tease him any further.’

I couldn't help but feel self-conscious. I looked at Second Life Commander Jin through the Telescope, and sure enough, his eyes were bloodshot. I instinctively shrank back at the sight.

From this side, I heard Lady Brush comforting me. “There’s no need to shrink back like that, Lady Peneloti. It’s times like these when you must stand tall. It’s been a while since you last attended a ballroom event, hasn’t it? There won’t be another incident like last time. Also... do you see Marquis Jayce over there?”

“

Huh

? Yes...” I answered.

“How shameless. How can such a thick-skinned man show up at the ballroom right away? He must already be looking for his next victim,” Lady Brush grumbled.

‘Girls...’

“That garbage of a man. Peneloti, you should take that diamond necklace he gave you and throw it in his face,” Lady Pastel suggested.

‘It's an expensive one... though... I’m keeping it.’

“He must’ve thought he could get anything he wanted as long as he offered something,” Lady Pastel added.

“...”

“I really can’t stand it. Should I go say something to him?” Lady Pastel asked.

Lady Paint turned to Lady Pastel and said, “Don’t act rashly, Lady Pastel. That will only damage Lady Peneloti’s reputation. Lady Peneloti, I understand how hard this must be for you. You're trembling on your own, and being here must feel unbearable.

"But don’t let people wonder about what had happened. As Lady Brush said, you must stand proud. Straighten your shoulders and lift your chin. Smile and act as you normally would. That’s how you win,” Lady Paint advised.

“O-okay, Lady Paint,” I answer.

“Lady Palette, please make sure Marquis Jayce doesn’t come here,” Lady Paint instructed.

“Understood, Lady Paint,” Lady Palette answered.

“

Hmph

. Look at him glancing over here. Serves him right. He should’ve behaved while he had the chance. What was he thinking, flirting left and right when he had no intention of marrying her?

Ptoeey!

What trash,” Lady Pastel complained.

“D-don’t spit, Lady Pastel!” Lady Palette shouted at Lady Pastel.

“I only pretended to spit. Just pretended,” Lady Pastel reassured her.

‘You girls are seriously something else.’

Things were already hectic before we could enter the ballroom. The attendants from the salon had gathered, insisting that today had to be a special day. They had spent hours preparing just for the entrance. My hair was redone multiple times, and the accessories and makeup were applied and removed so often that I lost count.

Though there was no need to go to such lengths, the other ladies showed up in relatively simple dresses on purpose. It wasn’t only Lady Peneloti who was in a hurry, yet the young ladies had chosen to make sacrifices for her.

They sacrificed themselves because Marquis Jayce had abandoned her

There were only five of them, but their spirit was comparable to a legion. They had always moved as one, but today, their camaraderie felt particularly strong. Thanks to that, the ballroom became restless.

This was Aina Peneloti's first public appearance since that major incident, so everyone’s attention was fixed on her.

On top of that, the other young ladies rallied around her in an act of selfless sacrifice, so it was no surprise that the debutante ball turned its spotlight squarely on Aina Peneloti.

Even the slightest step she took drew eyes from every direction. It seemed word spread that her relationship with Marquis Jayce had soured.

‘This has Lady Paint written all over it.’

She had struck first, shaping public opinion in our favor. To put it bluntly, she managed to turn Marquis Jayce into a piece of garbage overnight. It was hard to know exactly what the sentiment was on his side, but among the ladies, his reputation was crumbling.

There was no need to confirm it, as I could see every lady staring at him as if he were an insect instead of a man.

‘Paint, you’re ruthless. Absolutely ruthless.’

“

Hmph

. What? Didn’t he once say he won't force someone into a dance?” Lady Brush asked.

“...”

“He never even planned to do that in the first place. Has that man ever truly danced with anyone? He has only ever thought of himself.

Ptooeey!

” Lady Brush said.

“Lady Brush, please! Don’t spit! Why are you copying Lady Pastel?” Lady Palette questioned.

‘She said bad things about that, too?’

“You should definitely dance today, Lady Peneloti. Show him you’re perfectly fine, better than ever,” Lady Palette suggested.

It almost felt like watching the aftermath of a campus couple’s messy breakup.

There were some politics, forced smiles, and subtle attempts to outshine the other. There was no time to grieve, as she was thrown straight into a battlefield.

Fortunately, she had a capable support squad.

Just then, an unexpected ally appeared in her sight.

“

Huh?

”

A completely unforeseen character made a sudden entrance, and the air shifted sharply.

“Lady Peneloti,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“...”

“...”

“Count Kim Hyun-Sung?” I said.

“If you don’t mind, may I have the honor of a dance?” he asked me.

‘What the hell is this guy doing?’

“Would you grant me the chance?”

‘Do we even have anything between us?’

Who put him up to this? There was a brief silence; the entire hall seemed to have frozen over. Immediately afterward, the crowd exploded into murmurs.

Count Kim Hyun-Sung had never asked anyone to dance before, and Lady Peneloti had never accepted a dance herself.

The sudden, bold move from Kim Hyun-Sung cast a heavy, tense air over the ballroom.

“...”

“...”

“What are you doing, Peneloti?!” Lady Pastel asked me.

“Lady Peneloti, you need to answer. Count Kim Hyun-Sung is waiting,” Lady Paint urged me.

“

Huh

? Right. Yes, Lady Paint,” I answered.

“Go on, have a dance with him!” Lady Paint exclaimed.

“...”

“...”

The young ladies pushed me forward, forcing me to take a hesitant step. I saw Kim Hyun-Sung’s familiar face. Almost unconsciously, I nodded and placed my hand in his, but someone grabbed my arm before giving it a yank.

“...”

“...”

‘What the...’

It was Marquis Jayce, and his eyes burned with fury. It wasn’t rational, it wasn’t calculated, and it wasn't reasonable. His move was born out of pure, uncontrollable emotions. I had promised myself not to trouble Commander Jin any further, but faced with the man’s overwhelming presence, I couldn’t help but ask,

"Commander Jin... what’s he doing?"

—

Bang! Bang! Smash!

"..."

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

—

Bang! Craaash! Bang! Bang!

"..."

—

Bang! Swoosh! Bang! Craaash! Bang! Smash! Bang!