As I approached closer, his smooth face finally became clearly visible.

“You’re a bit late? Did you dress up like this because I came? Well, I’m pleased.”

While giving such a cheesy compliment as if coaxing a child, Simon was actually quite surprised.

‘What’s this? That look in her eyes.’

Today, Kasha’s deep pink eyes that met his directly were disturbingly cold.

She didn’t even blush at the sight of him like usual.

‘Moreover… why does she look so put together?’

Her hair was carefully combed down with a glossy sheen. The curves of her body seemed slightly fuller, subtly changed. Her shoulders were straight and upright.

‘She looks just like a different person.’

Kasha used to appear quickly like a cat hearing the footsteps of someone bringing food whenever he visited. Though she would often hesitate when actually approaching him.

With messy hair and a pale face. A thin, unattractive figure.

Literally a woman without a single charming aspect no matter how hard you looked.

‘But why has the atmosphere suddenly changed? Surely… that rumor can’t be true?’

Simon slightly furrowed his brow.

The ball held at House Tyrot a week ago was a major event attended by most nobles in the capital.

If it weren’t for his fear of his relationship with Kasha being exposed, he would have naturally attended as well.

But the rumor that spread right after that ball was extremely bizarre.

That there was something unusual between Grand Duke Leon and Lady Kasha Lyuschino.

He had scoffed when he heard that rumor.

He didn’t know what kind of collective delusion everyone was having, but it was utterly ridiculous. The Kasha Lyuschino he knew, that naive and clumsy woman, involved with Grand Duke Leon?

Nonsense not even worth considering twice.

‘…It should definitely be that way, but.’

Thud.

The woman sitting on the sofa across from him, setting down her teacup, seemed somehow unfamiliar.

The very air surrounding her was different.

Simon leaned back leisurely on the sofa to hide his unease. Kasha, who had been watching him, opened her mouth.

“What brings you here?”

“……”

It was strange. Usually she was too shy to even speak until he opened his mouth first.

Sip.

Kasha lifted her teacup and slowly savored the taste. Then she asked again.

“I asked what brings you here. Did you not hear me, Young Lord Blanche?”

“…What did you just say?”

Simon wondered if there was something wrong with his ears.

Young Lord Blanche? Leaving aside the informal speech as if addressing an inferior, where had the woman gone who always shyly called him “Lord Simon”?

“Why. You… a third son from an insignificant baronial family… speaking down to me, while I… the second child of House Lyuschino, the Marquis of the Border and Shield of His Imperial Majesty… speak down to you, why should that be surprising?”

“……”

Simon was so taken aback he momentarily forgot what to say.

What on earth had happened in just a few days?

How could Kasha Lyuschino, who had always foolishly catered to him, show an attitude as if her very soul had been switched?

‘Could it be because I didn’t take her as my partner to the ducal ball?’

Well. Kasha had indeed hinted at her desire for him to escort her to this ball.

It was understandable, given the humiliation she suffered at her debutante ball.

But he had never dreamed of appearing in public side by side with her.

Moreover, the more thoroughly she was trampled in high society, the more she would depend on him, making her easier to handle.

He had it all figured out.

‘And yet. Even a worm will squirm when stepped on, is that it?’

Hmph. Simon inwardly snorted.

Handling Kasha Lyuschino was as easy as eating cold porridge for Simon Blanche.

“Ah, Kasha. It seems you were quite upset about not being able to attend the ball together. Yes. That’s understandable. You are a woman after all, right?”

Simon mumbled as he rose from the sofa.

He knew well when Kasha became most flustered.

It was when he made physical contact, like holding her hand or stroking her hair.

Whether due to her awkwardness with human relationships or her growing feelings for him, she would act like a malfunctioning doll, flustered by even the slightest touch.

This time too, he intended to roughly patch up the situation in the same way.

He walked around the table to the sofa where Kasha was sitting.

Then he plopped down next to her with what he believed to be a manly attitude. Following that, he unhesitatingly placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Kasha. If it weren’t for that terrible cold, I would have naturally taken your hand and gone to that ball with you. I was really upset too. Do you know how many times I called your name all night, delirious with fever?”

Sweet talk that should make Kasha fall head over heels.

Simon marveled anew at his own eloquence, smoothly spinning out even lies.

“……”

‘By the way, has this woman Kasha been eating well lately? Her skin seems much better. Smooth and soft to the touch.’

Simon thought this as he blatantly caressed Kasha’s shoulder.

That’s when it happened.

Kasha grabbed Simon’s hand.

No, to be precise, she pinched the edge of Simon’s suit jacket with her thumb and index finger, lifting his arm off her shoulder.

As if reluctantly touching a piece of filth.

Simon raised his voice even more exaggeratedly to hide his embarrassment.

“…Kasha? Ha. Ha. Are you really going to be like this? Were you such a selfish woman? I told you I was sick. Are you saying I should have dragged my sick body to the ball and risked getting even more ill?”

Yes. If various persuasions don’t work, stimulating guilt is the best. A method that had never failed when used on her with her low self-esteem.

It was when he was about to casually cup her face with his hand while thinking that.

Splash.

“Aagh!”

Simon jumped up on the spot.

“Y-you’re crazy, Kasha?”

Drip. Drip.

His flailing hand turned bright red.

Kasha had poured the tea from the cup she was holding directly onto his hand.

It was only this mild because the tea had cooled a bit after being poured into the cup. Otherwise, he might have been severely burned.

Kasha spoke to him as he glared with reddened face.

“Ah, a mistake.”

“W-what did you say?”

“I thought I saw a bug. I was startled.”

Kasha said this while looking straight into his eyes.

For a moment, Simon flinched.

Had those deep pink eyes, which he always thought looked innocent and stupid, ever possessed such a fiercely burning color?

“Sena, some ice please.”

Kasha gestured toward the maid who was anxiously looking this way. Then, ignoring Simon’s reddened hand, she adjusted her posture. She somehow looked much more at ease.

Simon, engulfed in confusion, even forgot to get angrier. Kasha suddenly smiled at him as he gaped blankly.

“Well then. Shall we talk about… your real purpose now?”

“…What purpose are you talking about?”

“You came to check… how much of the offensive magic tool has been completed, didn’t you?”

Simon was shocked once again.

Of course, her words were true. But Kasha had never brought up such a topic herself before. Moreover, that tone, as if she could see right through him.

Simon felt himself tense up in front of Kasha for the first time.

“W-what are you saying, Kasha. I just came because I was worried about you—”

“Ah. Come to think of it, there was something… I wanted to confirm with you.”

“What?”

“About the offensive magic tool. You’ll need… a separate blueprint for mass production, right? Will that be okay?”

“What? Mass production? What nonsense are you spouting now?”

Simon frowned as he questioned. Meanwhile, he didn’t forget to make a fuss while applying the ice towel Sena had brought to his hand.

“Nonsense… you say?”

Kasha slowly asked back.

“Yes. It seems you’ve been imagining strange things on your own again, but stop with the useless thoughts and hurry up and bring the completed blueprint. I’ll check if it’s done properly.”

While Kasha was lost in thought, Simon, who had somehow regained his composure, brazenly prattled on.

Kasha stared at Simon blankly without any reply.

‘He doesn’t even know that the offensive magic tool is planned for mass production.’

Judging by Simon’s attitude, it didn’t seem like he was lying.

‘Then there’s no need to confirm anything further.’

As she had already expected, Simon was indeed just a pawn, a puppet of the villain. One who didn’t know the truly crucial information.

And since Simon wouldn’t easily confess the villain’s identity either, there was essentially no information to extract from him. If so, there was no need to endure the disgust and anger to deal with him any longer.

‘That’s fortunate. If I had to stay a bit longer, I might have wanted to test the offensive magic tool on you.’

Kasha slowly rose from her seat, leaving Simon to continue his chatter.

“…Where are you suddenly going?”

A puzzled Simon asked. Kasha replied to him as kindly as she could manage.

“Don’t ever… come here again, Simon Blanche.”

“W-what did you say?”

“Just seeing your face… makes my blood boil so much, I might spill tea on you… again and again.”

Simon, clutching the ice towel tightly, was about to flare up at those words but closed his mouth upon seeing Kasha’s eyes.

“Get out now. Ah. I’ll call… a healer, so get treatment… before you leave if you want.”

She added coldly.

“Unlike some people… I do have a shred of compassion.”

Kasha turned around without hesitation.

‘All the evil deeds you’ve committed. I’ll return them all, every single one. Look forward to it, I’ll become a true villainess just for you.’

It was as she was taking a step, thinking this.

“K-Kasha! You’ll regret it if you leave like this now.”

Simon’s voice, trembling with anger, was heard.