Sharpen Havel.

He is Violet’s second older brother.

In the novel, he incessantly teases Violet, tripping her up and joking around, only to later regret his actions in tears.

He was unquestionably the main character in the novel.

If he knows me, it’s certainly not a good sign.

I am destined to die as the male lead’s exgirlfriend, cursed till the end. Havel, on the other hand, eventually repents and redeems himself.

Even if Violet doesn’t have a bad impression of me, it was uncertain how others around her felt.

‘If he’s already regretting, he might dislike me.’

The gossipmonger Serdis would know who Havel is interested in; you could even grab a passerby and ask. That he was conversing with me made it obvious.

Having witnessed Violet’s longstanding crush, her family might look unfavorably upon me.

I should be more careful. So that he doesn’t become hostile towards me. So that I don’t become an obstacle to Eleanor.

“May we talk privately, if it’s all right with you?”

I asked cautiously, trying to keep my face relaxed.

“To talk with just me?”

I slowly examined Havel’s expression. He didn’t seem hostile.

“Yes, if that’s all right.”

“Absolutely fine!”

He seemed rather tense, for reasons I couldn’t fathom.

“Where shall we go?”

“Just, just wait a moment.”

Suddenly, Havel turned around and began fixing his hair.

For some reason unknown, Eleanor chuckled seeing this; it didn’t seem like a common occurrence.

“Eleanor, the Duke isn’t angry, is he?”

I subtly asked Eleanor.

“He’s not angry; he just wants to look good.”

“To impress whom?”

“Well, obviously—”

Before Eleanor could answer, Havel turned back around. I didn’t catch her response.

‘Surely, he doesn’t want to impress me.’

The original work had no setting where Havel was interested in Anette. If he disliked me, he’d dislike me.

“Was Eleanor saying anything strange about me?”

Havel looked at her suspiciously.

“I was praising the Duke, who is diligently grooming.”

“Hey, when did I groom?”

“Hey? The presence of Lady Vi calls for formal speech.”

At her comment, Havel cleared his throat, seeming to realize his mistake. Then, he took a step closer to me.

“The place isn’t much, but please.”

He was surprisingly cordial.

“Eleanor, see you later.”

I nodded in acknowledgment to Eleanor and winked. She seemed to catch on and winked back.

“Take your time talking.”

I had to keep Havel occupied, so Eleanor could investigate.

He led me to the barracks of the Second Knight Division.

As I looked around the tidy barracks, Havel muttered something, scratching the back of his head.

“Ah. We’re out of teacups. Will you wait while I get some?”

“You’re going yourself?”

When I asked in surprise, Havel opened his mouth in an ‘Ah.’

“Should I send someone?”

“A maid or servant, maybe?”

“Oh, that could work.”

Havel said without making eye contact, and an awkward silence followed.

‘Eleanor must have left.’

Worried he’d find out Eleanor was missing, I quickly stopped him.

“We don’t need tea. Let’s just sit and talk.”

“But… I heard Her Grace enjoys various herbal teas. I had prepared some especially for today, it’s a shame.”

“You prepared for today?”

“Did you know I was coming?”

“No, I was just waiting.”

I had followed the guidelines as closely as possible in translating this passage.
Habel shifted his eyes back and forth.

‘Is he waiting for me?’

Had he been waiting for the day to beat me, just like Violet’s old rival?

His gloved fist clenched, making a slight noise.

Hiccup.

Upon further inspection, his breath seemed quicker than before. As if he had been waiting for this day.

“Excuse me… Captain. You’re aware that I’m married, right?”

I have no interest in Serdis.

He’s not Violet’s rival!

“Of course, I am aware…”

Why do my jaw muscles tense up?

Unlike earlier, his face now openly showed discomfort.

“I get along well with Princess Violet. Should I say we’re on the same side?”

I subtly smiled to show that I was a harmless entity.

“I’m aware of that, too. The servants blab on their own, you know. About what Violet is doing and who she’s meeting.”

“Then you must know. I have no ill feelings toward the princess. And I have nothing to do with His Highness Serdis, either.”

As I hastily added that explanation, Habel finally stopped his restless eye movement and looked at me.

Although he avoided my gaze within three seconds.

“I have a question regarding that, Your Grace… I mean, Your Highness.”

Habel asked.

“Yes, anything. Just ask. I’ll answer everything.”

I gladly nodded, waiting for his question. Habel seemed to ponder for a moment.

“Don’t hesitate to ask. I don’t want any misunderstandings.”

“Why… haven’t you been engaged to the prince…”

His question made my mouth involuntarily open.

“As I said earlier, I have no feelings for His Highness Serdis!”

We’ve never even properly dated.

I know why that misunderstanding happened.

It’s because Serdis is the pinnacle of the upper class’s interests. Whoever he meets becomes the nobility’s prime concern.