I Was the Hero, But She Turned Me Into the Villain-Chapter 22 - 21 : The Duke’s Proposal - Part 2

He looked to the marquis for an answer, but the latter had said nothing,

and a thick silence took hold of the atmosphere, as if even the murmurs refused to break it.

The duke frowned slightly.

—Still clinging to that, Velkan? You know as well as I do that the third princess is useless. Are you going to sacrifice your son for a meaningless union? Think carefully.

The moment his words fell, the atmosphere became tense. The glasses stopped moving. Some nobles even pretended to look away.

I could feel the muscles in my neck tense, as if the air itself had become denser.

The marquis’s eyes turned in my direction and then rested on the crowd.

His fingers played with the still-full glass, and finally he spoke in a firm tone:

—Let’s talk inside—he said, pointing to the mansion—.There are too many eyes and ears in this place.

The Duke curved his lips into a smile.

—Afraid someone might overhear, Velkan? How amusing...

—Since when has the mighty Marquis Velkan Riesenhart become so timid?

The Marquis looked at him with coldness. There wasn’t a hint of cordiality on his face.

—Give me your answer, Velkan. I won’t move from this spot until I hear it —said the Duke, raising his voice just enough for everyone around to hear.

The tension was such that I could almost hear people holding their breath. Like the slightest sound could break the balance and start a war.

I remained motionless, watching this entire circus unfold.

(...)

—I’ll take your silence as a rejection —Vaelgrand said, tilting his head—. Or are you still reconsidering?

Clarisse raised an amused eyebrow, but didn’t say a word. She just kept looking at me... as if she expected a reaction from me. It almost felt like all of this was just a game to her.

—Daven is still maturing —Velkan finally intervened, without looking at the Duke or his daughter—. He’s not yet familiar with the "customs" of nobility. It would be unwise to rush this decision.

The Duke let out a dry laugh, humorless.

—Maturing? —he repeated, with a mocking expression—. I didn’t know you’d stopped being a Marquis and become a gardener instead.

A stifled murmur spread like poison among those present. The mockery had been public. In full view of everyone.

My jaw clenched.

Velkan didn’t react. He simply raised his glass slowly, twirled it elegantly between his fingers, and took a sip—as if the Duke’s words were as meaningless as dust.

—My methods are not subject to your judgment, Vaelgrand —he finally said, in a clear and firm voice—. What I do with my sons... is my business.

The Duke narrowed his eyes. Courtesy was gone. The two men now studied each other, as if waiting for the other to make the first move.

Clarisse was the one to break the tension, with a barely audible sigh. She stepped forward, her melodic and elegant voice floating in the air like a blade wrapped in velvet.

—Father, remember we didn’t come here to fight. That said... if you’ll allow me, Marquis, there’s something I’m curious about.

The Marquis glanced at her briefly and replied with indifference: —Go ahead...

She then turned slightly toward me, her lips curving into an innocent smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

And then Clarisse spoke again:

—And you, Daven? —she asked in that charming voice—. Do you prefer me... or the princess?

A chill ran down my spine.

The silence grew even deeper than before.

Everyone was watching me.

The blood roared in my ears. I felt the weight of the hall leaning toward me, as if every gaze was judging my every move.

I looked at the Duke. At Clarisse. At the Marquis.

And in that question, disguised as a game, I heard the hiss of a viper.

But this time, I wouldn’t fall for it.

This time, I wouldn’t care.

—Neither —I said coldly.

For a moment, Clarisse blinked. Just a moment. As if she hadn’t expected such a clear rejection.

Then her lips curled back into that sweet smile, as if nothing could touch her.

An uncomfortable murmur rippled through the room.

And the Duke... the Duke smiled. A thin, dangerous smile.

—He has character —he said in an ambiguous tone.

Then he turned to the Marquis.

—Fine, Velkan. Let’s talk inside... before one of us ends up in an even more uncomfortable situation.

The Marquis didn’t reply. He simply turned and walked toward the mansion. The Duke followed him, and Clarisse walked behind them with grace.

I remained in place, watching their figures disappear behind the tall marble doors, and for the first time... I felt the weight of exhaustion settle on my shoulders.