Stealing Heroines' Affections Is My Job as the Villain

Chapter 22: Bitter Reception, Betrayed Love

Now that Vritra had finally stopped pretending no one was at the door, he gave Ghislaine the signal to proceed. She adjusted the patch over her right eye, walked to the door, and pushed it open for the waiting princess.

While Princess Luciana had been knocking, her face showed a sad expression, knowing that the young lord was ignoring her. But the moment Ghislaine opened the door, all that sadness disappeared.

Luciana held up a tray and bowed her head slightly.

"I-, I made some treats for God Vritra, hoping he might want to spend some time with me. In other words, I would... like to have a word with him."

Her voice was soft, and paired with the prettiness of her blue eyes, she looked so innocent.

Ghislaine was about to respond politely, but she stopped herself when she noticed Prince Vritra shaking his head from the corner of her eye.

"Tell the princess I have no interest in speaking to her."

Ghislaine hesitated, unsure if she had heard him correctly, but those were indeed his words.

『Hm? I really don't understand the young lord...』

Ghislaine turned back to Princess Luciana with an uneasy expression on her face. She clearly felt uncomfortable about dismissing the princess so unfairly.

"You went through the trouble of bringing food for God Vritra so early in the morning. I'm sure you have other commitments. On behalf of God Vritra, I thank you."

Her words, though polite, sounded off to Princess Luciana.

It almost felt like she was being brushed off by Ghislaine.

The princess tilted her head, smiling through her unease.

"So... may I see God Vritra? As the princess of this nation, he is also a commitment I should dedicate myself to."

Her grip on the steel tray tightened as she tried to push her doubts aside, fully aware of where this was heading.

Seeing her like this made it difficult for Ghislaine to deliver the message clearly, but she preferred dealing with Luciana's disappointment over facing the wrath of God Vritra.

"The young lord says he no longer has any interest in speaking with you. You may take your leave."

With that, Ghislaine gently took the tray from the princess, who stood frozen in shock.

『Why would the young lord ask to speak with her and then act like she's a pest the moment she responds? She even made him these pastries. Hmph! Honestly, the young lord should learn to treat a woman better.』

The white-haired secretary closed the doors right in front of Luciana's face.

Still relaxing and enjoying his tea, he saw Ghislaine walk in with the tray of pastries and a frustrated look on her face. He could tell she was itching to lecture him about how he treated the princess, but she clearly didn't have the authority to do so.

『Hmph, such a child...』

The only person who could even come close to giving him a talk like that was his capable butler, Neron.

[Ding! Luciana is upset with how you've treated her. Her affection for you has decreased by 30 points.]

The dark prince smiled.

『If Esmeralda did the other thing I asked her to do, it would be like killing four birds with one stone.』

He took a light sip of his tea.

...

Princess Luciana walked down the breezy courtyard paths with a sad expression.

She gently rubbed her left arm with her right hand, unsure of what to do with her hands after the embarrassment she had just faced.

The way she was treated like a pest made her feel small.

She just needed something to take her mind off things.

"Oh, so now you're the one who's angry, after betraying me?! What's next? Are you going to slap me? Come on, you've done it before, do it again!"

The prince was seething with rage.

His pale, handsome face was bright red, and steam seemed to be coming out of his nostrils as he exhaled furiously.

...

Meanwhile, Prince Vritra watched the exchange from the comfort of his quarters, sipping his tea and enjoying the pastries that Princess Luciana had made for him.

『As I anticipated, everything is moving according to my plan. I believe that Prince Lumis's bad temper, combined with what Spymaster Zorin and Esme said earlier, will be enough to push him into disciplining that lower lifeform, Luciana.』

The dark prince didn't even crack a smile.

Dealing with the favored sons and daughters of fate was hardly difficult at all.

They were simply chess pieces, waiting to be moved around at his will.

『Honestly... it's quite boring.』

Vritra threw another pastry into his mouth and chuckled.

...

"Prince Lumis, didn't you hear me? I said, let go of me!"

"That Vritra isn't a good person. Don't be fooled by his smooth talk. He just wants you for your body. He's an absolute monster!"

"What are you talking about? Who are you to judge who's good or bad? I can assure you that God Vritra doesn't want me for my body. He hardly even looks at me. And Esmeralda even told me he's a modest and polite man; she wouldn't lie to me!"

"HUH──?!"

Prince Lumis couldn't believe she was saying all this. Where did she come up with such nonsense? He grew more furious as he saw the woman he loved spending the night with his enemy and now defending them.

It was just unbelievable!

"I love you, and you're doing this to me?! The Esmeralda you say is like a mother to you might be just as you described. Not only has she slept with that jerk, Vritra, but now you've slept with him too! Are you really that much of a slut?!"

────PAHHH!

Princess Luciana gave him a dirty slap.

"Say what you want about me... but don't you ever speak ill of Esmeralda. She deserves nothing but respect!"

She was barely able to hold back her tears.

The Deva Prince felt his face turn from the force of the slap and could already feel the sting on his cheek. It was the second time she had slapped him, and, just like the first, it was because he loved her too much.

『Wh-, What...? She's the one who said her heart still belongs to me, but then she goes and sleeps with Vritra. And now she has the nerve to slap me? Zorin was right about her...』

Prince Lumis's eyes burned with anger, and he quickly raised his hand to deliver a harsh slap of his own.

Princess Luciana was stunned that he would even think of raising his hand at her.

She shut her eyes tightly and flinched in fear.

But just as it was about to happen, she heard a deep, strong voice.

"Oh my..."

It didn't sound familiar, but at the same time it did.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Prince Vritra gripping Prince Lumis's raised hand.

"Was the righteous young lord of the Blueworld family really going to hit our dear Luciana?"

The dark prince smiled.