I Abandoned the Male Lead Who Cheated with the Villainess - Chapter 230

Herix’s possessions began to spark a sense of envy in Clive. The mighty empire, the beauty that inspired songs, the legendary strength, the remarkable achievements that even led the Ortensia Republic to embrace peace, and, of course, the Empress who stood by his side without question.

Ivonne Questiago! She had no notable history, no common stories about her, and was rumored to have dropped from the sky as a commoner.

But the moment Clive laid eyes on her, he immediately dismissed that notion. Because Ivonne was simply too beautiful.

If spring could take human form, it would be like her. Her hair, like cherry blossoms just beginning to fall in the Ortensia Republic, her eyes resembling the delicate buds that emerge from hibernation, her nose with its soft, gentle curve that enhanced her serene aura, and beneath it, her full, red lips.

All of these features filled her small face as though it was a delicate sculpture, barely the size of Clive’s palm.

‘To think there would be someone who could bring such joy just by looking at them.’

It wasn’t about fun—it was about joy. She seemed like the kind of person who could make your heart flutter and bring happiness. Ivonne was like a piece of art. If there were a god in this world, she seemed to be a finely crafted sculpture of that god.

No, perhaps it could even be said that god had taken residence within her. In other words, Clive’s request for a dance from Ivonne was purely impulsive.

An impulsive act to provoke the inferiority he felt towards Herix, to stir up just enough discord between the Sortenic Empire and the Ortensia Republic, and to secure a chance to dance intimately with a woman who seemed to be the very embodiment of spring.

But now, at this moment, Clive was cursing his impulsive nature with all his might.

There are boxes in this world that should never be opened, no matter how curious you may be. Pandora’s box is one of them, and at this very moment, Clive realized that for him, Pandora’s box was none other than Herix.

“We’ll see each other at the banquet, then.”

“Oh, Your Majesty. Just a moment…”

Clive stood frozen in place, watching in dismay as Ivonne followed Herix’s instructions with a confused expression on her face, her back turned as she walked away. No matter how young or foolish one might be, even they would recognize that the words ‘we’ll see each other at the banquet’ were anything but an invitation born of goodwill.

And perhaps, at that banquet meant for the Empress’s enjoyment, the Empress herself might not even show up.

“I’m the one who’s screwed.”

Clive, who always wore a mask of friendliness in front of others and acted accordingly, now blurted out his true feelings with helplessness. Yet, no one seemed to care. Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, he couldn’t tell.

As the Emperor led the Empress out to the terrace, the Maestro, momentarily startled, cleared his throat and spoke.

“The second piece.”

At the motion of the conductor’s baton, the violin bow, which had been frozen, began to move, and the once oppressive silence in the banquet hall of the palace was filled once again with the intoxicating melody of music.

* * *

“Herix also danced with the assistant to the Foreign Minister Eisenwood, didn’t you?”

This man is definitely made of stone. Judging by the pain in her hand while massaging his shoulders. But who can she blame? After all, it was Ivonne who had said she would remove her gloves and offer to massage his shoulders.

“If I say I don’t know why you’re so angry with me… will Herix’s frustration ever be resolved?”

“I already said it, didn’t I?”

Herix, sitting in front of Ivonne with a sulking face, turned his head slightly and looked up at her, pouting his lower lip as if to make it clear that he was very much sulking.

The two were now on the terrace, sitting side by side on a bench that had been positioned to face the railing. Though their backs were turned for the massage.

“I know, I know.”

Ivonne stretched out her finger, which had been massaging his shoulder, and poked Herix’s cheek. While not entirely pleased, Herix, recognizing the finger as Ivonne’s, rubbed his cheek before turning his gaze forward.

Ivonne, despite Herix’s solid build, couldn’t help but feel as if she was being punished for raising her hand. But there was no helping it.

‘If I don’t lighten Herix’s mood this way…’

The words Herix had whispered to Ivonne earlier came back to her mind.

Foreign Minister Eisenwood has two arms, right? Oh, so that’s why he danced with Ivonne.

They couldn’t have made the head of the delegation a one-armed man, after all.