My Perfect Omega - Chapter 88

“Did he fall for just her looks?”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t even mind if she’s blind. Wouldn’t it be nice if she didn’t bother her husband?”

“Hah, they’ll break up soon anyway. I’ll be next to scoop her up.”

“Damn, quick bastard…”

Timo, standing near the group of men making crude jokes, blinked in disbelief, trying to process what he was seeing. The shabby appearance of Leila he was used to at home was gone—she seemed like a completely different person.

Amelie, standing next to Timo, was also frozen in disbelief. The same went for the Count and Countess of Este.

Lucas had expected some reaction, but the sheer number of trashy comments made him furious. The polite smile on his face slipped off in an instant, his expression turning colder than a winter gale.

The young ladies who had been waiting for an opportunity to speak to him were shocked by his sudden change in demeanor. However, remembering his previous kindness, they couldn’t just stand by and let him be taken by such a blind woman.

Unable to hold back, a young lady, forgetting the etiquette that dictated she wait for a high-ranking noble to speak first, approached Lucas.

“Good evening, Your Grace.”

Lucas looked at the lady who greeted him without uttering a word.

Time passed, and Lucas still hadn’t responded. The lady, unable to bear the silence, eventually lost her balance and collapsed.

Only then did Lucas respond coldly.

“That’s a pathetic greeting.”

“…sniff, sob…”

The young lady, humiliated and in tears, couldn’t even lift her head. Her family, realizing what had happened, cautiously approached and bowed to Lucas.

“Please forgive my daughter’s mistake, Your Grace.”

“No matter how much you adore your daughter, Viscount, you must teach her the proper etiquette more strictly.”

“…I apologize.”

Lucas stared at the sweating viscount and added. He had recently realized how effective making an example could be.

“The Emperor and the Crown Prince have not yet arrived. Do you know what that means?”

“…I apologize.”

“At least you understand the significance. Although it seems you have not imparted that wisdom to your daughter.”

The viscount, feeling the pressure of Lucas’s authority, couldn’t lift his head. Normally, Lucas appeared amiable and easygoing, making the viscount think little of him despite his higher rank.

But today, Lucas was a far cry from the person everyone had seen at previous balls, leaving not just the viscount but all the surrounding nobles in silent apprehension.

Though the title of Duke was impressive, the reason even the leader of the noble faction couldn’t easily confront Lucas was due to his royal blood.

As the central figure of the rumors entered, the noisy ballroom fell silent. Only the sound of musical instruments filled the space, when a very small voice echoed.

“Your Grace…”

Lucas, who had been glaring at the viscount, immediately turned and asked gently.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

The warmth in his voice, which had been cold just moments before, startled the young ladies watching. They realized that the kindness they had known was not genuine but rather reserved for someone special.

“…My feet hurt a little.”

Leila had been uncomfortable from the moment she entered the ballroom. The whispers she heard clearly and the piercing stares she felt were overwhelming.

Feeling suddenly thrust into a crowd, she had to ask Lucas to stop. She just wanted to escape from the people.

Upon hearing her, Lucas immediately picked her up.

“Move aside.”

At his icy command, the viscount and his family hurriedly stepped aside. Others also quickly made way, unable to hide their surprised expressions.