52 – Awareness and Jealousy (1)

[Adilun's POV]

 

I looked at Physis, who gave me a mischievous laugh.

 

His every action started being engraved in my mind like a painting; The way he hugged me and told me not to cry and the way he looked at me with kindness in his eyes.

 

I was finally able to be sure now of the fact that he won’t betray me and that he won’t turn his back on my trust.

 

And as soon as I realized that… …It was difficult to take my eyes off his face. And all of a sudden, my heart started beating fast.

 

The change didn't stop there. As I looked at him, the heat started to build up on my face. I was already perplexed by the incomprehensible situation when Physis asked me as well.

 

“Adilun? What's wrong?”

 

“Yes, what?”

 

“Your face is becoming red? Are you catching a cold again?”

 

Saying that Physis tried to put his hand on my forehead, but I immediately stepped back and told him.

 

“No, wait. I’m really fine. Look, there is no pain anywhere.”

 

“But then why…”

 

“That’s just embarrassing. The fact that you treat me as a child like this. So I’m done!”

 

I immediately cast an invisibility spell and disappeared, exiting his room and sprinting at full speed into my room.

 

'No way? No. It can't be.'

 

Not knowing what the heck it was, I threw myself on the bed and tried to clear my head.

 

'Don’t even think about it. It’s not what you think.'

 

'That... No! I just did it because I was ashamed of my own childishness.'

 

I repeated that, but Physis’s face keep coming to my mind.

 

He smiled at me affectionately, which always reminded me of his worrying about me, and the heat on my face intensified. My heart also started beating like crazy, as if I had lost control over it.

 

In the end, I couldn’t help but stay up all night with Physis constantly invading my head.

 

And there was one conclusion I reached while staying up all night; that even though I said I would never fall for him, I had already fallen for him... For Physis: the person who once cursed and insulted me, but on realizing his mistakes, he respected and cared for me.

 

* * *

[Physis's POV]

 

The day was bright. Ignoring Adilun's strange behavior yesterday, I was preparing myself for what I had to do.

 

Quite a few princesses, who didn't like Adilun, would be approaching me because they had seen Adilun and I fight yesterday.

 

I would have to figure out the tendencies of the princesses and distinguish between those who were hostile to Adilun and those rare ones who were repulsed by being hostile to her.

 

Honestly, I didn't usually get involved in politics during social gatherings like this. However, you never know what you might have to do based on circumstances.

 

There might be some princesses who'd reject Adilun willingly, while others might have to support those princesses' decisions under pressure. I had no intention of forcefully confronting them today though.

 

Instead, I thought of testing their personalities and checking whether they were hostile toward us. This would help Adilun secure the Rodenov later on.

 

Of course, we would have to deal with those who opposed us in a subtle manner, and take appropriate measures against them.

 

For example, Selina Idenea.

 

She was displeased with Adilun being the main character of this social gathering.

 

Originally, She would have tried to do something to Adilun, but since Adilun's appearance had changed and everyone at the social gathering started to take an interest in her, she must be very frustrated.

 

What’s more, with Adilun and I acting of having such a big fight yesterday, her interest will definitely increase... either in a negative or positive way.

 

With those thoughts in mind, I arrived at the banquet hall.

 

Unfortunately, on the surface, Adilun and I fought, so we couldn’t enter together. I was sure she would come in a little while… … Until then, I decided to take a look at the other princesses.

 

When the door of the banquet hall opened and I entered, I saw people dancing and chatting freely as if the banquet had already started.

 

At the same time, someone found me entering the banquet hall.

 

In particular, the stakes of talking with the princesses were high, and their eyes were twinkling as they looked at me.

 

However, seeing that they were not approaching me directly, they must be looking for an opportunity - like a dance or something - to have a conversation with me 

 

And I knew very well why they would do that.

 

To them, I’d look pretty attractive.

 

My physical strength was considerable, I also won the National Day hunting competition and a jousting match, and my face was quite good too… … So it was understandable enough.

 

But I didn’t like that fact.

 

Because at this moment, the only person's attention I desired was Adilun's; I didn't need anyone else's.

 

It was likely that many guys had already taken notice of Adilun's beauty, as she had become increasingly stunning

 

Furthermore, since she showed a fierce fight with her fiancé, me, some parasites would look out for her to take my place.

 

Remembering that those were the same people who treated her as a monster earlier, I felt anger rising in my heart.

 

Of course, even I, once insulted her, so maybe I didn't have any right to say that...

 

But it was hard to hide my discomfort; as people who were fascinated by her changed appearance would inevitably come out and try to comment on it.

 

As I was frowning, the familiar red hair girl began to approach me. 

It was Selina.

 

She, who probably had considerable influence among the princesses, approached me with more confident steps than anyone else and asked for a dance.

 

“Sir Physis. How about a dance with me?”

 

Perhaps starting with this, I would suffer from a lot of dancing today, and I would have to have all sorts of conversations with the princesses.

 

To be honest, I didn’t even want to dance unless it was with Adilun… … But all of this would be an act for her, so I reluctantly nodded.

 

“Let’s dance.”

 

“Your cheeks… … Are they okay now?”

 

“It didn’t hurt too much anyway. It just made me feel dirty.”

 

“Oops… … I never imagined that Princess Rodenov would be such a rough-handed person.”

 

“It’s something I already knew, so it’s nothing new. Still, Miss Selina… … I'm glad you’re not as violent as that woman.”

 

“Hehehe. Really?”

 

“Yeah. I can tell at once when I see the attitude of caring for others in your words and actions.”

 

“Thank you, even if it's just formality.”

 

She smiled and told me. The words I said just to buy favor seemed to be overly effective, so it seemed like it would be okay to use them on other princesses.

 

“It is not empty words. I’m just a person whose feelings come out of his mouth.”

 

“Aha, is that so?”

 

“That’s why it’s difficult to expect a gentlemanly appearance. Sometimes I look like an idiot. That’s also the biggest reason Princess Rodenov hates me.”

 

“Well, still, she didn't need to be so harsh, right?”

 

“That’s the first time someone supported me…”

 

“I guess so, people are like that... By the way, Isn't she just jealous because you look so handsome?”

 

“Handsome… … Am I that good-looking?”

 

“Yeah. Compared to any man I’ve ever seen… … No, one would be an idiot if they compared other men with you... You look amazing.”

 

“Hahahaha. First of all, thank you.”

 

I deliberately laughed and lied.

 

Looks, looks, looks...

 

Why did people reject anyone by attaching so much meaning to their appearance?

 

The appearance was obviously an important factor in dealing with people.

 

But that didn't mean looks were everything. Did they ever try to hear the story of others?

 

Did they ever try to hear the story of Adilun before her scales fell off?

 

They didn't and they won't. They must have rejected her just because she was surrounded by scales.

 

Looking at such people, I was able to realize again how disgusting and terrible I was before remembering my previous life.

 

'Yes. I hate my old self.'

 

* * *

[Adilun's  POV]

 

After staying up all night over yesterday’s new realization, I was terribly tired. However, my mind was strangely clear, so I dressed up with a hazy look and entered the banquet hall.

 

It was a pity that I couldn’t be with Physis, but I thought it went well.

 

Because my awakened mind started to have strange thoughts.

 

I wondered if I would even be able to face him properly. I was not supposed to be that timid…

 

Now I felt the strange excitement of seeing his face and the tiredness of having to distinguish between those who were friendly and those who were hostile to me.

 

Please, I hoped this social gathering was over soon and I would go back to Rodenov with him.

 

I sighed and started looking for where Physis was, and soon found him mingling with the dancing crowd.

 

At the same time, as I watched Physis happily dancing with Selina Idenea, I felt anger welling up in my heart, even though I knew it was an act.

 

Jealousy.

 

Yes. It was obviously jealousy.

 

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