"You're quite bold, saying something that embarrassing."
Eliana instinctively caught the hand that had touched her.
When the warm hand gradually turned lukewarm under Velkirei's colder temperature, he whispered softly.
"So you dislike it?"
His eyes clearly lacked focus, yet that mysterious color made it feel as though one might be drawn into them.
Eliana unconsciously averted her gaze.
He was the kind of hidden mastermind whose intentions were impossible to read.
Eliana answered quietly, almost like a murmur to herself.
"No, I don't dislike it."
Pretending to like someone turned out to be more confusing than she had expected.
She kept her guard up because she knew he was the hidden mastermind… yet sometimes she acted unconsciously.
'Especially when he says things like that with that face. It leaves me with a strangely complicated feeling.'
Velkirei smiled faintly, apparently pleased.
The smile drawn across his pale face was extremely beautiful.
When he showed no expression he seemed somewhat cold, but the moment a smile spread across his lips he appeared pure and gentle.
His blue eyes were still staring somewhere ambiguous.
Yet even that looked refined, and Eliana felt slightly flustered.
"May I kiss you?"
He had already leaned close, yet he was asking for permission now?
Grumbling inwardly, Eliana nevertheless nodded absentmindedly, mesmerized by his appearance.
"Of course."
Once permission was given, he smiled beautifully.
It was fortunate that they had grown closer, but the constant brushing of their lips together made her emotions feel unstable.
Even though she could refuse if she disliked it, she allowed it every time.
It was probably because of that face.
Just as that thought crossed her mind, Velkirei's lips gently bit Eliana's before slowly licking them.
The act of kissing her as if savoring something remained cautious and careful.
Eliana slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.
He was wearing a thoroughly enraptured expression.
Like someone who had been parched and had just drunk water. Like a starving beast that had finally eaten its fill and was savoring the fullness.
Satisfaction seemed to be gradually filling his face.
Why?
That was the only thought in Eliana's mind.
She could not understand why he seemed to enjoy it so much.
She had not even truly tried to seduce him yet, and he had fallen for her far too easily.
Not only that, he was openly trying to tempt her.
It felt as though she had stepped into something wrong.
'Is this really going to be alright?'
What kind of person had Velkirei been in the original story?
Had he not been someone so blinded by revenge that he acted without even realizing his own soul was being devoured?
If he discovered that she was deceiving him and trying to use him, he might kill her without hesitation.
She absolutely could not let him find out.
Yet doubts kept creeping in about whether this relationship was truly safe.
Perhaps she should not have kissed him.
Perhaps she should not have pretended to like him so hastily.
But it was too late for regret now.
The moment had already passed.
Eliana shook off the chaotic thoughts and gently bit his lip.
The soft, cool sensation felt strangely pleasant.
Velkirei's lips were cold and moist, so much so that it was hard to believe they belonged to a human body.
When the kiss ended, he blushed shyly.
But the moment Eliana saw that expression, her mind turned cold.
'…That is not the face of someone who is truly shy.'
Compared to the ecstatic expression he had shown during the kiss, this one looked artificial.
If she had not seen that earlier expression, she might have been completely fooled by the act.
Eliana let out a brief, mocking smile at Velkirei's fake shyness.
A face that became honest only during a kiss.
She did not know why he was drawn to her, but she understood one thing.
He was also trying to play a game of fake love.
Of course.
Eliana forced herself to erase the confusion stirred by his reactions.
A relationship built on mutual use lasted only as long as the other person remained useful.
At that moment, Velkirei touched Eliana's cheek and whispered gently.
"Just touching you makes my emotions run wild. I feel like I might lose my mind."
Even though he was confessing love in such a tender voice, Eliana felt nothing.
Why was he going this far?
Why did he pretend to be so happy, as if he had gained the whole world?
Because she had already sensed his emotions, Eliana asked without thinking.
"…Why?"
His reaction was slightly misaligned with love, and she could not understand it.
Velkirei slowly brushed her cheek with his hand.
The cold sensation lingered on her skin.
Then he smiled beautifully and answered.
"You should know that better than anyone."
A nonsensical reply.
She had asked why, yet he answered as though she already knew.
Eliana was trying to interpret his words when someone knocked.
Knock, knock.
"It is the appointed time, Your Majesty."
It was Sophia.
"Go well, Eliana."
In the end, Eliana left the room while still holding on to the unanswered words.
Velkirei never answered her question until the very end.
"Welcome."
When they met again, Hera greeted her with surprising warmth.
Her attitude was so generous that it felt as though she were a completely different person from the one who had given that fierce warning last time.
Hera welcoming her so eagerly, as if rushing out barefoot the moment she saw her, felt awkward.
However, Sophia seemed unexpectedly calm.
She appeared already accustomed to Hera's sudden change in attitude.
After greeting Hera properly, Sophia left the reception room.
Refreshments had already been arranged on the table.
However, it was strange that there were three teacups.
A white teacup decorated with red roses was placed upside down, waiting for its owner.
Urged by Hera, Eliana sat down and smiled brightly as she expressed her thanks.
"Thank you for inviting me to such an honorable gathering, Mama."
"I hope you understand that it is because I value you greatly."
"Of course. I am very grateful, Mama."
Although Eliana clearly understood Hera's intentions, she responded shyly as though deeply moved.
She did not forget to exaggerate her happiness deliberately.
Just as Hera was looking at her with satisfaction, a maid placed the teacups upright and poured the tea.
Tea time began with trivial conversation, just as noble ladies often did.
For quite some time they chatted about insignificant matters such as the weather and which dresses were fashionable these days.
Eliana knew nothing about fashionable dresses, so she simply listened and nodded.
After a while, Hera finally brought up the main subject.
"I hear you and Velkirei have grown considerably closer. It seems he truly has taken a liking to you."
"I am doing my best to be of help to you, Mama."
When Eliana responded with pleasant words, Hera laughed aloud in satisfaction.
Since Eliana had already implied that she would pledge loyalty to Hera, the atmosphere was warm and friendly.
Hera took a sip of tea and continued in a calm voice.
"I value results more than effort. I have great expectations for you, so do not disappoint me."
"I will repay your expectations with good results."
Eliana answered with visible tension, and Hera relaxed her expression again and smiled.
Her manner of speaking left no room for carelessness even for a moment.
All of Eliana's attention was focused on reading Hera's intentions.
"I called you here today because there is someone I would like to introduce to you."
"To me?"
"If you are going to coordinate your words, it would be better for you to meet beforehand."
Hera tapped the body of her teacup lightly with her slender finger.
The tea inside rippled slightly.
At that moment Sophia returned to the reception room and whispered something into Hera's ear.
Hera's expression brightened noticeably.
"It seems he has arrived. Tell him to come in."
"Yes, Mama."
Sophia answered briefly and opened the door to the reception room.
Eliana's gaze naturally turned toward the door.
The man who entered the reception room behind Sophia was someone to whom the word dazzling suited perfectly.
The uniform he wore for entering the imperial palace, along with the dark blue cloak draped over one shoulder, looked magnificent at a glance.
But when Eliana called him dazzling, she was referring not to his clothing but to his appearance.
His silver hair, neatly parted and falling smoothly, shimmered in the light.
Beneath the brows partially hidden by his hair, his golden eyes were deeper and more vivid than Eliana's own golden eyes.
When their gazes met, the man's eyes widened briefly.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he smiled gracefully.
Looking directly at Eliana, he introduced himself politely.
"My name is Rube Demeter."
"Ah."
At the name Demeter, Eliana let out a soft exclamation.
Only then did she realize Hera's intention in introducing him to her.
He was the man Hera intended to present as her patron in order to bring her into the imperial palace.
Even Velkirei had reacted to the name Demeter, which suggested he was no ordinary person.
'But why did someone like him never appear in the original story?'
Eliana felt confused by the sudden appearance of Marquis Demeter.
After glancing past Eliana's stiff expression, he showed proper respect to Hera.
"Welcome, Rube."
Hera greeted him even more warmly than she had greeted Eliana.
Eliana continued to stare at him, still rigid.
The Blind Princess Who Loved the Emperor was a novel whose serialization had been suspended after the end of Part One.
During the entire first part, the name Demeter had never even been mentioned.
Furthermore, when she had stayed at the Demeter estate, the servants there had said that the marquis had not visited the capital for several years.
Naturally she had assumed he was merely a passing minor character.
Yet here he was.
And with that appearance.
Considering the author's tendencies, there was no way someone with such looks would remain a mere extra.
During the novel's serialization, a reader once complained to the author, asking why Velkirei was described at such excessive length as a peerless beauty.
The comment referred to the fact that Velkirei had received more descriptions of his appearance than the male lead, Calius.
And the author had replied to that comment.
"In my novels, beauty and personality are always inversely proportional. If the male lead is more handsome than the hidden mastermind, that means the male lead is the hidden mastermind."
Yes.
That was exactly what the author had said.
Beauty and personality being inversely proportional.
Considering that statement, the man standing before her now was very likely a villain on the same level as Velkirei.
Once her thoughts reached that conclusion, Eliana's eyes shook violently.