Villainesses Have More Fun

Chapter 7

The lighthearted chattering amongst the ladies abruptly came to an end. Sir Cassion approached and their unease seemed to grow with each step he took toward us. I could almost hear everyone’s hearts pounding as he finally came to stand before us.

Wow, I’m speechless. He’s even more attractive up close. Am I drooling? My goodness, Sir Cassion... How does it feel to be God’s favorite? His pitch-black eyes are the real coup de grâce. They accentuate his rakish charm even more. I stared at him with my mouth open.

He then slowly parted his crimson lips to speak. “Why do you keep looking at me?”

In other words, “What the f*ck are you looking at?” Great. His demeanor has successfully thrown cold water on the fire in my heart. My ideal man is gentle and kind! Why, oh why must you be so aggressive?

I rolled my eyes as I faced the other ladies. Didn’t you all encourage me to send him a signal? What’s going on?!

They fidgeted and looked around the room. I guess they’re just as flustered as I am. All right. Looking into Reilynn’s memories, a lady’s gaze normally means, “I’m interested in you. Come to me, baby.” But isn’t it unusual for a man to come up and ask such a direct question?

“I wasn’t looking at you,” I said.

He stood stiff. “But I felt your gaze on me, my lady.”

My stomach lurched. This can’t be happening. Because of Reilynn’s beauty, I thought I could be swept away in the greatest romance of the century. But look where my flirting has gotten me! “I said I wasn’t looking at you,” I insisted. I peered over my hand fan.

His dark eyes stared at me blankly.

Ugh, why do I still find him hot in this situation? Can’t he just become a knight for House Candmion? Listen, Sir Cassion. I’ll keep you well-fed and pay you the highest wage anyone can offer. I’ll even include 401K matching and dental! Social security matching, health insurance, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation benefits, you name it!

“Are you saying I’m mistaken?” he asked.

“Honestly, I didn’t look at you.”

He tightened his jaw and stared me down.

Take a hint! Don’t you realize I’m too embarrassed to tell you the truth?

“Does everyone agree with this lady’s sentiment?” he asked the others while I remained silent.

I sighed at his stubbornness. “Fine, I’ll admit it. I looked at you because I wanted to share a dance.”

He paused briefly. “What do you mean?”

“I sent you a signal because I thought you were handsome. Satisfied?” At this point, I had no choice but to be upfront. It was possible he was simply unaware of proper dancing etiquette. I should give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, he was rarely able to attend these parties as a commoner knight. If my gaze had bothered him, I owed him an explanation.

He remained silent for a beat. Then his eyes widened and he reared his head back. Contrary to his tough demeanor, his face was surprisingly easy to read. He bowed his head. “Pardon me for being rude, my lady.”

“No, it was my mistake,” I said. “You don’t frequent these types of gatherings, do you?”

He smiled slightly at me.

Did he just smirk? Wow, the infamous smirk that appears in every damn novel. And I got to see it in person. Next, I was going to have a kiss where our “tongues battled for dominance.”

“I sincerely apologize. I wish you a pleasant rest of your evening,” he said. Then he just walked away.

You apologize but then leave? Without even a second glance?

“Huh?” What the hell?! Isn’t every handsome man in these transmigration novels madly in love with the villainess? How come I was turned down? I met a hot guy, just as I had hoped, but he couldn’t even hold a decent conversation. Did he feel nothing even after seeing Reilynn’s lovely face?

Sir Cassion walked over to the wall he’d been leaning against, then turned to face me.

There we go! See? There’s no way he wouldn’t be interested.

“He just... left,” Sarah said.

At that precise moment, Cassion turned around and continued walking.

“Yeah, he did...”

I just got rejected, right? Fine. I’ll just have fun blowing all of Reilynn’s money. Isn’t that what this dream is all about? Like a vacation where money isn’t a constraint.

Once Cassion returned to his post, Reilynn’s followers resumed their babbling.

“He’s a lot ruder than I thought.”

“Well, this is his first public festival. Perhaps ignorance is to blame.”

“I suppose such ignorance is to be expected given his status.”

“But isn’t he far more attractive up close? I mean, his beauty literally took my breath away.”

“You speak the truth.”

“You’re incredible, Lady Reilynn. How could you bring yourself to actually speak to him? My heart felt like it was going to burst.”

“I just put on a brave face,” I admitted. “But in the end, I was rejected.”

Trust me, I was just as nervous as the rest of you. I only relaxed when I realized I didn’t like his personality. If he had kindly asked me to dance, I would have brought him home in Reilynn’s carriage.

“I can’t believe he turned you down, Lady Reilynn. Commoners have no sense of taste.”

“Oh, I’m sure he couldn’t help it. He has spent his entire life surrounded by ordinary people. Lady Reilynn’s beauty must have blinded him.”

“Oh my, I think you’re right.”

I scanned the banquet hall once more, but Sir Cassion had raised the bar too high. The other men were...

Let’s just look away and call it a day. Besides, I’m the prospective crown princess. Nothing good will come of prowling around for a man. If tongues start wagging, it’ll only make things harder for me.

I rummaged through Reilynn’s memories. People in aristocratic society would overlook a man having an affair. They would, however, point the finger at a woman who did the same.

That’s probably why the crown prince got away with behaving like a total scumbag. Just how many spoonfuls of this setting did the author sprinkle throughout the novel? You worked really hard to justify the female lead’s elopement with the crown prince, didn’t you? Jeez.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Sir Cassion the whole time I was pondering my predicament. But I shouldn’t keep staring at him after getting rejected.

Should I persuade him to join House Candmion as a knight? He may be untalented, but who knows how powerful a knight he could become with my guidance? Oh, why do I have to already be spoken for? Damn you, Crown Prince! Please, romance fantasy gods, give me a reason to break off our engagement!

* * *

I stared intently at the store sign in front of me—A Delectable Cake Shop.

What a simple name for a dessert store. Couldn’t they try to be a little more creative? I should try their cakes to see if they live up to their name. But wait, that’s not why I’m here. I need to stop getting distracted.

I twisted the doorknob and stepped inside. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by rows upon rows of cakes. They were all beautiful and there seemed to be one of every flavor. They appeared to have been baked and iced by a practiced hand. But, once again, I wasn’t here for the cakes.

“Welcome! How may I assist you?” A young woman with creamsicle orange hair smiled over the counter.

“I’d like to order a steak cake to go,” I said.

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”

“One steak cake, please.”

The orange-haired lady grinned and nodded. “How would you like your steak cooked?”

“Well done. Browned through and crispy.”

“Yes, ma’am. Please wait here until you can be taken to the second floor.”

She rang a bell. A slender man emerged from the side door that led to the kitchen. With a gesture of her hand, the lady signaled for me to follow him. We took the staircase to the second floor. Tables and chairs were set up for people to linger over cake and tea.

It appeared to be open for regular business. I observed as the man walked up to one of the walls. Upon closer inspection, it was actually a hidden door. He pushed it open and led me inside. Behind a table sat a middle-aged man.

“Hello and welcome, my lady. What brings you here today?” he asked. “In truth, before we begin, the Intelligence Guild requires an initial payment. Then, depending on the nature of your request, we may levy an additional—”

I tossed a bag of gold coins onto the table, then gave the man my brightest smile. “Bring me the guild master.”