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T/N: Today Id like to thank my Cookie Donors Wilder and Diana! Thank you so much for the sweets and the kind words

When Im once again standing in front of the huge doors out in the hallway, I let out a huge sigh of relief. I was finally able to get out of that suffocating room.

Now I would like nothing more than to hurry up and go home and gorge myself on a healthy helping of macarons. So, with that thought forefront in mind, I start walking back through the palace, trying to retrace my steps.

I wonder if Ill be able to successfully find the way out on my own though? Since Id been following the maid the whole time when I came in, my memory is a bit hazy. I really hadnt been paying attention to where I was going..

..Did we come down this hallway? It doesnt look familiar Hm, and I dont remember passing by that large vase either

I glance over at the portraits that hang on the wall hoping they might jog my memory. One depicts a young boy with sky blue hair and deep, ocean blue eyes. which Im thinking must be of the king from when he was a young. It seems that back then, his hair was a shade lighter than it is now.

And standing next to that boy in the portrait is a kind looking man that I think might be his father, the previous king? Hm, thats odd. The longer I look, the more I feel like Ive seen him somewhere before..

Though, if I had met him, Im sure I would remember, so maybe its just my imagination.

Alicia? I hear Duke-Sama call out to me.

I slowly turn in the direction of his voice. Hes standing a couple meters away right next to a huge window with light streaming in. It illuminates his hair and I notice a faint glittering near his earlobe.

Is that. an earring? When wed been sitting at the table together, I hadnt noticed it.

Duke-Sama stands there for a moment, seeming to be waiting for something, but when I dont say anything or make a move to draw closer, he takes the initiative to walk over to me. As he draws near, I strain my eyes to get a better look at his earring.

Its made of a radiant blue jewel. most likely a magic gemstone. Its something that can only be made once you reach level 100. Which means that Duke-Sama must have already acquired level 100 magical abilities, right? That makes him one of the top magic users in the whole world..

Come to think of it. I do feel like rather than the heroine, Duke-Sama was the one who reached level 100 faster during the game. But was it really this fast?

What are you doing here? Duke-Sama murmurs to me gently, stopping just a few inches away.

I would prefer it if you wouldnt address me from this distance. Youre much too close.

..As for that question, it would be bad for a villainess to admit that shes lost, wouldnt it?

I was just doing a bit of exploring, I say, trying to hide my embarrassment behind a quick smile.

But Duke-Samas eyes seem to see right through me. Even before he asked, he probably already knew that I was lost.

Ah, those eyes. Id appreciate it if you wouldnt stare at me with that sexy gaze.

Shall I accompany you to the front gates? Duke-Sama suggests, letting a faint smile slip onto his face.

This sort of treatment. is precisely how youd treat a precious little sister, isnt it? I should be fine as long as Im getting the sibling treatment, right?

Though, its still a mystery how Duke-Sama came to like me in the first place. During the game, I thought he absolutely detested Alicia.

Could it be. that all this time hes been acting fond of me in order to make it easier to get rid of me later? His affectionate attitude was actually just a guise to cover up his resentment for me.

Yeah, that seems rather far fetched. Even for me. And, ever since Henry-Oniisama told me his true thoughts about Liz-san, Ive started to doubt how much of the game has carried over into reality.

Alicia? Duke-Sama says, scrutinizing my expression. He leans into me, bringing his face even closer to mine.

Gulp.

.This is bad.

Please step back a bit. I dont think my heart can take much more of this proximity. At this distance, I can even smell Duke-Samas delicious scent drifting towards me. He smells so unbelievably good. It makes all the fatigue from the ordeal earlier just melt entirely away.

But at the same time, it makes my heart beat faster. I just know that my face must be turning red right now as well.

How deplorable. As a villainess, I shouldnt be allowing my feelings to be showing on my face like this.

Duke-Samas tender gaze pierces me as he lets out a little laugh.

Youre face is bright red.

I know! I know, so theres no need for you to point it out! Is he. teasing me right now?

Im slowly becoming more and more certain that he is. Though, with that certainty Im realizing just how much of a mystery Duke-Sama is to me.

When I saw him on the screen, I always thought of him as the cool and collected type, the sort of person that tends to keep people an arms breadth away. but after interacting with him, that doesnt really seem to fit. For one thing, he never acts distant. He always closes the distance between us right away and somehow always seems to see right through me. And with looking at him now, I would say he might have a bit of a mean streak as well.

Duke-Sama, just what sort of person are you really?

At my question, Duke-Sama stiffens and draws back a fraction. He blinks a couple of times and stares at me hard.

Was my question really that surprising?

I cant seem to get a read on you.

Get a read on me?

Yes. Do you enjoy teasing me like this?

Duke-Samas eyes fly open and his expression looks startled for a moment, but almost immediately after it softens again into a tender smile.

I certainly dont hate teasing you, he tells me with a smirk, roughly ruffling my hair.

.Saying that line with that expression!? Thats cheating. All of your fans will swoon, you know. In truth, if I hadnt been aiming to become a villainess, Im sure I would be swooning too, or at the very least Id be having a nosebleed right about now.

See? I definitely cant comprehend this mans intentions after all. One second his smile is so sweet, and then the next he makes that sort of rakish grin while tousling my hair. To be able to pull off a stunt like that so smoothly, he really is just like a prince charming. And hes way too charming for his own good.

Come on, lets go, Duke-Sama says, and without waiting for my answer, he starts walking away.

At a time like this, would it be best for me to follow behind him? Or maybe Im supposed to walk beside him? I just dont know. Though, what I do know is that whenever Duke-Sama gets too close to me, my image as a villainess ends up in shambles. So its probably best for me if I keep at least a little bit of distance between us, huh?

So, staying just a few steps behind, I follow him towards the front entrance.

And for Duke-Samas part, he doesnt argue or question the distance, he just kindly matches his pace to mine as he silently leads the way.

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Duke-Samas tender gaze pierces me as he lets out a little laugh.

Youre face is bright red.

T/N: Kyaaa what a cute rendition of Dukes teasing by Kagami Min!! To all the shoujo lovers out there, what do you think? I just love how troubled Alicia looks haha. And Dukes smirk! >.<

If you want to see more of their work, you should check out their Instagram! Or, better yet, theyre taking commissions! Have any other scenes that youve been longing to see? Theyre an instant message away on IG haha.

On a completely separate note, I kind of love how last chapter we had a politics and an economics debate and this chapter we get pure shoujo lol. I wonder what the next chapter will bring? Any guesses? XD