NOVEL WEB chapter 8
Chapter 8, The Stars of the Stage!
This was not the first time Celicia had met Mu En; in fact, before the coming-of-age ceremony, the story had already unfolded at St. Marika Academy for a whole academic year.
During that year, although they were in different grades and classes, Celicia still occasionally heard about the deeds of Mu En Campbell.
Of course, those deeds were all misdeeds.
She had also had several encounters with Mu En Campbell himself, and the conclusion was consistent with the rumors: he was of low character, arrogant and haughty, unlearned and unskilled, and even when facing her, the princess, he still looked down on others with his nose in the air—a true scion of a wealthy family.
But today, he seemed a bit different?
“Is it because he has become a bit more polite?”
After a casual thought, Celicia quickly reined in her musings.
The attention Mu En garnered from her was merely due to that unpleasant fiancé identity.
Other than that, he held no worth for her to waste her time on.
“Princess Celicia seems a bit weary from travel; why not go inside and rest for a while? The banquet won’t officially start for some time yet.”
Just as Celicia was about to find an excuse to leave, Mu En had already gracefully offered a suggestion.
Celicia was momentarily taken aback by his words, her cold gaze involuntarily sweeping over Mu En’s unchanged face.
When did this guy become so considerate?
Remember back in the academy, Mu En had actively pursued her several times, which made her somewhat annoyed.
She thought this time would also involve a prolonged entanglement.
“Alright, thank you for your trouble.”
Cecilia nodded gently, then followed the maid called by Mu En to a specially prepared VIP room for a brief rest.
“Ha. Finally gone, that was indeed a bit frightening.”
Watching Cecilia’s figure disappear from view, Mu En finally let out a sigh of relief.
Unknowingly, his back was already damp with sweat.
“Truly worthy of being the first female lead in the original book, her aura is indeed intimidating.”
Just standing in front of her gave one the feeling of being in a frozen wasteland, an endless chill creeping up from the soles of the feet.
It’s so cold outside; if I were to have a deep conversation with her, I wonder if I would freeze my balls off.
—Mu En thought somewhat wickedly.
But that’s no longer my concern; anyway, I can only look and not really marry her. I just hope that when I drug her tonight, I don’t end up shaking.
After indulging in a flurry of thoughts, Mu En suddenly felt the crowd around him becoming chaotic.
It seemed something surprising was happening, and many people were whispering among themselves.
“That illegitimate daughter actually came too…”
“That woman who dueled with her former fiancé not long ago?”
“I heard Count Bugarde just handed over the heir’s position to her.”
“Ugh! Being an illegitimate child and a woman, how can she have the right to inherit the title of count?”
“Sigh, I wonder what Count Bugarde is thinking.”
“Shh, the count is here too, don’t let him hear.”
Listening to the deliberately lowered whispers around him, Mu En’s alertness instantly shot up to the highest level.
His palms even began to sweat, more nervous than when facing Cecilia just now.
No other reason, but the one who could provoke such discussions among the surrounding nobles could only be one person.
Mu En’s gaze turned towards the eye of the new storm.
Clearly, in this occasion where everyone was dressed to the nines, she still wore a simple dress, her black hair casually draped, surrounded by the idle chatter of others, yet confidence radiated from her brows and eyes, with a smirk that expressed disdain.
Her appearance was not as stunningly perfect as Cecilia’s, but she was still quite pleasing to the eye; aside from her utterly flat chest, which bore no difference from her back, she was indeed a beauty in the making.
But one should not be deceived by her plain appearance amid the glamorous noble girls.
Because she is…
“Ariel Bugarde.”
The true protagonist of the original book, the ultimate proud woman who only loves other women.
Not long ago, I had defeated my betrothed, who had broken off our engagement three years ago, in a duel that showcased my growth. I completed a leap from being a illegitimate daughter to the first heir of a count, slapping the faces of numerous family elders and onlookers, leaving their jaws on the floor.
It can be said that from birth to experiences, from personality to appearance, I was the perfect embodiment of the template that defines a protagonist.
“Yo, Young Master Mu’en, we meet again. How have you been lately?”
Ariel curved her unruly lips as she walked up to Mu’en. Although she had to look up at him due to her height, her eyes held none of the humility displayed by others.
She did not bow, as if greeting a close friend.
But Mu’en knew that his relationship with Alice Bougarde was far from “good.”
Ariel spoke this way simply because she truly did not care about the identity of the duke’s son.
“You unreasonable guy, how dare you talk to Young Master Mu’en…”
At this moment, it was inevitable that a henchman of the arrogant young master would jump out to ensure the protagonist’s show-off went smoothly.
Sure enough, a noble lad beside Mu’en, seemingly eager to curry favor with him, was already preparing to step in and teach this illegitimate child a lesson before Mu’en could say anything.
However, Mu’en directly pushed him back. What a joke; how could he allow someone to create animosity for him at such a moment?
“I’ve been quite well, Miss Ariel Bougarde.”
Mu’en still wore a flawless smile and performed an impeccable noble greeting towards Alice.
“Thank you for your concern.”
“Ah, you.”
Ariel looked at Mu’en’s courteous demeanor, instantly revealing an expression as if she had seen a ghost.
What the hell, this bully who had mocked her at every encounter—when did he become so polite?
Moreover, he didn’t refer to her as the lowly illegitimate child; he called her by her full name!
Her full name!
That brain of his, about the size of a walnut, actually remembered her full name!
“Has he finally come to his senses… or is there some conspiracy at play?”
Ariel touched her fair chin, her gaze cautiously scanning around Mu’en, fearful that he might drop his cup as a signal for two hundred assassins to come out and chop her into pieces.
However, Mu’en paid no mind to Ariel’s suspicious look and quickly shifted his gaze to the inconspicuous girl who had come with her.
Big.
Very big.
As grand as towering mountains.
This was the first thought that crossed Mu’en’s mind when he looked at that girl.
The girl was the complete opposite of Ariel; the tightly fitted gown accentuated her figure to the point where one couldn’t help but worry that its contents might burst forth. It took him a moment to notice her innocent, endearing face that evoked sympathy.
“Hello, Miss Lia.” Mu’en greeted her with a smile.
“Eh? How does Young Master Mu’en know my name?”
A girl named Lia blinked cutely and asked in surprise.
“Hehe, how could I possibly not know the name of tonight’s important guest?”
Mu En’s manners were still impeccable, leaving the girl a bit at a loss.
However, Mu En’s actions were certainly not just out of politeness; more importantly, it was due to the girl’s identity.
Lia Angel, the childhood friend of the protagonist.
Though on the surface she appeared to be just an ordinary baron’s daughter, her status was not particularly noble.
In reality, Lia was now one of the candidates for the Saint of the Church of Life, undergoing what was known as the worldly trial, which was why she concealed her identity and stayed close to Ariel.
And since she stood beside the protagonist, it was no surprise that she would eventually become a true Saint of the Church of Life, a position far superior to that of Mu En, an ordinary duke’s son.
“Mu En Campbell, what do you want?”
Ariel stepped in front of Lia, her piercing phoenix eyes fixed intently on Mu En:
“I warn you, don’t even think about having any ill intentions toward Lia!”
“How could that be? I’m just saying hello.”
“Who would believe that?”
“Alright, if you don’t believe me, then there’s nothing I can do.”
Mu En shrugged helplessly and once again kindly guided the two.
“Why don’t you two go inside? It’s cold out here, and it wouldn’t be good for two beauties to freeze.”
“You—”
Ariel’s eyes widened suddenly, staring at Mu En for a moment.
Finally, unable to hold back a shiver, she grabbed Lia’s hand and walked inside, not forgetting to mutter:
“Such a delicate act, disgusting.”