NHVTP 07

Episode 007

Ian Crawford already knew. That she had eavesdropped on the secret conversation.

I’m certain.

Thinking that, all color drained from Diana’s face.

What should she do now?

If she admits it, her parents will be in danger.

But if she denies it, she fears the consequences.

If she honestly says she heard everything, she’ll get tangled with the villain no matter what.

Though she knew she had to keep smiling, maintaining composure was difficult.

Conflicted, conflicted again, while rushing to answer—

“It was a joke.”

“…What?”

“Hoho, I said that because I wanted to see your flustered face again, Miss Diana. I spoke out of turn.”

…A joke?

No, that wasn’t a joke.

You’re not so clumsy that you’d make such a slip while apologizing.

You just threatened me!

Diana suppressed the urge to shout.

“Little Duke… you’re more mischievous than you appear.”

She deliberately spoke softly, not wanting to reveal her trembling voice.

“That was too much. It didn’t sound like a joke at all to me.”

“Oh my. I see you don’t like harsh jokes. Sorry.”

“Next time I won’t accept your apologies.”

“Then I’ll take it that you’ll accept it today. Next time I’ll send something better than flowers.”

No, I don’t want anything more from you. I just don’t want to get involved!

Today was the first time Diana thought the smile on his face looked like a venomous snake.

She smiled back while glaring at him, but Ian simply lifted and put down his teacup calmly.

What on earth is he thinking?

As silence fell, Diana’s mind grew even more confused.

If his goal was intimidation, he should have just met me alone from the start.

Being the villain, he could easily kill Diana and her mother in a staged accident if he wished.

Then why come all the way here?

He’s not a fool. He wouldn’t expect me to admit I heard anything.

She didn’t know.

She couldn’t guess what he wanted by coming this far.

“Miss Diana.”

It was then Ian called her in a clear voice.

“If you’re willing, I’d like to walk in the garden with you. Would you kindly show me around?”

“…”

Threatened moments ago, and now this request?

There’s a saying, “The one who smiles when it’s tough is top class.”

By that measure, Ian Crawford was a first-class villain.

Diana reluctantly nodded.

The garden was beautiful.

Especially the blooming roses that caught her eye, everywhere vivid red.

Walking between them, the two looked like a perfect pair.

At least on the surface.

“From over there, those are Rubicara, Empire, and Avril roses. All carefully selected and cultivated.”

“I heard the Wellingtons have many rare rose varieties. Do you have a favorite flower?”

“…I like Avril roses best. They bloom beautifully in early summer.”

“I’ll remember that.”

Ian was much more gentlemanly and kind than during their last walk.

That was exactly the problem.

Something’s wrong.

The villain who had strictly drawn boundaries was now exploring her tastes and showing interest.

Not a legendary love, but at least a polite fiancé.

This isn’t good. This is a very bad sign!

Diana’s instincts sharply raised alarm.

The problem: she couldn’t use a flimsy excuse to escape. This was her home. Where else could she run?

No way… he deliberately came to the mansion for this?

She thought she had twisted the original story well, but somehow was back at square one.

A shiver ran through her.

“Miss Diana?”

“Yes?”

“I’m a bit disappointed. It would be nice if you asked about my favorite flowers, too.”

“Ah…”

Ian’s face, sneaking a glance at her, looked so pleased she wondered why.

She had no choice but to ask.

“Do you have a favorite flower, Little Duke?”

“I like hydrangeas.”

“Hydrangeas?”

“Yes. Hydrangeas are like water torture… no, if you soak them in water, they quickly regain their vigor.”

Did he just say water torture?

He definitely said water torture!

“That vitality really appeals to me.”

Seeing Diana’s fallen expression, Ian laughed.

“But roses are truly the queen of flowers. I like that they bloom surrounded by thorns. Blooming in adversity is beautiful.”

“…You have a distinct aesthetic.”

“Miss Diana is so beautiful, surely you have faced your own adversities?”

He smoothly changed the subject.

Again, she was the topic of interest.

“How is society life? I wonder if you’ve had any difficulties.”

“Well, not really.”

Even if there were, they weren’t topics to share with him.

Carmine and Mio’s faces flickered in her mind briefly, then disappeared.

Like Ian, she skillfully changed the subject.

“I’m more curious about your situation. You meet so many people. Is it hard?”

“It would be a lie to say no.”

Luckily, Ian didn’t dodge the question.

“Having many relationships is exhausting and tricky. Many emphasize their own circumstances and reasons excessively.”

“That sounds difficult.”

“They’re all hypocrites and full of obvious excuses.”

“…”

“Sometimes it’s unbearable.”

A sneer lingered on Ian’s lips.

That was the most honest yet cutting remark she heard today.

“Do you dislike hypocritical people, Little Duke?”

He’s so hypocritical himself…

Diana couldn’t bring herself to say this aloud and just stared at him.

Suddenly Ian stopped walking.

“What’s wrong, Little Duke?”

“…”

“Was that a rude question?”

“No. Not that… I’m Ian, not Little Duke. Have you forgotten my name?”

“What?”

Ian suddenly changed the subject and even took her hand.

“I’d like you to call me by name properly. It hurts hearing that title all the time.”

“But we…”

Ian gently pulled her closer.

Though they each took a step forward, they were close enough to see her smooth skin like marble.

“If everyone calls me Little Duke, my name becomes useless.”

Excuse me, but where do you live and who are you?

Diana truly wanted to ask.

The gap between the fierce Little Duke and the sly man was huge.

Could people’s attitudes really flip like a palm?

“If calling me now feels awkward, please start calling me Ian from our next meeting.”

“Ah, okay…”

“Will you promise?”

“I promise. So please let go of my hand and step back so we can talk.”

Ian looked satisfied watching Diana desperately avoid his gaze.

He chuckled and pretended to kiss her finger joint.

Startled, Diana pulled her hand away quickly.

He didn’t stop her but his smile deepened.

“I trust you’ll keep your promise.”

The clever villain’s deliberate contact had worked well.

“Next time, I’ll show you around the duke’s garden.”

Thanks to this, Diana realized a moment too late:

Ian had smoothly set the next meeting.

After Ian left,

Diana lay on the bed staring blankly at the ceiling.

She didn’t know how she had managed to see Ian Crawford off.

Where had she chosen wrong?

“…What now?”

Diana admitted to herself:

Honestly, I thought possession stories would be different.

If I scratched a lottery ticket, maybe I’d get first prize.

Maybe I’d get a 5-star character.

I thought I could twist the original story.

Everyone hopes for that much!

Is that so bad? Everyone’s allowed to have illusions!

If failure is the mother of success, Diana’s recent pedigree was a total mess.

No one blamed her, but she was furious alone.

How could nothing go her way?

The kind heroine, the handsome male lead, and the villain who deserved to die.

Characters in novels were so predictable.

The couples who confirmed love after hardships were special, the villain who failed at everything was pathetic.

So she thought she understood.

After all, this is just a novel. The people in front of me are just characters.

If I get past this moment, it’ll be fine… I thought the villain character I know would be like this.

But from the moment she became Diana Wellington, the opponent wasn’t a novel character but a person on equal footing.

Had she forgotten she was dealing with a person, not a character?

A character was easy. Person-to-person was much harder.