Chapter 489
Chapter 489
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 489
Chapter Title: Doctor Gam Deok-bae (25)
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Is it really okay for me to join the party? Iris asked me to stay by her side, but... well, our social standings are worlds apart. What if I tag along and get an earful? As a commoner, I had no choice but to worry.
Honestly, it felt like too much.
"Ah, don't worry about it. It's a party to celebrate Iris's full recovery."
"...A recovery celebration?"
"Yeah. She got better thanks to you, after all... So a doctor like you joining in? No issue there. And anyway, we're just inviting close acquaintances for something small and intimate. So don't overthink it. Just keep it basic, basic is fine."
"...I see. Understood."
Once the host herself said that, there was no reason for me not to go. I'd have to borrow clothes for the dress code, but... this was an experience in itself. I could enjoy it moderately and slip away quietly. With the pressure gone, I started looking forward to the party with excitement.
"Lord Ruin, are you ready... Whoa..."
"Miss, you're still getting ready!"
"R-right... I'll wait outside, then."
And on the day of the party, after getting nabbed by Maria...
I'd been remade from head to toe.
They weren't super expensive, but the shoes had some flair, and the tuxedo fit perfectly without being too flashy. With wax slicking my hair back... Ugh, I feel sleazy. I looked like a typical extra guy from a romance fantasy world. And the bow tie? I hated it... Did I really have to wear this?
"That's the key point!"
I tried to loosen it and got scolded.
-Creak
"Mm, ah, Lady Iris. I'm ready."
"Please... couldn't you dress like this all the time?"
"Eh? Well..."
"No, why not?! It suits you so well!"
"......It's uncomfortable."
"Boo... That's no fun!"
Was this coordination tailored to Iris's tastes? She was beaming so brightly it was noticeable. But even so, I had no intention of dressing like this regularly. A broke doctor in a tuxedo? What was I thinking? I wanted to change into a baggy shirt right now.
"More importantly... you look truly stunning."
"......You think so?"
"It's a feast for the eyes."
"Oh... Hehe, all that effort paid off."
On the other hand, Iris in her dress... was an angel in pure white. The pristine white gown enveloped her innocent purity. No extravagant decorations, which only made her seem more noble. Her wavy golden hair and the faint glimpse of her collarbone. Ah, to think such a beautiful girl had sucked my dick... My heart raced with forbidden thrill.
I wanted to pin her down and make her mine right then.
"Dirk. Hand."
"......Huh?"
"Hand."
"......Here."
"Hehe, perfect. Escort me like this."
Did she notice my gaze?
Her cheeks were flushed too. I felt a strong tremble in our clasped hands. This wasn't good... My feelings kept getting real. It felt just like we were actual lovers. Forcing down that affection, I walked with Iris to the garden. The party was in the Reinhardt estate's 'Ortus' garden.
"Ah, there you are? Come over here."
"Hehe, dressing up like this at home feels weird... Oh, oh my?!"
"Long time no see."
"Lu... Lord Lucius!"
And there, I met this world's main male lead.
Lucius Lichtenstein.
The prince of this kingdom.
I never expected to run into him here...
Getting close to the Reinhardt family really was the right call, huh?
Cold sweat trickled down at the unexpected encounter.
But... damn, he was insanely handsome. Black hair like the night sky, eyes deep with melancholy like stars. A ridiculously small head... Ah, whatever. I hated myself for admiring him involuntarily. Handsome is handsome—what more explanation? My mood soured, and I clenched my fist.
"Oh my, Lord Ruin."
But that was my mistake.
Thinking it was jealousy, she giggled softly and stepped closer, clinging to me. Was she trying to show him she had no feelings left? She hooked her arm in mine like a girlfriend and introduced me.
"Say hello. This is Lord Ruin, who treated me."
"Ho... Pleased to meet you."
"And this is..."
"Ah, I know. An honor to meet you, Your Highness."
"So you're Dirk Ruin."
"Y-yes."
"Hm, as a longtime friend of House Reinhardt, allow me to thank you. You've lifted a weight from my heart. Recovering here, I hear?"
"Yes."
"May the goddess's grace shine upon you."
"Thank you!"
Still... he seemed like a decent guy?
Praying for me on first meeting? Pretty likable. Was he perfect even in personality, like a true main lead? He'd rank top-tier even among Siwoos. Honestly, I'd be friends with him. But that black mist coiling around his heart bothered me... Hm, better play dumb for now. I stopped 'Observation' after checking his condition.
-Bang!
"I-I'm here!"
Then an uninvited guest... no, invited one arrived.
Serphine Reinhardt.
The crazy woman who'd punched me in the gut on first sight.
I'd forgiven her because of her huge tits, but... damn, was she an exhibitionist? Serphine in her dress was even bolder than usual. A red gown that threatened to spill her breasts with the slightest move. A necklace adorning her cleavage that screamed luxury. So that's the grace of nobility. I was genuinely impressed.
"H-hello!"
In contrast, the girl beside Serphine... was pitiful.
Marsha Rune.
The knight I'd met recently, the idiot who'd cut meal times for training... Standing next to busty Serphine, her flat chest stood out even more. I felt bad for her. She'd tried covering with frills, but... limits exist. It only amplified the pathos of her efforts. I felt guilty just looking.
But... she was still a beauty, so that helped.
Was it her first party? Marsha stuck close to Serphine, scanning around. Yeah... that pure innocence changed things. Refined like an elf, yet acting so rustic. The gap moe was real.
Main cast really were different.
A smile came naturally at the arrival of two beauties rivaling Iris...
Came...
......Huh?
"Hi, Sirius! We're here!"
Pink hair, pink eyes. Pink... no, this was romance fantasy. Anyway, that standout beauty among the leads... was this world's heroine. Bright smile, lively voice. Confidence like she knew she was the protagonist. Ah, heroines are heroines.
My heart pounded.
Any man... anyone would fall for her.
Her laugh alone made people happy.
This is love...
Bullshit!
"Huff, huff..."
"Lord Ruin?"
"Sorry, I'm not feeling great..."
"Oh no, what do we do?!"
I bit my lip to snap out of it.
My mind had blurred without me realizing.
She was stunning, sure... but on Iris's level at best. I'd fuck her all day, but heart-pounding real? Nonsense. Not for me. Sure, big tits for a romance heroine... but not soul-selling. Probably had a 'Charm' skill or something...
Phew, good thing my standards were high.
One slip, and it'd be NTR city.
"Chloe! You made it!"
"Ooh, dressed up nice! Looking sharp?"
"Y-yeah? Haha..."
"And who's that... Huh? W-wait, that knight from before?!"
"......This is surprising."
Look at that—those two handsome bastards were head over heels for her.
Sirius overjoyed at the heroine's appearance, Lucius shocked but with an upturned lip. Phew, the male leads were already her captives.
"What? You two know each other?"
"Huh? Kinda... Hehe, I told you! The knight who saved me and Marsha. Didn't know he was Sirius's friend... Wow, small world, right?"
"Whaaat? That wasn't a joke?!"
"Joke? No way! How could it be?!"
"N-no way... Wait, Lucius, you mentioned a girl you liked. Was it... Ch-Chloe? Huh? Was it?!"
"...So her name is Chloe."
"Ehhh? W-wait! Lucius is... the prince?! You're the prince?!"
The chaos unfolded naturally.
Man, total mayhem.
Looks like Chloe was who Iris wanted to introduce me to... Hm, whatever. Thanks to this, I met everyone I needed. Rude Sirius, decent Lucius. And Chloe, presumed Charm skill user. But 'Observation' wouldn't work on her...
Protagonist perk?
This... wouldn't be easy.
How to break that love triangle?
As I pondered deeply...
"Ah, you're Mr. Dirk, right? I've wanted to meet you! Nice to meet you!"
Chloe called my name.
Suddenly, Sirius and Lucius glared at me, along with Iris. Huh? And Marsha sparkling-eyed, Serphine amused. What the hell? The mood turned weird.