Simona Kuhn
The reason Simona Kuhn harbored malice toward the woman who got off on seeing strong men broken was, if you traced it back, because it all started with that man. The hulking giant currently dancing some bizarre routine in the center of everyone's attention.
'Hans... was it?'
Indeed, her eyes hadn't been wrong yesterday. Lick. That man was a powerhouse whose defeated form promised exquisite pleasure. She'd seen it, if only for a moment. Just earlier, he'd stood tall—not just confident, but outright defiant—in front of Cron and Fabian.
'An unnamed powerhouse, huh.'
Not backed by royalty like Fabian, nor leading a pack of loyalty-mad lunatics like Cron. Just a guard from some fallen ducal house. Which made him 100% her type of prey. The kind she could toy with, shatter, and watch sob rivers of tears. Grind! That's why an immense jealousy boiled up inside her.
Toward that cheeky bitch prancing and giggling in front of the man she'd marked.
'What the hell is that country bumpkin?'
Directed at a woman in tacky, outdated clothes from head to toe, utterly devoid of any sophistication.
'Acting all low-class...'
Simona began shooting daggers of malice her way. Of course, she wasn't the only one jealous of Nadia. Most were envious not because she "suited Hans," but because she was hogging all the crowd's attention. Even right at the next table over.
"What's her deal? Isn't she faking that pure act?"
"Probably just craving attention."
"People still fall for the good-girl pretense?"
"Nah, it's the 'I'm special' vibe. Kinda rude to say, but the way she acts... it's a bit much, right?"
"Yeah, too pushy to get close to."
"Calling it fake might make me sound like a jerk, but what can you do? That's how it looks."
"Did you see? She was like, 'Here, a gift!' handing out these weird bracelets to make friends. Does she think no one sees she's just fishing for attention?"
They giggled among themselves, gossiping away.
"...What's wrong with the bracelet?"
Cron appeared out of nowhere.
"Eek."
"Say that again in front of me. What's wrong with this bracelet?"
"..."
"Is wanting attention a crime? Aren't you lot yapping behind her back for the same reason—to get noticed?"
"..."
"Hahaha! Cowards too scared of rejection to even approach."
"..."
They shut up like honey-muzzled mutes. Cron turned from them and started muttering as he wandered about.
"What kind of dance do I even...—like this? Or—?"
Seeing that, Simona's jealousy ballooned rapidly. Nadia.
'What does a hick like her have?'
Hovering around her chosen prey, drawing unearned attention—Simona's malice surged toward the unqualified woman. Just like at the academy, she pondered whom to use this time to vent her seething envy and jealousy while claiming that prey for herself. And then...
'...Oh ho.'
Her eyes caught a guy wearing just the right expression. Lick. A man she'd known since the academy, originally a candidate for her prey list.
'Right, there you are.'
His face was perfect for using.
'Ivan Hellenger.'
......
Ivan Hellenger was consumed by jealousy. Grind! The one who wanted to be the ball's star more than anyone. The one who should've been bathed in that spotlight! Not those lowlifes!
'They think that's good?'
Anyone could see it wasn't dancing. Why were those idiots stealing all the attention? Veins bulged on his forehead; he was pissed beyond measure.
'Ah... this sucks...'
His cheeks quivered with rage. He barely suppressed the urge to snort like a bull.
Fury boiled over the things that stole the attention that should've been his. And what pissed him off even more was that clueless bitch standing there doing nothing.
'Aaaaaargh!!!'
Karina. Seeing her casually watching the floor made his temper flare; his face flushed red and purple. If not for the crowd, he'd stomp and scream right in her ear.
Grind! Grind! He gnashed his teeth, unleashing silent wrath at Karina for one reason.
'Why—!!! Didn't you bring it up—!!!'
She hadn't mentioned the "Monster Island subjugation" topic from their earlier chat—the one that should've made him the center of attention by now.
His original plan:
1. The ball begins.
2. Ivan Hellenger approaches his friend Karina at the VIP table, gracefully and casually suggesting a dance.
3. Karina takes the lead, steering the conversation like this:
- "By the way, Ivan, you're on fire lately, huh?"
- "What're you talking about?"
- "Heard you succeeded on that Monster Island subjugation recently."
- "Not something to brag about."
- "You know? Rumors are flying that you didn't actually do it."
- "Whatever."
- "What? Doesn't that piss you off? Subjugating Monster Island is a huge feat! Who's deliberately downplaying it?"
- "You know I don't care about rumors."
- "So aloof! The trading companies running fishing boats in the Dead Sea and the fishermen—they know who to thank!"
- "Enough, it's a ball for fun."
- "I can't let it slide. Everyone needs to know you conquered Monster Island."
- "Let's just dance."
- "Some people are even dragging me into it! I just stopped by near your fleet on tower business, hopped on briefly, and now they're twisting it to undermine you!"
- "Well, if you're that mad..."
Exactly like that—word-for-word from Ivan's script. Loud enough for everyone around to hear. If anyone asked, great; if not, his adjutants would jump in and hype it up. Until his feat dominated the VIP chatter.
That was the plan he'd drilled into Karina. And the timing earlier had been perfect!
'Isn't that Ivan Hellenger?'
'Handsom-er than the rumors.'
'Sword skills must be top-tier, right?'
'Heard he conquered Monster Island.'
'That one's got people talking.'
'What about?'
'Well—.'
The murmurs surrounding him as he boldly approached Karina, greeting her like old pals. That was prime time. The perfect chance to quash all doubts about Monster Island and claim the spotlight.
But—.
'...You're watching that crap now—!!!'
Karina, who should've started the act upon his dance request, ignored it all. For that oversized hick!
'Hans? Staring at some low-rent nobody named that...'
Grind. Ironically, by now Ivan had dismissed suspicions that the brute was the monster he'd sought. Normal Hans didn't match the sketch much, and more importantly, he'd unconsciously cleared him after seeing him mingle naturally with heavyweights like Fabian and Cron.
Just jealousy mixed with irritation and anger. It leaked onto Ivan Hellenger's face, whose next dance was with Karina.
***
The music ended. Clap clap clap clap clap—!
As I returned with Nadia, applause poured from all sides.
'Ah... this is kinda overwhelming...'
And some were even waiting at my seat! The young ladies approached with flushed cheeks, saying the unbelievable.
"If it's not too rude, do you have a partner set for the next dance?"
"Me too!"
"What? I got here first."
I was a bit stunned.
'Huh.'
In this world's original novel setting, where men usually asked women, this was rare. Fabian the golden knight captain might get it, but me? As I turned my head at the unexpected barrage of requests—
—Whatever. Cron stared at me with that expression, already looking burdened by Nadia's bright smile upon her return.
'This... is honestly a lot...'
"Haha. My stomach's acting up—mind if I step out for some fresh air?"
Sweat dripping, I tried to slip away from the crowd.
That's when it happened.
"Oh! Karina, you heard, right?"
"Huh?"
"That Monster Island subjugation rumor from before! You know how people are spreading weird crap lately!"
A loud voice erupted from across the way. Ivan Hellenger, gripping Karina's shoulder.
I didn't know why he was suddenly gunning it, but he barked like he was exposing some scandal.
'Fine, steal the spotlight for once...'
He didn't seem to recognize me from our last encounter. I sighed softly and turned back toward the princess's group.
That's when it happened.
"Huh? Monster Island?"
Nadia in front of me reacted to the faintly heard word, eyes wide.
Ivan and Karina whipped around. Despite the distance, the crowd between them and Nadia parted slightly, opening a path for the conversation.
Just before I could speak, Nadia blurted one more thing.
"Is it about Hans?"
All eyes snapped to me in an instant.
'Nadia!'
'Ah, sorry!'
She had enough sense not to mention the "test subject" stuff from before, swallowing it down. Come to think of it, I hadn't called it a secret.
People alternated odd looks between Ivan and me at her offhand remark. As attention peaked—
"K-Karina. What... what does that mean?"
"Ivan."
Karina, oddly calm compared to the visibly rattled Ivan, spoke up.
"That's the guy."
"Wh... what?!"
"The one who subjugated Monster Island before us."
"?!?"
A beat of silence followed.
Then the crowd around Nadia and me exploded.
Woooaaah—!
......
And at that moment.
For the first time today, the head of the Northern Duke—called the kingdom's greatest martial force—snapped around.