The Uncle's Obsession with Ellen (2)
Entering the social hall alongside my master's warning. Officially, I was playing the role of her escort knight, so I couldn't wander around. I had to stand guard at the edge of the ballroom like a stone statue. Well, I wasn't here to have fun anyway, so no hard feelings there. I was getting vicarious thrills just watching the trio all dolled up.
Especially my master... How the hell did she pull off looking perfect in anything? She usually favored black outfits, and the red dress blended with her like it was made for her body. I'd thought black was her signature look—hell, it suited her so well I'd pegged it as her vibe—but nope, I was wrong. She made any outfit flawless. Nah, screw that—the outfit was wearing her! Hehe... Calm down, excitement. Time to scan the surroundings carefully.
A gross smell? Master mentioned it, but I couldn't sense a damn thing. Maybe because I was aware of it, I just felt a faint unease. Or maybe it was like pre-battle jitters. Either way, I decided to focus on what I could actually see.
Ellen was chattering away, already surrounded by a gaggle of noble ladies. At these regular socials, she was practically a newbie, so all the attention was natural. She started easing into the topics she'd prepped while making small talk.
"You're Lady Solaris, right? Pleasure to meet you!"
"Yes! I'm Ellen Solaris. In a few days, I'll be taking over the territory!"
"Oh my, so you'll be the family head?"
"Yep! I'd appreciate everyone's interest in the upcoming succession ceremony!"
She'd tee it up like that a few times, then...
"Um... who's that gentleman beside you...?"
"My husband! This is Bell!"
"Haha... Ellen...?"
Roni was sweating bullets, looking flustered. Given the situation, she had to roll with the blatant fib. To outsiders, it just looked like bashful embarrassment—and damn if that didn't hook them. The ladies were stomping their feet in excitement.
"Oh my goodness!"
"It's not set in stone yet, but... hehe!"
A few rounds of that routine, and Ellen had become the whirlwind of the ball. Her etiquette wasn't flawless, but it had polish. The back-and-forth banter even included playful jabs.
"Hoho, isn't your fiancé just too charming, Lady Solaris? Lord Bell, any interest in our perfume atelier?"
Even when some other noble lady shot flirty glances, Ellen deflected with finesse.
"Lady, if you wanna chat with my Bell, get in line over there!"
"He's our Bell!"
Points where the old Ellen might've flipped tables or thrown tantrums? She breezed right past them. She handled off-script moments on the fly. The star of the party, through and through! Ellen had grown beyond what anyone could've imagined two months ago. Her imperfect manners had turned into charm. That casual tone clicked perfectly with these sheltered greenhouse flowers.
And all this theater? It was for one man. Come on out, you sleazy bastard.
It didn't take long for my target to enter my sights. Viscount Artis, who'd been leering from afar, finally made his move. He beelined for Ellen like it was his god-given right.
"It's been too long... Lady Solaris."
"Oh? Lord Artis, isn't it?"
"Truly ages since last we met... and now you're gracing the social with your presence."
His face flushed beet red as he struggled to keep composed. Fat lot of good it did—his emotions were plain as day. He was like a volcano on the verge of eruption, skin boiled raw.
"Well then... until next time!"
"See you later, Lady Ellen!"
The ladies were sensitive to vibes. They scattered the second they clocked Viscount Artis.
He shot a glare at Roni in her tuxedo. The look screamed blood feud. Objectively? Laughable. This guy who'd sucked her family businesses dry and hounded her with creepy letters had some nerve. Ellen's real enemy was himself, but his lack of self-awareness just made him uglier, more selfish.
More than the mood he'd killed, the scene before him mattered. Nothing but hateful Roni in his eyes.
In a trembling voice, he said to Ellen, "Lady Solaris, it's been twelve years and fifteen days since our first meeting."
"Oh! That long already?"
"Hehe... Feels like yesterday! And now you've grown into such a fine lady..."
Ellen smiled back, and his expression softened. Hope sprouted on that rotten face. Yeah, he'd think he'd won her over.
"Heh... Gonna drive me insane."
A chuckle slipped out before I could stop it, my mutter following.
Emboldened, Viscount Artis pressed on, huffing hot breaths.
"Lady Solaris. When might I expect a reply to my letters...? It's a bit disappointing. Oh, not that it's your fault! You must have circumstances."
Ugh... what a fucking creep. That hit-and-run flirt move screamed his romantic track record.
I caught Ellen's lip twitching.
"Haha... is that so?"
"Yes! Of course!"
Jesus... oblivious and grinning like an idiot. Viscount Artis was a bigger dumbass than I'd imagined. Every pathetic add-on made me cringe. Why was my shame the price of watching this?
I was proud of her growth, but damn if this pity party didn't sting. Meanwhile, Ellen—who'd never gotten a single letter—beamed as she replied.
"Letters? What letters? Must be a mix-up?"
"No, the weekly check-ins I send! Why pretend you don't know? Are you toying with me?!"
Viscount Artis revved up again, pounding his chest in red-faced outrage. Laughter bubbled from me.
"Hehe... hahaha!"
From afar, it was pure comedy. Peak loser energy always cracks me up. If I were there, though? I'd be pale as a ghost.
As expected, Ellen panicked. We'd prepped for crazy, but this middle-aged obsession hit different.
"Wha...? What are you talking about?"
Credit to her etiquette training—she'd grown normal. Sadly, normals can't beat psychos. This guy was prime nutjob. Viscount Artis dominated the stage.
The ball's host stomping in rage drew eyes. Whispers rippled.
As his emotions boiled over, Roni wedged in to mediate.
"That's enough. You're getting too worked up, my lord."
But it was like pouring oil on fire. Viscount Artis flushed deeper and snapped.
"You... you! Shameless wretch! Daring to come between us?!"
Roni stayed cool. "You mean between you and Ellen?"
"Ellen...? Ellen!"
No honorific. Pure possessiveness. Ellen lit up at that, clinging closer to Roni.
"Bell! Hehe!"
Roni, you legend. Knew I could count on you. Her face was stone, but I knew: she was poking the bear on purpose.
Roni didn't blink. "I find this behavior rude—to my fiancée and to me."
"Cowardly cur! Lady Solaris and I have shared fate since twelve years ago! How dare you intrude!"
Ellen made a genuine shiver-face, managing her expression.
"Huh? Never happened...! Oh, Bell?"
Roni whispered, and she switched gears. Ellen's turn to play hard-to-get.
"Ahem! So that's how it is, my lord... You do have a point!"
The second she gave him an in, he pounced.
"See? That coward must've pulled dirty tricks!!"
Heh... tricks, huh? Guy was off his rocker. Who exploited the family head's sickbed? Sebastian would shank him guilt-free. Shameless bastard.
The moment Ellen left wiggle room, life returned to his face. Roni nodded at the viscount's rant.
"I admit it. Viscount Artis, you're far more renowned than I."
Roni smiled leisurely. "Obsessed with a woman thirty years your junior, pulling every sleazy move in the book. Gotta respect that desperation."
"What did you... you little shit?!"
"Turning down marriage past fifty? That pure love of yours must conquer all. I admire it, my lord. Hehe..."
Money and power can't buy everything. Viscount Artis ruled a enviable domain... but Roni gutted his sorest spot.
Fifty-year-old bachelor Viscount Artis. Livid for real.
"You worthless worm! What insolence is this?! Dare insult me and walk away?! You fucking dog!!!"
"Hehe... Hearing that, my respect for you dips a notch."
"Raaagh!!"
Roni, you absolute madlad! Eyes steady, she pressed with that signature smirk—final nail in his fraying patience.
Tomato-faced, the viscount trembled and flung his glove at Roni's chest.
Classic duel challenge, right on cue.
"If you're man enough, accept!"
Master, who'd been milling about, flinched at the sight. Adorably so.
All eyes on Roni. The room held its breath for her reply.
"Heh..."
She caught the glove coolly, locked eyes with him, and sealed it.
"For Ellen? Anytime."
She aimed the line at Ellen, not him.
The ladies sighed in swooning admiration.
Even the less-interested guys nodded approval.
Hehe... Viscount Artis, you clueless chump—fell right into it! We'd planned contingencies, but this easiest bait worked. I worried Ellen might gripe about not using her prep... nah, pointless.
One "for Ellen," and she was floating. Staring at Roni, hearts in her eyes. Probably thrilled right now?
"Lady Solaris...!!!"
Stuck between them, Viscount Artis was the obvious third wheel. Only he didn't see it. Just grinding his teeth at the disrespect.
Denial was all Viscount Artis had left. Blind twisted love, ugly obsession's endgame.
Unable to stomach their flirting, he bellowed.
"I'll crush you in the duel! Arrogant punk... If you lose, break off the engagement now!"
"My lord, hearts aren't severed by contracts or coin," Roni teased, countering the raging viscount.
"Vomit up everything you've stolen from Ellen."
"Wha... what?!"
"And swear here and now—never harass her again. Then I'll accept."
Viscount Artis smirked vilely. Fury crested, but reason kicked in. Simple math didn't add up.
"Kehhehe...! Arrogant fool! As if you are worth that..."
"I'll stake my life. Your thoughts?"
He froze, glaring murder at Roni. He'd get it logically. Her life wasn't worth his stakes. He hadn't played house running the territory. Viscount Artis was a real lord—and businessman.
As he scoffed to retort...
Roni kissed Ellen's forehead. "Win this, and I'll propose properly, Ellen."
"Yes!! I love you, Bell!"
Blushing, Ellen flashed the world's happiest smile. Picture-perfect.
Ladies toppled like romance novel leads. And one lone middle-aged obsession machine filming his own UFC beatdown...
Viscount Artis's circuits fried; emotion took the wheel.
"You bitch!!! Fine!! You're on!! I'll win and hang your head in the square!!"
Popcorn...! No popcorn was the tragedy. Midway through this epic show, master sidled up and tugged my sleeve.
"Hm? Something wrong?"
Grave-faced, she said, "Kid, Bell... no, your friend is in danger."