Chapter 526: So-Called Fate
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 526: So-Called Fate
"Hey, gorgeous!"
Hearing that inexplicably familiar greeting, Muen jumped. A wave of profound dread washed over him.
Don't tell me...
Dammit, I can't be that unlucky.
His body stiffened as he slowly turned his head...
However, the person who entered his field of vision wasn't the one he feared most. Instead, it was...
A bloated, middle-aged man whose overflowing fat threatened to burst the seams of his formal suit.
Phew, scared the life out of me. Thank god it’s not Ariel...
Muen let out a long sigh of relief. The worst-case scenario hadn't come to pass.
But he quickly regained his guard. He realized that this "fat pig," who had appeared out of nowhere, was looking at him with an expression that was... a bit off.
"Heh heh, hey beautiful. All by yourself?"
The man approached with a lecherous grin, the heavy stench of alcohol hitting Muen’s face instantly.
Is he drunk?
Muen frowned. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"Me? You don't even know who I am? You know Count Hicken, right? That's my brother. That’s right, I’m a member of the famous House of Hicken!"
The man spoke with a boastful air.
"Hicken..."
Muen thought for a moment. He quickly recalled that Hicken was indeed a prominent name in Belland—an old-money noble family with a long history in the Empire. Count Hicken himself was quite capable, controlling most of the Empire's paper mills.
But why was Count Hicken's younger brother here?
Was it a coincidence?
As Muen wondered, his vision was suddenly obscured as the smell of booze grew even stronger.
"Heh heh, gorgeous, since you're alone... why don't you... hic."
The man let out a drunken belch and continued, "Why don't you have a dance with me?"
"Huh?"
Muen’s eyes widened slightly as he stared at the approaching man. No matter how slow he was, he finally realized what that creepy look meant.
Dammit, am I... being hit on by a creep?
Muen’s cheek twitched violently. Because of his usual mindset, he hadn't been on guard against a man approaching him in that way; instead, he’d suspected some other ulterior motive. Only now did it click...
Right now, he was a stunning blonde beauty with long legs, a slim waist, and a large chest!
Dammit! Is it my fault I’m this pretty?
As a macho man, I’ve always wanted rock-hard pecs, not two lumps of useless fat!
Of course, I don't mind holding those two lumps of fat in my hands and playing with them—the texture is top-tier—but that has absolutely nothing to do with my current appearance!
Muen cursed inwardly again and snapped at the man, "I don't care who you are. Get lost. I don't want to dance!"
"Heh heh, if you don't want to dance, we can go play something else. The Hicken family is... very... very rich. I guarantee you can play whatever you want."
"Don't you know I'm one of Princess Celicia's people? I'm not someone you can afford to offend."
Muen felt a surge of irritation. He had met Count Hicken before—a polite, well-mannered old gentleman. How did he end up with a brother like this? A genetic mutation?
"Princess Ce... Celicia? I know her. But... you're from a Count's house, and I'm from a Count's house. Don't you think we're... a perfect match?"
The fat-headed man’s face was flushed red from the alcohol, and his smile grew bolder. Seeing Muen back away, he actually reached out to grab him.
A cold glint flashed in Muen’s eyes as he nimbly dodged. He warned, "I'll give you one more chance. Scram! Or you'll regret it."
Perhaps Muen had projected a hint of his authority as a Duke's son, because the man actually looked startled, and his eyes cleared for a brief second.
But soon, that clarity was completely wiped away by the courage born of alcohol and lust. The man pressed forward again.
"Heh heh, you want to play hard to get, gorgeous? That's fine. Af... after all, there's no one else here but the two of us... right?"
Due to the importance of this ball, the Royal Knight Order had deployed a massive number of personnel. Consequently, the patrol teams within the palace were much thinner than usual.
It was this very silence and lack of witnesses that fueled the man's bravado. Completely ignoring the freezing chill in Muen’s eyes, he lunged forward.
And then...
Thud.
Accompanied by a dull impact and a muffled groan.
The man clutched his abdomen and collapsed to his knees in agony.
His face was filled with terror, as if he never expected that this delicate-looking lady would actually...
"You did remind me of one thing—there's no one else here."
Following another dull thud, the man was knocked completely unconscious. Muen expressionlessly retracted his "long, slender leg" beneath his gown.
"That was a knee strike personally taught by Celicia. Along with her barefoot butt-kicks and her icy tsundere act, it’s one of her three greatest charms. You should consider yourself lucky to experience it."
After dealing with the pig of a man, Muen quickly knelt down and checked his pulse at the neck.
His heart was racing... Was he really just drunk, or was there another reason?
It was hard to imagine a noble who had survived this long—even a brainless, gluttonous waste—daring to pull a stunt like this at a royal ball.
However, now wasn't the time to ponder that. He had more important things to do.
Because of this man's interference, Prince Albert had completely disappeared around the corner at the end of the corridor. If he lost the trail or missed his window, things would get complicated.
Muen kicked the man into a nearby corner and prepared to give chase...
"Ah! Gorgeous!"
Another exclamation rang out behind him.
What the hell? Again?
Veins popped on Muen’s forehead. I know I'm breathtakingly beautiful right now, but can you bastards go be crazy somewhere else?
Can't you be more like Pink Bear and just vent your desires on a book?
"I said, I'm not dancing, and I'm not playing hard to get. Could you please—"
Muen turned around with a fierce expression, and then...
The ferocity froze on his face. The second half of his sentence got stuck in his throat, unable to come out.
"Dancing? Playing? What do you mean?"
Standing not far away, Ariel looked confused, scratching her head in bewilderment.
But she quickly tossed those doubts aside. She clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Muen.
"Gorgeous! You really are the beauty from that night! I knew you looked familiar!"
"No... I'm not... You have the wrong person."
Muen hastily covered his face, his heart wailing in despair.
Ariel!!!
It was one thing to run into her at the ball, but why... why was she here?
It was the same with Liya, and now this...
Why did this girl always show up at the strangest times in the strangest places?
Did she have some kind of special ability?
"No, you're definitely the beauty from that night. I'm not blind! Even though it's been a while, there's no way I'd misidentify a beautiful girl I've committed to memory!"
Ariel cupped her rosy cheeks, looking ecstatic.
"Aww, I was feeling pretty down because I didn't get a chance to get closer to Celicia, but to think I'd run into you here! Is your name Muse? What a great name! It's just like a type of cake—and I happen to love cake!"
"..."
Muen’s lip twitched.
Ce! Li! Ci! A!
Just how much do you love sweets that you even gave me a cake for a pseudonym?
"This... this is just a coincidence."
"Exactly! It is a coincidence."
Ariel, who had been rambling for a while, nodded with absolute conviction.
"But I think, when everything is such a coincidence... that's what they call fate!"