Flower of Steel - CHapter 118

“I think it will be more energetic if we bring your cousins along. I was just worried I would be a nuisance,” said Rian.

Oh, I remembered how good Rian was again. He’s so different from some prince and a crown prince from somewhere who has no sense of thoughtfulness. “No, of course not. It’s good to see the theatrical version with you, Rian.”

In response to my words, Rian made a fantastic smile and took me in his lake-like eyes. “That’s good to hear.”

Honestly, I realized lately that I really dig handsome faces. I didn’t really think much about a man’s appearance… but I couldn’t take my eyes off Rian and the Crown Prince. Come to think of it. I think it was Kyles’s words that made me disinterested in how men look.

“I’m disgusted by women who like handsome men. It makes them look stupid.”

Right, I never needed to heed to his ramblings. Come to think of it, I was dumb. Now that I broke up with him, I have no reason not to want a good-looking friend.

“When should we go then?” asked Rian.

I spoke of a time that seemed right without hesitation, “This upcoming Friday!” Rian’s eyes bowed as he brightly smiled. How can a man smile so… innocently?

“Friday sounds good. I’ll see you then, Marin.”

“Of course. If you may excuse me… I’ll return to my room now.” Even if I was captivated by Rian’s handsome look, I didn’t forget about my pitiful state. Quickly! I should get out of this place!

“Oh, yes. Of course,” nodded Rian.

“Well then. Let’s go, kids,” I spoke to my cousins.

“Yeah! Sir Droinel, if you’ll excuse us,” said Jianne.

“Heh heh. Prince Siccain, I’ll see you on Friday!” said Lumi.

I was about to leave the area with my troublemaking cousins when I heard a low voice that made me stop.

“Oh, and Marin. You were cuter than usual today.”

“Pardon?”

At my question, his lips raised as he answered, “To see you in such an unprepared state, which is very unlike you… was so cute that I couldn’t resist complimenting you. And your face also looks very innocent for some reason-”

“Goodbye, Rian!”

I cut him off immediately, covered my face with my two hands, and ran out. Ugh, it’s so embarrassing! Why couldn’t he just pretend he didn’t see my bare face? It’s bad if a person is too nice. Doesn’t he know that too many compliments are sometimes worse than doing nothing?

As soon as I got to the room with my cousins, Lumi began making a fuss, “Kyaaaa! Sis did he just… confess his love for you?!”

Lumi apparently had been heavily influenced by romance novels in that she thinks of everything as romantic gestures. I began correcting her with the cold reality.

“No way! Lumi, stop trying to put Rian and me in that way. You can’t mix up a friendly compliment with romantic interest! He’s a friend, and also a person that I happen to come across often at the palace! He just felt sad because of my ugly and bare face and probably wanted to boost my confidence. That’s all! Rian’s a good person!”

“That can’t be, sister! You’re the most beautiful woman in the world! Sir Droinel was just telling the truth!” Jianne yelled.

When I was young, Chelleno used to talk nonsense about me being the prettiest in the world. It was just like the magic mirror from the fairytale, where the mirror tells the evil queen that she’s the most beautiful woman. As I heard Jianne’s nonsense that came from Chelleno’s brainwashing, I strongly rejected his belief.

“Jianneen, get a hold of yourself! Chelleno brainwashed you!”

Hearing my words, the twins sighed.

“Ugh, when will she ever realize her beauty?” said Jianne.

“That day may never come. Aunt told her she’s ugly literally every day…” replied Lumi.

Then the two of them looked at me with a sympathetic look and spoke the same words at the same time, “This is bad.”