I Refuse To Be A Character In A Novel - Chapter 25

Under the pretext of goodwill and care for his nephew, the king who still hadn’t seen an heir from his queen suggested a beneficial marriage between Zachary and the Marquis’ daughter.

He couldn’t lose the support of the Heissenteins who helped him ascend the throne and still to this day held a great influence in the kingdom, nor could he refute the nobles who argued the absence of a legitimate heir.

However, if it was displayed to the public that the queen is backed by the Argentines, it would ease some of his worries.

The duke gladly accepted his brother’s seemingly good will as an opportunity to ensure the safety of his son who was feared by the king for possessing magical abilities.

‘Do you have someone in mind?’

‘No’

‘Good then, I’ll be sending a proposal to the Marquis’ daughter after her coming of age party.’

As if it was a matter that didn’t concern him, Zachary nodded nonchalantly.

‘I understand.’

‘Nothing is set for sure yet… The Marquis seems to be too lenient with his daughter.’

Zachary who understood his father’s meaning, let out a tired sigh.

The Marquis should be happier than anyone about this proposal.

His sister, the queen would have the support of the Argentine dukedom, his daughter would be the duchess and his sons’ position in the future would be more secure.

However, the Marquis seemed not willing to arrange for his young daughter to marry someone who was known to wield dangerous abilities and had shed a lot of blood from a young age.

His father was basically telling him to put up a good image.

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The age of 16 was mostly when the girl turned into a woman, and the woman liked to show off her newly grown figure.

Thus, driven by a need of attention, it was the age where girls were easily swayed.

She was different.

Amidst the crowd of young women who proudly boasted of their figures, she looked closer to a young girl than a woman.

A small frame that appeared delicate from a distance, and a well crafted face as beautiful as a doll.

But what made her stand out was the expression on her face.

Under her neatly arranged eyebrows and her long eyelashes, the vivid purple eyes shone coolly as if to show her high self-esteem.

From the sophisticated way she talked to the diligent way she moved,

perfect etiquette.

‘As expected of the Marchioness.’

Zachary thought as he watched from afar.

The girl chatted with different people.

She laughed and she ate.

Always in a dignified manner.

She knew well how to fit in the crowd no matter the social difference.

She also danced.

For someone who seemed uninterested, She danced with quite a lot of young men.

Despite his father’s hidden meaning, Zachary had no intention of approaching a young girl who was not mature enough to be called a woman.

However, even in the crowded hall, she somehow stood out to him.

Perhaps it was the unusual black hair.

Or her rare purple eyes.

Those purple eyes.

Since before, they had been sneakily glancing somewhere.

Following her gaze, Zachary noticed something he thought he shouldn’t have.

A young man with brown hair and blue eyes.

If not for her, he wouldn’t have noticed him in a million years. Yet somehow he became aware of his existence.

What was even more troubling was the fact that those blue eyes kept searching for hers as well.

Zachary’s lips curled into a light smile.

‘16 was also the age of first love.’

On a whim, he decided to head back into the annoyingly crowded hall.

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Just before the young man who was hesitating approached.

“May I have this dance?”

For a second there, her well knitted eyebrows frowned.

Zachary swallowed a laugh.

However, the girl slightly lifted her pale pink skirt and made a light bow.

“Erna Tersia Heissentein.”

The low confident tone suited her expression.

“Zachary Argentine”

Zachary properly held out his hand this time.

“Would you do me the honor?”

Like a soft, lightweight feather, the girl gracefully laid her hand on his.

“…The honor is all mine.”

Her dance movements weren’t as smooth as they appeared from afar.

She blushed a little and averted her eyes when she stepped over his foot for the third time.

“I’m sorry..”

You should have that much shame.

“Does it hurt?”

She said as she innocently peeked at him through her black bangs.

Zachary chuckled low.

“I think I’ll survive a few stabs from the woman’s heel.”