When A Villain Meets A Villain - Chapter 67

“Aish, why are there so many people?”

There was an endless line of people flocking into the outdoor ceremony.

Devon’s face crumpled upon discovering the procession of people lined up. He felt rather awkward at being outside in such a crowded place when it was bright outside.

“Didn’t the butler mention yesterday that it was customary for the entire nation to attend the Grand Duchy’s national wedding? Even so, we’re in the upper seats, look behind us.”

When Mia turned her head toward that point, she spotted several times more spectators than the ones standing in front of them.

“Isn’t it irritating to be packed together like that?”

Of course, amongst those participating in the national marriage, Devon was the only one that said that.

Not only was the day of the Grand Duchy’s national wedding designated as a public holiday, various remedies were also given, so they could endure some inconveniences.

“I feel like I’m still dreaming. I can’t believe that we’re here in this outfit.”

As she spoke, Jenna observed the Argo members carefully with a hazy look on her face. The uniform that Gianna had personally designed made them look like elite knights. And not members of an underground organisation that are active at night.

There were bright expressions on the members of the organisation, perhaps because they didn’t hate this sort of awkwardness. Not to mention Jenna, who stubbornly insisted on wearing a dress by herself.

Above all…it was both awkward and nice to stand with ordinary people nonchalantly.

“When is the boss coming?”

“Yuffie! Didn’t I say you shouldn’t call her boss. When people are listening, call her Atalante.”

Startled, Jenna recounted the secret code of conduct that he’d signed with the grand duchy to Yuffie, but he still had a foolish smile on his face, like he didn’t understand.

“Jenna, you’re pretty today.”

Yuffie, who stared at Jenna, who was different from usual, dazedly and gave compliments with a silly smile.

Actually, she wouldn’t look inferior even if she were amongst nobles, so it wasn’t empty talk. Yuffie was always honest.

“Erm, Yuffie, you also… look pretty.”

Jenna flushed immediately and awkwardly trailed off.

Though it was unknown whether the word ‘pretty’ matches well with that big guy.

If he didn’t open his mouth or give a silly smile, Yuffie would definitely stand out from the crowd. Of course, it was because he had a good physique and was handsome enough to attract people at a glance.

When in uniform, Yuffie appeared to be like a nice aristocratic young lord.

“Mia is also pretty. Devon too. Hammer, Axe, and even Uncle Hamel look pretty, too.”

‘But he’s a fool.’

Jenna couldn’t help but sigh deeply at the sight of Yuffie pointing to all the members of the organisation while saying that they were pretty.

“But why are there so many people? Are they from other organisations? Should I kill them?”

“No, Yuffie. You can’t touch anyone.”

Jenna placed her hands around those scarred fists and glossed over by saying that there was a party.

She can’t imagine how Yuffie would react if he knew that Atalante, whom he normally followed around like his master, was getting married, nor did she want to imagine that.

‘He might try to kill the Grand Duke of Blanc. It’s because all of our Yuffie’s intelligence was turned into strength.’

In the first place, it’s unclear whether he understood what marriage meant, but for the sake of a smooth ceremony, it was necessary to keep it secret from Yuffie.

“In a while, Atalante will perform. You have to watch quietly and when I tell you to clap, all you have to do is clap loudly. Got it?

“Okay! If you clap loudly, will Boss compliment me later?”

“Atalante, not Boss. Of course, if you listen to my words obediently, you’ll get a prize.”

“Wow!”

Yuffie, who declared that he would listen to Jenna’s words, looked at the tower that was as high as a lighthouse.

Apparently, the ceremony would be held on that castle-like tower, which was exposed on all sides to the public.

Jenna, who still hadn’t felt that this was real, alternated between the dress she was wearing, the members of Argo, and the top of the tower. Both Devon and Mia also didn’t feel that this was real.

“You must be members of Argo.”

At the unfamiliar voice that came from behind them, the Argo executives, who’d almost pulled out their knives inadvertently, were fortunately able to suppress their quick reactions.

“Who…!”

When they turned around, a handsome man with a neat impression was standing along with a small, sparkly-eyed girl. From their attire, it was obvious that they were descendants of a noble family.

“I’m Paulo Union from the Union County. This is my sister. Lilica, say hello.”

“I’m Lilica Union! I know Boss Atalante!”

When Atalante’s name came out of the mouth of the small young lady, the expressions on the executives’ faces hardened instantly.

Most importantly, the fact that they were nobles from the Empire only served to deepen the tension.

‘Even if the grand duchy is friendly to us, Imperial citizens would still remember them as villains. It’s all the more so if they’re nobility.’

In addition, the Union County was one of the empire’s most prominent family of knights. They were also a representative member of the aristocratic faction.

“You can relax your guard. Because I won’t mention seeing Argo here today.”

“What’s the reason you’re talking to us… sir?”

“Pfft.”

Jenna burst into laughter at Devon’s awkward threat, and Mia’s chuckles soon followed suit.

It seems like the additional etiquette coaching had worked, seeing as how Devon, who was famous for his rough manner of speech, used honorifics unconsciously.

Although Devon’s face turned undeniably red, there wasn’t any hint of amusement on Paulo’s face.

“My sister just wanted to greet you. We don’t mean any harm, so please be at ease.”

“How can I believe those words… sir?”

“Oh, Devon! I can’t hold it in anymore, so stop doing that! Just be straight about it!”

Jenna, who was still chuckling, pushed him away and stood in front of Paulo.

“If you’re an imperial aristocrat, you should be well aware of what we do, right? I’d appreciate it if you’d take that innocent young girl and disappear from our sights quietly. If you have a chance, please impart some worldly wisdom to her in detail.”

Despite the smile on her face, Jenna’s words had sharp thorns. Perhaps he might feel offended, but Paulo still remained calm. Soon Lilica, who was looking at the two alternately, carefully opened her mouth.

“My apologies if I’ve caused trouble for you. During the previous banquet, the boss… she saved me. I heard that you guys are led by such a person, so I wanted to say hello.”

After speaking with accurate pronunciation, Lilica looked up at Jenna.

‘Goodness, you’re so cute.’

Dressed in a frilled dress and wearing a cute hat, Lilica seemed to be loveliness incarnate.

‘Atalante. It seems like she didn’t do anything bad, and pretended to be a hero again.’

Tsk, as Jenna clicked her tongue, she turned to the members of the organisation.

“Pretty young lady, convey your gratitude directly to Atalante. You don’t have to pretend that you know us.”

With a slight nod to Paulo, Jenna turned her back on the Union siblings and took a few steps away.

“Wow, so cool! Brother, I think she’s even cooler than our knights!”

We can hear everything, missy.

Unlike their pursed lips, the earlobes of all the members of the organisation were strangely heated. It was their first time hearing someone call them cool.

Unlike the way they acted like they were going to go somewhere further, the members of Argo stopped not too far from Paulo and Lilica.

The moment Jenna faced Lilica’s smiling face once again, the loud sounds of a trumpet resounded throughout the wide field.

The marriage of their boss, friend, and benefactor. They didn’t even know about it while hiding in the kingdom of Paille.

They didn’t think that it would take this long to meet Atalante again. And that the location of their reunion would be her wedding. Even the fact that Atalante’s wedding wasn’t an ordinary wedding, but a national wedding.

‘Just wait till it’s over. I’m going to rain down all my questions all night long.’

Soon, at the highest location, a man and woman in shining white appeared from afar. Countless people looked up at them at the same time.

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From morning onwards, no, perhaps from daybreak, even before Atalante could open her eyes properly, the Grand Duchy was busy with preparations for the national wedding.

Servants didn’t hesitate to rise at an early hour and moved around busily. All the while bearing expectations of the vitality and change that the Grand Duchy will gain with today’s wedding.

Gianna described Atalante’s wedding dress, which she’d personally made, as a ‘masterpiece’.

Of course, this time it wasn’t an exaggerated modifier. The white dress, which revealed her body’s silhouette naturally and spread out widely from her waist, drew sighs of admiration from everyone.

“I’m sorry about only saying this now, but… I’m worried if this will look good on me.”

“Don’t worry. It is a specialty of yours to pull off any design beautifully.”

Come to think of it, Gianna hasn’t said any sharp remarks to Atalante recently. Although this was due to her honesty with her own feelings, neither Gianna nor Atalante recognised this fact.

After putting on makeup, Atalante wore crystal jewellery that reflected light brilliantly each time light shone on it, and looked……

“With all due respect, it feels like I’m looking at the reincarnation of Grand Duke Ariadne.”

At the sound of a dazed, admiring sigh by a maid, the people around her nodded at the same time, like they had agreed to do so beforehand.

While in a wedding dress, Atalante exuded enough elegance for others to believe that she was royalty. Who would dare to think this girl is Argo’s boss?

The corners of Atalante’s lips curled, despite constantly being indifferent to excessive praise.

“Nothing will be given even if you say that, so stop flattering me, alright?”

When her teeth were revealed while she smiled, Atalante’s face turned from a noble imperial princess to a lovely young girl befitting her age. A few enthralled people that were staring at that face had to clutch their chests tightly.

After putting Snow White, the grand duchy’s national flower, on her hair and dress, and sparkling diamond powder was dusted all over, Atalante slowly rose from her position.

During the fierce battle last night, Atalante, the villain, was the one that achieved victory.

She won’t feel apologetic to him any longer. Because Lionel himself told her to use him.

Atalante accepted their favourable gazes naturally, slowly tilted her head upwards and asked.

“With this, I’ll be prettier than the Grand Duke, right?”

At her question, the red-faced maids kept nodding instead of opening their mouths.

She stopped being a fool as of yesterday. She’ll have everything she can have with today’s wedding.

With the hope that the man that will become her husband wasn’t overly beautiful, Atalante moved forward without hesitating.

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