Chapter 39

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Villainess Imprinted with the Male Lead: Chapter 45

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"Now, the candidates to be chosen as this year's Spring Festival protagonist are..."

Fortunately, the commotion died down quickly.

Emboldened by the fact that she was last in line, Luciana quickly gathered her wits, while the highlight of the evening unfolded in the center of the hall.

"Why didn't you vote?"

"Too much hassle."

Want me to give it now?

Luis spun the fresh flower in his hand before handing it to Luciana, but she replied, "No thanks," and turned her gaze straight ahead.

Upon entering the ballroom, unmarried ladies distributed one flower each to the eligible men. The gentlemen could express their affections freely—either through a servant or directly to the lady—and abstaining, like Luis, was also allowed. The one who received the most flowers was crowned the Spring Goddess.

Though its prestige had faded compared to the past, simply being nominated as a candidate, let alone winning, could change one's reputation. For young ladies eyeing advantageous marriages, it held its own significance.

"Lily Narsia, Natalia Hone... Luciana Leslie. That's all. Those called as candidates, please come forward!"

"Whoa, Sis, you're a candidate too? Didn't realize there were so many guys with bad eyesight..."

"You trying to pick a fight?"

Luciana pinched Luis's side while scanning the surroundings. As the bashful young ladies stepped forward one by one, the crowd cheered and clapped, buzzing with guesses about the winner.

"Go on."

"Wait...!"

Despite his words, Luis smirked playfully as if he'd expected her nomination all along, giving her back a shove.

Caught off guard, Luciana stumbled into the spotlight, making her way to the stage with awkward steps.

I kept such a low profile on purpose...

Was this the original story's pull at work? Swallowing her reluctance like bitter medicine, Luciana ascended the platform.

Of all places, right next to the heroine.

Maybe because of what happened earlier. She felt like she owed Deborah an apology, and the heroine's poignant eyes kept flickering in her mind, making it uncomfortable to stand so close.

At that moment.

"Um... hello, Lady Leslie."

"Ah...?"

Surprised by Deborah initiating the conversation, Luciana turned to look.

"I think this is our first time talking."

"Y-yeah, somehow it is..."

Partly because Luciana had been avoiding her on purpose, but she brushed it off vaguely.

In this situation, getting friendly wouldn't do either of us any favors.

Yet hearing that gentle, shy whisper made it hard to draw a firm line.

"...Are you nervous? You seem a little shaky..."

"Oh! Is it that obvious?"

Unable to neither advance nor retreat, Luciana glanced at her fidgeting hands and asked. Deborah blushed faintly and smiled.

Ah...

In that instant, Luciana's golden eyes trembled slightly. The heroine's bright, innocent smile was so endearing it almost made her forget their circumstances.

...If only not for that night.

Was it because she felt guilty seeing the protagonist who should be enjoying blissful times with the male lead right now? Luciana's heart grew heavy.

Unable to bear the silence, she offered the best words she could muster.

"Everything will be okay."

"Pardon...?"

The original story with its botched beginning, the male lead who'd strayed off course for a bit—everything.

"Hmm... Somehow, I have a feeling you'll be this year's Spring Goddess."

Luciana deflected casually to the heroine, who tilted her head as if trying to decipher her meaning.

Just then, the Second Princess called out Deborah's name.

"Ah!"

"See? Told you."

Deborah, who had been staring at Luciana in bewilderment, stepped forward at the princess's summons and received a wreath of rare fresh flowers preserved by magic atop her head.

Clap, clap, clap.

The watching nobles applauded in admiration of the Spring Goddess's beauty.

"Now, time to close with a finale."

At the Second Princess's words, the partners of the nominated ladies came forward.

"Tough luck missing out on the top spot."

Luis sidled up to Luciana with a teasing grin.

"Never wanted it anyway."

Knowing the original story, Luciana replied breezily. Misinterpreting her nonchalance, Luis teased her in a mischievous tone.

"That sounded a bit cocky just now, didn't it?"

"Only as much as you."

Pfft. The two burst into silly laughter at the same time.

At least having Luis around makes this bearable.

Her uneasy heart settled a bit.

Luciana exchanged lame jokes with him, stepping more lightly now.

Once the nominated ladies had danced in sequence, the star of the evening would take the solo spotlight.

Having finished her turn, Luciana stepped back and watched Deborah in the center.

In the original story, she'd be sharing sweet moments with Richt right now.

A scene from the novel flickered in her mind—the protagonists' tender interlude.

Deborah with her unwavering lovely smile, Richt gazing at her with a subtle heat in his eyes.

They'd lose themselves in each other's gazes as if the world had faded away.

The onlookers would feel their own hearts flutter vicariously, savoring the romance of spring.

But in reality...

Luciana watched Deborah with worried eyes.

The heroine was dancing with a partner far inferior to Richt, and unlike in the novel, she didn't look happy at all.

Richt had diverged from the script too.

Ugh. Looking this way again...!

A pair of sunken red eyes locked onto her like an arrow aimed at prey.

He knew they weren't in a position to exchange loving glances, so why couldn't he tear his gaze away?

Startled, Luciana clutched her dress skirt, ignoring the persistent stare.

"What're you waiting for?"

"...Nothing."

As her pointless worries looped endlessly, Deborah's dance ended right on cue.

There had been some minor disturbances, but the Second Princess announced the successful close of the Spring Festival in a satisfied voice.

The Spring Festival she never wanted to remember again was finally over.

It had been a chilling, exhausting day thanks to constant intrusions from someone. Still, it had wrapped up without major incident.

If I just slip out quietly now, today's events will fade soon enough as long as I lay low for a bit. At least that's a relief.

It would've been perfect if she could just exit discreetly.

That was when Luciana, her face much brighter, headed for the door.

"By the way, earlier..."

"...?"

A young lady who'd been sneaking glances spoke up.

"They say Duke Cassio helped Lady Leslie."

"Oh, right!"

"Don't you think there's something between them?"

Luciana froze mid-step, her hand hovering in the air.

The probing tone carried a certainty that something was indeed afoot between them.

Lovers, maybe? What about Lady Deborah then?

The whispers cornering her stabbed like arrows into her ears.

"Why her of all people, Lady Leslie? She's not bad, but nothing special either..."

A young lord who'd once been rebuffed by Luciana chimed in abruptly, steering the mood.

As the juicy turn of events unfolded, the gossip-loving nobles turned their eyes to the festival's star.

They praised Deborah's charm and purity while painting the quiet, elegant Luciana as sinister by comparison.

A few were nobles who'd long resented Luciana, but most seemed to genuinely think her inferior to Deborah.

Not that it was surprising—Deborah was the original heroine and the newly crowned Spring Goddess, after all.

Suddenly the fish on the chopping block, Luciana bit the tender flesh inside her cheek.

I thought the attention had died down...

The gossip she'd hoped was forgotten reignited like wildfire.

Luciana grew uneasy at how heatedly the nobles were reacting—more than she'd expected.

Subtle slander she could shrug off. But the issue with Richt couldn't drag on.

Especially not with her under suspicion as his secret lover. Nothing worried her more.