I AM NOT THE LOVE INTEREST!

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Bewitched

Chapter 68: Bewitched

—ARIA—

"Oh my God," I muttered beneath my breath.

I instinctively turned toward Ren for support, only to discover him being cornered by several unmarried noblewomen near the edge of the ballroom.

One young lady had already looped herself onto his arm while another asked him something with an aggressively sweet smile.

He looked deeply uncomfortable.

And worst of all, he could not even escape because they had trapped him there like a hostage wrapped in silk and perfume.

I crossed my fingers discreetly behind my back before forcing the most diplomatic smile I could manage toward the three terrifyingly attractive men currently standing around me.

"G-gentlemen," I laughed awkwardly, "I did not realize all of you felt this passionately about dancing."

The atmosphere somehow became even worse.

Because the three of them looked entirely serious.

This was bad.

Why were they all standing here looking at me like this?

More importantly...

...where was Cynthia?!

Was she not supposed to be the female lead of this entire situation?

Why was I the one suddenly trapped inside a reverse harem disaster scene?

I am not the love interest!

"Sweetheart," Ezekiel said smoothly while reaching for my hand again, "with a beauty like yours, who would not wish to dance with you?"

I nearly choked.

Sweetheart?!

In public?!

This man had absolutely no shame.

"So please," he continued calmly with his golden eyes glimmering beneath the chandeliers, "allow me this dance."

Before his fingers could touch mine once more, Sebastian cleared his throat loudly enough to sound personally offended by Ezekiel’s existence.

"I believe fiancés should take priority."

Ezekiel looked unimpressed.

"You believe many unfortunate things."

"And you flirt like a divorced nobleman with gambling debt."

"Oh my goodness..." I whispered again.

Meanwhile, Matthias Sinclair remained beside them in complete silence, though somehow his silence felt more intimidating than their argument.

The Royal Knight Commander simply watched the situation unfold with stillness, one hand resting behind his back while the ballroom lights reflected faintly across the dark formal uniform beneath his coat.

Then his gaze shifted toward me.

"Lady Aria," he said formally, "if you feel uncomfortable, you are not obligated to entertain any of them."

Sebastian immediately looked offended.

"Any of them?"

"You included."

"I am her fiancé."

"You are currently contributing to the problem."

Ezekiel visibly enjoyed that response far too much.

I wanted to disappear.

Actually vanish.

Perhaps collapse dramatically onto the ballroom floor and fake temporary death.

That seemed easier than surviving this conversation.

Before I could respond to anyone...

"Excuse me."

A soft voice suddenly interrupted.

All four of us turned at once.

Cynthia stood there smiling gently beneath the ballroom lights, her pale gown flowing softly around her while several nearby nobles glanced toward her curiously.

Ah.

Finally.

The female lead had arrived to collect her men.

Thank the heavens.

"May I borrow my sister for a moment?" Cynthia asked sweetly before any of the men could react.

Then, without waiting for permission, she grabbed my arm tightly and began leading me away.

Actually dragging me.

I blinked rapidly while looking back at the others.

Sebastian frowned immediately.

"Where are you taking her?"

"Only for a moment," Cynthia answered politely without slowing down.

Ezekiel narrowed his eyes faintly.

Matthias remained silent again, though I noticed his gaze lingered on Cynthia longer than before.

Meanwhile, I was simply relieved to escape.

"Cynthia, you are genuinely saving my life right now," I whispered once we crossed beyond the ballroom doors.

But she did not answer.

Actually...

She had become strangely quiet.

The moment we exited the ballroom, the warm music softened behind us until only faint melodies echoed through the open corridors.

Cool evening air brushed lightly against my skin as Cynthia continued guiding me farther away from the ballroom toward the gardens outside the mansion. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Moonlight spilled across the stone pathways while lanterns glowed softly along trimmed hedges and marble fountains.

The gardens themselves were beautiful.

Large maze-like bushes stretched deeper into the estate grounds, tall enough to block visibility almost completely once inside.

"...Cynthia?" I called carefully while trying to keep up with her increasingly fast pace. "Where exactly are we going?"

Still no answer.

Okay.

Now this was getting weird.

"Cynthia, why are you–"

SLAP.

The sharp sound cracked violently through the quiet garden.

For one horrifying second, my brain completely stopped functioning.

Pain exploded across my cheek so suddenly that my entire head turned sideways from the impact.

What the hell?!

I stumbled backward slightly, one hand instinctively flying toward my burning face while shock crashed through me so hard I could barely process what had happened.

Did she just...

Did the female lead just slap me?!

I slowly turned back toward Cynthia in complete disbelief.

My eyes widened.

Because she no longer looked sweet.

Or gentle.

Or innocent.

The expression staring back at me now looked furious.

Very furious.

Gone was the soft timid girl from the ballroom.

Gone was the carefully polite daughter standing quietly beside father.

What remained instead was something sharp.

Cold.

Resentful.

And deeply emotional.

My cheek still throbbed painfully beneath my fingers.

That freaking hurt!

What was happening right now?

I genuinely did not remember the female lead being violent and scheming in the original novel.

Unless...

Unless this world had already derailed so badly that everyone collectively decided to traumatize me personally.

"Cynthia..." I managed carefully, fighting to keep my own temper from detonating immediately. "Did I do something wrong?"

But I asked the wrong question.

Because the moment I spoke, her eyes filled with tears.

"You really do not understand?" she whispered shakily.

I blinked once.

"...Understand what?"

"You humiliate me without even trying!"

Her voice cracked suddenly.

"I spent weeks trying to make this moment mine!"

Oh... what is this ugly resentment emanating from her?

Cynthia laughed bitterly while wiping her tears harshly.

"You walk into that ballroom and suddenly everyone only looks at you." Her breathing shook unevenly. "Do you know what people were saying earlier?"

I remained silent.

"They called me plain to even escort father. But they adored you!"

The words landed heavier than expected.

"They asked who I was," she continued quietly. "One noblewoman even thought I was your servant."

Oh.

Oh no.

I suddenly understood why she snapped.

Not because of the men.

Not because of the banquet.

But because tonight was the first time she stood beside father publicly and realized the difference between us in the eyes of noble society.

And it crushed her.

Cynthia’s shoulders trembled visibly now.

"I hate you," she whispered suddenly.

The confession sounded painfully sincere.

"I hate how effortlessly you take everyone’s attention." Her voice shook harder. "I hate how people notice you immediately. I hate that father still looked at you like remembering the wife he lost."

I stayed completely still.

Cynthia laughed weakly afterward, tears sliding down her face.

"And the worst part?" she whispered. "Even Sebastian who was supposed to be mine is now even more enamored by you! You have bewitched them!" She accused.