The Delicate Female Lead Only Wants to be Loved by the Villainous Young Ladies

Adele’s appearance indeed surprised many.

They hadn’t expected such a low-ranking, even lowly, girl to appear at such an important banquet.

That’s why those surprised gazes fell on Adele.

Well, now it seemed that at this banquet, where all the prominent figures of Twilight City were present, Adele was the only one who wasn’t invited!

But both Hermione and Aunt Mona chose to bring her. This gave Adele a rare sense of security and warmth.

The three of them were led to their seats.

Aunt Mona, as a popular figure in the upper class, naturally attracted attention and greetings. She gracefully held a glass of crimson wine, mingling and chatting with the Bloodkin nobles, leaving Adele and Hermione to exchange glances.

Hermione poured Adele a drink, then said, “I wouldn’t dare let you touch alcohol again.”

Adele pouted, thinking, Really? If I get drunk, you’re the one who benefits the most.

But Hermione knew that even if she took advantage of Adele, she couldn’t escape punishment later.

Of course, that kind of punishment wasn’t severe. On the contrary, it could be called “fun.”

“So, has the banquet started?” Adele took the glass from Hermione, taking a small sip like a kitten drinking water.

It was a flavor she had never tasted before, sweet, not bad. But the taste was slightly astringent, perhaps because it was freshly squeezed juice.

Hermione answered Adele’s question,

“Yes, it has already started. We’re the last to arrive.”

“But it doesn’t matter. This banquet isn’t very formal, or rather, the formal part hasn’t arrived yet.”

“We just need to eat, drink, and chat with people, waiting for the host, True Ancestor Daphne, to announce the true purpose of this banquet.”

“Eh! You don’t know the purpose of this banquet, Hermione?” Adele exclaimed in surprise.

Hermione thought, I was tied up in bed all day, feeling like ants were crawling all over me. And after finally waiting for Adele, I was finally freed. Then the maid came to tell us that Mother wanted us to accompany her to the banquet. How would I know the purpose?

She was just telling Adele to relax based on her past experience attending banquets. It was useless to worry. So, Hermione shook her head at Adele with a helpless look.

Adele smacked her lips. “Then I’ll go ask someone else.”

“Ask who?” Hermione was sensitive to this and asked curiously.

“Edith.” Adele said Edith’s name in a slightly cheerful tone, as if deliberately trying to see Hermione’s reaction.

“Is she here?” Hermione, however, didn’t seem to notice Adele’s little trick, only asking in surprise.

Adele sensed something wrong in Hermione’s tone and asked, “Can’t Edith come?”

“It’s not that... but Adele, haven’t you noticed that Lady Chen Xi isn’t present at True Ancestor Daphne’s banquet?”

Adele suddenly realized. “Is it because of True Ancestor Daphne’s feelings for Lady Chen Xi that go beyond friendship!?”

Hermione nodded. “To avoid suspicion, Lady Chen Xi basically avoids any occasion where True Ancestor Daphne is present.”

“But the mobilization for the Blood Trial for the younger generation of Bloodkin was an exception.”

“But even then, Lady Chen Xi only briefly interacted with True Ancestor Daphne, keeping the maximum distance.”

“It’s surprising that Edith came to the banquet without Lady Chen Xi. Logically, Lady Chen Xi should have reminded her.”

“In the past, True Ancestor Daphne, unable to win Lady Chen Xi’s love, pursued Lady Chen Xi’s descendants many times.”

“I don’t know whether it was truly out of transferred affection, or simply to attract Lady Chen Xi’s attention.”

“Eh!?” Hermione’s words shocked Adele.

Didn’t this mean... Daphne might make a move on Edith!?

An older woman preying on a younger girl?

But Edith was her little calf!

Thinking of this, Adele stood up with her drink.

“Hermione, I need to leave for a moment!”

“...Alright.”

Hermione understood Adele’s worry.

So, under Hermione’s gaze, the petite Adele weaved through the banquet guests, trying to find Edith.

Fortunately, she finally found her. But unfortunately, at that time, Edith was being approached by that stunningly beautiful yet dangerous woman, like a rose with thorns. True Ancestor Daphne, extending an olive branch to a junior who was clearly far below her in status.

How could this not be flattering? Perhaps this was why Edith attended this banquet? Or...

Adele’s heart trembled, not only because she saw Daphne reaching out to Edith, and Edith responding, taking the mature woman’s hand and walking with her towards the breezy balcony, but also because Adele suddenly recalled a passage she had read in the original novel.

It hadn’t seemed important before, but now, it had a meaning that was hard to ignore. That was, after leaving the academy, Edith quickly gained the support of a benefactor, helping her quickly gain a foothold among the Bloodkin.

This benefactor... wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the original novel.

At first, Adele thought it would be the awakened Lady Chen Xi.

But now... was it possible that the benefactor who helped Edith... was True Ancestor Daphne?

And what price did Edith have to pay to gain her favor and support?

Adele might have guessed the answer.

But she just pursed her lips and remained silent, pretending to be unaware. She didn’t want to know about that kind of thing. But her legs involuntarily followed the two.

At the same time, a sly smile appeared on Daphne’s lips.

It seemed a little fox with red eyes... was following them~

She felt the soft touch of the small hand in her palm, slowly overlapping with the memory of that woman reaching out to her...

But it still wasn’t the same, even if it was her descendant...

Daphne wouldn’t play that kind of substitution game.

Chen Xi was Chen Xi, and Edith was Edith.

So, in the end, she still wanted to use getting close to Edith as a way to get Chen Xi’s attention.

As for whether Chen Xi would be sad or angry because of this, Daphne didn’t care. As long as her existence could linger in Chen Xi’s heart for even a moment, that was enough.

It seemed Edith wasn’t aware of the past between her and Chen Xi.

She foolishly listened to Daphne’s words about having something to tell her, and out of politeness, didn’t refuse Daphne’s outstretched hand. But this was normal. Chen Xi herself wasn’t good at being wary, and she wouldn’t teach her descendants to be wary either.

Even after thousands of years, Chen Xi was still the idealist who would repay the world with a song even if it kissed her with pain. She looked at the world, believing there was «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» nothing but beauty in it.

Unfortunately, the world didn’t grant her wish.

On the breezy balcony, Edith tried to pull her hand away from Daphne’s.

After all, it was only because of their difference in status and her respect for Daphne that she couldn’t refuse her invitation and offered her hand.

But actually, at that moment, many thoughts flashed through Edith’s mind.

The most unsettling one was Adele’s smile. Even if it was a condescending, mocking, devilish smile, it was a precious memory for Edith.

The only girl who could hold her hand was Adele.

“True Ancestor Daphne... what is it that you want to say?” Edith finally asked, having failed to pull her hand away from Daphne’s.

Daphne looked into her eyes and smiled gently.

“What could it be? I just want to take a good look at you.”

“You look so much like Chen Xi. Your hair, your face... only your eyes are different.”

“She probably doesn’t have such timid eyes.” As she spoke, Daphne reached out to touch Edith’s cheek.

“...N-no.” Edith trembled and refused.

Daphne feigned displeasure.

“Be obedient. You should be very good at ‘obeying’.”

“Your eyes tell me so.”

“Are you going to defy me, a True Ancestor? Defy one of the most important political assets of the entire Bloodkin race?”

“I heard you’re doing something... student council or something.”

“As long as you’re obedient, I’ll make it grow, and your status among the Bloodkin will also rise.”

“Even without this exchange of benefits, doesn’t my beauty move you?”

Undeniably, True Ancestor Daphne was uniquely beautiful. But it was a suffocating, glamorous beauty. And what Edith needed was just the playful and cunning smile of a certain girl. “Sorry!”

With the girl’s apology, Daphne felt her hand suddenly empty. Edith, with her own will, rejected the coercion of a higher-ranking Bloodkin! More importantly, she wasn’t fighting this alone.

A girl’s figure suddenly appeared behind them.

Adele’s heart raced, but she still mustered her courage and said,

“Excuse me for interrupting, True Ancestor Daphne!”

“But, Edith—already has an appointment with me!”

“Adele...” Edith’s eyes instantly reddened. And the girl was even bolder than she imagined.

Before Daphne could respond, Adele gritted her teeth and walked past Daphne, coming to Edith’s side and taking her hand.

Just like that, she led Edith away.

The courage required for this went without saying. And Daphne just watched the two girls’ retreating figures, a playful yet lonely smile on her lips.

She suddenly thought of a long, long time ago. How long exactly, she couldn’t remember. But at that time, Daphne, like Chen Xi, was still a girl. And at that time, she had also reached out her hand...

..................

Adele held Edith’s hand, running far away.

They didn’t stop until they reached a hidden corner of the banquet hall, both panting.

The light of the banquet couldn’t reach them. But Edith felt a warmth like the sun washing over her.

When Adele looked at her with concern and care, Edith couldn’t help but have a sudden urge.

It was unknown what kind of feelings and emotions prompted Edith to slowly lean towards the girl’s face.

In the corner, no one would notice her actions. And Adele held her breath, forgetting everything she wanted to say, only a soft and lingering sensation remaining, like melting candy, its sweet taste lingering between their lips and teeth.

In the shadows, the two girls kissed passionately.