The Possessed Evil Woman Wreaks Havoc - Chapter 74

“Saintess, who is that person…?”

Kayden pointed at Nigel and asked me.

“My new servant. There’s no need for you to acknowledge each other.”

I didn’t bother introducing Nigel and Kayden to each other.

After all, I am a demon who cares nothing for courtesy.

And I found it bothersome that Nigel, who knew what Zachary looked like, might become close to Kayden, who looked exactly like him.

“I see.”

Kayden accepted my words without question.

Meanwhile, Nigel couldn’t take his eyes off Kayden.

I casually mentioned Kayden’s identity to Nigel.

“That man is a prince of this country.”

“…He looks exactly the same.”

“Isn’t it strange? And he’s not even a direct descendant.”

The sound of footsteps echoed from the top of the stairs, and soon another person appeared.

As Gabby came into view, I let out a small exclamation without realizing it.

“Oh.”

So this was the imperial nobles’ hunting attire?

The stiff fabric and excessive number of buttons looked terribly uncomfortable, but from an aesthetic perspective, it wasn’t bad at all.

Having only ever seen Gabby in casual clothing, seeing him so dressed up was rather fascinating.

Gabby started to descend the stairs but flinched upon seeing Kayden still standing midway down.

Hmm.

Unfortunately, no matter how beautifully Gabby had dressed today, it was undeniable that Kayden was still more beautiful.

As Gabby’s eyes narrowed into sharp triangles, I wondered if he was actually furious about being outshone by Kayden’s looks.

To make sure Gabby didn’t lose confidence, I quickly complimented his appearance.

“Today, you are more beautiful than I am, Gabby.”

“Hey! Cut it out.”

“A beauty capable of bringing a nation to ruin stands before me.”

“Hey!”

Gabby snapped in embarrassment at my praise. He stomped down the stairs in frustration, then suddenly halted and turned to Kayden.

“May I ask how long Your Highness intends to stay at the duke’s estate?”

“Since the Saintess is here, it is only natural that I stay by her side.”

“Hmm. My sister is planning to stay here indefinitely. That means I will be seeing Your Highness for a very long time.”

Gabby gave a very serene smile before continuing down the stairs.

Kayden followed after him.

“You look truly beautiful today.”

He then addressed me in an utterly dry tone. Not a single trace of sincerity could be felt in his voice.

“My sister is the type to take those words literally… I appreciate the compliment, but please refrain from saying such things for my sister’s sake.”

Before I could respond, Gabby spoke first. His expression was deeply twisted as he glared at Kayden.

Gabby… It seems he was quite upset about losing in terms of beauty.

As a sign of comfort, I gently patted Gabby’s arm.

“Hmm? Why does this feel so unpleasant?” Gabby murmured at my touch.

Kayden gave me a brief nod and left the estate.

Standing before me, Gabby looked me up and down as soon as Kayden was gone.

“What in the world are you wearing?”

He bluntly criticized my outfit.

I glanced down at my dress. Well, flashy and revealing clothes weren’t my taste, but even I had to admit it was beautiful.

So what exactly did Gabby dislike about it?

Tilting my head, I responded, “Jessie told me that to have a successful hunt, I must be beautiful.”

“What kind of nonsense—”

“She also said I need to attract fine gentlemen.”

Gabby froze at my words. Then, as if something clicked in his mind, he suddenly shouted, “Hey! What hunt are you talking about! You’re not even married yet—!”

After yelling furiously, Gabby stomped back up the stairs.

Watching him retreat, I turned to Nigel and spoke, “Gabby has a strange personality.”

“Hmm. Well, considering whose blood he carries, it’s not surprising.”

Nigel and I exchanged knowing glances.

“Of course. He’s Daphne’s descendant.”

“He has Ethan’s exact personality.”

We spoke at the same time.

He has Ethan’s personality? Anyone could see he was more like Daphne.

Well, it wasn’t as if he had no resemblance to Ethan. At times, when Gabby showed surprising levels of simplicity, I could see traces of Ethan.

But just now, that was entirely Daphne.

Ethan had a steadfast and simple nature, while Daphne had an utterly reckless temper.

Daphne, especially, had a habit of lashing out at the smallest thing.

Just like Gabby had a moment ago.

Oh dear.

I looked at Nigel with a skeptical gaze.

Could it be that Nigel had romanticized Daphne’s personality in his memories?

Seeing him like this… it felt like he still hadn’t let go of his lingering attachment to her.

Just as I was about to speak again, Gabby suddenly came stomping back down the stairs.

“Hey, catch this.”

He tossed something at me. When I caught and unfolded it, I saw that it was a jacket far too big for me.

“Wear that over your dress and don’t take it off. What are you going to do if you catch a cold, walking around with so much skin exposed?”

Holding what I assumed was Gabby’s jacket, I made a strange expression.

I had been born sturdy and had never once caught a cold. Not only me, but I had never heard of a demon catching a cold either.

This kind of concern was a first… No, actually, it wasn’t.

“Lady Bella, the weather is cold. If you go to bed without drying your hair, you might catch a cold.”

“Human. Do you really think I’d get sick from something as trivial as the cold?”

“…I will dry your hair for you.”

“Well… if you insist, I suppose I’ll allow it. There’s no harm in a demon being careful about colds.”

Zachary used to worry about me like that.

But it was completely different. If Zachary’s concern had felt somewhat ticklish, then Gabby’s concern was…

I smiled contentedly.

It felt like watching Blackie’s antics—something cute and amusing.

“How commendable, Gabby. You actually know how to worry about others.”

“…You really have a talent for making people feel like crap when you talk. Why do I feel so annoyed the moment I hear you speak?”

Gabby scratched the back of his head with one hand and approached me. He completely ignored Nigel’s presence and spoke to me directly.

“Why are you wearing such high heels to a hunting competition? Do you want to twist your ankle?”

I glanced down at my shoes. The heels were slightly elevated, but not high enough to be a problem.

“This won’t do. If you trip, it’ll delay our departure, so I have no choice but to escort you to the carriage.”

Gabby abruptly extended his hand toward me.

I eyed his hand with suspicion.

Why was he suddenly acting so considerate?

I had noticed that his attitude toward me had softened recently, but since Gabby was never the considerate type, this felt suspicious.

“…You.”

“We’re short on time, so just take my hand already.”

Urged by Gabby, I lightly placed my hand in his.

Outside the estate, two carriages were parked.

One was for the duke’s family, while the other was for the attendants following along.

Gabby and I walked toward the first carriage.

“Hey, your servant… is he coming to the hunting competition?” Gabby whispered in my ear.

“You could ask him directly. What’s with the secrecy?” I whispered back, genuinely puzzled by his behavior.

I turned my head and glanced at Nigel, who was following behind us.

“…I just want to keep pretending I don’t see him. If I keep ignoring him, maybe he’ll disappear from my sight someday.”

Gabby muttered to himself before speaking again.

“Anyway, is he coming along?”

“Yes. He’s coming.”

“Haah. Just don’t cause any trouble at this hunting competition. If you do, at least do it in front of me so I can clean up the mess.”

Gabby sounded completely exasperated.

“But why are you suddenly escorting me? I didn’t think you were someone who knew etiquette.”

“Hey! Who said I don’t know etiquette? I know it perfectly well—I just don’t follow it!”

“……”

“Ahem. The thing is, I argued with the old man yesterday… So I’m doing this to piss him off.”

So, he wanted me to play along?

That was Gabby’s final explanation before he opened the carriage door for me.

Accepting his escort, I stepped into the carriage.

Inside, the Duke was already seated.

“You two… came together.”

The Duke’s expression was difficult to read as he looked at Gabby escorting me.

“Is it strange for an older brother to escort his younger sister?”

Gabby immediately countered the Duke’s words.

At the term “older brother,” I glanced at Gabby.

‘Older brother.’

“…Since when have you two been so close?”

“My older brother and I have always been close. Isn’t that right, brother?”

I said as I took my seat beside Gabby in the carriage.

“Tsk. That’s right. Unlike the old man, we’re a loving family, a pair of harmonious siblings.”

Gabby spoke with a deeply satisfied expression.