Just how far should I draw the line between playing Roselle and being the real me, Kim Aera?

How far should I draw the line between two me?

“Just how far—oww, that looks tasty.”

I was brought back to reality when I caught a glimpse of the desserts laid on the table across the room.

I made my way across the room, slightly lifting the hems of my gown to not get in my way to that lovely dessert table.

“Lady Roselle Fritzroy,” a young man tried to stop me on my tracks.

Backing away a few steps to scan his face, it turns out he's not someone I should take note of. I give him a look of 'what you say next should be worthy of my time.

“Greetings. I am blah blah blah. May you grant me the honor to dance with you-“

“No,” I straight up refuse, shove him out of my way, and continue my tracks.

I can’t let those desserts wait much longer.

After reaching the table full of desserts, I feel so ecstatic that I want to eat all of them.

“Hug the sugar, skip the guilt. Life's too short for sweet restraint. La la la.”  I sang in a low voice in appreciation of these delights.

Murmurs

Why do I feel like I won’t be able to enjoy my desserts just yet? I slowly felt someone approaching me.

“Please don’t talk to me. Please don’t talk to me,” I repeatedly said in a low volume voice.

“Lady Roselle,” I recognized this voice.

I turned to face her and flashed my business smile, but at the back of my head, I'm actually cursing her for interrupting me at this crucial time.

“You look lovely tonight!” She said, scanning me from head to toe.

“…” I just nodded and smiled.

She waits expectantly for me to give a compliment to her.

I smiled and looked at her from head to toe.

“You. You look not that bad,” I said, still smiling.

Just leave me be so I can enjoy my sweets, okay?

Her eye twitched but she still managed to sweep those under the rug.

She glanced at where Sebastian Beaumont and both my father and brother are.

“Looking at the three of them sure reminds me of the past. Oh, do you remember when-“ She looked at me again with a grin playing on her lips.

“Oh right. You don’t remember,” she smirked.

Here we go again with her nonstop blabbering.

She is Amelia Fairchild, a childhood friend of the Beaumont siblings. I met her the same day I met Sebastian. The moment I laid my eyes on the both of them, I knew for sure that the three of us won’t get along.

Sebastian saw us then walked towards us, so Lady Amelia immediately smiled ear to ear.

Upon reaching us, he stood between Lady Amelia and me.

“I talked about going to the capital with you for a short trip to Baron Fritzroy.”

"I’ll tag along! It wasn’t a big deal when I came with you guys during your dates. We've done it before from time to time. Sebastian has no problem with me coming along, and I assume it's not an issue for you, Roselle," she said, flashing a wide smile.

“I am sure you don’t mind, right?” She added smiling from ear to ear.

I just look at her boredly as an answer to her remarks. I am not in the mood to fight her since I haven’t got a taste of the desserts here. I am running low on sugar. And that’s my priority.

"I worry about you since you're like a sister to me,"

Pfft. Sister?

I kept a nonchalant face despite her subtle jabs.

She clung to my arm and leaned her head on mine. While her comments didn't bother me, I wasn't too keen on being touchy. It felt uncomfortable, like a slug brushing against me.

"How will you take care of Sebastian if you don’t even remember what he likes and dislikes?" She released me and grabbed two glasses of white wine from a passing server.

"He prefers white wine, by the way," she smirked.

She handed the drink to Sebastian Beaumont, who's supposedly Roselle's lover. However, from what I can see, this guy is nothing but a piece of trash. Too much for being said one of Roselle’s strengths.

Gahhh.

He doesn't seem bothered when his supposed partner is being attacked by someone claiming to be his best friend since childhood.

"Thank goodness you're here to assist him, Lady Amelia Fairchild. I didn't come to this event just to babysit, if you know what I mean," I said, flashing a sweet smile at her.

For a moment, I saw a flash of annoyance on her face, but she immediately composed herself when Sebastian looked her way.

I observed Sebastian's gaze towards her, and it definitely looked like the gaze of a man who considers the woman in front of him as his possession.

He brought himself near me, smiling angelically as he wraps his arms around my waist.

“My sweet Roselle, why don’t we take a stroll in the garden? Just the two of us.”

I removed his hands from my waist. Luckily, I was wearing gloves, or I would've felt nauseous touching his bare skin. I only feel nauseous if the person touching me is someone, I am uncomfortable with.

The reason I decided not to break things off with him immediately was that when I planned on ending it, a warning screen appeared. It led me to conclude that he still has a role to play in this novel. Perhaps he can be a bridge for me and the prince to meet. The possibilities are endless, so until I'm sure he's fulfilled his role, I'll put up with all his whims.

"Just the two of us? That's precisely why I prefer to stay here with others. So, no thank you," I replied casually. The last thing I wanted was to be alone with him. If he dared to make any advances, I would definitely knock him off if we were alone.

His face become sour and was about to say something when;

"Me! I want to take a walk outside!" Lady Amelia interjected; her hearing apparently keen enough to catch his whispers.

She clung to his arm, pulling him with enthusiasm. He seemed hesitant, but after spending some time observing him, I was certain he wouldn't be able to draw a line in their relationship, at least not for a while. They left the ballroom, providing a moment of peace.

Finally, some peace! I immediately went over the dessert table. The sight delighted my eyes, and I was sure these sweets, crafted by hired bakers for this occasion, would taste delightful.

"One of this and this and this and that," I instructed a servant, leading the way to the balcony farthest from the hall. It was still well lit, offering a comfortable setting. Though electric wire is not a thing here.

The world's magic system is truly fascinating. Mana stones power spells that enhance everyday life. At first, the absence of electrical wires puzzled me, but the manor and streets were splendidly lit nonetheless.

This place feels like a blend of a medieval Western setting and the modern world.

As I settled on the balcony, relieved to find a table and chair, the servant arranged the tray of sweets before excusing herself.

"Hello, my darlings. I've missed you all," I affectionately greeted the desserts.

I couldn't resist capturing a photo-like gesture of the food, an old habit I couldn't shake. Taking a spoon of the pudding, I was enveloped in its heavenly taste.

"Mmm, this is delicious," I murmured, feeling the sweetness overwhelm my senses.

The moon shone brightly, adding to the enchantment of the night.

While I was enjoying the nighttime scenery and my desserts, I caught a glimpse of Sebastian and Amelia.

“What on earth are they doing there?” I muttered to myself as I watched them move to a more private area until they disappeared from view.

“What a nuisance,” I grumbled quietly. Leaning against the railing, I heard rustling sounds below. Peering down, I spotted the guy with pink hair.

It’s him! My brother’s friend who drew a sword against me. I hadn’t seen his face before, but I recognized him by his build and, of course, his pink hair. From up here, he seemed quite handsome. I thought he could be scouted as an actor or idol for his striking appearance.

“Hey, pink-haired guy!” I called out to him.

He looked up and quickly spotted me.

I signaled for him to come a bit closer, just enough to hear me from the balcony where I stood.

“Ever caught a falling person?” I asked with a wide smile.

“Y-yes…” he replied, scratching his cheek in confusion.

“Good,” I said to him.

I took a bite of the pudding for the last time and grabbed the chocolate-flavored cupcake.

Stepping onto the chair, I moved toward the edge of the railing.

He looked up at me, eyes locked, arms raised as if to catch me if I fell.

“Hey! Get down!” He shouted authoritatively.

“Yeah, that’s what I’m about to do. So, catch me, mmmkay?”

Ensuring there were no warning signs appearing, I let myself fall backward.

Got to protect the cupcake!

***

CATCH

I held her for a moment, her gaze fixed on me. It wasn’t to calm her down, but to calm myself rather.

“What's wrong with you?” I asked, my voice trembling. I had been confident in my ability to catch her, but her unwavering trust caught me off guard.

"Whoa. You're even better looking up closely," she grinned, getting back on her feet.

"Here. This is for catching me," she offered a cupcake, still grinning widely.

Ethan's sister was far more carefree than I had anticipated. I shook my head, declining the cupcake.

"Well, another one for me," she said, separating the cupcake's bottom and placing it on top of the icing before eating it.

That’s quite clever.          

I have never seen someone eat a cupcake like that.

After she finished her dessert, she gestured for me to follow her. We strolled for a bit and headed toward a secluded area of the garden, known as a romantic spot in the castle.

There are castles like this over the empire to honor the goddess who created the protective dome and over generations it became a place for social gatherings of the nobles.

She suddenly stopped, causing me to halt too. She gazed ahead, appearing to contemplate something.

Her eyes fell on her lover, entangled with another woman. But her expression held no hint of hurt or disappointment, nothing expected when one discovers their partner cheating.

Then she glanced at me, nodding slightly, and casually scanned the surroundings.

I think I smell trouble.

***

I'll break up with him.

That was the only thought in my mind now. I had no interest in keeping trash beside me.

I glanced around, half-expecting a warning screen to pop up, but it didn’t appear, despite my intention to end things with the Marquis' son.

Earlier, when I pondered ending things with Sebastian, the warning screen had surfaced. But now, even as I contemplated breaking up with him, no warning appeared.

The only person I came in contact with in that duration of time is this pink haired guy.

I looked at my brother’s friend beside me who is now hiding his face through a hood. 

Could he be the new link to meeting the prince? Was the Marquis’ role meant to connect me to this person?

Yet, I had met this pink-haired guy before I encountered Sebastian. Maybe Sebastian's role was to introduce me to this person in a more favorable light?

It made sense to me. I nodded to affirm my thought, then walked towards the two people in an intimate embrace, the pink-haired guy following closely.

Finally, Sebastian and Amelia noticed me.

“It’s not what it looks li-” Sebastian began to stutter.

I swiftly grabbed a hair accessory, a sharp pin, and hurled it at him. Unfortunately, I missed, leaving only a scratch on his cheek.

“Not a word from your dirty mouth,” I glared at him.

“Let’s break up.”