Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 543

"Liar!!!!!!"

At the continuous shouting, I desperately peeked out from Rapha's chest to see what was going on.

Looking over, I saw a large fox-man at the open front door, clutching his head with both hands.

"Wh-who is that?"

"Look, it's the guy from the love letter."

Rapha whispered softly into my ear.

Ah, I see. So that's Gabriel Santos.

He had slightly tanned skin, short yellow hair with sideburns, thick eyebrows, and sharp, large eyes with blue pupils.

Even from this distance, his striking, distinctive features were clearly visible.

He seemed like the kind of person you wouldn't forget once you met him.

"Lady Rapha. Are you truly, truly saying that he is the one?"

Gabriel shouted loudly, stomping over with heavy footsteps.

What a noisy guy.

"Yes. Of course."

"Wh-what did you say?!"

As Rapha nodded, he turned a gaze full of hostility toward me.

Come on, at least try to hide your hostility.

Dumbfounded, I tilted my head.

"Um, I'm not following the conversation here..."

"Sorry about that. This is Gabriel Santos. He's been pushing me to marry him for a while now."

She acted completely natural, feigning ignorance, and sighed, shaking her head as if exasperated.

"Huh? And what does that have to do with you hugging me like this?"

"I kept refusing, but he wouldn't stop, so I told him I had someone I was secretly in love with."

I could see where this was going, and I had a really bad feeling about it.

"So, who's this person you're secretly in love with?"

"Of course, it's you, Rid."

Raphar narrowed her eyes and smiled, deliberately hugging me even tighter against her chest.

Her actions caused a stir among the fox-people around us.

Gabriel, standing right in front of us, stared wide-eyed at me buried in Raphar's chest, his nose twitching.

"Ngh. H-how enviable... Ah, no, no, that's not it!"

He shook his head as if snapping out of it and glared at Raphar.

"With all due respect, Lady Raphar, why would someone of your stature be secretly in love with such a small fry? I find it hard to understand."

"Oh, Rid isn't just any small fry. He's the one who defeated my brother, Elba Granduke. As a beastwoman living in a world of survival of the fittest, it's only natural for me to be drawn to someone strong."

"Hmm. I see. So you're the famous 'Unconventional Maverick, Rid Baldia.' My apologies. I didn't recognize you while you were buried in Lady Raphar's chest."

Yeah, right. You totally knew.

As I mentally retorted, he deliberately cleared his throat and straightened up.

"My apologies for the late introduction. I am Gabriel Santos, the eldest son of the Santos family, a prominent fox clan. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Ah, yes. Likewise, nice to meet you."

Finally freed from Raphar's embrace, I straightened up slightly and shook the hand he offered.

"However, I must say. Rid, you seem quite mature for someone so young. To be captivated by Lady Rapha's charm and even let your nose twitch in public... My, my, your wife must have her hands full."

Gabriel said this with a sneer, the corners of his mouth lifting.

No, no, no, no.

You're the one who was staring at Raphar and twitching your nose.

In my head, I could hear the sound of something creaking, like a rope straining.

But I deliberately narrowed my eyes and smiled.

"I'm devoted to my wife, so while I'm honored by Lady Rapha's feelings, there's no need to worry. However, Gabriel, you seem to have quite the thick skin. To openly show your jealousy toward a lady who has already declared her affection for someone else in public..."

As I said this, I deliberately glanced around.

"Wh-what are you talking about...?"

Caught off guard by my remark, he hurriedly looked around.

Then, he noticed the warm gazes of the many fox-people gathered around us and turned red. "Wh-what?!"

When he had shouted and rushed over to us, the nobles and warriors gathered for the meeting had been watching intently.

He had been so focused on our exchange that he hadn't noticed.

And there was a reason I played along with this farce.

Gabriel might be the most noticeable, but there are surely many others who want to marry or get close to Raphar to gain influence over the fox-people.

This incident would serve as a warning to them.

Still, the image of Fara's smiling face back in Baldia came to mind, and I felt a pang of guilt.

I'm sorry, I muttered in my heart, then cleared my throat.

"Well, as they say, 'Those who interfere with another's love life will be kicked by a horse.' So it might be wise to keep your jealousy in check when it comes to a lady who already has her heart set on someone else."

"Guh, nghhh!"

Gabriel's face turned red as he trembled with rage.

Even though we're in different countries, I still hold a higher position than him.

He must have realized he couldn't afford to lose his temper, so he was desperately holding back.

"Gabriel. Many nobles have gathered here today by carriage. If you have business near the horses, please be careful."

I delivered the final blow with a smile, and he muttered, "You...!" as he stepped closer to me.

But Diana swiftly stepped in front of me, blocking his path.

"Gabriel. I apologize, but please refrain from going any further."

"How rude. Step aside, ma...id."

Gabriel tried to brush her off, but he froze when he saw her face.

He stared at her intently, as if struck by something.

"Wh-what is it?"

As Diana faltered, he suddenly took her hand.

"You're beautiful. You're like a rose from the Empire of Baldia. How about it? Would you become my second wife, after Lady Raphar?"

"Huh?!"

Gabriel's words left us all in an uproar. Diana, in particular, seemed completely baffled, turning pale and speechless.

"Hey. I'm not your wife. Stop saying such ridiculous things."

"Haha. Don't be jealous, Lady Rapha."

Gabriel flashed a white-toothed smile, but Raphar shook her head, clearly annoyed.

"Ugh, this is pointless. Anyway, I like Rid, the one who defeated my brother Elba. If you really want to win my heart, you'll have to defeat him first."

"I see. Understood."

"Wait, what? Hey, hold on!"

Ignoring my protests, Raphar turned on her heel and quickly walked back into the mansion alone.

She definitely just dumped all the trouble on me.