A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 61

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 61
I stared blankly at Joshua for a moment, then waved my hand dismissively.
“Anyway, just get out of here.”
“I can’t leave! I still have something to tell you.”
“Something to tell me? What is it?”
“You know, that thing you asked me to investigate last time. I found out about it.”
My indifferent expression immediately hardened.
“Could you at least find out when Hou stopped appearing?”
Previously, I had asked Joshua to investigate when Hou was injured. Joshua continued with a self-satisfied expression.
“The day you left for the Academy.”
Wait, what did you just say?
My heart dropped.
“He hasn’t been seen since that day.”
The moment I heard Joshua’s words, the pieces in my mind began to interlock, and the truth started to take shape.
A lethal poison so potent that even purification summons couldn’t purify it.
Grandfather and Hou, neither providing a proper explanation of the situation.
Hou’s injury, which they were keeping secret from others.
And the timing—far too convenient.
A plausible hypothesis came to mind. Recalling the incredibly potent poison Hou had been emitting, a chill ran down my spine once more.
I jumped to my feet.
“…Kiana?”
Joshua asked in surprise, but I had no mind to acknowledge him, rushing frantically toward the Greenhouse.
* * *
Hou was lounging in the Greenhouse, yawning. Since the poison hadn’t been completely detoxified yet, he wasn’t venturing outside, but his recovery was progressing quickly, and soon he would be able to move as freely as before.
【Child?】
Hou fluttered his wings happily upon seeing me rush into the Greenhouse.
【It’s been so long! And you’re still wearing those strange boxy clothes!】
“Summons simply don’t appreciate the beauty of right angles.”
I answered flatly, then sat down in front of his nest.
“Hou, listen to me.”
And I asked abruptly.
“Did you follow me the day I left for the Academy?”
【Uh, huh?】
“Five years ago—did you follow me?”
【…You’re asking when you already know, aren’t you?】
Hou clicked his beak sheepishly.
【I’m not sure if I’m allowed to tell you. Scari absolutely didn’t want to tell you about this. He seems embarrassed about it…】
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
I spoke gently to Hou, revealing the truth.
“If I hadn’t been there, you wouldn’t even be able to click your beak right now, would you?”
【….】
“Collapsed in a corner of the nest with my eyes closed, only able to mutter things like ‘go away.’ That’s all I would’ve been capable of, right?”
【….】
“And then about two years later, when something seemed to be happening to Grandfather, I’d stumble out reluctantly, but I wouldn’t have been any real help, would I?”
【Unnecessarily specific.】
Hou shook his head vigorously and pressed his wing against his forehead.
【And you’re laying it on far too thick…. It seems Scari really does take after you.】
“Want me to keep going? I can lay it on like this for the entire two nights and three days.”
At my perfectly reasonable proposal, Hou let out a deep sigh. Since I’d saved Hou, he had no choice but to speak with me.
After a moment of silence, Hou slowly opened his mouth.
【…Anyway, six years ago, it’s true that you left far away after being scolded by Scari, isn’t it?】
Well, I was the one who said I’d go, but that’s how it started.
【So how could Scari be happy about it?】
I watched Hou calmly and waited for the next words.
【He told me to follow you and watch over you from afar. To make sure you were doing well, that you weren’t sad, that you weren’t suffering too much.】
Hou wiped his eyes with his large wing and spoke dramatically.
【He even said that if you seemed to hesitate even slightly, I should convince you by any means necessary and bring you back!】
At the end, he even shouted with great solemnity.
【He was so worried about you going to a foreign land at such a young age!】
And I responded to that solemn cry with composure.
“I see.”
【…I see?】
Hou looked at me with a furrowed brow.
【That’s all the reaction you have? Really?】
“Should I react more?”
At my words, Hou bounced up and down.
【Aren’t you moved at all? After six years, you’ve just found out that Scari was secretly looking after you?】
“But that didn’t really help much in the end, did it?”
I spoke indifferently.
“I’m getting along fine with Grandfather now anyway, so it’s not like it was necessary information for improving our relationship.”
【….】
“In the end, it’s a fact that didn’t help in the past or the present. I’m someone who only cares about results. I forget useless things easily.”
【Wow.】
Hou shook his head and muttered.
【How can you be so cold-hearted? You’re just like Scari.】
“Anyway, so who were you trying to save back then?”
And at my sudden question, Hou flinched.
【…What?】
“That poison—you purified it back then, right?”
【….】
“I’ve never received help from Hou, so I wonder… who exactly was he purifying that vicious poison for?”
Hou rolled his eyes and stammered out a response.
“S-someone came clinging to me saying they were in pain! I merely showed compassion, but how was I supposed to predict that fool would consume such a deadly toxin?”
“Wow, that’s honestly the most ridiculous nonsense anyone could possibly hear.”
I even applauded Hou’s tearful effort with a cheer.
“To think you’d spin such an obvious lie to the very one who saved your life. Your ingratitude is truly remarkable, Hou.”
“W-what?!”
“Did Grandfather tell you to keep it secret? Your loyalty is impressive.”
“C-cough! I don’t know anything!”
“…Fine. You don’t have to tell me.”
Sometimes, when someone refuses to speak until the very end, it gives you certainty. This was one of those moments.
“I think I can figure it out without you saying anything.”
Hou’s face went rigid.
I said nothing more and turned my body around, stepping out of the Greenhouse.
The pieces were falling into place. The Prelai Family had always been one that offered unwavering loyalty to the Imperial Family. Hou was not the type to show kindness to just anyone. But if the other party was of Imperial blood, that changed everything.
‘The Crown Prince didn’t simply misstep and fall. He was poisoned.’
After all, why would a young man whom everyone praised as destined to become a Sword Master—if only he lost weight—end up dead from falling off a cliff?
‘Hou, who happened to witness it while following me, must have purified him.’
Of course, an enormous secret lay hidden within this.
“Princess, they say the House of Taylies is blessed by the gods. Do you know why?”
“Yes. The Tailies Imperial Family is immune to poison.”
The Tailies Imperial Family was naturally immune to poison. Therefore, the Crown Prince should have been immune as well. Yet the poison that Hou couldn’t completely purify—so vicious that it left internal injuries—meant…
‘Somehow, they’ve discovered a poison that works on the Imperial Family. Unbelievable…’
Then I could understand why they couldn’t contact the Emperor.
“In any case, even secretly informing him of survival would be difficult while maintaining their concealment.”
As Sezare said, contacting the Emperor in secret was not feasible in their current situation.
‘For now, since he has no influence, they’re keeping the Emperor alive, but…’
If they attempted contact and were discovered, even the Emperor’s life could be in danger. After all, it was a poison that worked on the Imperial Family.
In any case, the situation became clear. Hou must have returned in a terrible state after some time and reported the situation to Grandfather. The Crown Prince, unaware he’d been purified, had barely clung to life before collapsing and meeting me.
‘He’ll think he won through the power of the Tailies bloodline alone.’
All the pieces fit together.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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