A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 145

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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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145.

As I stepped into the Ballroom.
The Emperor was already being escorted inside by the Crown Prince’s arm.
I hastily bowed my head in line with the other nobles who were bending at the waist.
Once the Emperor finally settled into his seat of honor, the Crown Prince commanded on his behalf.
“Raise your heads, all of you.”
At his words, the nobles lifted their heads in unison, and the frozen atmosphere began to thaw slightly.
Standing at the very edge of the crowd, I quietly stole a glance at the seat of honor.
High-ranking nobles including the Duke and Ethan were positioned beneath the platform where the Emperor sat—though I couldn’t recall when they’d arrived.
‘He’s supposed to be ill from a chronic condition….’
The Emperor, whom I was seeing for the first time since coming here, appeared remarkably gaunt.
In the original work—or rather, in the Book of Prophecy—he was not a particularly significant figure.
He was merely the stepping stone for Ruellin’s rise in status, and part of an episode where she gained a new family despite her unfortunate childhood.
Perhaps because she owed him her life.
As befitted a beloved heroine, it was always Ruellin who occupied the seat beside the Emperor at public gatherings like this.
She faithfully served as his conversational companion, and thanks to her, the Emperor’s chronic illness was cured, and his family was always described as warm and harmonious.
Yet the reality before me was not merely bleak—it was solemn and suffocating.
An Emperor whose face bore unmistakable exhaustion, and a Crown Prince brimming with stubbornness and obstinacy.
An Empress whose expression appeared cold and calculating at first glance.
Everything was different from what I had known.
A brief silence hung in the air.
Finally, the Emperor opened his mouth heavily.
And his first words were….
“Edith Blake.”
“….”
“Where is the Purifier?”
At his sudden call for me, the surrounding nobles cast sidelong glances in my direction and quietly retreated.
In doing so, I was left standing alone in a way that made it unmistakably clear to everyone that I was Edith Blake.
“Ah, there you are. Why is today’s protagonist standing so far away? Come here at once, come.”
The Emperor, having spotted me, gestured eagerly in my direction.
Then, with a whoosh.
The dense crowd parted, and a path opened before me as if the Red Sea itself were splitting apart.
‘This is suffocating. I can’t breathe…!’
Despite having drawn tremendous attention because of Serge and then quickly hiding away, everyone’s gaze was now fixed upon me once more.
I faltered, my lips trembling, but ultimately had no choice but to move forward.
As I reached the platform, my eyes suddenly met those of the Duke standing in the front row.
His face had grown rigid with a peculiar tension.
It seemed the Duke was worried that his tomboyish daughter might cause some grand scandal before the Emperor.
His gaze made me tense as well.
Finally coming to a halt before the Emperor, I took a light breath and bowed my head.
“I behold the sun of the Empire.”
“Raise your head.”
As I carefully lifted my gaze, the Emperor looked down at me with clouded eyes.
“I remember seeing you as a child, yet when did you blossom into such a beautiful young lady? Time truly flies.”
“….”
“And to awaken as The Purifier at such a late age, no less. Duke Blake had been carefully nurturing this golden goose all this time without revealing it, and at last it has come to light. Haha.”
“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty!”
The Duke quickly cried out in my stead at the Emperor’s kind words.
Thanks to him, I was relieved of my bewilderment at not knowing what to say.
“Rather than delay, let us proceed with the decoration ceremony at once.”
Fortunately, the Emperor did not press further into the past I knew nothing of.
At his gesture, an attendant standing nearby hurried toward the back and returned with a velvet box containing the decoration and a great sword.
With the Crown Prince’s support once more, the Emperor rose with difficulty and placed the necklace bearing the decoration around my neck.
“Edith Blake.”
“….”
“You did not turn away from those in peril, whether on Equinox Island or in Acarna, and devoted yourself entirely to their aid. For this, I commend your efforts and merit, and bestow upon you this decoration.”
With that, the Emperor lightly tapped my head and both shoulders with the flat of the great sword.
‘So this is the fantasy decoration ceremony I’ve only heard about….’
Just as I was thinking I’ve experienced everything since coming here, the ceremony concluded.
“I ask that you continue to exert yourself for the protection and prosperity of the Empire.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall do my utmost.”
Answering obediently with my head bowed, the Emperor smiled with satisfaction.
“Good. Let us end these tedious formalities here, and enjoy yourself to your heart’s content. After all, you are the protagonist of this evening.”
At the same time, the music that had paused began to flow once more.
“Congratulations, Miss Blake!”
“To Miss Blake!”
“May we dedicate our lives to the Empire’s peace and glory!”
The nobility raised their champagne glasses high, calling out my name.
‘Phew….’
As the solemn atmosphere dissipated, I finally exhaled the breath I had been holding and smiled awkwardly.
The decoration ceremony had passed without incident, contrary to my worries.
‘I wonder if Ruellin is watching?’
By rights, the protagonist of this occasion should have been her, not me.
The reversal of our positions left me with a peculiar feeling.
It was not pride or a sense of superiority that I felt.
Rather, I hoped she would suffer more.
And that she would feel even more bitter resentment.
‘So much so that he resented this being his rightful place, yearning to return to it.’
That was when it happened.
“By the way, didn’t you bring your partner with you?”
The Emperor suddenly posed the question to me, who stood vacant-eyed amid a throng of nobles.
“Pardon? Ah, well….”
Only then did I recall the existence I’d completely forgotten.
‘Now that I think about it, where did Serge go?’
As I rolled my eyes searching for him, the Emperor let out an astonished sound.
“If you have no partner, how about dancing the first dance with the Crown Prince? You’re both similar in age, and you’d make quite the pair.”
“Indeed. The young lady has just turned twenty this year, yes? A mere three years separates her from the Crown Prince—a perfect match. Hehe.”
The Empress chimed in with the Emperor’s words as if she’d been waiting for the opportunity.

― They will deliberately try to pair you with the Crown Prince. Be cautious in your conduct so as not to fall into their trap.

When Ethan had said such things, I’d merely thought it one of his usual nagging remarks, but it was true after all!
A month ago on Equinox Island, hadn’t he cherished Ruellin enough to seat her at the place of honor?
Yet now they conducted themselves as if her very existence had been completely erased from memory.
“Miss Blake. Would you grant me the honor of the first dance?”
To make matters worse, the Crown Prince—three years my junior—descended from the platform with a cloying smile, extending his hand toward me.
“Your Highness. Forgive me, but Edith’s partner today is——”
Reluctantly, Ethan, who had been standing silently beside the Duke, stepped forward on my behalf, sensing my predicament.
“How now. Even water has its hierarchy.”
That was when it happened.
“Isn’t it rather crossing the line to pursue your uncle’s woman, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”
Parting through the murmuring crowd, my so-called partner finally made his appearance.
At his arrival, not only the Crown Prince but the Emperor and Empress alike contorted their faces.
The Emperor glared at him and spoke through gritted teeth.
“Grand Duke Belnac. Where have you been all this time?”
“My apologies, Your Majesty. I drank rather too much champagne, and Sophie became so insistent that I simply couldn’t resist, you see.”
“How dare you! Watch your tongue, Grand Duke!”
“Perhaps it’s not I who should be watching my tongue, but rather Your Highness, who attempts to brazenly steal another’s partner for a dance.”
“Grand Duke Belnac——!”
The Crown Prince flared up in anger at the Grand Duke’s chuckling response.
“Enough of this.”
Apparently accustomed to their sparring, the Emperor waved his hand with an expression of exasperation and suddenly turned his gaze upon me.
“…Miss Blake. Surely your partner today isn’t the Grand Duke, is it?”
His face as he questioned me was filled with doubt.
As if asking why I’d partnered with such a reckless fool.
‘Indeed….’
I hadn’t known he’d act like a madman even today.
I should have answered the Emperor’s question, but the words of affirmation simply wouldn’t come.
“I….”
I was biting my lower lip, struggling to find what to say.
CRAAAAAASH―――!
Suddenly, a tremendous roar erupted, and the very earth began to tremble.
“What, what is…!”
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
People screamed at the sudden earthquake.
The ballroom descended into chaos in an instant.
Thankfully, the tremor subsided quickly.
“What is the meaning of this!”
Just as the Emperor rose from his seat in fury, a guard came rushing in breathlessly.
“Your Majesty! Outside, you must come see what’s outside. There’s a Gate inside the Imperial Palace…!”
At his cry, everyone without exception rushed toward the garden connected to the ballroom.
“Seems something interesting is happening.”
Serge, who had been muttering to himself, suddenly seized my arm.
“Let’s go before we miss it, Princess.”
And before I could even react, he dragged me out of the ballroom at a sprint.
“Wait, please…slow down!”
“Move.”
“Ugh!”
Ignoring my protests, he flung people aside with telekinesis and rushed outside without hesitation.
He was like a man intoxicated by adrenaline.
Thanks to him, we reached the garden entrance faster than anyone else.
And finally, the scene revealed itself.
“That’s…!”
“Isn’t that Count Frederick?”
“There’s someone in the Count’s arms!”
A small Gate hovering in the sky.
And standing beneath it, Dylan.
Someone was cradled in his arms, just as the nobles cried out.
Chestnut-colored hair cascading down from Dylan’s embrace.
A familiar white gown.
It was….
Ruellin.

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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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