A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 28

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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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28.

The Duke had given me all the gifts.
I could hardly believe it.
I blinked blankly before peering back into the box.
“…A blue diamond.”
“Just as expected of our young lady! You recognized it at once!”
The Butler beamed with pride at how quickly I’d identified it.
Much to his credit, it wasn’t because I, an ordinary commoner, had frequent exposure to such expensive jewels.

— Sol, look at this. They say an incredibly rare diamond was discovered inside the Gate this time.
— See the color? Doesn’t it look like the sea itself has been captured inside?

One of my few cherished memories from childhood.
The blue diamond was the very jewel featured in the newspaper my Mother showed me before she passed away.
That raw stone, found only within the Gate, was extraordinarily rare and valuable even in modern times.
It was one of the few things my Mother, who suffered from depression, had desperately wanted to own.
Yet even the General, my father, had ultimately failed to acquire it for her.
‘The auction price was seven billion, or something like that….’
Years after I’d grown into adulthood and accumulated some wealth.
I suddenly remembered it and searched online, only to find—
I’d gasped at the number of zeros and shut the computer off.
“This blue diamond set is said to be a treasure of the ancient Karlan Royal Family, with an auction price equivalent to four townhouses in the Capital!”
The Butler continued his explanation with unbridled enthusiasm.
I wasn’t certain of the monetary value in this world, but I could grasp that the price was extraordinary and staggering.
I understood, but….
“…Why are you giving this to me?”
I couldn’t fathom the Duke’s intention in bestowing this upon me.
‘Surely he’s not trying to foster family harmony at this late stage.’
Even without his gift, Edith Blake’s jewelry box was already overflowing.
What my paternal grandmother and mother had left me was more than enough.
Seeing my bewilderment, the Butler proclaimed confidently.
“Why, naturally it must be to commemorate the young lady’s attendance at her first banquet after her recovery, is it not?”
“Hmm….”
Nonsense.
After a moment’s consideration, I arrived at a plausible explanation.
‘Ah, I see.’
His conscience must have been pricked by his use of his ability on me days ago.
No matter how much memory I’ve lost, what kind of father fails to recognize his own daughter?
It had been a potentially dangerous situation, so I was certainly embarrassed and my pride was wounded.
“Well, regardless of the reason, since you’ve given it to me, I’ll accept it gratefully.”
Expensive gifts in kind would be useful later, and more was always better.
“I’ll be wearing it tonight, so have it ready.”
“Yes, ma’am!”

***

After going through countless processes that defied verbal explanation, I finally finished preparing for the ball.
By the time I’d put on the dress that had been finalized, the sun was already setting.
‘How is this even possible?’
I had to start preparing at dawn for a ball in the evening.
I’d never do this twice.
Just then, Nancy, who was fastening my necklace, spoke up.
“Your taste in dresses has changed quite a bit, miss. Is it because of your memory loss?”
“What kind of taste did I have before?”
“Previously, you preferred dresses with more elaborate and voluminous lace.”
I could tell just by looking at the wardrobe packed with dresses.
‘Villains are naturally flashy, after all.’
But I rummaged through the wardrobe and selected the most modest ivory evening dress I could find.
It had a slit near one thigh for mobility, and for a cat-like creature like Edith Blake, a dress that accentuated the figure suited her better.
However, I dismissed that reasoning casually.
“With accessories this elaborate, if the dress were voluminous too, I’d look like a clown.”
“A, a clown?! Miss, you’re beautiful in anything! When you wore the maid’s uniform last time, you looked like an angel!”
“You too… when you have time, go see Eston and get your eyesight checked…”
I was responding indifferently to Nancy’s flattery.
Then an ominous thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
‘Come to think of it… there’s no guarantee everything will proceed exactly as the novel dictates.’
In fact, nothing so far has followed the novel’s plot at all.
‘What if I go to the Imperial Palace today and the heroine doesn’t appear?’
Then wouldn’t I just be adding fuel to the fire of the second male lead’s suspicions for nothing?
My face paled as I quickly turned to Nancy.
“Nancy, we still have some time, right?”
“Yes. Would you like me to bring you a snack if you’re hungry?”
“Never mind that. Go fetch Eston for me.”
Thorough preparation was always best.
As I waited for Eston, my mind began spinning rapidly.

***

Just as I finished my conversation with Eston, the departure time was drawing near.
It was when the Butler escorted me down to the Lobby in haste.
“Edith.”
“…Father?”
For some reason, the Duke was waiting for me.
‘Surely he’s not coming with me?’
I approached him, carefully masking my anxiety.
“It suits you quite well.”
The Duke’s gaze was fixed entirely on the necklace.
‘So he does say such things even though I’m his daughter.’
For some reason, I felt embarrassed and awkward.
“…Thank you for the gift.”
“It’s a reward for behaving yourself these past few days. Go and don’t do anything reckless that brings shame upon our house.”
“….”
“Don’t forget the warning I gave you last time.”
As expected.
I was grateful whenever my hopes or delusions were promptly shattered.
Otherwise, I’d only let my guard down and suffer the consequences.
As I nodded half-heartedly, I suddenly looked at the Duke again.
It was because he wasn’t wearing formal evening attire.
“…Aren’t you coming with me?”
“What would I do mingling in a gathering for young people? Besides, I wasn’t even sent an invitation.”
He grumbled.
It was something I hadn’t known before.
‘The elderly aren’t welcome?’
In any case, this novel was fundamentally a ‘romance’ fantasy, so it wasn’t something I couldn’t understand.
“But…what about Ethan?”
“He must have gone to fetch his partner.”
The Duke replied indifferently.
‘Right. Every ball episode had fierce competition over the heroine.’
Since today’s victor was the male lead number four, Ethan would surely come away empty-handed.
It was satisfying, served him right, and I was simply relieved I wouldn’t have to go with him.
The Duke suddenly asked me as I quietly breathed easier.
“Don’t you have a partner or anything?”
“No.”
“Sigh….”
He looked at me as though disappointed, but it didn’t bother me much.
“Then I’ll be going.”
I brushed past him lightly and took the Butler’s offered hand once more.
And as I walked toward the entrance.
“Edith Blake.”
The Duke suddenly called out to me.
I turned around with a puzzled expression.
I’d thought he would head straight into his study.
Yet the Duke remained standing in place, his gaze fixed upon me.
And then he spoke.
“…Adorned like that, you bear a striking resemblance to your Mother in her youth.”
“….”
“Ahem! I mean to say you look lovely. Ahem, ahem!”
With a loud, deliberate cough, he rattled off the words in rapid succession before abruptly turning away.
And he departed so swiftly that I had no opportunity to offer my thanks.
“Oh….”
“I wondered why he came all the way to see you off, but it seems he wished to see how you looked wearing the gift.”
“….”
“The Duchess also looked quite radiant in blue jewels during her lifetime….”
The Butler spoke with a warm smile to me, who stood motionless.
His words didn’t quite register.
‘Perhaps it’s because this isn’t truly my affair….’
Yet why did my heart flutter so uncomfortably?
I couldn’t understand the reason.
I didn’t want to understand it.

***

By the time I stepped outside the Estate, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, and twilight was settling in.
The Butler escorted me with utmost courtesy to the carriage that awaited us.
“Thank you, Butler.”
I was just about to offer my gratitude as I placed my foot on the carriage step.
Tap—!
Suddenly, someone snatched my hand away from where it rested upon the Butler’s.
“What the—!”
“I’ll take over the escorting from here, Butler.”
Startled by the unexpected figure that had materialized before me, a familiar voice pierced through my shock.
“Why did you take so long coming out, Edith Blake? I’ve been waiting so long I thought my neck would snap off.”
“Y-Young Duke…?!”
The Butler gasped in astonishment upon recognizing who had arrived.
I was equally taken aback.
That playful tone of voice, those soft, wavy strands of azure hair swaying gently.
Golden eyes caught in the faint lamplight gleamed brilliantly through the darkness, sweeping across me.
“Have you been well? You look particularly lovely tonight.”
The second male lead.
It was Vincent Leandro.

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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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