A World Where You All Are The Villains - Chapter 76

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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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76.

***

Though my Assigned Room was somewhat cramped, it was no less luxurious than the Duke’s Mansion.
“Ugh, my entire body is aching….”
After riding in the Carriage for over three hours without moving, every muscle felt trampled and sore.
But with all this makeup and hairstyling, I couldn’t even lie down properly—how infuriating!
I settled carefully onto the sofa and contemplated why I had to endure this ordeal.
Nancy, who had followed me in, quickly began massaging my legs and asked.
“Are you alright, Miss?”
“No.”
“Shall I give you a massage?”
“I’m starving….”
My muscles were sore, yes, but my stomach felt like it was clinging to my spine.
It was only natural—I’d been fasting since morning because of that cursed Eve Celebration.
“The Eve Celebration will begin soon, so please go eat plenty.”
Nancy consoled me with a sympathetic expression.
True to her word, word soon came that I should proceed to the Courtyard.
As I stepped outside, the sun had already set, and twilight had descended in soft shadows.
The Ballroom was decorated with extraordinary splendor.
Round tables centered around a fountain in the middle, with hedges landscaped into the shapes of flora and fauna between them.
Notably, unlike the three sides enclosed by fortifications, the side facing the central Building opened directly toward the Sea.
It seemed they had constructed an observation platform to easily view the lunar eclipse and the subjugation battle.
Brilliant chandeliers crafted from gold and crystal softly illuminated the hall.
And as the finishing touch, flowers were heaped abundantly throughout the space….
“Miss, please take this. It’s the allergy medicine the Physician gave us.”
Nancy quickly handed me the allergy medication.
I frowned and swallowed the bitter medicine.
“Eston and I will be waiting over there, so if you feel unwell, come out right away.”
“Thank you, Nancy.”
After acknowledging her, I stepped directly into the Courtyard.
The moment I heard that preparations were complete, I emerged, and the hall was still sparse.
‘It’s nice that there are no eyes watching me.’
The Duke’s Household table was positioned relatively forward.
Ethan hadn’t arrived yet either, so the seat remained empty.
A Servant who guided me to the table poured champagne and explained the course of dishes.
“We shall begin with the appetizer course.”
“Remove all fish dishes.”
“Ah… Yes, understood!”
I made sure to mention it beforehand to prevent any mishaps like last time.
Shortly after, the appetizers arrived.
Bite-sized tarts garnished with cheese and fruit.
I devoured them along with the bisque soup that followed, and only then did my blurred vision finally clear.
‘Ah… I think I’ll survive.’
With my stomach somewhat satisfied, I had the leisure to observe my surroundings.
Musicians performing live pieces from one side of the Ballroom.
The marble dance floor before them.
Even the elevated seating arranged in the spacious area midway up the Staircase leading to the central Building.
For an Island Palace, it was impressively well-appointed.
‘Is that where the Imperial Family sits?’
I studied the golden chairs atop the Staircase, adorned far more majestically than the other tables.
Since the Emperor wouldn’t be attending today, it seemed to be where the Empress or Crown Prince would be seated.
As I nibbled on bread rolls, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a shadow fell across my head.
“Did you come here just to eat?”
I reflexively looked up, only to immediately contort my face in displeasure.
A blue-haired man impeccably dressed in a beige tailcoat.
Vincent Leandro.
“We need to talk.”
He pulled out a chair without permission and sat beside me.
I tried to ignore him outright.
But.

85%

‘What is this? Why have his numbers shot up so much in just a few days?’
I couldn’t help but glance back at him, whose head had grown noticeably taller in that time.
Then our eyes met.
“…Let’s talk for a moment, Edith Blake.”
He urged me forward with an anxious expression.
“I have nothing to say.”
“Then just listen.”
“Ha….”
My appetite vanished entirely.
As I set down the bread I’d been eating and released a heavy sigh, Vincent flinched.
‘Even you must think this is shameless, don’t you?’
The thought crossed my mind for a moment, but I quickly realized I was mistaken.
He spoke with such brazen audacity, as if shame were something meant for dogs.
“…Honestly, you were wrong too.”
“….”
“A girl wandering outside fearlessly in the dead of night… and returning after staying up all night with a strange man? Does that make any sense?”
“Lower your voice. People are watching.”
I muttered irritably, glancing around at my surroundings.
All the eyes at the half-filled table had turned toward us.
“Look over there—the Princess Blake….”
“And next to her is Marquis Leandro… Are they still….”
I could hear whispers of gossip directed at Vincent and me.
‘My peaceful dinner time….’
Irritation surged at the serenity that had slipped away.
He didn’t know what was really going on, yet he had the audacity to mock me.
“Don’t you know what shame is?”
“What? My father said I did well.”
“…What?”
Vincent let out a hollow laugh, clearly bewildered, since he had no idea how that night had actually concluded.
“You’re telling me to believe that?”
“Whether you believe it or not is none of my concern.”
I glanced around to check if there were any listening ears nearby.
Fortunately, we were quite a distance from the occupied tables.
I immediately lowered my voice and spoke in hushed, confidential tones.
“If you came here to pick another fight, please just leave. This is only my first course, and I don’t want to lose my appetite because of you.”
The more I engaged with him, the more aggressive my words became.
But since he rarely understood anything when I spoke politely, there was little I could do.
As expected, my words struck him hard—Vincent’s face went rigid.
I felt a flutter of tension.
I suddenly worried that he might lose his temper like he had a few days ago and use some ability on me.
Surprisingly, Vincent didn’t lose his temper.
Instead, he fixed me with an odd expression before his eyes suddenly drooped like a docile puppy’s.
“…Isn’t that a bit harsh to say to a friend?”
“I don’t think I should take that from someone who threatened to kill me with an allergy.”
“Fine, I’ll admit I was too harsh back then.”
“…”
“…I’m sorry, Edith.”
He added with a dejected tone.
“So let’s make up. You’re still angry?”
A sudden change of tactics?
Bewildered, I quickly saw through his scheme.
‘He’s doing this on purpose.’
With all these people watching, he was making it impossible for me to refuse.
‘I really don’t understand. Does he still need a villain?’
Without even a heroine in the picture, I couldn’t fathom why he was so obsessed with our relationship.
He seemed to have completely forgotten the two times he’d suggested we end our friendship.
Whether his apology was sincere or false, I didn’t want to accept it.
But if I simply sat here in silence, I’d either end up accepting it anyway, or refuse and be branded a villainess—only two outcomes awaited me.
I ultimately abandoned my meal and abruptly rose from my seat.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“The restroom.”
“Now?”
“…”
“Hey, Edith…!”
Had he not anticipated this route?
Leaving a flustered Vincent behind, I crossed the Courtyard without hesitation.
‘This won’t do. I’ll just stay in my room and come back when the ceremony is about to start.’
Whether it was the Emperor or the Crown Prince, the person overseeing the event would have to give the opening remarks for the commemoration to truly begin.
Just as I was hurrying toward the entrance, worried Vincent might chase after me.
Thud!
“Ah…!”
Because I kept glancing back, I failed to notice someone coming from the opposite direction and collided with them.
Stagger—!
Someone’s firm hand steadied my wavering shoulders.
“My apologies…”
I reflexively apologized before looking up at the person, then caught myself mid-word.
Hair burning bright crimson like embers even in the darkness.

49%

Above that, I could see the numbers maintained exactly as I had purified them two weeks ago.
‘Is this real? Why of all times…!’
I had avoided the second male lead, only for the third male lead to appear.
It felt like a lie.
“…Are you alright?”
“…”
“Miss Blake.”
A low, deep voice resonated in my ears.
I quickly tore my gaze away from above Dylan’s head and bowed my head first.
“Yes. Thank you for catching me.”
With this persistent man, the answer was to avoid conversation altogether from the start.
I spoke hurriedly and immediately moved left to evade him.
But my path was blocked just as quickly by his massive frame.
“…?”
This time I moved to the right.
I was blocked again.
When I glanced up, I saw those ash-gray eyes staring down at me shamelessly.
“I would like to have a word with you.”
“…I apologize, but something urgent has come up. Let’s do this another time.”
“When next?”
“When I’m not busy.”
I immediately brushed past him before he could block me again.
And just as I was hurrying away.
“Didn’t we agree to settle the debt of gratitude?”
A quiet voice came from behind me without warning.
‘What nonsense is this?’
I had no choice but to spin around at those words.
“…I would have sent it to Count Frederick’s Estate the very next day. You didn’t receive it?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“I did not receive it.”
“What…”
Watching my bewildered expression, he spoke slowly and deliberately, emphasizing each word.
“Because that was not the reward I desired.”

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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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