Disqualified as a Villainess - Chapter 17

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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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#17.

Octavia returned to the Banquet Hall, standing alone with her usual serene smile.
She had walked here with the Admiral, arriving together at the entrance.
It was merely a standard escort—just linking arms—yet his expression had grown increasingly rigid.

“You’ve destroyed my daily life like this, and you won’t even take responsibility for it…”

Then, muttering incomprehensible words, he clutched his head and fired off a barrage of curses before flinging himself away as if he could bear it no longer.
And he left, with his Favorability dropping by approximately 300 points.
‘Does he hate linking arms that much?’
But the more he dislikes it, the better I feel.
Octavia paid it no mind. After all, he wouldn’t suddenly come charging back with thousands of Favorability points.
Just then, someone approached her.
“Lady Octavia.”
It was Chloe, with black hair reaching her shoulders and emerald-green eyes. Though her attire was modest, her fresh beauty—or perhaps the protagonist’s blessing—prevented her from appearing shabby.
“I recently joined Prince Dominic’s Esper Division, and when I saw him ask me to dance today, I worried you might misunderstand.”
At Chloe’s words, Octavia smiled faintly.
Prince Dominic had grown interested in Chloe after she demonstrated her wit and saved him during a contamination purification mission.
It was because he witnessed her, despite being merely a rank-9 Esper, suddenly manifest an extraordinary amount of holy power.
‘That makes sense—Chloe’s mother is a descendant of the Eastern Continent’s Apostle.’
She was not a blood relative of the Admiral, but rather a princess of the royal family established among the Four Apostles’ descendants on the Eastern Continent.
This was also why her original power could later be awakened, allowing her to become a Saint.
This was a truth unknown even to Chloe herself—a secret of her birth known only to Prince Dominic. He kept the truth hidden while keeping her at his side for his purposes, eventually developing genuine feelings for her.
Chloe added to Octavia, who responded only with a smile.
“Couldn’t we get along well from now on?”
Octavia let out a soft scoff.
‘Yes, I wish I could abandon that regretful second male lead and have her become my ally instead…’

Favorability decreased [+100]

Unfortunately, Chloe, born into misfortune, instinctively despised Octavia, who had been fortunate enough to be born with so much.

“The world is unfair, and you have far more than you deserve.”

She was an accomplice who wanted to steal everything Octavia possessed.
A woman brimming with ambition equal to Prince Dominic’s, Octavia—marked as someone to be trampled upon—harbored no thoughts of cooperation whatsoever.
“Don’t misunderstand. I know the truth as it is, so please don’t worry too much.”
Chloe’s expression stiffened slightly.
Octavia could not possibly be unaware that she had approached the Prince as a means to climb upward from the bottom.
“Even if I wanted us to get along, it seems impossible because of the Prince, who torments you whenever he does anything.”
The moment the words left her lips, Prince Dominic appeared and positioned himself between Chloe and Octavia.
“Right now….”
“You’re about to say something predictable about how jealousy has blinded you into tormenting her.”
Octavia cut off the Prince’s words and flashed a smile toward Chloe.
“Don’t mind me. I’ve already obtained a man far superior to the Prince.”
At this, Chloe glanced cautiously around before speaking.
“However, it doesn’t seem like you came as the Admiral’s partner this time either…. You don’t need to push yourself so hard. The Prince and I truly have no relationship whatsoever. Since the other party is of royal blood, I’m worried the Lady might face trouble.”
She believed that Octavia was being unilaterally bothersome toward her, just as she was toward Prince Dominic.
There was no reason for such an accomplished Admiral to become entangled with an incompetent woman of poor character.
But then it happened.
The surroundings grew quiet, and all eyes converged on a single point.
Kelsedny Admiral, impeccably dressed in his formal uniform, was walking into the Banquet Hall.
He approached Octavia directly and extended his arm with a composed expression, appearing almost serene.
Octavia accepted his escort with a puzzled look.
“Where have you been?”
“Exterminating malevolent spirits.”
He answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
He had dealt with the impure malevolence in his own heart, but he saw no need to state the truth explicitly.
“Will you dance with me?”
“That would be rather difficult.”
Chloe and Prince Dominic watched the departing pair with bewildered expressions.
In the meantime, the Marquis who had been struck by Octavia and harbored resentment stepped forward.
“Admiral, do you know how vicious that woman is? Just now she struck my head with a bottle…!”
The Marquis pointed to his bandaged head, attempting to tattle, but once again a sharp clanging sound erupted.
Octavia looked up at the Admiral, who casually discarded the bottle he had used to strike the Marquis.
“I like the way you take my side.”
“That’s not it. He spoke without permission first.”
The Admiral had reached a decision. Something was certainly amiss with Octavia, and he needed to observe her closely and discover the cause of his current predicament.
To end this humiliation of being led around by this woman, he had no choice but to feign cooperation by following her methods.
‘If I discover something suspicious or find a way to escape this wretched state, I’ll dispose of her without hesitation.’
Just as the Admiral harbored hidden thoughts, so too did Octavia.
‘So he’ll do as I say after all, yet he complains. Once I’ve thoroughly exploited him and signs of betrayal appear, or if he begins to care for me, I’ll discard him without mercy.’
In any case, Octavia had secured both a collaborator and an exploitation target she found disagreeable.

***

Prince Dominic’s self-centered thought process continued to turn over in his mind.
‘No matter what, the Admiral is a man who takes orders from my brother Arseno, so his intention must be to pose as an ally while keeping watch.’
There was no way Octavia had changed her heart. The Ludovisi Family continued to provide him with unwavering support.
‘Even if that were the case, eventually she would discover that the Admiral had used her.’
Of course, in the past he had considered marrying Octavia—her beautiful appearance combined with the capital and technology she could provide would elevate his standing.
That was before he learned that Chloe Arsenes was descended from one of the Four Apostles.

“Since I have promised an engagement to Lady Octavia, I cannot accept Your Highness’s feelings.”

He could not let Chloe Arsenes slip away.
He had already extracted everything he needed from Octavia anyway, and with just a bit of false hope dangled before her, she would never abandon him—so he broke the promise without hesitation.
“On the occasion of Princess May’s birthday, I offer my sincere congratulations!”
As Princess May cut into her magnificent three-tiered cake, everyone raised their champagne glasses to celebrate her birthday.
“A birthday gift for Your Highness.”
Servants of several nobles entered, bearing gifts for the princess—a figure of considerable power within the Royal Palace.
The presentation of gifts was itself a form of competition, and they had delayed their offerings so as not to be overshadowed by the radiant stone Octavia had given.
A succession of rare and precious gifts followed, accompanied by the guests’ admiration.
“I express my gratitude for such precious gifts and sincere wishes. I shall not forget your devotion and loyalty.”
Just as it seemed Princess May’s words of thanks would conclude the proceedings, Octavia raised her champagne glass high.
“Beyond the radiant stone gift I presented, I wish to offer another gift on behalf of the Ludovisi Family to celebrate Your Highness’s birthday.”
The guests expected that servants would bring forth something magnificent, given the Ludovisi Family’s considerable wealth, but nothing appeared. There was nothing prepared outside either.
Amid the curious gazes of the crowd, she gracefully turned her violet eyes and opened her mouth to speak.
“The Ludovisi Family shall actively support Princess May. We will provide dedicated weapons for the Esper Division under Her Highness’s command, and we intend to support all of Her Highness’s future endeavors.”
Princess May’s eyes widened in utter shock.
The eyes of Prince Dominic and everyone else in the hall grew wide as well.
“As of yesterday, our family has terminated all support for Prince Dominic and has decided to redirect our existing support to Princess May.”
An uproar erupted in the hall, which had fallen silent.
This was a public declaration of support for the princess rather than the prince—an event as momentous as a reversal in the royal succession.
“My goodness. It seems Dominic really has no lingering attachment to her.”
Princess April muttered while covering her mouth.
“…What did you say?”
Prince Dominic, who had possessed the third-largest Esper Division thanks to the Ludovisi Family’s support—after the Kingdom Army and the Temple Holy Knights—wore an expression of profound shock.
‘This is only the beginning.’
Seeing the arrogant prince’s stunned expression, Octavia let out a scoff.

“The Representative cut off the young lady’s funds precisely because of Prince Dominic.”

According to Secretary Lothear, he could have cut off support for Dominic at any time and sent the Prince plummeting into ruin. However, he maintained the support because he feared his daughter, who still harbored feelings for the Prince, would never see her father again.
This meant that Octavia’s impoverished life had ultimately been a drastic measure taken by her father, who worried she would continue to be exploited by the cunning Prince.
‘The original Octavia would have done exactly that.’
Octavia smiled as she recalled the moment she had shed her life as an unfilial daughter and a doormat.

“Lothear. Tell Father that he can cut off all support going to that man, including the Esper Division that Prince Dominic owns.”

Now I could finally undertake the recovery work I had previously avoided out of fear of Father’s affection.

“The Representative was overjoyed to hear that you have no lingering attachment to the Prince.”

If not for the Admiral’s withdrawal of favor, I would have been instantly killed by Father’s barrage of affection.

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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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