Disqualified as a Villainess - 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.

Saint Uriana lifted her chin sharply as she interrogated me.
“Have you become the Admiral’s retainer?”
I was familiar with the concept of “Royal Family retainers.”
A select few of the strongest, bound by lifelong contracts with the Royal Family and granted their power. In essence, elite slaves.
Since the original work never detailed the selection criteria or contract methods, I didn’t know the specifics myself.
Saint Uriana pressed for an answer.
“The Royal Family exists on an entirely different plane—they are not beings who indulge in mere primitive pleasures.”
Saint Uriana was already convinced that I had received at least some portion of their power.
“Well, since it concerns the Royal Family, it’s a matter I cannot discuss freely.”
Rather than admit ignorance, I offered a cryptic response. After all, I truly couldn’t speak carelessly about what I didn’t know.
“Let’s be honest with each other.”
Unable to contain her frustration, the Saint spoke first.
“I already understand the methods of domination, so you needn’t worry about discretion. What did you offer the Admiral in exchange? Did you discover a way to repair a damaged Core? The Ludovisi Family would certainly be capable of such a thing.”

「Saint Uriana, couldn’t you help my younger brother?
It seems the restoration of an ability Core falls within the domains of sacred and magical engineering.」

Saint Uriana had learned of this through Arseno’s message. She naturally assumed that Octavia, as the daughter of the greatest magical engineering family, would know as well—but…
‘I knew the Kelsedny Admiral wasn’t normal, but his ability Core is damaged?’
Only now did she realize it.
For a Royal Family member’s Core—something that would remain intact even if humanity were annihilated—to be damaged… what on earth had he done? Restructured the world itself?
My eyes widened as I absorbed this tremendous information, courtesy of scandal and misunderstanding.
Believing she had struck a nerve, Saint Uriana pressed forward relentlessly.
“Don’t play coy. If you’ve shared a bed multiple times, you’ve certainly received the Apostle’s power. Once you’ve lain with the Royal Family even once, you become a retainer candidate, don’t you?”
Based on what I witnessed that night, this wasn’t a one-time affair driven by mere desire. Besides, the Royal Family had no desires to satisfy.
The Saint’s expression screamed ‘caught red-handed,’ oblivious to the fact that she was providing me invaluable information.
“Ah.”
I adopted an expression of sudden understanding.
So that’s why he spouted such insincere talk about taking responsibility.
The Royal Family upholds order and principle, after all.
I tilted my head thoughtfully.
‘If I truly become a retainer candidate, what happens then? Does an inseparable love-hate relationship form?’
I felt an irresistible surge of curiosity. Of course, I had no desire to become a slave.
“This is news to me—quite fascinating, actually. Please, tell me more.”
Seeing my eyes sparkle with interest, Saint Uriana furrowed her brow and tilted her head.
“You didn’t already know?”
“I’ve only just learned. You’ve just told me, after all.”
“What? Then why on earth did you and the Admiral…?”
“Our tastes simply align, that’s all. The Admiral is a man, after all.”
‘Purely? No—she was saying they were merely indulging in carnal desire, nothing more?’
Saint Uriana’s face flushed with bewilderment.
Did the Admiral truly harbor interest in a woman of unsound mind?
“It seems you’ve heard this from someone, Your Holiness. Since it must be troubling for you, I’ll keep it confidential.”
Octavia, maintaining her graceful composure, lifted her gaze and smiled toward her.
“When would you like to go on a date, Your Holiness? The meal expenses will be quite substantial.”
“I never intended to go on a date with a believer….”
“Just let me know whenever. I’ll be waiting. The ceremony will begin shortly, so we can discuss this next time.”
Saint Uriana watched Octavia’s departing figure with a vacant stare, her final words hanging in the air.
“What exactly was that?”
Uriana’s gaze fixed upon the purple bracelet adorning Octavia’s wrist.
Just as Kimihee, the priest capable of detecting auras, had sensed it, Saint Uriana too perceived a faint apostolic aura emanating from her.

***

The Sacred Altar Chamber, where the ritual of healing and purification was to commence.
Beneath elaborate ceiling frescoes and sculptures, an altar stood with golden candelabras positioned at each corner.
Across the way stood Dekima Crown Princess, Prince Jeriel’s mother, her expression etched with deep concern. Beside her, the aunt and her sister—both princesses—paced nervously.
Chloe and Prince Dominic sat behind them with grave expressions.
“Only those directly involved may enter.”
Ewain, the Holy Knight, blocked Octavia’s path.
“I’m involved. Prince Jeriel specifically requested my attendance.”
“You may become tainted during the ritual. Only royalty and Holy Ability Users are permitted entry.”
“If I were an impure person, I wouldn’t have been able to enter the Temple itself….”
Octavia gestured toward Kelcedni Admiral, who sat in the back row with his legs crossed in an air of dignified indifference.
“That Admiral sitting there so proudly isn’t a member of the royal family, and he’s certainly not a Holy Ability User, is he?”
The Admiral, being the Governor who received reports on matters of national importance, was present in an official observational capacity.
Since it would be difficult for the Holy Knight to articulate the Kingdom’s position—one constrained by the very governance he served—Ewain’s blue eyes narrowed with displeasure.

Favorability Decreased [+20]

“What are your true intentions? Do you mean to sabotage the ceremony?”
“Why would you do such a thing? Only I stand to lose.”
“So you’ve come to claim credit for the ceremony’s success as well. Forcing your way in to receive recognition for the Chaos Commander incident, just as you did before.”
The gazes of those who had gathered fixed upon Octavia.
From a distance, Dominic too regarded her with a cold, piercing stare.
The curse of being a villainess: everything appears suspicious, even when one does nothing at all.

Dislike Rating Increased [+150]

From a systemic perspective, it was actually an advantage.
Playing the villainess who picked fights hourly—one per hour, like clockwork—was fortunate indeed.
A social position where people willingly delivered their dislike to me.
Octavia laughed brilliantly.
I was contemplating how to mock the conservative and dignified Holy Knight, when someone else strode forward decisively.
“Leave her be. Prince Jeriel wanted this.”
The man speaking in that detached tone was Ortega, the Duke I’d encountered earlier.
“What? Duke Ortega, are you also being played by that woman’s serpent’s tongue?”
“A serpent’s tongue? Is it perhaps forked like a snake’s?”
When Octavia stuck out her bright crimson tongue to show him, Ewain recoiled in considerable shock.
“Displaying your tongue to an unrelated man you’re not even married to—such vulgarity. The God of Order would surely lament this….”
“But you were the one who took interest first, weren’t you? Such a virtuous Holy Knight.”
‘Blushing over just a glimpse of a tongue—what a pathetic, virginal soldier.’
Octavia sneered inwardly. Logan, arms crossed, observed her quietly.
No matter how he thought about it, something felt off.

“I’m half-tempted to just go ahead and curse him out.”

She had a history of cursing at the Duke as though she had nothing to lose.
‘Why isn’t she cursing at me?’
Logan felt a sudden surge of intense curiosity.
“Did you change your perfume?”
But the problem was that, unsure what to ask first, he’d blurted out something like flirtation instead.
Octavia’s violet eyes widened as she looked at him.
‘Did Octavia also wear “Thorny Rose,” the number one pick among villainess enthusiasts?’
And the cliché of ‘the tragic man destined to die after falling for a villainess’ was quite troublesome as well.
“I’m sorry, but you’re not my type.”
Seeing Octavia’s serious expression, Logan’s pupils trembled noticeably.
“What the hell are you suddenly talking about? Who’s who….”
Then, realizing his initial question had been strange, Logan muttered a low curse and headed back.
‘Like a soldier who only trained his body, his mental discipline is lacking. Blinded by a bewitching woman. When inner character is what truly matters….’
Ewain, who had been inwardly criticizing as well, shook his head disapprovingly and left his seat.

***

“The ceremony will now begin. Please maintain silence.”
At the Priest’s words, Octavia quickly found her place.
It was right beside Kelsedny Admiral.
He glared at her with cold eyes, but she was too busy stuffing the awards she’d received from the Holy Temple Society into her bag.
His gaze caught briefly on a postcard depicting the Bishop before turning forward again.
Dong.
The sound of a metal rod striking a golden chalice resonated through the chamber.
“Then, please prepare yourselves.”
Soon, Priests in black vestments and the Saint entered.
Saint Uriana, holding the ceremonial bell, wore an expression of extreme tension.
Behind them, Prince Jeriel, draped in cloth, walked slowly with the support of the Priests.
Octavia stared at the Prince, trembling so violently that the cloth shook.
‘I’ve heard the ceremonial process is similar to modern exorcism rituals.’
Holy water was sprinkled, sacred incantations imbued with divine power were recited, and practical medical treatment through injections was administered alongside it all.
One Priest gently lifted the cloth stained with Prince Jeriel’s tears.
In that instant, the young Prince’s entire body was revealed to be tainted with a sickly dark aura.
“…I don’t want to!”
Prince Jeriel, unwilling to show himself, gripped the cloth tightly.
Watching this, Octavia unconsciously grasped the Admiral’s hand beside her.
“Let go.”
The Admiral’s cold voice came as he immediately withdrew his hand from hers.
“You said I could use you when necessary. You already agreed to all the terms.”
“I did no such thing. Why would holding hands be necessary?”
“Because I’m frightened.”
Perhaps because her voice remained calm as always, it sounded like a plausible excuse to hold his hand.
Kelsedny Admiral slowly turned his head to look at Octavia.
Contrary to her words of fear, her composed expression was directed toward Prince Jeriel, who was huddled in distress.
“…I’m afraid when children suffer.”
Her fists, having lost something to grip, were clenched so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.

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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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