Disqualified as a Villainess - Chapter 66

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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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#66.

Kelsedny Admiral’s eyes fluttered open as sunlight filtered through the curtains, rousing him from sleep.
Having scarcely slept during his time in the Imperial Capital, he had finally surrendered to genuine rest.
Lying in bed, his gaze fixed upon the white ceiling, he turned to regard the empty space beside him.

“If it means dying? Then I’d rather not.”
“Suit yourself.”

Even one possessed of such boundless curiosity and scholarly fervor as she, willing to throw herself into danger without hesitation, apparently had no desire to conduct experiments on the matter of life and death through bedside activities.
Since witnessing the pitiful expression she had worn, my ardor had long since cooled, and I harbored no intention of pressing further.
Regardless of Royal Family characteristics, the disparity in physical stature alone suggested she might perish.
Yet her delicate frame thrashing about, her flustered countenance—it brought a peculiar satisfaction to my mind. I could have confined her there, watching over her all day long.
Whether it was her sorrowful expression that awakened my sadistic inclinations, or simply that such a sight was unfamiliar to me, I could not say.

“Are you having trouble sleeping?”

Even the fleeting, impure thoughts that had arisen were swept away by Octavia’s gentle voice from the early morning hours.

“They say embraces have the same effect as sleeping medicine.”
“Why not simply take sleeping medicine instead?”

She had insisted on proving whether it was genuine, and somehow I found myself awkwardly folded into her embrace.

“Insomnia stems not from the present, but from dwelling upon the past or future, or so they say.”

Did the sleeping draught truly work, or was it thanks to her?
He closed his eyes and surrendered to memory.
‘When did I come to despise that woman?’
The first time I saw Octavia, she was a woman who belonged perfectly in that glittering banquet hall.
Hair reminiscent of lemon cream in an exquisitely prepared dessert, an elegant and impeccable posture, and a doll-like delicate beauty—she captivated every man’s gaze.
Even I, who rarely paid attention to others, found myself drawn to her.
But when I met her lilac eyes.
In that moment when I saw a vibrant smile bloom across her perpetually expressionless face, a surge of inexplicable revulsion throbbed through my chest.
To feel murderous intent and hatred without reason—it was a predatory instinct that manifested when facing a stronger opponent.
‘The Ludovisi Family has been alchemists for generations, so she cannot be a child of Chaos, nor could she possibly be stronger than me.’
Then and now, everything remained utterly inexplicable.
Rising from bed, I showered, dressed, and descended to question the cross-dressed Saint Uriana about Octavia’s whereabouts.
“Octavia? She left at dawn.”
“Where? Speak plainly, or I will kill you.”
The words were superficially courteous, but the content was anything but. She flinched in fear and stammered as she retreated.
“S-she didn’t tell me where she was going. She’s been so busy lately… Perhaps she went toward the Jeonjo District?”
I had intended to abduct her straight to the Kingdom Capital this morning, but she possessed keen instincts.
Turning the word “friend” over in my mind, I nodded.
“I understand, Saint.”
Upon hearing the Admiral’s response, her complexion drained of color, and she began trembling like a frightened puppy.
“How did you know…? I, I… that is… the escape… Octavia had nothing to do with it. It was Saint Chloe who saved me, and I infiltrated here to frame Octavia… the reason I’m suddenly saying this is that after spending time with Octavia, despite her notorious reputation, she’s actually a good person….”
She stammered through a confession clearly prepared for the moment of capture. The Admiral paid it little mind.
“What should I call you going forward?”
Startled by the unexpected question, her eyes widened.
“Febrien. That’s my true name.”
“I shall address you as such from now on. Though I doubt there will be occasion to use it.”
Passing the stammering woman without concern, I stepped outside the mansion and raised one hand to feel the crisp wind.
My lips, which had been pressed firmly shut, twisted in a self-deprecating smile.
On the surface, there was barely a sign, but I was seething with rage.
“…She fled?”
I should have recognized it from the moment she feigned pitifulness while her eyes gleamed with subtle malice.
Closing my mouth, I exhaled deeply and opened my eyes with a chill.
‘I kindly warned her that I would never tolerate another escape.’

***

Octavia fled at the break of dawn and arrived in Mirabel, a western city near the border.
She had originally planned to depart in the morning, but doing so would have risked being stuffed into a burlap sack by the Admiral and forcibly transported to the Kingdom Capital.
Kelsedny Admiral was precisely the sort of man capable of such a thing.
‘I am far too occupied with pressing matters to leave just yet.’
Once I completed the final preparations, that would be that.
Octavia strolled down the street, casually flicking bits of trash onto the pavement.
“Littering on the street? What a terrible person!”

Unfavorability increased [+1]

Unfavorability increased [+1]

Unfavorability increased [+1]

Of course, I was not neglecting my collection of unfavorability either.
“This way, Young Lady.”
Lothear, who had been following behind and picking up the trash I discarded, pointed toward a building.
My destination was the Local Bank.
“Will you exchange this check for cash?”
However, when Octavia approached the VIP counter at the bank, she immediately encountered an obstacle.
“Octavia Ludovisi? You are from the Ludovisi Family, I see. Please proceed to the general counter.”
Octavia went to the general counter without complaint and presented her check, only to be flatly refused.
“A check issued by the Ludovisi Family? We cannot cash that for you.”
“Why not?”
“If we accept a check that could become worthless at any moment, our bank would suffer considerable losses. Please bring a check with higher credibility. Though I doubt you have the means to do so.”
“I see.”
After the Ludovisi Family successfully commercialized the new special alloy, they naturally terminated their dealings with Marquis Winterford.
Since the fact of self-sufficiency in special alloy production was classified, the media, having learned only of the transaction’s termination, was spreading rumors that the Ludovisi Family was either abandoning their business or facing a crisis.
The fact that they were not purchasing the special alloy that nobles had hoarded made the situation appear even worse.
Yet the reason for not revealing the truth was not to orchestrate a grand reveal.
It was to maximize economic and political advantage.
It would be all the better if the bubble created by the hoarding nobles burst and ruined them in the meantime. Most of them were aligned with Prince Dominic’s faction, after all.
“Then I suppose I shall withdraw my deposits.”
“Yes, well. You seem quite desperate.”
Since the Family’s deposit amount was not particularly substantial, the bank teller handed over the withdrawal slip with a sneer.
“Indeed, I grow impatient. The thought of legally emptying the bank vault is quite thrilling.”
Octavia smiled wickedly as she took the withdrawal slip.
She then spoke in a firm voice, gesturing to Lothear with her chin.
“Lothear, withdraw the deposits from four accounts.”
‘An alias account? As if they’d entrust much to a secretary.’
The bank teller, who had been sneering inwardly, flinched at the sight of men in black suits approaching behind Octavia, then went deathly pale upon discovering the catastrophic sum written on the withdrawal form.
“8… 800 million?”
It was 80% of the cash reserves the bank held that morning.
Banks do not keep all customer deposits in physical currency. They maintain only a minimum cash reserve and generate profits through loans and investments with the remainder.
“Miss, this is a local bank with limited cash reserves. If, if you withdraw such a large sum all at once without notice….”
“If the vault empties, wouldn’t that make this a bank without credibility?”
‘In modern times, we could wire the shortfall electronically, but given the era we’re in.’
At this rate, the bank’s operations would grind to a complete halt. Moreover, if word spread and all depositors rushed to withdraw their funds, the institution could collapse within half a day. In short, it was a bank run scenario.
“A reputable bank’s checks are naturally available.”
Behind Octavia, who from the employee’s perspective was no different from a bank robber, the man in the black suit flipped open the bag he held and emptied it.
“Would you like to count money until you drop dead?”
Beneath her composed smile, as bundles of checks cascaded down, the bank teller rose with a completely shattered expression.

Favorability Decreased [+300]

“I’m terribly sorry… B, Branch Manager!”
Watching the bank teller who finally couldn’t endure it any longer bolt into the Branch Manager’s Office, Octavia let out a weary sigh.
Soon the Branch Manager emerged with his face flushed crimson and bowed so deeply he nearly prostrated himself on the floor.
“C, Customer! Our staff has made a grave error! Would you grant us the opportunity to make amends? Please, come to the Guest Room! Or rather, allow me to carry you there!”
As Octavia made her way to the Guest Room, she encountered the Bank President, who had come rushing at the news of the major incident.
“Lady Octavia, I apologize on behalf of my foolish employees, who judged you by uncertain rumors rather than your long-standing credibility.”
The Bank President, who had just finished shouting outside the door, apologized while perspiring profusely.
He was carefully observing every shift in Octavia’s expression, gauging her mood.
Octavia, who had been eating a cookie, smiled gracefully with her eyes.
“Then as an apology, would you help me with something?”

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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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