Don’t Look for the Resurrected Villainess - Chapter 126
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 126
I stared at Father with disinterested eyes and replied dryly.
“Regarding that matter, I’ve already told Mother everything.”
And Mother is the biggest card that moves Father. Father tends to follow Mother’s will in most cases.
That was a sight I had witnessed since I was very young.
Because Father loves Mother, he was always on edge to avoid losing her.
So he wouldn’t even think of opposing her opinions.
At my words, Father narrowed his brow and fell silent for a moment. Then he spoke in a blunt tone.
“I’m saying this because I think you wouldn’t desire that position.”
“Why?”
“If you were a child who would desire such a position, you wouldn’t have been obsessed with Maxel from the beginning.”
“You’re talking about such a distant past.”
A sneer escaped me without realizing it. Seeing my reaction, Father asked in a calm voice.
“Wasn’t your dream to become Empress?”
“…My dream?”
The word ‘dream’ coming from Father’s mouth felt quite strange.
Had the meaning of dreams changed without my knowledge?
“I didn’t expect you to mention such things.”
“I know how much effort you put in.”
If you know that, how could you so easily put me on the guillotine?
The resentment and sense of betrayal I thought I had discarded surged up momentarily. I gritted my teeth to push down those emotions and forced a smile as I turned my head.
I kept my gaze on the darkening scenery and parted my lips.
“Getting a name in the Imperial House was Mother’s dream.”
Then I deliberately brought up content that would make Father react sensitively. Only by doing this could I stop Father’s useless trip down memory lane.
“When she couldn’t achieve it herself, Mother decided to at least put her daughter in that position to exert influence over the Imperial Palace. It was Mother, not me.”
The most noble woman of the Empire. It was Father who brought Mother, who wanted to become Empress, to his side as the Duchess of Roam.
Society evaluated Father’s love as a touching tale of pure devotion.
The fact that Duke of Roam, who was cold-hearted in all matters, became a man in love only before his wife, seemed to be good gossip material for many busybodies.
The noble ladies envied Mother for such passionate love, rare in aristocratic society. There were quite a few jealous gazes too.
Mother laughed at all of it. Father’s love didn’t seem to hold as much value for Mother as expected. Or perhaps she grew tired of it faster than expected.
Father must know this. He’s someone who pays attention to Mother more than anyone else.
“So Mother will be satisfied when the child she chose sits on the Empress’s throne.”
“Then are you saying you really loved Maxel back then?”
I, who had been gazing into the distance, looked back at Father. Father stood straight without any sign of wavering.
“Does that matter?”
“If you still want that, I could bring that bastard into our family.”
Father’s face was serious as he casually spoke of bringing in someone who was nominally the Crown Prince as a son-in-law to the ducal house.
That also meant he was confident he could really make it happen. With Heinrih’s influence growing these days, it would be quite possible.
If I wanted it, that is.
“Why bother?”
I smiled with twisted lips and turned my eyes back to the scenery. In the distance, I could see the Crown Prince’s Palace as a dark shadowy form.
I was having idle thoughts about how to destroy that later when Father spoke quietly.
“I trust you understand what the position of Minor Duke means to Prisian.”
“Yes, I know. But didn’t Mother judge my value to be higher than Prisian Sister’s?”
At my words, Father pressed his lips into a line and fell silent for a moment. Then he stood beside me with his hands clasped behind his back. Father’s distant gaze was directed toward the Crown Prince’s Palace.
“Does Prince Heinley not catch your eye?”
Father seemed to truly believe I wanted to become Empress.
Well, it might have looked that way. If Maxel hadn’t been appointed Crown Prince in the first place, there would have been no occasion for us to meet.
The assumption that I loved the Crown Prince would be easier for Father to accept than the assumption that I loved the man named Maxel.
“Yes. After dying and coming back to life, I’ve grown sick of the Imperial Palace.”
I nodded calmly and continued speaking composedly.
“Don’t ask about my dreams out of the blue. After all, the only thing most important to you is Mother.”
I don’t think Father’s reluctance to push aside Prisian Sister is really for her sake.
Rather, it’s probably because he thinks Sister would be more suitable for the position of Minor Duke.
Because Sister devoted everything to Roam. Just like I had devoted everything to the Imperial Palace.
“Mother wants to sit in the highest position, but she couldn’t find a proper way other than the Empress’s throne. But then I appeared. A more useful representative of the Creator than an adopted daughter who lost her prophetic abilities.”
However, Mother is absolute to Father. Father’s desire to make the Roam family prosperous was to place Mother in a position more noble than even the women of the Imperial Palace.
He concluded that for Mother, the mistress of Roam, Roam must rise high.
“Even if you lose me to the Imperial Palace, would you still be able to fulfill Mother’s wishes?”
I asked gently and looked to the side. I could see Father’s face with furrowed brows.
He looked somewhat troubled, but not for long. In fact, just by meeting me on this balcony, Father’s decision was already made.
The conversation up to now was merely a process of confirming my intentions one last time.
“The Imperial Palace’s security magic will be lifted the day after tomorrow.”
That was welcome news to hear. Father was probably planning to make it easy for me to escape, but for me, I’d be able to take care of the Dura’han in that gap.
To take Bak out, I would need to activate the bracelet’s magic first.
‘By the way, Roam’s power has reached the heavens if they can lift the Imperial Palace’s security magic.’
I should definitely tip off Heinrih later. That Roam’s spies are hiding in the Magic Department.
“I’ll also make separate preparations to kill the Dura’han in your mansion.”
“If it’s about the Dura’han, I have my own way to handle it.”
At my answer, Father raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“You?”
“Because I’m the Reviver chosen by the Creator.”
Father didn’t seem to believe in my divinity at all, but he seemed to understand that I had some method.
“I’ll send word of the specific plan through Prince Heinley.”
Father turned around first. I didn’t feel the need to say goodbye, so I just stood there blankly in front of the railing, but Father, whom I thought would just leave, suddenly spoke up.
“Melonia was happy about your resurrection. All the other family members including myself.”
“…Yes.”
“What Prisian told you is true. Our choice was difficult. That’s why we feel relieved that you’ve returned.”
Those words felt like they were strangling my neck, and my breath stopped automatically.
“…”
Ah, I had been with such selfish people. To think the price for realizing this was death.
Though the price was expensive, I don’t know how fortunate I am to know this now.
“Though it’s been a long time since you were resurrected, I’m glad I can tell you this now.”
I placed my hand on the cold railing. Gripping the hard stone tightly, I took a calm deep breath and moistened my lips with my tongue.
After swallowing dry saliva, I prayed earnestly that my voice wouldn’t tremble as I slowly opened my mouth.
“Aren’t you worried that Lilia’s prophecy might be carried out, even if belatedly?”
“I can see that you want to reproach us for our foolishness.”
Father let out a hollow laugh.
“Whoever deceived Roam will pay the price, no matter who they are.”
At this moment, I was deeply relieved that I had my back to Father.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to hide the smile that appeared on my lips.
“That’s fortunate.”
When I answered calmly, no more words were heard. I listened to the sound of the door behind me, then pulled the corners of my mouth up a bit more.
I couldn’t control my laughter.
I, who had always ignored and mocked Lilia’s prophecies, had now become the only person who believed in that prophecy. How could I not laugh?
「Lilia prophesied! That you would destroy the Roam family!」
Lilia’s prophecy was true.
I will bring down Roam.
* * *
After successfully concluding my conversation with Father, I returned to the banquet hall.
Though I found it bothersome how the nobles kept clinging to me again, I decided to pick a few suitable ones and accept a couple of dance requests.
“Y-you’re as beautiful as ever.”
“Ah, yes.”
“It’s an honor to be your partner like this!”
Men whose names I couldn’t even be bothered to remember passed by as dance partners.
Just holding the hands of these pretentious nobles to dance made my skin crawl, but I endured it thinking about how much gossip and speculation my single dance would generate.
Even during all this, Jeon was still nowhere to be seen.
‘Maybe I should have accepted his visit this morning.’
The worried feeling in my heart wouldn’t easily fade.
So when I unconsciously looked around the banquet hall, men who misinterpreted my gaze would approach me, but Samuel appropriately blocked them.
Just now, Samuel, who was posing as a fanatic of the Reviver, had chased away another man.
To show appreciation for his efforts, I handed him a wine glass and casually asked.
“Have you seen Jeon by any chance?”
Taking the wine glass, he narrowed his eyes and searched his memory.
“That mage… I did see him come to the banquet hall earlier.”
What? He came to the banquet hall but isn’t coming to find me?
“He looked busy.”
“What could he be busy with here?”
I asked with a displeased expression.
“Judging by the few women who were following him around, he might have made some new connections.”
Hearing Samuel’s indifferent muttering, I unconsciously frowned.
“Women?”
“Yes.”
Of course, I don’t think Jeon is shameless enough to flirt with other women the day after kissing me.
Rationally, I knew he wasn’t that type of person. Especially after he even mentioned unrequited love!
…Nevertheless, knowing something and feeling bad about it were separate matters.
Especially for me, who had clearly witnessed the reactions of the young ladies who were watching Jeon with interest on the first day of the banquet.
‘No, that’s not right. What’s there to feel bad about? It was just one kiss, what’s the big deal.’
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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