Don’t Look for the Resurrected Villainess - Chapter 174

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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 174

The morning at Roam Estate was the same as always.

Though I was tired from lack of sleep, I woke up earlier than ever before. Having dealt with the Lusarcas, I was planning to visit the Imperial Palace.

I prepared to go out while listening to the Dura’han’s reports. Since I was the only one who could hear the Dura’han’s voices anyway, there was nothing to worry about.

By the time Tristan finished his report about how Lilia had filled her notebook to the brim last night in an attempt to somehow oppose me, my preparations were also complete.

After dismissing the attending maids and gathering the Dura’han, I finally put on my coat.

A knock came from outside the door. When I gave permission to enter, my personal maid carefully opened the door and came in.

Though she was called my personal maid, since I didn’t take her around with me, there was no difference between her and the other maids.

She must have noticed my indifference too. She had been extremely attentive for the first week, but now I could tell she didn’t bother staying by my side unless it was absolutely necessary.

My personal maid was one who was always busy saying what she had to say quickly and then running away. So now, seeing her standing so obediently at the doorway waiting for my words seemed quite unusual.

“Speak.”

When I commanded, just in case, the maid finally opened her lips.

“The carriage is ready, Lady Anelli.”

Glancing at the maid who was bowing her head respectfully, I looked into the mirror with an indifferent expression and spoke.

“I don’t recall giving you permission to use my name.”

“I’m, I’m sorry. …Reviver.”

I stopped adjusting my outfit through the mirror. I fingered the soft cloth tied around my neck and remained silent for a moment.

At my appearance, the maid didn’t know what to do with herself.

“…”

Until now, the employees’ way of addressing me had consistently been ‘Second Young Lady.’

With that, they had indirectly shown that they didn’t think of me as a successor, nor as the noble representative of God that society spoke of.

Since no one had specifically pointed out that part, it had been a tacitly accepted form of address.

‘But now what’s this?’

I pulled the corners of my mouth up on both sides.

Come to think of it, the maids who had been attending to me earlier were also busy being careful with their words and reading the mood, so this was the reason.

“Did Mother tell you to address me that way?”

“Pardon?”

“Did she order you to show the same respect as you would to an exiled young duke?”

When I confirmed the maid who had looked up in surprise just by rolling her eyes, the maid blushed as if flustered.

“That, that is…”

“Just call me as usual. ‘Second Young Lady.'”

The maid lowered her head with a troubled expression. It seemed she had decided it was better to keep her mouth shut altogether.

How insolent.

“Are you deaf? I told you to call me that.”

“But, but…”

She probably wanted to get on my good side. That maid must have heard Mother’s warning and roughly guessed that she should really accept me as the successor of this house.

The ridiculous titles like ‘Lady Anelli’ or ‘Reviver’ were the result of her own scheming to establish herself as my right hand.

There’s no better way to prove a close relationship than through forms of address.

‘But what to do. I have no need for a right hand in this mansion.’

“That…”

The maid who had hesitated several times with a troubled voice reluctantly opened her lips.

“…The carriage is ready, Second Young Lady.”

It was a frail, trembling voice as if she were being strangled. Sneering at the maid, I moved with sarcasm.

“You thought correcting a few speech habits would make your attitude seem different. How utterly foolish.”

As I left the room, the maid quickly followed behind, repeatedly apologizing. Having no intention of accepting it, I pretended not to hear and quickened my pace.

‘It was just last night that I told Father about the attitude of this house’s employees, yet they’re quick.’

Did Mother also hear the recording I gave to Father? Seeing such a quick reaction, the two of them must have had a conversation last night.

And this morning all the employees of the mansion would have been warned about their speech habits.

To suddenly care about that aspect now meant that Mother had no intention of immediately causing conflict with Father.

I thought she would have made up her mind for certain after introducing Seiri to Maxel, but was I wrong?

That’s when it happened.

“Lady Anelli!”

Palides, who had come out first to personally inspect the carriage, brightened up and greeted me when he saw me. I could see the maid who had been following me and trying her best to please me glancing at Palides.

Palides was casually using the very title that she had just been reprimanded for.

‘Of course she wouldn’t look kindly on that.’

For me, who actively engaged in irritating the employees, it was rather a welcome reaction.

I had ordered him to tactfully change his title to my name since it would seem strange to call me ‘Captain’ in front of people, but to have such an unexpected benefit as well.

I received Palides’ greeting with pleased eyes. The maid looked back and forth between Palides and me, reading the mood, then carefully moved toward the carriage.

“I shall escort you to the Imperial Palace…”

“No need. I don’t require attendance. Palides, would you help me up?”

“Yes!”

Coldly refusing the maid’s accompaniment, I stepped on the footboard with Palides’ escort.

The interior of the carriage was spacious enough to carry three or four employees. However, I only took Palides and closed the carriage door.

I wasn’t curious about what expressions the employees who were reluctantly lined up to see me off were making.

Obviously, they would be shriveled up like rotten apples.

‘The employees’ resentment will only grow fiercer as they’re forced to cater to my whims, yet you’re going through this troublesome process on purpose?’

Leaning back comfortably in my seat, I pressed my temples and muttered.

“Is it because Seiri is young?”

Isn’t fifteen rather late to start preparing as a successor? Or are you planning to buy time for successor education by keeping me in place publicly?

“Pardon?”

Palides looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“It seems like it’s about time to leave Roam Estate.”

I waved my hand to indicate she shouldn’t worry about it.

The carriage raced swiftly through the wind. The destination was the Imperial Palace.

* * *

The Duchess of Roam, who had gone to bed late after a long conversation with her husband the night before, didn’t open her eyes until the sun was high in the sky.

It was a later awakening than usual. Thanks to this, she only now learned that Anelli had headed to the Imperial Palace from morning without any notice.

“No matter how much that child is the one to inherit Roam, there are procedures and rules in Roam Estate.”

“I’m sorry, Madam. I thought it was natural to inform you…”

“…Never mind. From now on, report to me immediately when that child makes any requests.”

The Duchess of Roam, who had irritably dismissed the butler, clutched her throbbing forehead. Last night’s conversation came back to her mind.

「You were the one who said it would be good to bring Anelli to the mansion. But what is this behavior?」

Her husband had never dared to raise his voice in front of her.

He had always respected and accepted her wishes until now. Of course, the Duchess of Roam had also made efforts not to cross the line.

In that sense, the Duke of Roam last night seemed to think that the Duchess of Roam had crossed the line.

「Do I have to handle every single aspect of discipline within the mansion myself?」

「You didn’t immediately install Anelli as the young duke after bringing her here. You’re also troubled by this, aren’t you?」

「The situation has changed!」

「Yes, the situation has changed. So I’m also observing according to the changed circumstances.」

「And this is the result?」

The Duke of Roam produced a recording filled with vulgar curses. It was loose tongues talking about how unsuitable Anelli was as the Young Duke of Roam.

Though she knew about the employees’ resentment, she was surprised to hear such blatant evaluations.

Despite the fact that it was she who hadn’t disciplined them immediately, she was somewhat angry at the behavior of these foolish employees who didn’t know their place.

「I was busy with the Prisian matter. You know there’s been talk in social circles about what that child did.」

Finding this recording excessive even to her own ears, the Duchess of Roam decided to step back first.

However, the Duke of Roam’s heart wasn’t easily appeased.

「What’s the use of controlling outside gossip? When the household is in this state!」

「Since we’re on the subject, what do you think about Anelli being chosen by God?」

At the Duchess of Roam’s sudden question, the Duke of Roam frowned.

「The Imperial Palace confirmed that matter.」

“I know. I’m not trying to deny that the child is the Creator’s Reviver. The Creator must have brought her back to life. However…”

The Duchess of Roam tried to calm her sharply agitated feelings. But it wasn’t easy.

Even her naturally emerging voice was colder and more frigid than usual.

“There’s no guarantee that what she does is for our benefit. Human desires don’t always follow the Creator’s teachings, after all.”

Duke of Roam furrowed his brow, catching the meaningful implications in her words.

“…What did you find out?”

Should this be called a discovery? It was closer to speculation.

The Duchess of Roam continued.

“You know Seiri is very interested in animals, right? And that he’s been delighted recently about discovering various animals around the mansion.”

Seiri was an innocent and fragile youngest son. Perhaps because he grew up watching his strong-willed sisters from childhood, he was a timid and indecisive youngest child.

Duke of Roam, who planned to pass the family to Prisian anyway, didn’t bother trying to correct his youngest son’s personality. He judged that a quiet temperament was better than wandering around outside causing trouble.

So Seiri had been able to live comfortably and freely under the Duchess of Roam’s protection.

Until now.

“Seiri seems to have witnessed animals gathering in Anelli’s room several times.”

“Is animals gathering a problem?”

“If the same animals come and go from that room multiple times, yes.”

Duke of Roam pressed his lips tightly together. The Duchess of Roam could easily tell that her husband’s anger was gradually subsiding.

Duke of Roam couldn’t get angry with her in the first place.

Wasn’t it natural? Duke of Roam was the man who had used all sorts of sweet words and schemes to bring her into this mansion.

A person who spent his lifetime trying to win even a fragment of his wife’s heart—how could he dare get angry? It was impossible.

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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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