Don’t Look for the Resurrected Villainess - Chapter 259

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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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Side Story 3

Heinrih couldn’t return immediately even after the refreshments were prepared.

With the coronation ceremony approaching, he must be incredibly busy, and it seemed he was having difficulties rearranging his schedule. He only returned when we had emptied about half the basket of pastries.

“Thanks to this, I was able to make some time to rest as well.”

As Heinrih sat across from me, a maid quickly set out a teacup for him.

“Are you planning to stay in the palace until the coronation ceremony?”

Actually, I hadn’t planned to stay in the palace until the coronation ceremony. I was just thinking of attending the coronation, greeting people, taking care of business, and then leaving.

While he wasn’t the type to insist if I said no, seeing Heinrih’s face that didn’t hide his joy made it difficult to say I’d leave right away.

“There are still several days left until the coronation ceremony. Wouldn’t it be burdensome if I stay here too early?”

“It’s only a week when you say several days. Envoys from other countries have already secured their positions long ago.”

Well, envoys coming from distant places might have been here for a month already. Even so, having more guests in the palace meant more work.

Moreover, news of the Reviver’s appearance must have reached those envoys’ ears, so naturally they’d rush to try to exchange at least a word with me somehow.

I was hesitating because it seemed like only troublesome matters would arise, when Jeon subtly interjected.

“If you find lodging outside the Imperial Palace now, His Highness the Crown Prince will be very disappointed.”

“For once, you’re saying something sensible.”

Heinrih, who had been ignoring Jeon all along, chimed in as if he’d been waiting for this. I hadn’t expected to confirm Jeon’s claim about becoming friends with Heinrih in this way.

“In the first place, Jeon, if you hadn’t set the coordinates here, this situation wouldn’t have happened.”

“It’s better to stay somewhere nice if possible. What other lodging could be better than the Imperial Palace?”

At his unimaginable response, I missed my timing to reply and gaped. Then I belatedly turned to look at Heinrih.

Heinrih was savoring the subtle tea fragrance. From his benevolent smile and peaceful gaze, I could guess that this wasn’t the first or second time he’d received such trivial treatment.

“Lady Anelli’s body has weakened, so we need to secure good lodging. There are skilled Imperial Physicians on standby here at all times, so we can be prepared for any situation, right?”

Ever since Jeon learned that I wasn’t as sturdy as before after my revival, he often acted unusually.

This became even more pronounced after he learned that I couldn’t travel quickly to Beladia Castle due to lack of stamina right after my revival.

Now I couldn’t ride horses all day, and if I got injured, I needed long periods of recovery to heal.

Even so, it’s not like I’d become a glass doll that would break at the slightest breeze.

“You’re the only one who would treat the Imperial Palace as a lodging.”

When I muttered with a sigh while holding my forehead, Heinrih, who had been sitting there looking helpless, silently nodded in agreement with my words.

“The invitation that came to Teacher said it was fine to come and stay a bit early!”

Ah, the Magic Tower must have received a coronation invitation too.

“Come to think of it, isn’t the Mage Tower Lord coming?”

Jeon, who remained a sincere and good disciple, regularly contacted the Mage Tower Lord even from Beladia Castle.

Since I was living with them, I inevitably appeared in view unintentionally, and each time, the Mage Tower Lord’s glare at me was so fierce…

Those looks of someone staring at a thief who stole precious treasure made me pretend not to notice several times.

I’m sure I won’t hear anything good if we meet.

“I handle all the actual external activities. Teacher keeps trying to retire whenever he gets the chance.”

“Retire?”

“Yes. He thinks I’ll return to the Magic Tower once I become the Mage Tower Lord.”

Jeon clicked his tongue, muttering that it was time to give up, but the old man had only grown more stubborn with age. Glancing at him, I quietly averted my eyes and parted my lips.

“You can go back.”

After taking a sip of tea to moisten my mouth, I continued in a calm voice.

“Thanks to you, Beladia Castle has become quite livable. There’s no need for you to stay and suffer more.”

I knew well that Jeon loved me enough to say he’d follow me in death.

Of course, that didn’t mean the Magic Tower or his teacher weren’t important to him. I also had no intention of keeping him tied to my side.

‘…Though I’d probably feel a bit disappointed if he actually left.’

I was fiddling with my teacup and looking down, but no matter how long I waited, Jeon’s answer didn’t come.

When I raised my head with puzzled eyes, I met Jeon’s gaze as he looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.

Only after our eyes met did he answer with a disgruntled voice.

“I don’t do long-distance relationships. I have trauma from it.”

“Trauma…”

“How free-spirited must my lover be? My heart can’t take it. I can’t live from anxiety when you’re out of sight. You know how much the Young Lizardman clings to Ganic, right? If I had a tail, I would have wrapped it around and clung to you all day like that Young Lizardman, which is regrettable.”

Instead of me, who was speechless at the complaints that poured out as if he’d been waiting, Heinrih interjected with a voice full of fatigue.

“Shouldn’t such conversations be had when others aren’t present?”

“What’s wrong with our conversation? Didn’t you know we’re dating?”

Jeon retorted with a rather confident voice. Heinrih, who had been staring at such a Jeon, swallowed a sigh and turned to me.

“…I’ll provide you with a separate palace to stay in.”

“Ah, I don’t need my own room. Anyway, Lady Anelli and I will be together…”

“Thank you, Your Highness. It doesn’t matter which palace you provide.”

Cutting off Jeon’s words, I answered firmly and smiled at Heinrih. Heinrih also nodded without even glancing at Jeon.

“The palace has many attached rooms, so use whichever room is comfortable. Of course, the locks on each door are very sturdy. If necessary, I’ll have several additional bedroom locks installed.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Heinrih went so far as to add that he’d order the court mages to set up double and triple barriers.

Just as I was about to politely decline his proposal, which was clearly made with someone in mind, Jeon muttered in a nonchalant voice.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is unexpectedly old-fashioned. To think that locking just the bedroom would solve everything. How many rooms are there in the palace?”

“…Jeon.”

Only after receiving my sharp look did Jeon close his mouth. Of course, his displeased expression didn’t disappear, but when I gave him a pastry to chew on, he stopped talking while munching.

Only after finally silencing him did I have the leisure to bring up the main topic with Heinrih.

“By the way, Your Highness. I’m very sorry to make a request as soon as we meet.”

“How could I refuse your request? Tell me anything.”

Now that Jeon had closed his mouth, Heinrih’s expression also became gentle. At this moment, he seemed ready to grant any request.

I gladly took advantage of this harmonious atmosphere to reveal what I wanted.

“There are places I’d like to visit.”

“Within the palace?”

“Yes.”

He readily told me to speak, as if it wouldn’t be difficult.

“First, I’d like to visit the Black Tower.”

“The Black Tower?”

Heinrih made a puzzled expression. I spoke to him in a calm voice.

“Yes. I heard that the entire Black Tower area was completely sealed off and designated as a restricted zone.”

“Since it’s where Dura’han emerged from. We’re planning to demolish it entirely while we’re at it. We’ve been postponing the demolition because there’s so much to handle…”

“Fortunately, it hasn’t been demolished yet.”

The Black Tower where Bak had emerged. If Bak had opened his eyes again, I needed to check that place first. There might at least be some remaining traces. And…

After biting my lip slightly and hesitating for a moment, I calmly opened my mouth.

“And I’d also like to visit the Imperial Crypt again, if possible?”

* * *

As soon as she opened her eyes again, she immediately rushed to the Imperial Palace.

If she had opened her eyes, he must have opened his too. She wanted to confirm that he had made the same choice as her.

Secretly infiltrating the Imperial Palace, which she had walked through many times, wasn’t difficult. Thanks to her ability to transform into a cat, she could avoid suspicion from anyone.

On a dark night when the moon was hidden by clouds, she reached a tower that looked particularly desolate. The pitch-black tower was eerie as if ghosts might pop out, and there wasn’t a soul around.

She lightly jumped over the fence that had been set up in a circle to restrict passage and approached the tower.

And there, she met him with his eyes open.

He stood there dumbfounded at first with a face that couldn’t believe it, then soon tried to get up with a bright smile. And she…

Struck his head with her front paw.

Just like right now.

[I told you not to break things carelessly!]

Thwack!

A cat’s front paw without extended claws struck the bear’s back of the head. At that sharp scolding, the bear made a whimpering sound.

[But my legs are numb, Minte! How long do we have to keep doing this?]

[If you weren’t such a ridiculously large black bear, we could have escaped this place long ago, Bak.]

At Minte’s retort, Bak hung his head dejectedly. While he might have looked quite pitiful, Minte didn’t bat an eye.

Indeed, she was currently in a very sharp-nerved state.

I had prevented the possibility of Bak mindlessly rampaging when he reopened his eyes and dying pathetically after being attacked by the Imperial Palace guards, but now I was faced with the reality of having to take him out of this place.

If it were just Minte alone, she could leave anytime. But Bak was…

Minte’s gaze carefully looked Bak up and down. Anyone who faced a jet-black bear would likely feel their life was threatened. But what if he went out in his Dura’han form?

That would cause even more chaos.

He really was a useless bulk. How nice it would have been if he were a small sparrow like Jigol, or a small snake like Mori?

[At least he’s a monster, so that’s fortunate. If he were a real beast, he would have wasted food too, wouldn’t he?]

How much food would be needed to maintain that bulk? Minte unconsciously imagined herself procuring fish to feed Bak and swallowed hard.

Somehow, even just imagining it was terrible.

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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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