Don’t Look for the Resurrected Villainess - Chapter 98

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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 98

 

“How truly fortunate it is that I entrusted you with attending to the Princess.”

 

During the Reviver’s stay at the Imperial Palace, all related duties and communications went through Heinrih. This was because Heinrih had been assigned the dedicated task of attending to the Reviver.

 

‘She said she would refuse Maxel’s attendance in exchange for moving her quarters from the guest room to the pavilion.’

 

Anelli openly displayed her resentment toward Maxel, and the Emperor immediately accepted her demands.

 

Thus, Maxel was removed from all duties related to the Reviver.

 

At that time, Maxel recommended other excellent nobles as candidates. However, the Emperor chose Heinrih, defeating all of them. It was a scheme to somehow keep a member of the royal family by the Reviver’s side.

 

It was undoubtedly his intention to subtly express that what the Reviver protected was the Royal Court before the Empire.

 

Anelli must have immediately realized that the Emperor had deliberately placed Heinrih by her side.

 

Heinrih forcibly suppressed a bitter smile.

 

‘Though the intention is impure, it would be a lie to say I dislike this result.’

 

Thus, Heinrih came to frequent the Emperor’s Office for the first time in a very long while.

 

Once, when he was a strong candidate for Crown Prince, this had not been difficult. After losing the power struggle, he couldn’t even come near the vicinity easily.

 

“Come to think of it, you’ve always handled work without unnecessary complications. You were also skilled when dealing with nobles.”

 

Amid the generous praise that continued, anecdotes from years past emerged. They were all stories from the time when he competed with Maxel for the succession.

 

‘Meaningless praise.’

 

Heinrih, suppressing his mockery, quietly lowered his gaze.

 

The Emperor wasn’t acting this way because Heinrih had truly done good work.

 

Heinrih had previously handled various tasks as a prince, such as secretly inspecting remote regions or dealing with trivial and minor duties.

 

It was also frequent for Heinrih’s accomplishments to be announced as Maxel’s achievements. Since it was all to concentrate the Imperial House’s power in one place, the Emperor had never once properly acknowledged Heinrih’s contributions.

 

His change in attitude now was solely because of the Reviver.

 

Contrary to the Emperor’s expectations, the Reviver was maintaining a colder attitude toward her former lover than anticipated.

 

This alone had made Heinrih’s situation much better compared to before.

 

‘But this alone is not enough.’

 

For him to ascend to the throne, he needed a decisive opportunity.

 

He had to captivate the Emperor’s attention with clear and rational reasons visible to the eye, and push Maxel aside.

 

If he couldn’t captivate the Emperor, he needed to be able to captivate everyone else except the Emperor.

 

‘If Anelli helps me…’

 

“How is the Princess doing?”

 

Because of the Emperor speaking in a benevolent voice, Heinrih couldn’t continue his thoughts.

 

“Yes.”

 

“How fortunate it is that she feels comfortable with you. God must surely be watching over the Imperial House.”

 

A faint trace of laughter was embedded in the Emperor’s voice.

 

“Yes, it is the Empire’s great fortune.”

 

“Continue to win her heart well. If you need anything, I will permit it all.”

 

The Emperor struck the armrest with a thud and earnestly urged him. Heinrih bowed his head deeply to hide his expression.

 

“I will do my best.”

 

He had never thought of using Anelli to regain power. However, as a result, he had gained an opportunity thanks to her reputation as a Reviver.

 

Finding this shameful and frustrating, Heinrih bit his lips firmly.

 

Though he felt ashamed of his situation where he ultimately couldn’t refuse this opportunity, he couldn’t bring himself to decline Anelli’s recommendation.

 

It was because if he couldn’t even have this kind of relationship, it seemed like his connection with her would disappear forever.

 

「If you haven’t given up on the throne, you must understand what a great opportunity this current situation is.」

 

Then, Anelli’s voice revived in Heinrih’s mind.

 

「The Crown Prince has been decided, but imperial succession is too distant a story. As long as His Majesty remains healthy. Isn’t that why you’ve been prioritizing preserving your life above all?」

 

As soon as she learned that Heinrih hadn’t given up on the throne, Anelli guessed all the hidden intentions behind it.

 

「Historically, it’s not as if there have never been deposed crown princes.」

 

Her words were true. Though he had been greatly discouraged immediately after his defeat, he couldn’t simply give up with his hands idle.

 

「I’m glad you haven’t given up, Lord Heinrih. Thanks to that, I can receive help like this too.」

 

「Do you know what the decisive reason was that made me resolve to bring Maxel down?」

 

「…The decisive reason?」

 

「Because he didn’t cherish the happiness before his eyes.」

 

At Heinrih’s quiet confession, Anelli remained silent for a while. Through that reaction, Heinrih could be certain that she understood his words.

 

When Maxel turned his back on Anelli, when he betrayed Anelli while playing around with some detestable woman and ultimately drove her to death.

 

He didn’t believe it until the day of execution. That such a terrible punishment would really be carried out, truly.

 

「As you might guess, I find this place utterly detestable.」

 

Anelli, who had been silent for a long time, finally opened her lips.

 

「So accept this opportunity wisely.」

 

There was a slight fatigue in her voice.

 

In fact, Heinrih knew it too. Anelli, whom he met again in the Imperial Palace, had a constantly pale complexion. The light and comfortable appearance he had seen outside was nowhere to be found.

 

‘Just staying in the Imperial Palace must be difficult for her.’

 

Her every move was reported to Heinrih. The reports from the palace servants attending to her stated that the Reviver couldn’t sleep easily every night.

 

That she minimized conversations with palace servants and often went to sit in front of Dura’han’s prison.

 

Though Anelli pretended to be calm, Heinrih, who had met her outside, couldn’t help but know.

 

「And my departure will be good for you too, Lord Heinrih. I told you so.」

 

She wanted to leave this Imperial Palace. With Heinrih’s feelings, he couldn’t hold her back.

 

So rather, she was recommending that he at least gain power.

 

Heinrih had to acknowledge it.

 

「You resemble Maxel, so I feel like I might unconsciously hit you.」

 

For Anelli, there was truly no room for even a trace of emotion toward Heinrih.

 

Keeping her here was truly nothing but greed. As long as Heinrih was Maxel’s blood relative.

 

“Oh right, was the Empress’s tea time today?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I heard the Princess is attending that tea time.”

 

At the Emperor’s words, Heinrih’s expression hardened.

 

“I haven’t heard about it.”

 

“Really? I heard Lady Lilia delivered the invitation, so she must not have known the proper procedures.”

 

As soon as Heinrih heard Lilia’s name, he frowned.

 

A woman who suddenly came up to the capital one day, fell into passionate love with Maxel, and managed to become an adopted daughter of Roam and even achieve an engagement with the Crown Prince.

 

There was a strange sense of discord about her, whom he occasionally encountered. How should I put it. Her expression, as if everything was in her hands, was quite unpleasant.

 

For someone he’d never had a private meeting with to act as if she knew him well. It was truly an unpleasant case.

 

Especially if the other party was eager to act familiar.

 

“…If it’s Lilia, that young lady who is Maxel’s fiancée. I knew she was completely ignorant of palace etiquette, but I didn’t know she would act so rudely.”

 

At Heinrih’s sensitive words, the Emperor chuckled.

 

“She must have been eager to meet her sister.”

 

“The Princess did not welcome Maxel. I believe her feelings toward Lilia Roam would be similar.”

 

“That may be so, but since she accepted the Empress’s tea time invitation, she distinguishes between public and private matters. I remember she was skilled at social activities from before.”

 

Heinrih, who was about to point out the problem, soon gave up.

 

Even if he raised the issue, the Emperor wouldn’t reprimand Lilia. Perhaps the Emperor was secretly pleased.

 

He might be hoping that Anelli’s resentment toward Roam would strengthen because of Lilia.

 

“Later, at an appropriate time, go and escort her. You should also hint at the Princess’s friendship to the other ladies attending the tea time. Before the banquet, make sure to act carefully so that her friendship with the Imperial House becomes sufficiently known.”

 

Toward the Emperor who urged him in a benevolent voice, Heinrih bowed his head.

 

‘Surely influential noble ladies of the capital must have attended. They would all be people who knew Anelli well.’

 

Heinrih’s lips pressed together firmly. He should go a little early and quickly get her out of there.

 

* * *

 

We had thought a lot about how to find the key to Beladia Castle.

 

Since Bak couldn’t remember where the key was, I ultimately had to step forward and search for it one by one.

 

At least it was fortunate that the key had power imbued in it, so I would be able to recognize it.

 

Anyway, though I couldn’t search through this vast Imperial Palace one by one, I needed a justification to move around freely at minimum.

 

The Empress was someone I had thought I should meet once anyway for this reason. So there was no reason for me to refuse the tea time.

 

The Empress’s quarters, which I visited after a long time, were exactly the same as before. The tea time was held in the Empress’s Greenhouse, and it seemed all the other ladies had already arrived.

 

“The Reviver has arrived.”

 

As I entered the greenhouse following the maid’s announcement, the gazes of everyone inside turned toward me in unison. They were all people I knew.

 

Eyes filled with curiosity, wariness, and fear pretended not to scrutinize me.

 

They wondered whether I was truly a Reviver chosen by God, or merely a resurrected monster.

 

Among them was my mother.

 

There was no warmth in my mother’s gaze. She simply stared at me quietly, as if trying to assess me.

 

“It’s been a long time, Your Majesty the Empress. Thank you for the invitation.”

 

As I offered my calm greeting, the ladies exchanged glances with each other.

 

Beside the Empress, who nodded to acknowledge my greeting, Lilia smiled brightly and acted familiar.

 

“Sister, you’re late. You must have misread the time.”

 

“I seem to have arrived right on time.”

 

“You must have forgotten everything since it’s been so long since you’ve attended social activities. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”

 

“Oh my, Lady Lilia…”

 

The noble ladies covered their mouths and smiled slyly. Yet they kept glancing at me, as if gauging my reaction.

 

However, Lilia laughed cheerfully as if she knew nothing.

 

Watching this scene quietly, I pulled out the invitation from my coat. I deliberately checked the invitation’s contents in front of them and smiled faintly.

 

“I believe I came at the right time. Am I mistaken, Your Majesty the Empress?”

 

“…You have never made a mistake at such occasions.”

 

“Thank you for remembering correctly.”

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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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