Hiding the Fact That We Are Dating From the Amnesiac Villain - Chapter 25

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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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Chapter 25
Declin wouldn’t suddenly say such things without reason. It seemed clear he harbored some suspicion about Freena, but I couldn’t fathom why.
“What could someone as ordinary as me possibly be hiding, Your Excellency?”
Even as I answered calmly, my mind raced desperately, trying to discern why Declin had suddenly taken an interest in me.
Yet no plausible explanation came to mind.
“Is that so? You seemed to dislike being verified, so I thought I’d ask.”
His gaze swept across me with meticulous scrutiny.
Could it be because of the Count Seiton incident that he viewed me with suspicion?
But that has nothing to do with holy verification, does it?!
“…Your Excellency.”
“Yes, Miss Freena. Speak.”
Trembling in panic would only make matters worse. If he caught wind of my vulnerability, he would exploit it without hesitation.
‘How do others treat Declin?’
Most admired him and showed him excessive favor.
So I had to do the same.
“It’s not that I dislike it—I’m actually delighted. I’m overwhelmed that someone as busy as you would help me directly.”
I lowered my eyes, feigning genuine joy.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I was ignorant and didn’t know I needed to register. I’ll go to the Temple today and register right away.”
I did my best not to appear suspicious to Declin.
But.
“Ah, so you’re saying you don’t want to go with me, Miss Freena?”
Declin’s intuition was unnecessarily sharp.
“…That’s not it. I simply didn’t want you to waste your precious time on me.”
I forced the corners of my mouth upward.
“You said meeting me was an honor?”
Why did he suddenly bring that up?
As I blinked in confusion, Declin poured criticism upon me.
“Was that a lie, perhaps?”
“I… that is…”
“You dislike me, Miss Freena?”
“How could I possibly…”
Was this man genuinely asking?
What commoner would dare tell a Grand Duke—the very architect of shadows—that they disliked him?
Once, smiles came automatically whenever I saw Hugho, but now I had to force every muscle in my face to cooperate.
Back then, I believed his feelings were genuine. I was such a fool.
“That’s a relief.”
Relief for whom, I couldn’t say.
“You said being with me was an honor. Enjoy it, Miss Freena.”
I’m not enjoying this at all.
Before the shadowy mastermind who feigned kindness to the world, Freena was so dumbfounded that words simply wouldn’t come.
‘Wow. This is a complete disaster, isn’t it?’
* * *
Freena returned to Daisy Hall in a daze, her mind spinning.
“Freena, who was that handsome noble you met earlier? He was incredibly attractive!”
“Could it be that the noble took an interest in you…?!”
“He was just asking for directions.”
The workers from other departments who had rushed over brimming with curiosity sighed in disappointment and left.
After that, I couldn’t quite remember how I parted ways with Decklin.
“Miss Freena, when do you get off work?”
Decklin spoke as though he would personally come find me.
It was terrifying. Truly terrifying.
A Grand Duke—someone of such rank—was actually clearing his schedule just to verify the sacred registration of a single commoner worker.
…He was definitely using the verification as a pretext to dig into something else.
‘But perhaps this could be an opportunity.’
If I could grow closer to Decklin, I might be able to break the ring’s seal.
“Freena, I brought you a blind date match!”
Just then, Hanna, my coworker at Daisy Hall, called out to me.
What was she suddenly talking about?
Hanna looked at me with an expression that said, ‘Didn’t I do well?’
“You agreed to a blind date, remember? The man I brought was already interested in you.”
In me?
But no matter how hard I searched my memory….
“You’re listening to me, right, Freena? After the banquet ends, you’re going to meet him without complaint?”
“Yeah, sure.”
The memory came back to me.
Hanna and I had been dispatched to the Imperial Kitchen during the triumphal procession banquet.
Seeing me agonize over the thought of Hugho, who was destined to be assassinated soon, Hanna had misunderstood that I was suffering from a sudden breakup.
‘…This is my fault!’
I should have properly refused, but my mind was elsewhere and I answered carelessly.
Then one of my coworkers at Daisy Hall, who had overheard their conversation, approached.
“Oh my, Hanna! Freena already has someone!”
In me?
“There’s this incredibly handsome guy in the 3rd Knight Order!”
“Yeah. He’s been staring at our Freena’s back for years now.”
At those words, my coworkers at Daisy Hall burst into giggles.
“…You’re not talking about Havel, are you?”
“Of course we are, Freena!”
I was utterly exasperated. These people, really!
“Freena, you really don’t know that Havel likes you?”
“…Everyone, let’s stop this.”
“What do you mean, Freena? Did you know?”
Know what?
I turned my gaze toward my coworkers and looked at Hanna.
“Look, Hanna—the truth is, I’m not really in the mood to meet anyone right now. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner….”
I was genuinely sorry.
She had gone to the trouble of arranging someone for me and even brought them along. If I had just been more clearheaded and answered her then, Hanna wouldn’t have had to go through all this trouble.
“But wouldn’t it be nice to meet them at least once? They’re really a good match, Freena.”
“….”
“Even if you’re not interested now, meeting them might change your mind….”
Hanna seemed uncomfortable, probably because she had already found the person.
I felt a sense of responsibility.
“Alright, Hanna. I’ll meet them. Bring them by next time.”
“Really?”
I nodded.
‘I’ll meet them and refuse at an appropriate moment.’
But that was a problem for later.
I checked my watch.
There was still some time before I could leave work.
‘Will Decklin really come?’
If he did, I would have no choice but to undergo the Holy Verification.
I still had no idea why he suddenly became obsessed with this….
‘If I try to avoid the verification, it’ll only raise suspicion.’
So I had no choice but to go.
* * *
Finally, quitting time.
I hurried out of Daisy Hall.
Just this morning, I was still wondering how to approach Decklin….
Is this why people say humans cannot overcome their instincts?
I didn’t want to run into Decklin. Desperately.
‘How did I ever date such a man?’
At this point, it was a reasonable question that crossed my mind. And there was only one answer.
‘Because Hugho was incredibly tender!’
When mud splattered on my shoes, he would immediately drop to one knee.
It felt like just yesterday when he gently held my ankle and wiped my shoes clean.
To think it was all an act. It gave me chills.
As I left through the Imperial Palace Back Gate, I looked around carefully.
Nothing. Right?
After asking about my quitting time, Decklin didn’t show his face at all.
I thought he might send someone to Daisy Hall, but nothing like that happened.
‘Was the holy verification just something I said on a whim?’
If that were the case, it would have been a relief.
“Freena!”
Hmm? That cheerful voice…
‘Hanna?’
It wasn’t unusual to encounter a coworker from Daisy Hall on the way home from work. After all, this was the Imperial Palace Back Gate.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you… and you’re already leaving for the day!”
But standing stiffly beside Hanna was an unfamiliar Knight.
“Do you know who I brought? Surprise! This is your blind date partner!”
…She’d already brought a blind date candidate?
I’d assumed Hanna had gone in early since she’d disappeared just before I clocked out, but could she have actually gone to find someone for me?
The momentum was as unstoppable as a runaway locomotive.
“…Ahem. Hello! My name is Parvan!”
His voice was loud and resonant, clearly tense.
Looking at him, his face seemed familiar somehow.
“Hello, Knight. You’ve visited Daisy Hall quite often, haven’t you?”
“Oh! You… you remember me?”
“Of course.”
Though I didn’t remember every Knight, this man had left an impression because he’d always been quite courteous.
‘Hmm. What should I do?’
Declyn, who I’d expected to send someone, had been completely silent.
Proceeding with the blind date at this timing didn’t seem like a bad idea.

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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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