I Bought the Villains With Money - Chapter 63

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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 63.
Karman formally invited me to the Royal Palace.
It was a Breakfast Gathering—and one where the entire Royal Family would be present.
Which meant one thing: they were introducing me, their future family member.
I’d already met Julia and Dayson several times, but introducing myself formally to the family as Casion’s betrothed was something altogether different.
“You must be nervous, miss. I’m troubled that you have to go alone.”
Ordinarily it would be a family affair, but with no family of my own to accompany me, I was going unescorted.
Jennis had been upset about it since morning, tears threatening to spill over.
I pretended not to notice as she turned away and dabbed at her eyes, focusing instead on checking my appearance.
‘Perfect. I look absolutely adorable today.’
I spun once in front of the mirror, and the skirt—cut just below the knee—bloomed like flower petals, then settled.
“Well? What do you think, Jennis?”
“Flawless as always, miss,” she replied, her voice tight.
Even the extra twirl hadn’t lifted her spirits.
“What’s eating you, Jennis? Don’t you trust me? Are you afraid I’ll embarrass myself in front of His Majesty?”
I asked as we walked toward the carriage. Jennis’s eyes widened in protest, and she shook her head firmly.
“You could never make a mistake, miss. If anyone ever told you that you’d erred, the fault lies with them—they’re the ones without sense.”
It was a blessing to have someone so unconditionally on my side.
“Then why keep crying?”
“Because you’re going into enemy territory alone, miss.”
“Enemy territory?”
“Haven’t you read those romance novels, miss? In every one of them, the husband’s family makes the heroine’s life miserable. All of them!”
Jennis was grinding her teeth, lost in the plot of some story.
She’d gotten emotionally invested in fiction again.
I reached over and tapped the back of her hand. “Jennis, that worry is meaningless. We’re not inside a romance novel, and Casion isn’t the hero. And I have no intention of becoming the heroine who stands beside the hero and makes him shine.”

“I beg your pardon?”
“What I’m saying is, I don’t need to make a good impression on Casion’s family simply because they’re his family.”
The only reason I’m courteous to Casion’s father, Karman, is because it serves my interests.
As for Jennis, Dayson, and Umire—I have no obligation to curry favor with them.
Jennis tilted her head, still confused by my meaning.
“Oh, we’re going to be late! Jennis, even if I don’t need to impress them, I certainly don’t need to give them ammunition either. Come on!”
I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a run.
“Miss, you’ll trip! The stairs! Miss, take them one at a time!”
Jennis followed behind me, her nagging voice ringing out the whole way.
***
The breakfast gathering hosted by the King was extraordinarily lavish.
A Crystal Chandelier caught the light and scattered rainbow prisms across the pristine white tablecloth, dazzling the eye.
Silver Candelabras, intricately carved, stood at intervals along the table, accompanied by fragrant flowers in full bloom.
The ornate décor seemed at odds with Karman’s austere character, and I confess I was taken aback.
“Honor to Petrola. Good morning—I am Diana Violette Irenber.”
I greeted everyone seated at the table.
Karman occupied the head seat; Julia and Dayson sat to his right, Umire to his left, and Casion across from them.
An empty chair sat beside Casion.
‘That must be for me.’
Sure enough, an attendant approached and guided me to the seat beside Casion.
“Late for our first gathering, I see.”
Umire muttered under her breath.
“Umire, don’t be like that to someone who will soon be family. She might have been held up,” Julia interjected, as if defending me while simultaneously cementing the assumption that I was tardy.

‘I wasn’t late at all!’
I wanted to thrust a timepiece in their faces and wave it about, but that was hardly an option. I took my seat with a smile.
“Thank you for coming, Diana.”
The way Karman addressed me had shifted. I nodded, and he ordered the food brought out.
There was a brief moment before the dishes arrived. I glanced toward Casion to exchange greetings.
Casion and I acknowledged each other with a silent look.
The food came, and an eerie quiet settled over the table. The meal was suffocating in its silence, which felt all the more awkward to me.
Since my return, my meals had always been chaotic.
‘Either I was working while eating, discussing business over food, or dining with Jennis, Rumdracks, or Flak.’
I’d never shared a meal with Lebert—he was always locked in his quarters, absorbed in compounding medicines, and often skipped dinner altogether, saying the drugs had already filled his stomach.
‘Medicine for meals—as if such a thing could exist.’
I’d let him be because I understood his hunger for research, but by now it should be somewhat satisfied, so I’d have to teach him proper eating habits as well.
“When did you two meet? Ah, I suppose you can speak freely with me now—once we’re married, I’ll be your senior, won’t I?”
Umire cut off my thoughts with her question.
Umire, two years my junior.
By rights, she should have become Casion’s younger sister, yet here she was, speaking to me without honorifics—and with a rather presumptuous attitude at that.
Should I just give her a sharp knock when she wasn’t looking?
A sneaky punch from behind, then an innocent expression and “I didn’t do it”—there was a good chance Umire would let it slide, uncertain as she’d be.
Umire adored money, jewels, dresses, and men, while she despised anything difficult.
Naturally, she hated studying too, which is why the Royal Family’s tutors had always given her the lowest marks.
She was remarkably simple-minded and couldn’t concentrate on one thing for long. Not unintelligent, precisely, but she disliked complex thoughts and her memory was terribly poor.
The perfect target for subtle torment. Though openly tormenting her felt awkward.
After all, Umire was the Royal Family’s only princess.
I forced my facial muscles to relax from their icy rigidity and was about to offer some counsel within reasonable bounds.
“That’s not how it works. Diana and I will enter into a Betrothal, and since you have no Betrothal partner, if we’re asking who the adult is here, wouldn’t that be Diana?”
Casion set down his utensils and spoke.
In a world where marriage conferred adulthood, Casion’s words held merit.
“What?”
“Is what I said wrong? If not, try to refute it.”
Casion planted both hands on the table. His posture radiated readiness to counter whatever came next, and Umire’s large eyes went wide.
Umire turned her head to look at Julia.
Come on, child. You’re going to lose, so go find Mother. Without her, Casion and I will be pathetic.
“Casion, that was too sharp a remark to your sister. And Umire, Diana is not yet family. Even with a Betrothal, that remains unchanged. So as a young lady of the Irenber House, treat her with proper respect.”
Perhaps because Karman was present, Julia sided with both Casion and Umire simultaneously.
Julia’s hidden meaning was that she wouldn’t acknowledge me as family, but objectively, there was nothing to criticize.
‘Last time, when we met alone, she said we were family and should grow closer.’
I couldn’t tell which tune to dance to anymore.
“Let’s eat.”
Karman made it clear that the bickering between the two young people made him uncomfortable. The meal resumed.
Umire, who had been pouting her lips, fell silent once she realized Julia wouldn’t take her side today.
With thoughtless Umire finally quiet, the Dining Hall grew still.
“Your Highness, do eat properly.”
By the time the meal was drawing to a close, Casion’s plate was still overflowing with food.
Casion had merely hacked up some fresh meat but hadn’t touched it.
“I’ve eaten plenty.”
Casion murmured softly.
Casion was an extraordinarily picky eater.
Because eating large quantities upset his digestion, he’d developed the habit of eating sparingly. And after coming to the palace, he’d never received food that could satisfy his refined palate.
Layered atop that was his fear of poison, which meant Casion ate every dish in the tiniest portions.
Ever since Flak began working in Casion’s quarters and eating the food I provided, his anxiety about poisoning had eased considerably, but his suspicion toward dishes prepared outside remained something he couldn’t quite overcome.
‘It won’t improve all at once. His digestion hasn’t fully recovered, and there’s a psychological component too. Still, today’s food turned out rather well.’
I felt sorry for Casion, who couldn’t even enjoy a meal without discomfort.
“Doesn’t the food suit your taste?”
Julia wouldn’t miss what I’d noticed. She was priming herself to seize on Casion’s complaint.
“No, ma’am. The food is delicious.”
“Then why can’t you eat it? Don’t tell me we make you uncomfortable?”
Uncomfortable, yes—but admitting discomfort meant risking what angle she’d attack from next.
Even a lie would have to do, but our dear prince can’t tell lies.
Casion simply closed his mouth.
‘At least he didn’t storm out and refuse to stay.’
“Hey, you’re not going to eat? You don’t know the value of food. It’s only because you’re a prince—outside these walls, people starve to death by the thousands.”
Dayson rebuked Casion.
“Your Highness Dayson, you hold such noble thoughts indeed. Thinking of the people even at a single meal—don’t you agree, Your Majesty?”
When Julia praised Dayson, his pride swelled to the heavens.
Karman set down his utensils and looked at Julia, Dayson, and Casion in turn.
“Dayson is right. Casion, your thinking is shallow and wanting.”
I could see Julia’s lips twitch in barely suppressed laughter.
“That being said—”
Karman gestured for the table to be cleared and continued speaking.
“After we hold the Betrothal Ceremony for Casion, Dayson, and Umire, who’s been idling about—and Diana as well—I’d like them to study properly.”
Karman made an unexpected proposal.
“Studies? I’m already doing plenty of those.”
As Umire grimaced at the suggestion, Julia reached out and squeezed her thigh firmly. When Umire fell silent, Julia spoke.
“Your Majesty, the children are already receiving instruction from tutors. When you speak of studies, you mean…….”
Julia’s expression hardened with disbelief as she posed the question, and Karman smiled slyly.
I Bought the Villains with Money (Serialized)
Author │ Lee In-hye
Publisher │ Kim Joo-hyung
Published by │ J Plus Media Co., Ltd. – Tiramisu
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyuk
Address │ Room 1101, 11 Digitalro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong, Ace Techno Tower 8th, 11th Floor)
Email │ [email protected]
Homepage │ http://blog.naver.com/jayplemedia1
ⓒ Lee In-hye 2021
※This work is published by J Plus Media Co., Ltd. under contract with the copyright holder,
and the content may not be used in any form or by any means without permission from the company and author.
Violation of this may result in criminal and civil legal liability.

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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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