I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 28

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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 28
The Shadow Stone was inherently the Mage Tower’s possession, yet it had been a gift from the Tower Master on the Crown Prince’s birthday just days before.
The moment she saw it, the maidservant knew for certain.
This was what she had to take.
So she fled the Imperial Palace at once, blade in hand alongside the Shadow Stone.
But in her haste to escape, she made one fatal mistake.
The hand that had found the Shadow Stone was slick with blood, and in her panic, she hadn’t bothered to clean up or even pretend she’d touched nothing before bolting.
The Emperor, seeing these circumstances, issued an order without delay.
“Anyone who leaves the Imperial Palace today—arrest them on sight!”
*Huff, puff.*
The maidservant, barely having made it to an empty alley, gasped for breath.
The Shadow Stone and blade in her possession bore not a single scratch.
How long had she been running already? How much longer would she have to run? How long would she have to carry these—she couldn’t know.
It wouldn’t end until she met Bangkadium directly.
She wanted nothing more than to seek out the nobles Bangkadium had connections with, but she couldn’t afford to.
Bangkadium was currently imprisoned on suspicion of regicide. Every noble had turned their back.
Some among them were deliberately feigning distance to observe the Emperor more carefully, but she, a mere maidservant, knew nothing of such intrigues.
‘Somehow… I have to find him.’
The Bangkadium Estate was already sealed off.
She had only one choice left.
Though near the Imperial Palace, paradoxically it was the safest place she could go.
Perfect for hiding, and more food was discarded here than anywhere else—at least she wouldn’t starve.
If she ventured beyond the Capital, the plains stretched endlessly; no matter how fast she ran, in her current state, she’d be spotted within moments.
‘Or perhaps…’
She could feign her own death instead.
The maidservant bit her lip quietly. No matter what method she chose, she had to stay alive until she could meet them.
‘They’ll come back for sure.’
A Thousand-Year Family could not vanish so pathetically.
With that belief alone, the maidservant moved her stiffened legs again.
To survive to the very end.
* * *
“So what you’re saying is, we need to find the Crown Prince’s attendants.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
By the Crown Prince’s attendants, we meant servants like maids and valets.
“What’s the reason for specifically searching for them?”
“I heard the Crown Prince died on the Terrace, Your Highness. And there were bread and refreshments there as well.”
Which meant the servants had gone in and out of the Terrace at least once or twice.
“Since it was nighttime, other nobles wouldn’t have come. The only people who could enter would be the servants bringing refreshments. Usually the maids are the ones who brew tea—”
“So you’re saying we should look among them.”
“Exactly!”
I nodded my head vigorously.
“They probably haven’t left the Capital.”
“…Since the land beyond the Capital is all plains, I see.”
“They’d be spotted instantly if they tried to dash through there.”
Beyond the gates that passed through the Capital was plain terrain as far as the eye could see.
Large and small freight wagons came in regularly, and during national events like the Foundation Festival or the Hunting Festival, provincial nobles would climb up in groups. For that reason, any obstacles would dramatically slow the entry time into the Capital.
So they’d cleared it completely, leaving not a tree or stone in sight.
Imagine racing full speed through the middle of all that.
‘They’d be noticed for sure.’
Hiding was impossible. And nowhere in the Capital itself was as abundant with supplies.
The saying about fleeing was to hide among people—and that fit perfectly here.
“If we find that attendant, we’ll have evidence to clear the name?”
“Yes. To be precise…”
Evidence that His Imperial Majesty assassinated the Crown Prince.
I carefully pressed my lower lip between my teeth.
That was all I could say for now.
‘I actually know the maidservant’s name too.’
But the moment I revealed that, I’d be suspected not as a colleague, but as a spy.
‘I know what’s going on, certainly.’
But since this was information only the people involved would know, what I’d said so far was the best I could manage right now.
‘I can’t be suspected yet.’
I was only just beginning to build trust. If that cracked already, it would be catastrophic.
Clearing Bangkadium’s name was only the beginning. For the revenge to come after, I had to be careful now.
“Little one.”
“Yes?”
“How do you know all this.”
“!”
They say even dragons interject when you speak about them. The moment I thought I wouldn’t be suspected, a question came flying.
“What you just told me.”
“…”
“You might have reasoned it out with that small head of yours, but—”
The way it sounded to me now,
“You’re speaking as if you know everything.”
“…!”
S-sharp-eyed dragon!
My mind reeled at the Duke’s intuition, and I swallowed hard.
Perhaps it was the mixed blood of another race. His ability to read a situation was truly impressive. But if I panicked now, it was all over.
I pressed on shamelessly.
“W-well, I’m from the streets, you see. There… people sell all sorts of odd things—”
“…”
“The more time you spend there, the more you hear. Things about getting by in life and all—”
This and that.
All manner of things.
“The Crown Prince’s incident was widely known anyway. There was so much talk behind the scenes. So—”
“Understood. Stop talking.”
The Duke, deciding he’d heard enough, waved his hand dismissively.
A moment later.
The maidservants came in.
“You called for us?”
“Feed the kid something. She looks like she’ll blow away if you breathe on her.”
“Yes, sir.”
The older maidservants bowed their heads and smiled brightly at me. I looked at the Duke uncertainly.
“S-should I go?”
“What, you’ll stay here instead?”
“Uh, I… well.”
“Seems like we’ve said all we need to.”
“…”
“Or would you rather I tell you what the street people were calling me?”
“I-I’ll see you next time!”
As the saying goes, the longer an excuse, the easier it is to get caught in the lie.
Realizing there was nothing to gain by staying, I jumped up from my seat.
And quickly made my escape.
*Patter-patter-patter!*
* * *
“…Hm.”
No need to worry about her knees.
She ran just fine.
‘Anyone would think I was about to eat her.’
Just moments ago, she’d been speaking clearly, eyes wide open, but the moment I pressed her about street life, she panicked completely and fled.
‘Not a pleasant memory, I’d wager.’
According to Sys, she’d probably been living on the streets since birth. Which meant she’d heard all sorts of talk in places like that, just as she’d said.
There’s nowhere with looser tongues than back alleys.
‘Suspicious, though.’
There was still much to uncover about the little one. But separate from that,
‘Something feels off about her story.’
My instinct told me there was more to it.
Just nothing I could put my finger on exactly.
‘Still.’
She’d been helpful enough either way.
‘A suitable reward might be in order.’

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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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