I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 35

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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 35
It was only natural.
Once I’d cleared Bangkadium’s name and completed my revenge, I couldn’t stay here forever.
I’d decided to leave once my purpose was fulfilled, depending on the circumstances.
‘If I can finish my revenge before I become an adult.’
Then I’d have to go to my aunt.
After that, the moment I came of age, I planned to leave the Capital immediately.
‘And then I’ll live freely.’
The world I’d seen in books was incredibly vast, immense, and beautiful. Especially the mountains and fields, the verdant trees and the sea. Those natural landscapes were so, so lovely.
‘I really want to see them.’
I’d lived my entire life in that dark, cold attic.
This time, before I died, I was determined to imprint beautiful scenery in my eyes—so I steeled myself once more.
‘It would be nice if I could go see it all with my sister and the others.’
Would such a day ever come?
As I pondered this, I clenched my fists tightly.
Apart from leaving, if the chance came, I wanted to go and see those places with them.
They were the ones who first gave me warmth.
‘To make that happen.’
I’d have to work even harder.
Looking up at the books crammed densely onto the shelves, I hopped down from my chair.
There was so much to do.

* * *

“Miss Karin has spent the entire day in the library again.”
……
“This morning she had well-cooked sausage and baguette along with corn soup, at noon lamb steak, and this evening risotto with meat dishes have been prepared. For a midday snack, she had chocolate cake.”
“There’s no need to report in such detail.”
Yet the way he said it—with one ear perked up—suggested that while his words dismissed it, he was absolutely desperate to know more.
Alexei, the steward of Bangkadium Manor, barely managed to stifle the laughter that nearly burst forth.
Whether then or now, he was never one to be honest.
Everyone in this household knew that his attention had already turned entirely to the cotton-candy girl.
And indeed, from his perspective, she was terribly cute. Her short little limbs, her chubby cheeks that looked ready to burst—so adorable that he understood why Miss Veronica kissed her every day. He himself felt the urge to pinch those cheeks whenever he saw the girl who resembled a small cotton-candy doll.
He himself felt the impulse to pinch those rosy cheeks every time he saw the little girl who looked like a cotton-candy doll.
‘At first I was surprised at how much she resembled the Mistress.’
But now—how should I put it. Apart from the resemblance, his gaze kept returning to her.
Where else in Bangkadium would there be such a lovely child? Merely hearing the child’s laughter in the manor was enough to fill Alexei with an indescribable emotion, his chest swelling with an inexplicable fullness.
Though it wasn’t a projection of a child who’d never been born. It was simply the joy that the desolate, barren ducal household had come alive again.
He wasn’t distorting his perception of the child simply because she resembled the Mistress.
Objectively speaking, she was incredibly cute and lovable, wasn’t she?
“Throughout the manor, everyone praises how adorable Miss Karin is.”
……Ahem.
Rodrigo nearly affirmed those words before letting out an awkward cough. He barely restrained the twitching corner of his mouth before speaking in a level tone.
“Don’t let your guard down too much.”
“Understood.”
Did he mean don’t let your guard down regarding cuteness—as in, don’t fall for it?
He knew that wasn’t what was meant, but somehow he felt like indulging in that interpretation just this once.
‘I never expected him to allow access to the library.’
Not just this manor—all the libraries in Bangkadium were actually forbidden spaces. Only direct blood relations could enter.
Especially after the Mistress passed away, the doors had never been opened once.
The library itself was a space the current Duke had prepared for his wife, who loved and cherished books.
Yet he’d granted entry to a child he’d only recently met. For Alexei, who knew his master’s temperament, this was quite astonishing.
“A secret letter has arrived at the Bangkadium residence in the Capital. It seems the Emperor has issued a comprehensive Search Order. Imperial Knights have been deployed throughout the vicinity and surrounding areas of the manor.”
At those words, Rodrigo burst out laughing as if it were absurd.
“He feels guilty about something, so that’s all he can manage.”
He seems desperate to prevent the missing maidservant from reaching Bangkadium. Judging by how frantically he’s scrambling, it’s clear he hasn’t even grasped a single thread of her whereabouts.
If he’d caught even a shred of evidence, he’d concentrate all his forces in one place. He’d need to make sure.
“The gates for leaving the Capital are also being strictly controlled through rigorous screening. He seems to be bracing himself quite firmly.”
“Let the rats scramble as they will.”
Whether he knew or didn’t know that all this frantic scrambling meant he was under considerable psychological pressure at the moment.
Rodrigo clicked his tongue and rose from his seat.
“Keep reporting on how the rats move. Every detail, without omission.”
“Understood.”
“And contact Hyacinth to be especially cautious. If he’s caught, things will become very complicated.”
“I’ll relay the message immediately.”
Alexei bowed deeply upon receiving his orders. As Rodrigo passed by his obedient steward, he turned back.
“Is it in the library?”
?
Alexei’s weathered eyes blinked at the sudden question.
He’d thought he’d grown used to the habit of omitting the subject when speaking. Yet when asked about the library after so long, the question tumbled out before he could help it.
“I’m not certain what you’re referring to……”
“……You know, the things children like.”
Again failing to properly convey his meaning, Rodrigo moistened his dry lips.
There were so many things children liked.
As Alexei ran through his mind everything from sweet desserts to all manner of things, he suddenly realized the question was directed at one particular child.
In that moment, Rodrigo cleared his throat once and asked.
“Fairy Tale Books.”
He uttered the words somewhat gruffly before turning sharply away.
“Books that children might enjoy……no, never mind.”
Having brought up the subject himself, Rodrigo withdrew it just as quickly, heading toward the door again.
Bang!
Alexei watched the door open and close, then let out a soft, deflated laugh.
He keeps denying it outwardly.
‘Just as Miss Veronica said.’
That was definitely a denial.
* * *
A suspicious and strange cotton candy.
Pink dust of unknown origin.
The creature Rodrigo had encountered was smaller and more troublesome than anything he’d ever dealt with before.
A thing that seemed like it would fly away if he poked it—yet it suddenly made bombs and set them off.
It suddenly committed lèse-majesté against the royal family and proposed a deal.
From the very first meeting until now.
Karin, that speck of dust, had continuously irritated his nerves.
So had he finally gone mad?
‘Tsk.’
Granting her access even to that place.

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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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