I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 37

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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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Episode 37
“A fairy tale book?”
The unfamiliar term drifted through my mind.
“Yes. Besides books like these, there are fairy tale books suitable for your age…….”
“What is that?”
“What?”
The question that came back carried a subtle shock within it—as though asking how I could possibly not know such a thing.
But I was being sincere.
‘I really don’t know.’
Everything I’d seen until now had been mostly tremendously thick volumes. And they held ancient history and all manner of obscure knowledge.
Beyond that, there had been only old newspapers—though even those I hadn’t chosen to read myself, but rather picked up from what the Duke had discarded carelessly. Since the attic was all I’d ever known, it comprised my entire world.
‘I thought all books were like these.’
I’d only learned here that books came in so many varieties.
‘Perhaps that fairy tale book……’
Was it referring to the thesis or reference collection I was looking at now? Given that I’d pulled out these books when he said it, that seemed quite possible.
“Could a fairy tale book be the title of an ancient text?”
“…….”
“Or perhaps the name of a history book…….”
As I ventured my guess with a question, I noticed the Duke’s body give a small tremor.
Like before, he seemed quite taken aback by my words.
‘Am I wrong?’
Why was he reacting that way?
“Are you asking in all seriousness?”
“Yes? …Yes.”
There was no real reason to lie here. The moment he heard my reply, the Duke’s expression grew even more inscrutable.
He seemed unable to find the words to explain.
I was in the same boat.
“Duke.”
“What.”
“Surely a fairy tale book isn’t some secret imperial document…….”
“No.”
The Duke cut me off plainly. The implication was clear—everything you’re thinking right now is wrong.
‘Then what on earth is it?’
That was the only thing I could come up with.
Having been denied completely in an instant, I rolled my eyes about helplessly.
It was around then that I heard a small sigh from above my head.
Reflexively, I looked up and met his golden eyes head-on.
Blink, blink.
Blink, blink.
After a prolonged silent staring match, the Duke suddenly turned on his heel.
Then he walked briskly to the door and left the library without a word.
“……??”
He swept in like the wind.
And swept back out just as quickly, but didn’t return even after some time had passed.
“Mary.”
“Yes, yes. Miss.”
“Did I…did I make some mistake?”
“Oh, no. Miss!”
Mary startled at my words and rushed to deny it.
“It’s absolutely nothing like that…….”
Just then, before she could finish answering, the door opened. It was Leo, who stood guard outside the library.
“I’m sorry, Miss. The Duke wanted to see Mary for a moment.”
“The Duke?”
“Yes. Nothing long—just a brief moment.”
After answering, Leo gave a subtle signal to his colleague. It must have been a sign, because Mary turned to me with an awkward smile.
“Please wait just a moment, Miss. I’ll be back quickly.”
I nodded with a bewildered expression. Mary bowed her head slightly and left the library at a hurried pace.
Bang.
The door that closed shortly after conveyed considerable urgency.
And the next morning.
Books filled with charming little drawings spread before my eyes.
* * *
“So the escaped Duke still hasn’t been found?”
“Honestly, I wonder if we can even catch him. There have been endless rumors that he has other bases besides the mansion in the Capital, haven’t there? Who knows—he might have already fled abroad.”
“I hope he’s caught as soon as possible. I worry he might suddenly attack the Capital.”
“Surely not. No matter the Duke’s station, he wouldn’t be rash enough to do something like that…….”
‘Hmm. He’s certainly capable of it and more.’
Hyacinth, a loyal retainer of Bangcadium who had just arrived in the Capital, stretched leisurely.
The idle chatter he overheard from nearby revealed at once what the Capital currently thought of Bangcadium.
It wasn’t particularly surprising.
People had been cursing like this for days on end. Bangcadium was a figure who both commanded respect and inspired fear.
Moreover, being such a closed place, it was also the subject of all manner of conspiracy theories.
This degree of reaction was something he’d anticipated. But beyond that, this time there was one other place where talk circulated.
“But isn’t it somewhat strange? The Crown Prince was killed, yet……the punishment levied against Bangcadium seems rather light.”
“So I’m not the only one who thought so. Everyone at the council seemed puzzled too. Isn’t the principle that houses which threaten the Imperial Court are purged without mercy? Yet this time, only a Blockade Order was issued and that was the end of it…….”
“Making such speculation carelessly is dangerous, but…what if His Majesty has other intentions, or if Bangcadium is not the true culprit…….”
“Hush, mind your tongue, officer!”
The suspicion raised was not directed at Bangcadium alone.
The Imperial Court itself could not escape controversy this time.
Though they spoke only in words, in reality there were quite a few nobles who raised questions about the fact that their assets hadn’t been confiscated or direct restrictions imposed.
This included those who followed the Emperor.
“Hyacinth.”
One of the knights, having surveyed the surroundings carefully, whispered cautiously. Receiving the signal, Hyacinth nodded in acknowledgment.
Then he immediately slipped between the crowds. Just then, a fully armored contingent of Imperial Knights passed nearby.
While they searched that area for traces of the maid and Bangcadium, Hyacinth made his way diligently toward his original destination.
Winding alleys crisscrossed through every direction.
Even in broad daylight, light scarcely penetrated the narrow passages, which were instead covered in moisture-laden moss.
People, too, had begun to thin out at some point, and eventually disappeared altogether.
Which suggested how rarely anyone came down this path.
Satisfied at having found the place so well, Hyacinth allowed himself a pleased smile.
Ding.
The clear chime of a bell accompanied the creak of an old wooden door opening.
Outside was sufficiently dim, but the interior was darker still.
Following the thin shaft of light that slipped through, Hyacinth stepped inside and surveyed his surroundings.
The interior, which resembled a small cafe, was quite neat—unlike the unmarked, windowless exterior.
As his gaze fell briefly on the oil lamp fixed to the wall, a steady tapping sound echoed. Tap, tap. The sound of a walking stick.
“Who are you?”
The person who emerged was an old woman, visibly advanced in years.
Hyacinth took a step forward with an amiable smile.
“My throat’s a bit dry, so I’d like to order three glasses of something to drink.”
“…….”
“We can discuss how many gold coins per glass after, if you’d like…….”
“Not selling.”
“Pardon?”
“I said, not selling.”
The old woman, glaring fiercely, turned sharply on her heel and walked away.

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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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