I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 56

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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 56
When the Duke asked in an even tone, Charlotte lowered her head.
“No, there wasn’t. He left right away after that…….”
“He drew the blade, then. That makes sense.”
The Duke added that had it remained lodged as it was, death would have come slowly—but drawing it out caused massive hemorrhage instead—and then asked another question.
“Did you see anyone else?”
“No. I didn’t have time to look around…….”
“I see.”
The Duke nodded and turned his body sharply away.
Seeing him about to leave, Charlotte hurried to speak.
“S-so what happens to me from now on?”
The Duke, heading for the door, stopped in his tracks.
“Stay here until the matter is settled. They still think you’re alive.”
“But I burned the grave and used my clothes as camouflage…….”
“You didn’t see it yourself.”
The Duke turned to her.
“Those people are thorough. The disguise may confuse them, but I’m certain one of the two is still hunting you—just in case. As backup.”
“One of the two…….”
“The Emperor and Jerban the Prime Minister.”
“!”
Even I, listening from where I stood, flinched at those familiar names.
The Emperor and Jerban the Prime Minister.
Both were people I held a grudge against.
Count Amelot had given all the jewels he’d torn from me to that place.
‘If you cry just a little more, I can secure the business rights too! The Prime Minister has promised me, so you help your father…….’
‘Blast it, you useless thing! Do you know who’s wearing your jewels? His Imperial Majesty, that’s who! They go to such a distinguished person, yet you’re so lazy about it!’
“…….”
Unpleasant memories surfaced, and I shook my head rapidly.
‘I’m not alone anymore.’
I have my sister, and I have the Duke.
With such a solid shield protecting me, there was no reason to be afraid.
“Stay here, and at minimum you won’t face any attacks. Remain until the situation is resolved.”
“And after that…….”
“You can do as you wish. Leave here, go abroad. If needed, I can create a new identity for you.”
“Th-thank you.”
Charlotte quickly bowed her head.
Just then, the Duke glanced at me sideways.
“You should thank her, not me.”
“What?”
“!”
I felt my body tremble as all eyes suddenly focused on me.
The Duke, gazing at me, spoke.
“It was this little one who found you. Not me.”
If he hadn’t asked to find the Crown Prince’s maidservant……
“There would have been no secret infiltration into the Capital City.”
“That’s right. Without our girl, we’d all have been in serious trouble. Right?”
My sister, lifting me into her arms, smiled brightly.
Charlotte, who had been watching me the whole time, bowed her head with something like emotion welling up in her eyes.
“Thank you…….”
“Oh, no, please!”
Being acknowledged like this for the first time made me incredibly embarrassed.
Part of me felt proud, part of me was sorry for not finding her sooner, and somehow the word “thank you” tickled in a way that made me squirm.
Nestling shyly into my sister’s embrace, I heard a soft laugh from not far away.
Looking toward the sound, I saw the Duke with his usual composed expression.
Then my sister clicked her tongue.
“He’s so indirect.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Nothing. I’m just reminded of someone who’d rather keep his mouth shut than say something nice about how impressive you are…….”
“Veronika Bancadium.”
The Duke spoke bluntly, his expression displeased.
“Stop talking nonsense and come.”
“Yes, yes—.”
My sister, giving a half-hearted answer, deliberately shrugged her shoulders.
“He’s really so indirect, isn’t he, Karin?”
“Mm.”
Just barely?
* * *
“The Birthday Celebration is planned for two weeks from now.”
“Two weeks? That’s really soon, isn’t it?”
“It is. Normally the Capital City would be in complete chaos from now on, but they say this year it’ll be quiet.”
“Because of the Crown Prince’s situation?”
“Exactly. Our little Dust sure is smart.”
“……Karin.”
“That’s right, our Karin—.”
“…….”
It seems nothing has really changed.
As I pursed my lips stubbornly, my sister brought out a candy. The Duke, watching us, suddenly spoke.
“Does she really have to be held like that constantly?”
“What?”
“Anyone would think she can’t even sit by herself.”
“!”
Stung by his sharp remark, I glanced nervously at my sister.
But she regarded me with a face that said she didn’t care one bit.
“This little upstart was jealous. Because I’m holding Karin all to myself.”
L-little upstart?
My mouth fell open around the candy.
‘Is she allowed to say that?’
I couldn’t help but feel the tension.
And just as I feared.
The Duke was staring at us with a terrifying glare!
“Oh, Sister—”
“Hmm? Why are you calling me? Want another candy? Or something else to eat?”
N-no……. He’s really glaring at us right now.
As I whimpered and gestured toward the Duke, my sister, catching on, grinned wickedly.
“It’s okay, Karin. That dragon can glare all he wants—I’m not scared one bit.”
“But—”
“It’s all just jealousy.”
“Veronika.”
The Duke called my sister’s name again. Now curiosity got the better of me.
“Do you have something you envy too, your Grace?”
“Karin.”
This time the Duke called my name as well.
Before I could even react, my sister burst out laughing and pounced on the question.
“He envies us so much. The way we’re hugging each other so affectionately.”
“R-really?”
I instinctively glanced at the Duke, then caught my breath at the sight of his contorted, fierce expression.
“I d-don’t think that’s it…….”
“No, it is. Anyone can see he’s overstepping my place. That’s why he keeps hinting at me. Let’s trade places quickly.”
“Mm-mm—.”
I don’t think that’s it…….
I think if you poke him just a little, he might burst…….
As my last hope, I looked toward Hyacinth, who was sitting nearby—
“Your Grace. Just be honest. You want to get rid of Miss Veronika quickly and hold that pink little dust girl instead.”
“…….”
I should give up.
Realizing no one would help me, I quietly closed my mouth.
Even Cis, who might normally have added a comment, remained silent this time.
‘Is it……true?’
As the weight of opinion settled, I too began to feel confused.
A glance—
I peeked sideways at the Duke.
“No.”
“O-okay…….”
All I got was a curt denial.
* * *
‘He envies us so much. The way we’re hugging each other so affectionately.’
‘Envy, my foot.’
After parting from the others.
Rodrigo’s footsteps back to his Office carried an unusual irritation.
‘How childish.’
To be annoyed simply because he couldn’t hold that little dust girl.
He was absolutely not upset because he couldn’t hold that cotton-candy-like child, nor was he falling for Veronika’s word games, nor was he irritated by Hyacinth’s blunt remark.
‘That’s not it.’
Really.
‘There’s no way.’
What was that dust mote, anyway.

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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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