I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 59

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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 59
“What rumor?”
The reply came sharp as a blade. With his reputation and situation so intimately bound to the matter, he couldn’t help but react with keen sensitivity.
The Knight Commander, stirred by memories of that morning, spoke quickly.
“That Bancadium has suffered a false accusation, sire.”
“Ha!”
The Emperor laughed as though he’d just heard something amusing.
The words that had just reached him were nothing more than nonsense.
Let them feel wronged as they might—once the tide had turned in his favor, there was nothing they could do. Nothing at all.
The people already believed Bancadium was at fault.
In such circumstances, any move they made would be futile. In times past, perhaps he might have worried. But now there was no need for such concern.
Bancadium’s reputation had already been dragged through the mud and beyond.
“Let them scheme as they will. Leave them be.”
“Your Majesty? But—”
“There’s no noble house left to support Bancadium anyway.”
They were all too busy watching his face.
Once he’d dealt with those who wouldn’t listen, the others had quieted considerably.
For if they wished to live, placating his mood was the surest solution.
Which meant that no matter what Bancadium attempted now, the nobles’ hearts had long since turned away.
“Have someone watch for any suspicious movements. I place no trust in Chancellor Jerban.”
“As you command.”
The Knight Commander, suddenly burdened with considerable new duties, nodded with a taut expression.
Acutely aware that the Emperor’s mood had been poor of late, he earnestly hoped that nothing—absolutely nothing—would occur to worsen it further.
“You’re dismissed. Report any new developments at once. And send word to the Temple as well that we’ll meet soon. Tell them to prepare according to our previous arrangement.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Knight Commander bowed hastily and withdrew from the office. The Emperor, watching his hurried departure, let out a soft chuckle.
‘They’re pulling out every trick in the book.’
Unaware that it would all be for nothing, the Emperor smiled openly at their futility.
But this was a grave miscalculation on his part.
He failed to perceive that there were far more ways to sway public opinion than he imagined.
* * *
“I knew it—following our little one’s advice, everything’s going smoothly.”
Several days after the discussion in the Reception Hall.
My sister, having successfully rescued me from the Duke, pulled me into a tight embrace.
While Sis and I were thus occupied, she unfolded the Secret Letter that had arrived that morning.
“According to what’s written here, people’s perceptions have shifted considerably since the rumors began spreading.”
People were simpler creatures than one might think.
Touch them lightly and rumors scattered of their own accord, spreading far and wide.
As it stood, not a soul in the capital knew the truth about Bancadium anymore.
The moment word began circulating about that mysterious family, eyes lit up with intrigue—as was only natural.
Thanks to this, the plan was proceeding far more smoothly than anticipated.
‘I knew this would work.’
The method I’d employed was nothing more complex than rumor itself.
Just as the Emperor had sought to bury Bancadium socially with his own hands, I intended to use that very same weapon against him.
‘For now, there’s only so much he can do.’
Officially, the Crown Prince’s maidservant had been discovered dead, and the people’s image and trust in Bancadium lay in ruins.
No matter how hard Bancadium pushed, there would inevitably be limits to what they could achieve.
The situation warranted such thinking, and indeed, the nobles who’d turned their backs were legion.
It was hardly surprising that the Emperor brimmed with such confidence.
Yet even the most flawless plans harbor flaws upon closer inspection.
What I’d spread in rumor was not merely Bancadium’s false accusation—there was something else.
Without this second element, the entire world couldn’t possibly know the true reason Bancadium now stood in such a wronged position.
By now, through gossip channels, society ladies and debutantes would surely have learned of this fact.
Then chaos would erupt.
Everyone would come to know that a third party—not Bancadium—had a hand in the Crown Prince’s death.
“What’s the Emperor doing about it?”
When my sister asked, Sis answered immediately.
“It appears he’s still preparing for the Birthday Celebration. He hasn’t yet caught wind of the rumors, from what I can tell.”
“So he’s just sitting idle.”
“Indeed.”
He was far more preoccupied with consolidating his own power than with reading the public mood.
My sister let out a soft laugh and crossed her long legs.
“Now that we’ve laid this groundwork with rumor, even if Bancadium comes forward later, there won’t be much resistance.”
“Exactly. I too was concerned about the backlash once the truth emerges. But with things as they are now, the other noble families working alongside us can lend their support without hesitation.”
At that, the Duke nodded with evident satisfaction.
He glanced sideways at me and spoke.
“Dust has done quite impressive work this time.”
“Quite impressive? She’s been doing impressive things all along—”
“You, be quiet.”
“…There you go again, picking on me. How petty.”
My sister huffed softly, her lips pursed. Meanwhile, the Duke, who’d settled me on his lap, resumed reading through documents.
“Duke.”
“I’m not letting you down.”
“…How did you know?”
“It was obvious.”
“!”
How could that possibly be obvious?
I found myself wondering if the Duke might be some kind of extraordinary mind reader.
“We’ll need to begin moving tomorrow morning. Timing is crucial if we’re to arrive when planned.”
“Tomorrow? But there’s still time before the Birthday Celebration, isn’t there?”
“We’ll arrive early. Now is precisely when he’s off his guard.”
My sister, noting that the journey itself would take time and that given the importance of the plan it was better to proceed with some margin rather than move too frantically, opened the window.
The clear scent peculiar to early summer struck my nose.
“So I should remain here, then?”
“No, you’re coming with us.”
“I am?”
“Of course. You can’t stay here alone—anything could happen!”
My sister shook her head firmly. At that, the Duke added:
“Veronika’s right. You’ll need to go to the Bancadium Residence immediately afterward anyway. Keeping you here would only mean doing the work twice. With the other maids it wouldn’t matter, but you’re a problem if you stay.”
“But…even if I go, I won’t be of much help. And if the Emperor happens to notice me…”
“Don’t worry.”
The Duke glanced sidelong at the dark-cloaked Mage sitting in the corner.
“She’ll handle everything.”
“How?”
“Through Illusion Magic, of course.”
Veronika, answering my question, plopped down beside me.
“Essentially, we can make people unable to remember you. Even if others see you, they won’t register it.”
“!”
Such a thing was possible?
As I opened my mouth in shock, I heard a sniggering laugh from not far away.
“You see, I was counted among the finest talents even at the Magic Tower. When it comes to magic, I’m among the elite, and I can wield Mental Magic—that high-difficulty discipline—with perfect ease.”
“…”
“There’s Face-Changing Magic too, but this is its superior version. The Emperor is currently wary of young men and women entering the Capital together—precisely the age range of the Duke and the young lady here. So rather than crudely changing just our appearances, it’s better to enter appearing as a different age group entirely, with completely different forms. I do have stamina limitations, but…”
“Quiet.”
“Yes.”

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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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