If You Are Suited for the Villain's Secretary - Chapter 83

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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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If the Villain’s Secretary Suits Me
Chapter 83
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A moment earlier.
Marquis Vito’s mercenaries arrived at Parsent Street and yawned.
They were less soldiers or knights and more akin to weapons themselves.
Former border mercenaries who made sport of their kills, wagering on how many they’d maimed for entertainment.
“The Marquis sent all his mercenaries just to rescue one noble lady.”
“So Odette Crimson was taken by La Mare? We’re being dragged into a merchant guild squabble….”
“The Marquis must have some weakness being exploited. …Ah, those figures in black cloaks—they must be Shadow operatives or Crimson’s people. But there aren’t many of them, are there?”
The thirty mercenaries moved their legs leisurely, chuckling amongst themselves.
“Why exert ourselves? Let’s just go through the motions, as long as we don’t get caught.”
“Right. If we charge in recklessly and the lady gets a sword wound, we’ll have hell to pay.”
“Want to make a bet? Loser in arm wrestling goes in first.”
“That’s harsh—who’s ever beaten you at arm wrestling….”
But the moment they saw the ‘Shadow’ operative standing at the front, the mercenaries reconsidered.
…This might actually be a loss.
The Shadow operative, whose forearms were so thick and muscular they seemed almost grotesque, gestured for them to hurry and spoke.
“We’re in a bit of a rush right now. You’re all here? Let’s go in.”
“Wait, hold on. This is a hostage situation, right? We should at least know how many are inside….”
One of the confused mercenaries asked, but the Shadow operative shut them down with a very short question.
“You scared?”
“What?”
“You bastards look scared. And here I thought you were Marquis Vito’s mercenaries—you’re nothing special.”
As the bulky Shadow operative shrugged, those standing behind him snickered and laughed in agreement.
The Shadow operative spoke as if granting them a favor.
“We’ll lead the way, so you just block the exits.”
Block the exits?
It was essentially telling them to clean up any enemies they might miss—nothing more.
Though they’d never intended to work hard anyway, the mercenaries felt a surge of indignation at what amounted to an insult.
One mercenary with a menacing expression gripped his sword hilt roughly and stepped right up to the Shadow operative.
“You bastards—do you know who we are? We’ll go in first, so get lost.”
“Whoa, wait. Shouldn’t we scout first?”
One of the more rational mercenaries tried to stop them.
When a hostage situation or kidnapping occurred, assessing the situation through reconnaissance was basic protocol.
But the mercenaries whose eyes had already glazed over with rage shouted back.
“Their princess’s life is on the line—they would’ve already figured that out!”
“The way they’re acting, there’s definitely not many inside. They just want to hog the glory.”
“Ah, so we’re supposed to be extras? I won’t stand for that. We’ll finish this in ten minutes.”
The Shadow operative, who had been listening quietly, drove the final wedge.
“This is taking longer than expected. We figured it wouldn’t take more than five minutes.”
“These bastards…!”
The soldiers, completely provoked, drew their swords and rushed toward the warehouse door.
Shadow operatives followed in their wake. The soldiers had no idea that the Shadow members were exchanging glances and smiling invisibly to one another.
“Breaching now.”
The soldiers shoved the door open in one violent motion.
A damp, metallic stench rushed in. The soldiers, frowning, cautiously stepped into the warehouse with their guards up.
But something felt wrong.
When they stood before the warehouse door, no sound had emerged, so they’d assumed there weren’t many people inside.
…Could it really be this quiet?
“…It’s as if no one’s even here—argh!”
That was when it happened.
In an instant, the floor beneath the soldiers’ feet collapsed.
What they’d stepped on wasn’t sturdy wooden planks at all—it was a cunning trap: rotted wood covered with a thin layer of soil.
As the weight of thirty grown men bore down, the floor gave way without even allowing a scream to escape.
“Ugh…!”
“Put your swords away! I said put them away!”
“How am I supposed to when you’re crushing me! Nngh, argh… Everyone, stop moving!”
Dust and blood filled the pit as panicked soldiers shrieked in chaos.
A few managed to cling to the wooden planks and avoid the fall,
“Oops.”
but a Shadow operative casually stepped on their hands.
The Shadow member, chin resting on their hand as if enjoying the spectacle below, finally spoke.
“See? We said it wouldn’t take more than five minutes, didn’t we?”
“….”
“By the way, this warehouse used to be a slaughterhouse. The pit you’re in now was where they disposed of waste. Fitting for you lot, wouldn’t you say?”
Only then did the soldiers, who had failed to grasp the situation until now, understand why Shadow had provoked them and sent them in first.
“What, what is this!”
“What happened to Odette Crimson! Could it be… was all of this a trap set by Crimson!”
“But Crimson has no reason to harm us…!”
“No, wait. Maybe it wasn’t Crimson. It’s revenge—against us! One of us must have made an enemy!”
But they didn’t know the ultimate reason for their predicament.
Of course, Shadow had no intention of explaining it either. As mentioned before, they were busy.
“Well, just keep watch and let them puzzle it out on their own. All you need to do is prevent them from escaping. Someone else will handle pulling them out and throwing them in prison anyway.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Then I’m heading out?”
Luther, the Shadow operative who had given instructions to the others, nimbly climbed into the carriage and picked up the communication device.
Clearing his throat with a soft cough, he lowered his voice.
“The Chairman, I’m reporting. We’ve successfully rescued the Countess.”
Luther continued, looking at Odette Crimson seated across from him.
“…In a last desperate act, he set fire to the Warehouse….”
Odette Crimson seemed anxious and confused even after she had resolved to cooperate with La Mare.
After slipping out of the Mansion, traveling to the Warehouse on Parsent Street, dusting herself with ash with her own hands, and leaving rope marks on her wrists and ankles.
‘Well, he must have complicated feelings too.’
“By the way, doesn’t your father know the faces of the Shadow members?”
“He thinks they’re not worth knowing. But he might find it strange that someone as large as you exists.”
“Don’t worry. His daughter came back—why would he ask the Shadow about anything? I’m just planning to hand you over and then disappear.”
“…That’s true.”
Luther, making trivial conversation, tapped Odette Crimson’s shoulder a few times before beginning to dust ash onto his own clothes.
***
The back gate of Plibie County Estate.
As the carriage door opened and Kaileb Crimson saw Odette Crimson stumbling down, covered in ash, he pulled her into his arms at once.
“My daughter! Good heavens, my princess, my precious child. How terrified you must have been….”
Kaileb Crimson’s gaze first fell not on Odette Crimson’s face, but on the vivid red rope marks clearly etched on her wrists and ankles, and her ruined dress hem.
“Do you know how much your father worried! That madman dared to lay hands on my daughter…. But thank goodness that Aden is dead. He won’t be able to torment you or Crimson ever again. Right?”
Only then did Kaileb Crimson finally meet his daughter’s eyes.
It was less concern than a demand for confirmation.
Odette Crimson slowly nodded.
“…Yes.”
“Good, good. You’ve done well, my daughter.”
Leaning against her father with her arms hanging limp, Odette Crimson bit her lip.
The Crimson Family’s Doctor was waiting. After Kaileb Crimson left the room with a subtle excuse, he communicated with someone.
Since the Doctor had already been bought off regarding the pregnancy matter, it wasn’t difficult to summon the Maid by saying she simply wanted to wash up since there were no injuries. After bathing under Sarah’s care, Odette Crimson wrapped a new cushion around her abdomen.
As she emerged from the bathroom, Kaileb Crimson was there. He seemed… in good spirits.
It was surely not merely because his daughter had returned alive.
“My daughter, in times like these, you must be strong.”
With a smile playing at the corners of his mouth but his eyebrows lowered, Kaileb Crimson spoke meaningfully.
“You must be in shock. You must be afraid. But my princess, there is something you need to know. Basil….”
“Father.”
I know in my mind.
For now, I must go along with what Father is saying.
“…A man named Aden told me.”
But I simply could not continue listening to his words.
“Father… you joined hands with Marquis Vito and harmed the previous Count Plivier and his wife.”
I finally spoke the question that had been churning in my throat since this morning.
“You made it look like a carriage accident… and killed Basil’s parents. Because that would make it easier to make me a Countess.”
“….”
“Is that… true?”
I waited for Kaileb Crimson’s answer while biting the soft flesh inside my mouth.
I know what kind of person you are.
But please, I beg you, just this one thing….
“Ah.”
Kaileb Crimson’s complexion paled.
Oddly enough, Odette found a glimmer of hope in that expression.
However, that hope….
“Are you certain? Aden said that? Good heavens… Wait a moment, my dear princess. I need to make an urgent communication.”
scattered like ash.
“It’s me. The documents and evidence in Safe A-12. …Yes, the one in my Underground Office. Check that everything is intact and reinforce security.”
As Odette listened to Kaileb Crimson’s voice seeping through the door crack, she wiped away the final hesitation pooling at the corners of her eyes.

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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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