I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 185

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“What are you talking about?”

Rubel let out a small sigh.

“A few weeks ago. When Dion Jed came.”

“….”

“The wine that bastard recommended to you.”

My expression slightly frowned as I recalled the memory.

“You mean that white wine he said was a specialty of Carton?”

“Yeah.”

Rubel answered in a low voice and added somewhat stiffly.

“Every Cartian knows about it.”

“….”

“Offering that wine is a traditional Carton method. It’s used when expressing feelings to a woman you admire.”

My mouth gradually fell open.

Come to think of it, Dean’s expression when he offered that wine had seemed a bit strange.

And how disappointed he looked when I refused.

An awkward silence flowed between Rubel and me.

As I just rolled my eyes around, Rubel muttered in a voice mixed with sighs.

“So this makes it the second time already.”

“….”

“The number of times you’ve received something like a marriage proposal from someone else.”

I looked at him with a bewildered expression.

“No, that’s….”

Then I discovered something and paused.

“…Wait, Rubel, you forgot to take your medicine.”

Rubel closed his mouth.

His clear irises reflecting the light were definitely a vivid golden color.

‘When did it change?’

Just a moment ago they were black, but it seemed the medicine’s effect had worn off.

I quickly pulled out a bottle containing a transparent potion from my waist.

Rubel muttered in a subdued voice.

“…I didn’t notice. Did the Prince see?”

I shook my head while holding out the medicine bottle.

“It was fine earlier inside the barracks. It seems to have just changed back now.”

Rubel nodded and took the bottle from me.

And just as he was about to open the cap with his thumb and bring it to his lips.

“Wait.”

I lightly grabbed his arm.

Rubel looked down at me while maintaining his tilted head position.

I rolled my eyes and said quietly.

“Well, since there’s no one around anyway, let’s wait a little before you drink it.”

“….”

“Your original eye color. It’s been so long since I’ve seen it, and it’s beautiful.”

Rubel’s hand holding the bottle dropped down.

I stared intently at Rubel, then averted my gaze and spoke.

“Actually, I don’t care what the Prince says.”

“….”

“Even if that was a marriage proposal, it means nothing to me.”

Intermittent night cries could be heard from the surroundings.

I glanced up at Rubel again.

“You know it too. The person I like is you.”

After saying it, my insides felt ticklish.

Rubel across from me had a slightly surprised expression.

His pupils, which seemed clearer than usual, stared at me piercingly.

“…So, don’t worry about things like that.”

When I added awkwardly, the corners of Rubel’s lips finally relaxed slightly.

His mouth curved into a pleasant arc.

“Are you serious?”

I pursed my lips and looked at Rubel.

“Would I be lying? You’ve been doing this often lately. You’re getting more and more cheeky.”

A low laugh came from across.

As I looked at him with a sulky expression, Rubel stepped closer and instantly wrapped his arms around my waist.

It was a touch that wasn’t as awkward as the first time.

I stiffened for a moment, then wrapped my arms around his neck.

A voice like a calm lake resonated in my ear.

“Just now, I was surprised.”

“By what?”

“Because I like you so much more than I imagined.”

Rubel buried his face in my shoulder.

I could feel his heart beating thump, thump in his chest where my ear touched.

“When we return, you’ll awaken the relic, right?”

At his gentle voice, I nodded while still in his embrace.

“I have to.”

Rubel held me tighter and muttered.

“You’ll have a lot of work. You’ll overdo it again.”

“I won’t.”

“You already overdid it just helping Prince Sorad this time.”

“This time was really, truly the last. I had to find the Sacred Artifacts of Amicus anyway.”

Rubel slowly unwrapped his arms from my waist.

His face bore a smile that seemed to say ‘it can’t be helped.’

He lightly touched the bridge of my nose.

“Keep your promise, Selene.”

“Of course. What do you take me for.”

Rubel smiled softly.

His gentle laughter mixed with the wind and echoed pleasantly.

Enjoying the tranquility, I smiled slightly and looked up at him.

“Aren’t we going? You said you’d escort me to the barracks.”

Rubel smiled back and nodded.

Then he poured the medicine bottle into his mouth.

Watching him, I muttered.

“I heard from Ansun, but… I didn’t know you had to take it this frequently.”

Over the past two years, Rubel had also developed his abilities.

He could now, like today, awaken large monsters sleeping deep underground and control them at will.

But perhaps because of that.

Rubel was taking quite a large amount of medicine, more frequently than before.

Without it, his eye color would quickly return.

It was an inevitable phenomenon due to his heightened ability level.

And for some reason, that made me sad.

“Soon, I’ll make it so you don’t need to take that medicine.”

Rubel looked down at me with a gentle smile.

“I’ll definitely make it that way.”

Then, instead of answering, he gently intertwined his fingers with mine.

I headed toward the barracks, tightly gripping his large hand.

The next day, Hanod led his procession and departed for the Kingdom of Sorad.

As he had said the day before, Princess Anetresha and Anita were tied to horses.

They would now have to walk without a single sip of water or piece of bread until they reached the kingdom.

Even if their feet swelled and burst, there was nothing to be done.

If they couldn’t walk, they would be dragged along tied to the horses.

“They say fighting has already broken out in the kingdom.”

Rubel, who had approached beside me, said.

“Joseph’s army is at a disadvantage, so that side should be finished soon too.”

I nodded.

No matter how strong Joseph’s army was, their opponents were Tigris’s reinforcements and Carton’s soldiers.

There was no way they could be easily broken.

I muttered while watching Hanod’s group disappearing into the distance.

“At least now I won’t have to see those two again.”

I was referring to Princess Anetresha and Anita.

Joseph’s rebellion was a complete failure.

That also meant those two people had absolutely no hope of survival.

When I lowered my gaze, I saw the bracelet on my right wrist.

A ring-shaped bracelet with a large purple sapphire embedded in the center.

“I’m going to the estate.”

Rubel nodded.

I intended to awaken this bracelet as soon as I arrived at the estate.

And if this really was a holy relic, I would be able to meet her.

Amicus, whom I had longed for such a long time.

Tigris Estate.

The ducal palace, which had been empty for a while, became endlessly busy.

Among the servants bustling back and forth, Jane blinked anxiously.

“Marian, what about the carpet in the second-floor corridor?”

“I’ve replaced it all with new ones. Is there anything else you need, Administrator?”

“No, no. Please continue with what you were doing.”

The servant who responded with a smile hurried off to the kitchen.

Jane felt the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen and looked toward the castle gate in the distance with expectant eyes.

It had been a full two years. Seeing that person again.

Lady Selene of Tigris had healed her failing eyesight.

After that, she let her stay at the ducal palace and provided her with a tutor, then last year even granted her the position of administrator overseeing the estate.

Jane couldn’t help but smile as her lips kept curving upward while she moved between the garden and the first floor of the castle.

‘I want to see her soon.’

She took a short deep breath, feeling somehow excited, and made a promise to herself.

‘No matter how happy I am to see her, I mustn’t be too bothersome, Jane.’

According to Grandfather Oscar, that person had been very busy at the capital during this time.

From building new temples to imperial events.

The empire’s only saint had more than enough work to do.

And that wasn’t all.

‘The task she entrusted to me before as well…’

Jane unconsciously drooped her eyebrows.

These were tremendous tasks that she couldn’t complete even with three bodies.

Jane renewed her determination and checked whether the castle’s front yard and first-floor hall were clean and comfortable.

Her heart fluttered at the thought of finally letting the Lady rest properly this time.

It was when she was looking up at the clear sky and then turned her gaze toward the distant hill.

“Huh?”

Jane narrowed her eyes for a moment, then opened them wide.

Long shadows were cast on the hill where the afternoon sun was shining down.

Selene’s party had arrived right at the fortress walls.

“You’ve arrived, My Lady!”

“It’s been a while, Jane.”

I let out a surprised laugh seeing the sparkling interior of the castle.

Across from me stood Jane, her eyes twinkling brightly.

“I missed you so much! You weren’t uncomfortable during the journey, were you?”

I shook my head at Jane, who had somehow become a complete lady.

Jane smiled with a somewhat shy expression.

“Th-then shall we start with a meal? Since you’ve come such a long way, you should eat heartily…”

“It’s fine, but more importantly.”

I gently grabbed Jane’s wrist.

“Let me see you for a moment.”

And I led her to my room on the second floor.

As soon as the door closed, I asked.

“How did the thing I asked you to do before turn out?”

Jane blinked a couple of times. Then she made an “ah” sound and clapped her hands.

“I did as you instructed. I brought Father Ronet to the southwestern temple, Father Lansley to the northern temple, and Tosean Cleric to the eastern abandoned temple…”

From Jane’s mouth flowed an endless stream of names of temples and priests from all over the empire.

I nodded.

“Yes, well done. You worked hard, Jane.”

Jane’s face turned red.

“Not at all! Rather, you’re the one who worked hard, My Lady. Placing all those priests individually…”

I showed her a smile.

While I stayed at the capital, the old temples and shrines throughout the empire, including Tigris Estate, had completed their renovations.

These were temples that had been built by the Frater Order but were currently not fulfilling their role.

I placed principled priests who had been pushed out from the center of the order in those temples.

They were those who had united around Michael and currently knew of Fluma’s existence.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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