I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 26

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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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“Give me 10 frums.”

The merchant shook his head at the firm voice. However, there was no wavering whatsoever in the eyes of the person standing before him.

“I caught this one just this morning. I need to get at least 10 frums for it, no matter what.”

“How about 9 frums.”

“…9 frums and 5 ens.”

The merchant frowned as if he was fed up. And finally, he shouted with a voice full of dissatisfaction.

“Fine, fine! You stubborn fellow.”

Glaring slightly at his counterpart, he finally pulled out a bundle of copper-colored coins from his pocket.

And he selected a few from among them.

Before his eyes, an already outstretched palm was waiting for him.

When the merchant handed over the coins with a displeased expression, his counterpart finally lowered the large sack he had been carrying on his back to the ground.

The ground shook under the heavy weight, and dust flew up hazily around them.

“Well then, I’ll be going now.”

The merchant, who had been watching the back of the person turning around without hesitation as if his business was done, called out to stop him.

“Tatio! I have some freshly baked bread, shall I pack some for you?”

“…Is there any left?”

“If it’s Linda, she’d save your portion even if there wasn’t enough. Anyway, what an annoying woman, she should take care of her own husband like that.”

The merchant pouted his lips and went into the tent behind him. Soon he returned carrying a loaf of bread.

“Here, you rascal.”

The bread he threw floated through the air and finally landed safely in Tatio’s hands.

When Tatio smiled slightly, his golden eyes curved kindly.

“Thank you, Uncle Lupus. I’ll give you a discount next time.”

“Yeah right. I know you’ll conveniently forget by tomorrow.”

Tatio smiled silently and turned the warm bread this way and that to examine it.

Since it was freshly baked bread, it smelled quite appetizing.

That’s when it happened.

“Tatio! You’ll stop by tomorrow too, right?”

Linda’s figure could be seen peeking her head out from the tent. Tatio nodded with a smiling face.

She gestured to him as if telling him to hurry along.

After finishing their brief eye greeting and turning around, the busy scene of the market spread out before him.

From an old man selling freshly squeezed milk to numerous stalls packed full of various food items.

Tatio skillfully moved his steps, deftly avoiding the busily moving people.

‘Today’s earnings aren’t bad.’

Thanks to luckily finding large prey from early morning. A smile slowly spread across his lips.

However, he soon stopped in his tracks, unable to take a few more steps due to some commotion heard from somewhere.

“Move the horses to the stables!”

“Pack the weapons needed for the subjugation separately!”

Those wearing cloaks with familiar emblems were gathered in front of the inn, moving about busily.

Tatio quickly hid behind a small street stall nearby.

‘I thought they weren’t coming this year.’

Those were Duke Tigris and his knights who visited Plau around this time every year.

It was for the monster subjugation they conducted like an annual ritual every year in the Cursed Land.

This year, they hadn’t shown hide nor hair during the scheduled time, so he thought they weren’t coming.

“This is troublesome.”

Muttering Tatio pulled the hood that had been hanging behind his neck down deeply. Then he hurriedly moved his steps.

“Shall we unpack the young lady’s luggage over here?”

“Here! Please guide us to the warmest and best room.”

The voices of the Tigris Knights were getting closer and closer.

It was when Tatio was quickening his pace.

“Give me that. I’ll carry it.”

Among the rough voices of the knights, a pleasant and cheerful voice rang out.

Tatio unconsciously lifted his head slightly to look toward where the voice came from.

“Oh my, what did Anna pack so much of? It’s a whole bundle, a whole bundle.”

Someone was struggling while holding a heavy bag to their chest.

Tatio stared blankly at that figure from behind.

The platinum hair hanging long behind the waist waved beautifully in the sudden breeze.

He frowned slightly at the somehow familiar scene that seemed like he had seen it somewhere before.

“Honestly, I don’t mind if the room is a bit cold, but I hope the food is delicious.”

Then the woman who had finished speaking with a smile to someone suddenly turned around. Her skirt puffed up lightly, and her face was revealed between the fluttering blonde hair.

Blue eyes prettily positioned on white and clean skin.

Cheeks slightly flushed perhaps from the cold and lips red like winter strawberries.

Tatio stared intently at her without even realizing he was making a foolish expression.

But the woman’s eyes, which had been looking around carefully, suddenly met his.

The two people’s gazes collided in mid-air. However, that was only for a moment.

Coming to his senses, Tatio bowed his head deeply. And he quickly moved his steps.

Feeling his heart somehow tightening, he crossed the complex alley almost at a run.

But just before turning the corner, unable to resist his curiosity, he turned his head slightly again.

He saw the woman still standing in the same place, staring at him.

Tatio, with his eyes wide open, hurriedly turned the corner and pressed his back against the wall in haste.

His heart was pounding.

“You’re crazy… Tatio.”

He couldn’t know for certain, but judging by how the knights called her ‘young lady,’ she was definitely someone from the Tigris family.

She was a noble from the estate that he absolutely must not let discover his identity, someone he must be wary of again and again.

And yet he foolishly showed his face like that.

Did she recognize me?

A faint anxiety briefly appeared and disappeared on his face.

Probably not. He shook his head and went deeper into the alley.

However, his palms had long since become damp with sweat. And strangely, it felt like there was a drum inside his body.

Tatio, who had been clutching his chest area, finally couldn’t stand it and frowned.

“…Did my breakfast not digest properly.”

And he blankly ruffled his hair before hardening his brow.

‘…There was something like a flower scent.’

Even though there was no way that could be in this cold weather.

Moreover, those blue eyes kept flickering before his eyes.

They were just like magic stones.

After standing still in place for a moment, he soon shook his head and moved his steps quickly.

“Young lady, please give me that.”

I turned my head away from blankly staring toward the alley because of the knight who took my luggage from me.

But I couldn’t help but keep glancing in that direction. Because surely…

‘His eyes were golden.’

And very intense at that.

I frowned and then shook my head.

“…That can’t be. There’s no way I’d find him this easily.”

Then Ansun, who was beside me, asked with a puzzled expression.

“What have you been looking for since before we departed?”

I shook my head with a flustered expression.

“Huh? Oh, there’s just something like that.”

Ansun’s eyes were full of suspicion. Just as he was about to open his mouth to say something, Father approached me.

“Selene. We’ll depart immediately after finishing our meal.”

“What? This quickly?”

When I asked with wide eyes, Father answered.

“Even now, timing-wise, we’re considerably late. I judged that we can’t afford to delay any longer. We need to finish this as quickly as possible and return.”

“Is it because of the Temple?”

“…Yes.”

I looked at Father’s face and then slowly nodded.

After threatening Calista and sending him away, exactly two days later, a letter sealed with the Temple’s emblem arrived at the manor.

It was a message requesting our attendance at the thanksgiving ceremony in a few weeks.

The thanksgiving ceremony was a grand event attended by members of the Imperial House, the Four Dukes, and all sorts of renowned noble houses.

Naturally, Father had never once failed to appear at the thanksgiving ceremony.

But for them to specifically send a letter to such a Father, urging his participation…

‘It means they’re plotting something, so come prepared.’

My expression hardened coldly.

“You don’t need to worry. No matter what pressure they apply, Tigris is already prepared.”

I reluctantly nodded, but I couldn’t help feeling anxious.

That was also related to why I had urgently volunteered to search for the Prince.

In the original novel, after Selene was executed, Tigris naturally followed the path to destruction.

When it was revealed in the novel that Selene had killed Eria, Duke Laurent became greatly enraged and turned Tigris into an enemy.

And that incident became an excellent justification for the Imperial Court, the Temple, and other nobles who had long sought ways to keep Tigris in check.

The Temple was the first to step forward.

Of course, other high nobles who had constantly wanted to bring down Tigris also joined in without missing the opportunity.

When public resentment grew, the Imperial Court soon abandoned Tigris.

Using the attack on House Laurent, which had shown great loyalty to the Imperial House, as an excuse, they stripped Father of his title under the charge of treason.

And at that moment, there was no one who could side with Tigris.

Due to the long absence of a mistress, Tigris had been absent from social circles for a long time.

There were no connections with other noble houses at all.

The turmoil spread from within as well.

When even some retainers who had served Tigris turned their backs, the house was completely cornered…

And it collapsed helplessly. Befitting the end of a villain in the original novel.

‘Father…’

No matter how famous Aleon Tigris was, after losing his wife and having his daughter executed, he couldn’t exert much power.

I didn’t bother to recall more and lifted my head.

In front of me, Father was looking down at me with seemingly indifferent yet affectionate eyes.

My fists naturally clenched with strength.

‘Fortunately, we’re maintaining friendly relations with House Laurent now, but…’

Since we’ve completely turned the Temple into an enemy, we can’t be certain of our safety yet.

‘But if the Prince is in our hands, things will be different.’

Abilities on a different level from ordinary Manifesters, innate military power, and above all, his origins.

If it’s him, who inherited the blood of the Previous Emperor directly, he would provide justification to keep the Imperial House and Temple in check in any situation.

“You must. Take care of yourself and return safely.”

When I grabbed Father’s hand and spoke, his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

After a moment of silence, Father squeezed the hand he was holding slightly and nodded.

“Yes. I’ll finish quickly and return.”

“…”

“Within 5 days.”

Beside us, Ansun was looking at us as if the sight was unbearable to watch.

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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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