I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 41

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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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The Privy Council was corrupt.

Oscar Tibon quickened his pace while recalling this single fact.

His body had no strength left as he passed through the alleys of the estate.

‘Then what am I to do about those poor souls.’

In his mind floated the petitions he had reviewed all night with dim eyes.

His face sank into deep sorrow once again.

The Privy Council was originally the king’s advisory body, a place where those renowned for their scholarship and knowledge in the Empire gathered together.

But now it was nothing more than a puppet organization, with everyone having succumbed to the corrupt chairman Nicolaus Zelbero.

‘I would like to report directly to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but…’

He pressed his wrinkled forehead and let out a deep sigh, then shook his head back and forth.

‘I’m worried about Jane.’

Jane was the only blood relative left behind by his deceased son and daughter-in-law. But that small child had been suffering from a chronic illness since birth.

Even when he received proper wages, it was difficult to cover the child’s medicine costs, but after falling out of favor with the chairman, his salary had mysteriously decreased under various pretenses, making it increasingly difficult to care for the child.

‘If things go wrong and I completely lose my position…’

Poor Jane would surely die without even getting a chance at treatment.

Overwhelmed by rising anger, Oscar unconsciously looked down at the ground with resentful eyes.

That’s when it happened.

“Oh my!”

He collided with someone coming from the opposite direction and tumbled backward.

Quickly getting up, he hurriedly looked toward the other person.

“Oh, this is… I’m sorry. Are you alri…”

A young girl was lying fallen in front of him.

Oscar paused upon seeing her pure white blonde hair and rosy, flushed cheeks.

The girl appeared to be about two or three years older than Jane.

The thought ‘If Jane weren’t sick, she would have looked this lively too’ briefly crossed his mind.

But he soon came to his senses and quickly extended his hand.

“Oh my, I’m sorry. Are you hurt?”

The girl smiled as if she was fine, grasped his hand, and stood up. Then she smiled sheepishly.

“Oh, I’m fine, but are you…”

Oscar nodded kindly with a gentle smile, reminded of his granddaughter.

“I’m fine too.”

The girl smiled brightly again. Just as she was about to say something.

“Lady Selene!”

A young-looking knight came running toward them from behind.

Oscar spotted the familiar crest embroidered on his uniform and unconsciously muttered.

“House of Tigris…?”

The girl turned to look at him and widened her eyes.

Oscar quickly came to his senses and bowed his head to the girl.

“I didn’t recognize Lady Tigris. I am Oscar Tibon of the Privy Council.”

But something was strange.

The girl’s eyes looking at him were growing larger and larger. Oscar tilted his head in puzzlement.

Then the girl asked in a trembling voice.

“Oscar Tibon, you said?”

“Yes? Yes, that’s correct, but…”

“No, really?!”

Oscar nodded slowly in bewilderment.

Oscar Tibon.

I was so shocked that I stared at the old man before me with wide eyes.

‘This person is Oscar Tibon!’

The sturdy old man before me was someone I knew very well.

He was one of Estelin’s main supporters in the original novel, and a character I really liked.

‘How many times I thought it would be great if there were people like this in South Korea too!’

“My lady, are you alright?”

Casian asked from beside me, but I waved my hands frantically while standing there dumbfounded with my mouth open. Then I spoke urgently to Oscar who was looking at me.

“I, I am Selene of House Tigris, Sir Oscar.”

Oscar laughed “Haha…” and replied with puzzled eyes.

“Yes, I know that, but…”

I cleared my throat and quickly added.

“I’m, I’m sorry. I really wanted to meet you so much, but I can’t believe we ran into each other like this!”

Oscar pointed to himself with his wrinkled finger.

“…Me? Why…?”

Flustered, I hurriedly added.

“Oh, that’s… Right, I read the book you wrote with great impression. What was it called…?”

“Are you perhaps referring to 【The Empire and Its People】?”

The old man’s eyes sparkled. I nodded quickly.

‘Yes, that’s it!’

I remembered from the original that he was the author of some famous book, so I took a guess and got it right.

He was a character who greatly helped Estelin when drought struck the Empire in the original novel.

‘An expert in relief and welfare!’

His activities in the novel were tremendous.

He was like a guide who led Estelin to receive support from countless imperial citizens.

And an incredibly accurate and efficient guide at that!

“If you have time, would you like to go to a nearby cafe and talk about the book for a while?”

Thinking I needed to establish a friendship with him somehow, urgent words spilled from my mouth.

But a troubled expression appeared on his face.

“Ah, the offer is very honorable, but…”

I tilted my head while looking at him hesitating with what seemed like an anxious face.

“I have somewhere I need to go urgently right now.”

At those words, I made an “Ah” sound and quickly nodded.

“I see. I was too hasty.”

Oscar smiled kindly and waved his hand.

“Not at all. If you send me an invitation later, I’ll make sure to find time to visit. Well then…”

He bowed his head and passed by me. Looking at his retreating figure, I muttered.

“It’s obviously because of Jane.”

In the original novel, beside Estelin who continued her relief activities, there was another girl along with Oscar Tibon.

‘Jane Tibon.’

She was Oscar’s granddaughter, a blind girl who couldn’t see.

‘She lost her sight after suffering from an illness.’

So Oscar Tibon was probably going home to nurse Jane.

“Do you know him?”

Casian asked from beside me. Just as I was about to nod and answer.

“Lady Selene!”

Someone crossing the garden in the distance called out to me.

It was Estelin and Rosette.

“Sorry, I got caught up with other ladies…”

Estelin spoke apologetically.

Beside her stood Rosette, who seemed to be in a good mood with her face slightly flushed.

“No, everyone kept asking me how I developed my abilities. Really, how bothersome.”

I looked at Rosette whose lips were twitching upward, then smiled and replied.

“So did you explain it to her?”

Rosette nodded sheepishly.

“I explained it, of course. What could I do when she was curious?”

“You did well.”

I chuckled, and just then a carriage bearing the Laurent family crest stopped in front of us.

The coachman dismounted and guided us inside.

Casian, who had been watching, spoke up.

“I’ll follow behind.”

I nodded, then stopped mid-motion.

Come to think of it, Rubel was nowhere to be seen.

“Wait, where is Tatio?”

“Huh? He was here just a moment ago?”

Casian tilted his head in confusion. I looked around and then climbed into the carriage, saying,

“Casian, when you come to the Laurent Estate, you must find Tatio and bring him with you.”

He widened his eyes in puzzlement, but soon nodded.

I looked at Estelin, who was sitting beside me.

‘I want to introduce them quickly.’

In the original story, Estelin and Rubel could only meet for the first time after they turned twenty.

But I planned to have them meet as soon as possible.

Because…

‘They suit each other so well.’

Estelin, who was like sunshine, and Rubel, who was taciturn but infinitely gentle only to her.

It wasn’t for nothing that they were the female and male protagonists of the novel.

I grinned widely, imagining the two of them together.

I could already tell how grateful they would be to me later.

Soon the coachman cracked his whip and the carriage set off vigorously.

As soon as I stepped down from the carriage, I spotted two familiar faces standing in front of the Laurent Estate’s main gate and stopped in my tracks.

“You arrived before us?”

Next to Casian, who was nodding proudly, stood Rubel with his eyes gleaming jet black from Ansun’s drug.

“Where did you go?”

“I had something to buy briefly.”

I nodded casually and turned toward Estelin, who was getting out of the carriage, with a subtle smile.

Then I took her hand and gently pulled her toward me.

Estelin’s eyes widened slightly.

“Estelin. This is Tatio, my new guard knight and distant relative.”

As I gently pushed her toward Rubel while speaking, Estelin tilted her head and looked back at me.

Finally, her gaze slowly turned toward Rubel.

Rubel was also looking at Estelin with a calm expression.

The two people’s gazes met in mid-air.

‘…Oh.’

I watched them both with an excited expression and took a step back.

Estelin’s light brown eyes gleamed honey-colored in the setting sunlight.

Rubel’s profile as he gazed at her was, needless to say, fantastic.

As I had expected, the sight of the two together was like a painting.

My eyes sparkled as it seemed like there was even a halo shining around them, and then Estelin was the first to speak.

“Nice to meet you, Sir Tatio.”

Her voice was warm and affectionate.

Without realizing it, I tightly grabbed Rosette’s arm beside me and stared intently at the two.

Rubel, who had been silent, bowed his head toward Estelin.

“It’s an honor to meet you, …Miss Estelin.”

A low, sweet voice flowed into my ears. I clenched my fists tightly.

‘Wow, damn, their face compatibility is insane.’

The corners of my mouth naturally curved upward.

I craned my neck to see if sparks were flying between the two.

Just then, Estelin shyly parted her lips again.

“Um, I… I’m not usually the type to make such requests, but…”

Meaningful words followed. A ticklish tension spread all around, piercing through the silence.

Yes! I silently cheered, clenching my small fists.

Eyes meeting under the sunset, the two protagonists like a painting.

This atmosphere, where even the dust floating around looked beautiful, was undoubtedly the beginning of a love line.

Sure enough.

Estelin smiled as if embarrassed and shyly opened her mouth.

“I… please take very good care of Lady Selene.”

While looking at me, not at Rubel.

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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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