I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 60

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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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‘Aleon?’

He called Father by his name?

I looked at the Emperor with surprised eyes, then quickly bowed my waist.

Father also rose from his seat and bowed his head to the Emperor.

“I greet the Father of the Empire.”

The Emperor placed his hand on Father’s shoulder. Then he spoke proudly.

“You and Lady Seleneae will be the protagonists of today’s victory banquet!”

“…Everything is thanks to Your Majesty’s grace.”

I watched Father answer curtly and inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

‘From now on, silence won’t do at the estate.’

A few days ago, when I spoke while clenching my fists, Father looked down at me with a furrowed brow.

‘I really want to live happily ever after.’

‘…’

‘…With Father!’

I stated my purpose and then randomly tacked on ‘with Father’ at the end.

Of course, there was some sincerity in it, but Father was secretly weak to me, so I thought if I said it this way, he wouldn’t be able to refuse.

‘Silence makes you a perfect target. That doesn’t mean you have to flatter, but you need to show at least some sincerity in conversation to avoid being disliked.’

So please promise me.

Father finally nodded at my earnest request.

Walter, who had been watching that scene, slowly rose from his seat and wiped his reddened eyes, applauding repeatedly as if he had seen a touching play.

‘…He kept his promise.’

I secretly smiled and glanced at Father.

The Emperor also seemed satisfied with Father’s answer. He laughed heartily and spoke in a kind voice.

“My grace! It’s all because you’re remarkable. Aleon, later when we move seats…”

“…”

“At the central platform, you’ll sit next to me.”

At the words that flowed from the Emperor’s mouth, my eyes widened.

“Seleneae Tigris as well.”

The Empire’s major events were always held in the Great Hall.

Below the large chandelier made of blue diamonds, descending the spiral marble stairs studded with gemstones, there was the central platform.

On the platform sat an ancient table said to be made from the sacred tree.

That table was considered so precious and sacred that it was priceless, used only for seats reserved for members of the Imperial House.

There was one exception: the Thanksgiving Festival.

At the Thanksgiving Festival, invited state guests would sit at that table and dine together.

There were seven seats in total.

“Th-this… How is this possible!!!”

Duke Belmart struck the wall with his fist, making the carriage shake.

“Damn it, damn it! Aleon Tigris!!!”

Duke Belmart’s eyes were bloodshot red.

‘At the central platform, you’ll sit next to me.’

The face of the Emperor, who had spoken to Aleon Tigris with hearty laughter, came to mind. His daughter Grace just hesitated with a troubled expression.

“How dare, how dare he steal my seat at the grand banquet?”

Originally, he would have sat at that seat along with the Emperor and Empress, and three state guests.

However…

‘Seleneae Tigris as well.’

If the Aleon father and daughter joined, there would be no seat for him.

It wouldn’t do to add another chair and make the seating cramped.

“That damn sacred tree or whatever, I was the one who offered it!”

That foolish Emperor.

Just because he achieved some merit at that gladiator event, his eyes completely turned and he smiled so kindly at Aleon Tigris.

His insides burned with rage.

“I had important matters to discuss with the King of Tassen!”

Duke Belmart was planning to operate a trading company that would pass through Tasen.

For that purpose, he had planned to sit next to the King at this banquet and naturally bring up the topic…

“Now it’s become impossible!”

Unable to contain his anger, he gasped for breath, and the person sitting across from him raised one hand and spoke.

“Your Grace. Please calm down.”

“Nicolas, do I look like I can calm down right now? With my eyes wide open, that precious seat was stolen by Aleon!”

“…Your Grace.”

“His father Cled also interfered with me at every turn, and now that damn Aleon is stepping forward too…”

Duke Belmart clutched his forehead as if frustrated.

Nicolaus Zelbero hardened his expression and soothed him.

“Your Grace. The charity event still remains. I understand Lady Meg has prepared very diligently.”

At his words, the Duke’s closed eyes opened.

“…Right, come to think of it… the charity event remains.”

“Yes. Moreover, I have recently been taking the lead in helping the young lady in various ways.”

Nicolas smiled slyly. Then Duke Belmart raised his eyebrows and stared at him.

“You have?”

“It’s nothing special. I just wanted to offer small assistance.”

Nicolas murmured in an extremely gentle voice.

“Lady Meg must certainly, and absolutely, win.”

Duke Belmart, who had been frozen for a moment, let out a sigh. He looked much calmer than before.

He quietly turned his gaze and looked at Nicolas with composed eyes.

“…Thank you.”

Duke Belmart muttered and pulled back the cloth covering the carriage window to glance outside.

His mouth opened again.

“…Actually, I’ve been troubled lately. Aleon’s recent activities here and there have been quite uncomfortable.”

Nicolas drooped his eyebrows.

“I understand. House Tigris has been at odds with Your Grace since the previous generation, hasn’t it?”

“Right. So I got a little excited. I showed an unseemly appearance.”

Nicolas shook his head.

“No, Your Grace. I completely understand. Even if not at this victory banquet, there will surely be an opportunity for a private audience with the King of Tassen after the charity event ends.”

Duke Belmart, Sibon Belmart, nodded his head.

Of course, if he wanted to, he could personally send a letter to the King of Tassen.

‘However, if I do that, wouldn’t I have to bow down from the start?’

When making deals, it was important to naturally throw out the topic.

If he suddenly sent a letter requesting a meeting, he didn’t know what kind of ulterior motive that dark-hearted man would think he had.

The King of Tassen was cunning beyond measure despite being young with blood still wet behind his ears.

After pondering for a moment, he opened his mouth.

“Meg is clever, but she’s still just a child. It’s fortunate that you’re helping her.”

“I merely offer simple advice. I too earnestly hope that Lady Meg will win.”

Nicolas smiled gently once again.

Despite his harmless outward appearance, dark desires writhed within him.

‘That way, I’ll be able to use her comfortably later.’

Specifically, to recommend him for the position of Minister of the Interior.

‘I’ve shown good performance in the Privy Council, so if I have the Belmart family’s recommendation, entering the Ministry of the Interior isn’t an impossible task.’

That was Nicolas’s hidden purpose.

“If we win, I won’t forget to reward you as well.”

At the satisfying answer, the corners of Nicolas’s mouth curved up slightly.

He awkwardly covered his mouth and laughed, “Haha.”

“Not at all. Haven’t I already received enough grace from Your Grace?”

But his eyes still gleamed greedily.

‘…Once I become something like Minister of the Interior.’

Like hell I’ll continue being your servant!

His eyes flashed coldly.

Just thinking about how he had swallowed his pride and followed Duke Belmart’s tail to become chairman of the Privy Council made him sigh even now.

Moreover.

‘No matter how senseless she is, really. Even a girl who hasn’t had her coming-of-age ceremony ordering me around.’

He recalled Meg Cline’s face from when she had urgently summoned him a few days ago and slightly furrowed his brow.

‘Once I get to the Ministry of the Interior, I’ll be able to form my own faction in the palace.’

He already had his eye on certain people in the Privy Council, so he could take them with him.

Nicolas’s gaze shifted to Duke Belmart, who was looking out the carriage window.

‘You old geezer.’

All this time, you’ve dumped all the complicated and dirty work on me.

Just wait and see.

Did you think I’d live as an obedient dog forever?

‘Not a chance.’

He laughed wickedly while still covering his mouth.

“Rin Anosa. How are you going to take responsibility for this?”

Carton’s Military Waiting Room.

A fierce-looking man approached the Rin and Dosha sisters sitting in chairs.

“During the match, you suddenly stood there like an idiot. And that stupid Dosha Anosa… Ha, don’t even get me started!”

The man’s voice was full of venom.

Just as he was about to say more with a twisted expression, Hover, who had been watching them from the side, stepped forward.

“Baxter. That’s enough. Rin was captured because of Tigris 17’s ability.”

Then a sneer appeared on the man’s face.

“I know you’re just following Rin around like a puppy, Hover, but defend what’s worth defending. Does that make the fact that Rin Anosa disgraced Shadow’s reputation disappear?”

Silence fell over the waiting room. Baxter continued.

“I knew something like this would happen someday! It never made sense to give leadership to someone from the beggar gang in the first place. And Rin Anosa is…”

Baxter’s gaze turned to Rin, who was staring straight back at him. He looked her body up and down with a face full of contempt.

“What could you possibly do with that weak body of yours? Look at yourself now. Just because you were lucky enough to be born with a decent ability, you got excited and eagerly accepted the leadership position.”

Rin stared at Baxter with cold, sunken eyes before opening her mouth.

“I rose to the leadership position through fair competition, Baxter.”

“…What?!”

“You were the one pissing yourself in front of me on evaluation day. Did you forget already?”

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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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