I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 67

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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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“Everyone, did you hear that story?”

 

Under the large canopy in the garden of the Tigris Estate.

 

Estelin leaned toward me and whispered softly. I blinked calmly and asked back.

 

“What story?”

 

“There’s a rumor going around that there’s an official in the Empire who embezzled the Imperial Palace’s budget. Father is preparing an investigation.”

 

“…Oh, really?”

 

I widened my eyes and put on a surprised expression as if I knew nothing about it.

 

Rosette, who was looking through a thick book on abilities beside me, muttered boredly.

 

“Then exactly two people will get caught.”

 

Estelin and I stared at Rosette.

 

Rosette, with her red hair tied up high in a ponytail, raised two fingers.

 

And she said while folding them one by one.

 

“The one who embezzled and the one who received that money.”

 

Secretly impressed, I asked in a subtle voice.

 

“If they’re bold enough to pull off something like that, they can’t be ordinary people. Aren’t you curious about what kind of powerful family it might be?”

 

“Well, wouldn’t it be around a marquis or count family?”

 

A marquis or count family? It’s the famous House of Belmart, a ducal family.

 

I thought to myself with amusement.

 

‘I wonder what Duke Belmart’s reaction would be if he knew his granddaughter Meg Cline had been receiving bribes from Nicolas until recently.’

 

Nicolaus Zelbero was none other than someone who entered the Imperial Palace on Duke Belmart’s recommendation.

 

So if Nicolaus Zelbero’s misdeeds are revealed, the damage would naturally extend to Duke Belmart as well.

 

And the one who received that money was even his own granddaughter.

 

‘Of course, I don’t think the Emperor will impose severe punishment.’

 

Because the person who received the money wasn’t Duke Belmart himself, but Meg Cline, who hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony yet.

 

Duke Belmart would surely make this excuse.

 

That Meg Cline was young and inexperienced, so she unknowingly accepted bribes.

 

‘In that case, she might avoid serious punishment, but….’

 

Meg Cline’s reputation built up over the years would hit rock bottom.

 

‘This is quite satisfying.’

 

Recently, after hearing about Meg Cline’s misconduct from Peony, I came to dislike that girl even more.

 

I simply thought she was greedy and naive about the world, but I didn’t know her character was that rotten.

 

Of course, there were several variables attached to Meg Cline’s punishment.

 

‘First, the fact that House of Belmart is the Empress’s maternal family.’

 

The Emperor loves the current Empress, and the people also trust the Empress.

 

If corruption involving House of Belmart, the Empress’s maternal family, is revealed at this point, it would be one of two things.

 

Either irreparable damage would be done to the Empress’s reputation, or public sympathy would actually arise thanks to the Empress.

 

‘…Well, actually, I don’t care which one it is.’

 

I sprawled out on the grass and enjoyed the warm spring sunlight shining down.

 

‘I just need Nicolaus Zelbero to step down from his ceremonial position.’

 

Only then could Oscar rise to that position. Just as I finished my rough thoughts, it happened.

 

“Right. Selene, are you participating in this year’s charity event?”

 

At Rosette’s question, I nodded indifferently with one eye squinted open.

 

Then Rosette’s gaze turned to Estelin.

 

“What did you prepare, Estelin? From what my siblings are saying, you’re quite a strong candidate for victory too.”

 

“Oh, it’s not that much….”

 

Estelin blushed and smiled as if embarrassed. Then she opened her mouth.

 

“Usually charity events cost a lot of money to participate in. Everyone’s busy submitting expensive exhibits. So this year I….”

 

Rosette listened intently.

 

Since the story seemed to be going in quite an interesting direction, I also opened my eyes and turned my head slightly toward Estelin.

 

“I’m going to submit something meaningful rather than expensive. I’m not really aiming for victory anyway.”

 

“Something meaningful, what kind of thing?”

 

When Rosette asked, Estelin answered shyly.

 

“I’m thinking of submitting a painting that Mother drew when she was alive.”

 

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Rosette and I exchanged glances. We asked with wide eyes.

 

“Duchess Laurence used to paint when she was alive?”

 

“Yes, she often painted as a hobby. I saw it when I was too young so I don’t remember the details clearly… but she was quite good at it.”

 

“I see, that painting must be very precious to you, Estelin.”

 

When I, who had half-risen from my seat, said this, Estelin smiled brightly.

 

“Of course. There aren’t many of them, so I’ve been keeping them preciously stored in the manor like treasures.”

 

As I nodded, I heard Rosette’s voice from beside me.

 

“But how did you come to think of exhibiting that painting at this charity event?”

 

Estelin made an “Um….” sound and closed her mouth. Somehow, her expression darkened slightly.

 

“Just… because I wanted to show Mother’s painting to people?”

 

“….”

 

“It would be nice if people saw Mother’s painting and remembered, ‘So Duchess Laurence knew how to paint too.'”

 

I nodded while watching Estelin, who somehow quickly wrapped up her words.

 

Estelin was tapping the freshly sprouted green grass for no reason while looking up at the sky.

 

After exchanging a brief glance with Rosette, I silently lay back down on the ground.

 

‘She must miss her mother a lot.’

 

Estelin, just like Selene, lost her mother when she was young.

 

I didn’t know what circumstances there were, but one thing was certain.

 

Estelin and Eria missed their mother terribly.

 

‘Why are there so many short-lived people in this world?’

 

The same goes for Hemera, Selene’s mother.

 

The wounds created by the departure of loved ones belonged entirely to those left behind.

 

After hesitating, I opened my mouth.

 

“This charity event will be especially meaningful thanks to your exhibit, Estelin.”

 

Estelin, who had been looking at the ground, looked at me.

 

I grinned and shrugged my shoulders.

 

“That’s right. Everyone will get to see Duchess Laurence’s unreleased work! I’m really looking forward to it too.”

 

At my words, a smile gradually appeared on Estelin’s lips.

 

“Do, do you think so?”

 

“Of course. Then this event would be like her first debut stage, wouldn’t it?”

 

Rosette chimed in from the side.

 

“Now that I think about it, that’s really true. Mother’s debut stage, that’s really cool, Estelin.”

 

Estelin smiled brightly and shook her head back and forth.

 

She looked at me with somehow moved eyes, then asked affectionately.

 

“What did you prepare, Selene?”

 

At that question, I stretched and got up from my seat. Then I brushed the grass off my dress and said.

 

“I prepared something that will definitely win.”

 

Estelin’s eyes widened. The same was true for Rosette.

 

Rosette got up from her seat following me and asked.

 

“Victory? You’re trying to win? What did you prepare? According to the gossip magazines, Meg Cline prepared armor made of ethyl stone. Can you beat that?”

 

“Well, I’ll have to see when the time comes to know for sure… but I think I can win?”

 

“Did you buy an entire kingdom or something?”

 

At Rosette’s voice filled with strange anticipation, I shrugged my shoulders.

 

“Um, not a kingdom….”

 

Estelin and Rosette held their breath.

 

But I turned around and shouted playfully.

 

“See for yourself on the day of the charity event!”

 

Then from behind, Rosette’s resentful cry burst out.

 

“Hey! Tell us, what the heck is it!”

 

“That’s right, Selene! How can you just leave after making us so curious?”

 

But I only hummed a tune while taking excited steps forward.

 

And so, on the evening just three days before the charity event.

 

“Miss, Lord Tatio has returned!”

 

Anna burst through the door and shouted brightly.

 

I threw down the book I was holding and bolted upright from the bed.

 

“Tatio’s here?”

 

Then I hurriedly got down from the bed and frantically shoved my feet into the slippers that were neatly placed on the floor.

 

“Yes, he’s in the drawing room on the first floor of the manor right now. The master is with him too.”

 

My expression grew brighter and brighter.

 

“…He must have succeeded.”

 

“Huh? With what?”

 

“Getting my exhibit!”

 

Anna tilted her head at my extremely excited voice.

 

“I’ll be back!”

 

I shot past Anna like an arrow, opened the door, and went out into the corridor.

 

Then I ran down the corridor at full speed and leaped down the circular stairs five steps at a time.

 

When I grabbed the railing and spun around toward the drawing room, the servants around me stopped in surprise.

 

Some even shouted “It’s dangerous!” with worried faces.

 

But I didn’t slow down. After running through the first floor corridor for some time.

 

Finally, the door to the drawing room came into view.

 

“Tatio—!!”

 

When I flung open the door and entered, I saw Rubel and Father sitting across from each other with a huge wooden chest placed on the large table.

 

“Selene, you came running again.”

 

Father let out a small sigh as he looked at me gasping for breath.

 

“Huff…! I’m, I’m sorry. I was just so anxious…!”

 

I wiped the beads of sweat forming on my forehead and approached them with quick steps.

 

Then I said to Rubel.

 

“Do you know how worried I was? You left right after the gladiator event ended, but what took you so long to come back!”

 

“Sorry.”

 

Rubel gave a faint smile. I, who had been seriously hardening my expression, soon smiled back as well.

 

Then I turned my gaze to look at the chest.

 

“But it looks like you managed to get it properly?”

 

“Whose orders were they.”

 

I looked once at Rubel who was smiling warmly, then quickly sat down right next to Father.

 

Then I felt Father flinch and stiffen.

 

“Thank you, Father!”

 

When I called out in a bright voice, Father glanced at me with rolling eyes.

 

“Wh-what for.”

 

“You lent Rubel a carriage, provided travel expenses, and even lent him a coachman. It wouldn’t have been possible without Father’s help.”

 

I quietly placed one hand on top of the chest.

 

“If I win with this, it’ll all be thanks to Father and Rubel.”

 

Then I giggled.

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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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