I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 77

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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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“Why do you keep disappointing me like this!”

 

Sebin Belmartre shouted with an angry face.

 

“I’ve told you until my mouth was dry! This thanksgiving festival is especially important. The trade route connecting Tasen and Erbia, and the royal marriage that will solidify the imperial court where Grace resides all depend on this!”

 

Tears welled up in Meg’s eyes at the thunderous scolding.

 

“From the most noble exhibits in the Empire to the accessories and ornaments to satisfy your damned vanity! I personally arranged everything! But why!!”

 

Unable to contain his rage, Sebin Belmartre slammed the table with a bang.

 

He rose from his seat and paced around Meg, who had collapsed.

 

“…It must be Sidian, that damned woman cast a curse. Otherwise, how could all my blood relatives be this useless!”

 

Meg flinched and cowered.

 

Sidian Belmartre.

 

She was Duke Belmart’s wife and her grandmother who had to meet a lonely death confined in the manor’s solitary confinement.

 

Meg knew well from hearing it countless times from her grandfather.

 

There was only one reason Duke Belmart confined his wife to solitary confinement.

 

‘What? She can no longer bear children?’

 

‘I’m sorry, but that’s correct. The Duchess has already gone through two difficult births and her body has become very weak. Right now, she needs to focus on her health rather than pregnancy…’

 

‘Then who will bear the son to inherit the title! What a useless woman!’

 

Duke Belmart desperately wanted a son to inherit his title, but Sidian Belmartre had given birth to two daughters and could no longer have children.

 

Duke Belmart hurled abuse at the Duchess every day.

 

Eventually, when his anger wouldn’t subside, he made the decision to confine his wife to solitary confinement.

 

Sidian, whose body was already weakened, lost her life not long after. Perhaps it was inevitable.

 

“It must be Sidian’s curse! That I still don’t have a single son to inherit the title, and that I’ve been humiliated throughout this festival!”

 

Duke Belmart bit his lips and slammed the table, then glared at Meg with sharp eyes.

 

“If it were up to me, I’d confine you right now!”

 

Meg shrank her shoulders and sobbed.

 

“But because of that damned Sidian, blood relatives are precious, so I have no choice but to endure it. At least until Zenon grows up.”

 

Meg flinched at Duke Belmart casually mentioning the Prince’s name.

 

“I must see His Majesty the Emperor.”

 

“Y-Your Majesty the Emperor…?”

 

“Yes! Should I let you be reported by Aleon Tigris and bring shame to our house!”

 

Meg frantically shook her head. The Duke looked down at her with disdain and said.

 

“…Go back to your room and reflect. Don’t take a single step out until I come for you.”

 

Meg rose from her seat, bowed her head deeply, and carefully headed toward the drawing room door.

 

She glanced at her grandfather and went outside, then carefully closed the door with trembling hands.

 

The two guards standing by the door stared at Meg. They were the ones who had dragged her inside.

 

Meg’s face flushed red with humiliation.

 

“Oh, Miss! Are you alright?”

 

Just then, a maid appeared from around the left corner of the corridor and rushed over urgently.

 

Meg wiped away the dried tear stains on her cheeks and said coldly.

 

“…I’m going to my room.”

 

“Yes, yes. Please do. Is there anything else you need?”

 

“…A cup of warm tea.”

 

At her words, the maid ran to the other side to bring tea.

 

Meg turned around and slowly walked toward her room.

 

Thinking about what had happened over the past day made her feel overwhelmed with grief again.

 

‘For Grandfather to treat me like this.’

 

Her grandfather’s cold gaze, which she was experiencing for the first time, was not just chilly but even frightening.

 

“…This is all because of Seleneae Tigris.”

 

Meg’s voice trembled with anger.

 

Reaching her room, Meg roughly opened the door and went inside.

 

She immediately approached the nightstand beside her bed and picked up something.

 

It was a communication magic device with triple barriers, a very precious and expensive gift she had received from Nicolaus Zelbero.

 

When she channeled her magic power and entered the code, the device vibrated softly and connected to someone.

 

– Who is this.

 

An unfamiliar voice came through the communication device.

 

Meg swallowed nervously and looked around her room for no reason.

 

Only she was in the room.

 

“…A request. I want to make a request.”

 

A few days later.

 

“What is all this really…”

 

Anna muttered sadly while adjusting my outfit.

 

“Don’t worry about it too much. It’s not like it’s the first or second time.”

 

“Still though. How could Lady Meg say such things to you, Miss? Well, just looking at what she does to Peony…”

 

Anna sighed deeply and wrapped a thin silk outer garment around me. After Anna dressed me, I adjusted the simple outfit and said.

 

“That girl will pay dearly for running her mouth recklessly at today’s trial.”

 

“I really hope so. Because of her, the charity event victory banquet was canceled, and the award ceremony was postponed… It’s your first victory, Miss!”

 

Anna got worked up and pulled the thin cloth she was holding taut on both sides. The cloth snapped open with a pop.

 

Watching this, I burst into a small laugh.

 

“Don’t worry about it. What matters is that I won anyway.”

 

Anna reluctantly nodded.

 

After slipping my feet into black shoes, I checked the mirror once and turned around.

 

“Well, I’ll be back?”

 

“Be careful. Wherever you go, make sure to take guards with you.”

 

I smiled and nodded. Then I closed the door and headed down to the first floor.

 

But while going down the stairs, I encountered Walter.

 

Walter smiled at my appearance and asked.

 

“Are you leaving now?”

 

“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor seems to have arranged a preliminary mediation session. It looks like he’s trying to make us reconcile somehow before the trial.”

 

Walter burst into laughter.

 

“That makes sense. His Majesty must have used his head a bit. Being caught between you and Duke Belmart must have been quite troublesome for him.”

 

I nodded.

 

“Exactly. I wonder how he’ll mediate.”

 

“This is the first case like this, so I’m curious too. Oh, His Grace plans to go to the Imperial Palace in time for the trial.”

 

“Yes, I know. Tell Father I’ll go ahead and wait for him.”

 

Walter nodded and bowed.

 

I gave a light nod in greeting, then left the first-floor hall and headed to the garden.

 

A carriage prepared by the servants was waiting in front of the main gate.

 

“Please board this way, Miss.”

 

The coachman guided me into the carriage. As I was getting on, I tilted my head for a moment.

 

‘…I’ve never seen this person before. Is he new?’

 

While I was wondering, the coachman started the carriage. The wheels began rolling smoothly.

 

I casually turned my gaze to the window. Spring had fully arrived on the estate.

 

Looking at the spring flowers adorning the manor’s garden, shops, and parks naturally calmed my mind.

 

As I was smiling, I suddenly felt my eyes getting a bit dry. Rubbing my eyes, I muttered.

 

“…Maybe I’ve been overworking myself too much.”

 

Come to think of it, since the thanksgiving festival began, I could count on my fingers the days I’d slept more than five hours.

 

Even now, all sorts of books and documents were still piled up like mountains in one corner of my room.

 

“This is worse than when I used to work weekends alone.”

 

I leaned my head back and pressed my stiff eyes shut.

 

Reading the tiny letters densely packed on long parchments every day was no easy task.

 

‘Among all that, memorizing countless Character Information was the hardest part.’

 

At least the general information about history, society, and culture was interesting.

 

But memorizing the faces, names, and personal information of nobles staying in the Empire without rhyme or reason was almost like torture.

 

‘But I couldn’t afford not to memorize them either.’

 

Now that it had been revealed that the Temple had tried to drive a wedge between our family and House of Laurent, it was time to expand our influence and build our strength.

 

And for that, we needed to be thoroughly prepared in every aspect.

 

“If the trial goes well, I’m really going to sleep in tomorrow.”

 

I muttered with a determined expression.

 

I was planning to also file charges against Nicolaus Zelbero for embezzling the thanksgiving festival budget at today’s trial.

 

Thanks to steadily preparing while cutting back on sleep, I had secured plenty of evidence.

 

‘With Oscar testifying as a witness, there shouldn’t be any problems.’

 

I nodded and turned my gaze back to the window.

 

And a few seconds later.

 

“…What?”

 

My brow gradually furrowed.

 

“This isn’t the way to the Imperial Palace?”

 

With an ominous feeling, I hurriedly stuck my head out the window.

 

The coachman was driving the horses without hesitation.

 

“Hey! Where are you going right now?!”

 

The coachman didn’t answer.

 

He just glanced back at me briefly, then silently picked up speed.

 

“…Don’t tell me.”

 

I pulled my head back into the carriage and muttered quietly.

 

No wonder the coachman had an unfamiliar face.

 

Outside the window, I could now see low buildings so run-down they were practically falling apart and narrow streets covered in filth.

 

‘Is this the Northern Slums of the Empire?’

 

If so, this was really serious trouble.

 

This place was literally lawless territory. People exhausted by hunger were violent.

 

“Things just got complicated.”

 

The moment I stood up abruptly, having decided to jump from the carriage.

 

Suddenly the carriage came to an abrupt stop.

 

I hit my shin against the corner of the opposite seat and sat down hard with a grunt of “Ugh!”

 

Suppressing a groan as I looked out the window, I saw the darkening sky as if it might rain.

 

The carriage had arrived at some deserted open field.

 

The moment I unconsciously swallowed hard, the carriage door burst open.

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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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