That’s How I Became a Villainess - Chapter 51

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 51

The Count observed Bridget’s expression carefully as he continued speaking.
“We’ll need to establish a witness to attest that this is an agreed-upon contract. Anyone from your family or relations will do.”
“I’ll think about it.”
For the first time, Bridget’s eyes wavered.
‘A witness…’
She’d severed ties with Joshua, the patriarch of her birth family, not long ago, and she was at odds with Penelope, her closest friend.
Her mother and younger sister remained under Joshua’s influence and would defer to his wishes.
She couldn’t ask Mildea, either. She’d have to serve as a witness for Julian’s side.
And it was difficult to call upon Anna as a witness.
Presenting Anna, a mere servant, at an official royal ceremony to be recorded seemed beneath propriety.
She had no one who could stand as witness to her joy.
She felt utterly alone in the world.
Even before her death, she had felt this bone-deep solitude every single day—so why did it seem even more unbearable now?
Sensing the darkening mood that had settled over Bridget, Count Nicholas spoke quickly.
“It’s merely a formality, so anyone will suffice. Given the schedule requires you to enter the palace by tomorrow, it’s only natural that finding someone who can come on such short notice would be difficult.”
He reassured Bridget with a tone tinged with flattery.
“If you’ll have me, I would be honored to serve as your witness.”
“Would it be all right to ask that of you, Count?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
Count Nicholas hadn’t expected to hear gratitude, and he smiled warmly.
He’d need to observe her further to be certain, but someone this courteous would be pleasant enough to deal with going forward.
Though Count Nicholas watched Bridget warily while harboring a subtle contempt, his voice had grown considerably gentler.
“Is there anything else you wish to know?”
“No, I don’t believe so.”
“Then I shall take my leave. Should any questions arise later, feel free to summon me at any time.”
Count Nicholas withdrew with a smile.
Mildea, watching him go, let out a soft laugh.
‘He thinks Bridget is easy prey.’
She was seeing her own past reflected.
When Mildea had first laid eyes on Bridget, she too had thought her innocent and gentle—perfect quarry.
Though unlike Count Nicholas, that assessment had sprung from concern rather than calculation.
Count Nicholas would learn soon enough.
That Bridget’s reasonableness didn’t make her someone easily manipulated.
“Are you really going to sign?”
Mildea settled onto the seat beside Bridget.
“Being a Royal Concubine is legally permissible, but not welcomed. I don’t think you’ll go back on your word, but I felt it important that you understand what lies ahead.”
“I do.”
“Bridget’s already become something of a public figure due to the gossip. Once you’re formally announced as the Royal Concubine, people may well turn against you.”
Those who had pitied her as a victim of infidelity would turn on her in a heartbeat.
Bridget didn’t bat an eye.
She’d started the gossip to deflect the arrows aimed at Julian, never seeking advantage for herself.
She didn’t care what the world said.
“I’ve already made my peace with it. In the days of the Bourbon Dynasty, King Louis XV had a concubine named Pompadour. She was known for her coldness and sensitivity—she served as a bridge between the stern, difficult king and his courtiers. Without her, Louis XV’s life would have been unhappy. She was indispensable to his accomplishments as a king.”
Bridget wished to become to Julian what Pompadour had been.
But as Mildea listened to Bridget’s ambitions, her expression grew darker still.
“That Pompadour was branded a witch who bewitched the king after his death—she was executed in disgrace, accused of squandering the royal treasury on luxury. Not every concubine meets such a fate, but Louis XV had made enemies enough.”
And Julian had made no fewer.
Perhaps even more.
“The king’s health—we both know that’s only a story we’ve spread. It isn’t real. You need to think about your life after the king’s death as well. You’re still so young.”
Mildea estimated Julian had perhaps two years left to live.
When Julian died, Mildea herself—his closest confidante—didn’t know what would become of her.
What hope could there be for his concubine?
Bridget answered with a smile instead—as though she had already accepted that fate too.
Knowing she couldn’t dissuade her, Mildea exhaled softly and stepped outside.
‘I don’t mind dying when Julian dies.’
I’m already a corpse that’s lived once.
If I can pour this second life I’ve been given into the most precious thing I can imagine, I have no regrets.

* * *

That night, Bridget chose her dress with careful deliberation—the one she’d wear to sign the Concubine Contract.
It wasn’t an engagement ceremony, not a wedding, not even a formal banquet, just a brief procedure, yet tomorrow she wanted to look more beautiful than she ever had.
As she pondered which hairstyle would suit the dress, Anna thrust out her lower lip in a pout.
“His Highness hasn’t looked in on you all day.”
Unaware of what lay between them, Anna found it strange—infuriating, even—that Julian, who had brought Bridget to the Royal Palace, seemed to show her no interest whatsoever.
“Doesn’t it hurt your feelings?”
“His Highness has much to attend to.”
“Still…. I don’t know whether this is an important matter for someone as grand as His Majesty or not, but it’s important for you, isn’t it?”
Anna exhaled a long, heavy sigh.
“The Royal Chamber maids came rushing over earlier, asking what gift you received. Apparently, the value of the gift His Majesty bestows when establishing a concubine contract reveals the measure of his affection toward her.”
There was an atmosphere in the palace where the treatment a Royal Concubine received varied according to how lavish a gift the king had given her.
That was what it meant to be a concubine.
An existence whose standing widened or shrank entirely by the measure of affection the king displayed.
Which is why Anna grew anxious.
Bridget hadn’t received any gift from Julian.
“The maids are already whispering about it. If they find out you received nothing at all….”
Anna sighed dejectedly.
Only then did it occur to her that her own worries might have unsettled Bridget.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn.”
“Tomorrow will be perfect as is. Go on now, Anna.”
Bridget nodded without a trace of displeasure, as if to say it didn’t matter.
As Anna left, she slapped her own mouth a couple of times in reproach.
Bridget took a deep breath and sat before the mirror.
It was only natural that she wouldn’t receive a gift.
There was no use dwelling on it.
‘Obtaining this position is my gift.’
Others wouldn’t understand that.
How could they? They didn’t know how she had betrayed Julian.
Bridget glanced toward Julian’s chamber.
‘What’s he doing now, wherever he is?’
He didn’t seem to have returned to the Royal Chamber yet.
Where could he be? What might he be thinking?
She wondered if he cared that tomorrow the two of them would become an official couple.
She lay in bed, but sleep wouldn’t come.
By the time she finally fell asleep late into the night, Julian still hadn’t returned.

* * *

The next morning, Bridget was told that Isaac had arrived at the Reception Room.
‘And it’s still early.’
They were scheduled to sign the Concubine Contract after noon.
Clearly he couldn’t wait, thrilled at having received permission to enter the palace, and had rushed over.
Mildea found Bridget with a worried expression.
“His Highness still hasn’t shown himself. Where could he have gone?”
“There’s still some time, so it should be fine, Mildea.”
“Still. It’s an important day, so he should be preparing something.”
Mildea glanced at Bridget, who was dressed beautifully.
It was a modest affair, with only a few witnesses present.
But if Bridget was looking forward to it and paying attention, Mildea hoped Julian would at least make some gesture in return.
“He didn’t mention anything, so he’s probably somewhere in the palace. I should go out and search for him myself.”
“I’ll go.”
Bridget stopped Mildea, who was rolling up her sleeves.
“You don’t know the layout of the palace well anyway.”
“It’s all right. Even if I don’t know the way, I can find him. I always have.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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