The Abandoned Villainess Takes Everything This Time - Chapter 145

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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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145.
Chapter 35. The Importance of Communication
Not long after the first Distortion appeared in the sky.
The revival of the tournament for the Crown Prince Position was confirmed.
‘It was originally the House of Tarandia’s tradition anyway.’
Honestly, this was just a prepared feast meant for him and Ren to help themselves to.
The Second Empress had collapsed from mental illness, so no one would think Kail could win at this point.
However, a slight complication had arisen.
Only one Controller from each faction was permitted to enter the tournament venue.
Originally, this would have favored their side—
‘The timing is absolutely artistic, isn’t it?’
Right when Lillian’s Control Ability had suddenly ceased.
“……Will this be all right, Miss?”
Elias and the Shadows wore expressions of concern.
“What if we say that due to the recent Heretic Purge, maintenance is still needed? If we wait a little longer—.”
“Everyone, I’m fine.”
“But……!”
Lillian waved her hand dismissively.
Lillian had originally been someone without an Ability.
‘I know there are plenty of things I could do with this power.’
Even without a Control Ability from the start, Lillian was always Lillian.
‘My head works just fine on its own, so what’s there to worry about?’
“Really, don’t worry, everyone. If you look here.”
Lillian pointed to a specific clause in the written regulations.
Let’s start with ‘only one Controller is permitted to enter the tournament venue.’
“This means Controllers can be swapped in alternating turns over time, if needed.”
Like a relay in a sporting event…….
“People won’t find it strange that I come out last. And looking here—.”
Control Artifacts are limited to one per participant.
‘They wrote the restriction for Ability Users so broadly.’
So when it was Lillian’s turn to compete, she could use an Artifact she’d prepared in advance.
‘As long as Ren finishes it quickly, there’s no problem.’
The only issue would be if he went berserk…….
Ren, standing beside Lillian, gave orders from where he stood.
“First, keep it hidden from them that there’s a problem with Lily’s Ability.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Confirm all information about the tournament venue. A rat cornered will use every trick in its arsenal.”
“But will Iris Tillard actually appear in Kail’s faction?”
An uncertain groan echoed through the room.
Though Iris was supposedly locked in the Temple Prison, given that she was the Second Prince’s “destiny,” couldn’t they stubbornly insist and make it work somehow?
But Lillian shrugged her shoulders.
“Don’t worry about that. Kail hates losing face more than anything.”
“……Then Miss, shall we inquire after other graceful Controllers from prominent families?”
“No, Prince Kail will request support from the Tillard Family.”
Though there are no eternal alliances, and yesterday’s friend can become tomorrow’s enemy.
After the discussion ended and the group had left.
Lillian quietly observed Ren’s expression.
That night when he’d tried to perform the Imprint.
When he saw her neck, where no seal mark appeared at all.
‘……Ah.’
She could not forget the emotions that flickered across his eyes when he’d laughed softly.
Disappointment, pain, and perhaps.
……deep despair.
He’d composed himself quickly, but negative emotions are always far more visible than positive ones.
Then their eyes had met.
For a moment, her heart had raced with tension and worry.
But he’d smiled—with a look of mischievous teasing in his eyes.
“Why do you look at me like that? Our fiancée, coming back from a fine date with another man.”
Ah, wait. That wasn’t just teasing.
“I saw everything. You ransacked several shops in the Capital, didn’t you?”
“Ah, that was—!”
“You even stopped by a dessert shop. Yet when I nagged you to eat properly, you wouldn’t?”
If she had to make an excuse, she supposed it was because she’d thought of Ren.
But she knew well that such reasoning wouldn’t work on him.
“And the shop’s…….”
Ren trailed off mid-sentence, letting the words die.
‘The shop’s what?’
But he laughed easily.
“……If there’s something you want, let me know too.”
Yet to Lillian, that smile seemed to carry pain.
It was strange—she felt as though she’d conveyed her feelings quite openly…….
“Actually, there is something I want to ask from you.”
His eyes lit up.
“What is it?”
“Will you buy me a new Torch?”
“……A Torch?”
“The one you gave me broke in the Tillard Territory.”
My precious 1,600-degree firepower treasure!
Lillian looked earnest, but Ren tilted his head back, gazing up at the ceiling.
“Can’t you pick something a little more meaningful and romantic?”
“But I already have something romantic—the hairpin…….”
Isn’t that enough…….
As Lillian hesitated, embarrassed, Ren lightly pressed his lips against hers.
“Then wait here—I’ll change clothes and be right back.”
“All right.”
Lillian gave him a deliberately bright smile.
‘Since he wants to seem as unfazed as possible, I should match his mood.’
……More than anything, Evren still hadn’t appeared since that day.
There had been no more Distortions.
‘But just now—did I catch the wrong scent?’
She thought she’d smelled blood on Ren……?
* * *
Left alone in his chamber.
“Cough.”
Ren wrenched open his shirt front, tearing it to the side.
Veins flowing from the Imprint burned a vivid red, like a bomb’s detonator.
He knew all too well the danger, even without the Imprint acting up.
“Tch. When Lily sees me, doesn’t anything come to mind except a Torch?”
Even if he made her bouquets out of Torches, she’d find it strange.
‘Yet she exchanged rings with that man.’
How many people had he placed around Lillian.
‘She said they made one together in a shop…….’
That night when Lillian secretly examined the ring.
Ren had actually not been asleep.
And Lillian apparently didn’t realize what an S-rank Ability User’s night vision was capable of.
<To My Heart>
He’d seen every pathetic word engraved inside the ring.
After Lillian fell asleep, he’d found that ring and clutched it for a long time.
He’d wanted to destroy it so badly he was going mad.
If only his Imprint target didn’t grieve, he could annihilate that worthless thing a hundred times over.
‘How dare anyone be anyone’s heart.’
That bastard who deserved to be torn to shreds.
Ren gnashed his teeth, picturing a face identical to his own.
But what drove him to madness more than those pathetic words was Lillian’s expression at that moment.
Even as Ren hoped Lillian wouldn’t wear such an expression because of him.
When he saw her wear it because of that man, he felt like he was losing his mind.
‘Lillian, did you really…….’
Want to go back to that man?
Did you only return because you feared I’d kill you with my Ability if you didn’t?
‘Though you did say it was all right to form an Imprint with me too…….’
Perhaps it’s not love but an immense sense of loyalty.
‘Haven’t we both been through so many difficult things together?’
So who knows—maybe affection is why she’d even kiss him.
“……I’m really going insane.”
Even this brief separation while changing clothes made him feel desperate with anxiety.
‘Lily. You don’t have an Imprint with me.’
Yet while you stay by my side, what should I do?
……Snap.
As he snapped his fingers together, a shadow flowed in through the window crack.
Yes, Master! Did you call for me?
It was Markus, whom Iris had believed to be the Divine Oracle.
Originally, he’d meant to obliterate him completely.
‘Please, spare me! Please, I beg you! I may have no morals, but I have my uses!’
To decipher the Dark Magic Records they’d found in the Revenants’ Palace, he needed someone who could decode them.
Should I turn this trash into a Monster, or……—
“No.”
Ren had no interest in the wretch’s babbling.
But he casually tossed him one of the research journals they’d possessed.
“You lot kept secrets like this among your techniques.”
……?
“Tell me only whether this is still possible or not.”
Markus hesitated before nodding.
‘Why would he want something like this……?’
Though it would be terribly painful and difficult for him, what did Markus care?

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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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