The Abandoned Villainess Takes Everything This Time - Chapter 29
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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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29.
Evren had never been one to need much sleep to begin with.
But this time, he couldn’t fall asleep because of the gnawing pain inside him.
“60…”
It was surprising that such a thing could make him this irritated.
A mere number.
They would part ways after a year anyway.
‘With the other Shadows, I got at least 80.’
But with her, it was 60.
‘Even the lowest score I ever got was 75.’
But with her, it was 60.
Usually, the more he thought about something, the calmer he became, but this time, the more he mulled it over, the more furious he got.
This wasn’t because of the obsession an ability user feels toward their Controller.
It was because this was fundamentally a very serious problem.
If a score of 60 with him was enough to stop her rampage, it meant somewhere in this world there could be someone who would score 100 with Lillian.
A score of 100…
That was the ‘destined partner’ determined by the Creator God.
If they ever met, they could marry immediately regardless of social status.
No, wait. Was marriage the problem?
‘They’d try to imprint right away.’
Should he change the terms even now to make Lillian undergo imprinting as well?
‘But fundamentally, that wouldn’t help.’
If someone with a score of 100 appeared, they could easily break the previous imprint.
Lillian’s partner with a score of 100…
Such a partner could simply be eliminated.
But what if, by any chance, a second person with a score of 100 appeared?
‘I could eliminate them too.’
But what if he missed them?
He hadn’t fully utilized her usefulness yet.
At least for this one year, Lillian Tillard had to stay by his side.
But he couldn’t let her be stolen away by some score-100 partner who might appear from anywhere at any time.
Eventually…
Watching the dawn break, Evren muttered quietly.
“…I just need to find a fundamental solution.”
To fill the remaining 40 points and prevent someone from stealing Lillian away before he grew tired of her.
Having a goal made his heart feel lighter.
He headed toward the corridor of the residence, which was gradually becoming busy as they prepared to return to the capital.
“Lillian.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Before we go to the capital, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“…! Yes, please tell me.”
Evren extended his hand.
Lillian looked back and forth between him and his hand with a puzzled expression.
“…? Your Highness, do you need control? Are you uncomfortable?”
“No.”
“Then why…?”
“We should hold hands even when control isn’t necessary.”
“…? Even in front of others?”
“In front of others, naturally.”
He recalled the folk belief that the more frequent the ‘contact,’ the higher the compatibility became.
Regarding the relationship between ability users and Controllers, Perniers had many folk beliefs.
That staying together in the same space for several years would naturally increase compatibility.
That if there was a scent only they could sense from each other, they were a special pair…
All of it was unverified superstition.
Close to the nonsense humans babble.
Nonsense based on blind hope and desperate yearning.
Like performing 108 prostrations in prayer before a sacred object.
However, perhaps superstitions were born because there was unverified evidence.
‘But Lillian is smart.’
A wise person wouldn’t readily follow folk beliefs.
So Evren decided to give a very practical reason.
“You suddenly manifested your ability through contact with me. We who witnessed it directly might understand, but how would it look to others?”
“Hmm. I suppose it would be hard to believe.”
“There might be those who would falsely accuse you of using sorcery.”
“Surely not… though it is possible.”
“So imagine how dangerous it would become for you if you were separated from me.”
Evren raised their interlocked hands.
The more he spoke, the more reasonable this seemed to him as well.
With abilities, anything was possible.
Controlling air, earth, even insects to kidnap people was nothing.
“And in front of the Second Empress and the Tillards, we need to show that we have a bond.”
“True… I did somewhat…”
“You interfered with me quite a lot.”
Evren hadn’t forgotten either.
How Lillian had caused disruption in the most ingenious ways every time there was an auction.
“Ha…”
Lillian thought for a moment, then.
“You’re right.”
She agreed.
It was the moment when rational grounds shone for the sake of folk belief.
* * *
‘Why had I forgotten about this?’
After hearing the villain’s words, Lillian mentally slapped her own cheek twice.
‘I needed to appear very close to the villain.’
The world knew Lillian as powerless.
But if she suddenly claimed to have manifested abilities, who would believe it?
‘They’d think I’m being forced to stay beside the prince despite being powerless.’
She could demonstrate her abilities.
But she couldn’t change everyone’s individual thoughts.
Then there would naturally be social pressure saying Lillian should return to the Tillards.
‘My only useless advantage is my good lineage, so I can’t even be adopted into another family.’
That’s why she had chosen exile despite the trouble, but it was ruined because of the phytoncide…
Damn it.
‘But now it’s time to officially break off the engagement with Karkin and prepare to completely sever ties with the Tillard family.’
As the villain said, some degree of shocking performance would be necessary.
And rather than starting from scratch with clumsy acting that might arouse suspicion.
It was better to gradually increase the intensity of practice from now on.
But… but.
“Your Highness, to this extent-?”
“Yes, let’s do it.”
“Even in front of Your Highness’s subordinates?”
“Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to start with a familiar audience?”
And so Lillian found herself holding hands with the Villain from early morning.
Since the day was cold, it wasn’t actually that bad.
‘The ability of annihilation… it devours ethics and love, emotions like that?’
But it doesn’t seem to devour persuasiveness.
It was certainly an ability with very biased tastes.
As they descended the temple steps, they happened to encounter another group departing today.
It was none other than Princess Meliora’s party.
As soon as the Princess recognized Lillian, she approached first without even observing proper etiquette.
“Lillian! Are you returning to the capital now?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Really? How disappointing…”
Before preparing to depart.
Though it was a short time, the Princess had grown quite fond of Lillian.
She would cling to Lillian and pester her to show various artifact designs.
“The time I spent with you was truly enjoyable.”
“I am honored, Your Highness. I would dare say I feel the same way.”
“Really? Ah.”
Silver-gray eyes filled completely with Lillian’s image.
“I want to snatch you away and take you with me right now. I’m serious.”
“Oh my, what glorious words.”
“So, so disappointing…”
“…”
“Disappointing…”
Lillian felt a strange reptilian chill.
As expected, even though young, still an ability user…
Before her hair could stand on end, the Princess presented a gift wrapped thin like a handkerchief.
“I’ve only received so much from you, haven’t I? So I prepared this.”
“Your Highness, if I may be so bold, what is this?”
“This is my shed skin!”
“…”
…What should I say at times like this?
Fortunately, she didn’t have to agonize too much over finding a socially appropriate response.
“This is a veil made from a snake beastman’s shed skin.”
“…!”
Could it be!
Lillian’s eyes widened.
Wasn’t this the disguise artifact mentioned in the ‘original work’?
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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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