The Abandoned Villainess Takes Everything This Time - Chapter 70

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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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70.

 

Chapter 20. That Slightly Mad Person

 

Lillian looked down coldly at Karkin sprawled on the floor.

 

‘There’s a possibility that heretics could infiltrate.’

 

Of course, that was deduced from the strange behavior shown by the Emperor in the ‘original story’…

 

‘It was fortunate that I took thorough security measures.’

 

Lillian turned and headed toward General Bolivar and the fallen person.

 

“General, Lord Boliver. Are you alright?”

 

“Cough, cough. Yes, no, what’s so spicy…”

 

Karkin’s eyes widened as he watched the man coughing as if dying.

 

After consuming deadly poison, he’s just coughing like that and otherwise fine?

 

It’s just spicy…?

 

Lillian chuckled softly.

 

“You foolish Karkin. Do you think I wouldn’t pay attention to the drinks when distinguished guests are coming?”

 

“What? B-but-”

 

“If poison were added, there are herbs that can neutralize it with spicy flavor if you look for them.”

 

“…!”

 

Who could have predicted there would be poisoning?

 

“And Karkin.”

 

“Ugh, let go, I’ll explain-”

 

“How dare someone who believes in the Creator God worship heresy?”

 

“…!”

 

Heresy!

 

That word echoed throughout the hall where the engagement ceremony was being held.

 

In Perniers, gods clearly exist.

 

Ability users and Controllers, and their relationship too, were ordained by the Creator God.

 

Therefore, ‘heresy’ was an unimaginably evil grave sin.

 

But the person most likely to faint in this situation was Empress Robellia.

 

She already disliked this occasion but attended for the sake of appearances.

 

And now, a member who should be in self-reflection in the provinces was here like this…

 

‘I need to find out how this happened later!’

 

The Empress quickly concluded. She understood what had just occurred.

 

“This is a false accusation.”

 

However, rather than admitting it, sometimes it’s more advantageous to buy time and stubbornly argue.

 

“Lillian.”

 

The Empress took an authoritative stance.

 

“I know you’ve had feelings for Karkin for a long time and couldn’t let go.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“That’s why I was very happy when things worked out with Evren. But!”

 

Sometimes certain fights must be won by raising one’s voice.

 

The Empress deliberately shouted loudly to make her voice ring clearly.

 

“No matter how much you resented him, when there’s past affection, how could you set a trap like this?”

 

The Empress’s lament was interrupted by a Homing Officer rushing over in a panic.

 

The Homing Officer had the expression of someone who had encountered a demon at close range and lived to tell about it.

 

“Your… Your Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”

 

The entire gathering fell silent in an instant.

 

And without exception, all the Empire’s citizens hurriedly knelt.

 

Everyone shared this shock through glances and hushed voices.

 

‘Is that really His Majesty the Emperor?’

 

‘How many years has it been since he appeared at an outside gathering?’

 

If remembered correctly, he hadn’t shown his face to others for nearly 10 years.

 

He was famous for having the strange habit of wearing thick veils even within the Imperial Palace.

 

…And an eerie silence settled as if all sounds in the castle had vanished.

 

Only the footsteps of a single person echoed with a steady rhythm.

 

Those footsteps stopped only when they reached Lillian, who was maintaining proper etiquette.

 

“Raise your head.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Lillian followed the command and then froze completely.

 

‘Were they made from the same cookie cutter?’

 

The Emperor was truly… identical to his eldest son.

 

A harmlessly smiling face.

 

Silver hair that seemed woven from moonlight.

 

Instead of deep green eyes…

 

‘Huh? Is it cataracts?’

 

His eyes were cloudy as if covered by a hazy white mist.

 

“My son… has found a Controller who suits him.”

 

Yet he tilted his head as if he could see the person in front of him.

 

“Tillard’s daughter is truly… Evren’s match. Haha, how adorable.”

 

“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty.”

 

Lillian couldn’t help but glance at the Villain standing beside her.

 

Even though someone identical to him had walked in, the Villain remained merely indifferent.

 

‘Even their speech patterns are exactly the same.’

 

Could their voice inflections and emotionless laughter be so identical?

 

Even for a father-son relationship, could they be this similar?

 

“Your Majesty!”

 

The Empress couldn’t contain herself and interjected.

 

“What on earth is this about? Right now Lillian has rudely insulted my family!”

 

“Well, your nephew is indeed a heretic.”

 

“…!?”

 

The Empress looked shocked at the Emperor making such a declaration without hearing any explanation.

 

She knew this man was mad, but how could he do this?

 

The Emperor slowly approached Lillian.

 

“How did you figure it out, child?”

 

“Heretics from across the strait have distinctive magical energy that can be detected.”

 

“Oh…?”

 

“Because of traces of curing ‘ability sickness’ without a Controller or control artifacts.”

 

Lillian gestured broadly toward the castle.

 

“So today, before this ceremony began, I placed sacred detection artifacts on all barriers.”

 

“Ah… opposing magical energy would be detected.”

 

“No! That’s not true, I’m direct lineage of the Five Great Families! You can’t do this to me…!”

 

Karkin screamed until his parched throat made metallic sounds.

 

One shouldn’t try to understand someone obsessed with religion through ordinary common sense.

 

Because those who believe that even one deviation leads to damnation after death truly follow doctrine thoroughly.

 

You cannot ask them to show ‘situational flexibility.’

 

Lillian curtsied toward the Emperor again and reported.

 

“This person corrupts the Creator God’s teachings. Please impose severe punishment!”

 

“…”

 

The Emperor smiled silently.

 

He looked clearly at Evren standing beside Lillian.

 

And whispered quietly and gently.

 

“…Good. Congratulations to both of you.”

 

* * *

 

The Empress was barely able to leave the Hall quietly with Kail’s assistance.

 

Normally, people would have whispered about her exit.

 

But now, people were simply looking at Lillian and Evren with eyes full of admiration.

 

“My, to catch heretics like that—.”

 

“How amazing that he knew about such things in advance….”

 

“Oh my, how terrible it would have been if that had succeeded.”

 

The Tillard Family watching this scene were each consumed by dark emotions.

 

First, Kuern couldn’t believe it.

 

‘How can you.’

 

How can you smile so brightly with them?

 

They were Baltazars. Not a drop of blood was shared.

 

But then Elias Baltazar escorted Lillian partway through as if he were her real brother.

 

‘I’m the one who shares the same parents.’

 

Ramio was also watching with bloodshot eyes, heavily drunk.

 

In the past, Lillian had been like that… she had treated him most affectionately, the way she now treated those Baltazar Shadows.

 

It seemed like she had. Why did she stop? Why…?

 

Iris was watching this situation while grinding her teeth.

 

She was disgusted and hated seeing her embraced by the Crown Prince and treated like a princess.

 

But among them all, it was the Count himself who was beginning to feel the most piercing regret about Lillian.

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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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