The Abandoned Villainess Takes Everything This Time - Chapter 83

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

83.

 

Chapter 24. Secret

 

In the quiet quarters of Ambrosio Temple, the gentle clinking of teacups echoed softly.

 

“Thank you for visiting this old man again, Your Highness.”

 

“No need for thanks.”

 

Ambrosio quietly observed Evren sitting across from him.

 

‘He was different when he was with Miss Lillian.’

 

Back then, he had vitality, like light entering a glass bottle.

 

So much so that his nickname ‘Heartless Tarandia’ seemed meaningless.

 

But now, visiting the priest alone.

 

‘The difference is stark.’

 

He was as cold as a statue made of snow and ice.

 

“Now then, the reason for Your Highness’s visit—”

 

“You know you have the highest chance of being elected High Priest.”

 

“…Embarrassingly, yes.”

 

“And once you become High Priest, you can proceed with projects supported by the Imperial Palace.”

 

These were projects that would apply to temples throughout the entire Empire.

 

Even as High Priest, such large-scale projects could only be undertaken once or twice in a lifetime.

 

Therefore, the national policy implemented upon election would likely be the first and last.

 

“Yes, Your Highness is correct.”

 

“I’d like that project to be this.”

 

Elias, who had been behind Evren, approached and handed over documents.

 

The priest received the papers.

 

After flipping through several pages, his eyes widened.

 

“Your Highness, this is…?”

 

“The temple that can mobilize the entire territory would be better than the Imperial Palace.”

 

“…”

 

“Priest. My Lillian may not know, but I am not an altruistic person.”

 

The inscription on some stranger’s wooden ring.

 

Even if she had just ignored it and fixed it in a more comfortable and quick way.

 

No one could have said anything to Lillian.

 

But that would be Lillian.

 

And Evren would be forever different.

 

“So this time, our support cannot be considered free.”

 

“…I understand your words.”

 

The priest glanced at Evren’s expression.

 

“Even if you say it’s not free…yes, it’s a meaningful project.”

 

“…”

 

“The reason you chose this is still…?”

 

Evren looked back and forth between this white-haired old man and the flower vase beside him.

 

Actually, he couldn’t tell the difference well.

 

Still.

 

‘Without Lillian, I just don’t know.’

 

The day he would fully understand might never come.

 

But still…

 

‘There’s a difference between being unawakened and being incapable.’

 

“Because there’s someone who must be happy for my sake too.”

 

* * *

 

On the day of leaving the temple.

 

“…It’s 60 again.”

 

Lillian muttered while looking at the sacred object that checked compatibility.

 

The reason Lillian checked the numbers this early in the morning was because of the Villain.

 

The Villain had been so disgusted that she wanted to check again.

 

‘Right, there’s no way it would change…’

 

She had only checked because her heart felt restless for no reason.

 

As she lingered there hesitantly, Marguerite called for Lillian.

 

“Miss, you need to prepare to depart now.”

 

“Yes, I know.”

 

Lillian roughly wiped the blood drops from the sacred object and turned away.

 

But before she had gone far, Priest Ambrosio approached with his hands clasped behind his back.

 

He was about the same age as Duke Baltazar, but seemed like a kindly grandfather with a bright smile.

 

“Miss Lillian! Are you departing now?”

 

“Yes, Priest. Are you feeling better now?”

 

“Hehe, it’s all thanks to Miss Lillian.”

 

“Oh my, what embarrassing words.”

 

However, praise was nice to hear.

 

‘Good impression made.’

 

Then the priest spoke up.

 

“This must be your first time at a temple in a long while since you were ten.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Actually, there was also the northern temple where she met Princess Melliora.

 

“Come to think of it, I had met you before. At a different temple though.”

 

“Yes? Ah…”

 

“It was also during the season of circulation. Very briefly, I glimpsed you and your parents.”

 

“Ah.”

 

What an unpleasant memory to recall.

 

“Well, that’s not all. Your parents came for something else too.”

 

“…? Something else?”

 

“They asked to see prophecy records.”

 

This was completely unexpected content.

 

‘Prophecy?’

 

Since gods existed, naturally prophecies existed in this world too, but prophecies were extremely rare.

 

“Do you know what the prophecy was about?”

 

“Hmm… prophecies are confidential, so even priests cannot peek at others’ prophecies.”

 

“Ah, I see…”

 

“Besides, didn’t your parents suffer harm from bandits back then? After that, the temple also had a fire…”

 

Without realizing it, she swallowed dryly.

 

That’s right. She hadn’t harbored any particular suspicions.

 

Because at the time, Lillian was ten years old, and her grandfather had concluded after investigation that it was the bandits’ doing…

 

But what if that wasn’t the whole story?

 

“Did all the records disappear then?”

 

“That’s right. It’s unfortunate, but—”

 

Priest Ambrosio was responding when he paused briefly.

 

“…Ah. There would be copies remaining in the Imperial Palace underground.”

 

“…!”

 

“Temple records are always stored with identical content in the Imperial Palace as well.”

 

My goodness. Even Lillian, from one of the Five Great Families, didn’t know this.

 

Seeing him tell her this, he must have been quite grateful for Lillian fixing the ring.

 

However, looking back at the fluffy white-haired grandfather, he seemed a little sad.

 

“I should have told you earlier, but it’s too late now.”

 

“….”

 

“Forgive me. For providing help so late.”

 

Lillian smiled faintly.

 

Many things were already too late.

 

But well, she didn’t particularly want to blame others for that.

 

Death comes equally to everyone, and if the process leading to it determines one’s worth.

 

“No, thank you.”

 

There were now things that Lillian could let flow into the past without concern.

 

Ah, of course, except for blood relatives.

 

That side was still a no.

 

After greeting the priest, Lillian followed Marguerite back and bit her dry lips.

 

If her parents hadn’t died because Lillian had stupidly insisted on being stubborn.

 

Thinking that way brought her some comfort.

 

But more than anything.

 

‘Come to think of it, it was a bit strange…’

 

Her grandfather, Duke Tillard, despised that Lillian was powerless.

 

So much so that he would hurl abuse at her parents, telling them to abandon Lillian.

 

But her parents’ side…

 

They seemed rather pleased that Lillian had no abilities.

 

‘Mom, Dad, is it okay if I stay like this forever?’

 

‘It’s okay, Lillian.’

 

‘But…’

 

Young Lillian had asked while sniffling with tears and snot.

 

‘Brother is also a Controller. Grandfather is also a Controller. Mom is too, but why am I like this…’

 

‘No, Lillian. It’s better that you don’t become a Controller.’

 

‘Why…?’

 

‘Because if you became a Controller, you’d become a monster’s bride.’

 

* * *

 

After arriving at the castle.

 

New trees had been planted in the garden.

 

The pale pink cloud-like flowers had all fallen not long after.

 

However, Lillian gazed at that place for a long time.

 

Even after the flowers had fallen, she continued.

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