The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 56

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

Chapter 56
“……The princess speaks much like someone I once knew. She too told me to my face that I displeased her.”
He murmured this with a wistful expression, then turned his gaze toward Rozelin.
“My role in the Karuta diplomatic matter was only to make the initial connection. Besides, the Empire possesses far more capable diplomats than I.”
“I’ve never seen anyone work so hard to abandon the position of crown prince’s betrothed.”
The Emperor and Rozelin were conducting entirely different conversations.
‘Such a waste.’
Letting her slip away would be a pity—she was genuine talent. Even Arma would have appreciated her.
“Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to offer a word?”
“What is it?”
“While arranging a suitable betrothed for your youngest son wouldn’t be amiss, might an apology for the years of neglect not serve better? There is nothing quite like dialogue to mend a broken relationship.”
“……What?”
The Emperor blinked once, not immediately grasping her meaning.
“I reconciled with my father through conversation. I never knew he could be so fragile, or that he wept so easily.”
“……You mean the young duke?”
“Yes. Why not pay him a visit and weep openly yourself? I’ve found that children are surprisingly vulnerable to their parents’ tears.”
A weighty, inexplicable silence descended upon Rozelin’s matter-of-fact words.
“……First, coordination with Karuta is necessary.”
After a long silence, the Emperor passed over her words as though he had not heard them.
Rozelin’s brow furrowed slightly at the dismissal, but the Emperor continued as if oblivious—the words had been too absurd to answer directly.
“Karuta will not negotiate unless you are present. They’ve taken quite a firm stance on it.”
“……Karuta?”
“Yes, Karuta’s young leader made that very clear.”
Rozelin fell briefly silent.
‘A young leader—could he mean Batar?’
If it came from him, the information had likely been relayed from Khan.
Having declared that she would establish diplomatic relations, Rozelin had a responsibility to assist Karuta until they felt secure enough to proceed with the negotiations.
After a brief silence, Rozelin nodded.
“Understood. Since Khan has also expressed his desire to visit, I will arrange a gathering that includes matters concerning the diplomatic delegation.”
To the Emperor’s explanation, Rozelin assented readily.
The Emperor, for his part, simply nodded and refrained from broaching the subject of annulment further.
“Regarding the disappearances, I’d like you to look into that as well. Not only children of common citizens have vanished—noble children are disappearing too, and the anxiety is growing.”
“Yes. If my health permits, I shall resolve it.”
“Is there anything else you require?”
“Ah…….”
At the Emperor’s question, Rozelin lowered her eyes briefly.
“Could you lend me the Second Prince?”
“……Does the princess perhaps find Yuldian to her liking?”
“As a person, I consider him absolutely dreadful. However, the Abyss you possess—that does appeal to me.”
“…….”
The Emperor paused at such a cutting assessment.
“Does the princess understand who she is speaking to?”
“Yes, one who is noble and radiant, Your High…….”
The Emperor raised his hand, stopping Rozelin’s words.
Rozelin fell silent.
“Yet your speech is quite direct.”
“My apologies. I thought ‘a worthless scoundrel and human garbage’ would be worse phrasing, but it seems I was mistaken.”
“…….”
The Emperor’s expression filled with bewilderment.
‘Didn’t she essentially say both?’
The thought gave him pause.
The Second Prince certainly had a rough temperament and could be crude, but did he truly deserve epithets like garbage and scoundrel?
“……Surely it’s not quite that severe?”
Rozelin regarded the Emperor steadily, then nodded slowly.
“……Yes. Correct.”
Though she clearly disagreed entirely, she would restrain herself rather than insult a child before his father.
Regardless, Rozelin held her tongue.
“The Second Prince’s Abyss has an affinity for animals. It would make the search considerably easier.”
“…….”
“And since the Second Prince has come up—what are your thoughts on an International Marriage between ourselves and Karuta?”
Rozelin posed the question to the Emperor.
A look of inquiry fell upon him.
“Don’t you think an International Marriage with Karuta would be suitable?”
“Karuta wouldn’t be interested in such things.”
“What if they were?”
Rozelin laughed brightly.
Her lips curved upward in a graceful arc, and her eyes—curved at the corners—brimmed with amusement. It was as though life itself kindled across her expressionless face.
The Emperor regarded the woman before him, whose smile held an almost bewitching quality, with barely concealed surprise.
“Karuta is renowned for being honorable—for never abandoning those within their circle. If the Empire commits no betrayal first, there’s scarcely a nation more trustworthy than they.”
“You sound quite certain of that. Is this also from the Abyss?”
“Yes.”
Rozelin spoke with a smile, her face so radiant that she did not appear to be making calculated remarks at all.
“Certainly, if Karuta takes the form of a proper nation and becomes our ally, that would be advantageous. But whether they possess such will—that’s the question.”
“They said they would.”
Rozelin replied.
“……What did you say?”
“Your Majesty mentioned it yourself—that establishing a capital and taking the form of a nation were the conditions…….”
“……I only said to convey the message tentatively, but you actually went through with it?”
The Emperor asked.
Rozelin nodded matter-of-factly.
“I thought it necessary as well.”
“…….”
Rozelin’s acumen proved quite unexpected.
Seeing the Emperor’s astonishment, Rozelin opened her mouth to continue.
“In any case, Karuta’s sole princess has taken quite a fancy to His Highness the Second Prince. If this diplomatic mission succeeds, I suspect the International Marriage will be concluded favorably as well.”
At Rozelin’s words, the Emperor paused.
It was because her triumphant smile carried a subtle insinuation—as though she had foreseen all of this unfolding precisely as it had.
“Princess, surely your reason for wanting the Second Prince…….”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.
“…….”
Rozelin merely smiled wordlessly in response.
The Emperor had little difficulty discerning the meaning beneath that ingenuous laugh.
“Hah…….”
The Emperor let out a breathless chuckle.
“What of the arson incident? I asked Geren about it, and he said you extinguished the flames.”
“……Did Marquis Geren say that?”
As Rozelin’s brow furrowed, the Emperor nodded.
“……Damn fool.”
She spoke softly, then exhaled a long sigh, her features creasing with irritation.
“Ah, come to think of it, there’s one more thing I need.”
“Something you need?”
“Yes.”
Rozelin spoke quietly, a gentle smile playing at her lips.
The Emperor regarded Rozelin, let out another soundless laugh, and soon nodded his assent.
Rozelin rose with a radiant smile and departed the reception room.
It had been, by any measure, a satisfactory negotiation.
* * *
Rozelin had much to do. The Karutans refused to undertake anything without her present.
It was only two days prior that the Bellion Family Estate and Karuta had concluded their discussions regarding the Jade Stone.
After speaking with Rozelin, the Emperor wrote out a letter and invitation in his own hand, welcoming the Khan of Karuta to visit the Empire.
The Khan sent his reply.
In the end, affairs progressed smoothly, and within roughly a month, the Karutans were to arrive in the Imperial Capital.
The Empire stirred with unprecedented exchange with Karuta. Some grew anxious; others brimmed with anticipation.
Foreign nations watched with bated breath. Despite Karuta’s reckless behavior until now, none had managed to restrain them.
Yet they likely consoled themselves with the fact that Karuta had at least refrained from allying with anyone.
‘And now that balance will shatter.’
Worse still, the most powerful Empire stood to gain their strength.
Foreign powers would be anxious indeed. Though Karuta appeared small, their tribes numbered well over a hundred when united—a formidable force.
Rozelin blinked slowly.
When they entered the Empire, she would have to remain in the Imperial Capital for the duration of their visit.
‘The most urgent thing right now is solving this disappearance case.’
Rozelin thought this calmly and set down the teacup she’d been tilting.
When she lifted her gaze, she saw Cherti—his face rigid and taut, a stark contrast to her own composure.
“Father.”
“Yes.”
“May I go out for a bit?”
Rozelin spoke while watching Cherti, who had wound chains around her wrist and showed no sign of letting go.
Though the weight was negligible, as if there were some binding Abyss attached to him, she found herself unable to break free from Cherti.
“Absolutely not. You haven’t fully recovered yet.”
“Truly not? I have a prior engagement with the Second Prince and Marquis Geren.”
“That’s right.”
At Cherti’s firm words, Rozelin let out a sigh.
“Then I suppose there’s nothing for it.”
When Rozelin yielded without protest, Cherti’s expression darkened with unease and his brow furrowed.
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“It’s difficult to work in a house where I’m bound like this. I thought I’d leave until the task I’ve been given is resolved. I’ll stay at Marquis Geren’s residence.”
At Rozelin’s words, Cherti went very still.
His face rigid, he stared at her with eyes wide open.
“……You.”
“I’m joking.”
Rozelin smiled gently.
“……Was it not funny?”
Cherti let out a hollow laugh.
“Daughter.”
“Yes.”
“You have no talent for jesting—don’t do it again. I thought my heart would stop.”
He spoke with utmost seriousness as he quietly unlocked the chains.
“Answer me.”
When Rozelin remained silent, Cherti pressed her.
“……Yes.”
Rozelin spoke after a reluctant pause.
“Go, then. Come back safely, Rozelin.”
“I will.”
She answered flatly and stood there, gazing at Cherti with uncertain eyes.
“Is there anything else?”
“Would it be presumptuous to ask for an embrace?”
Cherti’s eyes widened slightly.
He approached with long strides and drew her into his arms.
“I’ll be going now.”
After the brief embrace, Rozelin pulled away and spoke softly.
Cherti’s eyes widened slightly.
“Yes, go safely.”
…….
Rozelin, turning to leave, paused for a moment.
“Yes.”
She gave a small reply and left the drawing room.

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