The Male Lead Has Gone Mad Over the Troublesome Villainess - Chapter 40

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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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The Male Lead Went Crazy Over the Villainous Woman — Episode 40
Kael set down his sword and retrieved the medical kit. He spread a salve known for its efficacy against bruising across Rosana’s wrist in a generous layer.
“Oh, I could have done it myself.”
“Don’t go alone again.”
“Yes, I won’t.”
The moment those words left her lips, Kael understood with absolute certainty: he would encounter Rosana at the black market again. The thought spiraled, and a sigh escaped him unbidden.
“Come with me instead.”
“What? Truly?”
“It would be simpler.”
Keeping her where he could see her would at least settle his mind. Rosana was like a bouncing ball — no amount of restraint would hold her. She would find some crack, some opening, and slip through it regardless. Better to keep her under his protection than waste the effort.
“So… everywhere I wish to go, you’ll accompany me?”
“Yes, everywhere.”
“And you’ll let me buy whatever I want?”
“I promise.”
“Very well.”
Only then did Rosana relent. Kael found himself studying her bowed head. The dark strands of hair that spilled forward with her gentle nod gleamed like black pearls.
What calculations must be churning behind that small skull. He could practically see her mind working even now.
Kael tilted his head, unable to look away. He wondered what occupied that mind of hers. And there arose in him a peculiar desire to fill it completely with thoughts of himself alone.
Unaware of his penetrating gaze, Rosana remained cheerfully serene.
* * *
The morning we departed arrived with terrible clarity.
The villagers came to see us off. Once the carts were loaded, they felt considerably heavier than when we’d arrived. And for good reason—we had acquired everything we needed.
Dried meat and grain, repaired tents and new shoes, weapons for the non-combatants, and somehow we’d also obtained Waterproof Adhesive. The carts sat piled high with it all, and seeing those stacked sacks filled me with a peculiar sense of abundance, though I’d eaten nothing.
“May your expedition proceed without calamity. Return victorious, having achieved all you set out to accomplish.”
The Lord of Saltveile bowed deeply.
“Thank you.”
Kael exchanged a brief farewell and gestured for us to move out.
Millers bellowed a command.
“Forward!”
With a resolve quite different from our arrival, and hands now burdened by added weight, we departed Saltveile.
* * *
The marching itself no longer troubled us. We’d managed half a day’s travel while convincing Vanessa that riding in the supply cart would only cause her muscle loss, when a commotion erupted from the rear of the column.
A scout came riding hard toward the front.
I watched as he delivered his report to Kael, whose gaze then fixed on something behind us. Following his line of sight, I saw figures being escorted forward by our mounted guards.
What…?
“She’s lost her mind.”
The words tumbled from my lips before I could stop them.
It was Mirel who had followed us in secret. A scout had discovered her hidden among the grain sacks, where she’d managed to stow away all this distance. She stood before Kael covered entirely in dust, yet her expression remained unrepentant. And she hadn’t come alone. She’d brought five of her personal guard and a lady’s maid to attend her—a full retinue trailing behind our column. She had meant what she said about following us. She truly had.
“Return to Saltveile.”
“I refuse.”
“Does the Lord know of this?”
“I left him a letter.”
At that answer, I saw Millers press his forehead in exasperation. By now, Saltveile must be in an uproar.
“Assign an escort and send her back.”
Kael spoke to Millers as though unwilling to engage further. Millers nodded, and Mirel immediately protested.
“Then I’ll simply follow again on the road!”
Kael made a sharp gesture toward Millers and spoke with unmistakable finality.
“Handle it. Do you understand?”
Millers exhaled and nodded. Mirel pleaded with Kael tearfully, but he never once turned back. As she moved to follow, Millers stepped into her path.
“Those are orders from the Crown Prince himself, Miss Mirel. If he has not granted permission, no amount of insistence on your part will change his decision.”
“The children are in the cart! Let me ride with them!”
Millers smiled coldly.
“Don’t be absurd. If the walking is too taxing, you may return to Saltveile.”
Yet in the end, we couldn’t send her back. Detaching an escort to return her to Saltveile would leave us dangerously understaffed for the perils ahead. Moreover, Mirel stubbornly insisted she would follow on her own regardless. There was no swaying her.
Kael ultimately decided to keep her at the rear of the expedition. But he made one thing abundantly clear: her presence would not slow our march, nor would she receive any special accommodations.
I caught Mirel shooting me an aggrieved look. Why me? I shrugged and leaned over to murmur to Seraphine, who walked beside me.
“A madwoman, isn’t she? And the Crown Prince doesn’t seem the least bit interested.”
I studied Seraphine’s expression. Please tell me this woman isn’t about to become a problem in your romantic situation. Seraphine spoke seriously.
“No. I don’t believe so. How fortunate.”

I felt relief wash over me at Seraphine’s sidelong glance. Good—at least she hadn’t misunderstood.
* * *
Late into the night.
The camp had gone dark save for one tent.
Only Kael’s quarters still held a lit lamp, and Millers was with him.
“Berman in the capital seems well suited for this task. He’s already set out, I’m told.”
Kael nodded. Berman was trustworthy—the man overseeing the mine’s acquisition. A thin smile crossed Kael’s face.
“Make sure he doesn’t get blindsided.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“We need to prove our worth with the funds Rosana entrusted to us.”
Millers nodded.
“One mistake and I suspect she’d have my head.”
Kael let out a low chuckle. Given Rosana’s recent conduct, that assessment wasn’t far off the mark.
The Rosana Ardena he knew had cared for nothing but jewels, fine fabrics, and luxuries. He couldn’t fathom why that same woman now took an interest in iron ore and abandoned mines. Yet somehow, he found himself wanting to trust in her judgment.
“There’s no room for error in acquiring the sapphire mine either.”
“Understood. But will it truly turn a profit?”
“If that’s what the lady says, then we trust her word. She hasn’t steered us wrong yet.”
“Could it be that she possesses the gift of prophecy, or perhaps… can see into the future?”
Kael shook his head. If that were true, Rosana would hardly carry herself as she did—someone unable to see even a step ahead. Those who know the future tend to move with caution, yet she advanced down her chosen path without hesitation.
“Her Highness remains an enigma, even to those closest to her.”
Millers muttered the words, then released a heavy sigh. Kael dragged a hand across his face and let out a wry laugh. He found himself in agreement on that point.
After cautioning Millers to keep watch over Rosana, Kael asked in a low voice:
“When does the guide arrive?”
“He’s to join us at Greystone. He should arrive on time, though there’s a chance he could be delayed by a day or two.”
The second reason for venturing into Saltveile’s black market was precisely to secure this guide. Before selling the carapace, we’d put in a request at the Mercenary Guild for someone who knew the way. We needed someone to lead us through Greystone’s interior—lose the path in there and it would all be over.
Now the time had finally come to enter Greystone. Even at this moment, Rosana’s face wouldn’t leave his mind.
* * *
Five days after leaving Saltveile, the sun hung high in the sky.
Beyond a ridge, a plain opened before us, and at its far edge, a grey mass came into view. But looking closer, I realized it was neither simple rock nor an earthen mound.
It was a pile of Monster corpses.
“Greystone.”
Millers’s voice came heavy and resolute. We had finally reached our destination. Our sole purpose in coming here was one thing: to recover the Holy Relic sleeping deep within Greystone.
“We camp here for one day!”
Kael’s order fell. We’d been granted a reprieve.
「The moment we arrived at Greystone, the Monsters began their assault.」
A chill ran down my spine.

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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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