The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 24

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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’s a Hidden Mastermind, but Only I Know It — Chapter 24
“Yes, yes, I love it so much—wait, no! What if someone sees us? Hurry up and change back!”
Get shorter, get shorter! The moment I’d come to my senses, I pelted Iban’s forearm repeatedly until his long hair finally returned to its usual length.
“I can adjust to any preference of yours, so just say the word.”
“There’s no need for that.”
I wasn’t falling for it twice! I turned my head away firmly, and only then did Iban click his tongue and relax his body that had drawn uncomfortably close.
“So, what do you intend to do with that prisoner?”
“I simply accepted them because I sensed Magical Power. Mages are precious talent regardless of nation.”
I added that the Southern Region’s magic was known for its peculiar formulas and mystical essence, so there would surely be things worth learning—and only then did Iban nod in acknowledgment.
He didn’t seem particularly convinced, but it appeared we’d weathered the crisis.
After that, a fairly comfortable silence settled between us.
When we arrived at the palace, Iban suddenly stopped and turned to look at me.
“I’ll come back later this evening.”
Come back? Why on earth this evening?
My confusion must have shown on my face, because his eyes narrowed slightly.
“What’s with that look? Is there some reason I shouldn’t come?”
“Oh, no—I was just thinking perhaps I should prepare some tea.”
The moment I sensed something ominous, my practiced social smile surfaced automatically. Only after offering a bright smile did Iban’s expression soften.
This feels like it’s really about Chahil after all, doesn’t it?
I thought we’d cleared the hurdle, but apparently not. How unfortunate.

* * *
Chahil arrived nearly at midnight.
I looked him up and down with startled eyes.
Just hours earlier, he’d been disheveled and frantic—now he was unrecognizable, impeccably groomed.
‘In just a moment, he’s turned into a completely different person. Looking at him now, it’s like a totally different atmosphere from before.’
The problem was…
I had no idea where to look.
Chahil’s long, pristine white hair was neatly bound with a Purple Ribbon, and the White Round Shirt that left his collarbone exposed was so thin it was practically transparent.
Moreover, the slightly fitted Black Pants he wore showed off the defined lines of his lean frame.
This was exactly—
‘—like he’s been dressed to attend the Crown Prince’s chambers at night…!’
Of course, Chahil’s beauty was naturally sensual enough that anything he wore would probably look that way.
Dark skin, thin and elongated eyes, mysterious black markings etched into his cheeks, sharp brows and a prominent nose, lips the color of blood.
Add to that the lean lines of his abdomen and the subtle musculature that harmonized remarkably well, and his form was sculpture itself.
Back in the Banquet Hall, no one had noticed because of his shabby appearance, but his body was hardly inferior to that of the Imperial Guard captain Chahil had first chosen.
But even so, to dress him like this and bring him to the Crown Prince’s Fiancée’s chambers…
‘If Iban hadn’t shown up at the Banquet Hall, rumors might have spread very differently.’
I never expected Chahil to arrive looking like this either…
Suddenly, I understood why Iban had made such a fuss.
“Your Highness… I am Chahil. I am honored to serve you.”
With conflicted feelings, I watched him from the sofa as he approached and knelt, then pressed his lips to the back of my hand.
I said nothing and simply looked down at him.
‘The original novel never gave a proper explanation, but based on the circumstances, Chahil is a high-ranking Mage or beyond.’
In other words, all the innocent and bumbling impressions he’s giving now—it’s all an act. Chahil’s a sub-male lead whose keyword is “scheming strategist,” after all.
He hides his strength to survive. But more than that, he manufactures weakness to trigger pity, monopolizing all of Shana’s affection and attention.
Why else would Shana take a mere servant like Chahil on her walks?
What’s more, Chahil’s temperament was far from good.
Every servant who resented him either fell mysteriously ill with incurable diseases or met unexpected fatal accidents.
It was all Chahil’s doing, yet Shana never suspected a thing—she merely accepted the official story that they were accidents.
Considering all this, Chahil was far too dangerous to keep close.
‘But I can’t cast Chahil out.’
I need his help—he’s a practitioner of Black Magic, and I need him to realize Dimensional Magic.
So the decision I’ve made is…!
“From now on, you’ll be the only servant in Marin Palace, Chahil.”
“Me… Your Highness?”
I’m keeping Chahil isolated.
He’ll have to manage countless tasks alone, but truthfully, even back in Tarant, Chahil had effortlessly handled all the housework by himself—a typical self-sufficient bachelor.
Though right now he was gazing with those pitiful, fawn-like eyes, making an expression that said ‘However could I manage so much alone…!’—inwardly, he couldn’t care less.
“There shouldn’t be much to do, so don’t worry yourself. If it truly becomes difficult, well, we’ll see.”
“Oh, no—I’m sorry. I’ll do it. If I could only remain by your side, I’d do anything…!”
Beneath long, full brows the color of ash, white eyes closed with deliberate slowness, then opened again. First, I needed to lower Chahil’s guard.
If I brought up magic carelessly and he claimed ignorance, that would be the end of it. Maybe I should let him rest for now.
‘The body must adjust before the mind can follow. Yes, that’s it.’
Part of me wanted to ask him what he’d meant to say in the Banquet Hall earlier, but Iban would be arriving soon, so I needed to usher Chahil out before then.
“That works out well. Ilena from the Servant Quarters will show you where you’ll be staying. It’s late—rest tonight, and you can go now if you’d like.”
“I… Your Highness, before I leave, would it be alright if I washed your feet? In Tarant, when one begins to serve a new master, there’s a custom of bathing them personally….”
Chahil, who had been hovering without getting up, mumbled the question carefully.
“There’s… such a custom?”
“Normally it would be a full bath, but I wouldn’t dare presume so much. I’d like to at least wash your feet, if you’ll allow it.”
Foot washing, out of nowhere—the unexpected words made my body stiffen. I could do it, of course, but… wasn’t this different from the original story?
‘He never said anything like this to Shana.’
Chahil had provoked pity to draw Shana to him of her own accord; he’d never taken the initiative to do something for her.
Not unless he’d already fallen in love with her—and certainly not in the beginning.
‘Does he want something from me?’
I narrowed my eyes and regarded him in silence.
It made sense. I’d seen the Emperor show me favor just now, so it wouldn’t be strange for his attitude to have shifted. Elevated from prisoner to favored one in a single day—of course he might have expectations.
“Chahil, are you perhaps—”
“Yes, my lady.”
Wait, when did his form of address change so naturally to ‘my lady’? The way he said it in that outfit felt decidedly odd.
“If you’re hoping to free other prisoners through me, I can’t help. I’m sorry.”
I could ask Iban, certainly, but I wanted to settle anything concerning Chahil on my own terms. As I spoke with a troubled expression, eyes pinched shut, a soft laugh reached my ears after a moment of silence.
……He’s… laughing?
“Haha… ah, forgive me. I didn’t mean to laugh.”
Chahil chuckled, saying it was an unexpected question. I looked at him with a flicker of confusion.
‘Did I guess wrong? But what other reason could he have to curry favor with me?’
In the original story, Chahil had felt genuine sorrow whenever he heard of other prisoners’ deaths—naturally, I’d thought he’d want to save them.
“Do I seem to have an ulterior purpose?”
“…No?”
“I’ve never had much love for my homeland, truth be told. I do pity the others, but I’ve no intention of dying for their sake.”
Chahil answered with striking bluntness, then took my reluctant hand and pressed it against his cheek. His skin was warm—warmer than I expected—and soft, unfamiliar beneath my palm.
“Since I’ve been fortunate enough to serve such a beautiful lady, I want to do my best here….”
Speaking in a honeyed voice that seemed to bind the soul itself, Chahil looked up at me slowly with eyes that held no innocence.
“Please don’t refuse my service.”
What? My lady. The corners of his reddened mouth curved upward in a gentle smile.

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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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