The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 27

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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 Is the Hidden Villain, and Only I Know — Episode 27

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As Chahil emerged from Rinet’s room, Sis, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward.
“Lady Ilena should be on the first floor, so you’ll find her if you go to the Office.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Chahil, wearing a gentle smile, bowed his head slightly with a brief reply. The moment he passed Sis, however, the faint warmth in his expression vanished entirely.
‘So it’s true — that woman really does have a Magical Creature with her.’
His offer to wash her feet had been almost impulsive. He’d wanted to see up close those deep crimson eyes that had widened in startlement as she watched him.
‘Those eyes… they’d produce such a beautiful color if I used them as Sorcery material…’
He’d expected her to refuse, saying she hadn’t thought of it, but she’d surprisingly consented to let him touch her feet.
As a result, when he lowered himself to the floor, his line of sight dropped just enough to catch sight of the Magical Creature nestled inside the folds of her dress sleeve.
—!
The moment it sensed his gaze, the thing hiding inside the sleeve and breathing softly let out a startled squeak and burrowed deeper into the fold.
He hadn’t gotten a clear look, but he was certain it was the Magical Creature he’d been searching for.
‘I thought I’d been mistaken when I heard it in the Hall…’
When he’d heard the young creature’s cry from the middle of the Banquet Hall, he’d almost dismissed it as desperate wishful hearing.
If he hadn’t sensed the creature’s aura from that woman, he would have simply remained in his low position, assigned to some unknown master and sent away.
Never knowing that the final component for Black Magic had been so close all along.
‘How am I going to steal it?’
Chahil sank into thought.
The creature, as if aware that the outside of the sleeve was dangerous, hadn’t poked its head out even once during the entire time Chahil attended to Rinet. It was no ordinary cautious creature.
Still, now that he’d fortunately been taken on as Rinet’s servant, it would only be a matter of time before he had it in his grasp.
A noble Crown Princess wouldn’t waste genuine affection on a mere Magical Creature—if it suddenly disappeared, she’d assume it had run away.
‘In Tarant, freshly born Magical Creatures were so rare I’d been searching for one for ages… this is fortunate.’
With that creature, he could at last complete the ritual he’d been longing for. Until then, he’d have to play the part of an obedient, well-behaved servant and wait for his chance.
Knock, knock.
“Lady Ilena, I am Chahil Atar.”
When he knocked on the Office door at the end of the first-floor corridor, a voice called out for him to enter.
As he stepped inside, Chahil’s eyes took in the simple, uncluttered space—the most striking feature being the warm wood-toned interior.
‘This is… neat. Not particularly beautiful.’
Marin Palace itself was elaborate and lovely, so this modest decor must be the Head Attendant’s personal taste.
While Chahil admired the room, Ilena retrieved a key from her desk, saying she’d been waiting for him, and pressed it into his hand.
“So you’re the one. I am Ilena Lebenstein, Head Attendant. From today onward, you’ll stay alone in the Annex where the servants lodge.”
Then she pulled out neatly organized documents, found the task list, and gently patted Chahil’s shoulder.
“There won’t be much work, but I’d recommend you receive a brief handover. The existing servants should be packing their things about now—learn from them.”
Since the head maid position was vacant, Ilena added with a kind smile that he should come to her if anything was difficult.
‘This woman must be nobility too, yet she treats me differently. She clearly knows I’m a Prisoner of War from a defeated nation…’
To the nobles in the Banquet Hall, he was nothing but a one-time plaything. He’d prepared himself for it since the moment he was captured and bound.
Whatever misfortune befell him, it was all his fault for being a Black Mage—he would accept it without complaint.
‘Was it… from the moment my lady chose me?’
From the moment Rinet selected him, he’d been treated like a person for the first time in the Imperial Palace. He was bathed by attendants, and as they dressed him, he was given the right to choose.
He could select the fragrances for his bath and his clothes entirely to his own taste.
‘It seemed like my lady was moved by my appearance…’
Otherwise, why would she have stared at him so intently for so long?
He’d have to dress the same way next time. With this quiet resolution, Chahil opened his mouth to Ilena.
“Where are the existing servants being sent?”
“All of them have been reassigned to Caret Palace, where there’s a shortage of hands. That’s where the youngest Imperial Prince resides, so familiarize yourself with it. Here’s the Imperial Palace Map—try to memorize it.”
“Yes, Ilena.”
Chahil, holding the key, made his way out of the Palace to the nearby Annex.
When he arrived, the existing servants were indeed packing their things, chattering among themselves as he’d been told.
“Uh, hello there. Seniors.”
As Chahil offered a cautious greeting, blinking his transparent eyes, a sudden chill fell over the room. The servants stopped their work and raked their eyes over him from head to toe. One of them soon let out a snort of laughter.
“Hey, are you that slave?”
“Wait, you’re that guy? The one who got us sent to Caret Palace?”
“He’s got a decent face, just like they said. But really, Rinet doesn’t understand that a man is more than just his looks. Heh heh.”
Once the first servant broke the silence, the atmosphere quickly grew loud and chaotic again.
“That crazy Prince needs to fix his temperament first! That’s why we’re always short-staffed! Damn it!”
“Five servants have already quit after just three days at Caret Palace! Hell. What is this? How does Rinet trust someone like that with the Palace?”
“Ah, well, Rinet was kind to us, wasn’t she? She never got angry even when we made mistakes. If it had been His Highness the Crown Prince, our heads would’ve rolled long ago! That’s why inexperienced women are so appealing.”
“Naive? Don’t make me laugh. That woman—whenever the Crown Prince isn’t around, she walks about with a face like she’s about to kill someone. Who knows if she hasn’t already—”
Clang! It rang out, echoing sharply.
The iron bucket in Chahil’s hand clattered to the floor with a tremendous noise, rolling across the servants’ feet before coming to rest.
The stream of gossip cut off instantly, replaced by hostile glares fixed on Chahil.
“Listen here, outsider. Don’t get cocky just because Rinet favored you. You’re taking on every menial task by yourself!”
“The Emperor gave you to us, so we can’t simply cast you out. The point is to make you leave on your own. Understand?”
“Look at those clothes! It’s obvious you came here to seduce some woman. You’ll run off soon enough, no doubt about it!”
“Rinet will end up calling us back eventually. Begging us to return, even coming all the way to Caret Palace!”
Laughter erupted once more.
‘Strange…’
It truly was strange.
‘I gave them chances. Twice.’
Why didn’t they understand? Chahil’s head tilted to one side.
“It seems everyone is calling the master by her name so freely… surely a mere servant wouldn’t have been given permission to do so…”
“What’s it to you? Impudent brat!”
A servant nearby, overhearing Chahil’s murmur, immediately swung a fist at him. The moment the man’s hand was about to connect, their entire world froze.
“Ugh! Uh!”
“U… ugh!”
As if time itself had stopped, everything lay rigid and motionless. The servants’ faces, unable to speak or move of their own accord, gradually filled with terror.
Their bodies were stiff as stone, yet sensation remained. Tears welled up from the creeping dread, and pained whimpers rose from various throats as agony surged through their cores.
Chahil moved among them with elegant, unhurried steps, as though strolling between statues, before settling onto the sofa and beginning to unpack his belongings with a hum.
“Peace and quiet. This is why solitude suits me.”
His luggage was sparse enough. The only things worth mentioning were the few Magical Tools he’d discreetly kept in a Subspace, as he was a Black Mage.
“Ungh. Ugh…!”
As Chahil withdrew a pillow from the Subspace, a gentle smile crossed his face. He’d thought he hadn’t packed it in his haste, but fortunately it had come along. The thought of a good night’s sleep lifted his spirits considerably.
Having finished unpacking quickly, Chahil glanced over the servants, still frozen like stone.
‘They’re all being reassigned to Caret Palace due to staffing shortages. That’s where the youngest Prince resides, so you should familiarize yourself with it.’
Recalling Ilena’s words, Chahil slowly extinguished the black energy gathering at his fingertips.
“I can’t exactly kill all my seniors… so what should I do?”
After a moment’s thought, Chahil clapped his hands together cheerfully.
“First, I should probably clean up.”
Chahil leaned back against the sofa and snapped his fingers. The frozen servants’ bodies instantly went slack.
Everyone tumbled to the floor without ceremony, then immediately scrambled back to their feet as if springs had been released.
“Would it be all right if I asked you all to clean the Annex?”
From here to all the way over there.
“—?!”
“Ugh… uh…!”
The servants, now under the Sorcery’s spell, hurried to grab cleaning implements and began silently sweeping through the entire Annex.
Unable to open their mouths, conversation was impossible—at first glance, it appeared to be nothing but a peaceful, quiet cleaning session.
“Wow. You’re all truly so kind.”
Going to such lengths to clean so diligently for a junior colleague!
Chahil’s face brimmed with gratitude as he smiled brightly, expressing his thanks.

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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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