The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 29

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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 Mastermind, and Only I Know It — Episode 29
“Well, regardless, I’m really receiving good treatment. I can already feel my body changing.”
“Is that so? That’s wonderful to hear.”
“The fever comes less often, the cough is gradually subsiding, and most importantly, I haven’t coughed up blood since the treatment started. So I don’t need to carry multiple handkerchiefs like I used to.”
Ate laughed brightly, holding up the single handkerchief he’d given me earlier, claiming it was all he had.
So long as the most important part is true, that’s enough.
I was irritated at being so easily fooled by his mischief, yet his peculiar temperament persisting was actually reassuring—a sign of recovery.
If the treatment had failed again, he wouldn’t be joking around like this.
“These days I’m taking walks more often than before. Breathing in winter air without it hurting my lungs—it’s a first for me. I’m almost dreading spring’s arrival.”
Ate quietly closed the book he’d been reading, then shrugged with a hollow laugh.
“That woman has a terrible personality, but her abilities are worth something.”
You’re hardly in a position to critique anyone else’s temperament.
In any case, it was excellent news from my perspective as the one who’d arranged it.
“See? I told you. This time would be different.”
“What are you talking about? You never said that. You just dumped naive me onto the Saintess without a second thought.”
“…Well, I said it in my heart. Truly.”
I deliberately avoided Ate’s fierce blue eyes and offered a warm smile.
Ah, I preferred it when he was calling me sister-in-law with that artificial courtesy!
“Anyway, do you have any idea what happened to me there? That woman—”
Ate then went on at length about the suffering he’d endured at Shana’s hands—or rather, about how utterly ruthless she was—before suddenly remembering something and changing the subject.
“You’re not having a Betrothal Ceremony, are you?”
When did he hear about this? I nodded lightly.
“It hadn’t been long since the accident, and with my reputation already damaged, holding the ceremony would only invite criticism.”
I’d already discussed it with Iban.
“Shall we skip the Betrothal Ceremony?”
“Let’s do that.”
“Really? You’re not asking why?”
“I will follow your wishes. Whatever they are, entirely.”
…And that was how it happened. It wasn’t so much that he trusted me completely, but rather that he allowed me to do as I pleased within reasonable bounds.
‘Rather like an emperor who’s always off at war while the empire goes neglected.’
Of course, Iban wasn’t quite neglecting things—more that he respected my opinion to an almost excessive degree.
“The Imperial Palace’s Security Spells are still being checked, and the Betrothal Ceremony isn’t essential anyway.”
At the Victory Banquet, the Emperor had officially declared our engagement, so the Betrothal Ceremony was meant to be a tremendous affair.
But that would make Engagement Dissolution far more difficult later, which I’d wanted to avoid—so I was relieved it could be avoided.
Ate, who’d been listening quietly, opened his eyes wide in surprise.
“That’s quite honest of you. You’re the type to worry about such things? I thought you didn’t care about your reputation, since you ignored the Crown Prince’s proposal for so long.”
…Certainly, my image had been in decline ever since then. Even though I’d attended various parties and gatherings looking composed, my reputation hadn’t improved.
From what I heard, society had spread the word that I was the woman of the century—wicked and ungodly, seducing an innocent Crown Prince for power. Innocent? Who’s really being ungodly here?!
“I didn’t care. I didn’t, but now I think I should. The social circuit is exhausting.”
While staying at Marin Palace, no ill rumors about me had reached my ears.
Under Sis’s skillful management, the servants’ discretion was rigorously enforced, and Iban remained always at my side, gladly shielding me from others’ gazes and idle gossip.
But even that has its limits.
“It’s because you took in that prisoner as a servant, isn’t it? There were all sorts of rumors that he was your lover.”
Ate shook his head, saying he’d already heard it long ago.
The evening I brought Chahil to the banquet, rumors spread everywhere that the Crown Prince’s betrothed was already wielding influence and had taken a male lover.
Naturally the gossip turned strange—I’d so boldly requested Chahil in front of all those nobles.
I’d thought it would be dampened when Iban came along and we left together, but I was mistaken.
After all, rumors always pick the most sensational details and spread them.
‘When I read it in novels, it was funny. But now that it’s happening to me, it’s infuriating.’
There was a reason Romance Fantasy heroines universally despised high society. Nobles truly were far too interested in other people’s affairs!
In any case, unaware of the rumors, I’d briefly stepped outside the palace to procure materials for my research when I overheard handmaidens from another palace gossiping.
“I feel so sorry for the Crown Prince. What could possibly be lacking that he has to accept such a wanton woman as his consort?”
“She brazenly pointed out that prisoner at the Merit Banquet and took him away. She meant it deliberately! Shameless creature.”
“Someone said they saw that lover carrying strange objects into Marin Palace every night. With that personality and such bizarre tastes, she’s truly a spectacle.”
“My heavens, how terrifying…!”
When I wondered what strange objects they meant, it seemed they were referring to the Foot Bath Tools that Chahil always brought—a Silver Cleansing Basin, soft cloths, fragrant oils, and foot rests.
‘I can’t just become the villain they’re describing. Ugh, really.’
Since the Marin Palace handmaidens had clammed up and wouldn’t divulge information, they were spinning their own tales instead—that I’d given the lover a private wing, that I summoned him nightly for secret meetings, and so on.
‘Chahil’s only been here for five days and they’re all being so diligent.’
Moreover, the rumors weren’t entirely false. It was just the context tacked on before and after that made them sound sinister.
‘It wasn’t Chahil I was worried about—I had him use the annex alone so the other servants wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire. And I’ve been calling him every night for foot massages…….’
During the day I’m swamped with Dimensional Magic research, learning Security Spells, and external schedules with Iban, so I can only call Chahil when I have a free moment at night.
‘I wonder if Chahil’s heard the rumors too? He’s not the type to show his feelings, so I can never tell.’
My expression must have tensed without my noticing, because Ate, who’d been watching me quietly, poked the back of my hand and opened his mouth.
“Don’t get discouraged. I once coughed wrong and rumors spread all the way to the North that I was dying in three days—Duke Etam actually rode hard for three days straight to attend my funeral.”
“Duke Etam? The man who’s famous for never leaving the North except on imperial orders?”
If even someone like that would ride out, it makes sense how such rumors start. I looked at Ate with sympathy.
You must be exhausted too…….
“…Well, it’s fine. I’m shameless about these things. Besides, I’ve never even had a girlfriend, let alone a fiancée.”
Someone who’s spent her whole life in the laboratory couldn’t have experienced romance. Iban may be my fiancé in name, but it’s just a contract—I’m still single, really. Mm-hmm.
“Exactly. Being thick-skinned is your specialty, so just do what you want. If things get messy, my big brother will handle it all? Our brother can do anything!”
So don’t worry!
Ate thrust his thumb up vigorously, encouraging me.
…Is this actually supposed to be comforting?

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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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