The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 3

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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 true identity is the Hidden Mastermind, and only I know it — Episode 3
“Eh? Right now? What do you mean, are you joking?”
“Just… tell Mom and Dad I said hello, okay? I’m going!”
“Wait, you at least have to tell me where you’re—!”
I pretended not to hear Hanna’s protests, grabbed the bags I’d prepared in advance, and slipped out of the Mansion.
Of course, if he’s the Crown Prince, he’ll be able to find me wherever I go. That’s what power is.
But I have a way around it!
‘I can sneak into one of Rion’s properties and live there.’
Rion doesn’t own just this one building, so it’ll take him considerable time to find me. He’d have to search through all those properties one by one.
Using the Blood Relation Chance, I’d slipped into my new place, and at last I could reclaim a peaceful life.
It’s a bit small, but I’d set up a decent enough study in one corner, and I’d stocked the basics beforehand, so living here posed no problems.
There was only one thing that bothered me….
“…Hmm.”
Thanks to someone, my face had been plastered all over the Capital within days. As a result, I had to pull a hat down low or keep my head bowed whenever I ventured out to buy groceries.
‘I feel like I’m a wanted criminal.’
Still, important documents like the Proposal Document are automatically returned under Imperial Law if the recipient isn’t home, so I had to avoid him at all costs.
‘It doesn’t make sense—he was going to kill me, and now suddenly he’s sending a Proposal Document? There’s definitely something else going on.’
There was no way for me to know what the Hidden Mastermind was thinking. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good for me, so I was simply going to avoid it.
So if I could just stay quiet here until I finished my research…!
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang while I was reading in the study. Who could that be? I wasn’t expecting anyone.
“Oh, right. I ordered flowers delivered to put on the windowsill.”
They said they’d deliver during the day, so it must have arrived already.
“Coming!”
Creak.
I opened the door without a second thought—
“…!”
Bang.
And slammed it shut again.
‘Was that a hallucination?’
But can a hallucination be that beautiful? It was a face too exquisite for my meager imagination to conjure.
Which meant that was—
‘He, he really…?’
I felt cold sweat trickling down below my neck.
Now that I’d recognized him and shut the door, I couldn’t escape. Slamming it in his face was basically admitting with my whole body that I’d been avoiding him, and somehow I had to salvage this.
‘I should’ve acted oblivious and said, “My, Your Highness, what brings you here?” but I panicked and….’
Did he come here in person deliberately to trap me? Only someone like the Hidden Mastermind would think on such a high level.
“Hmm, your stamina leaves something to be desired, but your reflexes aren’t bad.”
At that oddly clear voice, I realized he’d wedged his foot in the doorframe. Thanks to him, the door wouldn’t close properly, and his voice came through the gap with perfect clarity.
“Ugh, Your Highness! What are you doing!”
“Flower delivery.”
“How did you even get here? What’s this about?”
What is this man? How on earth did he find out about this place when even my parents don’t know about it…!
“I told you, flower delivery. Really.”
Rion held up the Bouquet from his arms with an aggrieved expression.
“Don’t say such ridiculous things.”
“So, you’re not going to open the door? I’m cold.”
Despite the blazing midday sun, Rion made a pitiful face and held my gaze, claiming he was freezing. It was painfully obvious he was dressed warm, and I almost laughed.
‘Ugh. I can feel people’s eyes on us now.’
Since the house was on the street, any more commotion would draw attention. I had no choice but to relax the grip on the door handle.
The moment I did, Rion smiled smugly as if he’d been waiting for this, and held out the flowers.
“Here, it’s for you.”
“I never ordered such a large Bouquet. You must have the wrong address.”
The Proposal Document stuck in the center of the Bouquet he offered was deeply irritating.
I never dreamed he’d deliver it himself… and yet here he is, pressing it into my arms. This is absurd.
“Ah, I see.”
Whether he heard my words or ignored them, Rion smiled brightly, thrust the Bouquet into my arms, and then casually walked into the house and sat down on the living room sofa.
Then, as if he’d forgotten something, he opened his mouth belatedly.
“Sorry for the intrusion.”
“And now you’re staying longer?”
“There’s something we need to discuss, don’t you think?”
Rion’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me, stretching into thin slits. That unfathomable gaze clung to my every movement with an unsettling precision.
‘Being alone in the same space is dangerous, but… there’s no helping it now.’
Fortunately, despite his earlier proclamation that he’d kill me, I felt none of that murderous intent from before.
“I’m listening.”
Reluctantly settling into the seat across from him, I swallowed a sigh and nodded.
“You ran away without telling me your name. So I’ve had no proper way to address you.”
The way he smiled knowingly—as if joking that my name must be “Hiccup”—reminded me of a serpent. A polite assassin.
“I’m Rion Astel. As you know, I’m the second daughter of Count Astel.”
“Ah, the Count’s daughter. I imagine you must have many questions for me. Don’t you?”
Was that even meant to be a conversation?
‘A question-mark murderer—what does that even mean?’
But the old saying about ignorance being bliss didn’t exist for no reason. I’d hold my tongue.
When I gently shook my head, Rion’s expression grew noticeably softer. My cautious demeanor seemed to please him.
“I’ll correct what I said before. I’m not going to kill you.”
“How am I supposed to trust that?”
“Isn’t the fact that I came this far proof enough?”
The corners of Rion’s mouth curved upward in a graceful arc—that characteristically gentle smile that could ease anyone’s tension in an instant.
‘The first time I saw that smile, I remember wondering if I should just stay here instead of going back to Korea….’
Even amid the fear, my favorite remained my favorite. My half-scattered sanity gradually began to reassemble itself.
Certainly, if he’d truly intended to kill me, he would have dealt with me the moment he learned of my whereabouts.
“If you’re not going to kill me, then why did you propose?”
“That’s precisely the reason I’m keeping you alive. I’d prefer to discuss the details at the Imperial Palace.”
“Why is that?”
Why would he suddenly suggest moving to the Imperial Palace after coming all this way? I asked, bewildered, and he gestured with his eyes toward my hands.
“You’re trembling.”
Me?
Following his gaze, I looked down and saw my hands gripping the cushion, trembling visibly. Unbeknownst to me, my nerves had betrayed me through my actions.
Having witnessed someone being killed firsthand, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t afraid of him.
‘So that delicate sensitivity is genuine. I thought it was an image he cultivated to hide being a murderer. Yet it still terrifies me.’
As I gave a small cough and hid my hands behind the cushion, Rion politely turned his head away.
“I think the Imperial Palace would be far more comfortable for you than being alone with me. What do you say? And it would be better for documentation purposes as well.”
“Documentation? Are you proposing to negotiate with me?”
“Something like that. It’s not a bad proposal, I assure you. I’ve come to want something from you as well.”
The Crown Prince, who possessed everything, had something he wanted from a mere count’s daughter like me? Whether truthful or not, Rion made clear with genuine sincerity that we had grounds for negotiation.
“Please… give me time to think.”
“I’ll send a carriage in four days.”
Just as I thought he might be leaving, Rion suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned back toward me.
“I’ll be waiting, so do come. You’re needed—that much is sincere.”
Had I not known he was the Hidden Mastermind, those words would have genuinely thrilled me. I watched him quietly before asking carefully.
“If I run away, why are you giving me time?”
“Miss Astel, do you think I’m having you watched?”
Unable to answer, I nodded quietly, and Rion laughed softly as if amused.
“Hardly. Surveillance personnel are far too valuable a resource.”
…That remark meant: ‘Finding you alone wouldn’t require surveillance at all, so don’t bother trying anything foolish,’ didn’t it?
I wanted to insult his arrogance, but the man was genuinely competent. Cursed class system.
“But will you continue living here? It must be difficult alone without any attendants, and it’s dangerous too.”
“It’s fine. The only danger to me right now is you.”
“I see. Then until next time.”
Despite my sharp retort, Rion laughed good-naturedly and left the house. The fact that he overlooked such rudeness suggested he truly did want something from me.
When the door clicked shut, the tension that had gathered in my body finally released.
“I almost bolted right then….”
Having heard those words, escape was pointless. It was obvious I’d be caught immediately, as he’d said.
‘Maybe I should at least hear what he has to say.’
Since I’d already left the house, I intended to stay here a while longer.
The main house—Count Astel Estate—was constantly being visited by newspaper journalists, and I had no confidence in handling hundreds of letters from nobles whose faces I didn’t even know.
‘At least here, with no one knowing this place but Rion, I won’t have to deal with troublesome matters.’
It was ironic—the one person I’d hoped would never learn my whereabouts had become the only one who knew where I lived.
“In any case….”
By now, I could no longer deny the truth I’d been avoiding.
“Rion is a mage.”
Moreover, one ranked higher than myself. Otherwise, there’s no way he could have seen through my Magic.
By nature, mages who grow drunk on power and take lives are bound to descend into Corruption—for the Magic Power ripped forcibly from the dead becomes poison.
“Strange, though. To look at him, I wouldn’t have said he’d fallen that far.”
According to the original story, he’d already killed dozens. Yet his mind and body remained intact—there had to be a reason for that.
“I’ll find out when I get there.”
……Still, better safe than sorry. I should bring some Holy Water. If things go sideways, splash it and run.

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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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