The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 31

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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 Mastermind, But Only I Know It — Episode 31

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“Ta-da! Well, how is it? This should do nicely, shouldn’t it?”
“Goodness… it’s not just nice, it’s absolutely perfect! Everyone will be thrilled!”
Snowdrops, pristine Daffodils, and Christmas Roses—winter blooms in full flower—now graced the expansive Garden that Marin Palace took pride in.
What had already been a lavish Garden became an even more breathtaking flower garden after I wove just a touch of magic through it.
Sis, catching sight of the Garden after my work was done, declared without hesitation that she’d never seen a winter garden quite so vivid, giving me an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Ahem. Flowerbed Magic—something I’d learned long ago to brighten Lion whenever he grew melancholy. I never thought I’d put it to use like this. Glad I bothered to master it.
The Tea Party would be held in the Glass Greenhouse at the center of the Garden, where the flowers were beautifully visible. Everything was prepared to perfection. The refreshments had been selected to suit each guest’s preferences, and….
“Sis, the dessert I mentioned—is it ready?”
“Of course. I’ve had it wrapped beautifully.”
Among the preparations, there was one thing I’d taken particular care with: a candy gift for Shiana Bengkin.
From what I’d learned, Shiana typically kept her distance from sweets, which she genuinely loved, all because of what others thought.
She was self-conscious about people seeing a grown noblewoman eating candy as unladylike. That’s precisely why I’d prepared this!
‘A Jewel Box commissioned specially!’
And inside it, candies more precious than jewels themselves! Low-sugar too, so no guilt about calories.
With this, no one would even realize they were sweets—she could carry them around freely and enjoy them without worry. Two birds with one stone!
‘The Bengkin Duchy has built its vast fortune through trade alone, so cultivating a friendship would be excellent leverage.’
True, I’d earned quite a bit selling Potions, but the Bengkin Duchy commanded more than mere wealth—they wielded a distribution network that spanned the entire continent.
Despite the prestige of such a distinguished house, Shiana possessed a rare gentleness of spirit uncommon in High Society.
After all, she was the only noblewoman volunteering regularly at orphanages and animal shelters each month.
Kindness, by nature, springs from abundance. She was the very embodiment of it.
‘So I’ll win over Shiana with this… leaving Hailey Nadia, Diana Atlan, and Rosebelle Herrit.’
According to my research, Hailey seemed quite interested in magic.
I’d even heard she collected photo pamphlets distributed by the Magic Society just like Shiana. Whatever the case, I just pray her favorite isn’t Lion. Please.
Crunch-crunch.
“Oh? What’s that in your mouth?”
At the faint crunching sound from my shoulder, I looked down to find Dust contentedly munching on a Jewel Candy nearly as large as his own round body.
Sis must have given him one of the leftover candies, and judging by how his tiny frame jiggled with satisfaction, he’d clearly approved.
“The guests have just arrived. They’ve been shown to the Reception Room.”
“Is that so? Then I should go greet them quickly.”
Upon hearing that everyone except Diana had arrived, I made my way directly to the Reception Room to exchange brief pleasantries before the Tea Party began.
“I simply cannot understand it. What in the world did that woman do to warrant such excessive favor?”
When I reached the Reception Room, I found the door slightly ajar. Through the gap drifted a sharp, crystalline voice that gave me quite the welcome.
‘Oh… is this actually the sort of behind-the-back gossip I’ve only heard about?’
For someone as out of touch as I was with current affairs, it was rather fascinating. Let me go have a listen.
Psst. I signaled Sis to stay quiet, then leaned in to catch what was being said inside.
“Originally, Marin Palace is granted only to a formal Crown Princess, isn’t it? So how on earth did a mere Fiancee acquire it? She must have done something dreadful to His Highness. Isn’t that right?”
“W-well… I’m not entirely sure….”
“Hmm. Rosebelle does make a fair point. It is rather peculiar, isn’t it? I’ve never seen this face in High Society before.”
To Rosebelle’s question, Shiana responded hesitantly, her eyes blinking rapidly behind trembling pupils. Her distinctive snowy white hair made her look rather like someone shivering in the cold.
Meanwhile, Hailey beside her nodded vigorously, as though convinced by the logic.
“The Astel County has been a renowned magical house for generations, haven’t they? Surely she’s capable of all manner of obscure arts. Who’s to say she didn’t employ some sinister technique on His Highness?”
“But Rosebelle, what are you suggesting?”
“Bah. Perhaps she purchased an Illegal Elixir from some back alley. There’s no other way His Highness would have chosen a woman who might as well be a ghost. What could he possibly lack?”
At Hailey’s words, Rosebelle let out a cold laugh and pressed her point further. Then Shiana, who had been listening quietly, swallowed hard and ventured to speak.
“S-surely not… If the lady of Astel were truly such a terrible person, she wouldn’t have invited us at all….”
“That’s precisely it—her reputation has been dreadful lately, so she’s trying to recover by inviting us. Rosebelle’s phrasing is rather harsh, but she’s not entirely wrong, it seems.”
“Ahem. Hailey, did you hear? They say her lover visits Marin Palace every night! Everyone’s being careful to wash their hands after the party. She’s absolutely filthy.”
Rosebelle pointed toward the Annex visible through the window, her sharp eyes narrowing menacingly.
“I’ve heard something like that, but is it really true? The Imperial Palace servants are always spreading baseless rumors anyway… And those weren’t even from the Marin Palace maids, were they? In any case, I’m glad I came. The place is much more impressive than I’d heard.”
When Hailey offered subtle praise for the Garden from the entrance, Shiana eagerly nodded along.
“R-right…! I’ve always wanted to see Marin Palace, and it’s even more magical than I imagined. Everything’s so white—it’s just like the palace of angels.”
“My? Shiana, didn’t you mention wanting to open a salon someday? An interior like this is common. You see it everywhere. I would have refused the invitation if it weren’t for Diana. She’s the only reason I came.”
Rosebelle, making clear she was here only on account of Diana, displayed an expression of clear dissatisfaction. And from that point on, her words never ceased—nothing but criticism directed entirely at me.
‘Still, she hasn’t actually tried to kill me like some demon, so maybe she’s not entirely dreadful…?’
……or so I’d have said. Has my danger-detection system broken because of the demon? What am I even thinking right now…?
Regardless, the ability to talk non-stop like that is genuinely a talent. For those of you feeling lonely without conversation, I heartily recommend Rosebelle Herrit.
“Should I handle this, my lady?”
Behind me, Sis had been keeping quietly to my side, but now she was at her limit—her hand drifted toward her waist. Oh no, I’m pretty sure I just caught a glint of silver steel….
“W-wait, think of it differently—doesn’t this mean Lady Heriot cares about me so much? She doesn’t miss a single rumor about me!”
I gestured frantically toward Rosebelle on the other side of the door, who was merrily rattling off my latest gossip in real time.
After all, even hate comments are a form of interest. I patted Sis’s shoulder urgently, trying to convince her to see the bright side, when her eyes suddenly lit up with realization.
“No wonder she knows everything. She’s the source of the rumors in the first place.”
“…What?”
“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity. This works perfectly.”
Ah, so that’s how she knows so much….
The moment Sis’s eyes—deep as nails—rippled black with intent, Dust suddenly burst into the air with a flutter, abandoning my shoulder without warning.
—What in the world?
“No, wait! Dust, come back…!”
Before I could catch her, Dust zipped through the gap in the door and vanished inside. And she hadn’t even activated Invisibility yet, so if she got caught….!
“If her identity is exposed, there will be trouble.”
Sis’s expression hardened at Dust’s unexpected intrusion, and she quickly raised her hand as if to knock.
“Wait, Sis. What is she doing in there?”
The moment Dust slipped through the door, she charged straight at Rosebelle. And then—
“It looks like she’s attached a candy to Lady Heriot’s dress.”
“…Good heavens.”
She’d stuck the candy from her mouth onto Rosebelle’s dress—right on the back, right on her rear—and then strolled back to me as if nothing had happened.
Her expression was utterly smug and deeply satisfied.

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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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