The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 32

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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 Secret Identity Is the Villain — Episode 32
Now that I think about it, didn’t Bannel once say something like this?
‘At most, the worst thing they do is stick sticky candy to a human’s backside.’
My goodness. Monzi had actually committed the most evil(?) deed for me……!
While I was moved to tears, Monzi returned from completing his grand mission, and Sis hastily shut the reception room door.
Without meaning to, I’d gotten a small measure of revenge. By now, Rosebelle’s backside was becoming sweet in real time…… Ah, I shouldn’t enjoy this sort of thing.
“For showing me such marvelous loyalty, I hereby promote you to my Companion Familiar. From now on, you’ll follow me everywhere!”
Chirp!
As I lifted him onto my palm and let him drift about, Monzi shook his round body joyfully this way and that.
‘I thought he was simply cute, but now he seems quite useful. Perhaps carrying him around will prove convenient in various ways?’
Usually I left him in my bedchamber or entrusted him to Sis, but now I decided I would carry Monzi myself from here on out.
Since he was a child who could even use Invisibility Magic when needed, I’d have no problems as long as I controlled him properly.
Hearing my decision, Sis opened her mouth with a worried expression.
“Miss Rene, are you truly certain? ‘Remnants’ generally have poor intelligence, so they would be difficult to handle…….”
“Sis. I’m not saying this just because he’s my child—not at all—but Monzi is different. I’m telling you, he doesn’t seem like an ordinary Remnant. The boy is quite intelligent and far too adorable. I have a feeling…… our child might be a genius.”
“Your words are not without truth, but even so, you must exercise caution. Remnants as they grow can become anything at any moment. Monzi especially is quite troublesome, given how much he eats.”
Sis was warning me that even a Remnant, if cared for so tenderly, might suddenly grow into a Demon Beast, when suddenly one of the maids hurried over and delivered the news we’d been waiting for.
“Miss Rene, the Marchioness of House Atlan will be arriving soon.”
“How perfectly timed. Sis, when the Marchioness arrives, would you mind showing everyone to the Greenhouse? I’ll go ahead and check once more that all preparations are in order.”
“Yes, I shall bring the guests there shortly.”
Originally I had planned to greet her and go to the Greenhouse together, but…… because Rosebelle had stirred up the atmosphere with her sharp tongue, it would be awkward if I entered now.
‘If Diana had been there, she wouldn’t have allowed that. I’m grateful that those two aren’t the sort to be swept along by mere instigation.’
Siana especially proved to be far more steadfast than I expected. Despite bearing the brunt of Rosebelle’s piercing gaze, she trusted me firmly.
Of course Hailey had chimed in as well, but what impressed me was how she maintained her own judgment and filtered what she heard appropriately. I was definitely right to invite both of them.
‘I should give them a few more Jeweled Candies…….’
In any case, the situation fell far short of the worst-case scenarios I had imagined.
Come on then! As an n-year veteran romance novel reader, I’ll handle this for sure! …But now with a demon on my side.

* * *
Veins stood out on the back of the hand gripping the reins. Startled by the sharp force, the horse stopped with a snort, a spray of breath.
“From here on, we walk.”
The man at the head dismounted, and those following him stepped onto the ground one by one. The thick dust clouds exhaled by the horse’s hooves scattered like water mist.
Iban, his face hidden beneath a pitch-black Robe pulled deep over his head, took point down the alley, and those called ‘Shadows’ followed silently in his wake.
Detecting a humanoid Demon Beast was nearly impossible without special equipment for common knights. For this reason, Iban regularly conducted Secret Patrols through places with heavy foot traffic.
Of course, it was publicly known that each time he did so, he was supposedly going to the Grand Temple to offer prayers for the Empire’s future.
Therefore, no one questioned his absence while he remained in the temple’s innermost depths.
Under normal circumstances, there would be no problem with this schedule. Were it not for Rene’s unplanned tea party, he could have said with certainty.
‘……It’s troublesome.’
Had he truly been going to offer prayers, he could have postponed or shortened it easily enough, but the Secret Patrol could not. The risk of innocent casualties was far too great otherwise.
Until now, there had never been a single instance where he had not involved himself in Rene’s schedule, but today—for the first time—that had changed.
‘If she dies while I’m away.’
Of course, she wouldn’t die in a manner that would reflect poorly on him, but humans were fragile creatures, were they not? Especially a small, young human like Rene—such creatures died easily over trifles.
Moreover, where was Filth common? People spoke of a Saint appearing once every fifty years, but here the interval was a hundred years.
Therefore, if Rene Astel died, it would be troublesome in many ways. Even merely being injured….
The mere thought of it darkened his mood.
……
Though Iban’s expression could not be seen beneath the deep Robe, Bannel and the Shadows who followed him kept stealing glances at him.
“Your Highness, is there perhaps something you left behind at the Palace……?”
Unable to bear the oppressive silence any longer, one of the Shadows ventured a tentative question in a trembling voice. He had always been taciturn like this, but today the intensity was exceptional.
The terrifying, unapproachable aura emanating from Iban was such that even breathing felt uncertain.
Upon hearing the question, Iban’s footsteps stopped abruptly in place.
Left behind?
“There is.”
He had made various preparations before departing, but his mind remained unsettled.
‘How tiresome…….’
Iban ran a rough hand through his hair and spoke in an unconcerned voice toward Bannel, who stood behind him.
“Bannel, the hounds of Bilroze disobeyed my orders.”
“I shall rectify it.”
Neither Sis nor Khan, nor anyone else, had reported on the tea party. Yet reporting on every little thing concerning Rene Astel was their duty.
“Don’t make it complicated.”
“Yes.”
At the sound of Iban’s cold, hardened voice, Bannel bowed without hesitation, and the shadows that flanked him followed suit, their heads lowering as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Now that he thought about it, hadn’t there been one particularly conspicuous guest at today’s tea party?
Iban’s narrow eyes swept through his memory as he recalled the guest list that Rene had brought to his study.
“There was one loud woman among the attendees, if I recall.”
Who was she again?
As Iban mused quietly, Bannel beside him spoke up with practiced efficiency.
“Rosebelle Heiritt, Your Highness. The only daughter of House Heiritt, she’s been the subject of considerable gossip for receiving specialized instruction since childhood in preparation for becoming Crown Princess. You’ve exchanged pleasantries with her frequently at social gatherings.”
At Bannel’s words, an image crystallized in Iban’s mind—a woman with rust-red hair and eyes as bright as rubies.
Every time he saw her, she was draped in an abundance of accessories adorning her hair, ears, and neck, which had prompted him to ask once.
‘Isn’t that heavy?’
‘Oh my, Your Highness, nothing is heavier than my love for you~’
…He had refrained from speaking to her since. There was something unsettling about it; should he inadvertently give her any opening, she would cling to him relentlessly, and that would be troublesome.
“Whenever Your Highness converses with another young lady of society, that young lady invariably becomes Miss Rosebelle’s target.”
“That explains why I’ve had such an easy time of it lately.”
“Everyone fears Miss Rosebelle’s retaliation and refrains from approaching you too directly, which has made attending the social circle considerably more comfortable.”
He wouldn’t have stopped Rosebelle even if circumstances had been different, but the fact remained that thanks to her, things had become easier—easy enough that he’d turned a blind eye to her minor transgressions.
Who could have predicted it would come back to haunt him like this? He understood why she’d been invited, being as she was one of the notable figures in the social circle, but… Rene alone simply couldn’t handle her.
“This is troublesome. Rene is so delicate she might drown if a single drop of tea splashed on her.”
“…Your Highness, ordinary humans don’t perish from such things.”
“But she could throw a teacup at someone.”
“Your Highness, Miss Rosebelle is not a ruffian. …Presumably.”
“I’m returning to the palace.”
“Yes, sir. Now then, shall we begin reconnaissance… Your Highness?”
Wait—we’ve only just arrived at our destination, haven’t we?
Bannel stared at him in bewilderment as Iban gave his shoulder a light pat.
“I’m leaving this to you. I have a rabbit-like fiancée waiting for me at the palace.”
“Wait, just a moment, Your Highness! There are plenty of rabbits here too…!!”
As Iban turned away coldly, Bannel gestured frantically at the great throng of dark, imposing rabbit(?) creatures behind him and let out a melancholy cry.

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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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