The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 33

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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, and Only I Know — Episode 33

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“Miss Rene, your guests have arrived.”
I was tending to the flowers while anticipating a meeting I’d long awaited when the maid approached and delivered the news I’d been hoping for.
Turning around, I spotted Diana, Rosebel, Siana, and Hailey stepping into the enormous glass greenhouse.
“Wow. It’s so big and spacious…!”
“The garden was lovely, but the greenhouse is even better.”
As they toured the vast greenhouse, their delighted whispers drifted softly through the brilliantly blooming flowers.
I set down the watering can I’d been holding and approached them with a gentle smile.
From what I’d heard, High Society was currently spreading rumors that I was a cunning woman who sold my laughter to the imperial family, bewitching them with it.
‘So basically, that’s a compliment to me, right? It means the supposedly haughty imperial family all fell for my smile alone.’
I had no idea how highly they valued my smile… I was genuinely grateful….
The problem seemed to be that my laughter was apparently extravagant only in the presence of the high-born—.
‘What do they know? This is exactly what social grace is all about, my dear literary friends.’
It didn’t wound me in the slightest.
Besides, I’ve always been blessed with a radiant smile! How many people possess such fortunate lips? Ha.
“Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you.”
I greeted them warmly with a smile even brighter than the rumors suggested. That precious laughter that had captivated the imperial family—today I’d let them see it until they grew tired of it!
“We are honored to meet the future Crown Princess, Your Highness.”
Their curious gazes swept across me standing before them, and soon came a response dressed in proper courtesy.
“I’m delighted to be able to show you this place. Actually…….”
As I let my words trail off mysteriously and slowly extended my hand backward, their eyes followed as if enchanted toward the full vista of the greenhouse my fingers indicated.
“You are the very first guests to visit this greenhouse. We only just finished the landscaping recently, and I haven’t even shown it to His Highness yet.”
“Oh my……!”
“Good heavens, what an honor.”
As Siana gasped in admiration, Hailey’s cheeks flushed in sympathy. They must be delighted to hear they came before the Crown Prince himself.
I glanced back at Diana. The Atlan Marquis House was a family renowned across generations for its exceptional artistic sensibility—a patron of the arts,
an individual or institution that supports artists in fields such as visual arts, literature, and other artistic disciplines
supporting artists and culture.
If I could satisfy her refined aesthetic taste, it would greatly help me build a favorable relationship with her in the future. There was a reason I’d paid such particular attention to the greenhouse.
Fortunately, she seemed to have passed my test, as Diana met my gaze with a distinctly pleased expression.
“Whether it’s the patronage or the greenhouse itself, it’s the most vibrant and beautiful place I’ve seen in recent times. If snow were to fall here, it would truly be a masterpiece. I find myself in awe of your discernment, Miss Rene.”
“You’re too kind. When the snow comes later, I shall certainly reserve a place for you, so please do share the charm of the greenhouse with me then.”
Diana’s green eyes softened subtly upon hearing my words, which carried quite personal intent. I’d heard that she swiftly rejected any obvious flirtation, but fortunately, my appeal seemed to have won her favor.
“How remarkable—Miss Rene, you do make proposals one cannot refuse.”
Amid this peaceful and smooth conversation, there was one person who could not laugh. Rosebel’s expression had darkened.
I was supposed to be as cunning and villainous as the rumors suggested, yet I was showing the opposite, and she seemed quite irritated by it.
‘Wow, completely annoyed.’
I smiled brightly and met Rosebel’s reddening gaze calmly. Perhaps because I already knew what she would say, her fierce eyes didn’t frighten me in the slightest.
Doubtless she was about to hint that I’d shown off the greenhouse only to present empty hands—typical.
“Speaking of which… Miss Rene, surely you didn’t invite guests to such a beautiful greenhouse without a gift? This is supposed to be the first tea party at Marin Palace, after all….”
As the words I’d anticipated came flying at me, I couldn’t help but laugh. In a Romance Fantasy, the “unbeatable” isn’t a powerful sword master or a terrifying tower lord.
‘The golden rule of Romance Fantasy: nothing beats a bright female protagonist.’
I smiled radiantly with a bashful expression, as if I’d been waiting for this very moment.
“Oh, how perceptive you are, Miss Hailey! How did you know I’d prepared a welcome gift!”
“……What did you say?”
While Rosebel responded with a hollow expression, I subtly flicked my hand in a silent signal. The maids who’d been waiting in the wings immediately appeared with bouquets overflowing with pure white roses.
“I heard you’re fond of roses, Miss Hailey. So I’ve prepared Christmas Roses as a token of welcome. I hope they suit your taste.”
“Oh, I’ve heard Christmas Roses are extremely rare because they’re difficult to cultivate in our empire’s climate, yet there are so many…….”
“When I get home, I’ll have to arrange them in a vase right away!”
“The fragrance is lovely. I can’t even remember the last time I received such a bouquet.”
As everyone accepted the gift with genuine joy, the expression of Rosebel, who had actually opened this door of opportunity, had frozen completely.
‘Wow, look at that face. If I hadn’t had a gift, things would’ve gone badly.’
She would certainly have made a great show of criticizing my lack of thoughtfulness. Or if the gift had been something less rare, she would have portrayed me as petty and begun to sway the others against me.
‘Just like she did to Siana in the original story.’
I couldn’t fall for the same trick! My earlier assurance to Evan that he need not worry was grounded in real confidence.
Though he himself had seemed thoroughly doubtful of me….
If Evan had come along, he would have simply brainwashed them all at once, asking why I bothered with such tedious things.
But what I needed wasn’t a hollow puppet who followed only me—I needed a mutual relationship where we could be each other’s strength.
“I’ve cast Preservation Magic so it won’t wilt even after winter ends. I do hope you’ll enjoy it for a long time.”
“Oh my, it won’t wilt…! That’s such a welcome thing to hear!”
“Indeed. It’s quite a romantic magic, don’t you think, Rosebel?”
“…As you say, madam, it’s a lovely gift. I’ll treasure it well.”
At Diana’s question, Rosebel reluctantly accepted the bouquet. Hmm. It seems I’ve won the first round, then?
After that, the tea party began in earnest.
As various matters from high society—both great and small, pointedly excluding gossip about me—unfolded in tedious succession, Rosebel suddenly set down her teacup with a soft clink and fluttered her eyes with practiced innocence.
“I say, Rene. I’m merely curious, but… did His Highness truly propose first?”
“Yes, I’m grateful to say that he did.”
I nodded gently, and Rosebel opened her mouth with an expression of genuine concern.
“In fact, I was rather surprised when I heard that His Highness had proposed to you. From what I’ve observed at his side, he’s always preferred women of keen intellect and maturity……”
The moment Rosebel’s trembling voice began to fade, her deep ruby eyes fixed upon me with unmistakable clarity.
“Could your ‘transparent innocence’ have been a novel stimulus for him? I do worry sincerely that you might be hurt by his little amusements…”
“D-surely not. His Highness gave you Marin Palace because he cherishes you, didn’t he…?”
Every word felt bold and perfectly calibrated. Sensing the strained atmosphere, Siana added her own hesitant remark, her golden eyes wavering, while Rosebel shook her head with an even more downcast expression.
“I’m not certain. If I know His Highness as I do, he wouldn’t leave the first tea party of someone who shares his heart feeling so desolate…… Everyone knows how tender he is.”
“That’s… true, but.”
“Indeed. Quite so……”
Her persuasive words dominated the moment, and the admiring glances directed at me shifted instantly to pity.
At the same time, Rosebel’s eyes—which had worn a melancholy cast all along—curved like a crescent moon for just an instant.

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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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