The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 34

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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 34
‘……She’s smiling?’
Rosebel’s venomous smile vanished in an instant. Then, as if she knew nothing, her face shifted back to one of innocent naïveté.
It seemed she’d decided to play her trump card by invoking Ivane’s name, after her earlier provocations in the Reception Room had failed to land.
If she’d kept needling only me, I might have let it slide, but since she’d mentioned Ivane, I couldn’t reasonably pretend not to notice.
Just as I reached the conclusion that I had to say something in response, Diana’s voice cut through first.
“His Highness visits the Temple of Deities regularly to offer prayers, and on the Sacred Day, he even minimizes his attendants—how devout he must be.”
Diana’s understated tone wove elegance and restraint into a clear subtext: the empire’s future must come first.
Who could dare deny that the Crown Prince prays for the empire’s sake? Siana clapped her hands as though she’d suddenly remembered something.
“Oh my, that’s right—today is that very day! Of course he couldn’t possibly cancel official business for something like this.”
When Hailey chimed in that matters concerning the empire must take precedence, Rosebel’s expression hardened and she clicked her tongue quietly.
‘The fact that she didn’t even look surprised means she already knew. Well, Rosebel was just as devoted a fan of Ivane as I am.’
It made no sense that she’d been unaware of Ivane’s schedule. To know full well and still try to embarrass me like that—her intentions were transparent as glass.
‘Still, thanks to that, I got to confirm that Diana has developed enough goodwill toward me to help without hesitation.’
Besides, what she’d done barely qualified as bullying. In her own manor, perhaps—but not here in the Imperial Palace, where there were limits she couldn’t cross.
Rosebel wasn’t willing to lose so easily; she opened her mouth again, her eyes sharp with calculation.
“Oh… I did forget that His Highness is so busy. Still, seeing that he didn’t send a gift, I’m sure—”
“Rene, pardon the interruption, but the attendants from Ruby Palace have arrived.”
Cis appeared suddenly beside me with perfectly timed news. The timing was impeccable.
“Show them in.”
Even as Rosebel’s eyes flashed dangerously at being cut off mid-speech, I promptly granted them entry.
“Rene, His Highness has sent word that he wishes to celebrate your First Tea Party with the most beautiful bloom from the Imperial Palace greenhouses.”
The attendants from Ruby Palace came streaming in, offered a brief bow, and thrust something enormous into my arms.
‘……What on earth is this?’
I’d never in my life held a bouquet of such proportions. Actually, at this point, it might be more accurate to say the bouquet held me.
“I… I can’t see in front of me…….”
With both arms stretched wide just to support the bouquet, I wept tears of gratitude internally. This demon knew exactly how to make his gesture count—I couldn’t even begin to calculate the thought behind it….
Though honestly, it wouldn’t have hurt if he’d shown a little consideration for my arms while he was at it.
“My, is there something for us as well?”
The moment the attendants had handed me the bouquet, they began distributing something to each of the other guests.
“These are the finest selections from a collection of gemstones recently presented to His Highness by the Tarant Kingdom. As tokens of his particular regard for the noble ladies who have graced your First Tea Party, His Highness has graciously bestowed these upon you.”
The attendant’s polite yet commanding explanation was met with gasps of awe from all corners—all except Rosebel, whose face had gone ashen white.
“Goodness, such precious things….”
“Tarant gems are so rare—I’ve heard they never even appear at auction. These rubies are exquisite.”
“…We are deeply grateful for His Highness’s kindness.”
While everyone’s attention was fixed on the gemstones before them, my gaze was drawn to a transparent, iridescent crystal nestled in the center of the lavish bouquet.
At that moment, the attendant spoke again, addressing me directly.
“Rene, the crystal in the center of the bouquet is a rare mineral specially crafted in the Northern Region—forged from the melted claw of a frozen dragon. It is the only such gemstone in all the Rakis Empire.”
The attendant added, in measured tones, that His Highness had particularly emphasized his care in selecting it, speaking words that seemed almost too extraordinary to hear.
I’m going mad. Why is my demon going to such lengths? My morale is so high it could probably be sliced and eaten raw.
I stood gazing at the extraordinary brilliance of the stone—incomparably finer than what had been distributed to the guests—when I heard a hollow gasp from across the room.
“A dragon’s claw? Ha……!”
“Rosebel, you’ll get flower petals in your mouth if you keep it hanging open like that.”
Rosebel had been standing with her mouth agape the entire time; Hailey teased her playfully about closing it. Rosebel’s lips snapped shut with visible indignation.
“I’ll make sure to thank His Highness in person later.”
“Of course. We shall take our leave now.”
The moment the attendants withdrew, Siana and Hailey’s eyes gleamed as they seized my hands.
“Lady Astelle, we’re so envious! That crystal has been the talk of the town recently!”
“That’s right. I… I heard about it too. It’s supposed to be incredibly valuable and so rare that many people covet it…….”
As the two spoke with breathless excitement, Diana also smiled warmly at me.
“His Highness certainly holds you in great favor, Lady. There’s no need for anyone else to worry at all.”
At her words, Rosebel beside her flinched visibly. But she had nothing to say in return, so she remained silent.
Somehow, thanks to Ivane, it looked like I’d won the second round as well. Perfect. Everything according to plan!
“Actually, I had gifts for all of you as well… but now His Highness has stolen my thunder, so I’m a bit embarrassed.”
I gestured to my attendants, and they quickly brought forth silver boxes, presenting one to each guest.
‘The secret to winning women’s hearts comes down to two things. First, something that sparkles. Second, something sweet.’
The sparkle was taken care of thanks to Ivane; now it fell to me to handle the latter.
“Is this… a gemstone? It’s so shiny and beautiful. And there seems to be a sweet fragrance coming from it….”
Siana opened her box with curious eyes and tilted her head in wonder. I smiled softly and picked up one of the Gem Candies from before me.
“They’re candies. I heard that Siana is quite knowledgeable about desserts, so I hope you’ll like them.”
“Oh, these are candies? I thought they were gemstones! My goodness….”
Hailey, who had been staring at the box, finally picked up one of the candies with a look of surprise. Her gaze was remarkably keen as she turned it over in her hands.
“They’re beautiful enough that I’d believe them if you called them gemstones, but candies? That’s hard to accept.”
Diana was examining the candy with fascination when Siana reached for one and brought it toward her mouth.
“Siana, I’d think twice about that if I were you. Eating sweets will make you gain weight terribly, and you don’t want to go back to how things were before, do you?”
“What are you talking about, Rosebel?”
“Oh, I suppose you wouldn’t know, Lady Astel. But Siana was once so heavy that those lovely golden eyes were barely visible. I’ve heard her dress even split at a party! As her dear friend, I was so worried about her….”
Rosebel shook her head sadly as she mentioned that even tailors had refused to dress Siana back then, insisting it was all for her own good. Then she reached over and swept the box of candies away from Siana, pushing it to the far end of the table.
“Lady Astel, I’m grateful for the gift, truly, but I’m managing my weight at the moment… I’m afraid I can’t eat these.”
Siana stared at the box as it slid away from her, then bowed her head deeply and spoke in a measured tone.

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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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