The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 35

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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 Is Actually the Mastermind, But Only I Know It — Episode 35
I drew in a measured breath.
All for me?
‘On a first meeting, she’s dredging up someone else’s past without shame?’
I’d always thought no one had a more unhinged temperament than Filet, but now it seemed Rosebelle outdid him.
I’d been wondering why Siana, who supposedly loved desserts so much, seemed so reluctant—now I understood. The culprit was sitting right beside her.
Close friend? She doesn’t even know what friendship means!?
“Don’t worry, Siana. This is made from specially refined fruit juice, Fairy Honey, and low-sugar sweetener, so it has fewer calories than the candies sold in shops. You can eat all you like without concern. It should actually help ease fatigue, in fact.”
I subtly mentioned the properties of Fairy Honey and pushed the candy box back across the table to Siana. The moment I did, Hailey’s eyes lit with interest.
“Really, Rene? Low-sugar? Usually they’re made from just fruit-flavored synthetic samples and plain sugar!”
“That’s a clever idea. With no worry about weight gain, it puts the mind at ease.”
As Hailey and Diana offered their praise in succession, Siana—who’d been hesitating—carefully placed one candy in her mouth. Her golden eyes went wide.
“Oh my! It’s not too sweet at all, and it’s delicious! It’s the best thing I’ve tasted in recent memory!”
At Siana’s gushing praise, Hailey bit into a candy as well. She locked eyes with Siana and nodded enthusiastically, over and over.
‘Diana’s not eating one. But looking at her expression, she seems pleased enough. That’s a relief.’
Worried that Rosebelle might push the box away again, Siana handed it to her lady’s maid who stood behind her, urging her to guard it well.
“Truth is… I hesitated about accepting the invitation because of the rumors going around, but I would’ve regretted not coming. If I’d known you were such a warm person, I would’ve sought you out long ago.”
“High Society’s trends and gossip pass quickly, so don’t worry too much about it.”
Diana listened to Hailey’s heartfelt words as if she were making a confession, then slowly nodded in agreement and added her own thoughts.
‘What she’s saying is that no more vicious rumors about me will circulate.’
Diana Atlan was, in fact, the most discerning of them all.
Hailey and Siana had clear areas of interest, and Rosebelle’s motives were transparent—but the Marquess’s wife was different.
Fortunately, Diana seemed quite satisfied today, so I figured I wouldn’t need to worry going forward.
Siana, whose nature was rather timid, also looked briefly uncomfortable, as if recalling something unpleasant.
“Yes, that’s right. No one will care. They’ll forget they even said such things. That’s just how High Society is…….”
After that, praise flowed for the cake and tea, and the atmosphere unfolded pleasantly. As we discovered we were all of similar age, conversation flowed naturally.
I’d finally cleared this grueling tea party mission…! And I’d even made friends! I should brag about this to Ate… hmm.
But Hailey, who’d been staring at the candy with unusual focus for some time now, seemed to have made a decision and leaned toward me with a soft voice.
“By the way, Rene, these candies… don’t you think they’d sell quite well if you commercialized them?”
The way she was probing suggested she loved them dearly. I was pleased—this was exactly the reaction I’d been hoping for.
‘I had a feeling, and sure enough, she’s got an eye for new things.’
Hailey Nadia. In fact, she was the next heir to the quite famous Babylon Merchant Company in the Lakis Empire.
The Nadia Countship had Filet Nadia, the eldest son, but he’d entered the Imperial Knights early on, which meant Hailey naturally took over the family’s main business—the merchant company.
As it happened, Hailey possessed excellent judgment and drive, showing early promise in managing the company, and she’d already been the one behind introducing various trending items to High Society multiple times.
‘Wasn’t the Swan Feather Hair Ornament that became popular a while back also something Hailey started, I think?’
The title of next proprietor of Babylon—that vast merchant company sought by all, regardless of status—was one of the foundations that allowed her to solidify her standing in High Society.
‘If I work with Hailey, I won’t have to worry about falling behind trends. She’s practically a trendsetter.’
At Hailey’s suggestion, Siana—who seemed even more excited than I was—spoke up with enthusiasm.
“Everyone will surely love it! I really hope it comes out as a product. Since it’s so elegant, it would be popular as gifts too.”
“If you say so… then I feel a bit braver about it. As long as Hailey is willing, that is.”
I gave a subtle nod of agreement, and Hailey’s eyes met mine as if she’d been waiting for that moment. Her hazel eyes shone like stars—the gaze of a hungry businesswoman who’d just spotted something of true value.
“Then Rene, would it be all right if I visited you as a representative of the Babylon Merchant Company to discuss further?”
“By all means.”
Rosebelle, who’d been quietly listening to our cheerful conversation, shrugged her shoulders with a bored expression.
“No matter how pretty they are, they’re still just candy, aren’t they? Even if they’re low-sugar, eating too many would make you fat… to think of selling such junk food. We should consider the reputation of the Babylon Merchant Company, which deals only in premium goods, Hailey.”
Despite Rosebelle’s sharp words, Hailey’s smile never wavered. Utterly unfazed, she slowly tapped the table with her fingers, wearing an amused expression.
“Rosebelle, your words say one thing, but that candy seemed pretty tasty, didn’t it? You’ve eaten two already.”
“I-I was just checking to see if something strange was in them!”
The moment a touchy Rosebelle threw out her hand indignantly, Siana went rigid as ice. Her trembling fingers stretched back and pointed behind us.
“R-Rosebelle… b-behind you….”
“…Behind?”
Rosebelle turned around irritably, as if asking what now. The next instant, she sprung from her chair and let out a piercing shriek.
“Kyaaahhh! A, a bee! There’s a bee!”
“Rosebelle, the bee isn’t the problem… it’s, it’s ants all over your dress!”
“Kyah! S-someone help me get them off!”
Looking closer, swarms of ants had clung all over Rosebelle’s dress. On top of that, bees circled her vicinity as if hunting prey.
Even as Rosebelle stumbled backward in panic and tripped over a chair, crashing to the floor, everyone merely stared at her with unsympathetic eyes. No one stepped forward to help.
Not even her maids. Everyone’s expression made clear they found it well-deserved. What kind of life had Rosebelle been living……?
“I think some of that sweet candy got smeared on your dress, Rosebelle.”
“W-what did you say?”
Unable to watch any longer, I rose from my seat, helped Rosebelle to her feet, and plucked a piece of candy from the back of her dress.
I thought that would settle it.
‘There was only one piece of candy?’
Heavens knew how many she’d attached, but the moment I removed one, a cascade of candies tumbled down as if they’d been waiting for their chance—even I stood slack-jawed at the sight.
It seemed Munzi had stuck several more pieces on without my knowing. Or rather, given how many ants had swarmed just one candy, I should have suspected something…!
I finished brushing off Rosebelle’s dress, quickly shaking away the ants that clung to the fabric.
“We shall handle this, Miss Rene.”
Sis hurried over at the sight of me stepping in, and together with the attendants, her deft fingers swept away the ants and bees in a single, practiced motion.
Thanks to those skilled hands, everything was tidied away so swiftly it seemed nothing had happened at all—leaving only Rosebelle standing there, her expression hardened with mortification.
“My, those candies must have been quite to your liking.”
At Diana’s remark, Siana and Hailey burst into giggles, and Rosebelle’s face flushed crimson in an instant.
Soon Rosebelle’s sharp gaze fixed upon me with venom. Before I could dodge, her grip clamped down on my wrist, and a stinging pain flared across the skin.
“Rene Astel, you did this, didn’t you?! There’s no way something like that would end up on my dress otherwise!”

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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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