The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 46

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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 the Mastermind, and Only I Know It — Chapter 46

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When morning sunlight tapped against my eyelids and I opened my eyes, the pitch-black bedroom of the unfamiliar Ruby Palace greeted me.
As my blurred vision gradually cleared and my muddled mind returned, I reflexively patted my body down—an instinctive gesture to confirm I was still alive.
Feeling my heart hammering earnestly against my chest, I exhaled the breath I’d been holding and sagged with relief.
“Wow, I actually made it.”
Last night, seeing the bedding stained crimson, I’d been certain I was dying. But after one night’s sleep, my body felt perfectly intact. Apparently, my lifespan was thinner than a thread but deceptively long.
‘As if the ridiculous glass-body setting wasn’t enough, now I’m destined to live forever….’
I’m so grateful I could cry. I really need to get out of here as soon as possible….
“Evan?”
At the large desk beneath the bay window—bearing traces of all-night labor—there was no one. Where had he gone at this hour?
As if she’d heard my voice from outside, Sys gave a brief knock and peeked her head through the bedroom door.
“Lady Rene, you’re awake? How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. But where’s Evan?”
“His Majesty is attending a breakfast meeting at the Diamond Palace.”
It was the final meeting before the Foundation Festival, she added quietly, and it would take quite some time to conclude.
“And His Majesty said you must keep this close at hand for the time being.”
Sys approached me as I slowly sat up at the edge of the bed, carefully handing me something wrapped tightly in pristine white cloth.
The moment I took hold of the small, slender object, its weight—heavier than it appeared—registered acutely in my palm.
“What is this?”
Is it precious? Why wrap it in so many layers of thick fabric?
“According to His Majesty, it’s a Short Dagger.”
“A Short Dagger?”
Why suddenly a blade? And of all things, he wants me to keep it close….
Swallowing my confusion, I unwound the cloth to reveal a silver Short Dagger small enough to fit in one hand.
Set into the handle was a small diamond-shaped Emerald, the same deep green as Evan’s eyes.
“Is it for self-defense?”
I wasn’t sure, but the blade emanated a vaguely familiar aura—like that of Arnosil, the goddess from whom my power flowed.
‘It’s faint, so I can’t be certain….’
In any case, the Short Dagger was crafted beautifully enough to serve as decoration. After studying it for a moment, I rose from the bed.
“Let’s hurry—everyone must be waiting.”
I finished preparing quickly and headed straight for the waiting carriage. But then Sys, whom I’d expected to accompany me, suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“Lady Rene, for the next two days I’ll be attending you as a guard alongside Khan. I’ll do my utmost to protect you.”
“That’s reassuring. I’m counting on you.”
With two of the finest operatives from Billoze attached to me, I had no reason to fear for my life. I gave a quiet nod of acknowledgment, but Sys was watching me with a worried expression.
“As you know, the city outside is in festival chaos right now. With so many crowds flooding the Imperial City, public security is thin, so you’ll need to be careful if you go out alone.”
“Don’t worry. I can’t go alone anyway.”
I tended to hyperventilate in crowded places, so venturing out unaccompanied was risky.
I had someone in mind as a companion, so it would be fine.
‘Regardless, I need to buy materials. It’s been so long since I’ve been out.’
Most of the research materials required for Dimensional Magic were not only extremely expensive but rare, often sold in limited quantities.
‘Especially the precious ones—they only sell to regular customers who visit in person. I can’t trust anyone else to fetch them.’
Thinking of all the materials I’d missed while confined to the Imperial Palace, I absolutely had to go in person this time. I’d already drawn up a list of shops to visit.
“Then, we’re departing!”
As the driver’s voice rang out, the massive carriage began to move slowly forward.
I pulled out the Short Dagger I’d hastily tucked inside my sleeve and gazed down at it thoughtfully.
“With Sys and Khan there, I probably won’t need this.”
It was heavier than expected and frankly awkward to carry…. Maybe I should leave it behind?
‘Hmm, but he wouldn’t have given it to me without reason, would he…?’
After deliberating, I tucked the Short Dagger into my breast pocket. There’s never any harm in listening to a demon, after all.

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“Your Majesty, Lady Rene has arrived safely at the Count’s Residence, it’s reported.”
In the center of his office, Evan—having just finished a lengthy meeting—stared expressionlessly at the documents before him. When Banel approached and casually delivered the report, his perpetually fierce gaze finally softened.
“Did she say anything?”
“Both the flowers and the gift were delivered successfully, sir.”
Evan gave a slight shake of his head. Not that.
“Ah—the Short Dagger. Lady Rene has it with her. Khan reports she’s keeping it close.”
Banel quickly grasped what Evan had meant and hastened to answer.
The Short Dagger’s handle bore an Emerald embedded with a trace of Evan’s blood—which meant that as long as Rene held it, he could sense her location at any moment.
“Tell her to keep it on her at all times.”
As a bonus, the inferior creatures who caught wind of the Great Demon’s aura wouldn’t dare approach her carelessly. Two birds with one stone.
Of course, such a small amount wouldn’t sustain prolonged use, but it was enough to serve as a weapon for self-defense in an emergency. Given its compact size, it fit perfectly in Rene’s slender hand.
As Banel left the office in silence, Evan’s gaze turned toward the window.
In the distance, the bustling Festival streets of the Imperial City sprawled into view. Where crowds gathered, his kind were sure to gather as well.
Tap-tap-tap. Evan’s fingertip drummed slowly across the desk. The words of a Demonic Beast he’d captured during a night hunt not long ago echoed in his mind.
‘That… that woman reeks of a Cross-Dimensional Soul…!’
According to the creature, all the mid-to-high-rank Demonic Beasts with any intelligence had caught that scent. Which meant the lesser beasts of at least mid-rank and above were all converging on Rene.
Evan’s eyes narrowed with a lazy intensity.
“She’s only just awakened a power worth using. I won’t be giving her up.”
Especially not to a woman whose strength was so formidable it could repel every ounce of his mana. Should she be taken from him, it would gravely compromise his future objectives.
Not that such a thing would come to pass.
In an instant, a crimson flicker cut across Evan’s deep-green pupils. Beneath his feet, a dark shadow flowed smoothly across the floor, then dissipated like mist.
“……”
Meanwhile, in the Separate Palace, someone who had been unexpectedly confined was letting out an absurd, hollow laugh.
“I can’t believe they’d lock me up over a single remark.”
Evan Fell Erjet. No matter what his true nature might be, publicly he was revered as a virtuous and gentle Crown Prince—an angel, even.
She never imagined he would resort to something so brazenly extreme.
Clang—!
Clang, clang!
Chahil stared helplessly at the Mana-Absorbing Chains wound tightly around his wrists, breathing roughly.
‘I suppose there’s no helping it. Then I shall remain at Master’s side until a new Demonic Beast is discovered.’
‘I do care for Master, after all.’
Last night, that extra remark had been a light whim on his part—a pebble tossed without particular expectation, given whom he was speaking to. Yet Evan had responded in a way Chahil hadn’t foreseen.
With a reaction as massive as a boulder, offered with an angelic smile.
‘No. You’re mine.’
Before Chahil could mount a defense, the brutal blade came hurtling toward him. He couldn’t evade it.

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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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