The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 6

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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 Hidden Mastermind, and Only I Know It — Chapter 6
I’d barely calmed myself and sat back down when Ibran opened his mouth with certain conviction in his eyes.
“Lady Astel. If you lend me your power, I’ll give you anything you desire.”
“…Anything?”
At my hesitant question, he nodded lightly. It seemed he’d guessed roughly that I was a Filter, which is why he’d said there was a point of negotiation between us.
“Whatever you wish for. Everything.”
Had someone else said this, it wouldn’t have struck me so deeply—but fresh from realizing he was truly a demon, it felt as if he could genuinely grant anything.
“I could even place you at the pinnacle of power.”
Ibran’s long fingers pointed toward Dia Palace, not far from where we sat. Wait—isn’t that where the Emperor resides?
His gaze made it clear he’d eliminate the current Emperor if need be and crown me instead. Well, that’s certainly audacious.
The reigning Emperor was robust enough to have joined the conquest forces and marched to the front lines himself.
“…I have no interest in power.”
“Hmm, how peculiar. All humans crave wealth and renown.”
He furrowed his brow, finding it strange. But he’s your father, after all….
“What I desire is one thing: to reach the world called Korea.”
“You’re speaking of Dimensional Transfer now? You seem unaware it’s a magic forbidden across all dimensions.”
“I know it’s impossible. That’s why my request is for you to help me with the research.”
“Research?”
Ibran’s eyes widened slightly, as if surprised. It made sense—refusing power and asking only for research assistance was unexpected. But this wasn’t “mere research.”
“I’ve been studying Dimensional Magic for a long time. Since it’s an ancient forbidden art, I’ve been conducting it in secret from the Mage Association… which is why my progress is slow, and gathering information has hit limits.”
Ibran listened quietly to my words, then rested his chin on his hand with interest.
“Do you know why it’s forbidden?”
“Well… because it’s dangerous, I suppose?”
“Exactly. It’s magic too difficult for humans to bear. Even if you’re fortunate enough for the incantation to succeed, your body could crumble mid-casting, or your mind could die.”
It matched what I’d read in the Magical Tome about the side effects. A demon who’d lived so long clearly knew something.
“I have to do it anyway. It’s a place I absolutely must go.”
“Korea, wasn’t it… What reason drives you to risk your very life?”
“Well, let’s say there’s someone I must meet.”
My mother, my father, and my mother’s son—my entire family was in Korea. It wasn’t a lie. Since this was a book and I was a transmigrated reader, there was no need to spill those secrets, so I held my tongue.
“I could help with the research, but are you truly not interested in the throne?”
“Not at all.”
At my firm answer, Ibran shrugged with apparent regret. Well, don’t regret it from the position of a Crown Prince….
“Then let’s be engaged. We’ll need to meet frequently for our collaboration.”
It was true that an unmarried man and woman meeting privately could spark any number of rumors. Especially in a society this conservative.
Besides, if Dimensional Magic was forbidden even to demons, could Ibran really afford to help me so openly?
“Are you… allowed to help me like this?”
“I’ll face some discipline, but it’s nothing.”
Ibran smiled quietly as if it were no concern. The negotiation was thus concluded.
“Once this is finished, we’ll annul the engagement. That’s my condition.”
“Agreed.”
Since he’d already made a public proposal to me, there was ample justification. Even if this wasn’t his original intention, it worked out well nonetheless.
Once the agreement was struck, Banel, standing behind Ibran, rushed forward with surprising speed and held out an Engagement Document before me.
Wait—how many of these Engagement Documents does this man have prepared? What kind of endless supply is this?
“Ah, while engaged, I’d prefer no scandals for the sake of propriety. Not with men, of course, but not with women either.”
“Don’t worry—staying quiet is my specialty.”
He’s cautious about the opposite sex too. A surprisingly progressive demon, it seems.
But I was confident no young lady in this land had lived as quietly as me. If I was ever invisible, it was because of how subdued I’d been.
“But does this condition apply to Your Highness as well?”
“Of course. I’ll be a devoted lover, keeping my eyes only on you. You can look forward to it.”
“……Yes, I see.”
I didn’t need him to be quite so ardent, but… well, it hardly matters. It’s better than risking the contract engagement being exposed due to scandals or seeming too indifferent to each other.
I gave a subtle nod to signal my cooperation in maintaining appropriate lover-like behavior for the sake of the arrangement.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
The documents were signed, the misunderstanding cleared—it was time to go home.
Once word of the engagement spread, things would be busier for a while, but as long as my research could continue undisturbed, there was no real problem.
“I’ll show you to where you’ll be staying.”
“Oh, yes. Thank you….”
As I stood up from my seat, Ibran extended his hand with a courteous smile. I’d assumed he was merely offering to escort me to the carriage, so I took his hand without thinking—only to realize, a moment too late, what I’d done.
…Where will I be staying?
“Pardon? A place to stay, did you say?”
“From now on, the Imperial Palace is your home.”
“Why…?”
My actual home sits perfectly intact in the Capital—I have two of them, in fact.
Though I suppose I can’t live in one of them anymore, thanks to a certain someone.
“Did you really think I’d just let you walk away after learning such an enormous secret of mine?”
Ibran regarded me with a composed gaze, mentioning that I’d heard secrets that surpassed even state secrets. When I met those inscrutable eyes, I felt my throat tighten without meaning to.
“But, but you never said I couldn’t go home!”
“I’ve shown you trust, but you haven’t shown me any yet. This arrangement continues until you do.”
Ibran tapped his own hand gently and smiled with ease. It wasn’t as though I could lock my lips shut—this was hopelessly unfair for me.
Yet I had no better argument. He’d shown me trust even at the cost of his own wounds, while I’d shown him nothing in return.
“You said you wouldn’t keep watch…”
“Keep watch? I merely concern myself with the safety of my fiancée, who will soon draw the entire empire’s attention. I do hope you’ll understand my heart.”
His plausible flattery accompanied a forest-green gaze where countless stars blazed brilliantly.
‘There it is. His pitilessly beautiful eye attack strikes again…!’
But I wouldn’t fall for it so easily—or rather, I had no intention of falling! None whatsoever!!
‘Between the engagement making me famous and now staying in the Imperial Palace, my quiet life is finished. This is complete burial.’
Taking up residence at the palace so soon after an engagement would make it obvious to everyone that our relationship was far from ordinary. Above all, there was no precedent in history of a Crown Princess entering the palace before her wedding ceremony.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll have a suitable space to conduct my research at the Imperial Palace.”
“There are plenty of vacant rooms. I can prepare any you need.”
“The Mage Association can’t know about my research.”
“Then I’ll simply limit their visits to the palace.”
“I need access to many books, so I really must live near the bookstores!”
“You’ll have access to the Imperial Palace library.”
Wait—the Imperial Palace library? The one only royalty could enter? The one rumored to hold Forbidden Books and ancient Magical Tomes?!
‘This is cheating… I can’t refuse this.’
When he offered me all of this, wouldn’t declining to enter the palace be the real loss? It felt like the whisper of a devil.
Well, Ibran was a devil, so the comparison wasn’t entirely wrong.
Besides, it was obvious that library held exactly the information I needed. How could I possibly turn it down?
Only royalty—or a select few approved by royalty—could access that place. Even as a Crown Princess-to-be, it was an ordinarily forbidden space, which made the offer all the more tempting.
“May I show you to your quarters now?”
“Please do.”
I’d lost.
I closed my eyes and conceded defeat. Ibran chuckled softly and squeezed the hand he was holding. Then, as though he’d forgotten to mention something, he turned back to me and spoke smoothly.
“You’re the first person to learn my secret and live. Congratulations.”
“…Yes.”
“You don’t seem particularly delighted.”
In that instant, Ibran’s green eyes narrowed like slits. Just as they had been that day, entirely red.
“I’m, I’m just so honored my throat feels tight…”
“As expected.”
The smooth curve of his smile was disturbingly alluring.
A perfect sage-king and angel my foot. This man is nothing but the devil incarnate.

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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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