The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 63

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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, and Only I Know It — Episode 63
‘I thought he’d sent me home in the carriage yesterday and returned to the Imperial Palace.’
Now that I think about it, things have been pretty quiet for a while….
With Foundation Day Festival just around the corner, it seemed Iban had been dealing with the monsters roaming the streets himself.
That’s all well and good. Everything’s fine, except for one problem.
‘He went again without me….’
My chest sank with a heavy weight.
He’d kept me confined to the Imperial Palace on the condition that I help him catch them more easily, yet Iban had never once taken me along to hunt them.
Sure, before I couldn’t properly use Filth’s abilities, but now? Now I can!
‘That demon still doesn’t trust me, it seems… I need to show him. Show him I’m different than before.’
If I could prove my worth quickly and help him, then I’d finally have the right to boldly demand the Forbidden Dimensional Magic from Iban.
All I’ve managed so far is safely awakening my power under his protection….
“Come to think of it, there have been a lot of unidentified bodies lately, apparently from monsters. But the Slasher always returns his victims to their families, doesn’t he? In that sense, some people say the Slasher is actually better than the monsters.”
Hannah sighed heavily, lamenting how tragic it all was.
“Miss, you’re going out with His Highness today, aren’t you? They say the Cultists have been bold lately, so you must be careful. Not one or two people have been taken and gone missing.”
After Hannah’s earnest warnings never to be separated from Iban, she promptly led me to the bathroom. Once I’d washed and finished preparing, it was already lunchtime.
Hannah gazed at me adoringly as I stood before her in my Blue Dress.
“Miss, do you think His Highness might stay for a meal? I’ve only heard rumors of the angel, and I’d so like to see him up close…!”
“That won’t happen. We’re heading straight to the carriage and into the City Streets. I have far too much to do today.”
An angel? Iban? There was a time when I thought the same….
I answered firmly and waved my hand, telling Hannah to abandon such dreams. Besides, even if I asked him to stay for food, he’d politely decline with that characteristic gentle smile, wouldn’t he?
He wears a mask of kindness on the surface, so people always seem to gather around him, but if you look closely, it’s merely skilled camouflage.
He’s a man whose specialty is slipping away from parties whenever he gets the chance—that says it all.
‘First, I need to meet with Joshua and ask him about yesterday’s incident.’
After that, I’d planned to buy more research materials and visit the dessert shop if time allowed—my schedule was packed tight.
But then.
“A moment, if you’ll forgive the intrusion. Since it’s lunchtime, I suppose eating first would be acceptable.”
Iban arrived precisely at the appointed hour, and at my parents’ words inviting him to eat, he stretched his legs toward the entrance of the Manor with the air of someone who’d been waiting for the invitation.
“Um…… Why……?”
I regarded him with disbelieving eyes as he moved to enter our house without complaint, and Iban’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
“Your home is the one place about you that I know nothing of.”
His soft voice continued, and he extended his hand toward me as I stood frozen, opening his mouth again.
“It’s a good opportunity—I’ll score points with your parents, and I can eat breakfast too.”
“Ha. Since when does Your Highness bother to eat meals regularly…….”
“…Rene, as I’ve always said, I’m a person too. I eat to live, after all.”
He then whispered softly near my ear that he wouldn’t die even if he didn’t eat.
“Honestly…….”
I was staring at him in utter bewilderment when Iban, unbothered, suddenly grasped my hand that had been suspended in air and strode into the Manor with long steps.
“We are honored by the presence of the Empire’s Star. What a privilege you grace us with by coming in person, Your Highness.”
In the end, I had no choice but to greet my parents with our hands clasped together.
“My, is it true that Rene resembles her mother so closely? I wondered if it was the blessing of a goddess, but now the mystery is solved.”
My mouth fell open in shock at Iban’s brazen flattery that came rolling out so smoothly.
Did—did that demon just say what I think he said?!
“Oh my, His Highness, hearing you say such things is truly delightful.”
Meanwhile, my parents were grinning with eyes that said they absolutely adored Iban.
The meaningful glances they threw at the hand Iban and I had clasped together were merely the icing on the cake.
It didn’t stop there. At a gesture from Iban, Banel and the Imperial Palace Attendants began carrying various Gifts into the dining room in a rush.
Piles of colorfully wrapped presents occupied a corner like artworks displayed in a gallery.
“Goodness~ We’ll be busy unwrapping all these gifts! Rene, don’t mind us and eat at your leisure!”
“Then, please enjoy your time.”
My parents rose from their seats as if on cue and calmly departed between the servants busily carrying the packages.
At their blatant exit, I let out a short sigh and pressed my fingers to my forehead, whereupon Iban chuckled softly and smoothed out my furrowed brow with his hand.
“Now that I see it, you resemble the lady not only in face but in temperament as well. Quite…….”
He didn’t finish, but it was perfectly clear that a rather positive word had been on the tip of his tongue.
Iban then proceeded without much ceremony to cut into the Steak before him like someone who’d genuinely come to eat.
After cutting the first piece, he placed it on my plate and sent me a light glance that said to eat.
“Iban, why are you really here? At this point, no one would question that our relationship is a Contract Relationship….”
“I know.”
I pressed him with a deeply suspicious look, and Iban replied leisurely, cutting another piece of meat and placing it on my plate.
“Like I said a moment ago. Your family’s Manor is the one place about you that I uniquely know nothing of.”
“You speak as though you know everything except what’s in my home?”
Suddenly our eyes met. His green pupils seemed to say, ‘I know quite well.’
“Well, you’ll find out soon enough. It’s still morning, and we have plenty of time.”
“…Answer my question from yesterday first. How are you going to give me Mana?”
The neck was a failure, so that was ruled out. Hand-holding transferred Mana too slowly to be useful, so that was on hold.
Which meant the only option left was….
“Eat first. I didn’t come here planning to starve you.”
Iban speared two pieces of meat on my still-clean fork and brought it near my lips, gesturing with his hand as if urging me to eat.
I glared at him, but reluctantly accepted the offer, and his lips curved into a satisfied line.
In the end, the meal passed without incident, and after we finished with the subtle mint-flavored palate cleanser, I followed Iban into the Reception Room.
That was when I was about to demand answers to my questions.
“You’ve been staring at me with that desperate, curious look since earlier—I can’t put this off any longer. Lord, you’re terrifying.”
Iban had drawn close enough that he bent to meet my eye level. For someone claiming to be afraid, his gaze held a decidedly intrigued gleam.
The distance between us narrowed until I could feel his breath, and my eyes widened of their own accord.
“W-what are you doing?”
“Giving you the Mana you’ve been waiting for. The method is….”
The smooth tip of his finger brushed lightly against the bridge of my nose.
“You seem to know already, so I’ll spare the explanation.”
As a languid laugh dispersed just before my lips, a pleasant coolness settled against them.

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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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