The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 69

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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 True Villain, and Only I Know It — Episode 69
When the biting night wind swept through, Iban draped his uniform jacket lightly over my shoulders. Then he looked directly at me and smoothly shifted the subject.
“In commemoration of the Founding Anniversary, the Imperial Palace will open its gates tomorrow at first light. Of course, access around Marin Palace will be restricted.”
Iban waved his hand dismissively, saying the knight corps deployments around the palace had already been finalized, so there was nothing for me to worry about.
Every year, the Imperial City opened during the Founding Festival, and the imperial household would treat the crowds to meals, distribute commemorative gifts, and display grand benevolence.
“Rene, try to stay in the palace tomorrow. The first day will be hectic with crowds.”
“And what about you?”
At my question, Iban made a light gesture toward Banel, who stood behind him. Banel approached quickly and withdrew a long parchment from his robes, unfurling it with a crisp snap before me.
Banel pointed gently to the very top of the parchment, which was densely covered in black characters.
“From here down to the bottom—this is His Majesty’s entire schedule for tomorrow. As it is the first day of the Founding Festival, the day begins at four in the morning with prayers offered in the Ministers Hall.”
Oh… this is completely dreadful.
Iban, observing my pallid expression, tapped my shoulder lightly and laughed with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
“If you want, come along.”
“I’ll have to decline.”
When I refused without a moment’s hesitation, Iban chuckled as if he’d expected as much.
“But is it really all right to open the Imperial Palace tomorrow? From what I can tell from the Concealment Barrier, there are Southern Region mages in the lower halls….”
The Southern mages were ruffians who would stop at nothing if there was profit to be had, so it was best to avoid encountering them whenever possible.
According to rumors circulating in the city, they had all made pacts with demons, making them difficult to deal with.
And having read the original work, I knew perfectly well that those rumors were truth, not speculation.
‘In fact, in the original story, the Southern mages turned out to be villains far worse than the true villain himself.’
The heroine always bore the brunt of the antagonists’ cruelty, and Shana had suffered greatly because of them.
‘Constantly being kidnapped, falsely accused at every turn, having her strength drained….’
…Wait. Surely I’m not the one who’s going to experience that? Looking at everything that’s happened so far, it all feels rather ominous.
‘Just recently, I even received Rosebelle’s misdeeds that Shana was supposed to endure….’
Of course, in most cases Karahan, true to his role as the male lead, had always rescued Shana, making any crisis resolve easily.
So when reading it in the text, I’d thought it was no big deal, but facing it directly now felt quite threatening.
Iban slowly rolled his eyes to meet my gaze at my concern about the Imperial Palace. His deep, dark green eyes quietly took in my mounting unease.
“So?”
His expression was genuinely puzzled.
Right… true enough. There’s an audacious great demon here who’s intoxicated with his own arrogance—what does a Southern mage matter compared to that….
Iban’s composed tone left me momentarily at a loss for words, and after a brief silence, I conceded.
“Even if a demonic beast were to enter, Lady Rene, the Imperial Palace is His Majesty’s domain, so there is no need to worry.”
Banel offered a gentle voice and a warm smile, as if trying to reassure me.
“Tomorrow will be loud from dawn on. Tonight is the last day of peace, so get some rest.”
Iban regarded me with eyes that seemed genuinely concerned—on the surface, at least—and gave my back a light push, urging me to sleep.
“…But first, I’d like to stop by the Annex. I’ve prepared something for Chahil.”
I gestured vaguely toward the Annex and shook the gift box I was holding slightly.
‘Of course, this is just an excuse, and I’m really trying to see if Chahil knows anything about the Southern mages who fled.’
When I first met Chahil that day he was brought in as a captive to the main palace, the emperor had given me a crimson ruby-studded tiara as a war prize.
A crown passed down through generations of the royal house, found in the treasure vault of Tarant Royal Palace.
…Truth be told, I’d heard it came with a curse and was trying to pass it off to Chahil, but regardless.
Iban regarded me quietly, then nodded and readily stepped aside.
“Go ahead.”
…Huh? I thought he’d glare disapprovingly. What’s this about?
I’d sensed before that Iban seemed quite displeased with Chahil… was I mistaken?
The moment I received Iban’s permission, I set off nonchalantly toward the Annex.
But then.
“Why are you following me, Iban?”
“I was heading that way.”
Heading that way? Ruby Palace is in the opposite direction!
I glanced sidelong at him, trying to gauge his true intentions, but Iban paid it no mind and strode closer, positioning himself right beside me.
“You won’t go back even if I tell you to, will you?”
“You know me well.”
Iban took my hand and pulled me slowly toward the Annex. Midway, he made some gesture to Banel and issued a silent instruction; Banel bowed his head at once and disappeared somewhere.
“What’s wrong? Why is it so quiet?”
As soon as we arrived at the Annex moments later, a sense of emptiness struck my skin. An eerie atmosphere hung over the deserted building.
“……M-Master.”
It was then that Chahil suddenly appeared in disheveled clothes.
He was wearing the same thin, cold-looking garments I’d seen two nights prior, but now they were all wrinkled and crumpled—his condition was clearly not good.
“Chahil?”
What’s wrong with you? You look like you’ve been locked up for days…!
I rushed forward in alarm, and Chahil glanced toward Iban before breaking into a fit of coughs.
Cough, cough… The ragged sound continued without end.
“Banel, could you fetch a physician?”
“Yes, Rene.”
I asked Banel, who was nearby, to summon the physician, then pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and moved to wipe the sweat from Chahil’s brow.
Or rather, I tried to.
“I’ll do it.”
Iban cut in without warning, leaving my hand suspended in mid-air with nowhere to go.
He snatched my handkerchief, insisting he’d handle it himself, then simply—
Flick.
—tossed it at Chahil’s face.
The delicate silk handkerchief stuck fast to his damp face.
“Iban, what are you—?”
“I’m wiping his face, aren’t I?”
Iban jerked his chin toward the handkerchief now completely covering Chahil’s features, meeting my eyes with a look that dared me to protest.
“You shouldn’t tease someone who’s ill.”
“Ill? Obviously he’s putting on a show.”
“Does anyone really sweat like that while performing?”
My pointed stare made Chahil peel the handkerchief from his face, then subtly roll up his sleeve. The gesture was pure theater—’See? This hurts too.’
“…What happened to your wrists?”
Chahil’s sturdy wrists were mottled with bruises, vivid against his skin.
The pattern looked disturbingly like rope marks…
‘What on earth happened in these two days?’
As my expression darkened with alarm, Chahil dropped to one knee and pressed his lips to the back of my hand, lifting his eyes to meet mine.
“I’m so glad you’re back… It was lonely and difficult without you, my lord…”
“I came back because I have things to give you and questions to ask. But looking at your state, the timing’s terrible. Go rest in your quarters for now.”
Thinking this wouldn’t do, I moved to help Chahil to his feet, but Iban kicked him before I could reach him.
Wait, what?
‘He actually kicked him!’
That insane demon!
With a dull thud, Chahil was sent sprawling against the wall. He pushed himself up onto his elbows and stared at Iban.
“Ugh… Your Highness, why would you…”
“Stop whining and get up. Even Rene knows you’re a demon.”
At Iban’s sharp reprimand, Chahil’s eyes widened in surprise as he glanced sideways at me.
“Tch.”
With a small click of his tongue, Chahil rose fluidly, looking perfectly healthy now, and brushed dust from his knees.
“So it really was all pretense…?”
Ah, this is exactly why you shouldn’t trust demons.

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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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