The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 7

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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’s True Identity is the Mastermind, and Only I Know It — Episode 7
Evan had guided me to Marin Palace, situated not far from Ruby Palace where he himself resided. Strictly speaking, it was meant to be granted only to the official Crown Princess Designate, so it was far more than I deserved.
‘It was too perfect to refuse…….’
Catching sight of the winter herbs—or rather, my research materials—blooming abundantly in one corner of Marin Palace’s garden, I promptly lost myself and decided to be a little shameless about it.
‘Since he’s offering it, refusing would be impolite anyway, yes yes.’
The bedroom, flooded with sunlight and decorated in sleek white tones throughout, was nothing short of flawless. Evan had promised to personally select trustworthy attendants and a dedicated guard for me.
Knock, knock.
Just as I was thinking someone would arrive soon, a knock sounded at the door. Upon my invitation to enter, two figures with striking impressions stepped into view.
With hair as red as the sun and dark eyes as if deeply tanned, the pair bore such a striking resemblance that one could tell at a glance they were siblings.
“The bloodline of House Billoze greets you, Crown Princess Designate.”
“It is our honor to serve the one who shall become the Empire’s moon.”
The two who then introduced themselves as Khan and Sys were children of House Billoze, renowned for serving the imperial family for generations.
I’d expected Evan to send someone adequate from among the Crown Prince’s retinue, but the appearance of these unexpected figures made my eyes widen involuntarily.
‘These are both the guards Evan assigns to the heroine Shana in the original story…!’
Khan, with his long red hair tied back firmly, was assigned as my dedicated knight-guardian, while Sys, her short hair neatly trimmed to her jawline, became my personal attendant.
“Wow, this is really reassuring. I’m glad to have you both.”
“We shall spare no effort to ensure your safety, my lady.”
Khan placed his right hand over his heart and swore his loyalty with impeccable courtesy. Though it did seem excessive that House Billoze had been placed at my side…….
‘It’s too reassuring to refuse…….’
Knowing well that they weren’t trusted by the imperial house for nothing, they were simply too capable to turn away.
“Miss, I shall serve you with all my heart!”
Sys also bowed her head, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. Since House Billoze was a knight house built on Swordsmanship fundamentals, Sys, though an attendant, possessed exceptional skill with the blade.
No matter what, I certainly wouldn’t meet an assassin’s end. If anything, this was better than expected.
“Yes! It’ll just be for a short time, but I’m counting on you both.”
“A short time… you say?”
At my words, Khan and Sys exchanged a glance. It was only a moment, but something seemed off about it.
‘Did they not receive word that I’ll be leaving the palace once the trust issue is resolved?’
I tilted my head.
Truth be told, proving my trustworthiness wasn’t a difficult task.
Why else would Magic exist? There was such a thing as Geas Magic—those who divulge secrets face consequences. Once I learned the incantation, I could manage it quickly. At most two weeks, a month at the longest.
In any case, the two set about their duties immediately.
“We shall do our utmost during your stay.”
Khan left the room at once to begin his guard duties, while Sys excused herself to prepare bathwater. Several other attendants were said to have been assigned as well, so there should be no discomfort during my time here.
“Now it’s finally starting to feel real that I’ve transmigrated….”
Having lived so far removed from the original story, suddenly becoming entangled with major characters felt strange.
‘Where exactly are we in the timeline right now?’
Though my stay would be brief, having taken up residence beside Evan meant I needed to grasp the original’s narrative flow. Knowing the future and preparing accordingly was a privilege only a Transmigrator could enjoy.
“Sys, could you bring me today’s newspaper?”
“Of course! I’ll fetch it right away!”
After bathing, I received the newspaper from Sys and confirmed that reports of The Slasher still dominated the front page.
[The Unprecedented ‘Slasher’—Who Is He?!]
[Sixty-Six Victims in the Past Month… Imperial Police Fail to Find Clues Again.]
[Severed Heads, Corpses—When Will the Empire’s People Be Freed from Terror?]
Moreover, news of victory occupied the first page alongside reports that the Emperor’s conquering forces had secured strategic positions and ended the war with Tarant Kingdom.
“Wow….”
As I combed through the newspaper and mentally catalogued the major events of the present moment, I finally realized something.
“I have absolutely no idea……!”
The simple fact that I understood nothing at all.
I’d hoped it wouldn’t be the case, but even a Transmigrator couldn’t possibly remember every detail of a story they’d read once. Even the author couldn’t do that, right?
‘And I’ve been transmigrated here for over ten years already. How on earth do other Transmigrators manage to remember everything?’
Everyone seemed to understand the situation at a glance, so I’d assumed there was some special memory privilege only Transmigrators knew about… but nothing, absolutely nothing comes to mind.
Judging by the victim count, it seems like early in the plot, but that was all I could deduce.
‘But there is a way.’
There was an option. After all, I’m a mage. If something won’t work, magic makes it work—it was worth attempting.
‘I think I saw a recipe somewhere for a Memory Recovery Magical Potion….’
I rose slowly from the sofa. To live as a proper Transmigrator, I needed to restore my faded memories. This much I could manage right now.
“Sys, I’m going to the Imperial Palace Library.”
“Yes, miss. I’ll guide you to the library right away!”
When I parted with Evan, he’d given me something I had somewhere on me.
Searching inside my sleeve, I found a small Ruby Ring. He’d said I could enter if I showed this to the library’s keeper, so it seemed wise to put it on.
After a quick change of clothes, I followed Sys’s guidance straight to the library. Without her ring, she lacked access, so only I could step inside.
“Wow, this is massive. The Imperial Palace Library really is something else.”
It was a space so wondrous that given time, I would have gladly spent an entire day rooted to the spot. Everything from forbidden texts to books across every genre was organized neatly by category.
“Mm….”
While searching for a magic tome on memory, a small whimper echoed from somewhere in the stacks.
Wait. I thought I was alone here. Was someone else present?
‘The Emperor is at the front lines, so it’s not him. Evan is busy without rest as the Emperor’s regent, so it’s not him either……’
I wandered around puzzled, trying to locate the source, when I spotted a figure standing on a small silver ladder, reaching upward.
Black hair dark as ink, eyes the blue of water. A small frame fitting for a child, and a body lean beyond his years.
‘…Oh no. I know this boy.’
Ate Pel Erget—in the original work, the ill-fated young prince who suffered from a mysterious ailment before dying at an age far too tender. Shana had attempted to save him with Holy Power, but by then it was too late, and he perished regardless.
‘Because of that, Shana fell under suspicion of lacking a Saint’s qualifications… and it led to the male lead rescuing Shana from her crisis.’
Ate was a tragic character employed as a one-time plot device to advance the romance between Shana and the male lead. Though my memories were hazy, Ate being the sole prince meant I could recall him to some degree.
‘Is he trying to pull down that book? Should I help….’
The shelf was too high even for me to reach, so I simply used Magic to pull out the book from the top and handed it to Ate.
But then….
“Who are you?”
After helping him, the little one fixed me with a puffy-faced glare. It wasn’t mere wariness of a stranger—he was clearly radiating outright hostility.
“Ah, well….”
“Why are you grinning like that? It’s irritating.”
I’d only smiled to make a good first impression as Evan’s relative… it clearly hadn’t worked… how unfortunate….
“The fact that you made it this far means you’ve sweet-talked either Father or my brother, so finish your business and get out.”
Ate rattled off an unnecessary lecture about not meddling while wandering aimlessly, waving his hand dismissively with a sharp expression commanding me to leave at once.
‘…Is this kid a demon too?’
The way he talks is exactly like a petty imp. Or rather, he actually is one!
“That book is quite interesting, isn’t it?”
I casually ignored Ate’s nagging and smiled gently while pointing to the book he held tight. I hadn’t expected this to work, but Ate’s blue eyes widened in surprise.
“You know this book?”
“Yes, every chapter is fascinating, but I found the section in Chapter Three about the curse on ancient Holy Artifacts particularly moving.”
“You mean the part describing how Goddess Arnosil restored the fallen Holy Artifact?”
As soon as I mentioned the content, Ate chimed in eagerly with enthusiasm.
Could it be he’d actually read the whole thing?
That book was a difficult magical tome that even adults struggle to get through.
“Yes, exactly. The revelation that Holy Artifacts could contain Demonic Power broke through prejudice.”
“Right. Holy Power and Demonic Power must exist together to become a single unified force, but those foolish temple priests don’t know that…… Oops.”
Ate, who had been answering cheerfully about having read other books too, suddenly snapped his mouth shut. His ears flushed red as his expression shifted to one of disbelief at his own enthusiasm.
“You, you… who are you?”
Finally curious about me, he asked for my identity. Just as I was about to answer happily, Ate’s delicate brow furrowed sharply.
“Wait, wait! Your face—it looks familiar somehow. Like I’ve seen it somewhere before…!”
For a moment, several of Ate’s plump fingers folded down in sequence. Then those large eyes staring directly at me blazed with a brilliant blue light.
“Gasp, I remember now! The heartless woman who coldly and cruelly rejected the Crown Prince’s angelic proposal!”
……I think I need to work on my image management sooner rather than later.

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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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