The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 77

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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 — Episode 77

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“Mmh…”
I stirred, letting out a slow yawn as I gingerly pushed myself upright, my lower back stiff and aching. My spine protested with every tremor as I rose groggily, eyes still heavy with sleep.
For someone the Demon had forced to sleep, I’d managed to rest remarkably well.
I was getting up without much thought when I suddenly caught a familiar presence. The moment I absently turned my head to the side—
“…What? Am I still dreaming?”
I would have stretched my cheeks, but that would hurt, so I pinched them instead. The slight sting suggested this wasn’t a dream.
“What are you doing here?”
Lion was in Evian’s bedroom. Surely I really was hallucinating?
I rubbed my eyes again, but Lion remained in the same spot, perched casually on a stool at the foot of the bed, watching me with worried, concerned eyes.
The same vivid crimson eyes as mine, hair in a pink-violet shade, sharp features, but whenever he looked at me his eyes drooped like a rain-soaked puppy’s—that characteristic dumb charm radiated from his every expression.
‘…Why? What is this?’
Just as confusion twisted my face, a bright, cheerful voice burst out and Lion hurled himself at me.
“Your Highness! You’re awake!”
He grabbed me in an embrace at once, pulling me against him with passionate, tender hands that were unmistakably Lion. Right, right—now I’m properly awake!
“What are you doing here?”
When I shot him an exasperated look, asking what he was even doing in this room, Lion rubbed his face enthusiastically against my cheek as though it were nothing.
“Ah, that’s how it happened!”
“Explain.”
As if you’re going to brush past me like that.
Feeling the sharp edge of my stare, Lion finally caught himself, took a breath, and… closed his mouth.
No—don’t you dare stay silent, you idiot!
I grabbed his shoulders and shook him, demanding an answer at once, and Lion laughed sheepishly as if he might be sick, obliging by letting his body sway with my shaking.
“Lion Astel has learned of our betrothal. We’ve received confirmation that your dreams are indeed Fragments of the Past. However, that dream matter requires further investigation, so we’ll discuss it later.”
Just as Lion was breathing hard and becoming dizzy, Evian, who had been calmly observing the situation, slowly laid out the facts.
“I missed quite a lot while I was asleep.”
“The interesting things always happen when you’re not paying attention.”
At my hollow remark, Evian responded simply and let out a quiet chuckle.
“Once you’re properly awake, we should get moving. This afternoon’s outing is going to be rather busy.”
Having finished speaking, Evian made a simple gesture toward Sis, who was waiting off to the side. Sis quickly approached, helped me up from the bed, and supported me as I stood.
“We shall prepare you for your outing and escort you to Marin Palace.”
“Wait. Evian, where are we going? I distinctly remember you and Chahil saying we were going to tour the Downtown District.”
I glanced at him skeptically, wondering if he was having second thoughts, but Evian simply shook his head calmly.
“We’re still going there. After that, we’ll stop by the Divine Temple for a bit.”
“The Divine Temple…?”
Why the Divine Temple all of a sudden? There’d be nothing to see but Ate receiving treatment from Shana.
I stared at Evian in confusion, but he offered no further explanation, merely maintaining a faint smile while keeping his lips sealed.
“Rene, I’ll be at the temple too. See you later.”
Lion said he had business at the temple as well, and approached me as I stood bewildered, gently straightening my disheveled hair.
“It’s a shame our princess won’t be home. Still, I’ll come visit your palace often.”
“Those without permission are forbidden from entering the Imperial Palace. Perhaps you should remember that common sense.”
Banel shot back at Lion’s words immediately, but Lion paid no heed, clutching my hand to the very end before slipping away with reluctant, lingering eyes.
“Besides, the Imperial Palace’s Security Barrier was installed by the Magic Tower anyway. Someone like Lion could come and go as easily as eating breakfast.”
“Yes, I’m aware. That’s how he arrived just now.”
He spoke as though somewhat troubled, but amusement gleamed in Banel’s blue eyes. He seemed rather pleased with this uncontrollable nuisance.
‘Evian does the same, and now Banel too…’
Like master, like servant.
Soon after arriving at Marin Palace, I dressed in a practical blue ribbon-wrap dress that ended cleanly at the ankle.
While Sis was tying the ribbon at my waist, I heard a few handmaidens passing through the corridor whispering among themselves.
“Did you hear? Around lunchtime, one of our palace handmaidens was dragged off to Ruby Palace.”
“I heard she had an affair with one of Ruby Palace’s servants?”
“What? I heard she stole an accessory belonging to Princess Rene…”
“Strange, I heard she was accused of being a traitor to the family?”
“Whatever it was, since she hasn’t come back, it seems she was executed on the spot?”
‘That must be about Farmer.’
All manner of speculation tumbled out, though none of it was actually true.
This seemed to be Banel’s method of “erasing memories”—implanting different recollections so that everyone remembered something different, leaving the truth hopelessly muddled.
‘Certainly… it’s better than letting it spread that she died because her Demon nature was discovered.’
In the midst of my preparations, I fastened the Demon-Distinguishing Equipment—disguised as a Blue Brooch—across my chest, and together with Sis, I departed Marin Palace. It was time to fetch Chahil from the Annex.
“Wouldn’t it be better to have Chahil come here instead?” Sis suggested.
“No, it’s fine. We agreed to go together, so I should fetch him myself.”
Chahil was a servant in my household. Whatever he faced today was my responsibility as well.
“……I do hope he dressed himself properly this time.”
“Mm.”
I offered no real answer, though inwardly I agreed with Sis’s sentiment.
‘This is rather exciting, actually.’
As we arrived at the Annex, imagining what absurdly hole-ridden garment he might wear to drive me mad this time, an unexpected sight filled my vision.
“Oh, Master……!”
Chahil, who had been watering the flower beds in front of the Annex, set down his watering can as though he’d been waiting, then rushed over to me and bowed his head, pressing his lips to the back of my hand.
Those crystalline white eyes, as immaculate as pure clouds, fluttered with long white hair that swayed in the winter breeze; paired with a pristine white cravat and neat black slacks.
‘Oh, wait. Hmm, this is actually rather…?’
Faced with this refined(?) version of Chahil I’d never seen before, I found myself at a loss for words.
This was how he normally should look, so why did it feel so unfamiliar? By now I should have had plenty to admire in the expanse of bare skin.
As I studied him with uncertain eyes, Chahil’s demeanor shifted subtly.
His eyes curved into crescents as he bent at the waist, lowering himself to meet my gaze, and fixed his eyes intently upon me.
“How do I look, Master…?”
His voice, soft as he pleaded for a favorable impression, was disturbingly seductive.
“You….”
Just as I opened my mouth to respond, a sudden chill swept from behind me without warning, seized my waist firmly, and pulled me backward in a single motion.
A deep winter forest scent flooded through my nostrils, thick enough to numb my senses.
“Look at me first, Rene.”

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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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