The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 92

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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 — Episode 92
Perhaps it was the result of embroidering on the handkerchief without rest, day and night—two days had vanished in an instant, and Ate’s birthday had arrived.
‘I managed it after all, didn’t I?’
Clutching the handkerchief I’d barely completed after untold hardship, I glanced away with grim determination.
It was still taking shape, crude and incomplete.
There was another handkerchief for the Hunting Festival two days hence that I still had to finish.
Ugh, just thinking about wrestling with a needle all day long again is giving me a migraine already….
But I have to do it anyway. What else can I do?
“Shall I wrap it for you?”
Sis, who had returned to the bedroom with wrapping supplies, set down a basket full of paper and ribbons on the side table.
“Yeah, please.”
Sis took the handkerchief from my hands and nodded softly in admiration.
“What a cute little dog. I’m certain His Highness will love it.”
“…Sis, that’s a lion.”
…….
A cold silence fell across the room. The chill of brutal truth seeped through the air like damp water.
I could hear Sis swallow hard. Sure, well. That’s… that’s impossible. There’s no way that’s a dog!
“I apologize. I didn’t realize it was a mane.”
“Don’t apologize with such a plausible excuse….”
Ugh, I’m about to cry.
Still, once I’d managed to pack it into a Blue Box and tied a red ribbon neatly around it, it actually looked like a respectable gift.
“His Highness the Prince is waiting for you.”
“Right, let’s go.”
By afternoon, I arrived at the Carrot Palace at the appointed time to find Ate waiting for me outside, having come out early.
“Finally! You’re late!”
“I’m right on time~”
Ate was dressed in a navy-blue uniform with a Lion-shaped Jeweled Brooch, and he’d even put on quite elaborate accessories.
Usually he complained they were cumbersome and wouldn’t even look at them, but today he’d made an effort.
“Ate, happy tenth birthday. This is your gift. I put a whole lot of care into it.”
I drew out my words playfully and smiled sweetly. Ate’s face lit with curiosity as he quickly untied the ribbon.
Soon he opened the box and spotted the handkerchief. His eyes widened. The embroidery in blue was stitched elegantly in the shape of a lion. At least, that’s what it looked like to me.
“Right…. It definitely doesn’t look mass-produced. Pffft. What’s with the dog?”
Ate unfolded the handkerchief to see the whole thing and burst into laughter. This kid was actually laughing?
“Hey, Your Highness. My heartfelt effort is funny to you? And it’s a lion, by the way!”
“How is this a lion in any way? You really have no shame, do you?”
“Yeah, you’re right. I have no shame.”
When I met his eyes with a ‘what are you going to do about it’ look, Ate laughed even harder. He looked utterly delighted, laughing openly at me.
Part of me had hoped Ate would be moved, eyes glistening, calling me “sister-in-law” through tears. But no luck with that….
‘Well, he did get a little teary-eyed, at least.’
After laughing for a long time, Ate carefully folded the handkerchief and tucked it close to his chest. He handed the empty box to an attendant and suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Thank you. This is exactly what I wanted.”
“I’m glad.”
As long as he’s happy, that’s what matters. I grumbled back at him, and Ate’s lips twitched as he brushed a fallen leaf off my dress.
“Before we head to the Stables, there’s someone we need to meet.”
“Someone we need to meet?”
It wasn’t just going to be the two of us? I blinked in confusion as Ate suddenly reached his hand past me toward something behind.
“Ah, here he comes now.”
I turned in the direction his hand pointed, and there was—
“Well, who do we have here. My fiancée, who’s gone silent for two whole days.”
Ibran stood before me with an unhurried gaze, looking me up and down.
“Silence? Who’s been silent?”
“You finished the handkerchief without incident?”
“Brother! Look at this! Rene made a dog—no, a lion for me!”
As Ibran stepped closer with his question, Ate happily bounced on his feet and unfolded the handkerchief from his chest to show it off. And he said ‘dog’ in the middle of it!
No, don’t brag about it. Please don’t brag about it.
…….
At the sight of the dog-like lion(?) on the handkerchief, Ibran’s lips momentarily pressed together. His face flickered with an expression of someone considering how best to respond.
“It’s nice. Since there’s only one like it in the world.”
I’d expected him to laugh as hard as Ate had, but Ibran’s response was surprisingly thoughtful instead.
That’s true—there’s only one like it in the world. That’s actually a blessing; we don’t need two of these things.
“Well, shall we head to the Stables now?”
Ate, satisfied with Ibran’s response, took the lead with a brisk stride and quickened his pace toward Dia Palace, where the Emperor’s Stables lay.
“But why did you call Ibran?”
“Well, obviously… you wouldn’t know how to judge a horse. Neither would I.”
Ate answered with perfect confidence, pointing out that Ibran, who had battlefield experience and rode horses frequently, was the ideal guide.
…Right, fair enough.
Ate had his chronic ailments as an excuse, but the truth was I’d hardly ever ridden a horse myself.
Of course, Horseback Riding was a mandatory accomplishment for all nobility, so I’d learned the basics—but theory and practice were worlds apart.
‘Besides, mages use Movement Magic, so there’s rarely any need to ride horses in the first place.’
Which meant that “helping select a fine horse from the Stables” on Ate’s gift list was practically an impossible task.
I was wondering what he’d do, but he went and brought Ibran along—clever thinking.
“Father said I could choose any horse I wanted from his collection.”
“Oh…”
So that’s what the Emperor’s gift was? The Emperor’s fine horses were mostly warhorses with exceptional bloodlines—giving one away was extraordinarily generous.
For a hands-off Emperor, it was a surprisingly affectionate gift. When I reacted with surprise, Ate smiled faintly and spoke.
“Father is a kind man. He’s just terribly busy.”
“True. The fact that His Majesty would open the Stables to you shows how much he loves you.”
“Mm. I understand.”
At my words, Ate’s ears flushed crimson and he whipped his head away. Then, declaring he’d go on ahead and take a look, he dashed toward the Stables visible in the distance.
“Ibran, what made you decide to come here? You don’t usually spend time with Ate.”
Once Ate had vanished from sight, I turned to look at Ibran, who’d been walking beside me.
‘What on earth is this devil thinking?’
He wouldn’t have come willingly just because it was Ate’s birthday.
He wore a black dress uniform over a pure white fur jacket, and his complexion seemed all the colder for it today.
“Ate said you’d be here too. That you were part of the schedule.”
“…Is that your way of saying you wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t?”
“You heard correctly.”
He answered without hesitation, then took my hand gently in his and strode toward the Stables.
As I continued to regard him with suspicious eyes, Ibran came to an abrupt halt and turned to face me.
“Husband and wife are one body.”
“Who says that?”
Those words were absolutely not something Ibran would think of on his own. I’d stake my Diamond Shoes on it.
“I do.”
His long fingers loosely cupped my chin. Soon his green gaze, drawing near, scrutinized me thoroughly and deliberately.
……Ah. My shoes.

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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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