The Male Lead Is the Villain, and I'm the Only One Who Knows - Chapter 93

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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 — Episode 93
“…Ate will wait for us.”
I quickly brushed away Iban’s hand from my chin and immediately turned toward the Stable.
“You have a talent for running away.”
Iban caught up to me in just a few strides and let out a low chuckle beside me. Come to think of it, he said that last time too, and now he’s saying it again!
“What are you doing showing up now? Come on, look at this. There are so many horses!”
Ate, who had entered the Stable after us, was examining the Emperor’s vast collection of fine horses one by one, her blue eyes sparkling with delight.
While Ate’s attention was briefly captured by a chestnut horse in front of her, I leaned toward Iban and opened my mouth softly.
“Iban, are you really sure there’s a horse here for Ate to ride? They all look so muscular—I’d say they’re all War Horses.”
“There is one.”
Iban spoke in an unaffected tone while gazing at something. Following his gaze, I spotted a small White Horse in the stall at the far end.
“Hmm. Looking at it here, the Pedigree should at least be guaranteed… but doesn’t it seem a bit smaller compared to the other horses?”
“It’s a breed imported from the Western Continent. It’s hardy against heat and cold, and even if snow piles up on its feet, they won’t slip—it can gallop well enough on snowy mountains. Same with volcanic terrain.”
“Wow, that’s quite an impressive list of abilities.”
I just realized appearances can be deceiving. Now I understood why this smaller frame would be unsuitable for the Emperor’s massive build and was relegated to the far stall.
“Ate, what about that one? It seems perfect for you to ride. Its abilities are quite exceptional too.”
After hearing both my suggestion and Iban’s explanation, Ate gazed intently at the White Horse beyond us with a thoughtful expression.
“…Yes, I like it. The size is just right, and the eyes are so bright and sparkling—it looks like it’ll grow up to be something great.”
After a moment’s consideration, Ate nodded and called for the stable master, instructing him to move the horse to the Imperial Garden.
“Come to the Garden later. There’s a plain behind the Garden, so we could ride together there!”
Ate quickly turned her attention away from us and began listening seriously to the stable master’s instructions about the horse.
At that, Iban looked down at me and slowly grasped my wrist.
“Rene, go back to Ruby Palace. I’ll have you ride on my horse. You’ll need to change into Riding Clothes.”
“Wait. Are you coming along for the Garden outing too? Aren’t you busy?”
I’m pretty sure I heard that this man had an important afternoon meeting today.
Besides, Ate’s final request—’I’m planning to go for an outing at the Imperial Garden, so come along’—was completely out of character for Iban.
‘He won’t do anything unless there’s something to gain from it.’
It was obvious that Iban was thinking of this “outing” as a nuisance. His eyes were unreadable, but given what I’d observed so far, I could make this much of a guess.
Soon it would be time for the meeting to start—an important one at that, concerning a new conquest war the Emperor himself would soon lead.
“I’m not busy.”
Iban replied lightly as if it were nothing and, still holding my wrist, led me out of the Emperor’s Stable.
“You are quite busy, Your Highness.”
Barnel, who had quietly followed us the entire time, added a comment in a slightly strained voice.
Right… if Iban cancels his schedule, the one who suffers the most is probably Barnel, who handles all the follow-up.
“Once that old man goes off to war, all the cleanup falls on me anyway.”
Iban replied calmly that he was simply taking a rest beforehand, and quickly led me into the Stable at Ruby Palace.
By the time I finished changing into the casual Riding Clothes that Sis had brought, Iban, who had briefly seemed to be discussing something with the stable master, emerged leading a pitch-black War Horse of imposing build.
“Oh, it’s Bullet. It’s been a while since His Highness has ridden him.”
Barnel, who was standing nearby, widened his eyes and let out a brief exclamation. When I looked at him with a puzzled expression, he smiled gently and continued.
“Bullet is a War Horse of fierce temperament that strides across battlefields. He’s quite sensitive, so His Highness usually doesn’t ride him often due to conditioning concerns.”
“Fierce…?”
Why would he bring out a fierce War Horse now? For a simple Garden outing, why on earth!
“Rene, don’t worry. Bullet takes after His Highness’s nature.”
“That makes me even more nervous.”
Rather than being reassuring, hearing that Bullet resembled Iban’s temperament only added to my anxiety.
Whether he knew my feelings or not—or rather, he clearly didn’t—Iban approached me and extended his hand.
“Take it. I’ll have you ride.”
I bit my dry lips slightly to moisten them, then slowly grasped Iban’s hand while various possible endings swirled confusingly through my mind.
“Are you scared?”
“Yes.”
My immediate, honest answer drew Iban’s lips into a smooth smile as if he’d been waiting for it.
Did he deliberately choose Bullet?
I had made a reluctant sound hoping he might swap for a different horse, but seeing that mischievous expression on his face, it was clear he had no such intention. Tch.
“It’s worthwhile choosing Bullet if it makes you say things like that.”
…Right, that figures. I had momentarily forgotten. This man is a devil.
“Iban, I’m not joking—I’m seriously, truly scared, okay? We need to go slowly, gently, carefully.”
“Understood. Now don’t move and stay still.”
Iban lightly grasped my waist and lifted me effortlessly before setting me atop Bullet. Then he swiftly mounted behind me.
“Barnel, follow on your own.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
From a distance, Barnel gave Kan and Sis a signal to approach, and we heard them enter the Stable together.
“Rene, if you stay that rigid, your whole body will ache when you dismount later.”
“I know. I do know, but I’ve only ridden a few times during lessons as a child, so this is practically my first time….”
“Still a woman who requires a lot of hand-holding.”
Iban murmured as if he had no choice, then gripped my waist with one hand and pulled me in a single motion against his chest.
“Oh…!”
My body had no chance to resist before I was pushed backward, my back forced flush against Iban’s chest.
“Stop being difficult and lean on me. Don’t thrash about with needless worry.”
Since I was cradled in his arms, there was no chance I’d fall—his meaning filtered through naturally and reached my ears: simply stay at ease.
Hmm, the demon’s meaning filter is working normally. Good.
“I’m afraid I might be making you uncomfortable. Are you sure?”
“I happen to prefer being uncomfortable.”
With that loaded remark, Bullet began to gallop swiftly, cutting through the wind. The brisk clatter of hooves carried us quickly into the Imperial Garden.
I’d meant to deploy Warmth Magic to shield against the winter wind, but Iban’s chest pressed against my back and his solid forearms stretched along both sides of my face wrapped me quite perfectly from the cold.
‘Absolutely perfect….’
Here I was, riding along with Iban by accident, leaning quietly in his embrace and taking in the Garden’s scenery—truly an outing with no reason to refuse.
‘This is healing. Thanks to Ate.’
Perhaps because I’d been preoccupied with so many things lately, the sharp edge of my vigilance gradually softened.
Iban, who somehow caught sight of my guarded expression slowly unwinding, let out a low chuckle.
“You’re blessed, Rene.”
“That’s because I found a good demon.”
The moment I answered casually, his soft laughter mingled with the sensation of a quickened heartbeat against his chest, pressed warm against my back.

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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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