The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 32

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 32

 

After checking the contents, I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.

 

“…The Imperial Palace has decided not to accept guardian applications through written documents for the time being?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“What is this…?”

 

Until now, guardian registration had been done through written permission from the Imperial Palace.

 

Of course, since the Imperial Palace already had mountains of work piled up, they couldn’t review every document, so it was practically just a one-sided notification system.

 

But the contents written in the letter were a bit strange.

 

The gist was that due to work-related issues, they couldn’t accept letters, so if one wanted to proceed, they would have to visit the temple directly.

 

It was absurd.

 

This was something that had never happened once since the founding of the nation.

 

‘Isn’t this too transparent?’

 

Moreover, we hadn’t even sent the guardian-related documents yet.

 

But still, to send such a letter specifically targeting the Duke’s Mansion…

 

‘They’re basically saying they won’t accept it outright.’

 

When I remained silent with my mouth agape, Carlos asked.

 

“Were you discovered by the Emperor?”

 

“…I met the First Prince on the way. It seemed like he was tracking me with the Knight Order.”

 

Carlos tilted his head slightly.

 

It was an expression that showed he finally understood.

 

“By now, the Emperor would know more than enough.”

 

“Yes, actually, from the moment I met that bastard Vincent, no, the Prince, I expected it would reach the Emperor’s ears, but…”

 

I trailed off.

 

“I didn’t expect them to interfere with the guardian system so quickly.”

 

Obviously, Vincent must have rushed to the Emperor as soon as he returned to the Imperial Palace, not even bothering to tend to his swollen face.

 

Given his track record, there was a high probability that Vincent was the first to bring up this guardian system issue.

 

That guy’s head worked extraordinarily well when it came to finding fault with me.

 

Usually, he wasn’t even that smart, really.

 

“If Loreia leaves the capital and seeks refuge in the Dukedom, it’s quite an obvious matter. They could have figured it out without much thought.”

 

Unlike me grinding my teeth, Carlos spoke in a tone that suggested it wasn’t such a big deal.

 

‘Well, it’s not like he has any particular damage from this.’

 

I folded the letter while letting out a thin groan.

 

“Hmm… What should we do now?”

 

There was one Imperial Palace each in the north, south, east, west, and center of the continent. The temple closest to the Dukedom was located in the central continent, on the eastern outskirts of the temple.

 

So, to visit the temple, we would inevitably have to leave the extraterritorial Dukedom and set foot in the capital.

 

That timing was probably what the Emperor was aiming for.

 

The Imperial Court couldn’t invade the Dukedom without proper justification.

 

However, if I stepped even one foot outside the Dukedom, then there would be no way to deal with the Imperial Court.

 

Until the guardian documents written under Carlos’s name passed through the temple, they could force me using any excuse.

 

‘If I’m not going to stick even a hair outside the Dukedom for the next four years, this is something I’ll have to face eventually.’

 

Of course, I didn’t expect it to be now.

 

I let out a deep sigh.

 

Carlos seemed to be in the same situation with no alternative plan, as he pressed and released his tired eyes.

 

“Let’s try to find a way for now. We don’t necessarily have to go to the capital.”

 

“But isn’t the next closest place after the capital’s Imperial Palace in the Eastern Region? That’s at least three days by carriage from here.”

 

The Eastern Region was the area most affected by magic.

 

The Duke, whose physical condition wasn’t good to begin with, couldn’t endure such strain.

 

Maybe if he became exactly twice as healthy as he was now.

 

‘Before that, I’d be dragged away by the Emperor first.’

 

I shook my head thinking about my terrible physical condition once again.

 

Carlos removed his hand from his brow and looked at me sideways.

 

“Does Loreia have another method?”

 

“Well, I can’t think of anything right now, but.”

 

“Then it would be better not to make useless objections.”

 

Someone was saying this out of concern.

 

At his crooked reaction, I shut my mouth tight, unable to even get my money’s worth.

 

Now that I looked at it, father and son were exactly alike when it came to making the other person feel awkward.

 

Both Demian and Carlos.

 

“Anyway, I called you to let you know about this. I was planning to handle the guardian-related matters right after returning, but it seems the plan will change a bit.”

 

“It can’t be helped.”

 

I answered coolly.

 

As someone said, if I waited without making useless objections, wouldn’t a good method come up?

 

Of course, it wasn’t something I needed to worry about.

 

“Why do you have that expression?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“You look like you have a lot of complaints.”

 

“No, not at all.”

 

At my prim answer, Carlos’s expression became sour.

 

I subtly avoided his gaze and then took something out of my pocket to hand to him.

 

“Here, take this.”

 

It was the artifact Demian had given me just before we arrived at the Duke’s Mansion. Since I hadn’t used it at all, I could still feel Carlos’s mana swirling inside it.

 

Carlos tilted his head.

 

“What’s this?”

 

“I didn’t use any of the mana. You can just take it back as is.”

 

One of Carlos’s eyebrows twitched.

 

Rather than displeasure, his expression seemed to say ‘what kind of strange behavior is this now?’

 

“I told you, I want the Duke to stay as healthy as possible. At least until I come of age, nothing should happen to you.”

 

I spoke in a clear, measured tone.

 

“So from now on, unless it’s absolutely necessary, I’d like you to conserve your mana. I deliver purification stones to you every week, so I should be able to interfere this much, right?”

 

“What are you…”

 

Carlos blinked as if he couldn’t believe it.

 

Ignoring his reaction, I firmly pressed the artifact into his hand.

 

“And before you worry about other people’s sleep, take better care of yourself, Your Grace. Your dark circles look like they’re about to reach your chin.”

 

Did my liver grow bolder after experiencing danger several times?

 

For some reason, after meeting the Archmage once, I felt confident that I could say this much to Carlos.

 

I rattled off things that would earn me Carlos’s cold stare without any excuse, then boldly took a step back.

 

“About the guardian matter, let me know if you think of a good solution. Well then, I’ll be going.”

 

I spun around and left the study.

 

‘Phew, this time I didn’t doze off and said everything I wanted to say.’

 

I felt refreshed.

 

* * *

 

As I was heading back to my room, I ran into Mia in the hallway carrying a tray.

 

“Oh my, Your Highness. Perfect timing.”

 

“Mia? What’s that?”

 

“Warm milk and snacks. I thought you might be hungry after your long journey. I was going to bring it to you.”

 

Looking closer, I saw a steaming cup of milk and a few small cookies on the tray.

 

“It would be perfect if you had it now. Hurry up.”

 

Mia urged me along as she led me to my room.

 

I followed her lead in a daze toward the guest room. Even after Mia had seated me at the table, I blinked blankly for a while.

 

I had never received this kind of treatment before, so I didn’t know how to react.

 

At the Imperial Palace, no one had looked after me like this.

 

The maids only brought what was professionally necessary, and I thought that was natural.

 

My thanks came out hesitantly, much later.

 

“…Thank you.”

 

“Oh my, it’s nothing at all.”

 

Mia smiled brightly.

 

I thought that smile somehow made my heart flutter.

 

“But Your Highness, you don’t look so good. Is something wrong?”

 

“…No, I’m just a bit tired.”

 

I couldn’t tell her that my head was complicated because of the Temple matter.

 

“Ah, right. You must be tired from your trip. This old woman asked something unnecessary again.”

 

Mia fussed over me while tidying my bedding.

 

“Then get some rest early. I’ll prepare something especially delicious for breakfast tomorrow. You like fruit, don’t you, Your Highness? They said fresh ones are coming in the morning.”

 

“Mm.”

 

“Make sure to chew your cookies well, and sleep soundly. Understood?”

 

She gave me several reminders before quietly leaving the room.

 

I belatedly watched her retreating figure.

 

‘…I feel strange.’

 

I gripped the cookie in my hand tightly.

 

Before my regression, I hadn’t known how precious such small kindnesses were.

 

Back then, when someone was kind to me, I thought they must have some ulterior motive. That was natural at the Imperial Palace. If I received something, I had to give something back in return.

 

But this place was a little different.

 

Though Carlos and Demian still viewed me with some wariness, at least they didn’t demand duties or compensation from me using what they’d given me as leverage, like the Emperor had done.

 

After fidgeting with my hands for a while, I took a bite of the cookie. The cookie, with butter and cocoa powder mixed just right, was crispy and savory.

 

This time I held the mug with both hands and took a sip of milk.

 

The warm, sweet taste flowed down my throat.

 

‘…It’s delicious.’

 

It seemed more delicious than the luxury desserts I’d eaten at the Imperial Palace.

 

I didn’t know why.

 

It just was.

 

I suddenly looked out the window.

 

The sun had completely set.

 

The moon was bright.

 

Even though the Temple matter and the guardian issue were both pressing concerns before me, strangely I felt that this entire scene was peaceful. I gazed at it quietly for a long time, then went to bed and lay down.

 

As soon as I closed my eyes, sleep poured over me.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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