The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 67

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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 67

“I was perplexed as well… It seems Her Highness the Princess’s patience has hit rock bottom.”

Demian shrugged his shoulders as if troubled and answered. His expression showed there was no way for him to stop it.

Oh, we’re quite something.

Carlos’s gaze became sharper at our brazen act of trembling side by side.

His expression showed he was beyond bewildered and utterly dumbfounded.

“You’re holding a tea party.”

“Yes.”

“At the Duke’s Mansion.”

“Yes.”

“Inviting noble young ladies.”

“Yes.”

Carlos stared at me intently. His eyes clearly asked if I had gone mad.

“Has the Princess finally developed some kind of mania?”

There he goes talking like that again.

I narrowed my eyes slightly, then tilted my head as if to show off. As naturally as possible.

I had learned this from 20 years of life in the Imperial Palace.

When throwing a tantrum, momentum is everything—momentum.

“Why? Am I not a member of the Duke’s Mansion now? I even registered as a ward. I thought I was in a position to invite guests.”

Carlos’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Since when has the Princess been close with young ladies her age, eating tea and building friendships?”

“I’m trying to start now. To make friends too.”

I smiled brightly.

“I was stuck in the Imperial Palace adorning myself with dazzling jewels, so I had no friends my age. The other princes and princesses wouldn’t play with me because I’m a bastard. I was lonely in the Imperial Palace.”

Carlos’s expression wavered subtly at my nonchalant words.

Demian cleared his throat beside us.

How about that, pitiful isn’t it.

“Ha.”

Carlos sighed and pressed his forehead. It was a gesture that clearly showed his fatigue.

“So you want to bring outsiders into my mansion… Who would even come? You haven’t been stuck in the Duke’s Mansion so long that you’ve forgotten where this place is located.”

“That’s why I plan to write invitations mainly to nobles in the vicinity. It’s not just anyone—it’s an invitation from the Princess, so who would dare refuse?”

Carlos was speechless at my shamelessness.

When he makes that expression, he’s identical to Demian.

Finally, he waved his hand dismissively as if annoyed.

“Do whatever you want.”

“Really?”

“It’s not like you’d stop even if I didn’t give permission.”

“That’s right.”

I answered with a bright smile.

Carlos turned his head away as if disgusted. It meant get out because you’re being bothersome.

“Demian.”

“Yes, Father.”

“You know what I mean without me saying it.”

“I’ll keep a close watch to make sure she doesn’t cause any trouble.”

“Know that I’ll hold you responsible if any commotion arises.”

His tone suggested he didn’t trust me from the start.

What does it matter? The important thing is that I got his cooperation.

I grinned and greeted Carlos.

“Thank you, Duke!”

“Get out!”

“Yes!”

Click.

As soon as I opened the door and came out to the corridor, Demian clicked his tongue in admiration.

“You act well. Saying you were lonely because there was no one suitable in the Imperial Palace.”

“It’s not a lie though. It’s true that I have no allies.”

Demian looked at me with a speechless expression.

“Now, we need to prepare.”

I moved forward in good spirits.

“I should start by writing the invitations.”

* * *

After sending the invitations, the responses came back faster than expected.

I sent a total of seven invitations including to the Keinz Countship, and six of them expressed their intention to attend.

As expected, the Princess’s name was effective.

In the meantime, I planned a strategy with Demian. The plan was to bring Carlos out at the right timing and show him to the young ladies while pretending to take a stroll nearby.

Demian looked troubled at my suggestion, but eventually agreed to cooperate for now. Though he couldn’t give a definitive answer, he resolved to try his best.

And I felt sorry for Sion, but I pushed myself a bit to make purification stones. Scattering high-purity purification stones throughout the Duke’s Mansion, I could definitely feel them diluting the dark magic.

On the seventh day after all preparations were complete.

Carriages began arriving one after another in front of the Duke’s Mansion. Watching the carriages with ornate crests lined up entering, I leisurely crossed the garden to greet them.

“I-I greet Your Highness Princess Lorea.”

“It-It’s an honor to see Your Highness the Princess.”

The young ladies my age, dressed in fancy clothes, were all trembling without exception.

Well, it made sense. The half-blood Princess Loreia, who was second to none in being a pain in the ass at the Imperial Palace, had suddenly invited them to a tea party. They couldn’t help but feel anxious about what scheme she might have. And of all places, it had to be at the Duke’s Mansion.

Just coming here probably required courage.

I spoke with the most elegant smile.

“Welcome. Thank you for coming such a long way.”

“Not at all. It’s an honor to receive an invitation from Your Highness.”

“You don’t need to be so tense. Please sit comfortably.”

The tea party venue was prepared in a pavilion not far from the White Rose Garden.

When I gestured for them to take their seats, the young ladies carefully sat down. They still looked visibly nervous. They were glancing at each other, not knowing what to do.

“You must have been surprised by the sudden invitation? I’m sorry.”

“Oh, not at all! We’re just grateful to be able to see Your Highness!”

“Of course! You don’t know how excited we were!”

Hurried, frantic responses came back.

‘Anyone watching would think I’m going to devour them.’

Actually, from these girls’ perspective, they probably do feel like they’re about to be devoured.

“As you can see, I’m staying at the Duke’s Mansion. After spending a few months here, I started missing young ladies my age, you know? Then I happened to think of the ladies from nearby territories.”

“Thank you for inviting us like this.”

“I’m the one who should thank you for coming.”

The six young ladies looked bewildered by my gentle tone.

And rightfully so, since even if they weren’t capital nobles, they would have heard plenty about how terrible my personality was.

But things are different now.

“I’ve prepared tea for all of you.”

When I gestured, Mia, who had been watching with a pleased expression, began setting down teacups.

“I heard Baroness Benian likes rose tea. Countess Elina likes sweet things, right? It’s chamomile with honey.”

“Uh, uh, yes? Th-thank you.”

“You remembered me?”

“Of course. You’re my invited guests.”

The girls’ expressions changed subtly. They seemed flustered by the unexpected situation where the tyrannical princess had researched each of their preferences and prepared tea accordingly.

“I heard Countess Muller likes mint tea, is that right?”

“…Yes. Thank you, Your Highness.”

At my generous attitude, the young ladies who had initially only stared into their teacups began to slowly lift their heads. They made eye contact with each other and cautiously began to lift their cups and sip their tea.

As I carefully surveyed the table, I fixed my gaze on one person.

It was the pale-faced girl. She had an unusually bloodless complexion, and even her hand holding the teacup was trembling slightly.

‘It was the Harper Count family.’

That’s the one.

That young lady was probably enduring the pressure of magic, though not as much as Carlos.

Good, shall I start fishing for information?

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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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