The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 68

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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 68

“Oh, try the refreshments too, not just the tea. The head maid is really skilled.”

When I readily offered the cookies, Keinz Countess carefully took a bite.

Soon her brown eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh my! The cookies are really delicious, Your Highness. What’s inside them? It’s crunchy and sweet…”

“Really? That’s a relief. It’s made with walnut brittle, a specialty of the Ducal Palace.”

“I’ve never tasted anything like this in the Capital.”

“The Ducal Palace is in a remote location. There are many good things here, but they’re not well known.”

The young ladies nodded. More of them began reaching for the pastry plate.

“I saw on the way here that the territory looked more peaceful than I expected.”

Baroness Benian said. Her voice had relaxed a bit from its earlier wariness.

“I thought it would be desolate since it’s called cursed land… but the crops were growing well.”

“Yes, people have many misconceptions.”

I nodded.

“It’s true that there’s magic here, but it’s not so bad that we can’t farm. The people of the territory are living diligently too.”

“I see…”

A small murmur arose among the young ladies.

I could feel the perception that it was different from the rumors gradually seeping in.

Good, their guard is slowly dropping.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been feeling since earlier that the air in the Duke’s Mansion seems different.”

Countess Muller said, looking around curiously.

“How should I put it… it feels easier to breathe?”

“Me too. I felt the same way.”

Once one person opened the floodgates, the other young ladies all chimed in agreement.

“It actually seems more comfortable than where I live.”

“I was worried because I heard the magic was thick here…”

At the girls’ various comments, I pretended not to know and sipped my tea.

‘Of course. How many purification stones did I scatter around the Duke’s Mansion.’

I put down my teacup and tilted my head nonchalantly.

“Really? I felt something similar when I first came here. Strange, isn’t it?”

“Yes, really! And knowing that Your Highness Loreia is staying at the Duke’s Mansion, this place suddenly feels like paradise!”

Wow, that’s excessive flattery.

Even being generous, it’s not exactly paradise. Except for the White Rose Garden, there weren’t that many sights to see. Still, hearing compliments wasn’t a bad feeling, so I quietly enjoyed listening to their words.

“Um, Your Highness.”

As such small talk continued, Keinz Countess suddenly began speaking while carefully watching my expression.

“Feel free to say anything.”

“…We heard that Your Highness is staying at the Duke’s Mansion. Will you continue to remain here?”

There it is, I was wondering when this question would come up.

The other young ladies also perked up their ears, seemingly curious.

“Hmm.”

I put down my teacup and smiled brightly.

“Are you asking if I really formed a guardian relationship with House of Carter, Duke?”

“Gasp.”

At my direct counter-question, the girls all looked surprised and pursed their lips. I could see six pairs of large eyes rolling around. For a moment, a hellish silence fell over the tea table.

It was certainly a sensitive question. The fact that the princess who had received the Emperor’s favor left the Imperial Palace to seek refuge with the opposing ducal house would have already spread widely without much effort. Moreover, it wasn’t temporary refuge but a guardian relationship – anyone could see it was a strange situation.

“You must be very curious?”

“Oh, no…”

“It’s okay. I would have been curious too.”

I deliberately smiled gently and wrinkled my nose.

“I like the people of the ducal house. That’s all.”

It was a simple answer, but the young ladies looked like there must be more to it.

I didn’t bother to answer them further. Instead, I smiled brightly.

I had no intention of telling them the truth anyway, and it was better to leave some mystery. That way the story would spread faster.

“Oh my, over there…”

Just then, I saw Baroness Benian looking toward the garden across from us and quietly letting out an exclamation.

When I turned my head, I could see two figures very small in one part of the garden.

It was Demian and Carlos.

They were walking over as if taking a leisurely stroll. Carlos’s gait was stable, and his complexion didn’t look bad either. Under the sunlight, far from being pale, he had quite a healthy color.

His dark red hair swayed slightly in the wind. Sharp eyes. Upright posture. It was hard to believe this was someone who had been lying in a sickbed.

‘Good timing, Demian.’

I admired inwardly. The subtle glance I had sent just before the carriage arrived earlier must have gotten through.

He really is quick-witted.

The young ladies all held their breath in unison.

“Th-that person….”

“Grand Duke Carter…?”

“Could it really be…?”

The murmuring grew louder. The hands holding teacups all stopped in unison.

I turned to look at them nonchalantly and greeted them.

“Oh my. Grand Duke, Demian. How nice to see you here. Are you out for a walk?”

Carlos glanced this way, perhaps hearing my voice. He hesitated for a moment, then slowly approached.

Demian followed behind him and secretly winked at me. We exchanged proud glances in secret.

Meanwhile, the young ladies hurriedly rose from their seats and bowed their heads. The sound of chairs scraping was quite loud.

“W-we greet Grand Duke Carter!”

Their voices were trembling. It was understandable. It was natural to be nervous when directly facing the Grand Duke, who they had only heard about in rumors as someone dying from being tainted by dark magic.

Carlos silently looked over the young ladies once, then turned his gaze to me. His eyes contained the message ‘what kind of stunt is this?’

I smiled brightly at him.

“Perfect timing. Would you like some refreshments?”

“…No need.”

Carlos answered curtly.

“Don’t cause a commotion.”

Leaving those words behind, Carlos turned around. The hem of his coat fluttered in the wind. Demian bowed his head slightly in greeting and followed his father.

The young ladies stared blankly at their retreating figures.

“…He looked remarkably healthy, didn’t he?”

The Keinz Countess muttered.

“Yes. I told you so. He’s gotten much better.”

I answered with a smile.

“Now, everyone sit down. The tea will get cold.”

The young ladies sat back down with bewildered expressions. But Carlos’s appearance from earlier seemed to stick in their minds as they exchanged glances and murmured among themselves.

‘First bait successfully dropped.’

I suppressed my laughter inwardly.

Then my gaze fell on one person.

The Harper Countess.

The girl who had been pale from earlier. Even while the other young ladies were whispering among themselves, she alone kept staring in the direction where Carlos had disappeared.

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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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