The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 72

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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 72

When did this man suddenly appear again?

‘Now he doesn’t even give advance notice that he’s coming.’

Whether I looked at Sion with a bewildered expression or not, the boy carefully examined the letter he had snatched from me.

“What’s this, a love letter?”

“It’s not that kind of thing.”

Embarrassed, I jumped up and tried to snatch the letter back, but Sion was a bit faster. He twisted his body away as if teasing me.

“P-please give it back.”

“Wait a moment, I’ll give it back after reading it.”

His violet eyes read through the letter contents with interest.

Since I knew that struggling would be no match for him anyway, I prayed that this embarrassing situation would pass as quickly as possible while feeling completely drained.

Eventually, Sion tilted his head.

“Lorea, did you make friends other than me?”

“Um, no. It’s a bit much to call them friends…”

I scratched my head awkwardly.

“I just had a tea party with young ladies my age. They seemed to like me.”

“A tea party?”

Sion’s eyes widened.

“The House of the Duke can’t remain isolated forever. I wanted to create connections with the surrounding nobles…”

“Ah.”

Sion nodded as if impressed. Then, alternating between looking at the letter and my face, he casually returned the letter without any lingering attachment.

“But don’t get too close to them. I want to be Lorea’s first.”

“…What?”

“You came to find me first too, didn’t you? I’m the one Lorea needs, so I think I’d get jealous if you became closer to other people.”

Sion said this with a grinning face.

‘I really can’t tell if he’s being serious or joking.’

His cryptic words somehow made my chest feel ticklish.

After looking at him for a moment, I cleared my throat awkwardly to change the uncomfortable atmosphere and shifted the topic.

“…Why exactly did you come here, Sion?”

“Oh, right.”

Sion snapped his fingers. Then he took something out from his chest.

It was a small stone. No, it was something closer to a crystal than a stone. I could see a soft pale pink light emanating from it.

“What is this?”

“A test piece.”

“A test piece… Oh my goodness, really?”

“Yeah. Though it’s still insufficient to function properly.”

I widened my eyes without realizing it.

Although Sion had said he would accelerate his research, I didn’t expect visible results to appear so soon.

As I stared at it not knowing what to do, Sion placed the crystal in my hand.

“It’s not at the level of purifying magic yet. But I think it came out pretty well for what it is.”

I looked at the crystal in my palm. As Sion said, it had weak power for purifying magic, but it felt similar to the purification stone I had made.

I held the crystal up to the light. I could see a gentle glow swirling inside.

“How did you make this?”

“It’s a secret.”

Sion playfully winked.

“Just kidding, I succeeded in understanding the structure of the purification stone you gave me. Once I knew the raw material was blood, the research became easy. I traced the identified structure in reverse.”

“…Is that possible?”

“I told you I’m competent.”

Sion smiled confidently.

“…Sion.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

Even though it was just an incomplete purification stone, somehow just holding it in my hand made my heart beat pleasantly.

‘Now it really seems like things are taking shape.’

The power to face the Emperor and Imperial Court head-on.

“Now that I know the method, making them won’t be difficult. At the earliest… one month?”

“That quickly?”

“Yeah.”

I felt my heart racing at Sion’s confident face.

“Then I should start thinking about how to distribute the purification stones.”

“Yeah, quantity is a bit of an issue for now. But that will be resolved too.”

“Sion…!”

Sion, who had been quietly gazing at my moved expression, smiled gently. Then he slowly lowered his head.

“Now praise me.”

“Yes?”

“Here.”

He pointed to his own head.

“Pet me. I worked hard.”

Sion looked up at me with expectant eyes.

After hesitating for a moment, I reached out my hand. Soft platinum hair slipped smoothly through my fingers. Sion smiled with a satisfied expression.

“Yeah, good.”

I think the cat that the Second Prince raised in the Imperial Palace used to make exactly this expression when I scratched its neck.

After awkwardly petting his head for a while and withdrawing my hand, Sion finally opened his eyes.

His violet eyes, like an ever-changing universe, looked up at me intently.

“I missed you, Lorea.”

…What kind of unexpected attack is this now.

While I was just blinking, not knowing how to respond, Sion leaned his head against my shoulder and whispered as if asking.

“What about Lorea? Didn’t you miss me?”

“…That’s.”

It was difficult to answer.

To be honest, I didn’t have time to think about Sion. I was busy being dragged by Demian to train all morning, preparing for the tea party, and racking my brains on how to create allies for the Duke’s house.

But his eyes looked too adorable to say that directly.

The thought that this boy who seemed at most my age was actually a mage hundreds of years older made me close my eyes tightly, feeling like I might get cognitive dissonance.

“…I missed you.”

At my small answer that reluctantly slipped out, Sion smiled brightly.

“That’s enough then.”

He jumped up and grabbed my hand.

“Let’s go out.”

“What?”

“A walk. Let’s play together. The weather’s nice too.”

“Wait, hold on…”

Before I could say anything, Sion burst out of the room and ran down the corridor. By the time I came to my senses, we were already going down the stairs to the first floor.

Sion, who had been running like a broken carriage, slowed down only after encountering Carlos who was just entering the lobby.

“…It seems you’ve made the Duke’s Mansion into your villa now.”

“Duke, hello. Long time no see.”

Sion waved his hand lightly and greeted him cheerfully.

Carlos, who used to frown deeply whenever he saw Sion, now had a half-resigned attitude toward his unexpected appearances.

His gaze, which had been looking at Sion with a speechless expression, suddenly moved downward.

Specifically, to our clasped hands.

Then I could see Carlos’s brow furrow slightly.

‘What’s that reaction about.’

I don’t know why I’m always caught between Sion and Carlos, reading the atmosphere.

After a long silence with an unreadable expression, Carlos spoke in a low voice.

“Just because you look young doesn’t mean you think you’re actually the same age as the Princess, do you.”

“Lorea and I are friends.”

“Ridiculous.”

He seems more irritable than usual today, or is it my imagination?

Just as I was feeling puzzled by the strange sense of discord, Carlos’s gaze turned to me.

The unpleasant expression from before was gone, replaced by his usual dry look.

“Count Harper wants to visit the domain.”

“…Have you been continuing to exchange letters?”

It’s already been several weeks since the first letter arrived. You mean you’ve been keeping in contact all this time?

At my surprised question, Carlos narrowed his eyes.

“Wasn’t it something the Princess recommended.”

That was true.

‘I just didn’t expect him to actually follow through with it so literally.’

I was a bit confused whether I should be surprised or happy about this, so I just stared at him with a stupid expression.

“Officially, it’s to discuss trade between domains. Though the real intention is obvious.”

Carlos added indifferently and tilted his head.

Of course.

Even though they’re neighboring domains, there’s been no visits until now, and suddenly wanting to discuss trade is absurd.

He must be curious about other things. Like magic energy, or Carlos’s health condition.

Since both the Countess and daughter he loves dearly are of mage bloodline vulnerable to magic energy, he must be getting anxious.

The distribution of purification stones must be decreasing on their side too.

I was lost in thought for only a moment before I snapped back to attention at the voice from across.

“What does the Princess think.”

“…Pardon?”

Did Carlos just ask for my opinion?

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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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