The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 74

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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 74

I smiled innocently with a harmless expression.

“The bait has already been cast with the young ladies’ visit last time. We just need to make Harper Count certain that the House of the Duke has something, and get him to reach out to our side.”

I won’t give him what he wants from the start.

The key is to give him hope that he can obtain it if he tries just a little more, just a little harder.

Then the other party will become increasingly desperate and try everything to get it.

“The House of the Duke has something that can overcome magic energy. Just making him speculate about that will be enough for now.”

Carlos narrowed his brow. His eyes showed he was pondering the meaning of my words.

“Sion said it would take about a month to complete his work, so we should be able to show it to them when the time is right. Until then, we need to buy time and build our allies.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Sion, who had been playing with my hair beside me, suddenly chimed in.

“The important thing is laying the groundwork, right?”

“…Yes, that’s right. Groundwork.”

“Lorea has a good head for this kind of thing. I trust Lorea.”

Saying that, Sion naturally took my hand firmly and shook it gently.

Carlos’s brow furrowed slightly as he met Sion’s eyes, but he soon looked away and nodded.

“…At least I understand what you’re saying.”

“Then…”

“Let’s do as Loreia says.”

Success!

Without realizing it, I squeezed the hand I was holding with Sion.

Carlos, who had gotten up from the sofa and was about to turn toward his desk after that brief answer, slowly stopped.

His dry gaze turned once again to my hand clasped with Sion’s. I could see his eyes narrowing.

“And.”

“…”

“It would be good to keep an appropriate distance from the Archmage.”

“…What?”

“Loreia is still young.”

Leaving those words behind, Carlos turned his back sharply.

Not understanding his sudden remark, I stared blankly at his back as he headed toward the inner part of the study.

‘What is he talking about?’

Meanwhile, I could hear Sion, who had been resting his head on my shoulder this whole time, chuckling.

“Ah, this is interesting.”

“…What’s so interesting to you now, Sion?”

“Lorea is so oblivious about this kind of thing. Even though you’re incredibly smart.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Mm, you don’t need to know. I find it amusing.”

Saying that, Sion shook our clasped hands.

“So let’s get out of here quickly. I want to play with Lorea.”

…I really don’t understand.

* * *

I walked side by side with Sion through the Duke’s Mansion garden.

The garden looked much more lush than when I first arrived. Not only the White Rose Garden, but other gardens too had landscaping trees and grass sprouting green.

Warm sunlight poured down and a gentle breeze blew, making it hard to believe that winter was just around the corner.

‘The gardener and Mia seem to be working really hard.’

I walked slowly, feeling a renewed sense of appreciation.

Sion, who was holding my hand and swinging it back and forth as he walked slowly, suddenly asked.

“But is it okay to show your hand this early?”

“What do you mean?”

“Using the count, I mean. The news will definitely reach not just the nobles but the Emperor too.”

“Ah.”

So that’s what he meant.

I looked back at Sion and nodded calmly.

“It’s intentional.”

“Intentional?”

“Yes, you don’t think I made this move just to let the nobles know, do you?”

The Emperor is probably keeping track of all my movements anyway.

He couldn’t prevent me from being registered as a ward of the House of the Duke. He’s probably been holding his breath since that day, waiting for an opportunity to somehow get me back.

“What I need to do now is make the Emperor anxious.”

If I can’t hide it, then showing it is the better method.

Sion tilted his head as if he didn’t fully understand what I meant.

“Anxious?”

“Yes. By showing him that I’m making some kind of move, I’ll make him speculate that the House of the Duke has something comparable to the purification stone the Emperor possesses.”

“Aha…”

The more desperate people become, the more their actions get ahead of them. That means it becomes harder for them to use clever schemes. Even an emperor is no different.

Anxiety will make him hasty and cause him to make mistakes. Then it becomes easier for our side to notice his movements too.

It was the same before my regression. The Emperor was more frightening when he was relaxed. He slowly, quietly tightened the net. By the time I noticed, it was already too late.

But when he becomes desperate, it’s different. His movements become bigger, and his tail starts to show.

“Time will be on our side.”

At my words, Sion patted my head as if I were praiseworthy.

Then suddenly, his expression became blank.

“Hm? Wait. I feel like I’ve heard this somewhere before.”

…What is he talking about now.

“Heard what?”

“In a situation like this, someone said something similar. But who was it…”

Sion tapped his cheek. He seemed to be trying to remember something, but soon shook his head as if he couldn’t recall it at all.

“…I don’t know.”

He smiled broadly.

Because of that, I was the one who became curious.

“What is it? There are things even the Archmage can’t remember? You’re making people curious.”

“That happens when you live a long time. Anyway.”

Sion firmly grasped my hand. He put more strength into it than before.

“Lorea. I’m on your side.”

His violet eyes shone vividly.

“No matter what happens. Whatever it may be.”

Warmth was transmitted through his hand. It was warm.

“You know that, right?”

“…Thank you.”

I answered quietly.

* * *

A few days later, the main gate of the Duke’s Mansion became noisy.

“Your Highness! The Count has just arrived!”

At Mia’s report, I approached the window. A carriage had stopped in front of the mansion’s main gate. A blue background with a silver eagle spreading its wings. It was the crest of House of Harper.

‘Finally here.’

A middle-aged man got out of the carriage. A neat mustache, sharp eyes. His eyes were similar to those of the young lady who had come to the tea party.

The Count looked around. At the Duke’s Mansion’s garden, the building, and the sky. As if confirming something.

After confirming that he had entered the mansion, I stepped back from the window.

Mia quietly exclaimed in disbelief.

“My goodness, I don’t know how many years it’s been since a guest came to the Duke’s Mansion.”

“Has it been that long?”

“It’s the first time since Madam and the young lady passed away and Master locked the doors of the Duke’s Mansion.”

…Then isn’t it almost 11 years?

At my bewildered expression, Mia clicked her tongue, saying the Duke’s Mansion wasn’t the center of the Empire’s ghost stories for nothing.

“…Anyway, let me know when the Count comes out.”

“Yes, just trust this Mia! Your Highness can rest comfortably until then.”

Mia left the room with a confident smile.

I waited while looking out the window. Time passed slowly.

‘I hope it goes well.’

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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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