The Puppet Villainess’s Splendid Rebellion - Chapter 79

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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 79

When I went down to the dining hall, Demian and Carlos were already seated in their usual spots. As I sat across from Demian, Mia skillfully placed a steaming bowl of soup in front of me.

I quietly picked up my spoon while glancing at Carlos.

He had his usual indifferent expression.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, Carlos looked up and stared at me with a languid expression.

“What?”

“Huh?”

“Do you have something to say?”

He asked in a flat voice.

‘Hmm, as expected, there’s no way that would happen.’

I shook my head vigorously.

“No. Just.”

“How bland.”

Carlos clicked his tongue and resumed his meal.

“Come to think of it, another letter came from Harper Count, Father.”

At Demian’s words, Carlos nodded indifferently. His hand moving the knife seemed sluggish, as if annoyed.

“This time he’s inviting us to a winter hunting festival.”

“Hasn’t he been sending letters almost every other day lately?”

“Yes. Who would have thought a lord of the borderlands would be this idle.”

His tone was cynical.

I put down the fork I was using to cut my omelet and listened to their conversation.

‘I knew Harper Count was trying to create connections with the House of the Duke somehow.’

Every other day. He seemed more desperate than I thought.

From how things were going, it seemed the Imperial Court was gradually starting to drastically reduce the supply of purification stones, beginning with the Empire’s borderlands.

It had been nearly half a year since I came to the Duke’s Mansion, so if there was no progress in purification stone research, they would really be hitting rock bottom now.

‘A hunting festival…’

Come to think of it, the Northern Region and Eastern Region always held hunting festivals around the beginning of winter.

Unlike the South, which was warm year-round, and the West, which was rich in crops, the Northeast had to secure food to last until spring when winter came. What started as several domains gathering together to hunt and share meat had now become hunting festivals aimed at fostering friendship between domains.

I lifted my teacup and spoke.

“How about attending the hunting festival?”

Carlos turned his head toward me. His expression asked if I was serious.

“Hmm, no. Usually the northeastern domains take turns hosting hunting festivals. It might not be bad for the Ducal Palace to host one.”

“Your Highness?”

Now even Demian joined in, looking at me like I was crazy.

Yes, I understand. The Ducal Palace hadn’t been opened to outsiders even once in 11 years.

“It’s been a month. The surrounding domains must be anxious enough by now.”

“If it’s for exchanges between lords, wouldn’t attending the hunting festival be sufficient?”

“No, I think it would be good to host it at the Ducal Palace this time.”

Saying that, I took out a small pouch from my pocket and placed it on the table.

Crimson crystals were sparkling inside.

Carlos and Demian’s gazes fixed on it simultaneously.

“This is… don’t tell me, is it completed?”

“Yes, Sion gave it to me before he left. The quantity is still a bit lacking though.”

When I made purification stones using my own blood, I could barely manage to scatter them inside the Duke’s Mansion, but with Sion’s purification stones, the story was different. I could work on the entire site where the hunting festival would be held.

“It’s time to show them with their own eyes. I think the hunting festival is the perfect opportunity, don’t you?”

It was a place where we could show that the Duke’s Mansion was free from magic energy, while also appropriately spreading word that purification stones would be distributed in the market.

“If you think of it that way, it’s a decent plan…”

Saying that, Demian looked at me.

What now, that reluctant expression again.

“Why?”

“Are you alright with this, Your Highness?”

“Me? With what?”

“Appearing before the nobles. You’ll be receiving unwanted attention.”

“…Ah.”

Come to think of it, if it’s a hunting festival, those stuffy old nobles I don’t particularly like would attend too.

‘They’ll be sending very enthusiastic gazes, curious about Carlos and my situation.’

Before my regression, I hated being stuck among stubborn old nobles more than anything in the world.

But was this really the time to be picky about such things?

“Well… it doesn’t matter. I expected things to get somewhat troublesome once we formed the guardianship relationship anyway.”

At my casual answer, Demian made a subtle expression.

“More importantly, what matters is showing how healthy the Duke has become and how stable the Ducal Palace is as a domain.”

Carlos remained silent for a long time.

He was lost in thought, slowly cutting the meat on his plate with the knife in his hand.

Demian and I waited for his answer.

Opening the gates of the Ducal Palace that had been firmly closed for 11 years. It wouldn’t be an easy decision. Letting outsiders in would itself be uncomfortable for him.

Soon, he opened his mouth.

“Let’s do that.”

“Pardon?”

“If the purification stones are completed, it’s not a bad opportunity.”

Surprisingly, he agreed readily. I was slightly taken aback.

‘Lately, it seems like Carlos is more receptive to my opinions than Demian.’

Maybe I’m imagining it.

The hunting festival would be held around the time of the first snowfall. It would take about a month from now.

By then, we’d have plenty more purification stones, so it was perfect timing.

“I’ll discuss the details with the neighboring lords. There are plenty of suitable places to hold a hunting festival.”

“Yes, I’m glad you’re thinking positively about it.”

Now once the location is decided, I just need to scatter the purification stones appropriately.

The nobles will be interested, and when the topic comes up, I can connect them with Hella’s side.

“And the princess should change rooms.”

Right, and also change the room… huh?

“Pardon?”

“The end of the 2nd floor corridor would be good.”

Unable to understand the sudden change of topic, I stared blankly at Carlos.

We were just talking about the hunting festival and purification stones.

Why is he suddenly bringing up rooms out of nowhere?

“What are you talking about? You want me to change my room?”

“It was originally a room for entertaining guests. It wasn’t sufficient for the princess to stay in.”

Carlos answered indifferently, as if he were talking about the weather.

Doesn’t that contradict itself?

If it’s a room for entertaining guests, it should be the finest room available. Of course, it was more modest than the rooms I used in the imperial palace.

“I’m fine with my current room. It’s spacious and clean, and there’s nothing inconvenient about it. Really, why are you suddenly saying this?”

At my words, Carlos raised his head.

“It’s cold.”

“Pardon?”

“Either cold air comes in through the window gaps, or the warmth from the fireplace doesn’t reach the interior of the room.”

I blinked.

Cold? My room? When did he even go in there?

‘…Wait.’

The puzzle pieces fell into place.

Waking up in bed this morning. The neatly organized desk. The blanket that had been pulled up to my neck. Mia said she hadn’t come in.

Then could it be…

‘Was it really Carlos who came in last night?’

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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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