The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 63

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 63
“And what have you arranged, Katy?”
At the Empress’s question, Katy straightened with satisfaction. Rachel found herself oddly curious about what the girl had prepared.
“I’ve commissioned the Empire’s most renowned physician to prepare a Nutritional Supplement for me.”
“How delightful. It’s something the imperial physicians cannot procure.”
“I’ve made similar arrangements as well. It’s a special tonic our family physician formulated—something quite beneficial for the child.”
“That pleases me greatly.”
The conversation between the Noble Young Ladies and the Empress continued. They promised to present her with Nutritional Supplements, tonics, delicacies—an array of offerings.
The Empress professed delight at their gifts, but to Rachel’s eye, it was plainly a trap.
‘She’ll appear to enjoy edible things, and once I present something for consumption, she’ll accuse me of trying to harm the child.’
Rachel narrowed her eyes.
“What do you intend to present, Rachel?”
The Empress addressed her, breaking the silence Rachel had maintained until now.
“I believe things suitable for consumption during prenatal care are most fitting. I’m curious to learn what you’ll prepare.”
If she simply stayed quiet, she might slip past unscathed. But the Empress wanted an answer directly—and something edible, no less.
“It would be discourteous to evade what Your Majesty desires, surely?”
“Of course not.”
“Discourtesy would be improper—especially among those gathered here.”
As if scripted, the Noble Young Ladies spoke in unison.
“Rachel Swan. Answer us.”
The Empress pressed for a response. The answer was predetermined. Understanding this, Rachel opened her mouth slowly.
“I shall prepare something to serve Your Majesty’s wishes and bring you benefit.”
“See that you do.”
Fixating on the phrase “Your Majesty’s wishes,” the Empress gave Rachel’s answer little thought, never realizing that Rachel had never promised to offer anything for consumption.
* * *
The tea party was tedious. The Noble Young Ladies labored to please the Empress, while Rachel remained largely silent. Anything she said would only invite criticism.
Appetite aside, the Cake from the Empress Palace was genuinely delicious—so much so she found herself wanting to learn the recipe. Clinging to that one pleasant memory, Rachel endured the gathering.
The moment she returned to her chambers, she collapsed onto the bed and sank into thought.
‘Something beneficial for prenatal care, but absolutely nothing for eating—that’s what I need.’
Her brow furrowed. The Empress, likely possessing everything of value, would hardly be swayed by ordinary gifts.
‘I need to prepare something the Empress won’t anticipate. That way, she’ll have harder ground to attack me on.’
Rachel rose quietly from the bed. Before she could think of any ideas, commotion erupted outside her door.
“Teacher!”
It was Theo’s voice. In the same moment, the door swung open and Theo and Noah rushed in.
“Teacher! How have you been?!”
Theo and Noah embraced her, their question tumbling out. Rachel patted their backs gently and nodded.
“I’ve been well.”
“We heard you visited the Empress Palace. The Empress surely gave you a difficult time.”
“She certainly did.”
The Empress’s intentions were transparent even to the children’s eyes. They shook their heads in disapproval and nestled deeper into Rachel’s arms.
“Teacher, is the book progressing well?”
“We’re curious how much has been finished.”
The children’s interest was evident. Rachel smiled warmly and spoke.
“Thanks to your help, quite a lot is complete. Would you like to see it?”
“Can we really?”
“Of course.”
Though the Emperor’s knowledge of the project had sparked turmoil, Rachel said nothing of it. It wasn’t something the children should know.
She led them into a small room. After the Textbook project reached the Emperor’s ears, she’d moved her workshop there. Given his fury, working openly felt inadvisable.
With the workspace cramped, walls and desks were layered with materials. The children paused, marveling at the sight.
“This is the Textbook content I’ve written with your help.”
Rachel showed them the Textbook.
“Wow, it’s amazing!”
“If other children can learn to read with this, that would be wonderful!”
Both children responded enthusiastically. They examined the contents repeatedly, speaking in agreement about wanting their own copy once it was finished.
“Even very young children should be able to learn to read easily from this.”
“Exactly. Even a three-year-old could understand it.”
“Good. I’m truly glad.”
The script was simple enough that even a three-year-old could grasp it.
Their praise burrowed into her mind. And with it came the return of an endless concern.
‘A gift for the Empress’s prenatal care….’
Ah…!
A thought flashed through her mind in that instant.
‘Yes, if I do that, I can avoid the Empress’s attack.’
Rachel smiled brightly, and there was an unmistakable joy shimmering behind that expression.
* * *
“Are you planning to visit the Empress Palace today, ma’am?” the Nanny asked with concern.
The Nanny’s worry was plain in her voice.
“Yes, I am. It’s something I need to do eventually, after all.”
Rachel rose from her seat, holding the gift box.
“Please be careful. Everyone knows the Empress has her sights on you.”
The Nanny’s expression betrayed genuine dread.
“I’ve prepared countermeasures of my own, so don’t worry.”
Rachel tried to reassure her anxious attendant. After repeating her assurances several times, the Nanny finally managed a strained smile.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
Though she’d told the Nanny not to worry, Rachel herself was tense beneath the surface.
The walk to the Empress Palace felt heavy with dread. Once she’d informed the Empress of her intention to visit, the Empress had fixed a date and hour for the meeting—clearly calculated.
It seemed the Empress meant to gather other noble young ladies as witnesses before putting her in danger.
‘Keep your wits sharp.’
They were tigers without fangs—nothing more, nothing less. Creatures eager to tear her to shreds. And here she was, stepping into their den with only a gift box as a shield. The thought of it made her chest tighten.
In truth, if she told Lucas, the problem would be largely solved. But Rachel hadn’t mentioned this situation to him. He was already tangled in enough complications, and she had no wish to add to his burdens. Besides, she wanted to handle troubles like this on her own.
‘If I’m to survive in the Imperial Palace, I have to weather this.’
She drove herself forward with that thought, steeling her resolve as she crossed the threshold of the Empress Palace.
“Well, if it isn’t Miss Swan.”
She had barely entered the Empress Palace before she encountered Katy, who carried an enormous gift box in her hands.
“We meet again like this.”
“Yes, I’m delighted to see you again.”
“Delighted? I’m not. What’s so pretty about you anyway?”
Katy leaned in close and spoke in a low voice. The naked hostility in her words left Rachel momentarily speechless.
But the moment passed. Rachel simply walked ahead as if she hadn’t heard. Katy fell into step beside her.
“I know all about how you fawn over the Crown Prince.”
Katy whispered in a tone only Rachel could hear.
“What are you talking about?”
“You think I don’t see it? Everyone in the Imperial Palace must know by now that you’re eyeing my position.”
“Is it possible you’re suffering from a condition? Delusions of grandeur, perhaps?”
Rachel didn’t back down. She countered Katy’s words immediately.
“Delusions? You’re calling me strange?”
“I am, because you are. Extremely so. I’d suggest you seek professional help.”
“What?”
“If you can’t afford treatment, come to me. I’m quite confident in my counseling skills, though honestly, for someone like you, I’d need to study all night just to develop an effective approach.”
Rachel’s counterattack was scathing. She believed the best defense was offense.
Katy seemed to be searching for a retort, but before she could formulate one, they arrived at the doors.
“Your Majesty, Miss Katy and Miss Swan have arrived,” the attendant announced in a clear, ringing voice, formally presenting the two noble young ladies.
Rachel gripped her gift box tightly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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