The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 26

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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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Episode 26.
A small bundle of handkerchief lay across the maid’s palms, and what reached Artiela’s heightened senses was a scent both nutty and sweet.
“Cookies?”
“That’s right!”
A smile bloomed across the young maid’s lips.
“I baked them myself at the Lodging, without the mistress knowing! Don’t worry—I didn’t take anything from the master’s stores. I made them with the flour and eggs I was given as my portion!”
Despite her timid expression, she chattered away merrily, reminding Artiela of a plump little sparrow.
“I just really wanted to give them to you.”
The maid’s cheeks flushed with shyness.
But Artiela’s mind was reeling from the confession she’d just received.
No matter how she looked at it, the girl seemed to have mistaken her for someone else. Had she simply misspoken in her haste?
To abruptly ask someone to accept her feelings like that.
She’d never been confessed to by a woman before—never by men, for that matter. The maid’s confession must have been meant for someone else. Most likely Kirien.
‘She must have misspoken in her rush.’
Artiela raised her palm in a gesture of refusal. The maid’s face fell.
“I don’t have much to offer, but I put nuts in them too, so they can serve as a quick meal when you’re busy. Is that not acceptable?”
Embarrassment made the young maid’s hands drop slightly.
But there was no help for it.
She wanted to give Kirien some respite from experiences like this, at least while in Edelion. A chance to rest easy.
“It’s not acceptable, is it? These sorts of things aren’t fitting for someone so noble.”
The maid’s hand began to withdraw.
Then Artiela caught sight of the girl’s fingertips—cracked and worn from all her work serving others. And there, nestled among them, the small cookies.
“I’m sorry.”
The moment the maid’s arm began to fall away, Artiela caught her hand.
“I’ll accept them this time.”
“Really?”
She smiled so brightly that Artiela couldn’t help but find it lovely.
Still, she owed the girl a word of caution.
“But the Duke is already asleep, so I can’t deliver them to him. If he refuses them, I’ll return them tomorrow. Could you tell me where you’re staying?”
Suddenly the maid’s eyes glistened with tears.
“They’re not for the Duke!”
“Oh, then—should they go to Count Soltis instead?”
“No, it’s not him either!”
“Then who…?”
“They’re for the Holy Knight!”
This time Artiela’s eyes widened.
“Wait—you mean that confession just now…?”
It was meant for her?
Why? How? When had they even met before? They’d barely exchanged words.
“Th-thank you.”
Artiela stammered out a response, caught off guard.
“My younger sibling was kidnapped recently, and they’ve been released. I wanted to come thank you personally. They told me a beautiful and wonderful Holy Knight with blonde hair saved them.”
“I see.”
How could she have made such a mistake?
Artiela, flustered, quickly bowed her head.
“I apologize. I misunderstood.”
“No, it was my fault for explaining poorly. I’m truly honored to meet the Holy Knight I admire so much.”
Her chest tingled with an unfamiliar sensation.
When was the last time she’d received praise like this? She couldn’t even remember.
Ever since she’d come to know the true hearts of people who wore false faces, she’d avoided any personal contact with her followers.
“I haven’t really done anything worthy of admiration.”
“Thank you. Because of you, I’ve found the strength to keep living. My sibling is my whole world.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
The maid’s gratitude continued to stir something in Artiela’s heart.
“If I may be so bold—you’ll continue to protect us, won’t you?”
The feeling was strange, somehow.
Warm. Soft and billowing, like something gentle and pliable.
Artiela had felt something like this before, just days ago.
“Of course I will. Isn’t that why I claimed Bardo in the first place?”
Artiela lifted the Holy Sword for her to see.
That’s right—that’s why I drew it. Memories of the first moment I held the Holy Sword came flooding back.
“I’m going to protect everyone.”
The words were meant for the maid, but they were also her own vow.
Kirien, Yusiel, Bleo and his family—and countless others walking this land.
She had so much to protect.
“Thank you, knight.”
The maid bowed deeply. Artiela bowed in turn.
Then something surged through her heart.
‘Holy Power.’
The Holy Power she’d thought lost the moment she gained it now swelled in her chest—answering her desperate wish.
“Remember when you first grasped Bardo. You’re different now than you were then.”
Yusiel’s words were true.
At some point, Artiela had distanced herself from people. What she sought to protect was not individuals, but merely the justice God had ordained.
She had come to view saving someone as merely the duty a Holy Sword’s wielder must bear—even drawing the blade more to render judgment than anything else.
‘The desire to protect those dear to me—that was the Holy Power.’
A small revelation bloomed within her.
Could it be that God wanted to teach me this?
Heartened, Artiela popped one of the cookies Raeji had given her into her mouth. As the sweet taste spread across her tongue, her eyes grew unexpectedly warm.
“It’s delicious.”
“Would it be all right if I made more for you next time?”
“Of course. But your name—”
“It’s Raeji.”
Even without looking at Bardo, Artiela could sense what the brown-haired girl’s soul looked like, freckles and all.
It would shimmer like Kirien’s. Brilliantly.
“Thank you, Raeji.”
One more weight that had pressed down on Artiela lifted away.
* * *
The next morning, the Holy Power had indeed grown abundant, settling near her heart.
“Good.”
Still less than that night, though.
“At least I’m up to a watermelon’s worth now.”
Laughter escaped her lips unbidden.
The next time those boys complained about training volume, she could pin them down harder with excuses about Holy Power reserves.
“Hehehehe.”
“Breakfast is ready, miss.”
Bailey had spotted her and called out. Though there was something unsettling about that sinister smile of hers.
“Ah, thank you, Bailey.”
“Your complexion looks lovely today. You must have gotten some proper sleep for once?”
“Yes, I’ve put one worry to rest.”
“How wonderful.”
“It’s all thanks to you.”
Shortly after, Kirien came downstairs.
Since it was difficult for Kirien to move about the dining hall, he took his meals at the Lodging with the food Bailey prepared for him.
Fortunately, her cooking was skilled.
“But I don’t see Bleo anywhere.”
“It seems his research isn’t finished yet.”
“Oh my, I hope he’s eaten something.”
He probably hasn’t.
Though that’s not really a concern. Not like it would be with Yusiel.
“Um, Bailey—if you have any leftover ingredients, would you mind preparing a lunch box? I think Bleo and the saint must be going hungry.”
Bailey readily agreed. She’d already grown quite fond of Bleo, and the saint was someone she was grateful to.
Of course she should help.
“Of course. Don’t worry—eat your breakfast first. You said you’re training again from this morning, didn’t you?”
Obviously. Today she planned to push the intensity harder.
First, she needed to practice coating the wooden sword with Aura.
Whether Kirien knew of Artiela’s ambitious plans or not, he simply blinked his innocent eyes and picked up the butter knife.
He carefully spread butter and jam across the bread, then added egg and ham.
And then—
“For you.”
The plate appeared before Artiela.
“Oh, thank you, Duke.”
“Think nothing of it. Say, though—”
Artiela bit deeply into the sandwich Kirien had made for her.
It was as harmonious in flavor as his face was in form.
She chewed earnestly, then gestured with her chin for him to continue.
“It seems your schedule is clear this afternoon, if I’m not mistaken…….”
“Yes, what of it?”
“Would you be willing to accompany me to the Divine Temple’s archive?”
Of course she could.
“What would we do there?”
The archive was such a dreary, fusty place—there couldn’t possibly be anything worth doing.
As Artiela tilted her head to one side, her round cheeks working away at the sandwich, he smiled softly and spoke.
“I wish to study the Source of Evil.”
Why…….
Why was his Aura dancing so prettily like that?
‘Is this a charm offensive?’
Sigh—it really was a sight to behold. A moment of spiritual purification, as they say.
“With me?”
“Yes, I would very much like to do it together with you.”
This is exactly…….
“Is this a date proposal?”
The thought slipped out unbidden.

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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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