The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 6

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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 6.
“To other nobles, House Rupel remains a desirable Marriage Prospect. Despite my misfortune, the Territory is still thriving, and I’m the sole heir to the direct line.”
While Bailey organized the office with a handful of servants, Artiella listened to Kirien Rupel’s lament in the garden.
“But I found meeting new people burdensome. I could see the dark intentions of those who hoped I’d die young after marriage. Even though it’s the other person who becomes vulnerable if they grow close to me.”
Artiella observed the man laying bare his past with composure.
Whenever he spotted a large tree or statue nearby, he would circle far around it, walking only down the broad, shadeless paths. This was despite the spring sun being rather sharp.
It seemed like a habit born of avoiding accidents.
“So I sent back every proposal of marriage, and that’s when the troubles began.”
“Did young noblewomen come seeking you and get caught in accidents?”
“Yes, that’s right. I refrained from going out as much as possible, but I couldn’t miss noble assemblies or imperial banquets. Each time, there were young noblewomen following me.”
“So you mistook me for one of those young noblewomen coming to confess her feelings?”
“You were the first person to sneak all the way into the residence itself. I genuinely thought it was remarkable.”
Reverence shone in his eyes as he turned to look at Artiella.
Remarkable, to climb a wall? How embarrassing.
“But how did you know I was there?”
Now that the subject had come up, she asked what she’d been curious about all along. Yesterday was the first time her stakeout had been discovered.
Kirien’s pupils trembled for a moment.
“A pleasant fragrance carried on the wind…….”
The Duke of Rupel’s ears flushed slightly.
Artiella, not noticing, sniffed at her own body to check.
‘I don’t smell anything at all.’
Of course not. She never wore perfume. Even when bathing, she used only unscented oils. Artiella Soltis was a knight, after all.
There might be sweat, but she’d washed yesterday before coming.
“In any case, I was startled thinking no more young noblewomen would come seeking me. I’d said harsh things to them, you see.”
“Ah, is that why the ones who came before haven’t come again?”
“Yes, I imagine my words were too difficult for ordinary noblewomen to bear. I wonder how hurt they must have been……. I can only apologize.”
The Duke of Rupel’s shoulders drooped along with the corners of his eyes.
‘I don’t think anyone was actually hurt.’
The lips of a soul that had harbored malice and inflicted suffering should at least be bruised or swollen.
But the lips of the soul she’d seen yesterday were beautiful.
Adequately full, they were tinted a healthy cherry-blossom red. So moist and lustrous as if honey had been applied, pretty enough that she wanted to poke them with her fingertip…….
‘Have I lost my mind!’
Artiella quickly shook her head.
‘I’m the wielder of the Holy Sword!’
Artiella fanned her flushed face with her hand. Fortunately, the Duke didn’t notice and simply continued speaking.
“I’ve also heard the rumors—that young noblewomen who were injured and nearly lost their lives have become frightened and shut themselves away.”
It made sense.
For an ordinary noblewoman, it would have been an overwhelming burden.
Yet she couldn’t go around announcing she’d been rejected either. Still less that she’d thrown herself at the Duke and nearly died in an accident as a result. In high society, reputation was life.
Likely each house had hushed it up, keeping the rumors from spreading.
“Hmm…….”
“I only recently learned that disappearances occurred around the same time. Seeing that even the Temple came looking for me, you must have suspected me as the culprit.”
Kirien laughed bitterly. It was such a sorrowful sound.
Artiella quickly bowed at the waist.
“I apologize again! You are innocent, so please don’t trouble yourself.”
Kirien hastily caught Artiella by the arm.
“No. Rather, since you’ve proven my innocence, won’t I be able to speak boldly about it if rumors arise in the future?”
“Yes, call on me anytime you need. I’ll chase after even the ‘Emperor’ himself to testify.”
Artiella emphasized the word “Emperor” with force. At that, the Duke smiled softly.
“Your goodwill alone is thanks enough.”
“What? But…….”
He was too kind-hearted. He didn’t even question why she’d mentioned the Emperor.
“There is something I’d like to ask of you instead.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“As I said before…….”
Kirien’s ears reddened.
He couldn’t quite meet Artiella’s eyes and lowered his gaze slightly. The way his thick lashes trembled shyly was as beautiful as a bell-shaped flower about to bloom.
“I hope you won’t abandon me.”
This time, Artiella’s face blazed crimson.
“Oh, no, that is, Your Grace?”
“Didn’t you say you understood just a moment ago?”
“That was… I was momentarily flustered and spoke carelessly.”
“And you even said you’d take responsibility for it.”
Artiella’s eyes darted left and right.
She’d said it all with her own mouth.
And she was the head of the Holy Knight Order, which followed divine will, and the master of the Holy Sword, which upheld justice.
“I understand the master of the Holy Sword is a just person who keeps their promises…”
He’d struck at the heart of it. And with those rabbit-like eyes, purely, innocently.
It seemed like she’d fallen victim to that eye-attack back in the study as well.
“But I’m a knight, so I can’t belong to you! And of course I can’t accept a proposal!”
Artiella stepped back sharply as she spoke.
“A proposal? Belong to me?”
At the Duke’s bewildered expression, Artiella’s eyes widened too.
“Bailey said you were writing a proposal letter to me…”
“Ah, my governess misunderstood. I simply meant I would keep you close by my side going forward.”
Wasn’t that the same thing? Artiella’s brow furrowed.
The Duke took her hand again. His palm trembled slightly, as if he were nervous. At that, a soft shimmer radiated around his face.
“Please, I beg you. Won’t you remove this misfortune that follows me? Surely the knight of Edelion could manage it?”
It was mortifying. If Yusiel found out, she’d never hear the end of it.
* * *
Artiella went to Edelion with Kirien.
Though the coachman was fearful by nature, he seemed relieved knowing that Artiella, the commander of the Holy Knight Order, would be accompanying them. Apparently, despite his meticulous maintenance, there had been frequent accidents—a wheel coming loose, reins snapping—that kept him perpetually on edge.
Fortunately, they arrived at their destination without incident today.
“So this is the sacred land, Edelion.”
Stepping down from the carriage, Kirien’s eyes sparkled with wonder as he took in his surroundings.
“But why didn’t you think to come find the Saint before?”
“When I was young, I couldn’t accept that it was my fault. When I grew older, my father opposed it.”
“The previous Duke?”
“Yes. He felt that if it became known to the outside world, it would be a blemish on me. I was frightened too, as a child. If I hadn’t met you, I would have remained confined in the Duke’s manor.”
The two walked side by side into the central garden, where the sacred tree stood. At once, all eyes turned toward them.
The knights who remembered their superior’s appearance from yesterday’s assignment noticed her change of clothes and widened their eyes. The worshippers visiting the Temple couldn’t tear their gaze from Kirien.
The Duke seemed to tense under their scrutiny. Yet the more tense he became, the brighter his aura shone.
‘Does his aura strengthen when he’s nervous?’
Artiella positioned herself close beside him, blocking their view. It was rather pleasant to watch him gleam, but better than seeing a timid person shrink under attention.
“Ah, thank you.”
He noticed her consideration and quickly offered his gratitude.
“Think nothing of it.”
Soon they spotted Yusiel pacing anxiously near the quarters of the Holy Knight Order.
The moment she caught sight of Artiella, she approached with a fearsome expression.
“Artiella! You! Where were you yesterday? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is right now… Who is this?”
Yusiel, who had been about to strike her sister’s back, froze upon seeing the man from the portrait.
“Artiella… you…”
Have you lost your mind?
Yusiel’s fury came through clearly. Artiella laughed cheerfully, earnestly hoping her sister wouldn’t abandon the dignity befitting a saint.
“This is Kirien Rupel, the one I’ve decided to take responsibility for in life. Duke, this is Yusiel Soltis, the Saint of Edelion.”
The corners of Yusiel’s carefully composed eyes rose sharply upward.
In her gaze, which alternated between Kirien and her sister, there was not a trace of a saint’s compassion.
“Artiella! You! What? Responsibility? What are you doing running around like this?”
Ownership of her sister’s back transferred to the older sister’s hands.

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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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