The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 97

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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 97.
There was one fatal clause hidden within the Solemn Oath.
Edelion, situated at the heart of the Empire’s lands, enjoyed the Empire’s protection as a consequence. Therefore, should the Empire face danger, it would provide military support if needed—but only for defense. It could not be conscripted for wars of conquest, only for wars of defense.
Temporarily, soldiers from Edelion would transfer their allegiance to the Imperial Army.
Was he using that window of opportunity to force through an Imperial Consort Selection?
“You mean to say he’d go to such lengths just to make me a concubine?”
Artiela shook her head in disbelief.
“The Fifth Emperor did the same.”
“It’s as if he were reincarnated.”
Whether tyrannical blood ran through his veins—though he was no direct descendant.
“I can’t say for certain, but when he was young, the Succession Dispute occupied his attention, so his focus was naturally divided between both concerns. But now that he’s awakened, he needn’t concern himself with that anymore…….”
All his attention had narrowed to Artiela alone.
“Especially, Duke—he’s begun to regard you with even greater wariness.”
“Ah, is that when Kirien seized His Majesty’s shoulder yesterday?”
“Yes, exactly. Ever since then, he’s spoken only of that dark, red-faced man—repeatedly insisting that the Captain of the Holy Knight Order must be protected from that despicable creature. So testified Percell.”
So Percell has truly come over to our side?
Artiela’s eyes widened, and Sernia nodded in confirmation.
“You can trust him.”
“That’s a relief, at least.”
But there was a problem.
It wouldn’t be easy to gather like this frequently going forward. Peter was already an experienced hand—he’d eliminated a rival competitor and held his place in the Succession Dispute.
Even with his lost memories, that fact remained unchanged.
Therefore, he would naturally establish surveillance first.
“There’s no direct Teleportation Scroll to Edelion. And meeting regularly here at the Count’s Residence carries a great risk of discovery.”
The Imperial Academy was no different. It was optimized for surveillance.
It was then that Bailey, who had been listening silently until now, spoke up.
“What about the Duke’s House?”
“What? Really?”
“As it happens, there are no Imperial spies planted in the Duke’s House at all.”
The reason being that the Duke’s House took on no new servants.
The retainers already in their employ came from families of loyalty passed down through generations, so there was little chance they’d turned for the Emperor. These were people who’d remained in the estate knowing full well of Kirien’s danger.
“And there will be a gathering soon, so having people assemble will provide suitable cover.”
Bailey then rattled off several upcoming dates.
Kirien’s birthday, the death anniversary of the previous Duke, the death anniversaries of Kirien’s half-siblings.
“The Saintess and Artiela’s birthdays are coming soon as well. When the time comes, it won’t seem strange for the Princess to visit Edelion.”
“That’s excellent.”
Clever, our Bailey.
While everyone shared satisfied smiles, the hour grew quite late.
Sernia needed to depart. But because she’d been unable to speak much with Bloe, reluctance clung to her.
“I’ll come in early tomorrow morning.”
“But His Majesty’s surveillance…….”
“Who could have guessed that the secret passage of the Princess’s Residence connects to the secret passage of my office?”
It was Sernia’s hidden method to slip away unseen.
“From now on, we’ll meet there separately.”
Such devoted lovers.
The eyes of Count and Countess Soltis grew oddly wistful.
All these children of theirs, living such perilous romances—how did they manage it?
“We should have had a more thrilling love ourselves.”
“Ahem, dear?”
Perhaps because Mother and Father lived such an uneventful love, their children were paying the karmic price.
* * *
It wasn’t until the following morning that Artiela returned to her lodging. Even after Sernia departed, they’d debated and chattered through the night, leaving her exhausted.
She was supposed to do her dawn prayers.
Today she’d missed the first devotion. Unfortunately.
Artiela, deciding to be lazy just this once, collapsed onto her bed in the lodging. Had she drifted off to sleep so easily?
“Artiela.”
She heard Kirien’s voice as if in a dream.
“Mm? Kirien, if you’re caught sneaking in here, the Marriage Prohibition…….”
Artiela whimpered sleepily, talking nonsense.
Then Kirien sat beside her, and with a tender hand, brushed her hair back.
A ticklish sensation made Artiela open her eyes again.
“Kirien, aren’t you tired?”
“I’m fine. Spending this pleasant time with you and your family—I’m not tired at all.”
“Hmm, my stamina shouldn’t be weaker than yours.”
As Artiela continued to whine, Kirien let out a low chuckle.
It seemed almost out of character for him.
Artiela’s eyes snapped open. She jerked her upper body upright.
“Kirien?”
Was it all a dream? Kirien was not beside her.
She hadn’t sensed his presence leaving. How was that possible? No matter how exhausted she’d been, how could she have missed that? How could she not have felt him slip away?
Artiela’s eyes blinked once, then she bolted from the bed.
He wasn’t in the corridor either.
“Kirien?”
Artiela knocked urgently on the opposite door. But again, there was no sign of anyone within.
What was this? What had happened?
Dread swept over her. Had she been wrong to bring him to the Imperial Palace? Watching Peter’s atrocities, keeping herself composed—it couldn’t have been easy for him.
Had the Source of Evil taken him?
While she slept, had something occurred that forced him to leave and handle it alone?
Artiela trembled with anxiety as she rushed down the corridor.
“Kirien?”
“Captain!”
As Artiela called out desperately, other knights approached her instead.
“Have you seen Kirien?”
“The youngest? He’s at the Training Grounds…….”
Before the sentence could finish, Artiela was already racing toward the Training Grounds. And there she found him.
“Kirien!”
“Artiela, you’re awake already? You should rest a bit longer.”
Without thinking, Artiela stretched out both arms. Then she wound them around his neck and clung to him.
“What’s the matter?”
“I don’t know, I just…….”
For a moment there, it felt like I’d lost you.
But if she said such a thing, it would only worry him. Better to bear that anxiety alone.
Artiela tightened her grip.
“I had a nightmare.”
“That’s unlike you.”
“Why? Do you dislike it when I’m clingy?”
“No. I like it. Very much.”
Kirien embraced her in return. His smile was far more breathtakingly beautiful than usual. Such skillful use of his strength.
* * *
A few days later, Artiela received word from the priest of the Sacred Relic Repository and dragged Kirien along with her.
“At last, I’ve completed the new Boutonniere.”
“Oh, it’s lovely.”
This time it was designed much more simply.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, though lately it doesn’t seem like we’ll need it much.”
Kirien withdrew the Mirror of Truth from his chest, as if to say he preferred that instead.
But that required taking it out to check every time.
“You’ve confirmed its function?”
“Of course. I’m certain of it. There’s not a trace of the Curse remaining.”
Reassured by the priest’s confidence, Artiela pinned the Boutonniere to Kirien’s chest.
“Huh?”
It was turning grey again.
Everyone grew flustered and removed the Boutonniere. The pearl immediately returned to its pink hue.
“How can this be?”
Artiela asked as if demanding an explanation.
But the priest was equally baffled. Had the malevolent force returned to him?
Artiela took the Mirror of Truth from Kirien’s hands and held it up to the Boutonniere. The priest leaned forward, peering into the mirror as well.
“My work is flawless, Captain!”
The responsible priest cried out loudly, sounding aggrieved. Which left only one possibility…….
Both the priest and Artiela turned to look at Kirien at the same moment.
Is it really all right? But we’re in Edelion. No, wait—last time when I fought that dark mage, the Source of Evil did slip in somehow.
“Kirien?”
“I feel perfectly fine myself. But to be safe, would you check for me?”
Right—if it were the Source of Evil, he wouldn’t say such a thing. Still, I shouldn’t assume…
Artiela carefully held up the mirror to Kirien’s reflection, her anxious eyes scanning the surface.
But there was a very serious problem.
“The Duke shows no signs of corruption either?”
The priest was right. The absence of a problem was itself the problem.

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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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