The Villainess Duke Lady Hides Her Identity - Chapter 32

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

Episode 32

At the mention of acquiring a younger sister, every eye in the shop pivoted toward Reponya standing beside Felence.
Caught suddenly beneath that weight of attention, Reponya flinched and instinctively retreated behind Felence.
The shop employee’s devotion to high-profile customers was remarkable.
“What a charming young lady.”
Quickly discerning that this extraordinary spending spree now revolved around Reponya, the employee pivoted to address her first.
“Please forgive my earlier breach of courtesy.”
The employee bowed deeply, his eyes flicking sideways toward Buddy and Beki. Since Reponya’s adoption hadn’t been formally announced, he was silently asking the question they couldn’t answer.
Buddy and Beki stepped forward.
“This is the young duchess of House Kraitan. Show proper respect.”
Behind them, a rustle of murmurs moved through the gathered nobles—but the employee paid no mind.
“Young Duchess of House Kraitan, I am honored to make your acquaintance. Please forgive my rudeness.”
Felence reached back and gently stroked Reponya’s hair, leaning down to whisper.
“Tell him it’s all right, Ponya. He can’t lift his head until you give him permission.”
Among the great houses, no one dared raise their head without the sanction of the patriarch. In that moment, Reponya felt the full weight of her new station.
“…It’s fine.”
She whispered the words in a trembling voice. She’d never had to say such a thing before—it felt impossibly strange.
“Thank you, Young Duchess.”
The employee rose with a smile.
“But having committed such an offense, I cannot simply let the matter pass. Ah—Young Duchess, what do you think of this item?”
The employee gestured toward the Toy Teapot and matching cups.
“It’s been selling rather well. You see, when you pour from the teapot into the cup like this…”
He tilted the teapot to demonstrate. Though it was only a toy with nothing inside, somehow water rose mysteriously into the cup.
“The tea appears as if by magic.”
“…Wow.”
Even Reponya, peeking out from behind Felence, was captivated—her eyes shining with wonder.
“Of course, it’s not drinkable, and it won’t spill.”
The employee tilted the cup upside down. Though water clearly filled it, not a drop fell. The liquid rose to a certain height, then swiftly vanished.
“How amazing.”
It was clearly a toy crafted using a Mana Stone.
Seeing Reponya’s eyes gleam, the employee swiftly produced another item.
“I’d like to offer this to you as an apology, if I may. Would that be acceptable?”
Recognizing that Felence was the true center of this spending, the employee moved with sharp instincts.
Reponya glanced sideways at Felence, uncertain whether she should accept the gift or politely refuse.
“Go ahead. You can accept it.”
Felence nodded and continued stroking her hair. When Reponya nodded in agreement, the employee entrusted the toy to Buddy and Beki.
“Thank you for accepting, Young Duchess.”
“…Okay.”
Reponya tugged at Felence’s sleeve.
She’d been about to call him brother as usual, but the gazes of the surrounding nobles made her hesitate.
They said nothing, but their eyes followed her with obvious interest.
“Ponya, what is it?”
“Are you really buying everything?”
“Of course. Why?”
“It’s… too much.”
“Too much? How so?”
Felence genuinely looked confused.
“Why buy two lanterns? …The mansion’s already well-lit.”
“You buy things because you need them? I buy things because they’re interesting, beautiful, or catch my eye.”
……
“Besides, when I’m in a foul mood, the best cure is to shop without thinking. That’s what I do.”
Reponya found herself at a loss for words.
In the meantime, Felence had already begun discussing whether the purchased items should be transported directly or carried separately. Beside him, Lord Belik and the employee were debating the size of the goods against the carriage capacity.
He meant to buy everything.
“Did you know, Young Duchess? The Second Young Lord has never even given the Duke a gift.”
Buddy chuckled softly as he spoke.
“It’s the first time the Second Young Master has stepped forward like this to buy a gift for you himself. Please accept it with joy.”
“…All right.”
“Then I’ll just leave this in the carriage and be right back. Please wait a moment.”
Buddy smiled and stepped out of the General Store to place the Toy Teapot he’d just received from the Shop Employee in the carriage.
While he did so, Beki requested a chair from the Shop Employee and had Reponya sit down.
‘My mood does seem a little better, at least.’
Perhaps it was from being dragged around by Felence in such a daze. Or perhaps, as Felence had said, her hollow heart had been filled by thoughtlessly purchasing one thing after another.
Reponya was staring blankly through the General Store’s glass window when it happened.
Someone passed by the glass.
‘What?’
Reponya froze.
Just now, surely….
“Miss?”
Beki tilted her head as she watched Reponya suddenly rise from the chair.
It was just as Beki was about to say something.
“Miss!”
Without hesitation, Reponya pushed open the General Store door and bolted outside.
Beki, unable to catch hold of Reponya as she suddenly dashed out, cried after her.
“Miss, Miss has gone outside!!”
The bright sound of the door opening rang out.
“Reponya!”
“Miss!”
Startled by Reponya’s sudden action, Felence and Sir Belik immediately gave chase, their voices urgent.
The moment Felence stepped out of the General Store and wove Aura around his feet to accelerate, it happened.
—A sharp whistle!—
A vicious wind attacked him like a physical blow.
A silver wolf-shaped form blocked Felence’s path.
“Sir Belik! Fall back!”
In the same motion, Felence’s blue eyes flashed with savage intensity as he stumbled backward. Drawing his Aura-wreathed sword, he swung it without mercy at the silver wolf-form that blocked his way.
—Crack!—
But before the blade could land, the insubstantial form vanished like mist.
“A Spirit.”
Felence clicked his tongue. But that wasn’t what mattered. His head snapped up urgently.
“…Reponya?”
But the figure of Reponya who had bolted from the General Store had already vanished.

* * *

‘That was Lyudeom just now.’
The person who had passed by the General Store’s glass window was Lyudeom. That child.
Moreover, the special glass was meant to be opaque from the outside—there was no way anyone should have been able to see in—yet their eyes had met clearly.
Lyudeom had seen Reponya directly.
The moment those calm golden eyes met hers, Reponya’s mind filled with only one thought: she had to meet that child right away.
Her body moved before her mind could catch up, leaving no room for other thoughts.
Felence would be suspicious, and Buddy and Beki would worry.
But that child—surely.
Surely that child would know something.
Why the Abandoned House had burned, who had set it ablaze.
She’d rushed after him in panic, fearing she might lose him, but in the end she had.
“Sigh.”
Reponya exhaled and checked her surroundings.
Running about so frantically, she’d evidently gotten far from the General Store. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, no one had followed her.
“…Am I fast enough that even my brother couldn’t catch me?”
Reponya marveled at her own feet. She’d thought she might be able to outpace Sir Belik, but to outrun Felence, an Aura User—that was surprising.
‘Since things have come to this, I’d better stop by the Reporting Location before heading back.’
The deed was done. She’d lost Lyudeom and Felence wasn’t here—better to visit the Reporting Location and then return.
Reponya made her way to the Reporting Location, using streets where prying eyes wouldn’t fall.
She meant to leave a report that more time was needed, as it was difficult to confirm the family heirloom’s location.
And once the mission was complete, she could live a life free from interference.
‘Then everyone will have to part ways.’
Reponya’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
Once the mission was complete and she’d received payment from the Pope, once she’d drunk the Nullification Potion, she wouldn’t look like a child anymore—and if they crossed paths, no one would recognize her.
A complete farewell.
Reponya stood rooted to the spot like a tree, dazed. But then she shook her head.
“They’re not even real family.”
Reponya stamped down the stirring emotions underfoot, crushing them, and turned toward the Reporting Location.
The moment she arrived at the Reporting Location, she went rigid.
Each operative had a different Reporting Location so they wouldn’t discover each other’s assignments.
Reponya’s Reporting Location was before a great oak tree. A Golden Ribbon symbolizing the Pope encircled it.
On reporting days, one would bury the report beneath the tree’s right side.
Then the courier would carry the report to the Pope.
And now.
The oak tree at Reponya’s Reporting Location had been hewn down savagely, leaving only the stump.
……
The Reporting Location had been decommissioned.
A large red X was marked across the stump.
The person who used this Reporting Location—Reponya herself—had been sentenced as a Traitor.
‘The Pope is… furious.’
Reponya’s face drained of color.
It was a coded order: execute on sight.
‘He’s cast me out.’
The Pope had commanded the brothers who hunted down traitors to kill Reponya.
‘I’m going to die.’
Reponya’s breathing quickened. Already branded a Traitor, no explanation would matter.
Her body trembled finely.
The terror that had been suppressed under the Pope’s dominion came flooding back. She knew how those who lived alongside her had died.
‘Someone could be watching me right now.’
Reponya broke into a cold sweat, forcing herself to move with deliberate calm and composure.
Her legs threatened to buckle beneath her.
Traitors were never spared, regardless of reason. They were hunted down and killed without mercy.
It was the iron law the Pope had carved into their very bones.
This was Reponya’s final mission.
‘I want to live. I don’t want to die.’
This was supposed to be the end. Just finish this mission and it’s over—but she couldn’t die here, not like this.
‘I have to go back first.’
To House Kraitan. With the brothers hunting her now, the safest place was within House Kraitan itself—the protector of the Empire.
As long as she was there—
‘For how long?’
House Kraitan protected her now, but what happens after the adoption game ends and she’s disadopted? After her identity is revealed and she’s abandoned?
There would be no one left to protect Reponya.
‘So how am I supposed to survive?’
All of Reponya’s memories were nothing but desperate moments clawing for life.
Yet there had never been a single moment when she could be certain she’d survive safely.
‘I can’t die like this.’
Death had always loomed at her doorstep, and she had always fought back.
‘Am I… going to die?’
Just like now.

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