The Villainess Duke Lady Hides Her Identity - Chapter 74

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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 74

Rudeuum finished speaking and cast a glance at the two brothers behind him.
His reluctance to separate Reponya from the others was plain. But he sighed and opened his mouth.
“Just keep watch from behind.”
It was what Rudeuum had told the two brothers when they first departed from the Craitan Estate.
It meant to quietly follow Reponya’s wishes.
The two brothers burst out laughing.
“That’s right, Reponya. What matters is that you have fun. Let’s go wherever you want to see.”
“We came out to guard a cotton puff today anyway, so we’ll follow you. The Night Market’s probably opened on the other side by now. Most people have rushed to the Grand Temple, so we can enjoy it nice and easy. Want to go?”
“Yes!”
Reponya nodded contentedly and moved forward.
Just as Fellens had said, most people were heading toward the Grand Temple, so the Night Market was pleasantly uncrowded. Reponya wandered freely and savored every moment.
She’d always thought dark streets at night were dangerous, but today was different. Was it because Havelian, Fellens, and Rudeuum were with her?
The crowds were lively, and the lamplight burning in places all around seemed to push back the darkness—beautiful as scattered stars.
“Wow. Should we check over there too—”
Thump.
Just then, Reponya walking ahead collided with someone. Her balance shattered, and her body tumbled backward.
‘Oh.’
Normally, even if her balance had faltered, the training she’d received would have let her right herself immediately. But this time was different.
‘That’s….’
The moment Reponya saw the face of the person she’d bumped into, she was so startled she couldn’t put any strength in her legs.
Catch.
Rudeuum, standing beside her, quickly caught Reponya’s back as she fell backward.
“Are you hurt?”
Rudeuum asked, but Reponya’s gaze remained fixed on the person she’d collided with.
‘The Pope’s… fourth daughter.’
She wore a robe pulled low over her head, and her black hair had changed to silver, but there was no way Reponya could not recognize that face.
‘Bellarica.’
The Pope’s fourth daughter. It was Bellarica.
Though she had arrived later than Reponya, Bellarica, who was the same age, had been one of the survivors of that brutal training.
To survive, to never be abandoned again, Bellarica had always craved the Pope’s favor.
If she became useful to the Pope, if she became the person the Pope needed most, she would never be cast aside.
To Bellarica, the Pope’s words were always as sacred as divine will, the truth that made her alive. If the Pope commanded her to die, she could obey without hesitation right there.
A perfect instrument—created by the Pope through years of relentless training.
That was exactly what Bellarica was.
‘Why is Bellarica here?’
Such a Bellarica couldn’t possibly move alone without the Pope’s orders.
“Reponya, are you hurt anywhere?”
While Havelian approached and examined Reponya, she kept her eyes only on Bellarica.
Bellarica’s crimson eyes looked down at Reponya as though measuring something.
The sharp gaze made it feel as though her breath might stop.
Bellarica and Reponya had first met when they were ten years old. So there was no reason Bellarica, now twenty, would recognize the five-year-old Reponya standing before her as the same person—the Pope’s firstborn daughter.
‘But what if she does recognize me?’
Now Reponya was five years old, and Bellarica was twenty. If Bellarica recognized her and decided to kill her, she wouldn’t even be able to defend herself—she’d just….
“Oh, are you alright?”
Bellarica removed the robe that had been covering her head and asked kindly. Reponya flinched at that gentle tone.
‘Her speech… why is it like that?’
Bellarica’s usual manner of speaking was sharp, either cursing or threatening the other person.
She was the type to shout at someone about what she’d do to their eyes if they didn’t look where they were going, not someone who would ask if they were alright.
Moreover, instead of her usual stolid expression, she was smiling cheerfully.
“I’m… I’m fine.”
Reponya answered with difficulty and straightened her body.
“This is my first time coming to the Capital, so I was distracted… I’ve never seen so many people before… I’m sorry for startling you like that.”
First time coming to the Capital? But she knew about the regular tavern here. What nonsense was this.
“Cotton puff, are you hurt anywhere?”
Fellens, brushing off Bellarica’s words lightly, examined the dazed Reponya with concern, his manner different from usual.
When she nearly stumbled, Reponya checked herself carefully, worried she might have twisted an ankle. She waved her hand frantically as she came to.
“I’m fine, really. You just startled me bumping into me like that.”
Havelian, who had been examining Reponya’s condition, glared at Bellarica with a stern expression.
“Watch where you’re going. It’s the Harvest Festival in the Capital—there are children everywhere. You need to be more careful.”
“I should have paid closer attention to my steps. I’m sorry.”
Bellarica was apologizing so readily? Reponya’s eyes narrowed.
Yet Bellarica merely smiled sheepishly, her cheeks flushing as though embarrassed.
“I came to the Capital to find my lost family, and I guess I was too excited. Hehe.”
Lost family? Reponya’s eyes sharpened to slits.
‘Something doesn’t add up here.’
She’d anticipated that one of her siblings would be sent to steal the Craitan Family Heirloom in her place.
‘It’s Bellarica.’
The fact that Bellarica—who typically handled assassination missions and disposal work—had been deployed revealed the Pope’s determination to obtain the heirloom by any means.
“Well then, I should be going.”
Bellarica smiled sweetly and nodded. Of course, no one acknowledged the farewell.
Havelian, Fellens, and Rudeuum were all too preoccupied checking whether Reponya had been hurt.
‘So she’s just here to observe today.’
Reponya reached out her hand and caught the hem of Bellarica’s robe as she turned to leave.
Did she really think she’d let her go that easily?
“Huh?”
Bellarica turned at the tug on her robe.
“Sister.”
Bellarica. We may be the same age, but there’s a clear hierarchy between us.
“What’s your name?”
“What?”
I’m the eldest. You’re the fourth.
How dare you set foot in my domain.
“Sister’s name. What is it?”
Bellarica, who hadn’t prepared a false identity, was caught off guard by the sudden question.
“Is this your first time in the Capital, sister? Where are you from?”
She’d probably planned to scout the area and return to craft a false identity before approaching again.
‘Well, I’m going to make that identity for her right here, right now.’
As Reponya pressed for a name and personal details—the first time she’d ever latched onto someone this way—Havelian, Fellens, and Rudeuum’s gazes all turned to Bellarica.
Sensing that evasion would seem suspicious, Bellarica forced a smile and opened her lips.
“L-Lara. My name is Lara.”
It was a hastily improvised name, and it showed.
“Yeah. Sister Lara. You’re really pretty, sister. Where are you from?”
“Um… I’m from Briden.”
“Briden? That village in the mountains?”
“Y-yes.”
Caught off guard, Bellarica had blurted out the place where she’d actually lived as a child.
“Oh! How interesting!”
Reponya continued asking for more personal details as though fascinated.
Next time she came to House of Craitan, she’d need to weave these details together into a convincing false identity.
“I was just curious, that’s all.”
She wanted to press further and sabotage the new identity’s construction, but the curious gazes of Rudeuum and her two brothers forced her to relent.
Reponya released the hem of the robe she’d been holding and gave a light wave.
“Goodbye, sister.”
Don’t come back, Bellarica. If you interfere with my work, I’ll have to interfere with yours.
Bellarica gritted her teeth behind a smile and waved back. Then she disappeared quickly into the crowd.
The moment Bellarica vanished completely, Fellens—who had been quiet the entire time—quietly gave a thumbs up.
“Well done, little fluff.”
“…What?”
What? As Reponya turned, not only Fellens but Havelian and Rudeuum as well were looking at her warmly, as if impressed.
Wait—did they all notice something suspicious about Bellarica?
“That’s right, Ponya. You did well. From now on, whenever you bump into someone, make sure to ask for their name. That way, if anything ever happens to you, we can track them down and give them a proper scare.”
…That’s not it at all.
Reponya sighed and looked away.

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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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