The Villainess Duke Lady Hides Her Identity - Chapter 77

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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 77

We arrived at the Dining Hall.
The moment Fellens, who had been waiting, caught sight of Reponya’s hair, his face crumpled. At the same instant, Havelian gasped and shot to his feet.
“Reponya!”
Havelian approached and dropped to one knee without hesitation, gripping both her shoulders as he turned her this way and that to inspect her.
“What happened? Hm? Did someone yank your hair out? How dare anyone lay a hand on our youngest’s hair!”
I felt Duke Craitan flinch beside me.
“It’s not like that, Havelian.”
“Not like that? Brother’s right—right now your hair is under total assault from carrots. The carrots are practically bombing your head at this point.”
Fellens pointed at both of the Carrot Hairpins, muttering about “terrifying carrots.”
“The Duke tied my hair.”
“What? Father did?”
“Father… why on earth did you style Reponya’s hair like this? Did she do something wrong? Even if she did, our youngest’s hair—”
…….
Duke Craitan fell silent as though he’d committed some grave crime.
“Look, cotton ball. Why didn’t you just have the maids redo it? Did Father say you absolutely must never take it down? If he did, tell me. I’ll scold Father for you.”
Fellens spoke without hesitation even though the Duke stood right beside him.
Reponya shook her head and took her seat.
“I liked it, so I didn’t redo it. It’s distinctive and nice… do I really look that strange to you both?”
That’s odd. When I looked in the mirror, it didn’t seem so bad.
Reponya touched her half-undone hair on one side and the forcibly half-bound strands on the other, letting her shoulders sag.
Havelian hurried over and waved both hands frantically.
“You don’t look strange. Not at all. Our youngest could never look strange.”
“R-right. What I meant was, um, cotton ball, it’s not your hair that’s strange, it’s the carrot… the carrot that’s strange.”
“Fellens, I chose this hairpin myself today.”
“C-carrot hairpin isn’t strange at all—I just happened to be thinking this morning that maybe I should finally start eating carrots, and when you came out wearing a carrot hairpin, wow, it’s so strange and amazing.”
“… Fellens, what are you talking about?”
Fellens buried his face in his palm, looking utterly defeated.
“… Right. Starting today, I’m eating carrots.”
“Yes. And you need to stop being picky about your food.”
“… Okay.”
Fellens answered weakly, his face still buried in his hand.
“And even if my hair looks strange, that’s fine… everyone has different tastes.”
Individual preferences deserve respect.
“Strange? My taste is our youngest. Very distinctive and elegant. Honestly, I think only our youngest could pull off a hairstyle like this.”
“… Really?”
Havelian launched into a desperate defense.
“Exactly, exactly. It’s a really lovely hairstyle—perfect for your age right now. Don’t you think, Fellens?”
“Yeah, of course. … But, um… next time, does Father really have to do it? Maybe Father should just do what a father can do.”
Reponya glared at Fellens. Receiving that look, Fellens quickly turned his head away.
Fortunately, breakfast arrived and the conversation came to a natural pause.
I’d grown quite accustomed to these boisterous meals now. It was the complete opposite of the Dining Etiquette the Pope had taught me, but I preferred this mealtime far more.
“So, Fellens. You said you’d start eating carrots today?”
“Ugh. Why does carrot have to appear today of all days?”
“Brother. Keep that up and you’ll fall behind my height.”
“Go ahead, cotton ball. Please catch up to my height.”
As we bickered and ate, Havelian reached over and cut Reponya’s food into bite-sized pieces.
Only after Havelian had cut everything into perfect bite-sized portions did Reponya pick up her fork and begin eating.
By now, even this had become routine.
‘If this keeps up, I’ll end up forgetting all the Dining Etiquette I learned.’
While Reponya was eating, humming contentedly, Duke Craitan, who had been observing his three children, opened his mouth.
“We may not be able to share dinner together for some time.”
“Father, are you sulking because I didn’t keep my hair tied?”
“Fellens. Don’t ask if Father is sulking. Everyone is watching—you must conduct yourself properly before the head of House of Craitan. … Father, are you upset with us?”
Havelian was being even worse.
“It’s not that. I have matters to discuss with His Imperial Majesty.”
“How many days will you be staying with His Majesty?”
“Several days. But I can’t abandon my duties at the Estate for long.”
Duke Craitan looked up from his plate, fixing his gaze on Reponya, who tilted her head while continuing to eat with both cheeks full.
“Things will be hectic for a while. Make sure you look after Reponya well.”
“Don’t worry, Father. I’m here, and Fellens is too.”
“True. Still, let’s always have breakfast together. And Reponya—I’ll tie your hair again tomorrow, the way you asked.”
“Yes!”
Reponya nodded eagerly. Beside her, Fellens muttered something about “again tomorrow,” but she brushed it aside lightly.

A few days passed.
Rumors spread that the Crown Prince would study abroad in a foreign land.
And security around the Imperial Palace was strengthened.

* * *

Cool weather gave way to a season where the trees had shed their leaves entirely, leaving only bare branches standing skeletal against the sky.
‘It’s gotten quite cold.’
Reponya wiped frost from the carriage window with her fingertip. Though seasons had changed, she remained the youngest of House of Craitan.
She’d thought she’d last only a few months at most, but she’d managed far longer than expected.
Since many nobles who drew out their adoption play eventually tired of it and unadopted after years had passed, she gave it little thought.
Until unadoption came, she’d simply enjoy herself—and when it did come, she’d leave without regret.
As the Capital’s Harvest Festival ended in autumn, Duke Craitan grew occupied.
He frequented the unsettled Imperial Palace daily as the Crown Prince departed to study abroad.
Some nobles speculated he must be ill, given how long he’d been absent from public appearances.
The Crown Prince’s personal affairs were strictly confidential. If word spread that the Empire’s strength had faltered, they risked threats from foreign powers—or worse, civil war.
To suppress such rumors, Duke Craitan made a point of appearing at the Imperial Palace daily, demonstrating the steadfastness of Imperial Authority.
Thanks to this, the rumors subsided quickly, though whispers still circulated in darker corners that something might have happened to the Crown Prince.
Of course, few dared voice such things openly, mindful of the Duke’s presence.
“Reponya. Why do you look so worried, staring out the window like that?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you anxious about Fellens? Don’t be. If he fails the Graduation Exam, we’ll send him back to the Academy, and starting today, I’ll be your escort.”
And now.
Reponya traveled alongside Duke Craitan, Havelian, and Rudeuum toward Fellens’s Academy.
Today was the day of Fellens’s Graduation Exam.
“But why is Duke Billemen coming to my son’s Graduation Exam?”
“My teacher in Swordsmanship is having his Graduation Exam. As his student, I should naturally attend.”
Rudeuum, who had settled himself snugly beside Reponya, answered smoothly.
For all he said that, Rudeuum had grown quite close to the three men of House of Craitan.
Havelian made no effort to hide his satisfaction with how well Rudeuum followed his lessons, while Fellens rushed to comfort him with pitying expressions whenever he made a mistake.
Moreover, Duke Craitan seemed to depend on Rudeuum in subtle ways.
For instance.
“After the New Year Celebration, we’re thinking of bringing the Crown Prince back to the Empire. What do you think, Duke Billemen?”
He’d taken to asking Rudeuum’s opinion directly more often.
Of course, every time he did.
“I don’t know about these things. Do as you see fit.”
Rudeuum would answer in precisely that manner.
Reponya studied Rudeuum intently. Noticing her gaze, he furrowed his brow, then changed his answer.
“I’d suggest not bringing him back until the weather grows warmer.”
Having reconsidered his halfhearted reply, Rudeuum turned to look squarely at Reponya.
“Eat dinner with me tonight.”
Whenever Rudeuum gave such a revised answer, he’d make demands as if expecting reward—like sharing a meal.
He claimed food tasted like nothing when eaten alone, as though he were chewing stones.
As if it were so difficult to eat together.
“All right. I’d like that.”
Reponya nodded in agreement.
Though seasons had turned, nothing essential had changed.
As they spoke, the carriage arrived at Fellens’s Academy.
The carriage stopped, and the four of them descended.
“Wow.”
It was Reponya’s first time arriving at the Academy in her life.

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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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