The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 110

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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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The Villainess Hides Her Identity, and Everyone Misunderstands
Chapter 110

They separated just half a day after crossing the border? Then when exactly did she part ways with the delegation?
It takes at least four days to travel from the Valter Empire’s border to the Capital City. If you allowed for a leisurely pace, the distance could stretch to a week.
This was not something one could speak of with such a serene expression. Absolutely not.
“Then… did you travel alone from there? The Saint, by yourself?”
Killian asked, unable to hide his bewilderment.
Half a day from the border meant she’d traveled alone for at least three days. Considering she’d arrived without a carriage, a horse, or even a companion, it might have taken even longer.
How on earth did she manage it?
I sat there, my mouth agape in confusion.
‘Is such a thing even possible?’
In every previous iteration, I’d met her for the first time without fail at a welcoming reception. I had no knowledge of what happened before that, but I’d certainly never heard of anyone picking up a Saint abandoned on the roadside.
This was truly an unprecedented occurrence.
Yet Liliana merely brought the steaming teacup to her lips, her expression perfectly composed.
“The delegation likely hasn’t arrived yet. They must have lost considerable time searching for me.”
…And here she sits, calmly sipping tea as if nothing were amiss!
What on earth was this woman thinking?
After the Saint went missing, that delegation must have searched frantically for her. Especially the one responsible for the envoy—he was likely beside himself with worry.
If I were in that situation…
‘I probably would have given up searching after a while.’
There were limits to searching in that location. After all, she’d been lost within the Bernhardt Empire, so it would have been wiser to seek assistance from this side.
And they probably rushed at full speed toward the Capital City…
Knock, knock.
“My Lady, an urgent dispatch.”
It was Rakiel’s familiar servant. It appeared to be a reply to the letter I’d sent this morning.
‘But why an urgent dispatch? It shouldn’t be that pressing.’
I took the letter from him and immediately tore it open to check its contents.
“An urgent dispatch from Prince Rakiel? Is it because of what happened this morning?”
Killian murmured the question aloud.
I skimmed through the contents and replied.
“Ah, yes… He’s informing me of what’s currently happening at the Imperial Palace. He says he’ll try to resolve the Investigation Bureau matter as quickly as possible. And…”
There was one more line added at the end, almost as an afterthought.

｢P.S. The disappearance of the Valter Empire’s Saint…｣

“…The Valter Empire Envoy Delegation has arrived. They say the Saint disappeared, and they’ve requested assistance with the search.”
“Oh dear.”
Both our gazes turned toward Liliana simultaneously.
She simply smiled with a benevolent expression and sipped her tea.

* * *

“Liliana!”
“Goodness, Liliana! You’re safe!”
The door burst open as three men rushed into the Drawing Room. It was around the time my third cup of tea had begun to cool.
It seemed my reply to Rakiel had been swiftly conveyed to the Valter Empire Envoy Delegation.
There was no particular reason to hide the fact that the Saint was here, and from a diplomatic standpoint, it was better to inform them quickly. If this caused further tension between the two empires, it would be a disaster.
‘I’m going through all this trouble to prevent that war, and now this. How troublesome.’
They clung to Liliana, weeping as though reuniting after years apart. Watching them, Liliana maintained that same serene smile.
“My, you’ve arrived sooner than expected.”
Her voice emerged calm and collected.
“Sooner than expected?! The Saint disappeared, and you expect us to leisurely match our carriage speed?!”
“What a shame.”
“Pardon?”
Though her words made little sense, they brushed past them as though accustomed to such remarks.
“Regardless, how on earth did you manage to come all this way alone?”
The gray-haired man stared at her intently, pressing for answers.
“We carried all the luggage, and you didn’t have a single coin to your name! How could you have set out on this journey by yourself?!”
“All things unfold according to divine will.”
Liliana set down her teacup gently as she replied.
“When there is a place one must reach, the path opens beneath one’s feet.”
“Not divine will!”
The man finally raised his voice in exasperation.
“How did you get here? By what means? On foot? By carriage? Surely you didn’t hitch a ride with some stranger?!”
“The method by which one reaches their appointed destination is not a matter of great importance.”
“….”
He fell silent, staring at Liliana for a long moment. He seemed to hope he might hear the reason behind her eccentric behavior, so he waited in silence, but they too seemed to make no progress.
He opened his mouth as if to press further, but ultimately gave up with a resigned sigh.
“…Very well, Liliana. If you’ve arrived safely, that is sufficient.”
He had quickly realized that further questioning would be futile.
Then again, this was hardly their first experience with such matters.
I had thought it took considerable audacity to seek help from the Crown Prince of a nation that was practically an enemy empire, but Liliana certainly possessed the composure befitting a heroine.
As their conversation concluded, the three men’s gazes shifted in unison toward us, who had stood up briefly.
They seemed to realize they had clung only to the Saint without offering a single greeting to their master. The gray-haired man stiffened and bowed respectfully.
“Forgive our late greeting. I am Daylen Habel, leading the Valter Empire Envoy Delegation. I apologize for our lack of propriety. We hope you will overlook our rudeness. That is to say….”
“I am Killian Rosenthal, the eldest son of the Rosenthal Duchy.”
“Ah, the Duke himself. It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”
The flustered demeanor from moments before vanished, replaced swiftly by the composed bearing befitting an envoy delegation.
Killian acknowledged with a slight nod.
“You’ve traveled such a distance, and endured considerable hardship besides. I’m relieved we can meet you safely. This is my sister, Evelyn.”
At the sound of my introduction, I stepped forward with a greeting of my own.
“I’m Evelyn Rosenthal. Though our meeting comes sooner than anticipated, I hope your time in the Bernhardt Empire proves most agreeable.”
“…Indeed, the rumors have not been exaggerated.”
Daylen Habel made no effort to conceal his admiration, bowing once more.
“To behold in person the jewel of Bernhardt, I can now attest that her renown is far from mere fancy. We are deeply grateful for your gracious reception of our humble delegation.”
“…Renown?”
“Yes, you are spoken of throughout the continent as possessing the finest beauty, and your name circulates frequently even in Valter.”
“I see.”
Thank goodness. For a moment I feared word of that ridiculous “Saint” business had spread all the way to Valter.
“…And moreover, tales of your noble character have circulated as well—that another Saint has emerged among us.”
Damn.
An unmistakably uncomfortable silence settled over the room. I broke it with difficulty.
“Such praise is undeserved. The true Saint graces us with her presence here.”
He seemed disinclined to press further, turning his gaze away. The remaining introductions proceeded in turn.
‘Could one of them be connected to Ludwig?’
According to information gleaned from a prisoner I’d interrogated recently, the mole within this delegation was to make contact during the welcome reception. I’d learned the time and place, but even that prisoner hadn’t known the identity of the traitor.
Which meant the culprit could be among them.
Killian seemed to harbor the same suspicion, his gaze lingering with an investigative intensity.
Remarkably, all three who had come to fetch Liliana were familiar faces.
‘The same two troublemakers who caused problems every visit, and one whose presence barely registers…’
Two men whose inferiority complexes and wounded pride perpetually sparked friction with Bernhardt nobility were among them. And the third…
I observed Daylen Habel, who guided the conversation with practiced ease. His face was vaguely familiar, yet I recalled no particular incident involving him. He was hardly the sort to leave a lasting impression.
‘…Though all three could be innocent.’
The mole was just as likely to be a knight, servant, or maid rather than a nobleman.
Meanwhile, the conversation proceeded steadily.
“Lady Liliana.”
Daylen Habel set down his teacup slowly before speaking.
“It is joy enough to see you safe, but perhaps we should depart for the Imperial Palace now.”
“…”
“Four days remain before the welcome reception, and we understand the Imperial Court has prepared accommodations for our delegation. It would be the proper procedure for you to reside there henceforth.”
His suggestion was measured and diplomatic.
Another man beside him added carefully.
“We shall remember with gratitude the kindness shown by the Rosenthal Duchy in Valter’s name. However, should it become known that Lady Liliana resides privately with a foreign house, it could complicate matters between our nations.”
Well, that was fair enough.
We had no desire to harbor Liliana here and invite unnecessary risk, nor any intention to do so.
All eyes naturally turned toward Liliana.
She sat quietly, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup. Her expression was enigmatic—neither contemplative nor evasive, but something altogether more subtle.
At last, she parted her lips, her voice low and gentle.
“I am grateful for your consideration.”
A faint smile played at the corners of her mouth.
“However, I wish to remain here.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Daylen Habel’s expression hardened.
“I will not be going to the Imperial Palace.”

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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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