The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 111

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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 111

“L-Liliana…”
The man beside me straightened in his seat, clearly flustered.
“I-I beg your pardon. The diplomatic delegation’s residence is traditionally the Imperial Palace. Until the welcome reception, there is nowhere else suitable to——”
“Yes, that is indeed the standard procedure.”
Liliana received his words with gentle grace.
“However, I believe there is another place I must visit before following protocol.”
“…”
“I do hope you will understand.”
Her voice remained composed throughout.
If anything, that very composure made her refusal all the more resolute. Far more effective than a loud rejection was this measured retreat, the conclusion delivered with crystalline clarity.
The three men’s faces hardened in unison.
‘What is she thinking…?’
Perhaps she wished to distance herself from the delegation. The Valter Empire had always sought to manipulate her, and this typically led to her requesting Ludwig’s assistance—such was the usual course of events.
Yet why had this never happened before? Surely there had been occasions when she might have stayed elsewhere than the Imperial Palace…
But before my thoughts could continue, Daylen spoke carefully.
“Might I inquire why you wish not to enter the Imperial Palace?”
The Saint’s gaze shifted slowly.
…toward me.
“…?”
I froze mid-motion, my hand suspended as I reached for my teacup. Following her gaze, everyone’s eyes turned toward me all at once.
“Liliana?”
She regarded me with those clear hazel eyes—a gaze that seemed to peer into my very soul, soft yet somehow pressing inward, peeling back layers.
Though her eyes held a smile, I felt something within them quietly reaching toward me, as if searching.
‘What…?’
In that moment of hesitation, as if being drawn into an abyss, she continued to look at me and spoke.
“Miss Evelyn, during my stay in the Empire, I would like to reside at the Ducal Mansion. Am I making an unreasonable request?”
Her warm, sunlit voice continued. It was an answer that did not address Daylen’s question at all.
It was certainly problematic to have the Saint, an official imperial guest, stay at the noble family’s residence.
Killian, apparently sharing my thoughts, interjected from beside me.
“We are truly honored by your words, Saint…”
The moment he began speaking calmly, something brushed across my mind.
“However, our family privately hosting an official member of the delegation is no trivial matter. I do hope you will understand…”
“Brother.”
Before the conversation could drag on, I lightly grasped his sleeve.
“Just a moment, please.”
“…Evelyn?”
Killian’s gaze lowered in bewilderment. I savored that expression, letting a subtle curve play across my lips.
Come to think of it, this situation might unfold quite entertainingly.
“Saint, since you’ve come all this way, why not stay somewhere comfortable?”
“…Miss Evelyn?”
“If the Ducal Mansion suits your tastes, it would be our honor. We’ll ensure you lack for nothing during your stay. And of course, it’s perfectly fine if others remain here as well.”
“W-Wait, Miss Evelyn!”
Daylen exclaimed softly, flustered.
“If this overreaches, then….”
“If you’re concerned about procedural matters between Bernhardt and the Valter Empire, I’ll personally seek the Imperial Palace’s approval on that front.”
I continued in a gentle tone.
“The Saint herself has decided this, and our noble family has willingly agreed to it. If relations between our nations were so fragile that this could damage them, there would have been no diplomatic delegation sent in the first place, would there?”
He fell silent.
After all, my words left no room for rebuttal. I felt Killian draw a sharp breath beside me.
Only then did he seem to grasp what I was truly attempting.
‘…This works out perfectly.’
The Saint would remain at the Ducal Mansion, not the Imperial Palace.
How would Ludwig, who had sought to bind me with charges of impersonating a Saint, accept the sight of the true Saint herself choosing to stay at my side? And if word of this spread throughout not just the Imperial Palace but all of High Society?
The tide was flowing in my direction once more.
“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Evelyn, and Duke.”
“You’re too kind.”
I offered Liliana, who smiled brightly, a warm, narrowed-eyed gaze. Inwardly, I savored the moment.
Since things had come to this, I should make use of everything available. Making her my ally was, after all, far easier than anything else—I had watched over her ninety-nine times.

And four days later.
“My, my, Liliana. Why are you holding your teacup that way?”
“Pardon?”
Liliana withdrew her hand from the cup in confusion. I paused for a moment before continuing shyly.
“Oh, I just hold mine normally, but you look like a living painting, Liliana. Just look at your fingertips. Such elegance flowing from them, simply flowing.”
“Oh my, surely not.”
“Surely yes! I’m so amazed I can barely breathe!”
I dramatically pressed my hand to my chest, making a grand fuss. Liliana laughed brightly, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

[The Saint ‘Liliana’ is delighted by your praise.]

“Evelyn, you certainly have an amusing way with words.”
“It’s not amusement—it’s the truth. Oh, wait a moment.”
I widened my eyes as I watched the sunlight settling over her auburn hair.
“My goodness….”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“The sunlight today is peculiar.”
“The sunlight?”
“Yes, it’s ordinarily just light streaming through the window, but near Liliana it shimmers with such extraordinary brilliance. It seems even the sun recognizes beauty when it sees it.”
“Oh my.”
Liliana brushed her hair aside with a bashful smile.

[Saint ‘Liliana’ is satisfied with the generous treatment.]

“Evelyn, you really… saying such things makes me embarrassed.”
“What’s there to be embarrassed about? It’s the truth.”
I stated it without blinking.
“When I look at Liliana now, I can’t tell if I’m drinking tea or basking in your radiance.”
“Basking in my radiance, hahahaha!”
Liliana finally burst into laughter.

[Saint ‘Liliana’ finds joy in your conversation.]
[Saint ‘Liliana’s’ satisfaction increases.]
[Sub Quest ‘Growing Close to the Saint’ progress increases.]

‘Heh.’
It was almost too easy to believe this would work.
After repeating this ninety-nine times, I had memorized every detail without error—which pastries she preferred, what expression she made with each type of tea.
Her favorite tea, her favorite scents, her preferred pillowcase fabric, even her habit of leaving the window slightly ajar before sleep.

[Quest Name: Growing Close to the Saint
Objective: Saint ‘Liliana’ is staying at Rosenthal Manor. Increase her affection through sincere hospitality and appropriate social interaction.
Reward: Unlock hidden information related to Saint ‘Liliana’ / Affinity +30]

This was a quest I’d obtained for free.

* * *

Daylen Habel.
He stared at the two women before him, his face hardening.
Until Liliana had said she would stay at the Ducal Mansion rather than the Imperial Palace, he hadn’t been particularly concerned.
The Saint had a history of eccentric behavior, and he’d assumed that once her interest waned, she would return just as quickly.
It was merely a passing curiosity toward the Rosenthal noblewoman who bore the title of Saint. So he’d readily agreed to her request and decided to stay at the Ducal Mansion with only a handful of attendants.
He’d dismissed it so lightly.
Liliana had always been that way—a woman whose depths were impossible to fathom, difficult to handle.
But then….
“My goodness, Lady Liliana. What have you gotten on your fingertips?”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“Elegance itself.”
“Oh my!”
Daylen’s eyebrows twitched in irritation.
It was such transparent flattery that even a seven-year-old child wouldn’t fall for it.
‘…But why is she falling for it!’
Liliana cupped her cheeks and laughed shyly.
This was the woman who had never once blushed before countless praises and accolades.
The Saint who had remained unmoved even before kneeling tributes—and now her cheeks were flushing a deep red at nothing more than casual banter.
As dizziness suddenly overwhelmed him, he pressed his temples.
His ostensible duty on this journey was to assist the Saint. Of course, there was a far more important true mission, but that could only be accomplished at the welcoming ceremony.
Which meant that right now, what was holding him back was none other than Liliana.
‘Damn it, if I get this close to the Second Prince’s fiancée, the mission will fall apart.’
The Valter Empire had no intention of leaving even a sliver of possibility for the Second Prince.
Yet this spectacle before him now.
As if the Saint had seen through Valter’s true intentions all along, she deliberately grew close to the Rosenthal noblewoman in an instant.
Unable to bear it any longer, he hastily interjected to stop Liliana.
“L-Lady Liliana, please, maintain some propriety….”
“Why would you say such a thing? This is Evelyn’s home, after all. Oh, may I call you Evelyn?”
The Rosenthal noblewoman smiled warmly at her.
“Of course, please call me Eve. It’s my pet name.”
“Really?”
Daylen’s complexion grew another shade paler.
Among nobility, allowing someone to use one’s pet name was something that simply didn’t happen unless they were quite close.
The moment he forced his eyes to focus and shifted his gaze toward Liliana.
A shudder.
As their eyes met, Daylen trembled involuntarily. Her hazel eyes regarded him with a quiet, penetrating gaze.

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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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