The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 114

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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 114

“There’s a welcome performance?”
I asked with wide eyes, and Rakiel nodded in response.
“A simple musical performance and a water show.”
“Goodness, is it magic?”
“Not quite.”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“It appears to use water pressure. I’m not entirely certain myself, but according to the experts, it operates on the same principle as the water spraying from a fountain.”
Ah, so it’s similar to a modern fountain show—the kind I’d occasionally see in department store lobbies.
Since such spectacles were rare in this world, my eyes naturally brightened with interest.
“Why? Do you wish to see it?”
“Of course.”
I still had considerable time before the “contact meeting” was scheduled. I could afford to indulge in a little enjoyment.
‘Ludwig does concern me, though…’
In a place this crowded, there was little he could accomplish. Even if he wished to kill Rakiel and me, it would be difficult to disguise such an act with so many witnesses present.
Still, I would need to remain cautious.
Moreover, Saint Liliana would be present. Ludwig wasn’t foolish enough to commit such an act before a Saint who could hear the voice of God.
Rakiel and I naturally made our way toward the fountain. The VIP seating area was positioned at a slight distance from the fountain. The front rows would likely get splashed, so it seemed the rear seating—where the entire fountain could be viewed—had been designated as the VIP area.
The Walter Delegation was seated at some distance away.
“The seating is quite spacious,” I remarked.
I sat in one of the prepared chairs.
Though it was positioned somewhat toward the railing, I actually preferred it. From a center seat, I would have been forced into endless conversation with other nobles.
‘Was this corner seat assigned intentionally?’
Ludwig’s intention to isolate us seemed quite apparent.
“It’s not bad at all.”
Rakiel sat down immediately beside me. After a short while, the seats began filling in, one or two at a time.
I gazed blankly toward the fountain, then glanced over at Rakiel. He sat with an expressionless face, waiting for the performance just as I was.
‘Hmm… sitting like this, it almost feels like a date.’
A man and woman seated together to watch a performance—anyone would mistake us for a couple.
Of course, we were technically engaged, so we were a couple in that sense. But it was an engagement with a predetermined end.
Suddenly, his earlier words flashed through my mind.

—Look, whenever I see you, my heart races.

The moment I replayed those words in my mind, heat flooded my face. It was precisely the kind of remark that would invite misunderstanding.
‘Damn it, why did I say it like that….’
Perhaps Rakiel possessed a talent for charming women.
‘Calm down. Everyone’s heart races naturally. What guarantee do I have that it’s because of me?’
Unfounded misunderstandings were absolutely forbidden.
As I steadied my breathing and tried to compose my flushed face, I felt Rakiel’s gaze upon me.
“Is the sunlight too intense?”
“Pardon?”
“Your face has become quite flushed.”
Rakiel’s eyes filled with concern.
‘Am I still red?’
I fanned myself with an embarrassed expression.
“Ah, it does feel rather warm….”
Though a canopy had been installed and the weather was pleasantly cool, I deliberately ignored those facts.
Yes, I was hot. That was all.
Yet the moment our eyes met as he turned his body to face me, I felt my face grow even warmer. He possessed unnecessarily distinct features.
After regarding me with concern for a moment, he leaned toward me and pressed his large hand against my forehead. My eyes were half-obscured, and my vision darkened.
‘Ah, yes, it would be better if I couldn’t see his face… but that’s not helping!’
My body stiffened at the unexpected contact.
“Your Highness?”
“You seem to have a fever. Perhaps the outdoors was too much after all.”
That’s because of you!
I wanted to cry out, but it was impossible. I barely managed to force out words that refused to come.
“I’m, fine. It’s probably just from walking around earlier.”
“You’re not fine.”
He withdrew his hand and glanced around. He appeared to be searching for something.
But soon, unable to find it, he sighed.
“Wait here.”
“Yes?”
Rakiel abruptly rose from his seat.
“I’ll go fetch some water. Bear with it a little longer, even if it’s difficult.”
“Yes, but? The performance will start soon, won’t it? Besides, I could simply have a servant——”
Even as I reached out to stop him, he left the moment he finished speaking.
I remained there for a moment before slowly lowering my hand.
“Surely he doesn’t think I’m some delicate creature who faints in any sunlight?”
An ominous premonition flashed through my mind.
…It was true that I had lost my composure a few times in front of him, but I was absolutely not fragile.
Absolutely not!
Besides, he wasn’t even my servant, so it was absurd that he went himself.
Left alone unexpectedly, I relaxed my body and leaned back against the chair. There was nothing to do anyway until Rakiel returned.
The performance shouldn’t start before that.
Since we’re watching anyway, wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to watch together?
But the moment I settled lazily into my seat, a voice called out from beside me.
“May I sit next to you?”
“…!”
It was Saint Liliana.

* * *

Having left the Fountain, Rakiel searched for the servants.
The servants who had been busily moving about moments ago with trays of drinks were nowhere to be seen now.
It appeared they were taking the opportunity during the fountain performance to reorganize. As a result, Rakiel found himself forced to venture further from the Fountain than anticipated.
Eventually, he made his way to the Rest Area set up in a corner. A luxurious tent had been erected there, stocked with simple refreshments and beverages.
Upon spotting the water bottle on the table, he hesitated briefly before picking up the entire bottle along with a glass.
‘She might need it again.’
Watching the fountain performance might make her thirsty again. Since Evelyn rarely revealed her needs, I could only take care of her from the sidelines.
Though she was usually meticulous, when it came to her own affairs, she was rather careless.
‘…I wish she’d think more about herself.’
I picked up a tray and placed the water bottle and glass on it, then after a moment’s consideration, added some light refreshments as well.
‘Her mouth might get dry.’
Finally leaving the Rest Area, my hands held a tray laden with a water bottle and various refreshments.
Perhaps because it was quite rare to see a prince carrying a tray, I felt gazes lingering on me despite the sparse crowd.
Rakiel paid no attention and began walking.
However, I couldn’t help but stop after a short distance.
Despite the considerable distance, my eyes found Evelyn clearly. She was not alone. Someone beside her was whispering to her with unsettling intimacy.
Leaning in close.
‘The Saint?’
I furrowed my brow slightly. I had heard that Evelyn and the Saint had grown close, but seeing them pressed together like this was far from pleasing. The way they leaned toward each other as if sharing secrets was even more troubling.
What is she scheming….
“…Duke Cashen?”
I muttered while grimacing. This time, I had spotted a head of dark hair in the distance.
‘It’s too early.’
Last night, I had made brief contact with Duke Cashen to discuss what I could provide during this ‘meeting’.
He had readily agreed and was scheduled to appear as the banquet drew to a close.
Yet Duke Cashen had arrived far earlier than promised, and his gaze was fixed on Evelyn. He was heading straight toward her.
‘Damn it….’
Of course, there was nothing problematic about him arriving early.
Yet this uncomfortable feeling that arose….
My fiancée was always the center of everyone’s attention. Whether she realized it or not, she drew people to her.
Even when she concealed her face, hadn’t I been occupied with deflecting all the unnecessary interest directed toward her? Though she never knew it, it was my responsibility to turn away all those who approached her, whether with impure or good intentions.
But now that she walked about with her face exposed, the problem only grew worse.
‘I want to lock her away somewhere deep and hidden, where only I can see her.’
Of course, that wouldn’t do.
The moment I turned my head absently, my eyes met Ludwig’s, who was gazing in this direction.
His face was twisted in a peculiar expression.
“You….”
He looked considerably troubled.
“Why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to be with Evelyn?”
Ludwig muttered as though I shouldn’t be here at all.
“What….”
For a moment, Rakiel’s brow furrowed as he failed to grasp the meaning.
It was a banquet anyway. The fountain performance was underway, but where he stood shouldn’t concern Ludwig.
Yet Ludwig scanned the area around the fountain with a furrowed brow—like someone who feared something that ought to happen there might go awry.
It was in that instant that an ominous thought crossed Rakiel’s mind.
Ludwig was like a cornered rat with nowhere to escape. The reason he seemed powerless to act was the presence of outsiders at this banquet. And among them was the Saint.
But if Ludwig were willing to take on considerable risk—truly considerable risk—he did possess a card that could overturn the situation entirely.
It seemed too much like gambling for him to move recklessly, but if, just perhaps, he were to take that risk….
The moment Rakiel’s anxious eyes met Ludwig’s resentful gaze.
Crash!
The tray in my hand slipped from my grasp, and the glass shattered, scattering in all directions as refreshments rolled across the floor.
“Eve!”
There was no time to hesitate.
The instant I rushed forward, a chilling sound erupted from the fountain.
Screech!

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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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