The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 121

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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 121

“Evelyn, it’s time for your examination, so I’ll—”
Hagen, who had carefully opened the door and stepped inside, froze in place.
“….”
“….”
Silence hung heavy in the air.
I was leaning over Rakiel, my hands braced against the mattress on either side of him.
His face had drawn so close to mine that I could feel his breath.
There was no excuse in the world that could explain this scene.
It was Rakiel who broke the silence first.
“You lack perception, Hagen.”
“….”
I couldn’t see Hagen’s expression, but I was certain his eyelids were trembling.
“…It appears I’ve entered at the wrong moment.”
“I would agree.”
“And I seem to have mistaken the examination time as well.”
“Quite likely.”
“Then I shall return later—”
“Why would you come back later!”
I cried out indignantly and wrenched my hand free from Rakiel’s grip. Fortunately, this time he released me without resistance.
I hastily adjusted my clothes and straightened my posture. Unfortunately, my superhuman willpower fell short of salvaging my already flushed face.
Even the shameless iron composure I’d forged through villainy could not overcome the blush spreading across my cheeks.
Hagen, who had seemed to be observing the situation, finally stepped fully into the room once he saw me regaining my composure.
Even after learning that my true identity was Evelyn of Rosenthal, he had shown only mild surprise and no significant disturbance—as if it were a matter entirely unrelated to him.
It was the same now. His eyebrows twitched slightly, and then he spoke as if nothing were amiss.
“When did His Highness awaken?”
“Probably just now… or rather, a few minutes ago… perhaps an hour ago?”
Since I had lost track of time while speaking with Rakiel, I answered by searching my memory.
“You’re uncertain of the exact time?”
“Yes….”
“…Have you summoned the Physician?”
“No….”
Yes, I had nothing to say for myself….
My head drooped lower and lower.
“I asked you to do this, Hagen. Don’t push so hard.”
“Understood.”
Hagen approached with measured steps and looked around, as if inspecting Rakiel’s condition.
The scrutiny made Rakiel’s expression grow peculiar.
“You’re treating me like a child.”
“You appear to be in good condition. No dizziness, no immobility anywhere?”
“My fiancée is so beautiful I nearly went blind—would that count?”
“You’re perfectly fine.”
He brushed off Rakiel’s remark with practiced ease and continued.
“Before I summon the Physician, allow me to explain what has transpired.”
He proceeded with his account.
“I regret to inform you that Prince Rakiel has been hovering between life and death.”
“Interesting.”
He spoke as though discussing a third party, despite Rakiel standing right before him.
Rakiel’s voice carried a note of intrigue.
“Quite the secret to keep in the heart of the Imperial Palace.”
His awakening meant his condition had improved considerably. Rakiel nodded, seemingly fascinated by this revelation.
Hagen turned his gaze toward me and answered.
“Evelyn has endured much hardship on your behalf.”
“…Eve?”
Rakiel’s bewildered gaze shifted to me.
I responded awkwardly, feeling self-conscious.
“I simply prevented anyone from entering.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“She performed flawlessly as your devoted fiancée—refusing all food and never leaving your side.”
My awkward laughter followed Hagen’s explanation.
“Surely that’s not entirely true.”
His concerned gaze swept across my face.
I answered briefly.
“Unfortunately, it is.”
I had lost some sleep worrying over Rakiel, but I hadn’t starved myself. One never knew when trouble might strike, so I made certain to eat properly regardless of circumstances.
“Hmm.”
He clicked his tongue with a wistful sound.
“…Why do you regret that?”
“It would bring me such joy to know you cared for me that deeply… though of course, it must never come to pass.”
Rakiel chuckled softly as he watched my expression shift into something strange.
“That will never happen, I assure you.”
I cut him off decisively.
One must eat before worrying about anything else. Otherwise, one lacks the strength to worry at all.
Even so, he turned his gaze back to Hagen, his expression tinged with dissatisfaction.
“What happened to Duke Lufenbayne?”
“Ah, well… the thing is…”
As Hagen trailed off while collecting his thoughts, I cut in.
“We actually succeeded in raiding the secret meeting location.”
After the Fountain incident, a clandestine rendezvous had clearly been planned to take advantage of the chaos.
“Surely you didn’t do it yourself?”
When his anxious gaze fell upon me, I shook my head.
“It wasn’t me.”
I’d been too disoriented after the accident to do anything. Rakiel was bleeding profusely as though death itself were upon him, and I myself bore bruises and abrasions scattered across my body.
Instead, the one who raided that meeting was none other than…
Click.
“…I did it, Your Highness.”
“Duke Cashen.”
Duke Cashen, his expression impassive, quietly entered the room.
He walked in with measured steps and offered a greeting to Rakiel.
“I’m relieved to see you awake, Your Highness. I was uncertain what we would do if you failed to recover…”
“…That sounded rather like you were hoping I wouldn’t wake up.”
Duke Cashen’s response came a moment late.
“Surely that couldn’t be the case.”
At his blunt tone, Rakiel dragged his hand across his face heavily. He seemed far from pleased about conversing with Duke Cashen.
‘Their relationship is worse than I thought?’
I tilted my head in confusion, but Duke Cashen appeared unbothered.
“Then explain yourself, Duke. What exactly transpired?”
At Rakiel’s question, Duke Cashen’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before he spoke.
“Amid the chaos, I confirmed that Evelyn was safe and immediately took action. After all, this was precisely what Prince Rakiel had asked of me beforehand.”
“What…”
I truly had no idea.
Rakiel had met with Duke Cashen in advance to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.
‘And I was the only one left in the dark about it.’
How could such a thing be?
‘I suppose since he couldn’t mobilize the Imperial Palace knights, he intended to use the House of Ruffenbein’s knights instead?’
It made sense now why the House of Ruffenbein’s knights had appeared so swiftly, as though they’d been waiting for the accident to occur.
As I grumbled inwardly, Duke Cashen continued.
“I was occupied keeping the Crown Prince’s attention fixed on me and couldn’t move directly, but several of my knights raided the secret meeting location.”
“And the result…”
Rakiel sighed as he confirmed Duke Cashen’s expression and continued speaking.
“…It seems we were a bit too late.”
It was exactly as Rakiel had anticipated.
From what I’d heard before Rakiel awoke, they had indeed raided the location, but the time spent managing the Fountain incident had made them slightly too slow.
“That’s correct.”
Duke Cashen nodded in agreement and replied.
“However, I have secured one piece of evidence.”
“What is it?”
His gaze quietly fixed upon Rakiel.
“The Chamberlain.”
“….”
“Specifically, just before death.”
A brief silence fell.
“…What?”
He let out a hollow laugh as if bewildered. Yet Duke Cashen spoke with perfect composure.
“I discovered the Chamberlain slashed repeatedly with a blade. He was in a state barely distinguishable from a corpse….”
Even as Duke Cashen said this, he did not blink once.
“He barely clung to life. Whether consciousness will return remains uncertain.”
“Is there any benefit to be gained by keeping that man alive?”
Rakiel’s reluctant question followed.
It was I who answered his doubt.
“Yes, there is.”
“What?”
“There was a secret letter discovered with him at that secret meeting location.”
“…!”
The reason the Chamberlain had to be kept alive at all costs—it was precisely because of the secret letter he carried.
To anyone’s eyes, it was evidence of an improper transaction with the Valter Empire.
Only by keeping the Chamberlain alive could the true nature of that secret letter be revealed.
However, the Chamberlain’s current condition was merely ‘surviving,’ and he remained unconscious. Yet given the gravity of the matter, his room was under strict security by the Imperial Investigation Bureau.
Even the Crown Prince could not easily spirit him away.
“Then—”
“The problem is that one of the members of the Diplomatic Delegation suspected of exchanging that secret letter is currently missing.”
“Is it Daylen Haibel?”
I nodded.
Regardless of how it happened, a fierce struggle must have erupted at the secret meeting location. The Chamberlain, acting under Ludwig’s orders, attempted the exchange, but Daylen Haibel harmed him and fled.
“…What if the Crown Prince’s faction staged the conflict as a cover-up?”
I shook my head at Rakiel’s words.
“If they had intended that, they would have killed both of them outright.”
“That’s… true.”
He nodded reluctantly. Yet I felt his gaze flicker toward me.
In any case, the most crucial matter now was who would secure Daylen Haibel first.
The moment he was brought in, this game would be over.

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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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