The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 17

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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 17

After rolling around in bed for what felt like an eternity, I finally calmed myself and flopped down onto the mattress. Rather than dwell on that Quest, I pulled out a single document from beneath the bed.
It was information about Rakiel that I’d obtained from Twilight previously.
“Hmm, it should be around here somewhere…”
Lying face-down on the bed and flipping through the papers, I paused at one section.
“Found it.”
It was about the continental war in which Rakiel had participated.
Written in far greater detail than in the original story.

『Records Regarding the Continental War』

The “Continental War” referred to the conflict that began four years ago when the Valter Empire, bordering our western frontier, invaded. It lasted roughly two years before ultimately ending in victory for the Bernhardt Empire.
The Valter Empire had invaded targeting the western mining regions of the Bernhardt Empire, but instead faced a conclusion where they paid massive reparations and ceded a buffer zone along the border.
The supreme commander of our forces at that time was Rakiel.
He volunteered after learning that the Crown Prince viewed him as an eyesore. He simply wanted to avoid becoming entangled in political struggles.
“Everything up to this point is what I already knew…”
But my finger stopped as I read the next section.

『Before the Final Battle – A Mysterious Catastrophe
In the final stages of the war, the elite unit led by Rakiel suffered catastrophic losses overnight. Official records state it as “a nighttime surprise attack by the Valter Empire.” Some claimed “signal flares were raised from within,” but the military concluded this was merely confusion caused by war trauma.
Afterward, he returned.』

“…Signal flares from within?”
That was an ominous sentence.
If that were true, someone deliberately leaked Rakiel’s unit’s position to the enemy.
Rakiel led the war to victory through his exceptional abilities, but after it ended, he secluded himself for over a year and disappeared from public view, which caused people to forget their hero in an instant.
“But the entire unit was annihilated…”
I was hearing this for the first time.
How could anyone not develop trauma from that? If I were in his position, I’d definitely develop social anxiety.
If it was an elite unit led by Prince Rakiel himself, the bonds between them must have been deep. They were comrades who had fought together in war, after all.
“The secret of the Continental War, was it…”
I lay on the bed, resting my chin in my hand as I fell into thought.
Just how far did the scope of this secret extend?

* * *

After collecting my thoughts and leaving my room, I encountered an unexpected person.
“…Brother?”
“Ah, um, ah… Evelyn.”
Killian lowered the hand he’d been awkwardly holding up.
From his posture, it looked as though he’d been about to knock on my door.
‘What’s going on?’
Killian wore an awkward expression on his face—which bore a striking resemblance to Ludwig Bernhardt’s—that he would never normally make. There was something distinctly odd about it.
I narrowed my eyes as I studied him.
“What is it?”
What could possibly bring Killian to seek me out deliberately?
He flinched at my words, then averted his gaze.
“Ah, well….”
“What is it? I’m busy.”
“No, it’s just… I think I’ll be heading back to my territory tomorrow.”
Ah, it was about time he returned.
He’d arrived about a week ago, so it was a reasonable length of stay. Besides, the reason for his visit had been resolved.
“Is that so? Safe travels.”
After speaking, something felt awkward, so I added another comment.
“I suppose we’ll only see each other again at the Emperor’s birthday celebration.”
When was that again… It seemed like there were still several months left.
Killian, as a minor duke, had to remain within his territory, while Ludwig Bernhardt had to visit the Imperial Palace daily for his duties. And I was active in the Capital City’s social circles.
So unless Killian had special business at the Imperial Palace or in the Capital City, there was no reason for us to meet.
“…?”
It seemed like he’d said everything he needed to, yet Killian didn’t step aside.
When I looked at him with questioning eyes, he scratched his cheek.
“What are you doing this evening?”
“What am I doing… I’ll be eating dinner, I suppose?”
What kind of question was that?
“Father said… he wants all of us to have dinner together as a family.”
One of my eyebrows raised.
“You could have had a maid tell me.”
Since the three of us rarely gathered together, whenever Killian came to the Capital City, we’d have a family meal once or so.
But why did he have to come tell me in person?
We’re not even close.
He avoided my eyes even more as he continued.
“Lately… the maids were saying you’ve changed, that….”
“Changed how?”
“No, that’s not it, hysteria, or rather….”
He closed his mouth as if to gather his thoughts, then opened it again.
“They said nothing particularly happened. That you’ve become somewhat… calmer.”
“And?”
At my irritated question, Killian faltered awkwardly.
“After breaking off the engagement with the Crown Prince… I was just wondering if perhaps… your thoughts changed, or maybe you were… sad? If something happened to you…”
Ah, I understand what he’s trying to say.
Though somewhat disorganized, it seemed he was worried that I’d been hurt by the Crown Prince’s rejection and had locked myself away alone.
‘Hmm, so he really is my brother after all.’
Even if we bicker and fight normally, blood is blood.
I can torment him, but I cannot forgive him being hurt by outsiders—that sort of category.
I shrugged at his words.
“What does it matter that I broke off the engagement with the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince will return to me anyway.”
“What?”
“Think about it. How long do you think the Rosenthal Duchy can be treated this way? And though His Highness doesn’t show it outwardly, he actually loves me.”
“…This is severe, truly severe.”
He exhaled a long sigh and pressed his forehead.
He seemed greatly disappointed that I hadn’t changed at all.
Had he harbored some sliver of hope based on what the maids said? Unfortunately, Evelyn was still Evelyn.
‘But more than that, now that my freedom level has reached 3, I thought choice options would appear…’
Ding!

[Branching choices appear when the path diverges based on conditions.]

“Ah.”
So they only appear when my actions significantly impact the future?
Hmm, the system seems better designed than I thought.

That evening, I made my way to the dining hall.
The Duke and Killian were already seated at the expansive table.
“You’ve arrived.”
The Duke glanced at me briefly, his tone devoid of warmth or genuine welcome.
I settled into the seat across from Killian without a word, as though his indifference was nothing new to me.
‘I suppose I should do something befitting Evelyn at this point.’
Just as a maid gently pushed in my chair, I furrowed my brow and spoke, citing her slightly sluggish movements as cause for complaint.
“Can’t you even position a chair properly?”
“Oh, I apologize, Miss Evelyn.”
I narrowed my eyes at the maid’s response.
In previous iterations, she would have paled with panic at such a reprimand. But now, though she bowed briefly in apology, that was all.
‘Her reaction really has changed quite a bit….’
Killian, witnessing this exchange, turned to look at me with an expression of mild surprise.
But this wasn’t intentional on my part, I assure you….
While I felt a twinge of awkwardness, the appetizer arrived.
Silver platters bore thinly sliced smoked salmon canapés, their aroma mingling with the fresh scent of lemon cream.
The potato potage that followed was silky and warm, yet the air above the table remained cold. The Duke and Killian exchanged only a few perfunctory remarks, leaving long stretches of silence.
And then, finally, the main course arrived.
Lamb chops infused with the subtle fragrance of rosemary, accompanied by a red wine reduction. I cut a piece with the tip of my knife, placed it in my mouth, and felt the tender fat melt away while herbaceous notes enveloped my palate.
‘Damn, this estate’s chef really does cook exceptionally well….’
I’d heard they’d brought him from somewhere quite distant.
As the rich flavors dissolved across my tongue, I felt myself melting into the experience.
I was savoring the taste, my mouth working contentedly, when I noticed the Duke regarding me with an odd expression.
“…?”
What’s wrong? Does he have something to say?
Just as his piercing gaze made my throat tighten… the Duke finally spoke.
“Evelyn, has anything noteworthy happened recently?”
“Hack, cough cough!”
Caught off guard by his sudden question, I frantically reached for water.

* * *

The Duke was taken aback.
His daughter had choked on water at his carefully chosen words.
He raised one eyelid slightly, though the change in his expression was hardly noticeable to others.
Yet Killian narrowed his eyes, observing his father intently.
‘Father is…?’
Something had been off about him since earlier.
He’d witnessed him moving his lips repeatedly, as if he had something to say. And what was that intense gaze he directed at Evelyn all about?
Killian’s attention shifted back to Evelyn, who was drinking water urgently.
‘This is strange. Very strange indeed…’
The atmosphere was subtly different.
He’d noticed it since arriving at the Capital City. Her actions and tone of voice were exactly the same as usual, yet the aura she gave off had changed. It was as if he were looking at a completely different person.
That was when it happened.
“Ugh, what is this!”
Crash!
The glass tumbled to the floor and shattered into pieces.
Evelyn’s face had turned crimson as she huffed indignantly.
“Bring me a different glass at once! I prefer pretty ones!”
“…Heh.”
Killian let out a hollow laugh.
Look at that. Her tantrum seemed rather unconvincing, didn’t it?

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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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