The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 18

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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 18

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So that’s why I sensed a threat in the Duke’s kind words.
I was afraid he might discover I wasn’t Evelyn, or that his sudden interest in me could ruin my plans.
Asking if anything noteworthy had happened lately… the Duke would never say such a thing under normal circumstances.
‘This is serious….’
I drank my water as if I were reading the system’s mood.
The moment my mental calculations finished, I hurled the glass to the floor.
I could see Killian staring at me with an incredulous expression.
‘Phew, success.’
Though my explanation was somewhat contradictory since I hadn’t thought through my reasoning before throwing the glass, who cares! As long as it worked.
The maid quickly brought a replacement—a beautiful glass decorated with blue flowers. It was an expensive one.
“Hmph, as it should be.”
The Duke then looked at the glass I’d caught with a slightly surprised expression.
“That glass is….”
What?
I glanced sideways and took another sip of water.
Water truly tasted better when drunk from a beautiful glass. Only then did I calm down somewhat and clear my throat before speaking.
“Anything noteworthy lately? What kind of question is that, Father?”
“…It’s nothing.”
“How dull.”
I snorted and turned my attention back to the main course.
The lamb ribs that had looked so appetizing had grown cold and appeared somewhat dry. Of course, when I took another bite, it still felt tender with a deep, rich flavor.
The chef’s name was… Fern, wasn’t it? Their skills were quite impressive.
‘Even if I eat other delicious things, I won’t forget this chef’s unique taste….’
As I continued enjoying the meal with a happy expression, the Duke and Killian began exchanging serious words.
“Prince Rakiel will be visiting tomorrow afternoon.”
“Prince Rakiel… Your Highness, you say?”
Killian set down his knife as he spoke.
“Yes, it was a sudden arrangement, so I forgot to mention it to you. Because of that, it seems I’ll need to delay our return to the estate by a few days. Will that be alright?”
“Ah, yes, well… it doesn’t matter to me.”
Hmm, so Rakiel is coming tomorrow?
I swallowed the meat I’d been chewing and pondered this. My hands automatically continued cutting the meat.
As expected, the Duke has made contact with Rakiel about breaking off my engagement to the Crown Prince, just as the original story dictated. If so, their alliance will likely be concluded smoothly….
My role here is simply to wait. There’s no need for me to take action just yet.
Though things will become busier after this.
For him to become Emperor, passivity alone won’t suffice. If it could, Rakiel would have naturally ascended to the throne in my previous iterations.
But that didn’t happen, did it? Which means a special collaborator is necessary—someone capable of bringing down the Crown Prince and elevating Rakiel’s position.
I placed another slice of meat into my mouth.
And quite fortuitously, I—who possess knowledge of future events—happen to be the Duke’s daughter of Rosenthal.
‘Rakiel certainly is fortunate….’
It was then that I detected an odd atmosphere once more. The Duke and Killian were exchanging meaningful glances, excluding me entirely.
‘What are those two discussing between themselves?’
At this rate, aren’t I being left out?
“If His Majesty visits, the household will become somewhat turbulent, won’t it?”
“Indeed it will. He doesn’t visit for ordinary reasons, after all.”
“Then should we make preparations?”
The Duke nodded.
“Yes, I’ve already told His Majesty it concerns western trade matters, but there are many other things to discuss, so it wouldn’t hurt to prepare.”
“I see… Then I’ll have all fragile or dangerous items removed from the drawing room. Just in case.”
“Good thinking.”
Their conversation seems somewhat strange.
By now we’d finished the main course, and dessert was being served. Distracted by the sweets, I ceased my deliberation.
“By the way… I wonder if Prince Rakiel is aware of this matter.”
“He likely already knows. He received word yesterday and suddenly changed his appointment time.”
“Do you think he felt the need to move quickly?”
“Indeed. In the current situation… dragging things out would leave us with nothing.”
Well, if he’s already resolved to join hands with the Second Prince, it would certainly be better to handle matters swiftly. Even now, the Crown Prince draws ever closer to the throne.
‘I should keep an eye on what Duke Cashen is doing soon.’
Given that things are gradually diverging from my previous iterations, Duke Cashen might be taking different actions as well.
Especially now that I’ve secured all of the Crown Prince’s connections….
The evening meal concluded without incident. It felt no different from before.

* * *

“Yawn.”
I slipped out of the Manor early in the morning and rubbed my eyes. I felt like I might die from exhaustion after waking up at dawn and sneaking out.
Even in my past life, I’d never woken up this early.
The reason I was moving around so early was simple.
‘There are Event Quests that only appear in the morning….’
For example, helping an Old Woman who couldn’t draw water from a nearby well, or fixing a broken carriage wheel for a coachman heading out early in the morning.
Each one wasn’t much on its own, but they accumulated into quite decent rewards.
‘Today I can’t wander around during the day because of Rakiel.’
By the time I’d hastily dealt with various tasks, it was already past 7 in the morning.
“I should probably head back soon.”
Genie comes to wake me at 9. Since I get annoyed every time she wakes me, it seems to have become something like a Quest for her.
But before I head back, there’s one more thing I need to do!
“Ah, what a wonderful smell….”
I sniffed the air and turned my body toward it.
If I follow this aroma wafting through the morning, I’ll find a Bakery.
That’s right—this was the time when freshly baked bread came out of the Bakery! And it’s a popular spot where people line up!
‘Of course, bread is all about opening rush!’
As I approached, I could see several people already lined up. I quickly joined the queue.
“Oh my, you’re here again, miss?”
“Yes! The bread is so delicious!”
I answered while swallowing back drool that threatened to spill down my chin.
‘Slurp, I’ll eat this on the way home.’
The Shopkeeper with a warm expression smiled and wrapped up the bread I’d chosen.
“Here you go, miss. This is on the house. Thank you so much for helping me last time.”
“Huh? Oh no, you don’t have to do that….”
I muttered while scratching my cheek.
“Nonsense! Thanks to you, I was able to open the shop on time. My goodness, how are you so good at tending the oven fire? What did you say your name was again?”
“I-It’s Eve.”
“Oh, that’s right! Eve, was it? There are so many people in this area who’ve been helped by you that they could fill a carriage and more.”
I took the bread bag she handed me while avoiding her eyes.
‘I was just trying to get Quest rewards….’
They were all saying things without knowing the truth. If they actually knew what was in my heart, their attitudes might change completely.
It was the moment I turned around with the bread bag in hand.
“Eve! You came again today. Thanks to you yesterday, I safely delivered the herbs. I almost had a real disaster!”
“Miss Eve, my father said he safely found the bookstore thanks to you, and he wanted me to thank you!”
“Sister, thanks to you I found my cat! Thank you so much. This is a gift!”
The moment I took a step, people called out to me. I smiled awkwardly while remaining cautious.
‘Gulp, if all these people found out who I really am, wouldn’t they throw stones at me?’
Breaking news! The wicked Rosenthal heiress toys with commoners!
Something like that, in other words. My heart wasn’t originally that kind…, but regardless, the meaning of good deeds always changed depending on who performed them.
I hunched my shoulders and began weaving through the crowd.
“Thank you so much for yesterday! This is my way of repaying you!”
“Oh, young lady… thanks to you reading that letter, I was able to reunite with my daughter safely. These are cookies I made….”
Ugh.
I had no idea where all these people had heard my name or why they sought me out, but these strangers kept shoving things into my hands that I couldn’t even remember.
It seemed that after wandering through the village so much, everyone had somehow become aware of my existence.
I don’t even know their faces or who they are! Who remembers every single daily quest?!
As I mechanically accepted mysterious gifts and bowed repeatedly, my neck ached and my vision began to spin.
Before I knew it, my arms were completely full of things. As a bonus, I’d lost the hand I needed to eat bread with.
“Oh, you’re quite popular, aren’t you?”
Suddenly, a familiar voice reached my ears, and I reflexively bowed. I assumed this was another quest target.
“Hmm? Are you greeting me too? How polite of you.”
“…?”
Only then did I lift my head and recognize who the voice belonged to.
“You are…!”

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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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