The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 21

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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 21

Back in my room, I trembled alone.
‘At least I had a choice….’
If I hadn’t, I would have been forced to act out Evelyn’s temperament and cause a scene.
But the news that followed was devastating.
“…The atmosphere wasn’t good?”
“Yes, after you left, my lady, there were raised voices several times. I’m not certain of the details, but… it seemed the Duke and the Young Duke were upset.”
I tilted my head in confusion.
Not Rakiel, but the Duke and Killian were angry? If anything, it should be Rakiel who felt insulted.
So I thought if I just turned a blind eye to it, everything would proceed without issue….
“His Highness the Prince returned with a stern expression, and the Duke and Young Duke had a serious conversation between themselves.”
As Genie relayed this information, I began frantically turning over possibilities in my mind again.
I couldn’t dwell on a failed attempt. I should have resolved it during that time instead.
While my mind thought that way, my mouth spoke differently.
“Hmph, rather than be engaged to Prince Rakiel, I’d sooner not marry at all….”
“Why? Prince Rakiel is quite handsome, my lady.”
“Are you serious? What’s handsome about that?”
I spoke with a stern expression.
“You clearly don’t understand—a man must shine like the sun of high society.”
When I possessed Evelyn’s body, I learned her ideal type was simpler than expected.
She simply admired the Crown Prince’s innate brilliance. A dazzling presence that drew attention wherever and whenever, naturally becoming the center of any gathering.
And she believed that by standing beside him, she too could be absorbed into that brilliance. Of course, it was foolish thinking.
I continued with a bitter smile.
“Brilliant golden hair with a radiant aura—that is the symbol of the Imperial Family. Isn’t it?”
“Is that so? But that doesn’t mean Prince Rakiel isn’t a prince either. Black hair is uncommon, but still.”
“So you’re saying I’m wrong now?!”
I scowled as if displeased, and Genie startled and quickly responded.
“Of course not! Everything you say is right, my lady! A man must certainly be dazzlingly brilliant!”
“Well, fine.”
I flipped my hair back over my shoulder and snorted, signaling I was letting it go.
Now the problem was helping Rakiel and Ludwig Bernhardt join hands again.
It was clear why the Duke was pushing this engagement so hard—I had been broken off by none other than the Crown Prince.
Going forward, it wouldn’t be easy for me to become engaged to any other family.
‘From the Duke’s perspective, it must have been quite a desperate situation….’
He couldn’t bear to watch his only daughter grow old alone without marriage, especially not in times like these.
So he saw it as a golden opportunity.
Even if she’d been rejected by the Crown Prince, an engagement to another member of the Imperial Family would instantly erase that humiliation. Especially if he planned to push that person toward the throne.
‘…I suppose I’ll have to step in myself.’
If I couldn’t persuade Rakiel while inhabiting Evelyn’s body, there was only one way forward.
And I had just the thing to exploit.
His misunderstanding that I was merely a maid.

* * *

“You acted too hastily.”
Hagen spoke with a rigid expression.
Rakiel glanced at his stern face, then turned his gaze toward the window of the carriage.
He had no desire to respond.
“Are you listening? You acted too hastily. Have you even considered the consequences your rash words will bring?”
“…You talk too much.”
“Do I look like someone who wouldn’t nag? I’m certain I warned you beforehand.”
Rakiel slowly turned his head to face Hagen, meeting his crimson eyes directly as the other continued.
“An engagement will happen regardless. Did you think allying with the Duke of Rosenthal would allow you to avoid a political marriage?”
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“Then turn the carriage around at once.”
At his stern insistence, Rakiel released a long sigh.
He understood well enough what Hagen was getting at.
It was just moments ago, after Evelyn had grown angry at the word “engagement” and stormed out, that the drawing room fell into silence.
It would be a lie to say he wasn’t genuinely bothered by her disrespectful words, no matter how much he’d anticipated them.
So what Rakiel had said stemmed largely from being overwhelmed by emotion in that moment.

—…I will accept the engagement.
—I will persuade my daughter one way or another….
—However, I have conditions.
—Conditions?
—The engagement with the Lady shall be merely formal. As for an actual marriage…well.

And what he added next was more than enough to ignite the fury of both the Duke and the young Duke.

—I have no wish to witness my betrothed chasing after another man’s name.
—…! Are you insulting my sister right now?!

Rakiel pressed his forehead with the heel of his hand.
‘Damn it….’
He admitted it. His words had been excessive.
Rakiel was reproaching himself for allowing his emotions to sweep him away and bungle the situation.
‘It’s strange. Whenever that woman gets involved, controlling my emotions becomes difficult.’
Perhaps it was because she followed the Crown Prince with such obsessive devotion. The Crown Prince’s existence was like a knife twisting in his wound.
“Shall we not turn the carriage around, Your Highness?”
At Hagen’s cold remark, he could only release another heavy sigh.
“I may have been wrong…but the Lady of House Rosenthal bears responsibility as well. Don’t you think this is a matter where both of us should apologize?”
“For a man, you’re rather petty. Though I did know that already.”
“…I understand. I understand.”
Rakiel let all tension drain from his body and leaned back.
He closed his eyes for a moment, lost in thought.
‘Now that I think about it….’
Suddenly, he felt an odd sense of déjà vu. In that sharp yet pristine silver hair and gaunt face, there was something strangely familiar.
‘Somehow familiar.’
It was distinctly different from when he had encountered Evelyn at the banquet before. Her manner of speaking, her atmosphere…everything felt composed and orderly now, unlike before.
‘She must have received quite a shock when she broke off her engagement with the Crown Prince.’
He dismissed the thought without much concern and stopped pondering. Soon he straightened his posture and opened his mouth.
“…I won’t turn the carriage around. The Duke of House Rosenthal needs to cool his head as well. Let’s visit again in a few days and talk it through.”
He continued, muttering with an uncomfortable expression.
“Though I’m not certain whether the Lady can truly let go of her lingering feelings for my brother and accept this engagement.”
What meaning could an engagement hold in this state?
It would only bring unhappiness to both of them.

* * *

The next morning.
After Ludwig Bernhardt entered the Imperial Palace, Killian departed for his territory. Even as they exchanged farewells with me, neither of them could wipe the sour expressions from their faces.
What on earth had happened between them?
‘Well, did Rakiel curse me out or something?’
Even if he had, how severe could his insults truly be? Whatever disparaging remarks he made about Evelyn would likely be nothing but the truth anyway.
I had long since abandoned any concern for Evelyn’s reputation, so there was little reason to worry.
Since neither of them would bat an eye at matters concerning me, it was more likely they had insulted the family itself.
In any case, after the Duke entered the Imperial Palace, I snuck into his study.
‘To meet Prince Rakiel, I need to get inside the Imperial Palace….’
While rummaging through the Duke’s desk, I discovered a secret drawer hidden within.
“Oh, here it is.”
It was the seal of House of Rosenthal.
I placed a blank sheet of paper into an envelope and sealed it with the family’s seal, instantly creating a flawless forged letter.
“With this, entering the Imperial Palace will be far easier.”
Satisfied with myself, I grabbed the letter and hurriedly slipped out of the manor.

* * *

Attendants bustled back and forth through the rear entrance of the Imperial Palace.
“I haven’t seen your face before. What brings you here?”
As I approached the rear entrance, a Knight standing guard blocked my path. Beside him, others who appeared to already know the guards were hastily scribbling their names in the visitor’s log before rushing into the palace.
I approached him and spoke in a composed tone.
“I’ve come to see the Duke. There’s an urgent matter I need to convey.”
“The Duke himself? Did you come from the Ducal Mansion?”
He scrutinized me with suspicious eyes. Perhaps because I was wearing a hood, he seemed doubtful.
‘Hmph, I came prepared this time—even wearing a robe with the family crest embroidered on it.’
With fluid movements, I withdrew the letter I had prepared from my pocket.
I held the envelope toward him so that the wax seal bearing the family crest was clearly visible.
“…Hmm, that’s the House of Rosenthal’s crest. But I hadn’t heard that a maid from the noble family would be visiting?”
“The matter was too urgent to send word in advance. I’ll simply deliver this letter and leave.”
“Well, fine then. Just don’t stay too long.”
“Understood.”
My brisk response seemed to please him, and he smiled before handing me the visitor’s log.
I grasped the pen, hesitated for a moment, then wrote my name naturally.
[Eve – House of Rosenthal]
The Imperial Palace was still quite an unfamiliar place to me. I had visited a few times for banquets, but I rarely ventured beyond the banquet halls to explore the palace proper.
I made my way toward Prince Rakiel’s quarters, careful not to look around nervously.
‘Hmm, I think it was around here somewhere….’
As I advanced, gradually recalling my memories.
Between the neatly manicured gardens, a glimpse of black hair appeared.
Ah, there he is.
I spotted Rakiel in one corner of the garden and stopped in my tracks as I moved toward him.
‘What is he doing?’
He was walking toward a secluded outer wall of the Imperial Palace.

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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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