The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 36

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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 36

“I’ve been occupied with urgent matters and haven’t had time to rest. It seems the coachman has grown quite exhausted. That’s my fault. I apologize.”
“….”
When I didn’t respond, Rakiel continued with a troubled expression.
“Well, I suppose that’s just an excuse, but… if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with you separately and offer some compensation. Would that be acceptable?”
“Pardon?”
I responded blankly.
My mind was preoccupied with wondering why Rakiel was here in the first place. Because of that, his words barely registered in my head.
“I suppose you returned to the estate following the young lady? I was actually planning to visit the Ducal Palace anyway… Since you were put in danger because of my negligence, I wanted to offer at least a small compensation.”
“Ah, yes…”
Was there any reason for Rakiel to come here?
In all the previous chapters, he had never once visited the Rosenthal Estate.
Could it be that my engagement to Rakiel had twisted the future?
Or perhaps… could he have discovered that the rumors originated from me?
I clutched at my hood more tightly, pulling it down further. My anxious fingers betrayed my unease as I fidgeted with the fabric.
Noticing that I wasn’t giving him a proper response, Rakiel let out a sigh.
“So you refuse the compensation?”
“…Pardon?”
“You threw yourself in harm’s way to protect the child, yet you won’t accept compensation… I’m at a loss for what to do.”
What is he talking about?
As I tilted my head in confusion, unable to grasp the situation, the woman and child from earlier approached me.
The child wore a dejected expression, as though thoroughly scolded.
“Thank you so much! Thanks to you, the child is safe. Eve nearly came to harm too… You should thank her, Lui!”
“Thank you, sister. You made this ball for me, didn’t you? I dropped it by accident…”
Hmm?
Looking more closely, it was the toy ball I had made through a Quest not long ago. A ball made by simply tying scraps of cloth together.
This must have been the child who was with me at that time.
“You should have just left it. I can make you another one.”
A Quest window could have appeared again.
As I spoke while smacking my lips, the child’s expression brightened.
“Really?”
The child soon beamed with joy, said a few words to the woman, and then ran off to join the friends waiting in the back.
The woman watched the child’s retreating figure with concern before turning her gaze back to me.
“Will you be coming tomorrow as well?”
I nodded. Of course I had to come. There were several quests buried in this place.
But in that moment, she suddenly grasped my hand.
“Thanks to Eve, you have no idea how vibrant this place has become lately. Because she spares no effort in caring for everyone each time, they’ve all begun to hold onto hope.”
“Yes, yes?”
“I heard you’re the maid of the Rosenthal young lady. If someone serves such a person, how kind must they be themselves…. Thank you so much. Eve is truly the hero of this place…!”
Boom boom boom!

[Hidden success reward for Quest “Save the Child” has been granted.]
[Special Title 【Righteous Secret Agent】 has evolved into 【Silent Savior】!]
[You have obtained 【Indomitable Hood】 as a title reward.]

“…!”
I barely managed to suppress the scream threatening to burst from my lips.
A title evolution!
‘That’s good and all, but… what exactly is an Indomitable Hood?’
As I examined the system window more carefully, the recognition reduction effect seemed to have become somewhat more potent. As for the ‘Indomitable Hood’ I’d obtained besides that….
Right, so it means the hood won’t be removed by sheer willpower.
It was exactly the function I needed, yet somehow I felt unsatisfied.
Meanwhile, Rakiel was gazing at me with an odd expression.
“You were doing that here too?”
“Yes? Doing what?”
“Helping people…. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you just sitting still.”
“Ah, well. There were important matters to attend to.”
“Important, you say….”
He murmured thoughtfully, as if pondering something.
But soon, as if recalling something, his expression suddenly grew somber.
‘For someone of prince status, his expressions are remarkably varied….’
Rakiel gazed at me with sympathy, but then shook his head as if that shouldn’t be the case.
“I understand what it means now.”
“…What exactly is it?”
“So that’s why just now….”
Couldn’t he at least tell me what he meant?
I narrowed my eyes and glared at him before letting out a sigh.
“Speaking of which, didn’t you say you were busy? What brings you here? Is it alright for you to stay here longer?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
He nodded.
“Are you heading to the Ducal Palace?”
“Yes, I’m about to return now.”
I had originally planned to complete a few more quests before leaving, but seeing the reward I’d just received, it seemed I could return now.
I was tired anyway.
“Then won’t you ride in the carriage with me? I was heading to the Ducal Palace anyway.”
“Pardon?”
There she goes spouting nonsense again.
What maid rides in a carriage with a prince?
I waved my hand dismissively, utterly opposed to the idea.
“How could I possibly? It’s not far from here—I’ll make my own way back.”
Damn it, I need to bolt the moment we part ways and get back.
If Rakiel visits the Ducal Palace, Killian will definitely summon me…!
I discreetly noted the shortcut home from the corner of my eye.
“…I see.”
“So we’ll meet again later! I’ll be going now!”
I waved enthusiastically at him before abruptly turning away, not giving him a chance to say another word.
I caught a glimpse of Rakiel’s bewildered expression but pretended not to notice.

* * *

“…Hah.”
Rakiel exhaled with a sense of deflation.
The small back of her head, hidden beneath the hood, disappeared from his view without a moment’s hesitation.
It was the same swift movement as when she’d struck his chin with her head and fled not long ago.
He found himself chuckling to himself, when Hagen approached his side.
“Is that the person, Your Highness?”
“What?”
“The one who struck Prince Rakiel’s chin and fled, sir.”
“…How did you know?”
I’ve never even told you who she is.
Rakiel turned his head in bewilderment, while Hagen continued to gaze in the direction she had disappeared.
“It’s obvious at a glance. That bold attitude toward Your Highness—she’s no ordinary woman.”
“You think so too?”
“Indeed, sir.”
Hagen nodded gravely.
“Though I suspected as much when she threw herself in front of an oncoming carriage without hesitation….”
“That’s precisely the problem. When it comes to helping others, she shows no regard for her own safety.”
It seems to be entangled with war trauma somehow, Rakiel added.
Hagen’s eyes widened as though he hadn’t considered this, and he looked back at him.
“War trauma, sir?”
“Yes. I haven’t heard the full story, but it seems she lost her parents in the war. And the way she constantly covers her face desperately suggests she bears scars.”
“Ah….”
Hagen sighed with sympathy.
“So she couldn’t turn away from those in similar circumstances.”
“Yes, every time we meet, she’s helping people. And doing it so diligently at that.”
Rakiel clicked his tongue and slowly climbed into the carriage.
There truly wasn’t any more time to waste.

And so they headed straight for the Ducal Palace.
Though he’d sent word of his visit the day before, it seemed the time for preparation had been insufficient, as the Duke came out to greet him without bothering to hide his anxiety.
“Welcome, Your Highness. We’ve been expecting you.”
“My apologies, Duke. I didn’t expect to visit so suddenly myself…”
“Not at all! Please come whenever it suits you.”
“Thank you for the kind words.”
For Killian, there were few people as difficult to deal with as Prince Rakiel.
The Crown Prince would have been easier, even.
They were actually both alumni of the same academic academy. If anything, Rakiel had been his senior.
They’d crossed paths a few times while attending the academy, but they’d never had any deep conversations.
“Please make yourself comfortable during your stay. After all, with the Emperor’s birthday celebration coming up, you’ll need to return to the Capital City soon, won’t you?”
Killian spoke as they walked together.
Rakiel nodded, a pleasant smile playing at his lips.
“Well… yes, that’s true. I’m obligated to attend this celebration, so… haha.”
“If Your Highness were absent, how could it be a proper celebration? His Majesty would surely wish for your attendance. And with you present, I can attend with peace of mind.”
At these courteous words, Rakiel let slip a faint smirk.
Last year, he could excuse himself by saying the war had only recently ended, but this time he truly had no choice but to attend. For someone who’d been touring the refugee camps near the Border just recently, nothing could be more ironic.
‘Tsk, people are still dying from the scars of war, yet they speak of celebrations…’
I really had no appetite for this.
He frowned slightly.
As they walked, they soon arrived before the Drawing Room.
Watching Killian reach for the door handle to show him in, Rakiel casually opened his mouth.
“By the way… I heard the Duke’s daughter is staying here as well.”
Stiff.
Killian’s body went rigid, unable to hide his bewilderment.
“My sister… you mean?”
He began frantically racking his brain.
He’d never expected Prince Rakiel to ask first, and truthfully, he’d had no intention of letting him meet Evelyn.
She was already a child who’d fled to the Estate as if running from something, and he didn’t want to pour oil on a burning fire.
He had to make some excuse somehow…
But that was the moment.
“Were you looking for me, Your Highness?”

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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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