The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 37

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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 37

Evelyn, her expression haughty and composed, descended the staircase near the drawing room.
Her ethereal silver hair, shifting in hue with the light like lustrous silk, cascaded gracefully, while her upturned blue eyes held a subtle, venomous gleam.
Yet her delicate features and flawless, porcelain-like complexion rendered her irresistibly captivating. It was a charm one could not help but surrender to.
Watching her approach with light, graceful steps, Rakiel exhaled a quiet murmur of admiration.
She truly deserved the title of the Empire’s most beautiful woman.
‘…Though admittedly, her first impression had been so dreadful it overshadowed even that beauty.’
He quickly dispelled his admiration, for he had immediately recognized the truth—she was Evelyn.
Rakiel cast a sidelong glance at Killian, who fidgeted nervously beside him.
“Evelyn…! W-what brings you here?”
Compared to Count Rosenthal, he still lacked refinement. Though, I suppose that has its own merits.
Yet revealing such obvious discomposure to one’s opponent was hardly advantageous.
“Brother, why didn’t you call for me? The Crown Prince has come to visit.”
“I was about to! Surely His Highness must be weary from his long journey. Wouldn’t it be better to speak tomorrow?”
“My, how can you abandon your ‘fiancée’ to rest like this?”
Her words carried a subtle, barbed edge.
Rakiel narrowed his eyes, studying Evelyn carefully. Yet she appeared little changed from their last encounter.
‘Is all of this truly just an act…?’
He laughed silently within himself. According to that maid Eve, she was merely feigning hostility toward him through performance.
To catch the Crown Prince off his guard.
“What do you think, Your Highness?”
Her gleaming blue eyes turned toward Rakiel. Noting they were calmer than he expected, he opened his mouth to speak.
“It’s been our first meeting since then, my lady. I’m relieved to see you in good health.”
I had heard she had been fasting….
Each time Evelyn moved her hand, her sleeve fell back, revealing her slender wrist.
‘She’s thinner than I expected.’
How deeply must one commit to an act to neglect even one’s own body?
“Hehe, of course, Your Highness! Thanks to you, I’m in perfect health. Though I’ve been forced to live out here in the countryside, separated from the Crown Prince…”
“Evelyn!”
Killian cried out in alarm, but Evelyn merely scoffed.
“Father must have thought I would reflect on my actions! As if that were the case. Isn’t that right?”
At Evelyn’s words seeking agreement, Rakiel found himself momentarily flustered.
‘…What is this?’
Was she asking him to play along with her act? Or was she asking him to respond with anger?
Her performance was so difficult to read that it left him utterly bewildered.
Rakiel couldn’t tell whether what he was witnessing was genuine or an act. Overwhelmed by confusion, he found himself uttering a foolish response.
“Y-yes, that’s right….”
“Your Highness?”
Killian called out to Rakiel in alarm.
Only then did he regain his composure and hastily tried to salvage his previous words.
“Ah, what I meant was… that having the Duke’s daughter leave the Capital City might not be the best approach. After all, she needs to remain active in the Capital’s social circles.”
“Ah, I see. That makes perfect sense. Social activities are indeed that important. Especially at this particular moment.”
Killian nodded in understanding.
Rakiel exhaled a silent sigh of relief. For such a hasty excuse, it had sounded remarkably plausible.
‘I need to keep my wits about me….’
If I’m not careful, I might say something completely foolish under her performance.
As Rakiel nervously bit his trembling lip, Evelyn watched him with the corners of her mouth curling upward.
He had no idea.
That this was merely the beginning.

* * *

I was practically beside myself with glee.
Since I’d already given Rakiel an excuse for my behavior, I’d completely let loose!
“Evelyn, please try to be more composed….”
“Oh my? Does Your Highness prefer me to be composed, or do you find this more entertaining? I’m asking since you’re my ‘fiancé,’ after all.”
“What kind of question is that….”
He glanced nervously at Killian while breaking into a cold sweat. I, however, had no intention of hearing his answer and spoke immediately.
“The Crown Prince prefers the former, you see. Hehehehe.”
I laughed affectedly and popped a prepared pastry into my mouth.
Crunch, crunch.
In the brief silence created by my chewing, I observed Rakiel’s appearance. He looked noticeably more haggard than when he’d first arrived.
‘But I just can’t stop.’
It’s been such a long time since I’ve encountered someone this fun to tease.
He swayed like a reed with each careless remark I made, then scrambled to make excuses to Killian, breaking into a cold sweat.
It seemed he was all the more confused because he knew my actions were entirely an act. He appeared utterly lost on how to respond.
‘He’s actually rather endearing in his own way.’
Of course, I wasn’t simply playing around here without purpose.
I swallowed the sweet taste lingering on my tongue and opened my mouth again. Rakiel, whose exhaustion was evident, watched my lips intently as if bracing himself.
“By the way, I heard that Duke Cashen will be attending the Emperor’s birthday celebration this time. Is that true?”
I asked innocently, and Rakiel’s eyes lit up.
Duke Cashen Lupenbain rarely attended social gatherings. Though he was a distant relative of the Royal Court, he had no particular interest in involving himself in political affairs.
However, the times he had supported the Crown Prince in previous instances stemmed not from loyalty, but from some ulterior purpose.
‘I’ve sensed it for a while now, but if I probe that aspect carefully, it might prove quite effective….’
I’ve looked into Duke Cashen recently, but there’s nothing particularly noteworthy. It’s identical to the previous reports.
Rakiel gazed at me as though trying to discern my intentions before responding.
“So I’ve heard. I suspect it’s because of my older brother, but I can’t say for certain. I’ve only met the Duke a few times myself, so I don’t have a clear sense of what kind of person he is.”
Killian interjected at Rakiel’s words.
“Could the Duke be making his move? He must have heard that Your Highness and we have joined forces.”
“That’s quite likely. At the last council meeting, the Duke openly supported me, so my brother probably felt compelled to take some action of his own.”
“He’ll surely be preparing something to undermine Your Highness once more.”
“Indeed… especially now that rumors about me are spreading so widely.”
Rakiel’s eyes grew cold and distant as he murmured.
‘As I thought…’
He must have discovered the source of the rumors and come here deliberately. Now we were getting to the real matter.
I took a sip of tea and smiled demurely, covering my lips with my hand.
“My, I’ve heard them too. The rumors about His Highness the Prince.”
“Have you? I must confess, I’m rather bewildered by it. That’s why I thought… there must be someone spreading these rumors intentionally.”
As he spoke in a low voice, Killian tilted his head as though genuinely confused.
“Here, Your Highness? Well, I have made substantial investments in relief efforts recently, but I never issued any directives regarding those rumors.”
“You… didn’t?”
“No, Your Highness does occasionally visit the villages near the border, do you not? I assumed the rumors spread naturally from that.”
“That can’t be. I’ve never disclosed my whereabouts to anyone. The young Duke might know, but if word got out carelessly, something dreadful could happen.”
I blinked and looked between them alternately.
‘What? Rakiel has been going there himself?’
This was news to me entirely.
Wait… did I just waste all that effort?
All I needed to do was spread rumors, yet I’ve spent money, time, effort—blood, sweat, and tears—and actually conducted relief operations?
Beside me, Rakiel wore the same expression as mine, looking equally troubled.
“So the Duke gave no such orders either?”
“Father hasn’t mentioned anything of the sort.”
I could guess what Rakiel was thinking now. He must be wondering whether his own deeds had become the subject of these rumors.
…Well, it doesn’t matter.
I quickly dismissed the thought. Whether I’d spent money or not, the relief operations were a good deed regardless, and the rumors had spread as intended. Besides, the money I spent is probably why the effect is so pronounced.
The improvement in my image—or rather, that of House Rosenthal and the Rosenthal heiress—was unexpected, though.
But it would certainly provide a solid foundation for Rakiel’s path to becoming emperor.
I smiled contentedly and popped another pastry into my mouth.
Listening to Rakiel and Killian discuss serious political matters while eating sweets was absolutely delightful.
‘Now that I’ve sorted out the situation, I should just clear some Quests while I wait.’
With everything proceeding according to my wishes, there was nothing more satisfying than this.

* * *

At that same moment.
Ludwig Bernhardt was enduring a time that felt like hell.
“Please, just choose something already, Your Grace. Do you still not understand?”
Joshua urged him forward with visible exasperation.
“How am I supposed to know my daughter’s tastes?”
He exhaled a sigh, beads of cold sweat rolling down his face. He was, in fact, selecting a gift for Evelyn.

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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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