The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 47

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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 47

“Marriage? What on earth are you talking about!”
The Duke burst out loudly.
But a tiara was the kind of accessory typically worn by married women.
Of course, being unmarried didn’t make it entirely impossible.
Since it was merely an accessory, there was some flexibility in the matter, and besides, there was exactly one situation where an unmarried woman could wear a tiara without any issue.
As I examined the tiara from every angle, I let out another exclamation of admiration.
“Wow, it’s so beautiful, Father. I’ve never seen such a gorgeous and exquisite tiara before.”
“W-well, if you like it… I’m relieved…”
“I love it so much! Thank you, Father!”
I grasped his hand eagerly, my eyes sparkling. I felt the Duke flinch noticeably, but I decided to ignore that for now.
“It’s the best gift I’ve received recently! How is the blue diamond so large and beautiful? It’s even more stunning because Father gave it to me!”
“I-is that so…”
“Yes! I absolutely want to wear it at the upcoming Royal Court banquet!”
I carefully brought the tiara up to my eyes with both hands supporting it, exclaiming innocently.
The blue diamond set in the center of the tiara shimmered with various shades of blue depending on the angle—from the deep color of the ocean to the clear hue of the sky.
But my excitement was short-lived as I sank back into uncomfortable thoughts.
‘But why is he giving this to me?’
What could possibly be beautiful about a daughter who doesn’t even listen?
Moreover, it’s even more unnatural to give it to a daughter who was scolded harshly and banished to the Estate, only to return. I thought I’d only hear more nagging when I came back.
‘There’s really only one explanation…’
If this was a bribe meant for me, there was only one thing the Duke could possibly ask for in return.
“…Well, fine.”
I slowly lowered the tiara back into its box and opened my mouth.
“If you’re going this far, I’ll do whatever you wish, Father.”
“What?”
The Duke slightly furrowed his brow as if he didn’t understand.
But I shrugged and continued.
“You were planning to use this as leverage to make me accept an engagement with Prince Rakiel, weren’t you?”
“That’s not what I… I…”
“So I’ll go along with your wishes. I’ll accept the engagement with His Highness the Prince.”
“…”
The Duke stared at me in bewilderment. It seemed he hadn’t expected me to bring it up first.
Well, this was certainly a win-win situation for everyone involved.
I smiled to myself and checked the timer flowing in the corner of my vision.
More precisely, the 60-minute timer for ‘autonomous action’ that I had just activated.
‘I was already wondering how to accept the engagement without raising suspicion… but things are unfolding so smoothly.’
By using the Blue Diamond as an excuse to accept Father’s proposal, I could accomplish my goal exactly as I wanted without drawing any doubt.
If I had simply said I would accept the engagement, he might have thought I’d lost my mind. Given my behavior up until now, it was only natural.
‘Besides, it’s common to wear a tiara when making an entrance with one’s fiancé.’
It was perfect.
However, strangely, the Duke’s reaction was different from what I expected.
He was furrowing his brow, lost in deep thought about something.
‘What? Wasn’t this it?’
I tilted my head, but no matter how much I thought about it, there was no other reason the Duke would give me such a gift.
…Either way, it doesn’t matter. I’ve achieved my goal for now.
Still unable to hide my joy, I kept my eyes on the tiara and opened my mouth again.
“I’ll definitely wear it at this banquet. With Prince Rakiel!”
“…Then do so. If that’s what you wish.”
“Thank you, Father! I really, really love it!”
After hugging him lightly once more, I stood up excitedly, grabbed the box containing the tiara, and left the Study.
I felt the Duke’s body stiffen slightly, but it was likely due to the physical affection—something I rarely showed him.

* * *

Moments later, Joshua knocked on the Study door and entered silently, then startled.
“…Your Grace? Are you alright?”
“Does this look alright to you?”
“No, sir.”
He answered immediately.
The Duke sat on the sofa with his head in his hands, his head now pressed against the table.
Seeing this, Joshua instinctively realized that things had not gone as planned.
“D-Did Miss Evelyn not like it? She certainly looked very happy just now when she left…”
The young lady he had met at the door looked as if she had just acquired the whole world. Yet the Duke who had given her the gift was in this state.
“She liked it.”
The Duke groaned softly.
“She liked it far too much.”
“Then that’s fortunate, isn’t it?”
“Fortunate, my—”
As he lifted his head, his entire face was flushed red.
Joshua startled once more at the sight.
“Do you know what that girl said?”
“…What did she say, sir?”
“She called it a bribe to make her accept the engagement with Prince Rakiel.”
“…What?”
Joshua blinked his eyes.
“So what did you say to her?”
“I was going to say no, but… she was so delighted that I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.”
“So you didn’t say anything at all?”
The Duke gave a small nod.
His face grew progressively paler as he spoke. Joshua, witnessing the Duke’s state, let out a sigh.
‘Where did it all go wrong….’
This father and daughter
(父女)
relationship.
On the surface, Evelyn Rosenthal appeared to be a spoiled young lady who enjoyed tormenting others and caused all manner of trouble.
However, from Joshua’s perspective, she was merely a small child craving her father’s affection and throwing tantrums—though admittedly, her tantrums were somewhat excessive.
Especially for someone who had watched her since childhood, this truth would become apparent quickly enough.
And as the Duke himself felt….
“…She must still resent me. Just like those words I said before going down to the Estate a month ago.”
“…Your Grace.”
“I have no choice but to give her everything she desires. After all, it was I who took everything from her….”
“Your Grace, there was nothing you could have done. After the Duchess passed away like that, the young lady closed her heart to the world.”
The Duke shook his head with a melancholy expression.
“Even so, I should have tried harder to reach her… The fact that she’s become so twisted is entirely my responsibility. I feel the weight of it keenly even now.”
“Your Grace….”
“In the end, I have no choice but to accept it.”
While preparing the tiara set with blue diamonds, he had imagined Evelyn’s delighted expression dozens of times, but reality proved far more cruel than he had envisioned.
Upon seeing the carefully prepared gift, Evelyn had mercilessly hurled words that pierced the Duke’s heart, asking if it was a bribe.
Yet the Duke could say nothing in return. After all, it was he who had made her think that way.
“…In any case, since Evelyn has accepted it, it seems the time has come to announce the engagement with Prince Rakiel.”
“Are you planning to announce it before the banquet?”
The Duke, after a brief pause, shook his head.
“The timing isn’t right. There’s no need to invite resentment by announcing it before the Emperor’s birthday celebration.”
“Then….”
“I’ll postpone the official announcement. Instead, by sending the two of them to the banquet together, we can make our position clear.”
No formal announcement, yet making their connection unmistakably known.
Simultaneously, it was a method to give the nobility time to consider their options.
And likely, at this banquet, the nobility would actively discuss which faction to align themselves with.
With the Emperor now aged, nothing was more important than determining one’s future position.

* * *

Meanwhile.
“My, how dazzling.”
Back in my room, I retrieved the tiara embedded with blue diamonds and the necklace I had carelessly stuffed away earlier, examining them in turn.
‘Hmm, I had planned to wear this necklace before.’
It was a necklace the Crown Prince had given me.
To deceive Ludwig, I needed to wear something he had given me. And I had thought this necklace would be perfect for that.
But if I wore the tiara the Duke had given me, adding the necklace would be too much. Both were far too ornate.
Even as Evelyn Rosenthal, I knew where to draw the line. After all, I was a noblewoman regardless.
‘…What do I do about this?’
It was the feeling of unexpectedly acquiring two items at once.
Since I had already told the Duke I would wear the tiara, I couldn’t abandon it. Which meant I needed something to replace this necklace.
In truth, if it were jewels from the Crown Prince, I would have plenty to choose from, but this necklace held a particular significance.
As I fingered the necklace in thought, a brilliant idea suddenly crossed my mind.
“Wait… This could work?”
With a cunning smile playing at my lips, I carefully put the necklace away again.

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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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