The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 50

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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 50

With Rakiel’s assistance, I descended from the carriage while scrutinizing every detail of his face, as though attempting to unearth something hidden within.
Unlike his usual disheveled appearance, his black hair was neatly combed and fixed in place, though a strand or two defied his movements and cascaded downward.
Even so, seeing him in such a polished state after quite some time, I gave a slight nod of approval.
“Hmm, I suppose you’re presentable enough today.”
“What?”
“I mean you look reasonably decent. Unlike usual.”
He widened his eyes slightly and his cheeks twitched with amusement.
“Oh, so my evaluation has risen considerably since then. How flattering.”
“Since… then?”
“As expected, you don’t remember.”
What is he talking about?
I tilted my head in confusion, and he chuckled softly, shaking his head as if telling me not to worry about it.
“It’s nothing. I was merely impressed by the consistency of your attitude.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
While exchanging endless trivial banter with Rakiel, I was carefully observing the entrance to the Banquet Hall and what lay beyond.
Though the hall was crowded with numerous nobles, the area near the entrance was relatively quiet. Some people occasionally glanced at us, likely because I was with Rakiel, but that was all.
Despite Rakiel’s rather late arrival, we weren’t late, and the interior of the Banquet Hall contained fewer people than I had anticipated.
Having visited this Banquet Hall several times before, I had to make an effort not to frown as I surveyed the familiar spaces.
‘This place doesn’t hold only pleasant memories…’
From episodes I could barely recall by searching my memory, to recollections that made nausea rise in my throat—they were all varied.
And among all those occasions, this was the first time I had entered with Rakiel.
Imagining the uncertain future beyond this moment, I stepped into the Banquet Hall filled with anxiety.
“Prince Rakiel and Lady Evelyn Rosenthal, entering!”
At the chamberlain’s announcement, all eyes in the Banquet Hall turned toward us simultaneously.
Entering alongside the Prince, it was inevitable that people’s attention would be drawn to us.
Unnecessarily tense, I was putting strength into my toes when Rakiel, noticing my state, opened his mouth.
“…Are you nervous?”
“Pardon?”
“I thought you didn’t care about people’s gazes.”
Blinking, I looked at him, but Rakiel was focused ahead.
“Well, my brother was rather harsh. He didn’t even consider your dignity.”
Ah, could it be…?
‘Does he think I’m afraid of people’s stares because the Crown Prince rejected me?’
If that were the case, I’d be completely off the mark. Because the number of times Ludwig has rejected me reaches a whopping 100 times!
I could enumerate every possible variation of people’s reactions to each instance, listing them from one to a hundred. I could even organize them by situation and submit it as an academic paper.
I responded with a slightly exasperated expression.
“That’s not really the case.”
“…There’s no need to hide it from me, is there? Now that we’ve already held hands—”
“What I’m concerned about is how much attention I can draw from the Crown Prince at this banquet, and how to suppress the arrogance of these mediocre young ladies.”
At my rapid-fire words, Rakiel finally turned his face to check my expression.
Though he must have seen my irritated expression, his gaze seemed to be scrutinizing something.
“…Is the food at the Ducal Mansion not good?”
“Pardon?”
“You seem thinner than when we last met.”
Suddenly?
At his abrupt remark, I frowned. It had only been a week since we last saw each other.
He hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“I’m not sure if I have the right to say this… but clinging unconditionally to something isn’t good. Of course, it’s fine to have goals. That’s just how human life works. But….”
“….”
“When you become too fixated on a single goal, the emptiness you feel upon achieving it comes along with it.”
“…Why are you telling me this?”
Surprised by my own sharp tone, I glanced at him cautiously.
“Well… I’m not sure. Perhaps it’s because Evelyn and I are alike?”
“What? Me and Your Highness?”
What kind of nonsense was that?
Though this was the first time in over a hundred encounters that we’d become this close, I could bet anything that he and I were completely different people.
Yet Rakiel nodded with a serious expression.
“Certainly….”
“Certainly what?”
“Whether what Evelyn is clinging to is revenge or something else, it’s good to look around you a bit. I’m speaking from experience.”
“So what exactly are you talking about?”
Though I asked in frustration, Rakiel offered no further explanation.
‘He clearly thinks I’m fixated on taking revenge against the Crown Prince… but what does he mean by “from experience”?’
As we exchanged these bewildering words, the banquet was already underway.
The banquet proceeded tediously.
The Emperor appeared as though he were dragging his reluctant body forward with great effort, followed by his speech, birthday congratulations from envoys, and a barrage of gifts from nobles….
Rakiel had been guarding the seat of honor with the Emperor since earlier. More precisely, all the imperial family members were there together.
Beside the aging Emperor sat his only Empress, and next to her stood three imperial princesses in a row.
Every time I think about it, those four have remarkably little presence. They only appear as women leading high society when attending tea parties occasionally, but they seem to have no interest in politics whatsoever.
And on the opposite side stood Ludwig, the Crown Prince, and Rakiel standing side by side.
‘…They really don’t resemble each other at all.’
When you put them together, that impression became even stronger. They didn’t share any resemblance, not just in atmosphere but in appearance either.
It was so much so that one might even doubt they were brothers sharing the same bloodline.
‘Well, the Emperor himself acknowledged Rakiel as his son, so there’s no point in doubting it anyway.’
Perhaps it felt even more pronounced because Rakiel wasn’t the offspring of the current Empress—his mother, the concubine, had already passed away long ago.
The ‘real ball’ began after the Emperor departed.
Normally, the Emperor wouldn’t leave so quickly, but it seemed he was genuinely unwell. Instead, the Crown Prince appeared to be conducting the rest of the ball.
‘Well, I suppose the Crown Prince was always meant to conduct it.’
After all, I’d heard he was already handling most of the state affairs.
Just as I was stifling a yawn from my exhausted body—having been on my feet since dawn—my eyes met Rakiel’s.
‘…Huh?’
Naturally, he began making his way toward me, parting through the crowd.
Ah, I see.
‘The first dance—I had to dance it.’
That was the highlight of the ball, after all. And of course, my first dance partner had to be Rakiel. That’s why I came here.
“Phew, I suffered through that boredom.”
He grumbled as he reached me.
I opened my fan with a flourish and laughed.
“Your Highness, how could you say such a thing? Aren’t you ashamed?”
“…You speak as though you were my mother. Didn’t you find it tedious, Evelyn?”
“Not at all. Why would I be bored when there’s something to see right before my eyes? Just watching is enough to make me happy.”
The people around us flinched.
They’d realized that ‘something to see’ referred to the Crown Prince. And mentioning the Crown Prince in front of Rakiel was an unspoken taboo.
After all, even provincial minor nobles knew the two brothers weren’t on good terms.
But Rakiel responded as though he found it amusing.
“That would be someone with shimmering blonde hair, I’d imagine. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“….”
I paused for a moment.
‘…What’s going on since earlier?’
This was the opposite of how he’d reacted when we met at the Estate before. Back then, he’d been so flustered trying to counter my words that he could only look bewildered.
Now suddenly we’re volleying back and forth like this?
‘Did something change his mind… in such a short time?’
Just as I was about to respond halfheartedly, the crowd suddenly began parting, creating a path.
Through the gap appeared a striking blonde that caught the eye wherever one looked.
It was Crown Prince Ludwig Bernhardt.
He wore not the contemptuous expression he showed Evelyn when they were alone, but the perfect face of a Crown Prince.
Looking at that confident face, I really wanted to punch him.
Ludwig swept back his brilliant golden hair with elegant composure, dressed in a magnificent blue formal uniform—the very model of a ‘Crown Prince’ drawn to perfection.
As I watched him approach with a somewhat haughty air, I suddenly heard the murmuring of the surrounding crowd.
‘Ah, now that I think about it….’
This was a three-way confrontation.
The Crown Prince who’d abandoned the lady, the Second Prince who was her new partner, and the lady herself.
The three of us were now face to face.

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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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