The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 71

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————

The Villainess Hides Her Identity, and Everyone Misunderstands
Chapter 71

As I muttered with a sigh, Rakiel shrugged his shoulders.
“I thought it had been a while.”
“…Yes, I suppose so. It’s only been a few days since I came out.”
“Were you busy with Manor affairs?”
“No, that’s not it…”
I exhaled a sigh so deep it felt like the ground was collapsing beneath me.
“I just had some things to think about…”
For two days after that, I remained confined to my room with a gloomy expression. My mind was in turmoil.
‘Hmm, what should I do?’
First of all, I was not Evelyn. Instead, I had a history of repeating Evelyn’s life for about a year, ninety-nine times over.
Looking at it that way, one could argue that I had lived Evelyn’s life far more than Evelyn herself had.
But even so, could my family truly accept me as Evelyn?
‘Well, once things are resolved, it would be nice to live grandly as the Young Lady.’
Separate from that was the matter of my conscience. It felt uncomfortable to mimic Evelyn and involve myself in family matters.
Without realizing it, I had sunk into my own world, and Rakiel quietly observed my expression.
“Did something really happen? The atmosphere feels strangely different.”
“Well… it’s not like nothing happened.”
I had discovered hidden family secrets. And if ‘Evelyn’ found out, she would go absolutely mad.
‘Still, I should achieve freedom at max level first before thinking about it.’
I quickly pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind.
Rakiel continued to cling to me, chattering away noisily.
“Why? Is the Young Lady bothering you? Or are you perhaps looking for a new position?”
“What? No, that’s not it.”
“That’s unfortunate. The offer I made before is still valid. If you’re interested, just say the word. I can arrange a position for you right away.”
“But you said the position was already filled.”
As I gave him a look as if to say ‘you talk about everything,’ he asked, looking slightly flustered.
“Who… did Hagen tell you?”
“I heard everything. We’ve actually gotten quite close recently thanks to Your Highness…”
“What? Close to whom?”
His face crumpled.
“Hagen, Your Highness’s aide! The very person who runs around every day catching the runaway prince!”
“Damn it, when did this happen without me knowing…”
A vein bulged prominently on his forehead.
“If you don’t want to get closer, Your Highness shouldn’t be wandering around. Then you wouldn’t have any reason to see him anymore! I don’t know why you dislike being friendly with Hagen, but….”
“That won’t work.”
“Why not?”
He paused to think before responding.
“I don’t know.”
“…?”
I gave up on the conversation.
‘This is the kind of pointless banter even an elementary school child wouldn’t engage in….’
As we exchanged such meaningless words, we had somehow arrived at the Slum.
‘My familiar workplace.’
I had come and gone so often that it now felt like home.
Yes, become a sacrifice for my freedom!
Then, as always, I turned my head slightly to say something I would never actually follow through on.
“Your Highness, perhaps you should head back….”
But that was the moment.
“Hack!”
Someone stumbled out from between the tents. The man managed only a few steps before collapsing to his knees, coughing violently.
Something red dripped onto the ground.
“Hey!”
Before I could even react, Rakiel rushed forward.
I stood with my eyes wide open, examining the man’s condition, and upon discovering something, I covered my mouth.
“Wait, Your Highness!”
I urgently grabbed Rakiel’s arm just as he was about to help the man up. He looked puzzled but obediently followed my pull.
As I examined the man more closely, I felt all the blood drain from my body.
‘Why is this happening now…!’
It was the plague. It wasn’t supposed to break out until much later.
Then, as panic seized me, a translucent system window materialized before my eyes.
Ding!

[Main Quest Triggered!]
[Quest Name: Stop the Wave of Plague.
Objective: A plague is spreading throughout the Empire. If you fail to contain its spread, societal collapse is possible. Secure a cure immediately and prevent the plague’s expansion.
Restriction: 88% or more of the Empire’s population must survive
Reward: Unlock Hidden Route 【???】
Failure: Empire Collapse / Unpredictable Political Variables Emerge]

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 79]
“Are you saying the Empire is on the brink of collapse?!”
Someone’s shout filled the conference room.
From the Emperor’s seat—or rather, from the seat now occupied by Crown Prince Ludwig since the Emperor had taken to his sickbed—he raised a hand calmly to silence the man.
“It is a disease where death is rare. And panic will not yield us solutions.”
“But Your Majesty, the plague that began in the West reached the Capital City in merely two weeks. Its transmissibility is catastrophic! At this rate—”
“At this rate, the entire Empire will be consumed by plague within a month.”
A low voice emerged from the corner of the conference room.
It was Rakiel.
He had just entered, quietly closing the door behind him.
“…Rakiel, you’re late.”
Ludwig, noticing him only then, furrowed his brow slightly as he spoke.
Rakiel nodded indifferently and made his way to his seat. He had left the Imperial Palace and hurried back upon hearing that a conference had been suddenly called.
He pulled out his chair silently and surveyed the conference room with composure.
This meeting was being held more than three weeks after the plague had been confirmed. Far slower than one might expect.
‘They likely thought it had nothing to do with them anyway.’
It wasn’t an unreasonable assumption.
In the Refugee Camp and the Slums, dozens of illnesses were reported each month, and it was common for diseases to spread among the poor and then disappear.
But this time was different.
The same symptoms were being reported simultaneously across various parts of the Empire.
‘…This is quite suspicious.’
Especially since the initial outbreak originated from a location bordering the Western Border…
Just as Rakiel fixed the Crown Prince with a stern gaze, Ludwig opened his mouth, calming the somewhat turbulent conference room.
“As you all know, the most urgent matter at hand is preventing the plague’s spread. Does anyone have a good suggestion?”
“I hear most of the afflicted are paupers or refugees.”
Someone interjected. It was a nobleman with white hair and a thick, unkempt beard.
He continued with a sneer playing at his lips.
“Well, they were bound to fall ill anyway. Living in such squalid conditions without maintaining even basic cleanliness, it’s only natural that plague runs rampant among them.”
His tone was dripping with arrogance.
He did not stop there, scanning those around him.
“Come to think of it, there’s someone here who is quite well-versed in such matters. Someone who offered good counsel not long ago…”
His eyes, which had been sweeping across the room, came to rest on one particular person.
“…Would it not be fitting for Prince Rakiel to take charge?”
In an instant, every gaze in the conference hall turned toward Rakiel.
“After all, the one called the hero of the Refugee Camp is right here. Could there be a more suitable person? If Your Highness were to assume command of this crisis, they too would find peace of mind. Would they not?”
Rakiel did not answer. He merely tilted his head slightly, regarding his counterpart.
On the surface, it seemed like a matter that could be settled by adding one name to a document, but this task could not possibly be so trivial.
‘So they intend to dump all the troublesome work on me. And on top of that…’
…the resentment of the people as well.
They were attempting to thrust this thankless and difficult role upon Rakiel.
In other words, he was to be the scapegoat.
Rakiel clicked his tongue softly to himself. Fortunately, his reputation provided a plausible justification.
That was when Duke Trenze interjected.
A neutral nobleman who had recently joined Rakiel’s faction, he was also a merchant noble with considerable influence in the Northern Region.
He slowly stroked his mustache, which curled in loops on both sides, before speaking.
“Is it appropriate for Prince Rakiel to take on such a task?”
“…Pardon?”
The nobleman who had just offered his opinion narrowed his eyes.
“I merely presented the most rational solution given the current circumstances. Do you have a different opinion, Duke?”
Duke Trenze’s gaze flashed sharply.
“A rational solution, you say? Is that what you call dumping troublesome work onto the Prince?”
“What are you—!”
The man’s face flushed crimson as he burst out.
“Dumping it on him!”
“Precisely. You’re trying to pin responsibility for the plague on the Prince and have him bear the people’s resentment as well. His reputation must have been a thorn in your side, so this seemed like a convenient opportunity, didn’t it?”
“…!”
As the man’s face reddened from the direct hit, the conference room stirred with unease.
It wasn’t just him who was taken aback by such blunt language.
After all, Ludwig held the position of Crown Prince, so it was hardly beneficial for those supporting Prince Rakiel to come forward so openly. Thus, such an aggressive move was quite dangerous.
Regardless of how well everyone understood their true intentions.
After observing for a moment, Rakiel calmed Duke Trenze with a glance before joining the conversation.
“…It seems Count Pollen believes I am the right person for this.”
At his composed words, the man called Count Pollen cleared his throat and gathered his thoughts. As if he had just realized his excitement was unbecoming of his station.
After choosing his words carefully several times, he opened his mouth with an embarrassed expression.
“Ahem, Prince Rakiel is a merciful person who does not distinguish between high and low status, so this task seems perfectly suited to your nature.”
On the surface, it sounded like praise for Rakiel, but it was actually a veiled jab suggesting he had no regard for noble decorum.
Duke Trenze frowned, but Rakiel instead curved his lips upward. He then slowly opened his mouth.

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————