The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 75

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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 75

Ludwig asked back with a vacant expression.
The woman then shrugged her shoulders and spoke once more, each word deliberate and clear.
“I’m not the Saint, I’m telling you.”
It felt as though I was experiencing a lifetime’s worth of bewilderment all at once.
Setting aside the lie about not being the Saint, one would have to be remarkably oblivious not to recognize that I was the Crown Prince.
Yet such an attitude was enough to make my brow furrow.
‘She doesn’t appear to be of noble birth.’
Well, her bearing possessed a certain elegance, but judging by her attire and mannerisms, it was clear she was a commoner.
“Well, I never truly believed you were the Saint anyway.”
“Then why ask such a question?”
“….”
I clenched my teeth and continued.
“For some reason, it seems the Saint has taken quite a dislike to me. Yet here I am, coming to greet her personally.”
“I didn’t ask you to come. So why did you?”
“Aren’t you afraid for your life?”
“Where would you find someone who isn’t afraid for their life?”
At her sharp retorts, Ludwig’s brow twitched. Had anyone ever treated him this way before?
Rakiel interjected with a bewildered expression.
“Eve, please. Why are you doing this?”
It was Rakiel who found himself flustered by the strange tension unfolding between the two.
“Why are you stopping me? He’s the one in the wrong.”
“What wrong have I committed?”
“Some people’s very existence is a mistake.”
Had an ordinary commoner spoken to the Crown Prince in such a manner, she would have been dragged away on charges of lèse-majesté. Yet Ludwig could not treat her carelessly.
‘Tsk, this matter has become rather complicated.’
She was a woman drawing the attention of both commoners and nobles alike.
There was no need to provoke her unnecessarily and invite trouble.
That was simply how reputation worked.
In the end, Ludwig had no choice but to concede this round. Or rather, it was one step back for two steps forward.
“Ludwig Bernhardt. It is an honor to meet the Saint of our Empire.”

* * *

Oh, after going this far, you’re backing down?
I hadn’t felt such a pleasant sensation in ages—I was practically beside myself with joy.
I’d been so anxious about facing my hundredth defeat that I’d even scratched at myself in frustration, yet Ludwig approached me with his head bowed first.
The reason he was doing so was abundantly clear.

[Special Title: Veiled Saint]

It must be because of this, right?
‘Even so, for Ludwig to come find me directly… it’s bewildering.’
The Crown Prince taking notice of a mere commoner? If I simply resolved this plague, the Royal Court might even bestow a special title upon me.
Of course, that would become terribly inconvenient.
In any case, when Ludwig proposed a formal introduction, I ceased my teasing and extended my hand.
“I am Eve, Your Highness. It is a pleasure to meet you for the ‘first’ time.”
Regardless of how bold I felt, there was no need to overstep. If I pushed too far and demanded to see his face under the guise of rudeness, matters would become complicated.
“Well, I’m not sure why I’ve displeased you, but I must confess I’m quite bewildered. I’ve only come to assist the Saint.”
“You’ve come to assist me, Your Highness?”
You? Assist me?
Unable to believe it, I gave him a sidelong glance, and he chuckled softly.
“I heard you were Evelyn’s maid. Was that not true?”
“…Well, that is true.”
“Then how could I not assist you? Especially someone who cares so much for the Empire’s people.”
It was a reasonable statement, yet hearing it from Ludwig’s lips, I couldn’t bring myself to believe it.
I studied his face for a moment, trying to discern his true intentions, but it proved difficult. Particularly with Rakiel standing right beside us.
“…How exactly do you intend to assist me?”
“Well…”
He glanced subtly at Rakiel.
Understanding what he desired, I immediately turned to Rakiel and spoke.
“Your Highness, would you mind stepping away for a moment?”
“…Eve.”
“It will only take a moment. Isn’t that right?”
Ludwig nodded casually in agreement.
Rakiel, who had been alternating his gaze between me and Ludwig, soon pressed his lips together and rose to his feet. As he passed by my side, he whispered a final word.
“Be careful.”
Shortly after, only Ludwig and I remained in the tent.
He leisurely surveyed the surroundings before speaking first.
“How has Evelyn been faring lately? I haven’t seen her face in some time.”
“She’s doing wonderfully. I hear she’s enjoying quite the remarkable journey.”
That’s none of your concern. Or rather, please stop meddling in such trivial matters.
…That was what I meant.
“I heard she went down to the Southern Region. But I never heard that Evelyn had such a presumptuous… maid.”
“It’s just my nature, so I don’t usually take her out with me.”
In other words, don’t you dare touch her either.
That’s what it meant.
He would have understood perfectly well, yet Ludwig smiled readily.
“Well, fine. That’s not really my concern anyway.”
“Tch.”
“The reason I went out of my way to find you here is because I have a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
I asked, frowning.
I had a rough idea of what sort of proposal he might make to the maid of Evelyn, whom I firmly believed to be on my side.
‘Probably something asking me to help him.’
An odd irritation welled up inside me.
I was already prepared to refuse him spectacularly, no matter what he said.
As I regarded Ludwig with a suspicious gaze, he let out a soft chuckle and curved his lips upward—the arrogant smile of one who held the world beneath his feet.
“You don’t need to be so afraid. It’s nothing strange.”
“…What do you mean?”
Just say it already.
He seemed to be enjoying my reaction, his mouth brimming with laughter. Then, very slowly, he parted his lips.
“It’s nothing much. Simply that our Empire’s…”
The corners of his mouth curved upward in a way that was deeply unpleasant.
“…Saint—would you like to become one?”
“…What?”
The moment I responded with a blank expression, a warning sound reached my ears.

[Warning!]
[An abnormal route has been detected.]
[Searching for new routes…]

What? What is this?
The system continued to display incomprehensible symbols as if calculating, then suddenly shut itself down.
‘What, what is this? Is it broken?’
Just as I panicked and was about to press buttons randomly.
Light flashed before my eyes, and the system window reappeared, functioning normally.

[Hidden Route 【The Fallen Saint】 Forcibly Opened!]
[The world line will change depending on your choice.]
[Proposer: Crown Prince ‘Ludwig Bernhardt’]
[Do you accept this proposal?]

“…!”

* * *

A few minutes later.
The tent flap opened.
Rakiel, who had been standing a short distance away, looked up in surprise, but it wasn’t Eve who emerged.
“…Older Brother.”
“So you really were waiting.”
Ludwig smiled mockingly.
“This is shameful for the Royal Court. The Crown Prince and a prince traveling all this way just to see some commoner woman.”
“Why have you come?”
Rakiel asked, his brow furrowed.
His voice was low and measured, yet he made no attempt to conceal the wariness contained within it.
Ludwig, sensing that gaze, simply relaxed his shoulders with casual indifference.
“Why, as I mentioned before, a saint has appeared. Isn’t it natural for the Crown Prince to show his face at least once?”
“A saint…”
Rakiel’s gaze flicked toward the tent before returning.
“You believe that so easily?”
Ludwig chuckled softly.
“If people believe it, there’s no reason to deny it, is there?”
“…”
Rakiel’s eyes narrowed.
He could not fail to understand what those words implied.
“What did you discuss with her?”
It was a direct question.
Ludwig regarded him for a moment before his lips curved upward.
“Well.”
He deliberately drew out his words.
“I made quite an interesting proposal.”
His gaze turned toward the tent once more.
“I simply recommended a suitable position for her.”
“…”
As Rakiel’s expression gradually hardened, a gleam of delight kindled in Ludwig’s eyes—the satisfaction of a prediction proven correct.
‘How pitiful.’
His younger brother rarely knew how to conceal his emotions.
He laid bare everything without pretense—whom he cherished, whom he did not wish to lose.
Perhaps that was a virtue in a human being, but in politics it was a fatal weakness. Success or failure often hinged on how well one concealed one’s true desires.
And so Ludwig understood it all.
How deeply Rakiel loved his mother, and how dearly he treasured his regiment.
How amusing it was to see my younger brother carelessly exposing his weakness without even realizing it was one.
This time was no different.
I couldn’t say exactly what relationship existed between that woman and Rakiel, but I could tell she was someone he held quite dear.
‘Well, this shouldn’t be difficult either.’
Rakiel covered his face with one hand as if organizing his thoughts. It seemed he didn’t want his expression to be seen.
Watching him, Ludwig shook his head slowly.
“Don’t worry, Rakiel. Would I have suggested something unfavorable to you? I merely….”
But in that moment, Ludwig’s words trailed off.
‘…Is he laughing?’
Rakiel’s crimson eyes, visible between his fingers, were brimming with laughter.
Ludwig found himself staring blankly at Rakiel. He was laughing with an expression he had never seen before.

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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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