The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 79

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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 79

I was pressing down on the table with force.
“Whoa, whoa, calm down.”
Yan caught the table as it tilted precariously.
“I have no intention of saying anything about it.”
“…Then why did you pretend to know?”
If I hadn’t brought it up, the system wouldn’t have reacted at all. It would have been best to leave it as mere suspicion.
“Well, first of all, I wanted to know the truth, and seeing your reaction, it seems to be real.”
“And then?”
“I was curious about what kind of person the Rosenthal heiress is.”
“Why are you curious about the Rosenthal heiress?”
He chuckled softly.
“You’re talking about it as if you’re someone else, when you’re the one in question.”
“….”
I chose not to answer.
“To answer your question, I was simply curious after hearing various things from Rakiel. Though it’s quite surprising that you’re already aware of this.”
“….”
“…It does make some sense now.”
“What does.”
“What Rakiel spoke of with such amazement.”
What on earth had he said to make such an impression.
I recalled when Rakiel had mentioned he had something to tell the heiress. In the end, I never heard what it was, but now I had a sudden feeling it might be related to this situation.
‘Perhaps that’s the real issue.’
I finally let out a sigh.
“Fine. What’s the point in hiding now.”
As I slowly lowered my hood, the silver hair I had bound tightly came into view. Yan’s eyes widened gradually.
“…Rakiel, you bastard.”
“Yes?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Regardless, he continued speaking casually even after learning my identity. Whether it was boldness or simply thoughtlessness… not that it particularly mattered.
I frowned while asking the most crucial question.
“Will you tell Prince Rakiel?”
I meant whether he would reveal the truth to Rakiel.
For now, that was what mattered most. Though I had unintentionally been exposed to Yan, I didn’t want the number of people who knew this fact to increase any further.
At least not until my autonomy reaches maximum level.
“…No, I won’t say anything.”
“What’s with that sulky tone?”
“I felt like I had to do it this way. Besides, protecting a client’s identity is a fundamental principle of an information organization.”
His playful manner of speaking was slightly bothersome, but if he wasn’t going to say anything, it didn’t really matter.
‘That’s a relief.’
I hardened my expression and checked the corner of my vision. Since I had something to do every day, I didn’t have much time left for autonomous action today either.
“Anyway, that’s that, and a request is a request. Will you take it? Finding the medicinal herb.”
“Of course, customer.”
He chuckled.
It didn’t take long to explain the herb’s appearance to Yan. He was naturally intelligent, and he pinpointed exactly where my suspicions lay.
After finishing our discussion about the request, I was about to stand up.
“Ah, come to think of it.”
“Yes?”
I asked back while adjusting my hood again.
My mind was already organizing the tasks I needed to complete.
“I think it would be good to be careful.”
“Careful… what do you mean?”
“Strange rumors are spreading.”
“…?”
As I tilted my head in confusion, he continued.
“The entire city is in disarray because of the plague. So it’s nothing new for a strange rumor or two to appear. But it seems like an unusually large number of people actually believe it.”
“What kind of rumor could it be….”
“That you’re spreading the disease.”
“…!”
At that moment, the words I had heard earlier came to mind.

—Actually, there’s a group showing suspicious movements.

Was that really just nonsense?
If the rumors were truly spreading, the source was unmistakable.
“It seems the Crown Prince is making his move. Since you’re not bending to his will, he’s decided to be more aggressive.”
“…Damn it.”
“The entire city’s atmosphere is ominous, so be careful when you go out. Rakiel has been… quite busy lately.”
Rakiel was swamped with work as the person in charge of the plague crisis. Because of that, I hadn’t been seeing him much these days either.
‘I expected him to incite the people somehow, but to use me like this.’
Either way, when something happened, the one who would suffer most was Rakiel. Everything would fall back on his shoulders.
“When people see light, envy and jealousy follow. You could call it an inevitable trial bestowed upon a Saint.”
“You’re quite the storyteller yourself.”
I heard stifled laughter from behind, but I left the room immediately.

* * *

At the same moment.
Ludwig Bernhardt was huddled seriously with Killian, their heads bent together.
“What do you think?”
“Well… one thing’s for certain—this doesn’t sound like Evelyn.”
Killian muttered gravely.
In fact, he had rushed to the Capital immediately upon receiving a letter from Evelyn. He didn’t think this was something to worry about alone.
And upon entering the Ducal Palace in the Capital, Killian discovered his father wearing the exact same expression as himself.
“She asked for money, so I sent it… but thinking about it again, something feels off no matter how I look at it.”
“I agree. This isn’t Evelyn’s manner of speaking.”
They read the letter over and over again with furrowed brows.
What particularly caught their eyes was this part.

「…Your cute and charming daughter, angelic Evelyn」

…Is this really from Evelyn? Could someone be impersonating her and secretly sending letters?
Watching the two of them deliberate so seriously, Joshua’s cheek twitched. A fundamental question arose in his mind: did I really have to listen to this absurd conversation?
“…It is indeed from Miss Evelyn. The seal is properly stamped, and Lord Maren brought it himself, did he not?”
“Then do you think this is appropriate right now? Evelyn is cute and clever, that much is true, but do you really think she’s the type to say such things on her own?”
The Duke let out an embarrassed cough.
Joshua pressed his temples.
The Duke had been delighted upon receiving this letter and immediately sent money—so what was he suspecting now?
Moreover, the Duke hadn’t sent a mere allowance.
‘Enough money to easily purchase a grand manor, and he sent it just like that….’
For someone in a supporting position, it was enough to drive one mad.
What would Miss Evelyn do with that money? Probably buy jewels and dresses, indulging in luxury. Though he couldn’t fathom why such things would be necessary in that remote southern village.
In any case, one letter had wiped out an entire month’s operating budget for the noble family. And that money would never return.
She must have already spent it all!
“Still, Father, if you look at the beginning, it seems perfectly fine. Isn’t it her usual manner of speaking?”
“Hmm….”
Indeed.
The letter was roughly demanding money with some urgency—something terribly important had arisen, and she needed a tremendous amount of funds.
“…I’m not reassured by that amount. I should send more.”
“Pardon?”
“That’s right, Father! What is she supposed to do with such a pittance?”
Killian exclaimed with delight.
A month’s budget for the noble family was a pittance? Joshua was at a loss for words, but the two of them were already united in purpose.
Yes, let’s send more! came their resolute declaration.
Joshua was at his wit’s end. He knew the Rosenthal family’s wealth was immense, but even he had never truly grasped its limits—yet this was a different matter entirely.
Still, since family was involved, they seemed to be taking it seriously.
“That amount won’t even buy a single house. We should definitely send more money!”
“Excellent!”
…Now that he thought about it, these people simply had no sense of money.
Or was it only like this when Evelyn was involved?
In any case, if this continued, they’d hand over the entire Rosenthal estate root and branch, so Joshua hastily changed the subject.
“R-rather than that, about the rumors concerning that ‘Saint’…”
“Ah, that matter.”
The Duke straightened his posture.
“Would it be acceptable if we refrained from making contact?”
He had heard that the Crown Prince’s faction had made contact first.
The title of ‘Saint’ was not something easily obtained.
In other words, that woman would inevitably exert significant influence over the Empire’s affairs, whether she wished to or not.
“I understand that Prince Rakiel has already spoken with her.”
“Would it be acceptable if we took no further action?”
Killian asked.
“I’ve heard there’s already been friction with the Imperial Knights. It’s likely because she rejected the Crown Prince’s proposal. Prince Rakiel mentioned the same thing.”
“Then we could bring her to our side?”
A prince supported by the Saint would shift the political landscape in an instant. As someone akin to God’s representative, she would provide tremendous legitimacy.
However, the Duke shook his head.
“That’s not quite how it works.”
“Why not…?”
“To truly obtain the title of Saint, Imperial recognition is necessary. For now, the Crown Prince’s consent is unavoidable.”
“…I see.”
“But there is another way.”
“What is it?”
Killian’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, and the Duke responded with a mysterious expression.
“Gaining recognition from another of God’s representatives.”
In that moment, both Killian and Joshua thought of the same person.
The one and only Saint in this world—the Saint of the Valter Empire.

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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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