The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 90

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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 90

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“What did you say? What did you just say?”
Ludwig repeated the words back, his expression vacant.
“I said I will no longer involve myself in this matter.”
“No longer involve yourself? You mean you’re withdrawing from this affair?”
“Yes.”
Duke Cashen answered with an indifferent face. He spoke with complete composure, not even blinking once.
In contrast, Ludwig lost his composure entirely, unable to maintain his expression.
‘What is this….’
A bolt from the blue, as they say.
He hadn’t summoned Cashen for any particular reason—it had simply been to hear updates on the situation since he hadn’t seen him in person since leaving a message through the Chamberlain before.
Yet now he was completely withdrawing from this matter?
“Duke… that sounds to me as though House Lupenbain is withdrawing from politics entirely.”
He forced himself to continue speaking.
“Are you certain? If it’s for what you desire….”
“I have already found my answer.”
“…An answer?”
Ludwig’s brows furrowed deeply.
It was clear he didn’t understand—as if this were not the answer that should come in this situation.
Cashen fell silent for a moment.
Like someone deliberating whether explanation was necessary, he lowered his gaze briefly before slowly opening his mouth.
“It is the answer to what I chose to follow.”
“That… you mean it has changed now?”
“Yes.”
Cashen had certainly pledged to follow him. There was no one but himself who could achieve his goals, which was why he had sworn his loyalty, was it not?
It was not something that should change so quickly, like flipping one’s hand.
Ludwig barely managed to open his mouth, forcibly suppressing the irritation rising within him.
“For the Duke to move most efficiently, I would need to ascend to the throne. What you desire is ultimately the elimination of ‘evil,’ is it not?”
Ludwig spoke in a low murmur. Though he tried to conceal his emotions as much as possible, clear pressure emanated from his words.
“There is no better choice than myself for that purpose.”
Cashen did not answer. As silence stretched on, Ludwig pressed further.
“Does changing direction now alter the outcome? I can eliminate those things you despise most swiftly.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Ludwig’s expression hardened at my decisive words.
“I fail to understand.”
This time, his irritation was unmistakable.
“Are you saying you’ll support Rakiel instead? If you place such a weak man on the throne, the Empire will crumble into nothing. He can’t even protect his own people, and he’ll destroy himself in the end. The Imperial power will fall to the ground, and the Empire will plunge into the abyss of evil.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“Then what is it? Have you been playing games this entire time?”
Ludwig’s eyes gradually grew cold.
“No, I’ve simply found someone worth following.”
“Who… Ah.”
A single person flashed through his mind. At this moment, there was only one person he could possibly consider “right.”
“Surely you don’t mean that Saint—”
“Evelyn Rosenthal.”
“…Pardon?”
What? Did I mishear just now?
“Who?”
“Evelyn Rosenthal. I’m referring to the daughter of House of Rosenthal.”
Ludwig’s mind came to a complete halt, his body freezing in place. Only after a long moment did he move again, as if a spell had been broken, creaking stiffly.
“Ah… haha, I didn’t know the Duke could joke. That’s quite amusing. It’s the least joke-like joke I’ve heard in recent memory.”
“It’s not a joke.”
“Evelyn Rosenthal as someone worth following? What nonsense is—… Pardon?”
Ludwig’s face contorted strangely. It was the expression of someone who had heard something they shouldn’t have.
“Do you not know what kind of person Evelyn Rosenthal is? That woman notorious in high society—”
“Mind your words. She will become a Saint.”
“What did you say?”
Now it had crossed beyond absurdity into something chilling.
There was no way Cashen would speak like this unless Evelyn had done something extraordinary. Unless that witch-like woman had bewitched him…
‘Is it even possible for anyone to be bewitched by Evelyn?’
Remembering the look in her eyes whenever she gazed at him sent a chill down his spine. It was only to counter Rakiel—without that, such a connection would never have formed.
‘Yes, that woman called a Saint would be far better.’
The unique aura he had encountered days ago lingered persistently in his mind. Though he didn’t realize it now, after today passed, he would soon understand. What the best choice for her truly was.
He pressed his temples firmly. He had never once considered the possibility of Cashen turning away from him.
But Cashen was the type of man who, once he decided something was “right,” would push forward relentlessly. As if past judgments meant nothing whatsoever, without a shred of hesitation.
So there was no point in trying to change his mind now. And truthfully, he didn’t even want to.
Ludwig finally sighed and opened his mouth.
“Duke, allow me to offer you one piece of advice.”
“Speak.”
“Evelyn… I understand she has captured your interest, but that woman cannot even properly assess her own circumstances. All she does is flutter about in excitement, swayed by mere emotion, accomplishing nothing of substance.”
Cashen’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
Ludwig, not noticing this reaction, continued speaking.
“Evelyn will become a Saint? Calling such a foolish woman a Saint—I am deeply concerned about the future of House Lupenbain.”
If the Grand Duke’s judgment of character was this poor, Ludwig thought to himself, perhaps it would be better for the Empire’s future if they severed ties entirely here.
“Rather, you should follow that commoner woman they revere as the masked Saint. She would be far superior. At least she would be entertaining.”
“…Have you met her?”
Her?
Ludwig felt puzzled by the honorific even as he responded.
“I have. She was quite fascinating. When I suggested she become the Empire’s Saint, she refused me.”
He laughed lightly.
“When that displeased me, I even suggested she become Empress. She rejected that as well, but… she will return before long. Will you still follow Evelyn even after hearing this?”
It was a question asking: isn’t she precisely the ‘Saint’ you desired?
After finishing his words, Ludwig studied Duke Cashen’s expression, but he could scarcely discern his true intentions. Those still-indifferent eyes merely gazed quietly toward Ludwig.
“…I see. There is no doubt that she too is a Saint.”
“By the Grand Duke’s logic, three Saints have emerged in the same era. Though admittedly, one of them will never bear the title of Saint.”
His voice dripped with mockery. Yet Duke Cashen opened his mouth with a measured tone.
“It seems you are laboring under a grave misunderstanding.”
“What is that?”
“The Bernhardt Empire can have only one Saint.”
Ludwig’s brow furrowed.
His face bore the expression of someone who did not comprehend.
“Did you not just say the same thing? That the commoner woman is also a Saint. Have you lost the ability to do simple arithmetic?”
“I have never spoken a falsehood.”
“Then—”
It was at that moment.
A loud commotion erupted from outside, and the Chamberlain rushed frantically into the Study. He had forgotten to knock entirely.
“Did I not tell you not to enter?”
Ludwig’s face contorted as he demanded an explanation.
They had been in the midst of an important conversation, and the interruption was far from welcome. Yet, seemingly unaware of this, the Chamberlain approached urgently and bowed his head.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I have urgent news!”
“What is the matter?”
“Prince Rakiel… His Highness Prince Rakiel has appeared in the Capital City. And he has brought the elite Knight order stationed in the Northern Region with him!”
“What?”
That could not be.
Had he not just incited the Northern tribes not long ago? For anyone else it might be possible, but he could not have withdrawn the elite Knight order that had to face them directly at the border.
“The Northern Region appears to be nearly emptied. If this continues, the Empire’s national defense…!”
“This madman…!”
Had he truly left the Northern Border completely undefended merely to suppress this rebellion?
It was no cause for celebration that the path to the Valter Empire lay open. At this rate, the Northern tribes could march south directly and breach the Capital City with no means of resistance.
Ludwig immediately rose urgently to address the situation somehow.
“That is not all!”
“There is more?”
The Chamberlain continued, his face etched with dismay.
“That woman called the Saint… she is, she is Evelyn Rosenthal!”
In that instant, the room fell silent. Ludwig stared down at the Chamberlain in a daze, as though he hadn’t comprehended what he’d just heard.
“…What did you say?”
“That, that Saint… is Evelyn Rosenthal, they say. The rumors have already spread throughout the Square. The citizens….”
As if there was no need to hear more, Ludwig’s hand froze in midair.
“…Ha, surely you jest—”
“Your Highness.”
Duke Cashen spoke calmly.
“Please withdraw what you said earlier.”
A brief silence fell.
“Now that you know who that person is.”

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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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