The Villainess Hid Her Identity, and Now Everyone is Misunderstanding - Chapter 97

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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 97

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A week remained before the diplomatic envoy from the Valter Empire would arrive.
‘Hmm, I should prepare myself somewhat before the Saint arrives.’
Much had changed from the previous iterations, yet my anxiety remained undiminished.
This would be the first meeting where Ludwig and Duke Cashen encountered the female protagonist as a Saint. And since an event would unfold between those two at that gathering… the future would diverge depending on how this banquet unfolded.
The success or failure of this iteration would certainly hinge on it.
For that reason, I felt the need to have a preliminary conversation with Duke Cashen. My Freedom stat had surely maxed out by now, so I could act as I wished.
“If you’re busy, we can arrange another time. Still, I’d appreciate it if we could meet sometime this week….”
To my hesitant words, Duke Cashen responded immediately.
“No, it’s possible. Even right now—”
“That would be difficult, Your Grace.”
Huh?
I turned my head to see the Duke’s stern expression.
“Today is the day for a thorough cleaning of the Manor.”
He spoke with unmistakable firmness.
“…I beg your pardon?”
I’d never heard of such a thing in my life.
A thorough cleaning, all of a sudden?
“What thorough cleaning? I haven’t even heard the Maids mention anything like that….”
As I looked at Killian in bewilderment, he too nodded with a resolute expression.
“No, it’s today’s schedule, Evelyn. You must be mistaken about something.”
“What? To begin with, it’s hardly reasonable that the Manor would have a scheduled cleaning day—”
“It does. A thorough cleaning.”
I fell silent, my mouth opening and closing uselessly. The Duke had adopted the most resolute demeanor I’d ever witnessed from him.
‘…Why are they doing this?’
Of course, my relationship with Duke Cashen couldn’t be called good, but surely there was no harm in briefly inviting him to the Manor for a conversation!
Besides, it was I who extended the invitation, not the Duke.
However, to press the matter directly here would only damage the Duke’s dignity, given the circumstances.
‘There’s no daughter as well-behaved as me….’
I reluctantly opened my mouth.
“…I see. Then I shall send you another letter later.”
The Duke’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
‘No, this much is fine! I’m not directly inviting him over, so I should allow this much!’
I had no idea what the Duke was thinking, but I couldn’t simply do nothing.
“I understand. It is quite… unfortunate.”
Duke Cashen lowered his eyelids and murmured. Strangely, a look of melancholy settled across his usually stern face.
‘Hm? Did I misread that?’
A fleeting illusion passed through my mind—like a disappointed puppy drooping its ears. There was no reason for Duke Cashen to be this regretful.
Soon after settling the bill, I rose slowly from my seat. I paused in front of the Restaurant to exchange a brief farewell with Duke Cashen.
“Then I shall see you again later, Your Highness.”
“Yes… I am deeply sorry I cannot visit, but I shall call upon you whenever time permits.”
“No, please don’t trouble yourself so much. If there is anything you need to say, I shall convey it for you.”
“Not at all. Since I can visit Evelyn whenever she requires, please feel free to summon me at your convenience.”
“…”
What kind of conversation was this?
“Why is Father acting like that?”
“What? You don’t know and you’re asking?”
Killian whispered in surprise.
“Well, I’m asking because I don’t know. Would I ask if I already knew?”
“Ah, no, that’s true, but…”
He grumbled softly.
“You already have a fiancé, and you’re trying to invite an unrelated man into the house like this? What will people think…”
“What are you talking about? Did I secretly call him late at night, or invite him to my room? Really, it’s you and Father who are being oversensitive.”
“What? A woman saying such… such improper things so casually…”
Killian’s face flushed as he protested.
Why was mentioning a late-night summons something to be embarrassed about? If anyone heard, they’d think I’d said something excessive. Wasn’t it stranger for them to imagine unnecessary things upon hearing those words?
In any case, the mindset of people in this era was utterly incomprehensible.
As I sensed Duke Cashen’s farewell drawing to a close, I slipped in between them.
“Your Highness, might I have a word with you?”
The Duke’s eyebrows shot up like mountains forming, but he seemed to have no way to stop this.
I grabbed Duke Cashen’s sleeve and pulled him to the side. Only after confirming he followed without resistance did I release my grip.
I felt their gazes upon us from behind, but I lowered my voice as much as possible.
“I heard that a goodwill delegation from the Valter Empire is arriving next week. And the Saint is accompanying them, correct?”
“That is so. It should be a good opportunity for Evelyn.”
“…Pardon?”
What opportunity?
A question arose momentarily, but I had more pressing matters to address, so I quickly pushed the thought aside.
“I also heard rumors that Your Highness has completely severed ties with the Crown Prince. That you’ve had a falling out, and the gossip mills have been buzzing about it.”
“I saw no reason to hide it. If we were to part ways eventually, I thought it best to handle it swiftly.”
“Then what are Your Highness’s plans now?”
I carefully posed the question that had been most on my mind.
Among all those instances, Duke Cashen had only fallen out with the Crown Prince twice. After that, once he withdrew to his Estate, no further news had reached us.
Yet this time, strangely enough, he remained in the Capital City. The most troubling part was that I couldn’t fathom what he was thinking.
“I…”
Duke Cashen paused before speaking.
“For now, I intend to keep watch over Evelyn.”
“Pardon?”
At his unexpected words, I blinked in confusion. I had asked about his next moves, so why was I suddenly the topic of conversation?
“…May I ask what benefit it would bring Your Highness to keep watch over me at this moment?”
“I’m not certain.”
I understood that Duke Cashen held genuine affection for me as a person, but his true objectives were surely separate from such sentiments.
Ah, or perhaps he had decided to align himself with Prince Rakiel…?
My eyes sharpened as I quickly voiced my suspicion.
“Is it possible Your Grace is considering Prince Rakiel? Is that why you haven’t returned to your Estate?”
“That is not my intention.”
He cut me off swiftly.
‘Hmm? Then what could it be?’
If he wasn’t approaching me with political motives, then what on earth was his reason?
Duke Cashen fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixed upon me. His deep green eyes held an enigmatic gleam as they studied my face.
“Are you satisfied with your current engagement, Evelyn?”
“…That’s quite sudden.”
“You needn’t answer if you’d prefer not to.”
Satisfied? I turned his question over in my mind, examining it from different angles.
Was he trying to gauge Prince Rakiel’s movements through my engagement, or was he probing to see if I harbored discontent about it?
I had successfully separated Duke Cashen from the Crown Prince, and our relationship wasn’t poor, but what came after remained difficult to predict. He was a man whose thoughts were hard to read.
I narrowed my eyes slightly and answered while keeping my emotions carefully concealed.
“Well, it’s not unpleasant.”
Duke Cashen’s expression remained unchanged. But soon after, he turned his gaze elsewhere.
“I see.”
That was all he said. I tried to read what lay beneath that composure, but as always, he kept his expression perfectly guarded.
I regarded him with suspicion before speaking first.
“Your Highness, is there perhaps some issue between you and Prince Rakiel—”
“Evelyn! It’s getting late. Let’s head back now.”
The Duke called to me from a short distance away.
‘Ugh, of all times.’
I couldn’t understand what made him so urgent. I had no further appointments scheduled.
Unaware of my thoughts, the Duke pressed me further.
“Finish your conversation quickly. We should be heading back to the Manor soon.”
“Ah, understood. I’ll be right there.”
I gave a perfunctory response before turning my attention back to Duke Cashen.
“…Well then, I suppose we’ll meet again later. Or perhaps we’ll see each other at the celebration banquet for the Valter Empire’s goodwill delegation.”
“Should you need anything, please call upon me at any time. I shall be waiting. House of Ruffenbein exists always for your sake.”
…What did you say about House of Ruffenbein?
I tried to stop him as the question flashed through my mind, but Cashen had already turned away. I watched his retreating figure for a moment before moving on.
I could only hope he wouldn’t become a variable in what was to come.

Not long after, I returned to the Manor and found myself momentarily speechless at the sight before me.
“What is all this?”
The room was piled high with gifts—ornate jewelry and dresses everywhere.
Genie looked equally bewildered, watching for my reaction.
“Well… the Crown Prince sent these gifts…”
“…The Crown Prince?”
My eyes narrowed instinctively.
Just as I was trying to discern his intentions, Genie continued.
“And he sent word that he’ll visit tomorrow. What should we do with the gifts?”
There was only one thing I could tell her.
“Send them back.”

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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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