The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 128

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 128

“Tesseud promised marriage to Imelda by dedicating this sword to her at the knight tournament, but he went on a brief demon hunt before preparing the ceremony and then lost contact.”

What? That’s way too suspicious.

Perhaps guessing I would think that, the Emperor immediately added.

“Some said it was my doing, but I swear to heaven it absolutely wasn’t. Rather, I tried to stop him. If something happened to him, I thought everyone would think it was my conspiracy. But that very thing actually happened.”

If that’s really true, then it must have been frustrating for you.

“Imelda waited three more years from the day Tesseud was supposed to return. But when only evidence that seemed to prove his death kept being discovered, she finally gave up… Perhaps out of guilt toward me, who had stayed by her side all along, she eventually held a wedding ceremony with me. But just five days after that, Tesseud was found drifting unconscious in the sea.”

“My goodness. How could such a trick of fate…”

“Everyone said that at the time.”

The Emperor nodded and said.

“Imelda regretted it terribly, but she didn’t show it in front of others. She even bore two children and faithfully fulfilled her duties as Empress. So I had let my guard down at some point, but then she suddenly left this world. Her usual depression became much more severe because of losing the treasured sword.”

He sighed once and continued speaking.

“To make matters worse, my sons witnessed that scene, but fortunately they forgot those memories. But you can’t cover up the truth forever, can you?”

“You speak truly.”

“But I also couldn’t correct it by saying ‘Actually, your mother didn’t die of illness, but left this world by her own will.’ Either way, it was a very difficult problem.”

“That’s true.”

“So after consulting with the Empress, we decided to not interfere at all and let things flow according to God’s will.”

So you’re saying you ultimately avoided it.

“That wasn’t wise either, but it seems to have been resolved in the most amicable way possible. Actually, I feel happier about that than recovering the founding Emperor’s treasured sword. Princess’s contribution in this matter is truly great.”

“Indeed it is.”

The Empress picked up on those words.

“For the late Imelda to leave such words to Duke Carnel, to be conveyed to the Crown Prince and Second Prince through Princess Aristina. This can only be called God’s will. It must have been a great comfort to both of them.”

“Thank you.”

Duke Carnel and I bowed to the Emperor and Empress’s praise.

Then.

The brothers who had gone to see off Master returned. Aldensis spoke to the Emperor, Empress, and Duke Carnel.

“Then please continue your conversation. We have something to discuss separately with the Princess.”

“Very well. You may withdraw.”

When the Emperor’s permission was granted, Aldensis put Windfairer back in the box and picked it up.

We left that place and moved to the greenhouse across the garden. Zikren asked me.

“What did Father talk about while we were away?”

“He was telling stories from the past. About the late Empress and Theseus Marquis. And also about why he couldn’t tell his sons the truth related to the Empress’s death.”

“Ah.”

The brothers nodded.

Perhaps the shocking scene they witnessed in childhood came to mind again, as both became quiet for a moment, but they soon emerged from the silence.

Aldensis quietly opened his mouth.

“If Mother was thinking of leaving, I can understand why she distanced herself from us brothers. She probably thought that by remaining a cold mother to us, we would quickly forget her.”

“Well, she probably didn’t know that we would still persist and go find Mother again, only to witness that scene.”

Zikren said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Anyway, the mystery has been roughly solved… But I still don’t really know whether it was really because of depression as Father said, or if there was another reason.”

“Since there’s a lot of testimony that she suffered greatly because of Windfairer, it’s most natural to think she left this world in despair over that incident. But we need to keep investigating.”

Aldensis said that and looked at me.

“Anyway, thank you, Princess. Thanks to you, everything seems to have changed for the much better.”

“Not at all. As I said before His Majesty earlier, I just worked hard to become the successor.”

“No.”

Aldensis said that and suddenly knelt on one knee.

I was so shocked my eyes nearly popped out.

“What are you doing? For the Crown Prince to kneel before a Princess? Quickly pretend your foot slipped by mistake and get up!”

“It’s not a mistake. Didn’t I say so? That I would properly give thanks when we went outside.”

Aldensis said calmly.

“According to the traditions of the Imperial Court, anyone who receives a favor must properly show respect with due formality. Even the Emperor is no exception, so why would the Crown Prince break that tradition? Please give me your hand, Princess.”

Because of the dignity Aldensis showed at that moment, I extended one hand to him as if enchanted.

Then he gently took my hand while kneeling.

“Princess Aristina. I sincerely express my gratitude for recovering the Imperial family’s lost treasure through your courage and effort, and for relieving the great pain in my heart.”

His lips lightly touched my hand and then withdrew.

It was just a formal ceremony, utterly simple in its execution.

But when his blue eyes looked at me deeply, I suddenly felt a tickling sensation in my chest.

“…”

While we were looking at each other for a moment with my hand held.

Suddenly a loud noise came from the floor.

I nearly screamed and jumped in surprise. Aldensis also looked over in shock.

“What’s that?”

The lid of the box that had contained Windfairer had fallen to the floor. And Zikren was staring at us with wide eyes.

“There was such etiquette…? Only you knew about it, brother…?”

The focus that had briefly disappeared from his golden eyes quickly returned. Zikren hurriedly straightened his clothes and said.

“Then I should also express my gratitude.”

“I already did it.”

“You only did it from your position. While I was drawing the sword.”

Zikren insisted on that and stubbornly knelt before me.

From his usual attitude, I thought he might play around, but surprisingly he respectfully followed etiquette and lightly touched his lips to my hand in courtesy.

“Thank you so much for having courage even in a frightening situation and revealing the secret of my past, Aristina.”

Again I felt that tickling sensation in my chest.

Transcendents are dangerous beings.

Therefore, I’m always observing them coldly, but objectively it’s true that they are the Crown Prince and Second Prince who receive everyone’s admiration.

If it were another young lady, her heart might have burst from being too excited.

‘What’s there to be excited about.’

I quickly caught my thoughts that kept trying to wander in strange directions.

‘They’re just expressing gratitude.’

A pair of blue eyes and another pair of golden eyes were only looking at my face.

As the lady who had just received thanks, it was my turn to say something in return.

“I’m the one who wants to say thank you.”

I said, looking at both of them alternately.

“Since something came, something went. You two first worried about me and searched for me, and even cared for Father and our family members, right? Hearing that story, I could tell that you truly think of me. I also felt that you’ve both changed a lot from before.”

“Is that so?”

Aldensis’s face brightened.

“At one time I rejected the Princess more than anyone, and the Princess was also greatly disappointed in me. When I asked around, they said relationships are over once they break down, so even while working hard, I didn’t have much expectation. But today feels somehow different. Seeing the Princess say that, somehow…”

He tilted his head and pressed his chest firmly.

“I think this is what they call ‘joy.'”

Then he showed me a bright smile.

A smile that could only be called dazzlingly beautiful. That expression he doesn’t show to just anyone.

When faced with something like this, my head strangely became dizzy.

Because Aristina had loved him too much. Because she had so desperately dreamed of moments like this.

For someone I once considered inhuman and poorly socialized to gradually learn and feel emotions, showing human-like behavior. My feelings were really strange.

While I was lost in such thoughts for a moment…

Something glinting appeared before my eyes.

‘Ah.’

I was startled and returned to reality.

What I just saw was Zikren’s eyes with pupils narrowed to slits. He had a sullen expression and was standing very close in front of me.

“There’s something important. When your illusion appeared before us in the maze. In front of my brother, you were just sad, but in front of me, you were shedding tears. Do you know what this means?”

“What does it mean?”

“Anyway, it has profound meaning.”

Perhaps not knowing himself, Zikren mumbled his words.

“So stop being all dramatic and just take this. It’ll be better to carry it in your hand rather than hugging the whole box.”

He held out Windfearer, which he had just taken out of the box, to me. I asked in confusion.

“Why are you giving this back to me?”

“Since you found Windfearer, the opening of the Founding Festival has been pushed back a bit. Everyone unanimously agreed at the state council meeting. Since we can finally hold the Imperial Knight Tournament after 11 years, let’s prepare quickly and restart it from this year.”

“Originally, the Empress would keep it before the tournament and present it to the winner on the day itself, but this time she said it would be better for the Princess to take that role. Keep it safe and present it to the winner on that day.”

Hearing my brother’s words, I understood.

‘Oh… I see!’

Aldensis looked at my expression and asked with a smile.

“Is that acceptable?”

“Yes, it’s great!”

I answered honestly.

Since this murder weapon happened to be an imperial treasure, I was wondering how to secretly investigate it. But now it’s back in my hands like this.

‘Besides, when the Knight Tournament reopens, what a huge topic it will become? Everyone will only be talking about this. I’ll inevitably receive attention too.’

There’s no better opportunity than this for a businesswoman.

It seemed like I had accidentally struck it big again.

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