The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 170

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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 170

The Crown Prince, whom I had loved with unwavering devotion since falling for him at first sight in childhood, never once looking at another.

He looked even more dazzling than usual today for the engagement ceremony.

“Are you alright?”

Those blue eyes that I had wished would look at me just once were now truly directed only at me.

The golden hair I had wanted to touch even in dreams was close enough to reach.

His white ceremonial uniform seemed made only for him, making his already sacred beauty stand out even more today.

This was the future I had dreamed of.

But…

Strangely, I felt nothing at all.

-Hey! What’s wrong! Snap out of it! You’ve achieved your dream!

A clamor arose in my head.

-He’s the person you love! Hurry up and hold his hand tight too! Or better yet, throw yourself into his arms! Then your fear will disappear and you’ll find courage!

That’s right.

That’s what I should do…

But my heart showed no reaction whatsoever.

Rather, my heart had beaten faster when I met Theseus Marquis’s eyes earlier than it did now.

‘This is maddening.’

Seeing me frozen like a stone, Aldensis frowned slightly and looked around at the attendants.

“What on earth happened? Where did you just go that left her so absent-minded?”

“Please forgive us! We’re truly sorry for not attending to the Young Lady properly! But really, nothing happened just now. She even successfully received the golden roses to be used in the engagement ceremony.”

“Then why is she like this? Tell me, Aristina.”

“…”

It seems like Theseus Marquis is the one who murdered me, so that’s why I’m acting this way.

I couldn’t just come out and say that.

Because I knew how much Aldensis respected and loved his master.

‘Even if I gathered only irrefutable evidence and revealed it all, he still wouldn’t be able to believe it…’

Physical evidence? None. Witnesses? None.

The murder method I deduced was too unique. The motive was also unclear.

In other words, it would sound like nonsense.

‘That’s exactly what the culprit wants.’

The opponent was a respected hero of the Empire and master to the Crown Prince and Second Prince.

He had once been friends with the Emperor, and despite having history with the first Empress, the Emperor still respected him.

Moreover, people firmly believed he had lost all interest in worldly affairs and was living in seclusion.

So who would believe my words?

“If you want to make such a claim, you need to present evidence that it’s perjury first. Isn’t that right? That’s how people will listen to you.”

Father’s words were correct.

This was a deadly card game.

The culprit had deliberately shown me his cards. To make me panic and get caught up in confusion.

One mistake here and I die.

I could feel that I was facing a very difficult battle. The final showdown.

‘Evidence. I need evidence.’

As I frantically wracked my brain, something suddenly occurred to me.

“We’ll continue investigating from the Master Guild as well. If we compare the information found by both sides, it’ll be much easier to uncover the truth.”

When I told him the Empress was investigating the maid murder case, Ruellian had said that.

They might have found something.

I didn’t have time to stay here like this.

‘I need to go there.’

Aldensis was still holding my hand, looking at my complexion with concern.

I gently pulled my hand away and said,

“Your Highness, what I’m about to say might sound strange, but could you please listen seriously?”

“Of course. Everything the Young Lady says is both strange and interesting.”

“I need to go somewhere right now.”

Aldensis’s smiling face suddenly hardened.

“What do you mean? The engagement ceremony is about to begin.”

“I know.”

I nodded.

“Even though it’s not real, everyone worked hard to prepare for it. I also agreed with the advice that this method was best for safety and just quietly went along with it. I know all that.”

Looking into his eyes, I continued speaking earnestly and seriously.

“But very regrettably, all of our judgment was wrong. The Imperial Palace is not safe at all. Rather, it’s one of the most dangerous places. Right now, I’ve essentially walked into a lion’s den.”

“…?”

Aldensis didn’t understand what I was saying. His eyes filled with a bewildered light.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You wouldn’t. But I can’t explain everything in detail. Please, just give me some time, even if it’s brief. I urgently need to go somewhere right now.”

“Fine. Let’s go together.”

“No. You can’t come. It’s a place only I can go.”

“…?”

“I’ll definitely come back. I’ll come back and explain properly. I’m doing this to survive. So please trust me just once and give me time.”

Since I couldn’t tell him I strongly suspected the master he respected, I could only ask like that.

Hoping he would understand how urgent and desperate I was right now.

But that didn’t happen.

“Why are you acting like this?”

Aldensis finally shouted.

“Didn’t I say I would protect you by any means necessary? I can do anything for you! I’d rather be harmed myself than let anyone hurt you!”

His face, usually so clear and composed, was filled with signs of agitation.

He seemed unable to control his emotions.

“…”

I looked at him silently.

Surprised that he had raised his voice, Aldensis immediately lowered it.

“I don’t understand my own heart either. I’m still clumsy at feeling emotions. That’s why I realized it so late.”

Then he took my hand again.

“At first, I was wary and paid attention to you because you kept acting outside my predictions. But as I did so, I found myself enjoying watching you and listening to what you said. Everything was always new when I was with you. Unlike other times, it felt like the only meaningful time.”

After speaking in one breath, Aldensis looked straight into my eyes.

“I always look forward only to the time I spend with you. I want to be with you forever. Isn’t this the emotion people call love? I truly love you.”

My mind went blank at the torrent of words.

I had heard something like a confession when the engagement was discussed, but this was a real confession.

A clear declaration of love that no one could dispute.

-Did you hear that? Aldensis finally confessed. You’ve succeeded in winning his heart. Now, hurry up and accept it!

I heard clamoring in my head again.

But…

My heart still showed no reaction.

Hearing the confession made me realize for certain.

My one-sided love for Aldensis was already over.

I felt nothing for the Aldensis I met after dying and returning.

Because my soul had changed.

I slowly opened my mouth.

“I’m grateful that you’re trying to help me with all your might. If I survive, I’ll definitely repay this debt. But…”

“…”

“You know what I’m going to say, don’t you?”

“…”

“That’s right. I don’t love you. When I declared my one-sided love was over, we were completely finished.”

The shock he received was clearly revealed in Aldensis’s eyes.

His grip on my hand tightened even more.

“Aristina….”

“Let me go.”

“I can’t.”

He muttered in a daze.

“It’s fine if you don’t love me. But don’t leave. That’s absolutely not allowed.”

“….”

Only then did I realize.

He never had any intention of letting me go anyway.

He had said we could break off the engagement after getting engaged first, but he had no real intention of allowing the engagement to be broken.

‘It was a lie.’

Whether consciously or unconsciously, he had lied.

It was probably because of love.

Pure and blind affection.

That very emotion was overflowing in Aldensis’s eyes as he looked at me.

But rather than being touching, it felt dangerous.

A pure yet powerful will to never let go of what he had grasped for the first time.

Could that really be called a healthy emotion?

‘Absolutely not.’

Aldensis was completely swept away by his own emotions.

The Transcendent’s state immediately affected the surroundings. Powerful winds arose and surrounded us.

The people who had been watching while barely able to breathe properly were startled.

“Your Highness! Young Lady!”

Just then.

Through the terrifyingly fierce winds that seemed to repel everything, someone strode in.

“Stop it.”

That person said those words while grabbing Aldensis’s arm. I looked at him with wide, surprised eyes.

‘Zikren….’

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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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