The Villainess is on a Quest - Chapter 43

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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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42
The Imperial Palace was incomparably vast compared to the Orion Royal Palace. One could easily lose their way if not careful.
“Are you certain it’s all right to wander about like this?”
“Don’t worry. We’re in the Sun Palace. There should be only tight-lipped people around, so nothing to be concerned about will happen.”
Nothing to be concerned about. Aine swallowed her sigh. If others were to witness this scene, what would unfold?
At the very least, it was certain they wouldn’t simply let it pass quietly as they did at the Langchester Residence, following Clred’s word.
‘They’ll suspect the child was born between Clred and me.’
It was a suspicion they had to avoid for each other’s sake.
If they weren’t careful, Clred would neglect war and become a man mad with love for an enemy general.
The easiest solution would be to reveal Wilhelm’s identity, but it wasn’t as simple as it sounded.
‘I don’t want Wilhelm to lose his life at Retaria’s hands the way I did.’
At the very least, if she saw that he had targeted only her that day, Retaria still didn’t know Wilhelm’s identity.
Had she known then, they would have ignored her and gone straight for Wilhelm’s life first.
“Mother?”
“I’m sorry. Does it hurt?”
As Aine recalled what Wilhelm must have endured at the hands of that assailant, she squeezed the small hand she held more firmly.
She was about to ask if this small hand was perhaps in pain, when Wilhelm shook his head with a bright smile.
“I’m happy to hold hands with you, Mother.”
“Wilhelm.”
Meanwhile, Aine herself was also being treated by the Imperial physicians. They said the burn scar could be slowly removed given enough time.
Aine had wanted to offer Wilhelm her unblemished hand so he wouldn’t see her disfigured state, but Wilhelm kept insisting on the burned one.
“It’s not unsightly.”
“Not at all. I think there’s no hand more beautiful than this one in all the world.”
Listening to Wilhelm speak with such clear delight, Aine felt her mood lift.
She had been ready to switch hands if she detected even a hint of hesitation, but Wilhelm’s expression was sincere.
Aine turned her gaze toward Clred and their eyes met.
She didn’t know how long he’d been watching her, but a smile played at his lips.
“You look happy.”
“It’s like watching a fine painting, that’s all.”
At his teasing words about a fine painting, she felt oddly pettish, but Clred chuckled softly and turned his gaze toward Wilhelm.
“Wilhelm. The person you’re about to meet is His Imperial Majesty.”
Before the audience with Odin, Clred decided to gauge Wilhelm’s feelings about it.
“If you’d rather not have this meeting, it’s fine to go home. I have no intention of forcing you.”
Wilhelm had been doing well since waking, but Clred chose to handle him carefully nonetheless.
If he forced the boy along against his wishes and something went wrong, Aine beside him would surely bear terrible guilt. Clred didn’t want to see her that way.
Meanwhile, Wilhelm didn’t answer immediately and simply gazed steadily at Clred’s face.
“Father, you’re so kind.”
Wilhelm spoke, looking at Clred.
Clred felt a vague sense of discord. It was a perfectly ordinary thing to say, yet he couldn’t place why it unsettled him.
Before Clred could even think about the source of that unease, Wilhelm stepped ahead of both of them and spoke.
“It’s all right. I want to meet His Imperial Majesty, Father.”
There was something that nagged at him, as if a thorn were caught in his throat.
‘Was it just needless worry?’
Observing Wilhelm’s innocent face, Clred decided it was merely baseless anxiety, yet something still bothered him.
Clred knelt down to meet Wilhelm’s gaze and spoke.
“If there’s anything uncomfortable at all, you must tell me right away.”
Wilhelm tilted his head as if he didn’t understand, but Clred’s worry surged ahead, uncertain what Odin might do.
‘Let there not be any serious problems.’
But that was merely Clred’s hope.
* * *
The meeting with Odin was somewhat troubling.
First of all, explaining the current situation was already a headache.
Clred would play the father, and she would play the mother.
If he didn’t approve, it would be a serious problem.
“So this is the child you spoke of before.”
“Wilhelm. Didn’t I tell you? What should you do when you see His Majesty?”
“I, I present my r-respects to His Imperial Majesty, ruler of the empire.”
“There’s no need to be so tense. I have no intention of harming you, child.”
Despite being royalty of an enemy nation, he showed no hostility or particular animosity.
Rather, Odin’s manner when looking upon Wilhelm was quite gentle.
He smiled as though he had become a grandfather, then spoke.
“Good, it doesn’t hurt anymore, does it?”
“…No, not at all.”
“Now tell me—how old are you?”
“I’m five years old.”
Wilhelm, meanwhile, remained shy in this unfamiliar setting, staying close behind Aine.
Though the strangeness of the environment seemed to be the issue, Odin didn’t appear troubled by it.
‘At this rate, things should work themselves out nicely.’
Relief washed over him at the prospect of Odin’s cooperation, yet he noticed Clred’s expression had grown rigid.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ah, no. Well, it’s just…”
When he stepped closer to ask what the problem was, Clred cleared his throat softly and whispered.
“Your Majesty’s manner seems odd.”
“Odd? How?”
He couldn’t quite understand what Clred meant by saying Odin’s behavior was strange.
True, he was being remarkably warm to Wilhelm, whom he’d only just met, but was that really so unusual?
It wasn’t long, however, before Aine grasped Clred’s meaning.
“So your father is that one and your mother is this one, yes?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then I must be your grandfather.”
“My grandfather?”
“Your Majesty!”
Who could have imagined he would suddenly claim to be her grandfather?
Flustered, Aine hastened to call out to him, but the words he’d spoken couldn’t be taken back.
“Are you really my grandfather?”
“Yes, so you’ve been living deceived all this time.”
“…Grandfather!”
“Ha! Thank you, Clred. I never expected you to bring my grandson to me like this.”
Wilhelm had already begun calling Odin grandfather, and Odin held the boy close in his arms.
Watching the situation spiral beyond his control, Clred came to a realization.
Now he understood why Odin had instructed him to bring not just Aine, but Wilhelm as well.
‘He orchestrated all of this.’
Though he felt a pang of guilt toward Aine, Clred found himself oddly pleased by the turn of events.
It felt as though he and she had truly become family.
‘My heart feels light.’
* * *
“We’ve received word that Prince Clred intends to enter the Imperial Palace today.”
“The Prince, you say?”
“Yes, and apparently he’s bringing other guests as well.”
Retaria had already embedded a small network of informants throughout the Imperial Palace.
It was vital to keep constant watch on the palace’s movements.
“Guests, you say.”
Thanks to this arrangement, she had learned that Clred was heading to the Imperial Palace with someone today.
And Retaria was almost certain she knew who that guest was.
“Isn’t it remarkable timing? The moment we confirm that Aine Claine is at the Chester Residence, he turns around and brings a guest to the Imperial Palace.”
In unspoken agreement, they had arrived at a certainty.
The guest Clred was bringing was undoubtedly Aine herself.
“Yet there is one puzzling detail—the word is that there isn’t just one guest.”
There are two guests.
Excluding Aine, who could the other person be?
It was information they couldn’t have obtained, since Kyle was dead and no longer reporting.
Still, they remained unperturbed.
“Well, it hardly matters. Our most pressing concern right now is Aine Claine.”
The person they needed to focus on above all else was Aine.
“The moment she emerges in the Imperial Palace, prepare to strike. This time, there’s no escape—make it absolute, make it thorough.”
“We obey your command.”
“Inform Marquis Lordman of the situation as well.”
Retaria moved with purpose the instant the order was given.
The woman seated at the head of the table drew her lips into a smile.
‘Aine Claine, I don’t know why you were foolish enough to come here, but one thing is certain.’
You will never be able to live in this place.
With that conviction, he tilted the wine glass to his lips.

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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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