The Villainess is on a Quest - Chapter 50

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

Episode 49
Perhaps it was thanks to what the System had told her.
Recalling that she, too, shared close ties with Odin and Kleid, Aine spoke the truth plainly.
“I see. So that’s how it happened.”
Though Emilia now understood the full account of events, she showed neither the excitement she’d displayed upon entering the Chesher Residence nor anything resembling it.
Nor did she greet or welcome Aine the way Odin did.
She simply gazed at Aine intently, remaining silent for a long moment.
To Aine, that expression seemed like someone carefully gathering their thoughts before speaking.
“You’re all right with doing this, then?”
When Emilia finally broke her silence, her words came as something of a surprise.
“Forgive me, but why do you say such a thing?”
“I’m wondering if perhaps you’re sacrificing too much for that child.”
Sacrificing too much.
Aine didn’t deny it. The observation held truth.
There was merit in what Emilia said.
Had she not pursued Wilhelm and instead allied herself with Binet, she would have been treated as a meritorious contributor.
At the very least, they would have needed to bring her into their circle to secure public sympathy and support from those around them.
‘Even without Binet, I could have simply returned to my forces.’
She could have gone back to where Meri was and sworn vengeance against those who had staged their coup, striking at them without restraint.
A terrible revenge for the late king and queen who had been murdered by their hands, and for their son.
Perhaps such paths would have been less arduous and more comfortable for Aine.
But she had deliberately chosen the most difficult road.
“He is the child of my dearest friend.”
The child of Raisy, who had given her a second chance at life.
“If I cannot protect him, there is no reason for me to live.”
She had enlisted in the army to protect her, yet in the end, she had failed to protect her.
If she failed to protect her child now as well, what could she possibly accomplish?
Though the shadow of death already hung over her, Aine absolutely refused to surrender.
For if she abandoned him in that moment, it would feel as though she were abandoning herself.
“That child seems to mean far more to you than I realized.”
Much meaning. When she’d first heard Aine’s explanation, Emilia hadn’t quite understood.
But now, seeing the light in her eyes, Emilia grasped it.
Wilhelm seemed to be the very thing that kept her holding onto life in this place.
“I’m sorry for making use of His Highness in this way.”
“It’s fine. Besides, it’s not you who’s using anyone first—it’s His Majesty the Emperor.”
Emilia found herself liking Aine all the more.
The fact that she could speak so openly about things that would normally be difficult to discuss showed the depth of trust she placed in her.
As Emilia felt a warmth toward this girl who had shown her such faith in their brief time together, she spoke.
“By the way, I heard His Majesty is preparing quite an elaborate banquet for the two of you.”
“I’ve heard something about it.”
Originally, the plan had been to hold a modest gathering with only the great nobles in attendance.
And at that event, by revealing Aine’s presence, he would formally announce to the Empire that she had appeared.
But once her identity became known in the Plaza, Odin changed course.
“His Majesty now intends to hold your first official state banquet together.”
As though he wished to enlarge the stage itself.
“It seems he’s calling me the Crown Princess publicly.”
“The Imperial Palace has already officially recognized your existence.”
Recognized her existence. The meaning of those words was clear—aside from the wedding ceremony itself, Aine had already become the First Imperial Grandchild’s consort in all but name.
‘People truly don’t know what life will bring them.’
Not content with being possessed by a villainess, she’d grown close to the heroine, and now she’d become the heroine herself, and even worse—she’d become the wife of an enemy nation’s crown prince.
“Does Emilia not object to me becoming the Crown Princess?”
Aine, too, had her curiosities.
She’d seen the newspapers coming into the Chesher Residence.
Even though Odin had declared he would appoint her himself, the uproar had not died down.
Members of the Imperial Family like Philip had raised objections, saying they could never accept it.
Most welcomed the news, though some expressed concern.
About a crown prince marrying a former enemy general in the midst of war.
“Kleid is no child, so he, too, is free to make his own choice. Therefore, it’s not a matter for me to interfere in.”
Emilia’s lips curved upward.
“Besides, if Kleid hadn’t wanted it, he would never have done it in the first place.”
Emilia answered that if Kleid chose it, she would support him without hesitation.
Aine’s heart eased.
At least among the Imperial Family, she had someone in her corner.
“In any case, a precious Imperial Grandchild has been born.”
“I’ve heard that Wilhelm is His Majesty’s first grandchild—is that true?”
“Indeed. That’s why the matter has grown so much larger.”
The birth of such a rare and precious Imperial Grandchild.
This, too, had captured the attention of many.
“It’s better than having his origins widely known, but even so, it would be wise to exercise caution. No one can know what dangers might arise.”
Emilia’s words were sound.
Even had this been the Kingdom rather than the Empire, palace intrigue could emerge anywhere.
“Thank you for your counsel.”
The sky was remarkably clear.
The surroundings were so quiet that one could almost forget a war was raging on the Battlefield.
In the midst of all this, Aine found herself thinking.
‘By now, the news must have spread to the Kingdom as well.’
* * *
“It is said that Aine Kleid maintained a clandestine relationship with the enemy Empire’s Crown Prince!”
“How could such a thing be possible? Our hero, how could she!”
Linus, the Chancellor of the Orion Kingdom, did not miss the opportunity.
“Is this not a Betrayal of our Kingdom!”
While officially acknowledging the news flowing in from the Empire’s side, he sought to decisively strip away Aine Kleid’s authority and dignity.
Various accusations erupted—that she had betrayed the realm, that she was a woman who had sold herself to the enemy ruler—how could such a woman be spoken of as a hero?
“Even so, I understand it.”
“What?”
Yet things did not unfold quite as expected.
“The Kingdom abandoned its commander-in-chief first, after all.”
“Indeed—to have one’s devotion repaid with abandonment.”
The events of that day naturally spread beyond the Royal Palace.
No matter how tightly people’s lips were sealed, the unprecedented incident of the palace burning could not help but become the subject of common talk.
Thanks to this, the people came to know the full truth of that day.
“If I myself had been abandoned, I would naturally have chosen to go to the Empire as well.”
Sympathy for Aine poured forth from all quarters.
The people revered and admired her even as they pitied her circumstances.
Moreover, with the Binet affair compounding matters, those who sympathized with her were already numerous.
Had Binet been a virtuous and wise king, he would have remained silent and restrained.
“Can such people truly be called subjects of this Kingdom? Seize them all!”
But Binet had no intention of restraint.
The one who had betrayed the Kingdom and departed for the Empire was none other than Aine Kleid.
That she should be criticized was the least of it; the fact that people sympathized with her deeply displeased him, and so instead of restraint, he acted with coercion.
“Your Majesty. Please reconsider. We cannot arrest all of them.”
“That is so. The matter of Aine Kleid will naturally subside before long. There should be no particular harm to Your Majesty…….”
“Whose side are you on now? Do you not hear the curses of those who revile me!”
Even those who had supported his ascension to the throne attempted to dissuade him from such heavy-handed action, but their words never reached Binet’s ears.
“If I leave those who curse me alone, it will grow into a great conflagration!”
He had ascended to the royal throne lacking in legitimacy to begin with.
Furthermore, Meri Stewart, who had succeeded Aine as Commander of the First Army, was not supporting his rule either.
In this state of insufficient legitimacy, anyone might rebel, and he could be cast down at any moment.
From such anxiety, Binet grew ever more forceful in his actions.
“Chancellor, please restrain His Majesty as well.”
“If this continues, a grave disaster will surely come to pass.”
“No. His Majesty speaks rightly.”
“Chan, Chancellor?”
The only person who could apply the brakes here was Linus, who might be called Binet’s right hand.
Yet Linus respected Binet’s intent.
“All the more reason to suppress them more firmly. So that no other voices may emerge.”

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