The Villainess is on a Quest - Chapter 60

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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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Episode 59
“Our first meeting must have been after the Wacte Battle. It was a battle where both sides became completely entangled and utterly chaotic.”
Aine waited calmly for Kleid to continue, uncertain what he would say next.
When she heard the first words leave his mouth, her expression hardened.
“I had become separated from my unit. Not knowing which way to go, I was wandering through the forest when I heard the sound of running water, so I went toward it. I needed to quench my thirst, you understand.”
Five years seemed short at times, yet long at others. In that span, so many things had happened.
Especially when she thought of all the foolish people involved, there were moments she couldn’t fathom what logic had driven such plans.
The Wacte Battle he had just mentioned was no exception. Aine could never forget what happened then.
“But there I encountered someone. A person like myself, separated from their unit and slaking their thirst.”
It was the moment of their first encounter. At the time, Aine had barely had the presence of mind to understand who he was.
“In that first meeting, she did not recognize me. But I am certain that she could have easily identified me as Imperial Army.”
She had thought of him merely as an injured straggler, with no intention of killing him or taking him prisoner.
She did not wish to kill needlessly. Unlike herself, he had a home to return to, family waiting for him, memories dear to his heart.
So Aine had left him with only one thing.
“I still remember what you said to me. Aine. Please, survive and return to your homeland. You need not die in this war. Those words you spoke.”
She had not thought he would remember them so completely and precisely.
Everyone around them was watching Kleid and Aine. The wave of suspicion in their gazes had vanished.
Instead, they began to absorb the story, their interest kindled.
The two of them seemed as dramatic and moving as a tale from a fairy story.
“From that moment on, I began to fall under this woman’s spell. The moment I began to love this person.”
Kleid smiled softly and gently brushed her hair back.
Then, catching the delicate scent of Lavender Fragrance, he glanced around the room.
Kleid knew that such a breathtaking gaze wielded great power over a crowd.
“My lord. Is this not sufficient? It would be rather tedious and, frankly, a bit embarrassing to lay everything bare here.”
And he had done more than instill anticipation in them; he had revealed that something special flowed between them.
To Aine, everything seemed perfect. Any nobleman who valued honor should have known to ask no further questions and withdraw gracefully.
“…I do hope that such a glorious opportunity to hear more might come to me again someday.”
“Of course it will come. Perhaps the whole world will come to know of it. But one thing is certain—that we love each other cannot be doubted.”
His words, spoken with force, convinced everyone.
The audience soon realized he was right and nodded in agreement.
‘Thank goodness it’s this man.’
What would have happened if the one defending Brantfort Fortress had not been Kleid but someone else?
Aine could feel the intense gaze of jealousy and discontent being directed at them from a corner of the Banquet Hall.
Philip—if he had been there instead, Aine would not have negotiated at all.
‘Any deal with a man like that would have no honor whatsoever.’
If he were the type who seemed so eager to seize the imperial throne, she would likely be imprisoned in the Underground Dungeon by now.
He might have tried to discover the existence of Wilhelm, or, finding her of no use, simply left her to die on the spot.
Aine smiled bitterly at the thought. With Philip, she would have simply tried to slip across the border and rescue him somehow.
[Aine Recognition Count: 201/300]
Suddenly the system window informed her that the number of people acknowledging her had increased further.
“Thank you, Kleid.”
Feeling the situation flow more favorably because of him, Aine whispered her gratitude in his ear.
Kleid, meanwhile, laughed pleasantly and met her gaze.
His blue eyes sparkled like a Chandelier.
“I have never spoken a lie.”
“Kleid?”
“From that moment, my attention has been turned toward you.”
Before she could ask what he meant, someone was approaching them.
“Mother! Father! Look who I’ve brought!”
“Wilhelm.”
Wilhelm had arrived, bringing with him Sonelopia, who would now be Aine’s niece.
Looking at the dispirited, withered child, Aine set aside all politics and relations, turning her full attention to the girl.
‘No child in this world should suffer such abuse.’
Aine frowned and stepped toward the child to ask her something.
“Kleid, could I ask you for one favor?”
“Anything you ask of me.”
“She hasn’t eaten all day, so could you have some food brought for her?”
Sonelopia, who had been listening quietly, stared at Aine with an expression of surprise.
Looking at her, Aine thought she resembled a small, cute rabbit. Perhaps if she ever had a daughter, this was what it would feel like.
Realizing Aine’s intention, Kleid nodded and turned to leave. Aine stepped closer to Sonelopia and whispered to her.
“My dear. Won’t you join me for a meal, even if just for a little while?”
“Eat with us! Sonelopia!”
Aine stroked Wilhelm’s delighted head while waiting for Sonelopia’s response.
Perhaps this was meddling on her part, but she felt a pang of pity—she wanted to get the girl to eat something, anything at all.
“I… that is…”
Sonelopia wanted to accept readily. She found herself drawn to Aine, who acted for her sake just as Wilhelm showed her kindness.
So she felt the sudden urge to say yes, even though she knew her mother had forbidden her from eating without permission.
“What do you think you’re doing.”
But the voice that reached Sonelopia’s ears drained all the courage from her. She bit her lip at the sharp tone and began watching carefully for trouble.
“How dare you lay a hand on my daughter.”
The Second Imperial Consort, Reina Hartz. Sonelopia’s mother had appeared.
* * *
With her sharp, cutting features, she had been watching all along—hoping for a moment when the girl might stumble and bring herself to shame.
But when Reina’s eyes fell on Sonelopia joining Aine, they widened.
“I asked what you’re doing to my child!”
She dragged Sonelopia roughly toward herself, paying no mind to how the girl staggered and nearly fell to the floor.
Meanwhile, Aine’s expression hardened for the first time since entering the Banquet Hall—cold and utterly unmoved.
It was the look of someone returning to the battlefield.
“I was merely pleased to be family. Why do you react this way?”
“Are you speaking to me informally?”
Reina’s face twisted with fury in an instant, while Aine responded with complete composure.
“Naturally. Once I become the First Imperial Consort, my rank will exceed yours.”
By the hierarchy of the Imperial Family, Aine’s words were correct. The consorts’ rank was determined by the order of the princes’ birth.
But Reina spoke as though she could not accept it.
“How could I ever acknowledge a filthy woman like you as an Imperial Consort.”
Filthy woman. The moment those words left her mouth, those gathered gasped. One might think such things in private, but to speak them aloud was dangerous.
Especially for someone of the Second Imperial Consort’s station to say such a thing.
“An empire, it seems, is not as great as one might think.”
“What are you saying!”
But Aine did not react strongly. Her gaze remained fixed solely on Sonelopia, who trembled in fear.
“If the Imperial Family raises noble royalty no better than beasts, then what is the point.”

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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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