How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

“Now that the circumstances have come to this, he said he would make a formal request to the Emperor.”

 

“Really?”

 

If it were Arentine, he would have taken a prudent stance to tell the Emperor directly after he returned. When he asked the Emperor himself, he meant that he would actually help her stay in the capital after marriage.

 

“It seems that His Highness the Crown Prince noticed something suspicious because of the last incident.” said Terrence, recalling his meeting with her crown prince.

 

“Since the identity of the medicine must have been revealed, he must have realized that His Highness, the Crown Prince, was also strange.”

 

“I guess so.”

 

It would have been clear what medicine her maid was trying to use. According to the conversations of her ladies-in-waiting, she said that it was definitely a medicine that did not harm her life. There was no way she could use a drug that was neither her poison nor a drug that simply made her sick on her soon-to-be-married princess. It was an act to disrupt her wedding so that no one could see it.

 

She didn’t know what it was, but he could have guessed that there must be a conspiracy related to the wedding. In this situation, Terrence would not want to leave the capital, so he must be trying to help somehow.

 

‘Surprisingly, even the crown prince seems to be of some help.’

 

She thought about that and looked out the window. The carriage was speeding along the darkened street.

 

“But there is other news.”

 

After a while, Terrence brought up another story. It was a slightly calmer voice than before.

 

“This is news that His Majesty the Emperor is returning to the island.”

 

“I heard that Vilos and Sorel are coming to the capital?”

 

It was only two or three days ago that she heard that Vilos and Sorel were coming to the island. The Emperor was already coming to the capital?

 

“He sent them before he knew about the Empress.” Terrence said, adding. “It is rumored that His Majesty has decided to return immediately upon hearing the news of the palace. He may not be able to leave the front right away, but he will return to the capital in a week to ten days at the latest.”

 

The Emperor returned to the capital. The fact that the emperor returned before the wedding meant that the original story would be completely twisted.

 

‘If the contents of the original work I know start to go wrong, I have no choice but to rely on my foreknowledge from now on.’

 

On the one hand, she felt really fortunate to have this ability. Without this, it would have felt like being thrown into an unfamiliar world without anything.

 

“You don’t have to worry too much.”

 

Terrence tried to reassure her as she was silent and stiff.

 

“You don’t have to worry too much. Since the initial plan went completely wrong, the Emperor will not act rashly.”

 

She listened to him and nodded her head. But in her heart, like the darkness that covered the street, an uneasy feeling of foreboding built up.

 

* * *

 

The soiree was literally a night gathering, a place for nobles to chat over refreshments and wine. Then, when they got bored, they would gather in groups of two or three to gamble, or the men would go to the study to smoke cigarettes. As soon as they entered the evening, people’s eyes focused on the two of them.

 

“Look over there. These are His Highness the Grand Duke and the Princess.”

 

No one was so openly shocked as at the ball. The story of the ball and the gift must have already spread widely to all the nobles in the capital. However, shock and confusion still waved in his eyes as he looked at them. There was a big difference between hearing about it and seeing it in person.

 

“Are they two really going together? So are those rumors true? It is said that the Grand Duke sent a huge gift to the princess…”

 

“My friend said he saw them two on the main street. They seemed to get along very well.”

 

“I hear that the princess visits the Grand Duke’s residence…”

 

Whispering voices were heard here and there. It seemed that everything that had happened in the past few days had been known among the nobles. To say that every move spread as a rumor was the life of a celebrity. It was like living in a gossip’s house. She was aiming for that and acting like this. Every time they pass by, people’s eyes follow in a row.

 

The whispering voices continued.

 

“Come to think of it, Her Majesty is still confined in the Empress’ palace…”

 

“Then was the rumor true? That Her Majesty the Empress tried to give the princess a strange medicine…”

 

The whispering voice became more and more private. Apparently, rumors have already spread throughout the capital.

 

“Oh my, you two look so good together.”

 

The Marquise Cornell, who hosted the soiree, greeted them with a smile, not at all taken aback when she saw the two of us stuck together. She was the Marquiss, though she was a woman in her old age, but she wore her hair up in a high ponytail and adorned it with jewels, and she swayed among her guests with pomp and grace.

 

“Ho Ho. Thank you, Marquise.”

 

She covered her mouth with a fan and laughed softly. Then she turned to Terrence, who was by her side.

 

“Did you hear? They said you two get along well.”

 

The Marquise looked at them with a pleased expression, but her eyes were still busy watching Terrence and her.

 

“Is it because you will soon become a new bride? The princess seems to be getting more beautiful every day.”

 

She didn’t forget to flatter her with compliments mixed with flattery. Well, it’s not just one or two social gatherings that Eve messed up and ruined, so she guessed she would have to try to make things right in advance.

 

“You are overrated. The lady is making fun of me.”

 

The Marquise laughed, covering her mouth with her fan, and this time she turned her attention to the Grand Duke.

 

“Come to think of it, I heard that the Grand Duke is going to the south soon?”

 

Terrence replied with a gentle smile as if he had waited.

 

“Fortunately, things are going well in the South. Otherwise, I would have had to go to the South right after the wedding. It is very fortunate.”

 

“Then you won’t have to go out on your own?”

 

“Yes that’s right. I think I can stay by the princess’s side like this.”

 

“It is. How hard would it be if you were apart when you were newlyweds?”

 

The Marquise said so with a friendly smile, like that of a sweet grandmother, but her eyes sparkled, as if glad to hear important news. At that point, she rejoined the conversation.

 

“I’m so glad. I know it’s important to carry out the mission for the Empire and the family, but after Terrence is so far away, I’ll live in anxiety every day.”

 

As she said so, she naturally leaned into his arms.

 

‘It was very natural this time.’

 

After being scolded for not being able to act, she practiced her acting whenever she had free time while looking in the mirror alone. If she had known it would be like this, she would have pursued a theater and film department in college. But as she leaned against his hard chest, Terrence hesitated and stiffened. It was a small enough change that only she could feel it, but clearly the tension came through from her counterpart as she leaned in.

 

‘Was it too much?’

 

It seemed that she crossed the line because she was so immersed in acting. Should she apologize if the two of them were left alone? While she was thinking about that, a sweet bass sound came from her side again.

 

“To protect the princess by my side is more important than my mission.”

 

It was a low and calm voice, but there was a desperate sincerity in it. Even the Marquise, who was deftly welcoming her guest, blushed for a moment at his words of affection.

 

“Ho, ho ho. I’m glad it worked out.”

 

The Marquise settled her conversation and turned to her again.

 

“Is the princess still at the temple? I heard that something unpleasant happened in the imperial palace.”

 

She wondered if this was a question she really wanted to ask, but her eyes changed a bit. 

Even if she already knew that rumors have been circulating Looking around, it seemed that the people around them were also listening to their conversation.

 

“Yes, it was. I never imagined that such a terrible thing would happen. To think that the lady-in-waiting I trusted and relied on would give me such a scary drug.”

 

She said in a trembling voice as if shocked.

 

“Oh my God, that is really horrible. You must be shocked.”

 

“Actually, I’m worried because Her Majesty seems more surprised than I am. How shocking must it be that a lady-in-waiting of her entourage would do something like that?”

 

She spoke in a worried tone as if everyone was listening. Emphasizing that the maid who led the case was an aide to the Empress. The Marquise nodded her head with a pitiful look as if she sympathized with Eve, then she asked.

 

“Your Majesty must be very concerned. Will she continue to stay in the Empress’ palace for the time being?”

 

She was the Empress, and now she was confined to the Empress’ palace, but the Marquise asked if she would continue to be like that in the future.

 

“Well, I haven’t heard anything about the imperial palace lately, so I don’t know. She will probably stay in the palace, distraught, until the case is properly uncovered.”

 

Suddenly, a muffled sound was heard from the entrance. The manor’s attendant came inside and hurriedly called the Marquise.

 

“Madam, the 2nd Prince…”

 

What? Before she could finish her explanation, a blonde-haired man in a formal attire walked through the entrance and into the banquet hall. He was a young man who looked no more than twenty years old. The moment he entered, the banquet hall fell into silence. Blond hair and blue eyes that shine like a thread of gold. She instantly realized who he was. It was the second prince Vilos, the real son of the Empress.

 

Vilos came up to her and he gave her a sweet smile.

 

“Long time no see, sister.

 

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Translator Note: