How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

“That story became such a hot topic. All the ladies in society have been talking about it for a while.”

 

Diana said she would go down as a social legend and told stories she heard from her maids. Anyway, after such strong encouragement, they decided on this as the flower lantern they would make.

 

‘I’m glad it looks easy.’

 

Compared to the colorful flowers with dozens of petals of different colors, this seemed like it would be easy to make. Fortunately, she didn’t have to make all the flower lanterns from scratch. All she had to do was add decorations with flower petals to the back, which had some structure. The basic lantern even had a barrel and a handle for placing a candle inside the round lantern. Paper cut into petal shapes was carefully glued to the plain outer surface. It was more difficult than she thought because she had to attach so many petals.

 

Terence, who was sitting across from her, was attaching flower petals to the other side. Even though it was a really out-of-place scene, surprisingly, he attached the flower petals with a flawless hand. It was a world of difference from me, who was barely able to keep his shape. When the petals ran out, he grabbed the colored paper, shaped it, and cut it with scissors. The petals come out much neater than the ones she cut.

 

“…you are doing well.”

 

Was he good at dexterity? Well, this guy just said he was good at everything.

 

“Thank you. I am doing my best while thinking of the princess.”

 

Terence answered calmly as he cut a piece of red paper with scissors. It somehow sounds like he was cutting the paper for me. So she forced a smile and attached the paper.

 

“Thank you for your sincerity.”

 

Diane next to them watched them and smiled happily. Diane said that what she caught was a lotus-shaped wisteria, but now that she looked at it, it looks much easier.

 

“You two get along really well.”

 

“…Really?”

 

She had been told several times that she was a good match, but she thought it was just a greeting, but Diane seemed to mean it. What made her think Eve got along well with this person?

 

“You don’t seem very happy, Princess.”

 

Terence, who was attaching flower petals, muttered in a quiet voice. It was a calm tone, but somehow it felt like a crooked mockery.

 

“It can’t be. I’m so happy.”

 

She said, smiling back at him.

 

“But I’m a little surprised that I get along well with someone as handsome as Terence.”

 

“The princess is really beautiful too. Right, cousin?”

 

Terence answered without taking his eyes off the petals.

 

“She is the most beautiful woman on the continent.”

 

Crispy.

 

The strange sound made the newly cut flower petals crumble between her fingers. How could he say such a cheesy thing with such a calm tone of voice? She looked at him in bewilderment, but Terence was just quietly attaching flower petals. Diane glances at her with a playful smile.

 

“Don’t laugh, Miss Diane. Terrence is making fun of me.”

 

Diane was still looking at the two of them with happy eyes. Well, from Diane’s perspective, who didn’t know much about the situation, it seemed like she pushed herself hard and ended up winning love… Because it would look like it. Did they want to look like a happy, successful couple?

 

“Ah, that’s it.”

 

Meanwhile, the flower lantern was completed. After completing it, it looks pretty good. Since the petals were well attached, it looked like a real Rastana flower. A small candle was placed inside it.

 

“Then shall we go to the temple?”

 

The three of them headed to the temple as soon as the lanterns were completed. Today, the day of the event, it was said that many people gather even after noon. It was said that throughout the event, the small garden gate leading to her accommodation was tightly closed and the knights were guarded to prevent outsiders from entering. There was no one inside the temple yet. Celebratory ribbons, candlesticks, and hundreds of Rastana flowers decorated the temple.

 

She placed the wisteria she brought next to the altar and lit the candle. The light contained within the flower cluster softly illuminated the red petals. Suddenly, her eyes fell on Terence standing next to her. He was staring at the statue of the goddess in front. In the deep light that filled the temple, she could see a profile creating beautiful lines.

 

‘Shouldn’t this person go back now?’

 

Terence originally decided to leave before the temple ceremony began. But he didn’t leave until the event started. He stood there with a stern expression, as if he didn’t like something. He stayed by her side, keeping an eye on her, and when Diane walked away, she started talking to him.

 

“Shouldn’t you just go back now?”

 

But he answered without looking at her.

 

“I changed my mind. I will stay here today.”

 

She looked at him for a moment at the unexpected answer.

 

‘What? You’re not going?’

 

“Why?”

 

Shouldn’t he have to go back to the mansion and work? In the first place, this man had no plans to come here today. Because of work, he was not supposed to be able to attend the holiday event. But Terence turned his gaze to her and declared firmly:

 

“Something unexpectedly dangerous may happen, so I will also be here today.”

 

She blinked blankly while listening to him.

 

“Are you saying I’ll stay here with you because I’m afraid something dangerous will happen?”

 

At first glance, it may seem very sweet and considerate, but for now, it was just an embarrassing development. Because they had already done everything they could to prevent that dangerous event. It was decided to hide several knights of the Grand Duke’s family not only inside the accommodation but also in the nearby garden. She had already had Chloe check out her bedroom, and she told her to keep a close eye on her all day today as well. Just in case, she prepared fire extinguishing powder in the bedroom to extinguish the flames. It seemed like this was a good thing to prepare perfectly, but why did he want to stay here himself?

 

She quietly retorted, hiding my embarrassment.

 

“As long as I don’t fall asleep, there is no danger to me.”

 

As long as she knew the plan in advance, there was no danger as long as she didn’t fall asleep in the bedroom. If she had to, she could just run out of the bedroom as soon as the fire breaks out. There was a possibility that the criminals may have locked her bedroom door. Fearing something like this might happen, Chloe decided to hide in the room across from her all night and watch the hallway.

 

“I’m fine, so just go back. If Terence is here, the criminals might cancel their plans.”

 

Contrary to expectations, if Terence stayed here for a long time, the criminals would become wary. There was a possibility that the plan to start a fire had to be canceled urgently. So she just wanted him to go back… 

 

“Of course, I’m going to hide myself out of sight.”

 

“There’s no need for you to stay here and do that…”

 

As they talked about leaving, Diane, who was looking at the Goddess Statue from the opposite window, turned her attention to them.

 

“Princess!”

 

Diane saw the two of them talking and she smiled and waved her hand. She quickly calmed down and responded with a smile.

 

“Miss Diane. Have you finished sightseeing?”

 

“Yes, by the way, could you two wait here for a moment? I’m going to take a look at the prayer room next to me.”

 

“Shall we go together?”

 

“Oh, no. I want to look around by myself.”

 

Diane didn’t even have time to reply after saying those words and running to the small prayer room behind the temple.

 

“What’s in that prayer room?”

 

Since this was a temple of love, was there a statue that makes love come true? She didn’t hear anything special the last time she came to see it. The priestess who guided her did not say anything, so she did not go there.

 

“As far as I know, there is nothing.”

 

Terence’s dry voice made her realize Diane’s intention. From Diane’s perspective, Terrence took some time out of his busy schedule to meet her fiancé. It seemed like they were being considerate in their own way so that they could spend quality time together. As of now, it was a useless consideration. Instead of having a cozy time, the atmosphere became very uncomfortable due to conflicting opinions. She was hoping that Diane would come and make this awkward atmosphere go away. In an awkward silence, Terence turned his eyes toward the window.

 

“At first I thought I would just leave the knights alone, but as I looked around near the temple, I changed my mind.”

 

She turned her gaze towards the garden visible through the glass window.

 

“Look around here.”

 

He was looking at the garden beyond the glass window. Dark green leaves were reflected in the white ice-covered window. Even though it was the middle of winter, there were a lot of blades of grass in this garden. This was because of the garden trees that filled the garden. There were many evergreen trees here that kept their leaves green all year round. It was said that many evergreen trees were deliberately planted to create a sacred atmosphere suitable for the temple. Thanks to this, the garden was full of short trees with dark green leaves, such as pine trees, fir trees, yew trees, and boxwood trees.

 

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Translator Note: