How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

Vilos glared at her but said nothing. Instead, Gyren, the leader of the Imperial Knights next to him, refuted her words.

 

“It is only the testimony of a priest, so it is too early to conclude that there is someone behind it. Maybe it was a solo crime…”

 

“No, this is not a case involving one or two people.”

 

She cut off Gyren’s words with a stern expression. Then he looked back at Arentine and his ministers and continued.

 

“There was a scent of sleeping pills in my bedroom.”

 

“What?”

 

“If I had fallen asleep like that, I would have burned to death. Are you saying that a priest or a priestess planned this incredible act?”

 

It was nonsense for a priest and a priestess alone to plan something like this. What did they have against her in the first place? These were people she didn’t even know very well. Even if there was a personal grudge, there was little chance that a single priest would dare to harm the princess. On the other hand, it was a known fact to everyone here that Eve had a bad relationship with the Empress.

 

“There must be someone behind this. This was an attempt to harm the royal family, so please conduct a thorough investigation and reveal the truth.”

 

After she finished speaking, there was silence again in the office. But this time the atmosphere was a little different. There was surprise in the eyes of everyone, including the ministers, Arentine, and even Vilos, who looked at her. She wondered why everyone reacted like that, but she found the answer right away. This would be the first time Eve expressed her opinion so calmly. If it were Eve in the original, she would have gotten angry and cried and made a fuss. A faint look of admiration appeared in the eyes of the old nobles as they looked at her. Now that she saw it, the look in their eyes told her that they weren’t such a fool.

 

Arentine came to his senses and put an end to the argument.

 

“Eve is right. This is not something that can be easily overlooked.”

 

This time, Vilos was unable to refute either. As the outcome of the discussion became clear, the officials who had been watching only opened their mouths one by one.

 

“Of course. This matter must be properly investigated and the truth revealed.”

 

“They’re trying to harm the princess. We must reveal who is behind it.”

 

Some of the nobles took her side and made noise. Perhaps these people were close to the crown prince or Terence. When there were no more objections from either side, Arentine gave the order once again.

 

“Transfer the criminals to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a thorough investigation.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

After the situation was resolved, several nobles looked at Vilos. Vilos just glared at her and Terrence, looking pale and chewing his lower lip. Facing those angry eyes, she also answered one question.

 

‘You did it alone.’

 

She was curious whether the Emperor or the Empress ordered it. It seemed like he did this stupid thing on his own. That must be why he was so embarrassed and angry. He planned a conspiracy by moving his mother’s family, the count, and this was what happened. After giving some detailed orders, Arentine spoke to her again.

 

“Since something like this has happened, why don’t you go to a villa instead of a temple and stay there until you get married?”

 

There were two villas owned by the royal family near the island. 

 

The wedding is now just ten days away. During those ten days, she did not want to leave the system and go to a place she did not know. She said, pretending to look scared.

 

“Something unpleasant happened in the imperial palace, so I went to the temple… I’m so scared that I can’t go to the temple or the villa anymore.”

 

“Do not worry. Increase the number of guards…”

 

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

Terence interrupted Arentine.

 

“I am very anxious that something like this has happened twice in a row. I know it is against formality, but I would like to welcome the princess to my mansion.”

 

He said he would take her to the Grand Duke’s residence before marriage. At those words, Vilos, who had closed his eyes in silence, raised his voice again.

 

“That’s not allowed. Are you saying you plan to stay in the same house before marriage?”

 

Other people also looked perplexed at Vilos’ fierce opposition. Anyone who saw him would think that he was a younger brother who cared deeply for his older sister. While she was clicking her tongue, her eyes suddenly fell on Arentine.

 

Arentine looked at Vilos with a subtle look for a moment. His neat face did not show emotions as clearly as usual. However, a dark expression appeared and disappeared in the blue eyes similar to Eve’s. As if she had gained deep enlightenment in an instant. From last time, Arentine seemed to be puzzled by this series of events. It seems like she finally found a clue to the answer to her question today.

 

‘Well, it might be strange for people not to notice at this point.’

 

Although Arrentine in the original work had the personality of a quiet model student, he was not a foolish character.

 

“That… It looks like it might be a bit difficult. It’s against custom even though we’re not married yet.”

 

Arentine expressed his disapproval, but did not actively stop it.

 

“There are people trying to take my life. Are customs the problem now?”

 

When she fired back, no one responded.

 

“Then, since I will be staying at the temple, please allow only people from the Grand Duke’s family to be around me.”

 

“The Grand Duchy knights are already at the temple…”

 

“I will send out not only the knights but also all the temple servants and use servants from the Grand Duke’s family. Tell everyone to leave the dormitory, leaving only my two maids alone. Otherwise, I will be so anxious that I won’t be able to bear it.”

 

The intention was to drive out the unreliable knights of the imperial palace and keep only the people of the grand duchy by her side. Of course, no one could object. Arentine looked worried for a moment, but he didn’t look like he was truly worried. Instead, there was a plot to harm the princess. Even though he sent his own knights, this happened. He probably decided that in this situation, it would be better to trust the Grand Duke.

 

“If that’s the case… It’ll be okay.”

 

Thanks to this, she was able to stay safely in the temple’s lodgings for the time being. She glanced at Terence next to her. A smile appeared on his lips as he looked at her, then disappeared. 

 

The discussion ended like that.

 

Arentine hastily dispatched his officials.

 

“This matter will be investigated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so everyone please leave.”

 

Before the ministers could move, Vilos was the first to leave his seat and go outside. With his temper. She was about to go outside with Terence when Arentine’s voice caught them from behind.

 

“Grand Duke Lenz.”

 

Arrentine called Terence over and said,

 

“I want to talk to you for a moment. Will you give me some time?”

 

She stepped forward first, as if to protect Terence.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

Arentine looked at her with puzzled eyes.

 

“We two have something to talk about.”

 

“I will listen too.”

 

She spoke calmly while receiving Arentine’s bewildered gaze.

 

“It’s about me. I should listen too.”

 

Arentine thought for a moment and then sighed.

 

“…okay, good night. Come this way.”

 

Arentine took them both out, opened the door, and went out into the hallway. She followed Arentine in silence with Terence. After saying he would see her for a moment, he left his office and walked for a while. They left the Emperor’s official residence and entered another palace next door. As she entered, she came across a familiar hallway. It was the palace of the crown prince who had visited before. Theyarrived at a small reception room next to the office. It was noticeably different from the grand reception rooms usually used. It seemed to be a place used to share secret stories. As soon as Arentine sat down, he asked Terence a question.

 

“What on earth is wrong with this wedding?”

 

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

 

“Do you think I have no eyes?”

 

Arentine raised his voice uncharacteristically.

 

“Someone is targeting Eve to ruin the wedding. It can’t be because of Eve, so it must be because of you, Grand Duke.”

 

Even though it wasn’t 100% accurate, it was a pretty reasonable guess. Actually, it was not wrong. In reality, what the Emperor was targeting was Terence, not her. She intervened before Terence spoke.

 

“Does it matter what the problem is? The Empress’s maid tried to drug my tea, and now a priest connected to the Count’s family tried to set my lodgings on fire. It’s clear who’s trying to ruin this marriage, right?”

 

Anyone could see that this was done by people related to the Empress. Of course, the Empress couldn’t have done this on her own. No matter how much the Empress hated her, she was the Emperor’s biological daughter. She wouldn’t be able to give medicine and set fire to the temple as she pleased. There was no reason for the Empress to be particularly hostile toward the Grand Duke. So, this was not the work of the Empress, but of someone who could control the Empress. Who could move the Empress now?

 

Of course, her son Vilos. And he would furthermore be an Emperor. Of course, this incident did not seem to have been ordered by the Emperor, but the source of all of this was the Emperor. Vilos knew that the Emperor had tried to kill her before the wedding. So he must have wanted to harm her at will. Arentine’s blue eyes shook with shock.

 

“…why?”

 

“I am sorry, majesty.”

 

Terence answered the question.

 

“I think you should ask His Majesty directly, not me.”

 

After Terence’s indifferent answer, a deep silence fell in the room. Arentine was speechless for a moment and looked at the two of them. Terence’s words were an indirect answer that the cause of all this was the Emperor. For Arentine, this would inevitably be shocking. Fortunately, he seemed to have some understanding. After a while, he let out a deeper sigh than before.

 

“Are you going to be okay after the wedding is over?”

 

“Maybe so.”

 

She was not sure, but she thought she would be able to breathe a bit more once the wedding was over safely. They wouldn’t necessarily sneak in and try to harm the princess who was confined to the Grand Duke’s mansion.

 

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