How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

“Ah… That’s it.”

 

Nell looked around her to make sure no one was around and carefully spoke to her.

 

“Everyone in the imperial palace is saying that this incident was the work of Her Majesty the Empress.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, this is already the second time. At first it was a long time ago, but…”

 

There were two incidents targeting her within a few days. And in both cases, the culprit was someone connected to the Empress. Since this has happened twice in a row, it was even more strange that the Empress was not under suspicion.

 

“Is that the mainstream opinion of the imperial palace?”

 

Nell nodded her head cautiously.

 

“Yes, it seemed like everyone was thinking that Her Majesty the Empress was trying to harm Her Highness.”

 

‘Good.’

 

Thanks to this, those working within the imperial palace seemed to have solidified their suspicions that the Empress had planned it.

 

Nell spoke again.

 

“Still, the Grand Duke… I’m glad you have his knights. Because they caught the criminal.”

 

Suddenly, she remembered Nell coming out of the dorm that night. Nell looked very surprised when she saw her come out of the bedroom with Terence, but she didn’t ask her why he was with Eve. When the subject of the Grand Duke came up, she would smile slightly embarrassed. She guessed Nell thought they were having a secret affair while avoiding the eyes of the maids. She didn’t have anything to say to justify it, so she didn’t mention it either.

 

“I’m only staying until the wedding anyway, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

 

Nell nodded her head as well.

 

“Yes, I hope the wedding ends quickly.”

 

While they were chatting, they went into the living room next to their new bedroom. As soon as she entered the living room, something caught her eye. It was a red flower-shaped paper lantern placed on the table. Red Rastana flower cut out of paper. It was the flower lantern that Terence and she made and lit on the holiday.

 

“Oh, this is…”

 

When she was surprised to see that, Nell, who followed her, explained it to her.

 

“The priest who was organizing the temple brought it. He said I kept it because it was the princess’s flower lantern.”

 

Diane said she asked them to take their papers out separately. Thanks to this, this paper lantern seemed to have escaped the fire that struck the temple. She ordered Nell while touching the red petals.

 

“Keep this well. I’m going to take it to the mansion.”

 

* * *

 

In the afternoon, a visitor broke through the serious atmosphere and strict security of the temple and came. It was Diane’s mother, the Duchess of Rohan.

 

“I wanted to say hello to you properly, but I couldn’t come see you because I was busy with household chores.”

 

As soon as the Duchess saw her, she handed her an apple. She said last time she was coming to say thank you for Diane’s work. She heard she was busy reporting Diane’s relative in the case to the inspector general. She must have been even more distraught now that her husband, the Duke, was away.

 

“What about Miss Diane?”

 

“She had been lying down with a fever since yesterday. She wanted to come with me today, but I told her not to.”

 

“Well, are you okay?”

 

“It’ll be okay. They say it’s a light cold.”

 

She guessed it’s because she was here so late on the holiday.

 

“After hearing that the wedding venue had been changed, she said she would recover quickly and come here. She wants to help decorate the wedding hall.”

 

Even though she was not feeling well, Diane still seemed eager to prepare for her wedding. So she led the Duchess into the tea room. And after she sat down at the table, she finally got to the point.

 

“I heard the news. Such a big thing happening…”

 

The Duchess sat across from her with her pale face and a teacup in front of her.

 

“You can’t tell how shocked I was when I heard the news,” she said. “I’m glad the princess is safe.”

 

“It’s all thanks to Terence.”

 

She gave credit to Terence. The Duchess brought out news from the imperial palace with her meaningful gaze.

 

“They said that the Ministry of the Interior has arrested and is investigating the relatives of the Count Parmes family.”

 

“Okay. Your Majesty the Emperor will be very surprised when he returns. I can’t believe that Her Majesty’s brother is involved in something like this.”

 

The Duchess looked at her with deep, watery eyes for a moment. She then let out a long sigh.

 

“Her Royal Highness. If you allow me, I would like to ask her honestly without taking her back on her words.”

 

“Please speak.”

 

Even though she was told to speak, the Duchess hesitated for a moment, as if she still lacked courage, and then opened her mouth.

 

“Are, this and what happened last time at the princess’s palace related to my nephew?”

 

The Duchess was asking, looking at her with her eyes full of fear. The terrified look in her eyes made it seem like she already knew the answer. She was, after all, a Duchess and the mistress of a mansion, so how could she be so oblivious? Like Arentine, people were starting to understand the situation one by one. She didn’t think she would believe her even if she said no, so she gave her a small nod instead of answering.

 

“I see.”

 

The Duchess’s sighs became longer. She must be worried that her nephew was involved in a series of unpleasant incidents. The Duchess confided her feelings to Eve more honestly.

 

“I thought it was strange that he and the princess suddenly became close friends. This may be a little rude to the princess, but Terence has never been interested in dating since he was young.”

 

That’s right. She’s the Duchess. She’s Terence’s close aunt, and she can’t be fooled by their clumsy fake romance. Even though she didn’t say anything, she probably thought she was suspicious all along. She looked away with a confused expression.

 

“When His Majesty returns to the Islands, the Duke will also return soon.”

 

“He is returning with His Majesty.”

 

The Duke of Rohan accompanied the Emperor on a campaign, so he would come back with him when he returned.

 

“I don’t know if you know, but the Duke tries not to get deeply involved in politics. I thought it was for the good of my family to keep my distance from the imperial palace.”

 

“I heard so.”

 

That’s why her relationship with the Grand Duke wasn’t very good. The Duchess paused for a moment and appeared to hesitate.

 

“Even though he can’t help you politically… The Duke said that he had heard of Diane’s affairs the other day and that he wanted to express his gratitude to the Princess himself.”

 

He would express his personal gratitude, but couldn’t provide political help? The Duke seemed to be a cold-hearted person who was clear about public and private affairs. She clicked her tongue on the inside, but smiled on the outside, saying it was okay.

 

“I did nothing. It’s all thanks to Terence.”

 

Of course, she was the one who saw the prophecy, but she couldn’t tell the truth.

 

“Thanks to the princess, Diane is full of energy these days. We are both very grateful.”

 

That’s right. Diane was the most absorbed person in this wedding. In fact, the bride and groom, Terence and she, were not in a position to focus on the wedding, but Diane really enjoyed helping her prepare for the wedding. Rather than saying she liked the wedding itself, she seemed to like it because she had something to take responsibility for.

 

‘Well, when I wasn’t feeling well, I would always be stuck at home. It must be good to have something to do outside.’

 

Still, it shouldn’t cause any harm to her health, but she was a little worried. The Duchess gave her a coy smile and slightly bowed her head.

 

“The Duke’s intentions are firm, so I can’t be of much help, but if you need my help, please let me know at any time.”

 

The Duchess’s words mean that the Duke of Rohan would distance himself from Terence, so she would not be able to move the Duchy’s power. She meant that if Eve wanted, she would help her, even on her own. Even though she saved Diane’s life on prom day, this was repayment enough. Well, Terence was the Duchess’s nephew. Now, if she did something wrong, Terence would be angry too. As a Duchess, she probably wanted to help her for that reason. Even so, she didn’t have to turn down the favor.

 

“Thank you for caring for me.”

 

She escorted the Duchess to the entrance of the temple. As she turned around after seeing the Duchess off, she saw a familiar silver-haired man in the distance. He was Mikhail, vice-chancellor of the Imperial Knights. The male protagonist of the original work.

 

She stopped walking when she saw Mikhail standing next to the entrance. Mikhail also noticed heer and politely greeted her.

 

“Princess.”

 

“Lord Sheldon? What’s going on here?”

 

Mikhail answered calmly, bending his back.

 

“I visited briefly because they were investigating a fire incident. I’m going to look around the burned temple of Rastana.”

 

There were only knights from the Grand Duke’s family near the lodgings, but that didn’t mean people from the imperial palace had completely left the main shrine. The crown prince’s knights and guards were surrounding and investigating the entire temple.

 

“I see. Good luck then.”

 

She was trying to go back without disturbing him, but Mikhail caught her.

 

“Ah, princess. If you don’t mind, could you give me a moment?”

 

“Then. What’s going on?”

 

Michael said, moving closer to her.

 

“Princess Sorel told me to deliver the message.”

 

“Sorel?”

 

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Translator Note: