How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

The bride’s waiting room was very quiet and secluded. Thanks to the strange custom that a bride should not be seen, no outsiders came to visit. Until the wedding began, the only people who came to my waiting room were the Duchess of Rohan and Lot. The Emperor and empress came belatedly and gave a formal greeting. The last person to come was Arentine. He knocked on the waiting room door right before the wedding started.

 

“Eve.”

 

“Brother.”

 

Today he too was dressed in fancy formal attire. Wearing such extravagant clothes makes you look much cooler and cooler than usual.

 

“Woe, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

Again Diane blushed and hid behind her. She did that every time she tried to talk.

 

“If it’s okay, can we just talk for a moment?”

 

Arentine turned to Diane and her maids and asked.

 

“Yes yes! We’ll be checking the ceremony venue!”

 

Diane quickly took Nell and Chloe outside together. They were left alone in the waiting room.

 

“It’s dazzlingly beautiful.”

 

Arentine looked her up and down and spoke in a calm voice.

 

“…I wish mother could have seen you.”

 

She could see affectionate emotions flowing through his blue eyes. Suddenly it occurred to her that this man no longer had anyone he could call family. Because his mother, the Empress, was dead, and she was not the real Eve. In fact, it was as if his father did not exist. When you think about it, he was a truly pitiful person.

 

He hesitated for a moment and then hugged her lightly. Arentine was an extremely unemotional person, but even so, at this moment, she felt a warm warmth and a calm affection.

 

“From now on, I hope you live safely and happily as you wish.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

She thought that as long as this person thought of her as his younger sister, she should also consider this person as her own blood and cherish him. That would be the minimum obligation for taking over Eve’s body.

 

Nell, who was waiting outside, checked the time and spoke urgently.

 

“Princess, you must enter now.”

 

Arentine let go of her and turned his body.

 

“Then I’ll go to the banquet hall first.”

 

“Okay, I’ll see you later.”

 

After he left, she put on her veil and went down to the banquet hall with Diane. Fortunately, the bride entered alone here. She wanted to decline to enter with the Emperor, but it was a very fortunate event. She entered the banquet hall holding a bouquet. The bouquet was made by adding a few red Rastana flowers between white and pale pink flowers. The banquet hall, which was transformed into a wedding hall, was also filled with colorful flowers. The bright sunlight shining through the window illuminated the entire banquet hall in a warm golden light. There was a path leading to the altar among hundreds of dazzling flowers. It was a wedding as beautiful as a fairy tale.

 

In her previous life, she could never have imagined such a luxurious wedding. It was so hard to make a living that she didn’t even have time to think about things like love or relationships. Although it was a contract marriage for cooperation, and the stepmother and stepsister’s own drama was prepared in the near future, it was a dead end situation, but if you look at the wedding itself, it was really beautiful.

 

Terence, who was waiting for her in front of the altar, looked as handsome as a prince from a fairy tale. Terence, dressed in black robes, exuded the dignity and solemnity of a Grand Duke.

 

She slowly walked towards him. As she made her way through the center of the ballroom, she passed some familiar faces. A middle-aged man who appeared to be the Duke of Rohan and the Duchess. Familiar nobles. And the Emperor and his wife, Arentine and Vilos, who were sitting at the head table. At that moment, everyone’s eyes were focused on her.

 

Terence held out his hand to her.

 

“Princess.”

 

She held his hand and stood in front of the altar. The priest officiating gave them a blessing and made them make marriage vows. When asked if he would protect and love her for the rest of his life, Terence answered without hesitation at all.

 

“I swear.”

 

It was a serious yet honest tone of sincerity. Just looking at his attitude, it seemed like he was swearing a marriage vow in front of the woman he truly loved.

 

‘Great acting, as always.’

 

“Will the princess keep her lifelong vow and fulfill her duties as a wife?”

 

While listening to those words and seeing Terence, she had a strange feeling that she couldn’t describe. 44 days. It wasn’t a very long time, but it seemed like they became attached as they went through a lot of things together. Seeing such a bitter and subtle feeling about fake marriage vows.

 

“Yes, I swear.”

 

The moment she said those words out loud, she prayed in her heart. Although she wouldn’t be able to live as this man’s wife forever, she still wanted to maintain trust and friendship with each other for the rest of her life.

 

After that, they exchanged wedding rings as usual. The ring she received was one that Grand Duchesses pass down from generation to generation. After exchanging rings, the high priest spoke with a smile on his face.

 

“Now kiss your bride.”

 

‘Well, what should I do?’

 

She froze in shock at the unexpected sound. She was surprised and looked at Terence, and he was staring at her silently with an expression on his face.

 

‘Did the wedding originally have this stage?’

 

She thought she had seen it in movies or dramas. Clearly, there was nothing like this in the ceremony order that Nell gave them. However, seeing as Terence and the High Priest, as well as the guests, were not at all embarrassed, it seemed that this stage was originally present. Was it just because it was such an obvious order that they didn’t tell her?

 

While she was standing there blankly, Terence lifted the veil with a calm expression. As the pure white veil that covered her face slowly disappeared, her vision, which had been foggy and blurry, became clearer. Terence’s purple eyes and handsome, statuesque face were clearly visible.

 

‘With this man… I need to kiss him?’

 

She thought it would be better to just wear a veil. She couldn’t see her own face right now, but she was sure it’s red from embarrassment. She felt like her throat was burning. She swallowed dry saliva and pursed her lips. But while she was hesitating for a moment, Terence grabbed her shoulder and pulled her. In an instant, her body leaned towards him and her lips overlapped with his.

 

‘Ah…’

 

She froze and couldn’t even make a sound. The sudden kiss became a sweet thrill that paralyzed her entire body. A strong sensation spread from the hand holding her waist to their lips touching.

 

She had always wondered what a first kiss would feel like. So sweet, hot, and intense. It was as hazy as a midday dream. A tingling sensation spread down her spine, and it felt like her brain was turning white.

 

At that moment, she couldn’t even hear my heart pounding hard. All the luxurious flowers and guests that had covered the surroundings seemed to have disappeared.

 

“Ah, hmm, hmm…!”

 

She opened her eyes to the sound of a cough coming from next to her. The high priest was sweating coldly and looking around as if he was embarrassed.

 

She realized late that they had been stuck together for too long. She parted her lips and raised her hand to push Terence away.

 

Terence’s hand slowly fell from her as if he was regretful.

 

“Sister.”

 

A quiet voice came from the other side. Sorel was holding a flower crown and smiling sweetly like a porcelain doll.

 

“I will bless you both.”

 

She slightly bent her knees and lowered her head. Then Sorel recited a long congratulatory message and placed a wreath on her head.

 

“…I bless you in God’s name and may you both be happy forever.”

 

After putting on the crown, the high priest made his final declaration.

 

“Now you two have become husband and wife with God’s permission.”

 

The wedding was finally over.

 

* * *

 

After the wedding, congratulatory messages poured in. A hectic congratulatory baptism and repeated greetings in return followed. There were so many people approaching that she didn’t have time to say a word to Terence. Only after everyone had moved to the banquet hall did she have time to be alone with Terence.

 

They sat side by side at the table set up at the head of the table. As people lost interest for a moment, Terence spoke to her first.

 

“It ended as planned.”

 

It was a very natural attitude considering that they had shared such a passionate kiss just moments ago. ell, to this man, it was just a wedding ceremony with no meaning.

 

“I haven’t even had breakfast. Are you hungry?”

 

She changed the topic by looking at the food. There were several tables set up at the banquet hall, and people were sitting at their assigned seats and enjoying a light meal. It looked delicious. All she ate all day was a piece of tofu-like bread she ate in the waiting room. Maybe she was starving so much that she didn’t even feel hungry anymore.

 

Terence seemed to be doing the same thing, so she asked him with concern, but he asked with a puzzled expression.

 

“Did you skip your meal?”

 

“…They said I couldn’t eat it.”

 

Terence looked at her with an absurd look.

 

‘What, was I the only one who starved?’

 

Terence, who understood the situation, gave an order to Nell next to him.

 

“Bring food.”

 

Nell was quick to put some food in a small bowl and brought it over. The only food was small-cut fruit and a few bite-sized cookies. Still, she was curious about what it was so she picked it up and ate it carefully. Eating fresh and sweet fruit made her feel a little energized, perhaps because she was recharged with sugar.

 

“Princess.”

 

At that time, a young maid with dark tea-colored hair approached her. She was Sorel’s maid. The maid bowed her head to her and lowered her voice to a whisper as if she was conveying a secret.

 

“Princess Sorel requests to see you in the glasshouse now. She said she had something to tell the princess.”

 

She asked with a surprised expression, as if she knew nothing.

 

“The glass greenhouse in the garden?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The maid answered, quietly looking into Eve’s eyes with a meaningful expression.

 

“She told me to tell you, ‘I found the answer to the question about the sacred tree’s flowers that my sister had been asking about.’”

 

The answer to the sacred tree’s flower?

 

‘What does this mean?’

 

Actually, she was curious how Sorel would summon her to the greenhouse. This plan couldn’t succeed in the first place if Eve did not go to the greenhouse. If Eve didn’t go, there’s no point in harming oneself or doing anything else. However, during her wedding, the bride was alone. Getting them to go to the rare greenhouse would be impossible with any decent bait. Especially considering how long Eve had been waiting for this wedding. So she was very curious. What words would Sorel summon Eve to the greenhouse?

 

‘She found out about the sacred tree’s flowers… Was she talking about the bouquet I gave Terence?’

 

No, considering the words ‘my sister asked about it’ in front of her, that probably wasn’t the case. Because she had never asked Sorel about the sacred tree’s flowers. Perhaps, sometime in the past, Eve asked Sorel something about the sacred tree’s flowers. She didn’t know what it was, but she thought it was a very important question to Eve. That was all she could guess.

 

‘What did Eve ask Sorel about the flower?’

 

It seemed that sacred flower was related to sacred power, so was the question about sacred power? Eve thought she had lost her holy power, so she may have been asking about ways to improve holy power using sacred tree flowers. She asked if she could increase her holy power if she ate the flowers of that tree in the morning and evening. Her story may not be entirely absurd, considering that the sap of that tree contains strong divine power.

 

‘But if it had that effect, Bayan would have taken it long ago and fed it to me every day.’

 

So what kind of question was this?

 

‘Even I am curious about Sorel’s answer and want to go to the greenhouse.’

 

But she couldn’t go there herself. Anyway, Sorel had called her, so everything had to go as planned.

 

“Okay. I’ll be there soon.”

 

After hearing her answer, the maid calmly bowed her waist and went out. The atmosphere inside the banquet hall was still bright and cheerful. People were eating food and chatting.

 

She got up when people were less interested.

 

“Excuse me for a moment.”

 

As soon as she stood up, Chloe, who had been waiting behind her, left first.

 

Terence, sitting next to her, turned his gaze to her. she gave him a slight nod. A seemingly invisible smile appeared on Terence’s lips and then disappeared.

 

“Please come back.”

 

* * *

 

The banquet hall was still crowded with people. The maid who had conveyed her words to the princess came out into the hallway and walked to the hallway opposite her, avoiding everyone’s attention. Luckily for her, no one looked at her strangely. There were many people coming and going near the banquet hall, including servants waiting on the guests, maids carrying dishes and food, and knights guarding the surroundings. There were also many imperial palace maids who accompanied the Empress or Emperor. Thanks to this, no one paid attention to the princess’s maid.

 

She did as Sorel had told her, and relayed her words to Eve. Now all she had to do was make sure that Princess Eve went to the greenhouse and then tried to fly the bird.

 

After leaving the banquet hall, Princess Eve walked down the opposite hallway. She was heading towards the greenhouse. The structure of this mansion was still unfamiliar to her, but when she visited here with Princess Sorel, she definitely familiarized herself with the path leading from the banquet hall to the greenhouse. Today, people only gathered near the banquet hall, so there were few people on the road leading to the greenhouse.

 

The maid quietly followed Princess Eve. She quietly walked behind her, muffling her footsteps so as not to be noticed by the princess. It seemed certain that Princess Eve was going to the greenhouse.

 

She came to a fork in the middle and without hesitation she turned towards the greenhouse. 

The maid walked quickly towards where Eve had disappeared. But the moment she turned the corner of the hallway, someone grabbed her body and pulled her up. The maid covered her mouth before she had time to scream.

 

She was startled and struggled, but the knights, who had captured her, covered her mouth and prevented her from moving. Then another knight searched her sleeves and pockets. The knight took out a small pouch that she had kept inside her sleeve.

 

“Here it is.”

 

Another knight, who had taken her pouch, untied her loose thread. Inside was a pure white bird. The knight put the bird back in his pocket and ordered:

 

“Good job. Take this maid and lock her in her basement.”

 

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Translator Note: