How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

‘What do you want in compensation for this?’

 

As she listened to the Emperor’s question, she glanced at Terence. Of course, he had an answer prepared in advance. Such a terrible thing happened at the Grand Duke’s mansion, on the wedding day of the head of the family, and it couldn’t go away without any compensation. What Terence wanted in return was that he would refuse to be mobilized for war for the next five years and would concentrate solely on governing his fiefdom.

 

The reason the Emperor continued to send Terence to war was because he was planning to weaken the power of the Grand Duchy. Because war costs money and manpower. And while he was on the battlefield, he could not take care of his territory and had to stay away from the political world of the system. So he decided to ask for this in return for not going to war for a few years.

 

Since he got married anyway, he now had the pretext of having to get an heir. He had decided to say that he would focus only on the business of the territory.

 

Terence looked back at her for a moment and then spoke.

 

“I would like to take charge and investigate this case with the inspector general.”

 

What? With that one word, a heavy silence came into the room. He would be the person responsible for investigating this matter. At that moment, her eyes met with Terence, who was looking back at her.

 

There was joyful satisfaction in his dark purple eyes. She realized why he changed his mind. 

At this point, the intention was to bring the Empress into the abyss more thoroughly and dig into the people around Sorel to remove even more of the abominable mask that was covered in layers. The Emperor also noticed his intentions and tried to reject him.

 

“The inspector general and the Minister of Home Affairs will investigate and handle it well, so don’t worry and just wait.”

 

“As I said, this is a case targeting my wife. I can’t just sit back and wait for the results.”

 

The nobles watching seemed taken aback by Terence’s calm voice emphasizing the word ‘wife.’ The person next to him also felt a little embarrassed.

 

“It’s an imperial matter, so shouldn’t the investigation be conducted by the imperial palace?”

 

“This happened inside my mansion, so wouldn’t it be more efficient for me to help with the investigation?”

 

Before the Emperor could refute, Arentine came forward in support of Terence.

 

“I think what the Grand Duke said makes sense. The Grand Duke was of great help when investigating the matter of Count Parmes.”

 

But he also had some vehement opponents. Vilos continued to refute the statement, saying it was nonsense.

 

“It is impossible for the Grand Duke to be involved in the investigation of the royal family.”

 

“Since he married me, isn’t His Highness just like royalty?”

 

Vilos snorted at Eve’s words.

 

“Just because he married the princess doesn’t mean he is royal.”

 

“So, if you later spend the royal family’s money, does that mean that person is no longer a member of the royal family?”

 

“No, that kind of unreasonableness…”

 

Ignoring Vilos’ words, she looked back at the people gathered and continued.

 

“This is a case led by Her Majesty the Empress, so it will be difficult for the ministers to investigate. As a subject, they are investigating their lord’s wife. Wouldn’t it be fair for the Grand Duke, the highest ranking noble among the nobles, to investigate?”

 

Literally, the ministers would not be able to properly investigate because they were worried about the Emperor, Empress, and Vilos, so it is appropriate for the Grand Duke to do it. Vilos could not easily object to those words. He seemed to be contemplating what to say in opposition.

 

Meanwhile, the Emperor turned his gaze to Sorel for a moment. Sorel was staring into space with a pale, expressionless face like a wax doll. She could guess what the Emperor was thinking. She was sure Sorel was wondering if he handled this matter well so that no evidence was left behind.

 

Sorel belatedly felt the Emperor’s gaze and slightly lowered her head. She didn’t leave any loopholes, so she guessed that meant she’s confident Terence could investigate. After deep consideration, the Emperor came up with an answer.

 

“Do it that way.”

 

“…father!”

 

Vilos shouted with a devastated face, but the Emperor ignored him. Terence was still looking directly at the Emperor. He suddenly wondered if this was a good decision. Wouldn’t it be better to leave Arentine and the Emperor to deal with the Empress’s affairs, and Terence focus on the territory? Because Terence married her, he became even more entangled in the imperial palace’s secret struggle. He won with great difficulty in the original, but what if he fails to make the Grand Duke independent, unlike in the original?

 

The moment her thoughts reached that point, she looked at the Emperor and spoke out.

 

“What about me?”

 

“…what?”

 

The Emperor, who was about to turn around with a heavy expression, stopped when he heard her words.

 

“You should compensate me too.”

 

Everyone was looking at her with puzzled eyes. Even the Emperor retorted in a perplexed voice.

 

“I already compensated your husband, right?”

 

“Terence and I are separate beings.”

 

She asked him in a shameless manner.

 

“This is the wedding I’ve been waiting for my whole life. My mother ruined my wedding, so I need to get compensation.”

 

Vilos, who was next to the Emperor, asked as if it were absurd.

 

“The wedding ended safely, right?”

 

“You barely finished the main meal and it ended up being a mess, right? Now the reception and everything is a mess. How are you going to compensate for this? I can’t have one more wedding, right?”

 

When she questioned Villos like a serious customer, no one could criticize her. The Emperor smiled and asked her.

 

“So what do you want?”

 

“I just want my husband to stay by my side. I want to always have Terence by my side.”

 

People’s eyes became even more strange when she said things like she was an obsessed stalker. A few people looked at Terence furtively at her. Terence was actually listening to her with curious eyes.

 

“Where is the Grand Duke going… What does that mean?”

 

“I want to stay together during the honeymoon period. Promise me you won’t send Terence to war for the next five years.”

 

An unpleasant realization dawned on the face of the Emperor, who had an absurd expression on his face at those words. She thought he finally realized what she wanted.

 

“…5 years. Aren’t you trying to hold him back for too long?”

 

“If Terence goes to war, I will be so anxious that I won’t be able to bear it. Since we just got married, we need to get an heir. Even five years is short.”

 

The word ‘successor’ created an uncomfortable and embarrassed atmosphere among the middle-aged nobles, but deep down they all seemed to understand what she wanted.

 

Arentine took her side again this time.

 

“I think Eve is right. They are newlyweds, so they should be together.”

 

The Emperor turned his cold gaze towards him, but Arentine did not give in at all and continued speaking with a smile.

 

“There won’t be a major war for the time being, so it’s not that difficult, right?”

 

Surprisingly, her brother stood up to the Emperor with dignity. Seeing this incident, Arentine also seemed very angry at the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor met his eldest son’s rebellious gaze with a cold face, and eventually gave in to her will.

 

“…very well. Let it be done.”

 

At that time, she made eye contact with Terence, who was looking at her. This time, she was able to show him a satisfied smile. In the end, they both achieved what they wanted.

 

* * *

 

After that, time passed by in a hectic manner as she tried to clean up the messy situation. 

Terence ordered the knights to clear up and went out to ask for the understanding of his guests. Meanwhile, the Empress was taken to her imperial palace by the imperial knights, and the Emperor and Billos also returned immediately. Sorel also went to the carriage, supported by a servant. On her way out, she glanced at Eve for a moment but never said anything.

 

She said bye quietly.

 

“Go back carefully.”

 

Sorel quietly looked back at her. Now, her eyes were much clearer and clearer than before, as if the sedative had worn off.

 

“Next time… See you again, sister.”

 

If you make the phrase ‘I’ll see you later’, a common line from villains running away, in a kind and friendly way, it will sound like that. So she also smiled and answered with satisfaction.

 

“Then, we should continue to see each other in the future.”

 

‘Try again anytime. Because I will never be defeated easily.’

 

Sorel got into the carriage without saying another word. She suddenly became curious about what Sorel was going to tell her about the sacred tree’s flowers. Considering Sorel’s personality, there was a high possibility that it was just bait to call her out.

 

She made sure Sorel left and went upstairs. Now it was time for the bride to leave the reception area and return to the boudoir.

 

“Princess, are you okay? Downstairs… I heard something big happened?”

 

Diane was waiting for me upstairs.

 

Diane asked as she looked around.

 

Her bridesmaid, Diane, was so busy decorating the bridal room that she couldn’t even come down to the wedding dress. It was a good thing.

 

Diane, she hasn’t even come of age yet, so she’d rather not see something like this happen.

 

Eve reassured her.

 

“I’m fine. The situation is now resolved.”

 

Diane seemed a little relieved to hear her, but she still looked shocked.

 

“I was really shocked when I heard the news downstairs,” she said. “How could Her Majesty the Empress…”

 

Diane seemed indignant when she heard about this incident, but she seemed to be careful about what she said because she was in front of me.

 

“I’m glad the wedding went well.”

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

The Duchess was still at the dinner party with her husband, the Duke. She would have to thank the Duchess separately next time.

 

Diane changed the subject as if she was trying to cheer her up.

 

“I decorated the bridal room with the maids, but I don’t know if you’ll like it.”

 

“Is it so? I wonder what it will be like. Can I go now?”

 

“No! When Terrence comes after dinner, you have to go in formally.”

 

For a moment, she wondered what formal procedures were required to allow her to enter her bedroom, but then she remembered what she had heard from Nell. It was said that on the first night, the husband would carry the bride into the bridal room. Originally, he was going to carry the bride and cross the gate of their newlywed home like that. Did they say that since the nobles’ mansions were so large that they couldn’t pass through the main gate, they replaced it with a bridal room? It seemed embarrassing and strange to go in with a princess hug. If only the two of them were left, they should just pretend to do something.

 

She was chatting with Diane when Nell brought her easy indoor dress.

 

“I have prepared a change of clothes for you. I’ll be bringing dinner here soon.”

 

“Okay.”

 

By the time she finished all her work, it was already evening. It’s winter so the days were short. Perhaps it was Arthur, but a gray shadow was already falling over the garden. She was about to take off her stuffy dress and take a break when Chloe came inside.

 

“Princess.”

 

Chloe was hugging Bayan dearly. Nell asked, happy to see Bayan.

 

“You found Bayan, where has he been?”

 

“…In the garden.”

 

“Well, I guess he got lost. How cold he must have been.”

 

She looked pitifully at Bayan, who was drooping, and went out to bring him a warm towel. She said she was going to change clothes and brought Chloe into the dressing room.

 

“Good job you both.”

 

Chloe and Bayan did their part well in the greenhouse.

 

“I’m sure the Duchess and Marquis didn’t see Bayan do it, right?”

 

“Yes, you two were having a conversation. After Bayan fled, she turned her eyes toward the greenhouse.”

 

Bayan had told her to be careful not to be noticed by the two ladies. When she went back to the glass window, she probably didn’t even see Bayan because she was looking at the inside of the greenhouse. Bayan walked over to her without answering and lay down on the cushion.

 

[I am very tired from working for the saint.]

 

He had a very condescending attitude, but she actually felt sorry and thankful that he had worked so hard, even losing his holy power.

 

“Ok, thanks. Thanks to you, I was able to resolve everything well.”

 

She took a drop of the sap of the sacred tree that she was carrying in her arms and offered it to Bayan. Chloe was watching next to her, but anyway, there would be no need to hide Bayan’s identity anymore. Chloe saw Bayan in the garden rolling the window and running away, so she couldn’t hide him. Bayan’s little pink tongue nipped the tip of my finger a few times and her floppy pointed ears perked up again.

 

“Are you okay now?”

 

[Very good. My holy power is slightly full.]

 

Fortunately, Bayan seemed to regain his strength in an instant. His golden eyes sparkled, and even his dull black fur shed a sheen. Chloe was looking at them both with a look of surprise on her face.

 

“Princess…”

 

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