How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

“…what?”

 

Terence looked at Camion angrily, as if he had just been asked the most useless question in the world. In fact, he thought it was a really useless question.

 

“Do I need to say that?”

 

He had already shown his affection for Eve countless times. From the time they were together on the day of the ball to the night they waited for the fire in the temple. Terence remembered everything about how his relationship with Eve had changed. He had never been so kind to any woman in his life. He thought Eve would have sensed his feelings at that level.

 

‘Well, he didn’t even like Eve, so she asked why he wanted to live as a couple.’

 

Could it be that she had no idea what he was feeling? Eve even asked such a question while they were kissing like a normal couple in the bridal room. The more he thought about it, the more amazed he became.

 

‘Did you think I was the kind of person who would sleep with a woman I didn’t like? How on earth do you view people?’

 

It was surprising that she was so insensitive to her fiancé who was usually right next to her.

 

‘…Does that mean you are not that interested in me?’

 

The reason he was complacent in thinking that Eve would know his feelings was also due to his old memories. In the past, Eve would always be deeply obsessed with his every word or expression.

 

‘I guess she is really not interested anymore.’

 

In fact, he still didn’t know why Eve suddenly changed her mind. When she spoke before, it seemed as if she had given up on her feelings due to the surrounding circumstances. Was it possible to change your mind so thoroughly because of your surroundings? He suddenly remembered what Eve had said when she proposed a contract marriage.

 

‘I realized how selfish it is to arbitrarily force one’s emotions on others.’

 

“…”

 

Ironically, Terence himself was now forcing his emotions on Eve. Terence put down his folder in annoyance and took out the next report.

 

“There’s no need to say that.”

 

“…Well, I see. There’s no need to tell me…”

 

Camion swallowed his saliva, forcing himself to agree with his master’s words. As Camion remembered, as much as Princess Eve was madly obsessed with His Highness, His Highness the Grand Duke hated Princess Eve to death. If Princess Eve used violence to get closer to Terence, Terence did not hesitate to commit violence and even crimes to get Eve away from him. At one point, to avoid being pursued by Princess Eve, he unleashed the Grand Duchy’s secret agents to stalk the princess on her behalf. But he treated her kindly for about a month and he thought, ‘Of course she knows how I feel.’

 

Camion soon realized that hiss lord, Terence, had no experience in romantic relationships. Because of his handsome appearance, he appeared to be good at dating, but in fact, Terence had only lived with black knights on the battlefield since he was a boy.

 

“That… But if you want to improve your relationship, wouldn’t it be better to be honest?”

 

Camion advised cautiously. Although the other person didn’t seem to have the slightest interest in listening to the advice.

 

“Anyway, now that you’re married, I think you can take things slowly. First, sit down calmly and have a conversation.”

 

“Conversation?”

 

“How about telling her Highness honestly how you feel and saying that you would like to get along well with the princess from now on?”

 

Terence looked at his henchman with a puzzled look. He seemed like he was trying to help him, so he told him the situation, but he said just advice.

 

‘Does this guy look like I can’t even think of such things?’

 

Terence himself gave Eve many gifts during this time and tried to keep her close at all times. But it had no effect, and he didn’t think sitting down and discussing it would change anything.

 

“I didn’t expect you to help, but this is really nonsense. Go out and do your work.”

 

“…All right.”

 

Camion lowered his head with a disappointed look on his face. Terence asked what he had forgotten before he left.

 

“What about the rumors about Princess Sorel?”

 

“It’s only been a day, so the rumor hasn’t spread much, but it is said that it is already becoming known little by little among the nobles. It seems to have spread even more within the imperial palace.”

 

Well, the imperial palace attendants spread rumors faster.

 

“Let the word spread.”

 

After dismissing Camion, Terence gathered up the remaining papers and looked out his window. He took care of all the urgent matters, and before he knew it, it was getting closer to noon. What was Eve doing right now? He suddenly thought about going back to the mansion. He didn’t want to be told something stupid to talk to, but it was rude of his wife to fight and stay out on the first day of their marriage. If it became known outside, strange rumors would start. There may not be many people paying attention to them right now because there was so much noise about the Empress’s affairs. After thinking about that, Terence stood up.

 

“I’m going back to the mansion, so get the carriage ready.”

 

* * *

 

When she heard that Mikhail was visiting, she changed her dress and went out to the drawing room. Inside the parlor, Mikhail was waiting for her with another young knight. There was a butler with him who guided her guests. As soon as they entered, Mikhail and the knight bowed politely to her.

 

“Her Royal Highness. I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage.”

 

“Thank you, Lord Sheldon.”

 

Mikhail seemed surprised to see her come out alone to greet him.

 

“Excuse me, but is His Highness not at the mansion?”

 

“Terence went to the Knights headquarters early in the morning for work.”

 

“I see.”

 

Michael didn’t ask any more questions, but he seemed a little relieved. Come to think of it, he never had the pleasure of meeting Terrence.

 

‘It will be more awkward if they meet in this mansion.’

 

Actually, coming here must have been burdensome. Arentine, unaware of the circumstances, seems to have decided that it would be better to send Mikhail rather than the knight commander, Gairen. Mikhail spoke politely without showing any of his uncomfortable feelings.

 

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asked me to deliver a gift.”

 

What Arentine sent were expensive-looking jewels and rare flowers. People here really like flower gifts. She was not sure, but she was grateful for the sincerity with which they took care of it and sent it to her. She remembered once she asked someone to send her to the prom as a wedding gift. Since he did her a favor back then, he didn’t have to give anything more to her.

 

“Tell him my thanks. I will go to the imperial palace to see him soon.”

 

Even after giving her the gift, Mikhail stood still for a moment and looked at her. She wondered if something was up, but he spoke cautiously as if he was making a difficult request.

 

“Actually, I have something to ask you, so I asked to see you.”

 

“What’s going on?”

 

Mikhail lowered his head with an apologetic expression.

 

“Can I take a look around the glass greenhouse in the garden?”

 

“Would you like to tour the greenhouse?”

 

“Because it is an imperial matter, we, the Imperial Knights, also need to understand the circumstances of yesterday’s incident.”

 

Mikhail apologized to her in advance with a very sorry expression on his face.

 

“I’m sorry for causing you this inconvenience. All we have to do is look around for a moment and check the structure.”

 

She suddenly looked at the young knight behind Mikhail. That’s why they brought another knight. While they were coming to deliver a gift, they used that as an excuse to come into the mansion and take a look at the greenhouse.

 

“Is it okay to just look around?”

 

“The inspection department is already investigating the detailed circumstances separately, so we will only look at the general structure of where the incident occurred.”

 

Since they received the order, they would look around, but did this mean it was only a formal investigation? She roughly understood what happened. The greenhouse where the incident occurred was not often open to guests. Among the people on the Emperor’s side, except for Sorel and the Empress, no one had ever been there in person. The knight commander, Gairen, must have investigated this incident separately and asked her to find out what that place was like. To find out why their plan failed. For now, they probably didn’t know why Sorel’s plan was discovered. Of course, no matter how much they looked at the greenhouse, they wouldn’t find the exact answer.

 

‘But if you don’t show me the greenhouse, they’ll think there’s something there and try to take a peek.’

 

SheI thought it would be better to answer her curiosity. She suggested with a smile.

 

“Then shall we go out to the garden? I will guide you to the greenhouse.”

 

Mikhail was taken aback when she told him she would personally guide him.

 

“You must be busy, but because of us…”

 

“No, you came under orders from my brother, so I have to guide you personally. I was already feeling frustrated, so I wanted to go out to the garden.”

 

Even if it was a formal investigation, she wanted to personally observe where Mikhail was checking. Because it’s not just Mikhail, there were other knights as well.

 

“Butler, please come with me.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

They went out into the garden together. Since the Empress went to the greenhouse through the garden, they also went to the greenhouse through the garden instead of the corridor. The sky was still a gloomy gray color, and there was a damp chill in the garden. It was already past noon, but the overcast sky looked like it was going to rain at any moment. Mikhail, who was walking in the garden, spoke to her first.

 

“I heard the news late yesterday because I was looking around the outside of the mansion. I can’t believe that Her Majesty the Empress would do such a thing…”

 

Mikhail seemed to be inwardly shocked. Since it has already been spread that it was the Empress’s doing, she will really be dethroned. Well, the Empress was so embarrassed that she couldn’t explain properly and just kept stuttering, so there would be no way for her to escape.

 

“How’s Sorrel doing?”

 

“Sorel, I heard that the princess is being treated by a city doctor.”

 

Well, Sorel was injured and must be in her palace, so she wouldn’t be able to meet Mikhail.

 

“You should get better quickly, but I’m worried.”

 

“I’m worried about whether you’ll be okay. Since it is such a serious matter, unfounded rumors are also spreading…”

 

It’s a bad rumor. She had a rough idea of what the rumor was, but she was curious so she decided to ask.

 

“What is the rumor?”

 

Mikhail looked back at me with a puzzled expression at heer innocent question. He seemed at a loss for words and could not easily answer, only his lips moving. While Mikhail was unable to respond easily, the young knight who was following one step behind suddenly spoke up.

 

“That is… Rumors are spreading that it is a play of Princess Sorel’s own making.”

 

“Be careful what you say.”

 

When Mikhail harshly reprimanded the knight, he took a step back with a stinging expression.

 

‘Wow, he’s a guy who likes to meddle.’

 

She didn’t even ask him, but he suddenly barged in. On the other hand, this guy was also a member of the Imperial Knights, so she thought he might be looking down on the vice-captain, Mikhail. Actually, most of the Imperial Knights are children of noble families, but Mikhail was from a bad background. Perhaps the knight commander may have intentionally appointed someone who did not have a good relationship with Mikhail.

 

“I didn’t ask you.”

 

As she frowned in displeasure, the young driver broke into a cold sweat and stuttered out an excuse.

 

“Ah, I am sorry, Your Royal Highness. It seemed like you wanted an answer, so I thought rashly…”

 

She understood why it was like that. It was well known that she hated Sorel. He probably thought she would be happy if he told me the bad news about Sorel before Mikhail did. There must have been a feeling of disregard for Mikhail, considering him insignificant.

 

“How dare you rudely interrupt a conversation in front of me. How do you teach new knights?”

 

When the story about the knight commander came up, the young knight’s face began to turn pale. Mikhail, who was next to him, bowed his head and apologized.

 

“Forgive me, her Royal Highness. It’s my fault.”

 

She ordered coldly, ignoring him.

 

“It looks like this knight hasn’t learned the etiquette to enter the great family’s mansion. Go to the entrance of the mansion and wait without my notice.”

 

“Ah, that’s…”

 

The young knight was about to plead with an embarrassed expression, but when he saw her annoyed eyes, he was startled and lowered his head.

 

“Yes, yes. I understand, Her Royal Highness.”

 

The butler who was watching them spoke quietly to the driver.

 

“Please come this way. I will guide you to the entrance.”

 

The knight bowed deeply to her and walked toward the mansion with lethargic steps. Thanks to this, only her and Mikhail remained on the garden path.

 

“Sorry.”

 

Mikhail did not stop her order, but only apologized after the knight disappeared. He must have sensed that she wanted to take this opportunity to chase him away. As she walked away, she brought up the topic of Sorel again.

 

“Is there really such a rumor?”

 

Mikhail nodded his head with a miserable look in his eyes.

 

“It’s just a rumor. No one will seriously believe it.”

 

It’s a rumor. Well, Mikhail firmly believes in Sorel. She agreed with what he said and clicked her tongue as if she felt sorry for him.

 

“As soon as Sorel woke up that day, she cried and told everybody that I had stabbed her. I guess that’s why those rumors started. It’s such a shame.”

 

Mikhail stopped walking when he heard her mutter something like she was lamenting.

 

“Did Princess Sorel really say that?”

 

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