How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

Terence had practically been living in the imperial palace for the past few days. The number of times he encountered him at the mansion could be counted on one hand. He said it was to finish the empress’s work.

 

‘But you’re coming to pick me up in the evening?’

 

Seeing as he wrote that the matter ended well, it seemed that the empress was finally dethroned and the incident was concluded. Things were going well for Diane, and now she just needed consistent therapy. So, she thought it would be a good idea to go out together today and enjoy some free time.

 

‘This is a date… Is that right?’

 

She had never been on a date before, so she was not sure, but this felt like asking her out on a date. They promised to go out and have dinner together after work. When she thought of it as a date, she suddenly felt dizzy. And on the other hand, a strange tension arose. It was her first date with Terence, and actually the first date of her life. What clothes should she wear?

 

As she was blankly looking at the note, Lot approached her with concern, holding Bayan in his arms.

 

“Your Highness, why are you doing this? Is this bad news?”

 

“Oh, no. We’re just talking about meeting outside and having dinner.”

 

She tried to just brush it off, but Lot was surprised when he heard what she said and asked.

 

“Are you dating my brother?”

 

Even here, this was called a date. Nell and Chloe opened their eyes wide when they heard that sound. Nell asked her with eyes full of joy and excitement.

 

“Is that true?”

 

“No… Just having a meal. Because we’ve been so busy.”

 

She tried to explain that it was a time of relaxation, but Nell dismissed her words.

 

“There are three banquet halls in the mansion, so you eat dinner outside the mansion and have a private time. It’s a special date, right?”

 

“I guess it’s nothing special.”

 

They were already married. Well, it’s different from a married couple’s date. Even married couples spend quality time alone, but they won’t feel this subtle tension.

 

Even Chloe’s eyes lit up happily.

 

“Then what kind of dress should I prepare?”

 

The person who answered it was Nell.

 

“How about light purple silk? No, since it’s winter, green damask would be better.”

 

“Wouldn’t navy blue velvet be a good choice to match the season?”

 

Even Lot joined the discussion between the two, holding Bayan in his arms.

 

“How about a light blue dress? I saw you wearing it before and it was cool.”

 

“But those are going out clothes. She should wear an evening dress.”

 

In fact, the three of them were happily discussing it without asking for her opinion as she was the person involved. Now she saw that everyone was worried that they were having a cold time. When she thought about it, when Lot and Diane called her upstairs with a fake note, Nell and Chloe didn’t say anything and just went about their business, pretending not to notice. The two of them were also silently agreeing.

 

“That’s right, this is the most important issue. Where are you going?”

 

Before she could answer Nell’s question, Lot came close to her and shouted.

 

“Go to the ice cream shop we went to before! It was really delicious!”

 

‘No, I think that would be impossible.’

 

Eating ice cream with Terence. It was a scene that was hard to imagine. Even in this cold winter.

 

“If I can, I’ll go after dinner. We decided to eat at a tea garden near the downtown area.”

 

“It looks cool. If you go in the evening, the lighting is beautiful and it’s really cool.”

 

In the past, she went during the day so she couldn’t see what the lighting was like.

 

“Then I think a dress that is too formal would be a bit excessive. I need to go for a comfortable yet elegant atmosphere.”

 

Nell sat down with Chloe again and began discussing. She decided to just leave it to the two of them. For now, she had to go to Diane.

 

“Okay, I’ll ask you two.”

 

“I’ll prepare it before you come back.”

 

She folded up the note, put it in a drawer, and had Chloe respond.

 

“Tell them I’m okay too.”

 

‘Okay, it’s just dinner, so there’s something special about it.’

 

Thinking complacently, she went out to the main gate of the mansion with Lot.

 

* * *

 

Sorel passed the entrance of the banquet hall decorated with colorful flowers and entered. Today was the day when the Marquis of Maclin’s family held a banquet. The Marquess of Mechlin was not from a wealthy family, but he was from an old and prestigious family, so he did not spare money on social events. The entrance to the banquet hall as well as the hallway leading from the main entrance were full of luxurious decorations. It was a social event that had been held for a very long time. The nobility of the island had been holding their breath quietly because of the empress’s affairs. No noble would be tactful enough to hold a party or ball under these circumstances. Thanks to this, many people attended the marquis’ banquet held for the first time in a long time. It was probably because she was extremely bored after being cooped up in the mansion. And on the other hand, there may be a desire to obtain information about the incident that occurred in the imperial palace at this time. That was why Sorel came here.

 

The first social event held since the end of the Emperor’s reign. She wanted to know what the nobles were saying about this incident. She also had a desire to sway public opinion in the way he wanted. As she entered the banquet hall, many of the nobles who had gathered in groups of twos and threes spotted her and bowed to her. The host of the banquet, a young Marchioness, welcomed Sorel warmly.

 

“Welcome, Your Royal Highness. It’s an honor for you to attend.”

 

“It’s been a while, ma’am.”

 

Sorel greeted her with her usual affable smile.

 

“Are your wounds okay?”

 

“You don’t have to worry. I’m all better now.”

 

“I’m so glad you’re feeling better. Everyone was worried about whether the princess was safe. I’m so happy to see you so well.”

 

While listening to the young lady’s sweet consolation, Sorel glanced around. And belatedly, she felt that the atmosphere was a little different from usual. In the past, the nobles, who would have approached her first and spoke to her warmly, were not approaching her. Everyone greeted her politely and then stood still and watched her as if observing her. No one dared give her an unpleasant or rude look, but there was a strangely cold atmosphere about her.

 

“Then I have to greet the guests, so…”

 

Even the host, the Marchioness, after exchanging her greetings with Sorel, made her excuse and went elsewhere. Sorel pretended to look around her briefly before she headed towards the break room. No one followed her as she went out. The young ladies, who would normally have followed her first and bothered to talk to her, gathered among themselves, chatted, and pretended not to have seen Sorelle.

 

‘What on earth?’

 

Sorel was taken aback by the nobles’ sudden cold treatment. This couldn’t be just because of the events of her wedding day. There were rumors saying Sorel was not the victim but the accomplice. But is it possible for people’s attitudes to change like this with that alone? It was just an unconfirmed rumor, and Sorel was the official victim anyway. There may be people who have uneasy thoughts about her, but there is no way that everyone will reject her based on that alone.

 

‘Since when did nobles question morality like that?’

 

Sorel approached the door of her relaxation room, confused. She needed a moment to cool her head. She tried to escape people’s attention and went into the most secluded rest room to cool off for a while. However, the moment she grabbed the doorknob, a loud sound came from inside her.

 

“Did you hear that? Sorel, the princess, led the decommissioned empress into her trap…”

 

She answered, echoing the quiet voice of a noblewoman.

 

“Actually, I heard that the two of them were trying to put the blame on Princess Eve, no, Her Highness the Grand Duchess.”

 

“I can’t believe it. Princess Sorel looked as kind as an angel.”

 

“Grand Duchess… So, Princess Eve was a bit harsh in the past.”

 

“It was like that. She harassed Princess Sorel horribly.”

 

“Seeing her half-sister become a happy bride may have given her a desire for revenge.”

 

Sorel thought that if she made up a story about being attacked by Eve, people would believe her without question. Eve had originally hated and tormented Sorel for a long time. But now she realized that that premise also worked in reverse. Because she hated Sorel so much and tormented her. People would undoubtedly believe that Eve harmed Sorel. On the other hand, it was also accepted as a believable story that Sorel had harmed herself to seek revenge on Eve. Of course, Sorel has a reason to do such a thing.

 

Sorel had an idea who might be fueling this rumor.

 

‘Eve… And it must be Vilos.’

 

Eve caused Sorel to make a slip of the tongue in front of his ministers. As she wanted, Sorel told her nonsense in front of her friends that Eve had stabbed her. Thanks to this, rumors were spreading that Sorel was also an accomplice. And Vilos… He was trying to blame Sorel for his mother’s mistakes. That way, later, after he becomes emperor, he can insist that the Empress was innocent.

 

At that time, Sorel would be framed as the perpetrator instead.

 

“Isn’t there an influence of origin? The Grand Duchess is the daughter of the former Empress, but Princess Sorel grew up as the daughter of a maid.”

 

Someone burst out laughing, saying that it was natural to have an inferiority complex. Her hand holding the doorknob trembled slightly.

 

“So now His Royal Highness the Second Prince, His Highness the Grand Duke, and even His Highness the Crown Prince hate Princess Sorel?”

 

“Yes. Prince Vilos is saying that Princess Sorel framed the deposed empress. She made it up on her own and put the blame on her husband.”

 

“Oh my, is that real?”

 

The other person lowered his voice further and whispered.

 

“Besides, His Majesty the Emperor… It is said that he does not look kindly on her because she dethroned the empress because of her princess Sorel.”

 

For example, all noble factions within the empire hated Sorel. That was the cause of this strange cold treatment. In the past, the Emperor and the Second Prince cared for Sorel, and nothing particularly bad happened with the Crown Prince or the Grand Duke. But now that they all hated and resented Sorel, the nobles were reluctant to approach her.

 

Sorel let go of her doorknob and turned around. She left the mansion without even looking back. She came and returned to the imperial palace. It didn’t matter whether anyone noticed or not. She returned to the inner room of the princess’s palace and closed the door.

 

As soon as the door closed, she ripped off the necklace around her neck. When the string broke, the small pearls and sapphires that decorated the necklace scattered to the floor.

 

“You.”

 

Sorele glared at the jewels rolling around on the floor and then turned to her maid who was waiting to attend to her. Because of the last incident, all the maids she had were kicked out or moved to other places. This maid was a new maid sent by the emperor.

 

“Did you find out what I ordered?”

 

“Yes, yes… Her Royal Highness.”

 

The maid, shivering in one corner, approached her.

 

“It is said that Her Royal Highness has only been visiting the Duchy of Rohan recently. I heard it was to treat the princess’s illness.”

 

“Cure the disease?”

 

Sorel urged her to explain in detail what she was talking about.

 

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Translator Note: