How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

The maid relayed everything she had researched without exception. Her explanation was repetitive, but the main point was that Eve had found a way to cure Diane’s illness. Eve noted that Diane’s illness improved around the time she began going to the temple to pray. She said that the grand duke’s maid, who served Eve, told her that in the northern countryside the scented candles were used to treat skin diseases. When Eve heard the story, she investigated the incense used in the temple. Among them, she said, she discovered a scented candle that was effective in treating Diane’s illness.

 

Sorrel muttered in disbelief.

 

“Does that make sense?”

 

It was a smooth story, but somehow strange. Eve found a treatment that many doctors had been unable to find so easily? Eve that has no basic medical knowledge?

 

“So you’re saying that Diane’s illness may be cured thanks to Eve?”

 

A disease that Sorel’s own power could not cure. Sorel looked at his hands without thinking. Her healing powers only worked on her wounds and injuries. Long ago, she tried to cure Diane’s illness at the Duke and Duchess’s request, but she had no success. After all, Eve did it?

 

She was unbearably displeased and angry that Eve, whom she hated most, had done what she had not been able to do. In response to Sorel’s annoyed question, the maid nodded her head with a frightened look on her face.

 

“Yes, that’s why the Duke and Duchess of Rohan are said to be very grateful to Her Majesty the Grand Duchess.”

 

“…”

 

The twisted emotions buried at the bottom of her heart stirred. It was a dark, tormenting feeling of jealousy that had been lodged deep in her heart for a very long time. The painful feeling of inferiority she had felt ever since she was a child and saw the radiant Eve.

 

‘What did I do to take Eve’s place?’

 

Sorel said she still remembered that night. The day she cursed Eve with a clumsy spell. Her mother, who was her shaman, did not allow young Sorel to tamper with her magic. But when she was young, Sorel secretly stole her mother’s fetishes and performed her spells from her book. Because she wanted to take away Eve’s powers. She wanted to see her father again, who had glanced at her once and then abandoned her as if he was annoyed.

 

Sorel’s mother was a direct descendant of a family of shamans who worked for the imperial family. Like a saint, she was a shaman and her lineage was passed down from generation to generation. Unless she was a shaman born with special blood, she couldn’t cast a proper spell. They said that her mother, her maternal grandmother, her maternal grandmother’s mother, and her ancestors all worked for the imperial family. However, because this was an imperial secret, it was not known to anyone.

 

‘So it seemed perfect to give birth to a princess.’

 

Sorel’s mother used to say that.

 

‘If I give birth to a princess with holy powers, my daughter will be able to use her holy powers and her magic. She seemed like she could have it all, living extravagantly in a shining place. So she managed to seduce the emperor and give birth to his daughter…’

 

Her mother was always sad and lamented that she was neglected because she was not born with strong holy power. It seemed like if she took away Eve’s powers, she could turn it all around. It’s all because Sorel herself wasn’t born with proper holy powers. So she performed the spell.

 

Sorel, who had stolen her mother’s book, knew that she had such a spell. A spell that takes away another person’s strength or health. She asked her to do it but her mother said it was ridiculous and she didn’t even explain it properly and she got angry. She threatened that she would never teach Sorell about witchcraft until he was older. But Sorel did not comply with her mother’s words. She thought then he could do it himself. She would be able to do it, although it would be complicated. He was clearly a direct descendant of a shaman family. She took out the precious fetish that her mother had kept hidden away and tried it as written in the book. It was the most successful moment of her life, but it was also her most regretful memory.

 

‘I should have thought with my head. If magic was so omnipotent, why would past emperors be so anxious as they went to war with enemy countries and struggled for power with nobles?’

 

Witchcraft was never an omnipotent power. In the end, a clumsy attempt at magic yielded clumsy results. Eve did not completely lose her holy power. Although he became so weak that he could no longer use his strength, all of his strength was not taken away. Sorel gained healing powers that were several times stronger than before, but at the same time, he lost what was most precious to him. Only then did Sorel learn the principles of magic that his mother had not taught him. The real reason he didn’t tell his young daughter about witchcraft.

 

All his magic always came with a price. Unlike sacred power, which can be used freely at any time, the power of witchcraft was a fair and cruel power that had to be sacrificed in exchange for what one had. That night, Sorel’s mother died in her sleep.

 

“Do more research on that scented candle.”

 

Sorel ordered her maid as she entered his chambers. The pearls and jewels that fell on the floor were stepped on by shoes.

 

“And find out more about Diane’s illness. Especially if she has any way of making the disease worse quickly.”

 

* * *

 

She entered the Duke’s mansion with Lot. The Duchess was also away for a moment today. It was said that she went out to repay another noble family for sending them a gift. They were guided by the butler and went up to the bedroom where Diane was.

 

“Bayan!”

 

As soon as Diane, who was lying in her bed, saw Bayan, she sat up with joy. She hugged Bayan, whom Lot gave her, tightly in her arms and kissed his soft forehead.

 

[Hiss.]

 

Bayan, who had been dragged around in a daze, was disgusted and struggled to escape. Lot saw that and said with a sulky face.

 

“Do you like Bayan coming more than me?”

 

“It’s been a long time since I last saw Bayan.”

 

Bayan, who was hugged by Diane, looked at me and asked for her salvation.

 

[They think of me like a toy. There is no respect for Shinso.]

 

“See, you’re talking about Bayan because you like it too. so cute.”

 

She sat down and smiled at the three people, two people and one Shinsu to be exact.

 

“How are you feeling today?”

 

She got the same answer as the last time she asked.

 

“Really good. It’s better than yesterday.”

 

Diane was still in her pajamas today, but her wrists, exposed beneath her sleeves, had completely returned to their natural skin. Her red spots that had gone up to the nape of her neck had also faded and turned a pale light pink. In a few days, the remaining light spots would disappear. Although she didn’t see it in person, she said that the spots on her shoulders and back had almost disappeared or become lighter. She said that if she continued to treat in this way, any remaining dull spots would soon disappear. It would take a few more months to get rid of all the spots on her body, but looking at her current condition, she could be completely cured before summer comes. The Duke and Duchess were overjoyed to hear the doctor’s positive outlook.

 

“You’ve really improved a lot.”

 

“Huh. It’s all thanks to His Majesty Rain.”

 

As Diane dropped Bayan off on her bed, she spoke to her and Lot.

 

“Please go and have dinner today. I heard that very delicious deer meat was brought as a gift.”

 

These days, upon hearing that Diane’s illness was beginning to improve, the duke’s acquaintances and vassals were sending various gifts. But it wouldn’t work today. Before she could say anything, Lot quickly answered.

 

“The princess said she was going out on a date with Terence today. So, I have to go back early first.”

 

“Is that true?”

 

Diane’s eyes lit up when she said it was a date.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“I just decided to go to the garden and have dinner.”

 

It’s really just a dinner date, but she felt like they were spreading rumors that they were going on a date with the neighbors. And everyone seemed happier than the two of them. Diane asked, looking more amused than Nell or Chloe.

 

“What about the theater? Don’t you go to the opera house? Oh right. Since it is winter now, it is ballet season. That’s not bad either.”

 

Was the theater an essential part of a date here?

 

“Well, I never thought about going to the theater.”

 

Actually, there was no place for nobles to go. The only places you could go were like a party at someone else’s house or a prom, but it’s not a place where you could quietly hang out alone. That’s why garden-like social venues seemed to be popular. You could walk around the artificial garden, have quiet conversations, and even buy food.

 

“It’s our first time going out together since we got married. I just want to go to the garden today.”

 

“Is this a place that has special meaning to you two?”

 

“Well… If it’s special, I don’t know if it’s special. It’s where we had our first date.”

 

It was something she said without much thought to explain why she was going to the garden, but both Diane and Lot were surprised the moment they heard it.

 

“What a special place! Then you should go there.”

 

Lot also asked with eyes full of curiosity.

 

“What did you do in the garden?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

What did they do that day? They just exchanged updates on each other’s current status and acted friendly in front of passers-by. Suddenly, she remembered what Terence had said to her that day. He said she was really bad at acting… It didn’t seem like a very good atmosphere.

 

‘Then I went to buy Lot’s toys. When I think about it, I just did something boring and broke up.’

 

Actually, they weren’t really dating, they just met to show off to others.

 

“We just talked.”

 

But what should she do today? She didn’t know because she had never really been on a date. She wondered if they could just chat. They could just talk about everyday things, right?

 

“It’s so romantic.”

 

Diane said she was moved by their story, but then it seemed like it was an afterthought.

 

“Oh right. I remembered it while I was having dinner. My mother will host a small dinner party to welcome spring at the end of winter. She said she would like Terence and Her Highness to come too.”

 

Diane smiled as she stroked the back of her neck.

 

“It’s embarrassing, but this time I’ll be attending for a little while. I’m just going to say hello and leave.”

 

It’s a dinner party. She understood why it was being hosted. Everyone was curious about Diane’s recovery, so she probably wanted to show them who she was. Now her arms were completely clean, and the spots from her neck to her collarbone were almost gone. If you treat it a little more and the spots on the neckline disappear, you won’t be able to see any spots when you wear the dress. Because the other parts are covered by the dress anyway. 

Diane said she hadn’t made her debut yet, so she wouldn’t be there officially, but she may come out to say hello. Then she would be able to show everyone what she looked like in the dress.

 

“Of course I should attend.”

 

Terence would also be free that day.

 

“Did you pick out the dress she would wear that day?”

 

“No, I don’t know yet. I don’t have an evening dress.”

 

She guessed she didn’t have the dress made because she wouldn’t have been attending such an event. She remembered her thinking about making a dress with her for her wedding.

 

“Then shall we pick out a dress together later?”

 

“Really? Are you going to choose it together?”

 

“If it’s okay, I’d like to. This time, I’ll get a booklet from the dressing room, so we can look at it and discuss it together.”

 

Diane said she was very excited about her offer. A gentle joy seeped into Diane’s face, accompanied by a pink blush on her white cheeks.

 

“I’m so happy. I also wanted to try on a pretty dress.”

 

It’s a dress. Come to think of it, she had seen Diane’s future as a test a few days ago. Diane was chatting with her Duchess as she stood on her terrace wearing a beautiful dress. It was an evening dress that showed off her arms, and not only her arms but the nape of her neck was white and clean beneath the lace trim.

 

How happy she was to see that scene.

 

She felt like telling that scene to Diane and the Duchess. It said Diane would get better soon.

 

‘Well, I guess everyone is imagining that future now, even if I don’t have to say it.’

 

In just a few days, the Duke and his Duchess looked ten years younger. They must have been relieved for both of them to see Diane recovering quickly. She said, putting her hand on Diane’s shoulder.

 

“From now on, you will get tired of wearing it.”

 

After she is completely cured and debuts in the social world, she would be busy going to events every day. As she thought that, she placed her hand on Diane’s shoulder. At that moment, her vision began to blur and turn pitch black.

 

‘Is wisdom coming out?’

 

What kind of future was coming? She was thinking that Diane was making her social debut, so was she a debutante? While thinking that, she opened her eyes again.

 

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