How To Survive As a Villain on the Verge of Death

“Is that true?”

 

I he could bring things from far away. Then he could bring the bomb to the emperor’s room, right? They say they’re going to bring a bomb, so it seems like they’re terrorists, but the other person was preparing to do the same thing to us first. She didn’t even feel very guilty.

 

“How much more can I give you?”

 

She took out the glass bottle she always carried. It wasn’t difficult to give all of this as long as she could kill the emperor. But Bayan answered with a very sorry face.

 

[If you give all the sap of the sacred tree in the glass bottle and give about half of that more…]

 

“…It’s impossible.”

 

It’s not enough to give him everything here, but she had to give about half of it more.

 

[It will be possible if you learn to control your sacred power. If only you could learn it someday.]

 

Maybe she would win the lottery someday. It might be possible within 100 years. It was like speaking.

 

“I want to learn too…”

 

At least there was some hope as her holy power was increasing. Actually, she was frustrated because she didn’t know whether the sacred power in her body had increased or decreased. As she let out a long sigh and stroked her forehead, she made eye contact with Terence across from her. Terence seemed strangely happy. Was he in a good mood? Did it make him feel good to know how to avoid dinner party accidents?

 

“You look like you’re in a good mood?” she asked blankly, and a satisfied smile appeared in Terence’s eyes.

 

“You once told a secret to Mikhail.”

 

‘Oh right. I did.’

 

After being caught with Terence, she made such a threat to Mikhail.

 

“I was curious what the secret was. Now I see that it was Princess Sorel’s related. I had no idea that the two of them were so close.”

 

Well, it’s not like a romantic relationship. It was true that the two were keeping it a secret.

 

“Yes, I did. At that time, I thought it was a secret only I knew.”

 

But she didn’t know why that would make Terence feel good. She asked again with a puzzled look.

 

“You’re not trying to threaten Mikhail in advance with that, are you?”

 

“Well.”

 

Terence gave an ambiguous answer and changed the subject.

 

“Anyway, are you really okay?”

 

“What?”

 

“Assassinate the emperor.”

 

Oh, since the emperor was her biological father, he thought she would feel a little uncomfortable about her assassinating him. But it didn’t matter. Because she was not the real Eve. Even if she were the real Eve, wouldn’t she hate the emperor by now and seek revenge? If it had been real Eve, she might have attacked the emperor with a sword on the spot as soon as she found out that the emperor was trying to kill her. In the original, Eve had no patience whatsoever.

 

“Wouldn’t it be best if the emperor dies and Arentine becomes emperor?”

 

If that happened, the imperial family wouldn’t be targeting her. It may be a little confusing at first, but once Arentine took his place, not only the dethroned empress but also Vilos would no longer be able to do such nonsense.

 

She said calmly.

 

“I don’t want to think of the person who constantly tries to harm me as my father.”

 

“Thank goodness.”

 

He spoke indifferently, without any particular meaning, but the voice that came back was filled with deep relief.

 

“I want the emperor to die, but I don’t want you to be hurt in the slightest.”

 

His eyes were a mixture of earnest affection and sincere concern. She felt embarrassed and ashamed for no reason, so she avoided his gaze. Sometimes, whenever he expressed his affection openly like this, she felt like her heart was tickling.

 

“That… I’m really fine. Do not worry.”

 

Of course, she didn’t care enough to raise a toast when the emperor died.

 

“But witchcraft still bothers me.”

 

“Me too.”

 

Who was casting a spell on her? Given the circumstances, there was a high possibility that the person ordering to curse her was the emperor.

 

‘Then if I kill the emperor, can I stop the curse aimed at me?’

 

But if the sorcerer was alive, he might put a curse on her even after the emperor died, right? In fact, if the emperor was assassinated, there was a possibility that he would cast a spell sooner to take revenge. Wouldn’t it be more urgent now to look around the emperor and find a shaman?

 

‘It’s difficult.’

 

Anyway, it’s still quite a while before she died from witchcraft. Until then, we would have to find more clues.

 

“First, I need to get over the crisis on the day of the banquet and then think about it.”

 

* * *

 

The week passed quickly. While she was preparing Diane’s dress, she took some time to look through books and look for things about witchcraft. Terence spied on the Emperor and Michael, and as expected, the Emperor was preparing a bomb.

 

“We found out that the Imperial Knights secretly purchased gunpowder. It was a very dangerous gunpowder that was effective even in small amounts.”

 

It would be a really small bomb to put in a gift.

 

“Actually, it must have been ordered by the knight commander, Gyren.”

 

“I purchased it with the authority of the Knights, but of course the real buyer would be Gayren.”

 

Terence added with a worried look.

 

“I have secured evidence of the purchase of gunpowder, but I don’t think it will be of much use if Mikhail is accused of being the culprit according to the emperor’s plan.”

 

Since Mikhail was the vice-captain of the Imperial Knights, they could accuse him of using the authority of the Knights to obtain gunpowder. She guessed they thought about it on purpose and purchased it with the authority of the knights.

 

“You just have to be careful about the gift Mikhail gives you today.”

 

Anyway, the bomb was in there. All she had to do was take it and remove the bomb.

 

Terence said, agreeing with her.

 

“We’ll say we’re not feeling well midway and get out.”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

Since the emperor was trying to assassinate them using Michael, they better be careful. Diane would also just say her greetings and then go in, so she would be fine. With that said, they headed to the duke’s mansion.

 

She decided to go to Bayan together just in case it would be helpful. It’s common for noble ladies to bring their pets to social gatherings, so no one would think it’s strange.

 

Even though it was late in the evening, the mansion of the Duke of Rohan was as bright as day. Because it was a social event held for the first time in a long time, the entrance was filled with luxurious decorations. As soon as Terence arrived, he went to see the duke. She was about to go up to the boudoir, but before she could, Diane came out to greet her.

 

“Your Highness!”

 

Diane was wearing a cute dress in light yellow, beige, and white. It was a dress that went well with Diane’s girlish and cute appearance. She decided on the design together and left it to the costume room, but she contacted Eve to say that it was only completed last night.

 

When she saw her wearing it in person, it suited her much better than she expected.

 

“Miss Diane, you’re so pretty. It suits you really well.”

 

The clothes exposed her arms and nape, but the spots had disappeared completely, making it look like she was cured. At this rate, it seemed like she could make her social debut in the spring.

 

Diane smiled brightly and she took Eve’s hand.

 

“It’s all thanks to the Grand Duchess.”

 

She responded with a smile while holding Diane’s hand.

 

‘I’m glad I found it helpful for any reason.’

 

“Bayan came too.”

 

“Yes, I brought him here because he didn’t want to be alone today. I plan to leave it in the break room while the dinner is in progress.”

 

“Good for you. I will take care of Bayan. I should ask her to bring some of her dinner food for Bayan.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

At that time, the servant’s voice was heard from the entrance.

 

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Second Prince have arrived.”

 

Arentine and Vilos were coming in together, one step away. It seemed like the two came together for some reason.

 

Arentine found her and he came this way.

 

“Eve. You came first.”

 

Before she could say anything, Diane hurriedly hid her body behind Eve. Then, with only her face exposed, she bowed her head to Arentine. Diane’s pale face flushed pink.

 

“Woah, His Royal Highness… Greeting his Highness.”

 

“Oh yeah. Princess Diane.”

 

Arentine received Diane’s greeting in a polite manner, befitting a crown prince. Fortunately, he seemed to have remembered her name. Fortunately, he must have memorized Diane’s name because he had heard it so many times because of Sorrel’s case.

 

“I’m glad you’re completely cured of your illness.”

 

Arentine gave her a friendly smile along with his formal greeting. Diane’s cheeks, which had been tinged pink before her, turned red as if they had been burned.

 

“T-thank you Well, I will go upstairs first to find mother…”

 

Diane muttered that, and without any chance of catching her, she hurriedly ran away somewhere. She knew, but Diane still liked Arentine.

 

‘Once her illness is cured, she will be able to find a better partner.’

 

She thought Arentine had a somewhat indifferent personality. She was lost and was just staring at the spot where Diane had disappeared when she heard Arentine’s voice.

 

“Is it because the princess never made her social debut? It looks like she is still uncomfortable in this position.”

 

Arentine spoke regretfully and then his eyes met hers.

 

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

People were so clueless… When she debuts in the social world, she will have to find a better partner. Arentine was even older than Diane.

 

While they were doing this, Vilos went into the banquet hall, ignoring them. She glanced in that direction and asked.

 

“For some reason you came together.”

 

“His Majesty asked me to come with him.”

 

Why was he sending Vilos with Arentine? Could it be that this has something to do with Mikhail’s work? In fact, Mikhail was waiting outside his mansion, so she couldn’t see his face.

 

Terence’s knights said they were watching over there, so it should be okay. He was worried for a moment, but there was no time to discuss it further. 

 

After a while, the dinner started and everyone had to sit down in the prepared seats. She sat next to the Duchess, and Terence sat opposite her. Vilos was extremely quiet. Although he glared at her with eyes full of resentment, he just ate his food without saying anything. Thanks to this, the meal took place in a friendly atmosphere. At the end of the second course, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief, turned her head, and coughed slightly.

 

“Cough!”

 

The Duchess next to her was startled and she asked worriedly.

 

“Your Highness, are you okay?”

 

“Ah… I’m okay. I think I have a cold.”

 

After passing like that, after her third course, she turned her head and coughed. The Duchess, and even the Duke, looked at her with concern.

 

“Are you okay? Maybe we should call a congressman…”

 

“I’m okay, but I’m a little dizzy. Sorry. I have to stand up first.”

 

Terence quickly asked the Duchess for her understanding.

 

“Aunt. My wife isn’t feeling well, so I’ll have to go back to the mansion first.”

 

“I guess so.”

 

Arentine was looking at her with concern, but Vilos had a sour expression on his face. 

There was no sign of nervousness or embarrassment. In fact, it seemed like he was a little happy that she was sick. Did that guy know nothing about this incident?

 

As soon as she got up from her seat, Terence supported her. She apologized to the Duchess before heading out.

 

“I’m sorry it took so long for you to invite me.”

 

“Don’t say that. Thank you for attending.”

 

The Duke and Duchess tried to see them off at the entrance, but she declined and naturally left, just the two of them. The maid brought Bayan, and the servants brought the grand duke’s carriage. This was when the carriage arrived in front of the entrance. Someone next to her urgently called to her.

 

“…Your Highness!”

 

It was Mikhail. He must have heard that we were leaving now and was running this way.

 

“Mikhail? What’s the matter?”

 

Mikhail, who stopped in front of her, asked in an earnest voice.

 

“I… Before you leave, I have something to tell you.”

 

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Translator Note: