IBMILRFL | Chapter 79

Episode 79

“It’s been a while, Lady Rint.”

Lilliana discreetly observed the area around Josephine.

Josephine Rint was an old follower of Seira.

She always followed Seira around like a shadow, so there was a chance Seira might also be here now.

‘…Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like that’s the case.’

Come to think of it, she recalled hearing a rumor that Josephine and Seira had a falling out after the victory banquet.

Still… something felt off.

‘We’re not on speaking terms, so why is she talking to me?’

Unlike in the past, when she always mocked her, Josephine’s expression today was full of goodwill.

To think she could even make such a gentle face. It felt strangely unnatural.

“Did you come to see the play today as well, Lady? I’m glad I get to greet you. Actually, I saw you earlier too, but you looked busy, so I couldn’t approach you.”

An obviously overly familiar tone. Lilliana quickly realized Josephine’s intention.

‘So now she’s targeting me instead.’

Truly a shameless act.

She had clung to Seira and tormented her—yet now, approaching with such feigned friendliness, Josephine’s face didn’t show even a trace of guilt or remorse. Rather, she seemed to be looking down on her.

In the past, she might have just smiled like a fool even in such a situation, but today, she didn’t want to.

“Ah, I see. Well then, I’ll be going.”

Lilliana replied more indifferently than usual. Right now, she wanted to get into the lounge more than talk to Josephine.

But her opponent was more persistent than expected, blocking her path.

“Wait a moment, Lady Locke. You seem gloomier than usual—did something happen?”

Something did happen. She was worried about Vanessa. But this expression wasn’t because of that—it was simply because she didn’t want to talk to Josephine.

“No, nothing happened.”

“There’s no need to hide it, Lady. Isn’t that what friends are for? Something upset you, right? You can be honest with me.”

Something about her coercive tone made Lilliana almost frown without realizing it. And “friends”? What nonsense.

‘Disgusting.’

Still, she didn’t lash out. Lilliana had never raised her voice in any situation.

She simply made her request firmly.

“I want to go into the lounge. Could you move aside?”

Unfortunately, Josephine wasn’t someone who would back off quietly at such words.

“Oh? You look even gloomier now. Ah! Come to think of it, you were with Madam Winder earlier, right? Did that witch do something to you too?”

People who had been eavesdropping from a distance now blatantly turned their attention toward them. They also seemed curious about the relationship between Lilliana and Vanessa.

“What do you mean, ‘do something’? Madam Winder isn’t that kind of person.”

Lilliana immediately defended her, but Josephine didn’t even seem interested in hearing her answer.

Her behavior had a clear purpose from the start. Josephine was skilled at mocking others to build rapport.

That bad habit of badmouthing Lilliana to get close to Seira hadn’t gone anywhere.

“Oh my, there’s no need to protect her. I’ve been victimized by her too. I just wanted to ask where she got her beautiful dress, and she poured wine on me! Ha! It was one of my favorite outfits—you don’t know how much I cried that day.”

Lilliana was at a loss for words at the ridiculous story.

She knew. Vanessa was not someone who would act out without reason.

Even now, Josephine was obviously provoking her the same way she must have done to Vanessa.

But people who didn’t know the circumstances started jumping on the bandwagon and criticizing Vanessa.

Whispers.

She could hear the voices of people quietly gossiping.

“Come to think of it, there was an incident like that.”

“It wasn’t just once or twice. She threw something at me too. So uncultured.”

“What’s she planning to do to Lady Locke by staying so close to her? Maybe she’s been silenced. She can’t even speak honestly and is defending that villain.”

“Well… she is her future mother-in-law. How could she go against her? It’s really sad.”

What am I even listening to right now?

Her whole body stiffened like stone.

She knew Vanessa had a bad reputation.

She herself had once misunderstood her because of those rumors.

But she had never, ever talked behind her back in such a cowardly way.

‘…They know nothing about Mother.’

How dare they speak of her so carelessly?

Something felt strange.

This had never happened to her before.

Her heart pounded to the point of dizziness. Her nape stiffened.

“No, that’s not true. Madam is not like that.”

An unknown emotion surged inside her. Clenching her teeth, Lilliana forced herself to speak, trying to suppress it.

But Josephine, unaware of Lilliana’s inner turmoil, smiled triumphantly.

“I’m a victim too, Lady. Unless… that uncultured witch is being nice to you? Don’t be fooled by a villain’s sweet talk. She’s only trying to use you.”

The moment she heard those words—

Snap.

The thread of reason snapped.

“You… you ignorant fools who know nothing!”

Lilliana shouted without even realizing it.

Unlike the commotion outside, the inside of the theater remained quiet.

As I sat in a private seat, I almost let my expression twist at the unexpected words from the Crown Prince.

“I heard everything. That your son and daughter-in-law… are in a contractual relationship.”

It was something he shouldn’t have known.

But seeing how confidently he brought it up, it wasn’t hard to guess where he had heard it.

‘Seira, I bet.’

That night of the victory banquet, she had a secret conversation in the garden—just as I suspected, it must have been with Leo.

Feigning calm, I shot back at the Crown Prince.

“So what, are you here to blackmail me? You’re free to act however you please, Your Highness… But while I can understand your lack of discernment in believing such nonsense, I am surprised you think that could be used against me.”

“It’s not blackmail. I’m here to persuade you, so don’t worry—about my discernment, that is.”

He paused for a breath before continuing.

“Still, I’m touched. That you care so much about me.”

What a delusion.

Who cares about whom?

But his silly words weren’t the important part right now.

‘He said persuade, didn’t he.’

I mulled over his words in silence.

Hmm. It seemed this bastard was seriously misunderstanding something… It needed to be confirmed.

Quietly, I waited for what he’d say next.

After a brief silence, he finally spoke.

“I came here hoping you—and the Winder family—would make the right decision.”

“…”

“Wouldn’t it be a waste for Winder’s power to be used supporting my brother?”

“You said this wasn’t a threat, but it sounds exactly like one—support Prince Days and Winder will fall?”

“Well, interpretation is always up to the listener.”

Leo smirked.

But I wasn’t fazed. As soon as he mentioned Days, I was sure of it.

As expected, the bastard was misunderstanding something.

It seemed he thought the contract relationship between jeremyon and Lilliana was somehow tied to Days.

‘Well, it’s not completely absurd.’

Tristan had close ties with the prince. Before they were war comrades who returned alive, they had exchanged frequent visits since childhood.

Because of that, Locke—under Tristan’s leadership—was a strong supporter of the prince.

Yet the Locke lady had made a contract with Count Winder, who was known to be neutral. No wonder the Crown Prince was suspicious.

‘Though that’s not the truth… there’s no need to tell him.’

What Leo wanted was for me to break the contract between jeremyon and Lilliana and support him instead.

But I had no intention of doing so, so I continued acting unfazed.

“That’s quite a surprising proposal to hear from someone I’m not on good terms with.”

“Haha. It’s true we’re not exactly friendly, but there’s no need to hate each other forever. And most importantly, did I actually ever harm you? If I recall, you dodged all my interference rather annoyingly well.”

Since becoming Winder’s effective decision-maker, the Crown Prince had oppressed me countless times. He saw my presence as a threat to his authority.

To resist that, I had bloodied my hands more times than I could count—and now he asked me to take his side?

“You found me annoying, yet now you offer me this? I don’t understand your intentions.”

“To be a great ruler, one must know how to win over the capable.”

When I looked at him with disapproval, he laughed briefly—then suddenly hardened his expression. With emotion wiped from his face, he looked almost inhuman. It was chilling.

“…To be honest, I want you. You’re the first person who’s avoided all my pressure. That’s why I’m even more certain—we’d make a good team.”

“…”

“If it’s just a contract, then… there’s no real reason to choose that side. I can give you far more.”

Leo seemed to have said all he intended and rose from his seat.

“So, I hope you make a wise choice.”

“…”

“No need to rush. Eventually, you’ll come to realize my side is better anyway.”

He seemed ready to walk away down the aisle—but paused, as if remembering something.

“Oh right. Enjoy the play.”

Lunatic.

This wasn’t a joke.

Watching his disappearing figure, I clenched my trembling fists tight.