I Have Become a Beautiful Trash Villainess

Thank you, Astarria, for editing this chapter 🙏 😊.

 

 

“Did you cry, sister?” a familiar voice suddenly echoed. 

Then a large hand covered my cheek, wiping away the moisture I hadn’t yet managed to dry.

“Is it because His Majesty did not agree to your request?”

“……”

Had he been eavesdropping outside? This sly rascal. 

Seeing Dexter’s face suddenly reminded me of last night’s vulgar scene. 

This guy a pervert with peculiar tastes, isn’t he?

Come to think of it, he was originally a sub-character who became obsessed with the female lead. He pretended to be kind, but as expected of the Emperor’s son, his true nature was quite rotten, but I had completely forgotten about that. 

“It’s none of your business,” I shot back, not wanting to get entangled with this unpleasant person.

Then, I shook his hand off and tried to move away, but he casually asked, “Shall I help you out?”

“…….”

It was a proposal that I couldn’t help but stop for. However, what followed was a feeling of contempt.

“How would someone like you be able to help me?”

Maybe it was because I was in a bad mood, but I spoke in a tone that Attila might have used and he merely brushed it off with a smile as if he was used to it. 

“When you have some time, please visit the Crest estate. I will do my utmost to help you, sister.” 

“…….”

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t tempted. But I didn’t want to get entangled with this insidious person more than necessary. Wasn’t he someone who had been ignored by the princess all his life? For such a person to go out of his way to offer to help, he must have an ulterior motive. 

Perhaps I could use him as a last resort. But for now, no.

Without responding, I brushed past him. Dexter didn’t bother to stop me. However, I had a feeling that I would see him again soon.

Praying that my issue would be resolved by then, I left the castle.

.

.

.

 

Someone must have reported that I went to see the Emperor, because Evandel was standing at the entrance of the main palace, waiting for me.

I ignored him and kept walking, but he grabbed my wrist firmly, saying

“Why are you pretending not to see me?”

“…It’s something you do all the time. So what, you can do it and I can’t?” This shameless bastard.  “And in which country is it proper etiquette to stop someone using force?”

Stung by my sharp words, he loosened his grip on my arm. However, since he didn’t completely let go, I still had to deal with him in that state.

“Why did you see His Majesty?”

“Is it so strange for a child to see their father?”

“You and I both know that you never just have random casual conversations with him.”

“Maybe the goddess of whim paid me a visit.” 

When no proper answer came out, Evandel sighed. Then, as if he had suddenly noticed something, he reached toward my face.

However, his hand didn’t touch me.

Stopping midway, Evandel lowered his arm and quietly asked,

“Your eyes are red. Did you cry, by any chance?”

“…Do I need to report it to you every time I sneeze?” I barked back.

“……”

He stared at my face for a while, seemingly distrustful, then finally extended his hand. And perhaps because I had scolded him earlier, his demeanor was unusually cautious.

“Let’s go back. I know you don’t want to stay here any longer.”

“Don’t be presumptuous. Did you eat something bad? Why are you suddenly acting all creepy?”

As if you genuinely cared; I finished inwardly.

Despite my sharp tone, Evandel stood firm with his hand outstretched towards me. His unwavering arm showed his strong determination.

Glaring at him, I reluctantly accepted his escort.

He was right, I didn’t want to stay here any longer; plus there’s no way i couldgo back to the marquisate by myself.  Sometimes, bending a little is the only way to preserve one’s pride.

I worried that he might start pestering me with questions again, but fortunately, he remained silent the entire way back. It seemed that his visit to the main palace was the minimal act of someone who knew about the princess’s circumstances.

After all, he was Attila’s only friend. 

And even if it was no longer the same now, the princess, who pathologically hated getting involved with the imperial family, had requested an audience herself, so he might have been genuinely concerned.

Although that didn’t mean their relationship could be restored.

“Why did you just leave yesterday?”

“…Pardon?”

“Yesterday. I was being harassed by a drunkard, but you didn’t help and just left.”

I was still angry, but just as curious about the reason. If he had the decency to come out to greet me after I met the Emperor, why did he ignore me yesterday?

“…A drunk, you say?”

“Then did he look normal to you?”

Did he really think I was fooling around with some strange man? I should have realized it when he started talking nonsense about me being promiscuous and all.

“If I wanted to fool around, I’d do it with decent people, not someone like that!”

“Then, that second husband…”

Then, he paused mid-sentence. 

Irritated because I didn’t catch what he said, I urged him to talk, “What?”

But he looked away and gave a blank answer. “It’s nothing.”

“No matter how estranged we are, don’t just ignore someone in need of help. You were a knight once, after all. Surprisingly the situation is against chivalry.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Surprisingly, he offered a clean apology without making any excuses. 

Although I still wanted to chew him out every time I thought about what happened yesterday, his apology softened my heart, if only by a tiny bit.

Knock, knock.

Then suddenly there was a knock on the carriage door, and the aide I had seen before poked his head in.

“We’ve arrived,” the man announced.

Although we had cleared up the misunderstanding, I was glad we had arrived on time since Evandel and I weren’t in a position to have a friendly chat.

So, after taking a refreshing breath, I took the aide’s hand and stepped out.

 

 * * *

 

It had been about ten days since I returned from the imperial palace.

While I was listlessly picking at some pastries and watching the scenery outside, Mary bustled up to me excitedly.

“Your Highness, do you know what news I’ve heard?”

Her flushed face and elevated voice seemed quite joyful. I was pleased to see that she no longer trembled as she used to in my presence; I suppose we had grown rather close.

“What is it?”

The world is boring me to death, but what could be so entertaining to you?

“The Crown Prince of Chishan declared that he would take the place of the second prince who was originally sent as a hostage!”

“…What?”

I had heard through Dexter that members of Chishan’s royal family had entered the palace for serious trade negotiations. Keeping a hostage was probably a cunning insurance policy the shrewd Emperor thought of for any unforeseen events.

However, it was completely unexpected that the Crown prince, known as the first Prince, would take the hostage’s place. Was he planning to spy on us or something?

“But do you know what the reason is?”

“What is it?” 

“He said that he found his bride here! So, he will stay to win her heart.”

“…Is he insane?”

To volunteer as a hostage for such a ridiculous reason? Surely there must be political motives behind it, but even so, that’s an absurd pretext.

I clicked my tongue, realizing once again that there were so many eccentric individuals in this world.

“But who did you hear that from?”

“Ah, my cousin is Her Majesty the Empress’ maid.”

“What?”

Not just anyone can become the empress’ maid. Without gaining noticeable favor and undergoing a change in status under the leadership of the Imperial family, it was an unlikely event for a commoner.

“My cousin is a nobleman, she also married well. I, on the other hand, come from a distant branch, and our family was very poor, so…” Mary explained, feeling embarrassed.

“Is that so?”

This was actually good news to hear. Even though I didn’t say anything, I had been planning to take Mary, who had served me diligently, back to the palace after the divorce. I was so fond of her that I was considering arranging a marriage for her and granting her a title. 

Well, with the divorce proceedings dragging on frustratingly, at least this aspect seemed to be falling into place smoothly. 

“By the way, we need to come up with another plan soon.”

The divorce hunt had failed miserably after the fake adultery episode, throwing off all my plans.

“I’ve spent money like water, fired all the servants, and turned the house into a mess, but it didn’t work. I even tried to fake an affair, but it was too obvious. And to top it off, I failed to get the imperial decree. Is there any other way?”

Mary absentmindedly stroked her chin, lost in thought at my grumpy words.

 Honestly, I didn’t know Evandel could be so stubborn.

To cling to Attila like this and then dismiss her as soon as the heroine appears. He was quite an intriguing character.

“It would be helpful if a charming suitor appeared at a time like this. But His Grace seems utterly uninterested in that area…”

Uninterested my ass. The charming suitor will appear soon enough. I silently cursed Evandel’s future rapid change of attitude, akin to a high-speed train. I guess I’d just have to wait for the female lead to show up, but I didn’t know how long that would take. Moreover, I wanted to leave of my own free will, and if possible, I didn’t want to see her face at all.

I wanted to avoid being the third wheel, and getting caught up in their back and forth drama as much as possible.

“How about going back to how things were before?”

“How things were before?”

“You know, like you used to…”

Mary hesitated, unable to continue her sudden suggestion. Guessing what she intended from her attitude, I scratched the itch for her.

“You mean, go back to being a pathological stalker like before?”

“Um, I wouldn’t use such extreme terms, but essentially, yes.”

Well, I hadn’t considered that option before. If I started to act worse than the old Attila, behaving so badly that I surpassed the old one, he might surrender.

But…

“Just yesterday, I ignored him and made a fuss about getting divorced. If I suddenly claim to be in love with him again and start acting like an obsessed maniac …wouldn’t that seem too crazy?”

“Well, yes, but wouldn’t it be more effective?”

Mary’s words did have some logic to them. It could indeed be effective but in a scarier way.

“Hm.”

Might as well give it a shot. After all, there’s no harm in trying, right?

 

 * * *

 

And so, from the very next day, I started sticking to Evandel’s office.

Of course, it wasn’t easy. As soon as our gracious Marquis realized I had no particular business with him, he tried to kick me out.

“Why are you bothering me when you have nothing to say?”

“When did I bother you? And who says I don’t have anything to say yet. Just wait, it’ll come soon.”

How does one go about being obsessed anyway?

I had rehearsed a few lines, but I couldn’t bring myself to say them. How could I utter such words while being sober?

So, to buy some time, I decided to sit on the long sofa opposite him for now.

“I’m working. Let me know if you remember anything.”

“…..”

Afraid he might call the servants like last time, I sat close to the backrest.

They wouldn’t be able to drag me out like they did last time unless they lifted me up completely.

Fortunately, Evandel chose to give up on getting me out, and whether he was truly busy or not, as soon as he sat down, he didn’t spare me a single glance and focused on his work.

As a the lord of the borders, I’m sure he has a lot on his plate, but with all the paperwork, when will he ever get to hold a sword. Won’t all his skills go to waste at this rate?

Since there was nothing much to see and I was bored, I opened the book Mary had given me.

But that too turned out to be a problem.

.

.

.

“Your Highness, what happened?” Mary cautiously asked when I returned to my room, probably concerned by the fact that I’d stumbled in, slammed the door behind me, and leaned back in a daze.

“…Mary.” 

I smiled, trying to suppress my anger.

“What am I supposed to do if you give me such an interesting book, huh?”