Since When Were You The Villain?

Chapter 116

‘Refuse to join Orhel…’

Beatrice was infuriated by Estelle’s audacity in rejecting the Empress’s proposal.

Estelle’s confident expression as she stated her decision without hesitation annoyed Beatrix.

Although she had a fairly lenient attitude towards young children, even the smallest things about Estelle grated on her nerves.

After all, Estelle Niore was the Emperor’s illegitimate child.

Anything related to her made Beatrix hypersensitive, even to the point of being irrational.

No matter what she did, she never looked pleasing.

Even Estelle’s exceptional beauty seemed to Beatrix like an explanation of why the Emperor would be infatuated with that slave girl.

“Perhaps… she doesn’t know everything?’

For a knight, admission to the Order of Orhel was something to be grateful for.

Beatrix hadn’t expected her to refuse, so she decided she needed to keep a closer eye on Estelle.

‘I was planning to keep her close and observe, but it seems that won’t be easy.’

However, Beatrix soon regained her composure.

After all, she had only made the offer because she wanted to have her close and be able to use her whenever she wanted. There was no hindrance to fulfilling what she wanted.

‘What bothers me more is the matter concerning the Black Moon…’

Beatrix decided to tackle that issue first and foremost.

And to solve it, she needed to address the biggest suspicion.

‘…Should I set the final trap?’

Beatrix smiled with crimson lips.

—

The next day.

“Who did Her Majesty the Empress send this to?”

“This is for Miss Sophia of Countess Fraus.”

The eyes of Count Fraus and Rubisella widened as if they were about to pop out. It was because the necklace was sent in Sophia’s name from the palace.

“My guest has arrived?”

Sophia, who had just heard the news, rushed downstairs from upstairs.

As Sophia dashed out to the entrance, a group carrying the royal flag and a luxurious box were waiting for her.

“W-what is this about?”

Startled, Sophia asked, and the attendant from the palace explained it to her again.

“Her Majesty the Empress has sent a reward for saving her life last time.”

“When did I ever… save the Empress’s life?”

Oh, the incident with the beast.

She had completely forgotten about it amidst all the chaos on Killian’s side.

As Sophia belatedly realised this, the people from the count’s residence turned their gaze towards her.

“You saved the Empress’s life?”

“How?”

The count and countess of Fraus asked inquisitively. The attendant stepped forward to explain.

“Have you not heard about the incident with the beasts during the Empress gathering?”

“The incident with the beasts? Are you talking about the absurd rumour that Sophia killed a beast?”

The count Fraus asked.

There had been a strange rumour circulating recently that Sophia had killed a beast in the palace. However, it was too absurd for anyone to believe.

“It’s not a rumour; it’s the truth. Everyone present that day, including me, saw it. She struck the beast with a single blow.”

“W-well… I didn’t kill it, just knocked it unconscious.”

Sophia lowered her head, feeling uncomfortable under the intense scrutiny.

It was an attempt to change the future, but looking back, what happened that day was quite remarkable.

The attendant mentioned that when Lady Chanelia publishes the Foundation Day special tabloid, this news will likely be featured as well.

“When the tabloid spreads, others will realise that the rumour is true.

And just in time, the servant had brought something worth writing in the newsletter.

“This is a gift from Her Majesty the Empress, in recognition of your bravery,” the attendant said, opening the box he held.

Inside was a dazzling necklace, even to Sophia’s untrained eye.

“Could this be…?”

“It’s the Labrert necklace. It’s a treasure that has been in the possession of the royal family for a long time.”

The attendant explained the necklace.

A treasure from the Swerhill royal family, conquered by the Empire decades ago.

‘Labrert’ was the name of the god of victory in the mythology of the Swerhill kingdom.

As the name suggests, it was a legendary treasure that guaranteed victory to whoever wore it in battle.

Legend had it that when the Swerhill royal family fell, a general of the Empire cut off the necklace from the princess of Swerhill, who was wearing it, and won the battle.

Of course, now that the kingdom had fallen, the legend of the royal family was no longer significant in the Empire, but it was still a treasure of one royal family.

No one denied the value of the deep history and stories associated with it.

“To think that Her Majesty the Empress would bestow such a gift upon Sophia!”

The Count Fraus looked at the necklace and then at Sophia.

Even Count Fraus had never received such a treasure from the imperial family.

Of course, the Labrert necklace itself was not particularly expensive.

It was flashy, but as an old necklace, its craftsmanship was crude, and the quality of the jewels themselves was not exceptional.

In terms of material value, the necklaces owned by Rubisella would be much more expensive.

But isn’t there an honour that comes from the value of name and history?

And that was precisely what the count liked the most.

Although the Count Fraus held a high title, he had been seen as a mere merchant by many, due to his business dealings.

The Fraus family was wealthy, but he always sought more honour.

People naturally desire what they cannot have.

So, Ian’s bringing of honour and merit made her happier than anything else.

“Can I accept something like this?”

“The courage you showed for the Empress deserves recognition,” the attendant said, presenting the necklace to Sophia with due respect.

Sophia received the box containing the necklace with a bewildered feeling.

As she examined the sparkling necklace, she noticed that the part connecting the necklace seemed to be severed. It seemed to be the part that was cut off when the royal family fell.

“It’s probably not something you would wear to a ball or anything,” Sophia thought awkwardly as she held the box.

It was strange to be delighted by something associated with the fallen royal family, even if it was considered a treasure.

Above all…

“This necklace… it seems familiar.”

Sometimes humans remember very trivial things.

It’s like going to the movies, not remembering the plot, but being reminded of curry eaten by the protagonist and wanting to eat curry.

For Sophia, it was the same with this necklace.

“This is… the real Victory Necklace.”

One of the many devices used in novels to advance the plot.

Whoever possesses this necklace truly wins.

Even when Killian rebelled and seized the Empire, this necklace was in his hands. Well, not literally.

However, Killian was on the verge of collapse and then took control of the Imperial Treasury, where this necklace was stored, and began to rise to power.

And the same was true before Killian died.

“Killian sent this necklace as a gift to Estelle after he usurped the throne.”

Why this necklace? Because it’s a treasure?

Whether it was a coincidence or not, after that, the tide turned in favour of Mikhail.

With the sparkling necklace in front of her, Sophia remembered the final moments with Killian that she had forgotten.

—

Killian killed the Emperor and Empress, who were like his parents, and seized the palace. It was when Mikhail was momentarily absent from the throne.

After that, Mikhail had to hide from Killian’s eyes.

Killian called the imperial family guilty, but Mikhail didn’t believe it. At least in the original work, Killian was the villain.

Mikhail couldn’t believe the betrayal of Killian, whom he cherished like a brother, and suffered from sadness, anger, and frustration.

It was Estelle who corrected Mikhail, who was out of his mind with betrayal.

She pulled Mikhail, who was immersed in confusion and suffering, back up.

With her persuasion, Mikhail, who returned to his senses, and Killian, who returned, meet again in front of the throne.

“Finally, you’ve arrived, brother,” Killian smiled upon seeing Mikhail returning to the palace.

People commented that his smile was sinister.

Even in such a dire situation where death was imminent, Killian’s smirk, raising the corners of his mouth, must have been dreadful enough to make Mikhail want to kill him.

“Don’t call me brother with that mouth, traitor…!” Mikhail couldn’t forgive such a Killian.

It was natural not to forgive. Killian was a criminal who killed his family and unlawfully usurped the throne.

While there were many who followed Killian as the Emperor, there were also many who hoped Mikhail would reclaim the Orhel throne.

“Traitor…”

Killian pondered the word Mikhail used to address him.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for quite some time.”

Killian spoke to Mikhail, who couldn’t hide his anger towards him.

It was truly a relaxed attitude.

As if all preparations for this situation had been completed.

But… Sophia now understood.

His smile upon facing Mikhail wasn’t a sign of contempt.

Killian is someone who admires and respects Mikhail more than anyone else.

‘What were Killian’s feelings when he faced Mikhail back then?’

What was Killian feeling when he faced Mikhail again? What sentiments did he hold while waiting for Mikhail?

But in the novel, Killian’s emotions were not revealed, only Mikhail’s anger and betrayal filled the pages.

“So do I. Every night, I dream of cutting your throat and tearing your limbs apart.”

“…What a splendid dream.”

Killian chuckled at Mikhail’s hate-filled voice.

What a splendid dream indeed.

Killian must have known how cruel those words were to Mikhail, who had suffered every day.

He knew Mikhail better than anyone else.

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