The Villain Is Obsessed With His Fake Wife

A moment of silence. Chancellor Orteca asked, looking at Leandro, who looked unusual.

 

“Lord Felsis, is there a problem?”

 

“…Can you tell me which part of the rumor was malicious?”

 

“If I had to be honest, the biggest problem would be that Duchess Blanchett was made to look like she was the culprit of everything.”

 

Chancellor Orteca lowered his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders in embarrassment.

 

“In the first place, the Duke and Duchess of Blanchett stopped by Count Hettel’s house by chance. Rather, it was the Count Hettel who tried to extort money by using Duchess Blanchett.”

 

“…”

 

Leandro clenched his fist.

 

‘There is no way Prime Minister Orteca is talking nonsense.’

 

Blanchett was as inscrutable as the Duke, but he was not one to make a mistake in the trial by giving his Majesty’s name.

 

‘But her mother-’

 

She was not only the Marchioness of Felsis. Everyone around Leandro spoke as if Count Hettel had been fooled by Estelle’s tricks.

 

‘They all framed that woman?’

 

That made even less sense.

 

‘What on earth is the truth?’

 

Leandro didn’t want to believe that everything around him was so wrong.

 

‘Unfortunately, I didn’t do anything wrong. You can’t apologize for a sin that didn’t exist, right?’

 

Estelle’s dark blue eyes were resolute and without a single trace of shame. Leandro thought that even her appearance was Estelle’s ignorance.

 

‘If everything around me was wrong…’

 

Leandro never once doubted his world. The symbol of the Marquis of Felsis was a shield with a tulip engraved on it. As a symbol of the wish to protect the empire, the Marquis of Felsis has protected the empire and looked after it through good deeds along with temples. Leandro also became a shield and tried to protect the good and orderly empire.

 

‘Know this one thing.’

 

But his shield got covered in ridiculous dirt. Leandro hurriedly tried to wipe the dirt away without anyone seeing.

 

‘A lie doesn’t become the truth just because you don’t want to believe it. Because the truth doesn’t exist the way you think.’

 

But no matter how hard he tried to clean it, his shield did not become clean.

 

“…That kind of thing happened. It’s completely different from what I heard from Diana.”

 

At that moment, the Crown Prince of Hesse opened his mouth in a shocked voice. When Leandro raised his head, the Crown Prince of Hesse also had a serious expression.

 

“How on earth can that be?”

 

“I was also really surprised. Stories that are different from the facts continue to spread in the case I mediated.”

 

In response to Chancellor Orteca’s answer, the Crown Prince of Hesse placed his gaze on the floor and asked.

 

“Then, Prime Minister, do you know anything else about this duel?”

 

“Well, isn’t this something that Prince Royam should know better?”

 

The Crown Prince of Hesse stood up.

 

“That’s right. I made a mistake.”

 

The Crown Prince of Hesse smiled bitterly and quickly left. He even forgot to wish good luck to Leandro, who was supposed to be fighting right away. But his partner, Leandro, was also in no condition to care about that. After Chancellor Orteca left, Leandro was left alone in his waiting room. Leandro fiddled with the proud emblem of the midnight sun.

 

Some time has passed.

 

“Lord Felsis, the time for the duel is up.”

 

Knock, knock.

 

“Now you must move to the duel arena… Lord Felsis?”

 

When there was no response, the servant had no choice but to open the waiting room door. The servant opened his eyes wide. There was no one inside.

 

* * *

 

This duel was held at the imperial duel hall. Duke John Blanchett and Imperial Knight Commander Leandro Felsis. It is rare for nobles to engage in a duel, but this is because two high-ranking nobles took part in a duel.

 

“Duke Blanchett personally challenged him to a duel for his wife’s honor?”

 

“It seems Duke Blanchett really cares about the Duchess. Now no one can doubt Duke Blanchett’s feelings.”

 

Anyway, Estelle was the adopted child of the Duke of Libertan. Therefore, the assessment that Duke Blanchett took her as his wife for some purpose still followed.

 

‘No matter how much the Libertan Duke’s blood does not flow…’

 

‘How can you truly love your wife? She even caused the extinction of her wife’s family, the Libertan Dukes.’

 

The Duke and Duchess Blanchett slowly appeared in the imperial duel arena. She was the Libertan woman who became a traitor. And the man who brought Libertan down for treason. Even the man’s family was extinct due to the Libertan duchy. No matter how you look at it, the two people, who are difficult to get along with, seemed strangely full of affection. Just looking at the two people, it felt even more strange to be suspicious of them.

 

‘Are you really in love?’

 

Dang-

 

When it was time for the duel, John came downstairs. Estelle cheered for John by shaking his hand. However, Leandro, who should have appeared in time for the duel, did not appear.

 

“Lord Felsis is late. Something has happened. It’s not like you won’t show up for the duel like this, right?”

 

“Do you really want to do that? He is a man who knows honor like a knight of the midnight sun.”

 

The nobles believed in the proud Leandro they had seen. But as time passed, even that steely faith began to shake little by little.

 

“Maybe something went wrong on the way here?”

 

“You must be afraid of a duel with Duke Blanchett.”

 

“Uh-huh! That is taking it too far.”

 

John crossed his arms and asked the referee, Chancellor Orteca.

 

“Isn’t it time for the duel to begin?”

 

“…That’s right. I am concerned that something has happened to Lord Felsis.”

 

Chancellor Orteca asked his attendant as if he were troubled. However, the servant who went to look for Leandro only gave an unexpected answer.

 

“Sorry. Lord Felsis was not in the antechamber.”

 

“Then where on earth have you gone?”

 

“You didn’t leave any words to us…”

 

The nobles’ gaze naturally turned to Mireyu, who was sitting in the duel arena. Mireyu looked at the aisle with a pale, exhausted expression.

 

‘Why on earth…?’

 

Mireyu trusted Leandro. No matter how Duke Blanchett was, there was no way he could beat Leandro, the best knight in the empire, even in a duel. So she didn’t do anything-

 

The Crown Prince of Hesse consoled Mireyu with a stern expression.

 

“Mireyu, don’t worry too much. Lord Felsis is probably a little late.”

 

“I guess so?”

 

“Of course, if he doesn’t show up, this duel will of course…”

 

Of course, the expression on the face of the Crown Prince of Hesse, who was comforting Mireyu, was also not good. Since Leandro did not appear, the blame would fall on Leandro, but the Kingdom of Royam also had a heavy burden to bear. Mireyu clenched her fists invisibly.

 

‘That kid used a cowardly move.’

 

Mireyu looked at Estelle sitting right across from her. At that moment, Estelle and Mireyu’s eyes met as if it were a lie. Estelle looked at Mireyu and shrugged her shoulders.

 

‘Why on earth didn’t Leandro come?’

 

Surprisingly, Estelle also knew nothing about this situation.

 

‘What did John do?’

 

Estelle looked at John standing in the duel with surprised eyes. John, who made eye contact, just smiled sweetly at Estelle.

 

* * *

 

“This duel is Duke Blanchett’s victory.”

 

In the end, Chancellor Orteca declared John’s victory.

 

“As a result, the Kingdom of Royam and the Marquis of Felsis must apologize and compensate Duchess Blanchett for tarnishing her reputation.”

 

* * *

 

Royam Mansion.

 

The atmosphere in the Kingdom of Royam, which lost the duel without even being able to win, was very bad. The atmosphere continued until dinner time. Queen Isabella opened her mouth with a heavy expression.

 

“…It is also our fault that we did not properly look at the knight who risked our honor. I have no choice but to submit to the outcome as per the duel. What does Baron Juti say?”

 

“That.”

 

Mireyu couldn’t bring herself to open her mouth right away. The Juti Baron family was so foreign that it’s laughable to put their name on this duel. There was nothing she could do for it.

 

The Crown Prince of Hesse said as he held Mireyu’s hand.

 

“Mother, this incident happened when Diana took Mireyu away. So, how about we, the Kingdom of Royam, compensate Baron Juti’s share as well?”

 

“Baby, what do you think?”

 

“I’m sorry, mother.”

 

Mireyu lowered her head and could not raise it. Queen Isabella looked back and forth between Myrrh and Hessen and then sighed faintly.

 

“Okay. It’s too big of a scale for Baron Juti to take responsibility for. Hessen As you said, Diana’s responsibility is great, so I will make Duchess Blanchett fulfill her responsibility for compensation in the Kingdom of Royam.”

 

“Thank you, mother.”

 

Mireyu cried, her eyes turning red. Queen Isabella shook her head thoughtfully.

 

“There is nothing to be thankful for. We are going to become one family, so this shouldn’t be difficult.”

 

Contrary to what Isabella said, this compensation was not that light. The honor of a noble was very heavy. Perhaps in order to compensate for this incident, the Kingdom of Royam would have no choice but to hand over some of the exclusive trade rights and maritime rights that the Blanchett family had requested.

 

‘Maybe I should hand over more.’

 

Isabella asked Mireyu, who was moved.

 

“By the way, baby. What do you think about postponing marriage?”

 

“…yes?”

 

Mireyu opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised. Hessen cautiously opened his mouth.

 

“Mother. Didn’t you decide to skip this matter?”

 

“Of course it will. But Hessen, isn’t this a matter that simply ends with paying compensation? There is a possibility that the wedding itself may not take place properly.”

 

Hessen also could not deny his mother’s words. Duchess Blanchett, who had regained her position through this incident, may step out and disrupt their wedding. The problem was on the Kingdom of Royam. So there was no reason to even properly address it. In that case, it would have been better to postpone the wedding even if it meant losing a little more face.

 

“Mireyu, what do you think-”

 

“Mother.”

 

Mireyu got up from her chair and knelt in front of Isabella.

 

“All of this is my fault for not being able to stop Diana.”

 

“…”

 

“Honestly, she knows there’s nothing she can do even if her mother decides to postpone her wedding, but-“

 

Transparent tears dripped from Mireyu’s gentle eyes.

 

“Baron Juti can’t afford to prepare for the wedding again.”

 

“I will add it to your dowry in the Kingdom of Royam. Wouldn’t that be difficult?”

 

“We will make sure something like this never happens again. I will not risk my life to harm the honor of the Kingdom of Royam, so-“

 

Mireyu stopped speaking as if her throat had cleared. Hessen wrapped his arms around Mireyu’s shoulders and supported her.

 

“Mother. Mother, please help me just this once.”

 

“Hessen.”

 

“This is a wedding we have been waiting for for a long time. If I delay any longer, I don’t know what will happen to this person’s reputation.”

 

Frankly, Hessen knew why Mireyu didn’t want to postpone her wedding. Because the two people’s situations were so different, there were many rumors that Hessen would abandon Mireyu.

 

‘You must still be very anxious.’

 

Hessen pleaded with his mother.

 

“If your mother steps forward, won’t the wedding be able to proceed as planned?”

 

“…I get it.”

 

Queen Isabella elegantly wiped her lips with a napkin.

 

“But, baby, you too remember. “If something similar happens, the kingdom will no longer be able to help you.”

 

“Mother. That kind of thing.”

 

“Hessen, you too. As a crown prince, don’t forget your royal duties.”

 

Hessen’s face, who was listening to Mireyu’s remonstrance, became stiff.

 

“Yes, I will keep that in mind. I won’t disappoint mother.”

 

Isabella stiffened inside as she looked at her son’s face.

 

‘I went too far again.’

 

Hessen had to grow up alone without his mother’s care during his childhood. This was because Isabella had to take the place of her husband who died suddenly and he was the King of Loeum.

 

‘Some things can’t be helped.’

 

Undeservedly, Hessen grew up to be an excellent crown prince, and Mireyu was a good daughter-in-law, even though her family was poor. Above all else, she was the woman Hesse loved.

 

“No, I made a mistake. What’s already happened, what’s the point of mentioning it further?”

 

As Isabella looked at Mireyu’s face, she spoke affectionately.

 

“Out of courtesy, I invite Duchess Blanchett in the name of the Kingdom of Royam to formally apologize,” she said. “But you must also show a sincere apology.”

 

“…”

 

“That’s the right thing to do.”

 

Mireyu nodded her head weakly.

 

“Yes, mother.”

 

* * *

 

Mireyu entered her room with Hessen’s guidance and bit her nails with her anxious face.

 

‘This time she survived thanks to Hessen…’

 

Rather than burying Estelle, she seems to have floated her up.

 

‘Measures are needed.’

 

Mireyu’s face turned white as she looked in the mirror without thinking. Like her lie, the scar on her neck was gone.

 

‘When is time up?’

 

Mireyu hurriedly took out the box that she had hidden in her room. Inside her box was a gold ring necklace. This gold ring had a black magic that made her scar last.

 

‘I guess there’s no problem with black magic.’

 

It was when Mireyu’s nervous gaze continued to stare at the mirror.

 

“New sister, let’s talk for a moment-”

 

At that moment, Diana suddenly opened the door and came in.

 

—————————————————————

Translator Note: