The Villainess Writes a Resignation letter

TVWRL Chapter 20

Christian took a book from the shelf at the end of the library and placed his palm on it, channeling his divine power.

Slowly. The large bookshelf that had been blocking the wall opened like a door.

A long staircase extended downward into the darkness, seemingly endless.

The stairs were so deep that it was hard to guess where they ended.

Leona felt uneasy.

“Shall we go?”

Christian said lightly, with a smile on his lips, though his eyes remained serious.

As Christian descended first, emanating a soft light from his divine power, Leona followed him.

The further down she went, the chillier it became, causing her to wrap her arms around herself.

Despite being a cardinal, Christian had not attended the inauguration or given a proper explanation to the saint. Leona felt unsettled about being brought to such a place.

She also had a feeling that she should not be here.

“Is this really necessary? I’ve been away for too long. I think I should return to the banquet hall.”

She tried to speak casually, but her voice unintentionally came out sharp.

Christian paused for a moment and looked back at her.

“Of course, it is necessary. This is part of the saintess’s duties.”

Though Christian spoke kindly, the lack of emotion in his eyes made him appear even more ruthless.

Leona concealed her anxiety and continued to follow him down.

After descending without an end in sight, they finally reached the bottom, where the floor appeared.

Christian raised his divine power again and placed his hand on the door.

Then, without a sound, the door opened.

Christian looked at Leona and said,

“Please, go inside, Saint.”

Leona cautiously followed him.

After passing through a labyrinth of complex paths, they arrived at their destination.

Confronted with the horrifying truth, Leona’s legs gave way, and she collapsed.

“Ugh.”

She involuntarily retched.

As she struggled to regain her composure, Christian approached her with a cold expression.

“This is the truth and the secret.”

Leona’s eyes were filled with shock and terror.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

Upon returning home, I went straight into my room.

‘Should I run away immediately? Would it be okay to disappear far away so that the temple doesn’t find me?’

I couldn’t just let myself be powerless like this.

I didn’t want to easily give up the life I had been given.

After a night of contemplation, I decided to confront the original story’s fate instead of avoiding it.

Countless unbelievable things had already happened and were still happening.

I had entered my favorite fantasy world and had managed to establish myself after struggling to leave the temple.

If the original story was being distorted, then I could simply use another method to destroy that distorted original.

Having come this far, there was nothing I couldn’t do.

Now, I needed another force to protect me, not just money.

That power would come from influential nobles and public opinion that would prevent anyone from touching me recklessly.

Fortunately, the current public opinion about me was very favorable.

So now, what I needed to focus on was my relationship with the nobles.

Of course, I was building relationships with the nobles, but would there be anyone to side with me in the fight against the temple? I needed help from both the imperial faction and the temple faction.

“I need to start the lawsuit for Madam Cordelia’s alimony as soon as possible.”

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

As soon as I made that decision, the next day, I spotted Sophia waiting in line.

It seemed that luck was on my side.

I exchanged a brief nod with Sophia.

Perhaps feeling pleased that I acknowledged her, the corners of Sophia’s mouth lifted.

As I entered the store, Sarah, who had arrived earlier, brought out a wrapped package.

“This is from Madam Cordelia.”

“It arrived just in time.”

“Shall we unwrap it?”

“Yes.”

As the packaging was removed, the painting revealed its grandeur.

It was my first time seeing Antonio’s artwork in person.

I didn’t know much about art, but it was stunning enough to make my heart race.

“The colors really stand out.”

“It’s truly beautiful. Should we hang it in the store?”

“Yes. Let’s hang this painting in the store and keep the other one at home.”

If I displayed Antonio’s painting in my shop, many people would take an interest, and that would likely increase his value more quickly.

It felt like I was receiving the true blessing of the gods at the perfect moment.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

Sophia, who had picked up her ticket last night, sat in front of me as the third customer.

“Lady Adeline.”

“Sophia, it’s been a while.”

I greeted Sophia with a smile.

“You look troubled; is everything not going as planned?”

“Hmm…”

She let out a deep sigh and her expression turned irritated.

“I told him that if he doesn’t marry me, we should break up. He says he’ll get a divorce, but it doesn’t seem like he’s taking any action. What should I do?”

“Hmm…”

I touched the crystal ball while infusing it with divine power, creating a spark.

Sophia couldn’t take her eyes off the sparkling orb.

“Lady Adeline, please share the wisdom of the gods with me.”

When I opened my eyes after touching the orb, I saw Sophia with a desperate expression.

“Sophia, are you certain about what you want?”

“Yes?”

“I asked if you want to grasp both your lover and success as an actress in your hands.”

“Of course. I don’t want to lose either him or my success.”

I nodded and looked intently at Sophia.

“Go find his wife and provoke her. I think he’ll react quickly. As I mentioned before, your lover values his reputation highly. But if everything is exposed, he’s the type who can easily let go of things. Right now, he’s deeply infatuated with you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But if you miss the timing, you’ll lose everything.”

In the original story, Sophia ultimately gets abandoned. She loses all the roles she secured not through talent but through her sponsor’s influence and returns to a life of hardship.

This situation turned out to be good not just for Cordelia, but for everyone.

After all, Cordelia’s husband wouldn’t become a murderer.

I lowered my voice and whispered.

“Try to create a scene in a public place if possible. The more rumors spread, the better it will be for Sophia.”

Sophia, with a determined expression, nodded vigorously.

True to her passionate nature, she stirred things up at the beauty salon the very next day.

With her captivating skills as an actress, she started by splashing water on Cordelia’s face.

“Stay away from my man! Just let us love each other!”

Sophia’s chaotic outburst turned the beauty salon into a mess.

It was extremely rare for a mistress to come and cause a scene like this, so the gossip spread through high society in no time.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

I was struggling with legal texts every night, including weekends, to prepare for the alimony lawsuit.

“I need to persuade both the imperial faction and the temple. The key is who will be the judge in this matter.”

I had to assume the conservative temple would oppose it. Therefore, someone from the imperial family with reformist intentions needed to come forward.

I made a list of potential judges from the imperial family and the temple and began analyzing their tendencies.

Judging living beings was a difficult task.

As I calculated the interests and losses of those who would be on the judgment seat, I found myself craving something sweet.

“Sarah, want to go to Mirage?”

“I have a dessert-making meeting at Nancy’s Inn today.”

“Oh! That’s today.”

I had told Sarah to create various gatherings to build relationships with many people, and she was faithfully following through.

Not long ago, she had made a bag for me at a knitting meeting, and I took it outside.

Sitting at Mirage, enjoying a sweet cream pie, I felt the stress I had accumulated melt away.

At that moment, a voice shattered my good mood instantly.

“It’s been a while, Lady Adeline.”

It was Paulian.

‘A zombie-like person.’

While it would be advantageous to have the next Master of the Magic Tower as an ally, he was supposed to be Leona’s person.

I was more afraid that deepening my relationship with him would significantly distort the original story.

Not wanting to accelerate the changes to the original, I turned my head and ignored him instead of responding.

However, Paulian sat down in front of me as if he were part of my group, unfazed.

“How can I have a conversation with Lady Adeline?”

Thinking he wouldn’t take no for an answer, I replied while looking at him.

“You can either become my friend or visit my shop as a customer.”

“Then shall we be friends starting today?”

“No. I’m not someone who makes friends easily. I will excuse myself now.”

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

‘What! Wasn’t it the next day?’

For a moment, it felt like I had slipped through time, as the situation from yesterday was being replayed exactly.

Paulian was sitting across from me at my shop’s table.

“Nice to see you again, Lady Adeline.”

After a slight nod, I placed my hand on the crystal orb.

“You dislike blood, but it turns out you had a talent for magic—no, you were exceptional at it. Unlike your father and older brother, who were obsessed with swords and muscles, you had a better relationship with your mother, who was emotionally in tune with you. Though you treat strangers kindly with a smiling face, it’s not genuine. You asked me to be friends, yet you are pickier than anyone about who you keep close. It’s unusual for someone of your stature to be here. What brings you here?”

“Hahaha!”

Paulian’s serious gaze pierced through my light-hearted demeanor.

“Obsessed with swords and muscles, you say. Did you go inside my head? That’s a story I’ve never spoken out loud. It seems Lady Adeline’s abilities are not exaggerated after all.”

“Do you have something you’re curious about?”

“What do you think I would be curious about?”

“Well, I’m a servant of god, not a god myself. To put it simply, if you become the Master of the Magic Tower, the Tower’s power will grow even greater. I understand that despite your casual demeanor, you possess incredible skills.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Your future, Paulian, is on a smooth path, full of success. Choosing magic over swords is an excellent decision. You are destined for a life of wealth and honor. You were born with what is commonly referred to as a smooth and fortunate destiny. If things continue as they are, there should be no problems.”

“Could a different choice change that smooth destiny?”

“Of course. Destiny can always be changed.”

Paulian’s expression was more serious than usual.

I was saying nothing but good things, so why did he look like that?

He was truly an unpredictable person.

I decided to change the topic and asked a question.

“Are you curious about your destined partner?”

Paulian narrowed his eyes and stared at me in silence for a while.

“I believe I have already met my destined partner.”