BJ Villainess

Chapter 204



Stigmata attacked the emperor. This news quickly engulfed the capital, emerging as a serious issue.

 

Stigmata, an enigmatic terrorist group whose roots were elusive, was known to exist, yet no one had ever seen them in reality. Some even doubted their existence. Suspicion fell on the five ducal families.

 

Everyone knew about Euges’s childhood as a puppet emperor and the ducal families that had tried to control him and rule the world. Hence, there were suspicions that ‘the group called Stigmata might be an illusion, and someone with a grudge against the emperor might be trying to eliminate a threat.’ The ‘someone’ people whispered about was most likely the Squire family.

 

Therefore, on the day the emperor returned to the capital, Raul had to go to the imperial palace without even being able to check on Theresa’s safety. Under such circumstances, the other dukes couldn’t relax either, as any careless behavior could direct the arrow of suspicion at them.

 

Still, the parties did not stop. Ladies gathered under the sponsorship of the Kapento ducal family, not caring about the dungeon opening near the capital, enjoying their tea party. To them, the opening of a dungeon was not a problem.

 

The imperial family dealt with it directly, and there were plenty of people who would happily enter death’s door for money. Money could solve any problem. The real issue for them was the emperor’s eccentric behavior.

 

“His Majesty spent the entire day with Lady Theresa Squire.”  One lady brought up one of the three hottest topics currently igniting social circles with a serious tone.

 

The ladies naturally glanced at Cecilia Kapento, who sat elegantly in the best seat. Although her reputation had suffered due to the underhanded methods used to ostracize Libby being revealed, time heals all wounds. No matter the misdeeds, Cecilia’s power would eventually be restored as she was the princess of Kapento. That was the power of lineage.

 

“His Majesty has named Lady Theresa Squire as the new national project partner, right? It seems to be because of that.”

 

As the discussion continued, Cecilia feigned surprise as if hearing it for the first time. “Is that so? I’ve been too busy with requests from the Wizard Association to catch up with the news.”

 

Most ladies at the tea party were non-magicians. In the capital, where various talents gathered, magicians were common, but non-magicians were overwhelmingly more numerous, making this ratio natural. The ladies clearly understood Cecilia was flaunting her uniqueness by mentioning the Wizard Association.

 

“Of course. The Wizard Association can’t function without you, Princess.”

 

“Princess is always busy contributing to the empire’s welfare, so we should take care of such news for you.”

 

While they flattered Cecilia to her face, they all secretly laughed at her.

How could she not know this news?

Regardless of their true feelings, the atmosphere was outwardly harmonious.

 

Cecilia spoke in a voice of concern, feeling a slight recovery in the mood that had been ruined by the mention of Theresa. “But can that senior really be of help to His Majesty? Not all students from Valhalla are elite.”

 

Then, a lady bluntly said, “Is that so? I heard Princess Theresa was the top student this semester.”

 

It was a lady who usually engaged in a subtle rivalry with Cecilia due to her own inferiority complex. She was quite thrilled now.

 

“And I heard from a friend of a friend that His Majesty did not leave Princess Theresa’s side for a moment while staying at the farm.”

 

The implication was clear. ‘Are you really a candidate for the empress?’

 

The ladies present, although thinking it was a comment that crossed the line, watched the situation unfold with great interest. Then, Cecilia threw a porcelain teapot full of tea. The target was the lady, who had scratched at her sore spot unknowingly.

 

Kyaa

!” The lady screamed as she was hit with the hot tea and teapot, falling disgracefully off her chair.

 

Cecilia clicked her tongue. “You see when you hold porcelain with silk gloves, it’s too slippery and often slips. Doesn’t that happen to everyone?” She scanned the ladies for agreement.

 

They chimed in, pandering to Cecilia’s mood, while servants took the crying lady away. But the party was already ruined.

 

Cecilia, claiming she was tired and needed rest, stood up from her seat. Her nonchalant face turned demonic as soon as she entered the mansion. “Make sure that  b*tch and her father can never set foot in high society again.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Cecilia marched toward her mother’s room, determined to appear far more beautiful than Theresa at the upcoming imperial ball and prove her vitality. She couldn’t understand why the emperor was keeping Theresa close, but if he saw the mature her, his mind would surely change.

 

“Are you insane?!”

 

Cecilia stopped in front of her mother’s bedroom, hearing a scream from inside.

 

“You want me to accept that filthy commoner’s child as my own?”

 

“Watch your language! Damian is my son, sharing half of my blood!”

 

Her parents had always been at odds since she could remember, and recently, their arguments had intensified, mostly over the issue of legitimizing Damian into the family.

 

“To embrace a child born out of wedlock while engaged. I tolerated it only because you begged me not to annul the engagement. How could you do this to me!”

 

“And I had to be separated from my child! Damian is a prodigy on par with Ilya Bernstein. It’s absurd to lose such a talented magician over personal feelings when our family is in dire need of talents!”

 

“Cecilia is the pillar of the Wizard Association, a magician. What’s so important about that commoner?”

 

“Because you bought that title with money!”

 

Cecilia gritted her teeth in humiliation.

 

“Cecilia is just a first-year student at Valhalla. Talented? Yes, but not as much as Damian!”

 

“You really…”

 

“You just need to endure this for the family’s sake. Is that so hard? Such a selfish woman!”

 

Cecilia ran into her room after hearing enough.

I’m sick of it! Sick of it! I wish they would both just die!

 

“Milady, regarding the dress fitting in the dressing room…”

 

Cecilia slapped the approaching maid. “You can’t even read your master’s mood and only care about your tasks. Do I look like I’m in the mood for dress fittings right now?”

 

“…I’m sorry, Milady.”

 

“If you’re stupid, you should at least be observant. I can’t stand the sight of you. Get lost!” Cecilia vented her anger by throwing objects around.

 

Once I become the head of the family, I’ll kill that Damian first!

 

No, what she truly wanted to kill were the Squire sisters. They had left an indelible stain on her reputation. Without them, her life would have been smooth sailing.

 

Though she wasn’t born into a harmonious family, as the sole heir to the Kapento ducal family, she had enjoyed all privileges. However, after the humiliation at Valhalla, her father strangely became colder. And now, as if suddenly senile, he was incessantly babbling about legitimizing Damian as his child.

 

He must be planning to make Damian as his successor and get rid of me at some convenient time.

 

While Cecilia had pretended to be a strong candidate for the empress, she knew realistically it was almost an impossible task. So, her plan was to reign supreme in high society until her marriageable age ended, enjoying her position to the fullest. But everything went awry. The world was too cruel to her alone.

 

“I didn’t ask for much.”

 

She just wanted to fully grasp what was given to her, to be loved and acknowledged.

 

“If only I had a father like the Duke Squire…”

 

Jealousy and inferiority that could not be hidden spilled out. The sight of him carrying his drunken daughter, the way he stood up to Duke Willow, making it impossible for anyone to mistreat his child, and the authority he wielded at the Wizard Association, all these images tormented her. Theresa, being in the comforting embrace of such a formidable father, was the perfect picture that should have been hers.

 

She’s a princess, but why are her parents so deficient and embarrassing? They fought every day, not even ashamed in front of their subordinates, causing their disputes to become the talk of the social circles.

 

Among the three hottest rumors circulating in society, one was about the emperor and Theresa’s relationship. Another concerned Marquis Ozworld Vallensia, and the last was about her father’s illegitimate child. She couldn’t bear the shame.

 

Cecilia buried herself in her bed, crying for a long time, then pulled out a wooden doll from under her pillow. It was a heart doll popular among young ladies. It was seemingly trivial, yet it held the promise that embracing it could slightly alleviate the thoughts gnawing in one’s mind. The sensation was addictively comforting, making her increasingly dependent on the doll.

 

Clutching the doll, Cecilia sobbed and muttered with a venomous expression, “I wish they were all dead.”

 

The black eyes of the wooden doll turned red.

 

* * *

Lately, my dreams have been restless, probably reflecting my desolate heart and showing me dark visions. But tonight was different. A navy-furred cat appeared in my dream. Its eyes were a beautiful golden color.

 

Meow

. The cat approached, rubbing its head against my legs.

Ah, my heart is throbbing.

Weak as I am, I couldn’t resist its affection and picked it up like a sacred object.

 

The cat kissed my cheek. I was dizzy from its aggressive cuteness. Then it kissed my lips. Again, it’s too cute, which made me feel dizzy. 

 

But this cat reminds me of someone…

 

The familiarity of the cat, constantly kissing my face, became a bit annoying.

 

Do cats normally kiss?

 

Realizing the discrepancy with reality, the cat grew into a massive tiger, sleek and navy, looming over me with its jaws wide open.

Growl

. The growling, teasing sound snapped my eyes open, and I found myself looking directly into Damian’s eyes just as our lips were touching.

 

Ding!

[The Constellation ‘Dopamine Addiction’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]

[Endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine, let’s go]

 

Damian broke the kiss with a pop, smiling brightly. “Did you sleep well, Madam?”

 


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