NOVEL NEXT chapter 32
32: The Plot Thickens
Without any hesitation, Kefi simply got dressed and urged me to “hurry up” before dragging me to the main hall of the family mansion, where we would meet the queen.
In a rush, I didn’t even have time to look at the script for Queen Luyi IV’s actions this time, but it was clear that her goal was to secure a “selection slot”. Kefi kept reminding and “threatening” me along the way.
“Ou Jili De, when you see the queen, just keep your mouth shut and pretend to be dead. Don’t reveal your weird prophecy for the sake of a ‘slot’. I have a good relationship with my sister, and… it’s also for your own good.”
I agreed, more like… even if Kefi hadn’t reminded me, I would still plan to pretend to be dead when I saw the queen. Queen Luyi IV, listen up, she’s a formidable character, and according to the script, she’ll “kill me” in the end. I didn’t want to have anything to do with her.
“It’s here, hide well.”
Saying this, Kefi quickly arrived at the entrance of the main hall, took a deep breath, adjusted her stance, and presented herself with her usual “hero” pose, pushing open the door.
“!”
Too many gazes suddenly turned towards Kefi, and I was completely ignored, unlike before. Kefi’s father, Zerola Uncle, was hosting the scene; meanwhile, the big shots, who looked like they were definitely not just extras, but rather… as powerful as ants, were standing in rows inside the hall. Luyi 23, who had escaped from me earlier, was now fully restored, looking smug and sinister as she gazed at me with a wicked smile.
Oh well, normal operation, as a villain, I’m used to getting beaten up and then trying to get revenge. What really caught my attention was that one girl, who was the most eye-catching and not like an extra, and clearly the highest-ranking one among them.
“Queen sister!”
I thought Kefir would do something earth-shattering as the protagonist, but instead, she revealed a radiant smile and dashed towards the girl in a few quick strides.
Even though the girl was surrounded by layers of guards, not one dared to stop her. It wasn’t just because of Kefir’s status, but also the girl’s reaction.
“Kefir~”
The girl was equally joyful, casually tossing her parasol to a guard nearby, and cheerfully embraced Kefir.
“It’s been so long, I’ve missed you so much~”
The layers of guards; their attitude towards Kefir; and the scene that seemed so laid-back yet no one dared to remind them, this girl… she must be Louise IV, right?
My doubts arose because upon first seeing this queen of the Great Ying Empire, I couldn’t find a trace of “queenliness” about her.
The girl’s beauty was flawless, but her dangling curls were filled with starry ornaments, far from the dignified image of a queen. I searched and only found a small crown on one side of her head, decorated just like her hair accessories; her attire lacked any sense of “dignity” as well, with large ribbon bows, a fluttering short skirt blatantly flaunting her black silk-clad beautiful legs; her waist and skirt were adorned with girlish decorations and charms, I almost mistook her for a popular idol who had crossed over.
After embracing Kefir with an innocent and gentle smile, she exuded an even lighter aura.
Their intimacy was not inappropriate, as I already knew from the script about Kefir and Louise IV’s relationship.
[Louise IV and Kefir are cousins.]
By the way, the script also undoubtedly pointed out an ending that started to make me wonder.
[Louise IV will kill Ogelid.]
How could this girl, who seemed so light-hearted and no different from a national idol, kill me? I couldn’t even think of a reason.
I didn’t have time to ponder further.
Because it was clear that Louise IV had heard something from Louise XXIII before coming here, and after releasing her embrace of Kefir, her naive and curious gaze had already turned towards me.
I shivered all over suddenly, not yet clear why, when Louise IV already asked with a soft girlish voice, “Are you the man that XXIII mentioned, the one Kefir brought back? Wow~ that’s rare, how did Kefir accept you, sir? Because Kefir usually doesn’t even bother to glance at male peers~”
“That’s because…”
Some profound reasons.
I was about to answer, but was interrupted by the sarcastic voice of Louise XXIII beside Louise IV.
Uncle Zerola was right about Louise XXIII going to tattle, and there she was, clearly having already blackened my name from inside out.
“Your Highness, he…”
“XXIII, in formal occasions, I am Her Majesty the Queen~”
The girl’s smile remained unchanged, but Louise XXIII shuddered and quickly corrected herself.
“Uh… cough, Your Majesty, he is the thug I told you about, who deceived Kefir, and what’s more troublesome is that Kefir is still deluded. So I’ve been petitioning you, let Kefir take a break this time, to correct her faults, to drive away this emotional scammer, so about the quota…”
Tsk, as expected, with the villain’s interference, Kefir’s script was no longer going to be smooth sailing.
What I saw now was: [Louise IV was planning to choose Louise XXIII, but Kefir objected.]
I absolutely couldn’t let that drug-addled woman steal the script meant for the protagonist Kefir! I had already secretly planned for this! Kefir was the leg I clung to, whoever made Kefir suffer, made my support unstable, I would dig out their entire family tree!
However, the next moment, the situation changed suddenly.
“XXIII, I believe that a man who can stay by Kefir’s side must be a man of excellence~”
Speaking thus, Louis IV, with an innocent smile, looked at me, “May I inquire about your identity?”
“Li De, currently serving as a personal priest to Kefir.”
“A personal priest, hmm! It’s a job where one can protect Kefir with their own abilities~”
I didn’t respond, not because I had run out of witty retorts, but out of surprise.
For at that very moment, I clearly saw the change in the script of Louis IV, whom I had been watching since I entered the door!
Accompanying her next decision!
[Louis IV suddenly decides to have Kefir compete with Louis XXIII for the spot.]
“So my decision should be clear now, Zerola. Regarding the selection for the expedition to the ruins, I would like to have the two candidates compete for it. What do you think?”
The girl’s every move seemed as if she had planned it all along, but due to the script, I could see it all too clearly.
This queen, without changing her expression, had changed the original decision!?
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The results of December’s monthly ticket lottery will be announced at 12 PM on January 1st. January’s monthly ticket lottery will be entirely for the new book, and there will be more to it. Just keep voting, everyone, love you all.