The Crazy Villainess in This Area Is Me

As Duke Bonitare’s power began to crumble, scandals about him started pouring out from every corner. Murder, incitement to murder, bribery scandals, and more. Duke Bonitare turned out to be a criminal who had committed an enormous number of crimes. As evidence of his corruption, Lobelia handed over ledgers that Kriella had hidden in a warehouse to Frinel.

In the end, the man who had clung to power so desperately could not escape punishment. The emperor confiscated all of Duke Bonitare’s assets and stripped him of his titles.

Those assets rightfully went to Lawrence. However, he donated everything to orphanages. Since his family had committed the sin of tormenting a child, he believed that even in death, he should do good for children.

And Duke Bonitare, now reduced to the commoner he had so despised, was beaten to death by the hands of his victims.

As if it had been predestined, everything happened too quickly. One person died by their own scheme, and another was beaten to death. It was a miserable end for villains who had engaged in unethical deeds for their own gain.

“A moment of silence, please.”

The empress’s funeral was held with modesty, not even afforded to a low noble. The only attendees were the emperor and Lawrence.

It was hard to believe that the woman who once manipulated the emperor and was an empress of a nation was given such a simple farewell. Technically, since she had been deposed, there was no need for the emperor to attend. But he fulfilled his minimum duty as her husband.

“The coward here is me, Empress.” Standing in front of Patricia’s coffin, the emperor lamented sorrowfully. “I have no right to condemn you.”

He had fallen for the schemes of the duke and the empress and eliminated all the members of the Shinsu clan. What happened afterward? He was overwhelmed by the power of Duke Bonitare’s family and couldn’t extend a helping hand to his son. And he vented his anger by not loving the empress.

In this situation, the most cowardly one was himself.

“Listen, everyone.”

After the funeral, the emperor gathered all the nobles and declared. “I will abdicate the throne.”

“Your Majesty!”

“You’re still so young. Why would you say such a thing!”

“Hereby, the crown prince’s coronation is canceled…”

He no longer felt worthy of the throne. Glancing at Frinel, who had come to the meeting room, he concluded his speech.

“Prepare for the emperor’s coronation ceremony.”

Everyone was stunned. A silence lingered in the room for a moment.

The emperor gave a slight nod and left the meeting room. As he left, nobles from both the Emperor Faction’s and Shinsu Faction’s sides approached Frinel.

“Co-congratulations, First Princes!”

“Congratulations, Your Royal Highness!”

With the fall of Duke Bonitare, the leader of the emperor’s faction, it was as if the emperor’s faction had disintegrated. They bowed to Frinel, cautiously observing Duke Gracie.

“Thank you all. There’s one thing I ask of you. Please…”

His blue eyes flashed coldly.

“Remember the end of Duke Bonitare.”

Feeling a chill, the nobles closed their mouths tightly.

“That’s all.”

Leaving those words behind, Frinel headed to the Second Prince’s Palace. Lawrence had not attended meetings for days since the empress’s funeral.

Frinel entered his brother’s room, visiting for the first time. He scanned the room slowly. Various swords were displayed in the cabinet.

“…You were serious about swordsmanship.”

Hearing his sincerity, Frinel regretted never showing interest in his younger brother before. But as Lawrence said, their relationship could still improve.

Frinel rummaged through his jacket pocket and pulled out a small bottle. It contained tea leaves he had dried himself. He brewed the tea and waited for Lawrence. Soon, Lawrence returned to the room.

“Lawrence.”

“

, Brother?” Surprised by the unexpected visit, Lawrence looked puzzled.

Frinel handed him a cup of warm tea, asking casually. “…How are you feeling?”

“Wow. Now, you even ask about my condition?”

Fatigue was evident on Lawrence’s face. But he forced a smile and joked lightly.

“…To me, you were someone I wanted revenge on, but not to you.” Frinel lowered his voice, feeling sorry. “Still, she was your mother…”

He had brought his mother’s crimes to Frinel because he wanted to get along well with him. But then the empress died. He might feel guilt for killing his mother, so Frinel glanced at Lawrence, worried.

“Just…”

Lawrence slowly opened his dry lips. “It does hurt. She was literally my mother. But, if she had faced her crimes squarely and asked for forgiveness…”

His throat moved tensely as he swallowed. He knew all too well that his mother’s last moments were as despicable as they could be.

“I wish… it would have been better.”

His eyelashes fluttered slightly. Tears threatened to spill over from the turmoil of mixed emotions.

Lawrence slowly sipped the tea Frinel had given him. “… It’s delicious.” The warmth gently flowed down his throat, calming the tears that had welled up.

“I dried the leaves myself.”

“Brother did?”

“Yeah. It’s not something I give to just anyone.”

With his voice softened more than before, Lawrence smiled comfortably.

“So, I’m not ‘just anyone’ now.”

“

, you are… my younger brother.”

Frinel awkwardly averted his gaze. But he couldn’t hide the slight blush on his cheeks. Lawrence simply smiled broadly.

Everything had returned to its place. Although it might take time for his heart to completely settle, at least the guilt that had been pressing on him was gone.

He continued to praise the exquisite flavor and aroma of the tea and then. Then, as if remembering something, he spoke again.

“

, by the way, who is that woman?”

“Lady Lobelia?”

“Yes. She had a very mysterious aura.”

“I’m just saying this just in case.”

“

Let’s not start with ‘just in case,’ I’m not interested in women yet.” Lawrence playfully shook his head.

“Oh my, you don’t know love yet.” Frinel chuckled, teasing him. “Well, I didn’t know either. Until I met her.”

“

, is it that good?”

“Of course. My heart, which used to throb with anxiety every day…” He placed his hand over his heart, feeling the pounding heartbeat as he continued. “Now throbs with excitement.”

Thinking of Lobelia, Frinel smiled softly. Just the thought of her made his heart race again.

Lawrence watched him intently. Frinel looked truly happy at the moment.

“…

, maybe I should look for it too.”

“

?”

“Actually, I was planning to travel a bit after the coronation ceremony. That’s why I’ve been missing recent meetings.”

“Travel? Where to?”

“Just here and there.”

Could he also find such happiness?

Yes, he could.

He slowly turned his head towards the window. The sky was exceptionally clear today.

“Now that nothing in the imperial palace holds me back, I want to broaden my horizons.”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to beat me?”

“I’ll beat Brother when I come back. I won’t lose so easily, then. It was a close call. I might even take your throne. Of course, fair and square.”

“

, I look forward to the day you beat me.”

“Now, you should go back. Aren’t you busy preparing for the coronation?”

Lawrence stood up, pulling Frinel up with him. As he was being dragged out, Frinel seemed to have something more to say but hesitated.

Finally, after being pushed out the door, Frinel let out the words swirling in his mouth. “Come back soon, Lawrence.”

With an awkward smile, he gently patted Lawrence’s shoulder. “I hope your wandering isn’t too long.”

Lawrence’s eyes, filled with the color of the sky, briefly read Frinel’s expression. He seemed to think Lawrence was leaving the imperial palace because of him and his mother’s death.

. Lawrence chuckled softly, shaking his head.

“Brother. My trip isn’t about wandering,”

“

?”

The stone of guilt that had been weighing heavily on him, regarding Frinel, shattered into pieces.

“It’s about freedom.”

He smiled more freely than ever before.