The Crazy Villainess in This Area Is Me

Chapter 104



“To the Gracie Duchy.”

 

“Yes, Little Madam.”

 

Ignoring Kriella completely, I climbed onto the carriage and snorted in disdain. To think she would end up begging me for her life.

 

If only she had lived her life properly with that proud, noble status of hers.

Then, I wouldn’t have become a villainess who encourages someone’s death. Yet, I felt no guilt in my heart.

 

It was nothing but receiving back what one has given. Even if someone harbored malice towards me because of this, it was merely my lot to bear. I, with a satisfied curl of my lips, headed towards the Gracie Duchy.

 

Anyway, Endimion had been bedridden for days due to the aftermath of the last swordsmanship competition. Moreover, as soon as he felt a bit better, he had to find excuses to cling to Duke Gracie, who had fully regained his former power. That’s why he hadn’t come down to the march and was staying at the townhouse.

 

This works out well for me. 

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.

 

Kriella and Magorit were completely forgotten in Endimion’s mind. It meant I could move freely as much as I wanted.

 

The social season is about to start, after all.

 

The beginning of the social season always consisted of several young ladies’ debutante balls. It was also the day young ladies awaited eagerly, folding their fingers in anticipation. And for me, that day was D-day. The day everything would be revealed.

 

“Little Madam, we’ve arrived.”

 

“Yes.”

 

There was nothing to fear. I might be considered the most fearless person in this empire. Having faced death once, what else could frighten me?

 

Ah, there’s one thing.

 

My face hardened momentarily as I stepped out of the carriage.

 

Being rejected by Merilly.

 

I pressed my lips tightly together.

 

Everything being revealed meant that the fact I was Merilly’s biological mother would also come to light. Though it was already a rumor circulating in society, young Merilly could not possibly be aware of society’s rumors.

 

But this time was different. In a gathering attended by most of the nobility in the empire, not just rumors but the whole truth would be revealed to Merilly as well. All the truths that had been hidden until now.

 

…Merilly does like me, but that’s purely only as Endimion’s friend.

My complexion darkened unknowingly.

 

I sighed softly and stepped into the Gracie Duchy. Was it because I had been too deep in thought?

 

Ah

…!”

 

I failed to see the staircase, and my body tilted dangerously. I contemplated teleporting for a moment but decided it would be better to endure a bruise on my butt than to waste magic.

 

Bracing myself for the impending pain, I tightly closed my eyes. However, the expected pain never came. Instead, I was enveloped in a soft and faintly forest-scented embrace, causing my lips to slowly curl upwards.

 

“This, Lady Lobelia.”

 

“…Frinel.”

 

“You really are, I can’t take my eyes off you.”

 

“Thank you for catching me.”

 

“I thought I would die of longing.”

 

“We saw each other that night, didn’t we?” Recalling that night, my cheeks tinged with a blush.

 

After the emperor’s coronation was decided, I had secretly teleported to congratulate Frinel. We had shared toasts, and completely intoxicated by alcohol and the mood, we had lost our senses. Frinel, having completely let go of his inhibitions, had caused my back to hurt for days with his wild antics.

 

“Really, my back hurt so much because of Frinel…”

 

“Is that so? Should I massage it?”

 

He smirked mischievously and wrapped his hand around my waist.

 

“Come on. You’re always so good at drinking.”

 

“Hey, don’t make it sound like you’re the victim. You were the one who wanted it first…”

 

“Shut your mouth!”

 

My face flushed with heat. I hurriedly clasped my hands over Frinel’s mouth. He gently grasped my wrist and lightly kissed the palm of her hand.

 

“Frinel!”

 

I huffed, not seeming displeased, and pulled my hand away with an ambiguous expression.

 

“Always so sly.”

 

“So, you dislike it?”

 

“Who said I dislike it?

Hmph

.” I spoke coyly and passed by Frinel, taking the lead.

 

“So, you do like it.”

 

“Only when it’s just the two of us.”

 

Ah

, as expected, Lady Lobelia is smart.”

 

His lips twitched with amusement. His face, beaming with a smile, was flushed with excitement.

 

“Look at that.” Bella pouted, watching them.

 

Ah

, Bella.”

 

“Bella.”

 

“Really showing off, Your Majesty.”

 

She shot Frinel a not-so-annoyed look, then smiled softly at me.

 

“Lobelia!”

 

“Yes, Bella. How is grandfather?”

 

“He’s in the capital. He became even busier with the emperor’s coronation instead of just being the crown prince.”

 

Ah

, I see.”

 

“Yeah. Let’s go inside.”

 

Bella linked arms with Lobelia and teasingly stuck her tongue out at Frinel. Instead of being upset, the sight of the two sisters, alike yet not alike, seemed cute to him, and he let out a chuckle.

 

Ta-da

!” Bella opened the door wide, beaming with joy.

 

I gasped at the sight inside. “What’s all this?”

 

It was as if an entire boutique had been transported there. Rows of dazzling dresses on mannequins, jewels sparkling so brightly they hurt the eyes, hats, tiaras, fans, and parasols. Nothing was missing.

 

“A gift for you, Sister! I prepared it with your brother-in-law!”

 

“…

Hmm

? What did you say?”

 

Um

, what did I say again?”

 

She blinked her eyes cutely and shrugged her shoulders. But I pinpointed exactly what Bella had said.

 

“…You said ‘brother-in-law,’ Bella.”

 

Um

, aren’t you two seriously dating?” She asked with an innocently sparkling gaze.

 

Frinel hurriedly tried to make eye contact with me. But my mouth had already opened.

 

“No, not yet. We haven’t even…”

 

“So, you are dating! Congratulations, Lobelia!”

 

“…

Eh

?”

 

“I’ve been asking His Majesty, but he never gave me a straight answer. Now I finally feel relieved!”

 

Ah

…”

 

I let out a groan, finally grasping the situation. I thought he had already told her, but it seemed he hadn’t yet.

 

“I didn’t want to talk about it in Lady Lobelia’s absence.

Haha

…” Frinel scratched his neck awkwardly, smiling sheepishly.

 

“You weren’t trying to hide it from me, were you?”

 

Faced with Bella’s teasing, the usually calm facade of mine crumbled for the first time. I tried to hide my embarrassment but ended up stammering.

 

“O-of course. I was going to tell you today. It worked out, I guess.”

 

“Great! Anyway, take a look at these dresses for your debutante ball. I put so much thought into choosing them.”

 

“Thank you, Bella. I can’t choose just one. They’re all too beautiful.”

 

My emerald eyes slowly scanned the dresses.

 

How could life change so drastically? Just five years ago, I was crumbling without any power to resist.

 

But what about now?

 

Kriella was probably dead by now, beaten to death by the commoners she used to torment, and Endimion and Magorit’s downfall was imminent. All that was left was to successfully reclaim Merilly.

 

It always felt like walking in endless darkness. But now, it seemed like there was light, making me feel somewhat relieved.

 

“Why choose just one? There’s no need. All these dresses are yours.”

 

“Bella. This is too much.”

 

“No, Sister. Please remember all the hardships you’ve endured until now. Enjoy what you deserve. Who cares what others think?” She pulled me closer.

 

Amid Frinel’s admiration and Bella’s excessive reactions, I spent a long time admiring the dresses and jewels. Only when I started to feel tired did Bella return with tea and snacks.

 

Phew

, honestly, it’s my first time seeing so many dresses at once.”

 

Haha

, imagine how I feel.”

 

“But it’s all from the capital’s best designer. Plus, I heard he’s incredibly handsome.” She joked as she placed the tray on the table.

 

At Bella’s words, my eyes sparkled slightly. “Really?”

 

“Yeah. I only saw his back, but…”

 

Cough, cough

, Bella?”

 

Bella was about to say more. But Frinel cleared his throat and cut Bella off.

 

“Yes?”

 

“Could you refrain from sharing unnecessary information?” He smiled, lifting the end of his sentence, though his face was devoid of mirth.

 

Um

…” Bella stared intently at Frinel’s face, then calmly turned her head away. “I don’t want to.”

 

Sigh

…”

 

Whether Frinel became emperor or not, to her, he was just a distant cousin, both grateful and insignificant. Though she knew it wouldn’t work, just watching the women laughing in front of him made his lips pursed involuntarily.

 

“I don’t know how handsome that designer is, but our Lady Lobelia, you see. She has such high standards. If it’s not someone with my looks…”

 

“…What are you saying?”

 

“Isn’t that true?”

 

“Not really?”

 

Lobelia caught the end of his sentence without malice.

 

Eventually, Frinel dropped his head. “

Sigh

, you sisters are so alike.”

 

Haha

, what are you saying? It’s really funny.”

 

“That’s what I’m saying.”

 

Listening to their teasing laughter, he slowly lifted his head. It seemed like a future of being ensnared by Lobelia stretched out before him. Yet, the fluttering of his heart and the surrounding happiness made Frinel eventually join in their laughter.

 


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