I Will No Longer Live As Your Villainess

“You only say what pleases you. Entrusting the empire to Princess Charlotte?”

Luance’s gaze was heavy with hostility, filled with nothing but animosity. Adrian met it lightly, as though entirely accustomed to such tension.

Welcoming Charlotte to the Isuter Empire was a good move, but Luance couldn’t shake his unease about Adrian’s unknown schemes. Fortunately, Marquis Spencer, Teishar, had decided to leave the marquisate’s duties to his father and accompany Charlotte as her escort. This brought some reassurance, yet Luance’s suspicions lingered.

Adrian rose slowly to his feet.

“Yes. She’s more gifted in politics than I am.”

“If you’re claiming to lack political talent, then give me the position of Crown Prince. And why not marry Princess Charlotte of the Poloid Empire instead?”

“No, Luance.”

“Brother—”

“Do you know what my aides and your aides write most often? For reference, my aides rarely have to write anything.”

Adrian spent more days traveling the outskirts than managing the Crown Prince’s official duties. The reason was clear: dealing with the monsters that frequently appeared in the borderlands.

“Is that something to be proud of, brother?”

“It’s something more worth boasting about than you.”

Luance pressed his lips together.

“Your aides’ primary task is writing apology letters to the noble ladies you leave in tears because of your flirtations. A leader shouldn’t make their subordinates apologize on their behalf. That’s why you can’t be Crown Prince or Emperor. Stop dreaming.”

“Adrian, you’re going too far!”

“Luance! When Princess Charlotte arrives, you’ll need to rein in that flirtation of yours. I called you here just to warn you about that.”

Adrian’s piercing gaze bore into Luance, who flushed with anger.

Recent reports from the shadows indicated that Luance had been visiting Count Pol Heredian’s residence almost daily. Rumors suggested he was paying attention to the illegitimate child of the Paul Heredian family.

“I don’t recall the names of many noble ladies. Was it Lady Illina?”

“Who?”

“The lady from the Paul Heredian family you’ve been meeting every day.”

At Adrian’s words, Luance’s eyes flickered like a candle struggling in the wind. He couldn’t gauge how much Adrian knew about Laurencia.

“You’ve got her name wrong. It’s Lady Illina Paul Heredian.”

“You must think highly of her, visiting the count’s residence every day. I hope you nurture your love beautifully.”

Luance forced a smirk, trying to calculate Adrian’s intentions. If Adrian knew about Laurencia and her monstrous ability to see the future, he might attempt to eliminate her.

“That’s correct.”

“So it’s true. You’ve fallen for Lady Illina. I hope your love prospers.”

Luance’s smooth lie earned him only a faint smirk from Adrian.

“How about this, Luance? After my engagement to Princess Charlotte, why don’t you propose to Lady Illina Paul Heredian?”

“I’ll discuss that with Count Paul Heredian slowly,” Luance said stiffly, biting his lower lip.

Adrian’s true intentions were clear—to remove Charlotte as a potential rival by pushing Luance toward an engagement with Illina.

However, Charlotte was no longer of interest to Luance. His priority was Laurencia. He needed to ensure she developed feelings for him, depended on him entirely, and became the obedient doll he envisioned.

“Congratulations on your engagement to Princess Charlotte. As for me, I’ve decided to stop meeting other women and focus solely on Lady Illina. So you needn’t worry about my behavior anymore.”

With Laurencia awakened, Charlotte was no longer necessary to Luance. All he needed now was Laurencia.

“Is that so? I see.”

Luance knew it was time to step back from Adrian for now. Fortunately, Adrian seemed satisfied and smiled. Luance followed suit, forcing a smile of his own.

After Luance left, Adrian burst into loud laughter.

“Luance is truly amusing.”

“Amusing, Your Highness?”

“Doesn’t Sir Lancelon find him amusing?”

Sir Lancelon squinted his eyes slightly, his expression deadpan at Adrian’s unexpected question.

“Before I answer, it would be better for you to review the report the shadows have prepared.”

Adrian began reading the report Sir Lancelon handed him. His lips pursed slightly as he read the first page, confusion clear on his face.

“So, the illegitimate child’s name is Laurencia. Born on February 21.”

Adrian continued reading Laurencia’s report. She was about 155cm tall, short and frail, with a thin frame from malnutrition and abuse. She had never once left the count’s residence.

“It’s tragic that she has lived such a life of abuse as an illegitimate child.”

After finishing the report, Adrian’s expression darkened. He rubbed his temple as though trying to ease a headache, unable to make sense of Luance’s intentions. It wasn’t love—he wasn’t romantically interested in Laurencia. Nor was it pity that led him to interfere in her registration into Count Pol Heredian’s family.

“Illegitimate children often face such hardships, Your Highness.”

“I don’t believe it’s solely because she’s illegitimate, Sir Lancelon.”

Sir Lancelon’s expression grew bitter as he spoke.

“It is difficult to change the position of an illegitimate child. Even if they are formally recognized, there are few noblewomen who would genuinely accept them. To most, they are merely evidence of infidelity, a target for venting frustrations.”

“Anger should be directed at the unfaithful spouse.”

“Though they know the child is innocent, their very existence as evidence of betrayal makes it hard to control such emotions, Your Highness.”

“Controlling one’s emotions is part of being human… I just don’t understand it. What is Luance thinking, visiting Lady Laurencia so often? Sir Lancelon, read through the report and share your thoughts.”

“Understood.”

Sir Lancelon took the report back and reviewed it carefully.

“It is indeed peculiar. His recent decision to end relationships with other women is also strange…”

“Exactly. Why did he suddenly decide to cut ties with all the women he was seeing? Even though he left the courtesans untouched…”

“The only certainty is that there seems to be a secret involving Lady Laurencia.”

“And what could that secret possibly be? We must find out. Instruct the shadows to investigate everything about Lady Laurencia.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“This is such a complicated matter. If only Charlotte were here, I could just ask her directly.”

“She will arrive soon, so please be patient, Your Highness.”

“Should I go out to meet her? What if a monster appears on the trade route?”

“Marquis Spencer is accompanying her, so there’s no need for concern.”

“No, this won’t do. I’m too worried to focus on my duties.”

“Your Highness, you must attend to today’s work—”

“I can’t help it; I’m too concerned about Charlotte and Marquis Spencer. Apologies, convey my regrets to the aides.”

“Your Highness… This… Sigh.”

Watching Adrian swiftly leave the room, Sir Lancelon let out a deep sigh.

Charlotte was thrilled at the thought of seeing Adrian again.

Normally, she would have ridden on horseback, but since she was traveling to the Isuter Empire for her engagement, Susanna, her nursemaid and now a trusted lady-in-waiting, had insisted she maintain a neat and elegant appearance.

People admired Charlotte in her fine dress, showering her with praise and congratulating her on the engagement. To the people of the Poloid Empire, Adrian was seen as an admirable person—charismatic, unconcerned with the divide between nobles and commoners, and always helping others without arrogance, even when fighting off monsters.

Charlotte had fallen for Adrian because of these qualities.

People anticipated that the union of Adrian, skilled in swordsmanship and strength, and Charlotte, talented in politics and diplomacy, would bring great benefits to both empires.

Just before the carriage curtain was drawn, someone knocked on the window. It was Marquis Teishar Spencer.

“Princess Charlotte, are you comfortable?”

Charlotte smiled brightly.

“It’s uncomfortable that we’re not arriving at the Isuter Empire faster.”

“Just one more day, Your Highness.”

“Adrian must be waiting impatiently for me.”

“Don’t worry. Crown Prince Adrian has a sturdy neck; he won’t die from a little impatience.”

Marquis Spencer matched her teasing tone. Before leaving, he recalled the queen’s earnest request and vowed to see it fulfilled.