I Will No Longer Live As Your Villainess

The imperial palace was thrown into chaos after Luance challenged Lorirolds to a duel for the sake of Laurencia’s honor. While duels were not uncommon, the problem this time was the identity of Luance’s opponent—Lorirolds, notorious for pursuing anything in a skirt.

As a result, Luance’s reputation plummeted. Rumors about his many relationships with women had already tarnished his image, and this incident only added fuel to the fire. Now, alongside Lorirolds, Luance became a hot topic of gossip.

Adrian tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.

“So, it’s not Lady Illina but Laurencia, the illegitimate child, who’s the real reason Luance visits Count Paul Heredian’s estate.”

Why go to such lengths to conceal Laurencia? Adrian was intrigued, and once he was curious about something, he wouldn’t rest until he uncovered the truth.

According to reports from his informants, Laurencia endured severe mental and physical abuse at the hands of the Paul Heredian household.

But if Luance cared enough to throw a white glove at Lorirolds for Laurencia’s honor, why did he turn a blind eye to the abuse she suffered at the estate? Adrian couldn’t reconcile these contradictions with what he knew about Luance.

Then, the rumors began to shift.

This time, the talk was that Ann was abusing the illegitimate child. Adrian knew some of this to be true, but the details didn’t quite match his knowledge. The story now was that Lady Illina had confided in Luance about Ann’s mistreatment of Laurencia. Moved by this, Luance convinced Count Paul Heredian to formally adopt Laurencia into the family.

However, Ann disregarded their intentions and continued the abuse. Allegedly, she even asked Lorirolds to attack Laurencia, which led Luance to intervene and throw his white glove in challenge.

The public was touched by the story of Illina’s kindness and Luance’s noble gesture.

As rumors of Luance’s duel for the sake of an illegitimate child’s honor spread, his image transformed overnight. People began to see him as a righteous and courageous prince who couldn’t tolerate injustice.

“Completely fabricated,” Adrian muttered. “Who came up with this? They’re using rumors so effectively.”

He shrugged, realizing there might be skilled schemers among the Greikan family’s ranks.

“I should have been more cautious.”

“We’ll be more careful moving forward, Adrian,” Charlotte reassured him.

“Charlotte, the Greikan Duke is no easy opponent.”

Daniel, the head of the Greikan family and leader of the aristocratic faction, had pressured the Emperor into taking Felena as a concubine, resulting in Luance’s birth. More than anyone, Daniel cherished Luance, who resembled him greatly.

Daniel had always aimed to place Luance on the throne, but the crown prince position had gone to Adrian, the child of the Emperor and Empress.

“It was odd,” Adrian admitted.

Despite the damaging rumors about Luance, the Greikan household had remained unusually silent. Adrian would have expected them to counter the gossip swiftly, but Daniel hadn’t made a move—and now Adrian understood why.

The spread of the negative rumors only elevated public sentiment toward Luance.

“That’s why Daniel let it be,” Adrian concluded, grimacing. “The old snake planned this all along.”

Leaning back on the sofa, Adrian reflected on how Luance had shed his playboy image and was now regarded as a righteous royal defending the honor of women. Daniel had achieved his goal by simply letting the rumors play out.

Still, Adrian’s thoughts kept circling back to Laurencia.

“I can’t shake the feeling that Lady Laurencia plays a significant role in all of this. I’d like to meet her and see for myself.”

Thinking about Laurencia felt like walking through an impenetrable fog, searching for answers he couldn’t find. Frustrated, Adrian sighed deeply.

“Shall I meet her for you, Adrian?” Charlotte offered.

“Can you manage it?”

“I’ll ask the Empress for help. I’ll suggest hosting a light tea party to introduce myself as the future crown princess. Even as an illegitimate child, Laurencia is officially adopted into the Heredian family and would be expected to attend unless her health prevents her.”

“But what if the household restricts her movement?” Adrian asked, recalling the reports of Laurencia’s mistreatment.

“Don’t worry. Whether she comes to the tea party or not, I’ll create an opportunity to meet her,” Charlotte assured him with a confident smile.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Charlotte.”

Charlotte responded with an elegant smile, and Adrian nodded approvingly.

Illina felt like she was losing her mind. She had been fine when she sent the letter to Lorirolds, asking him to escort Laurencia to her debutante ball and be her first dance partner. She had even been excited, imagining Laurencia suffering at Lorirolds’s hands.

But everything had gone awry. Lorencia hadn’t been humiliated, and to make matters worse, bizarre rumors began to circulate.

Now people whispered about a love triangle involving Lorirolds, Lorencia, and Luance. Illina, once the socialite queen, found herself in hiding as Luance’s honor and her own reputation suffered.

Then the rumors shifted again.

Ann was painted as a cruel villainess conspiring with Lorirolds to harm Lorencia, while Luance emerged as a heroic knight defending her honor.

What pained Illina the most wasn’t the rumors but what she had heard from Luance himself.

“I heard it all. Why does your mother have to take the punishment for the monster’s deeds?”

When Luance’s duel with Lorirolds ended, Ann was to be banished to a distant convent for her role in tarnishing Luance’s reputation. Illina couldn’t bear it.

“What will I do without Mother or Julie? How am I supposed to live?”

“My poor child,” Ann wept, embracing her daughter. “I should have been more careful. I’m sorry.”

“Mother, I’ll go with you to the convent. I don’t want to live under the same roof as that monster.”

Ann sobbed with despair as she held Illina close.

“You can’t. While I’m gone, you’ll have to manage the household.”

“Mother…”

As time passed, the rumors began to change. Ann was now being labeled as a wicked villainess and a cruel wife.

The new gossip claimed that Ann conspired with Lorirolds to kill Laurencia, the illegitimate child who had been formally adopted into the Heredian family. On the other hand, Luance, despite Laurencia being an illegitimate child, had thrown a white glove at Lorirolds to defend her honor, becoming a shining example of a knight who protects a lady’s dignity.

However, there was something Illina found even harder to endure than the rumors.

“I heard everything from Prince Luance. Why must Mother be punished in place of that monster?”

Illina couldn’t accept the news that once Luance’s duel with Lorirolds concluded, Ann would be exiled to a distant convent on a remote island, punished for being the root cause of the scandal that tarnished Luance’s reputation.

“If Julie and Mother are gone… how am I supposed to live?”

“My poor child,” Ann wept, pulling Illina into a sorrowful embrace. “I should’ve been more careful. I’m so sorry, my darling.”

“Mother, I’ll go with you to the convent. I don’t want to stay in the same house as that monster.”

Overcome with frustration, Ann sobbed bitterly, holding Illina tightly.

“You can’t. While I’m gone, you’ll have to take charge of the Heredian household.”

“Mother…”

Ann had followed Daniel’s orders her entire life, marrying Brandt as instructed and living as she was told.

This incident was merely a fleeting mistake, yet to cover it up, she had been branded a villainess. She felt wronged and resentful, unable to shake the feeling of being used and discarded after a lifetime of servitude. Ann feared that Illina, too, might be exploited and abandoned like her.

But Luance had promised to make Illina his princess consort. There was no choice but to trust him. If Illina defied him, she risked being sold off as the 13th concubine of the Desert King.

“Do whatever it takes to win Prince Luance’s heart. Become his princess consort. Then ascend to the position of crown princess, and one day, the empress. You must.”

The only advice Ann could give was for Illina to hold onto Luance. It was the only way to survive.

“Yes, Mother. I’ll do that.”

“Promise me you’ll find happiness, standing high above everyone else, my precious child.”

Illina broke into uncontrollable sobs at Ann’s words.

When a single invitation from the imperial palace arrived, Ann couldn’t hide her unease. It was an invitation from the Empress, inviting guests to a tea party to introduce Charlotte, the future crown princess. For any noblewoman or young lady, attendance was mandatory, regardless of the reason.

“Mother.”

Ann’s current reputation was at rock bottom. Attending an event in such a state would invite whispers and scorn.

“What should we do?”

Illina paced the room nervously, biting her thumbnail. Ann opened the envelope and read the contents of the invitation. Only Illina and Laurencia were listed among the invited.

Ann’s name was conspicuously absent. It was evident that the Empress had deliberately excluded her name due to the recent scandal involving Lorirolds.

“So, I’ve been left off the invitation list.”

Illina sighed in relief at Ann’s words. Illina was currently known as the kind lady who cared for the illegitimate child that Ann had mistreated. Attending the event alongside Ann would have been humiliating. She felt reassured by Ann’s exclusion.

“Do I really have to share a carriage with that monster? I don’t want to, Mother.”

“Calm down, Illina. It’s the Empress’s invitation. No matter how much you dislike it, you must attend.”

“Isn’t there another way?”

“There is a way.”

Ann’s bloodshot eyes glinted sharply.

“Laurencia is still in her room with Prince Luance, isn’t she?”

“Yes.”

Ann immediately went to Laurencia’s room and knocked on the door. She showed the invitation from the imperial palace to Luance. The moment he saw it, Luance crumpled the invitation and threw it to the floor.

“They’re really trying everything just to see Laurencia.”

“Your Highness, Laurencia must be physically unable to attend if she is to avoid the tea party.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The Empress’s tea party is non-negotiable. Laurencia must attend unless her health prevents her. If you’re okay with her going, there’s no problem. But if not, she must appear unfit to attend.”

Ann deliberately raised her voice, making sure Laurencia could hear every word. Laurencia, standing behind Luance, met Ann’s gaze and understood the implications.

“Step outside. I need to speak with Laurencia,” Luance said, smiling faintly as he closed the door.

In the now-quiet room, only Laurencia and Luance remained.

“You heard that, didn’t you, Laurencia?”

“I’m not allowed to attend the tea party, am I?”

Luance frowned.

“Laurencia, how many times have I told you? Think before you speak. Just do as I say. Why is it so hard for you to understand?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve never been to a tea party before, so I was just curious.”

“When you become my princess consort, I’ll throw you as many tea parties as you want, alright? But for now, you have to help me. Got it? That’s the only way we can both be happy. Don’t you want to be happy with me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then just follow my lead. Don’t listen to anyone else.”

The scene was eerily reminiscent of the future vision the amethyst had shown her. But Laurencia knew she had to endure the present pain to move forward.

“Don’t be so scared. I’m not going to hurt you. I’ll just make you a little… slightly unfit to attend.”