The Baddest Villainess Is Back
Chapter 75
He wore a subtle expression, looking like someone who had just heard something either very amusing or very unpleasant, then stroked his chin.
“……Ho.”
“……Or so I recall hearing from my grandfather. He mentioned you had done something similar in the past.”
I believe it to be an efficient method.
Once caught in such a grip, those who remember that terror would never dream of defying the Imperial Family.
However, the greenhorns among the newly appointed heads of houses or those fresh to noble society wouldn’t know that…….
That is why the Emperor intends to turn the Empire upside down once more in the near future.
“Did you know? Thanks to you, Princess, the epidemic was settled quite quietly. The damage was extremely minimal. All because you…… departed for Kaluta at just the right time and brought back the herbs used as ingredients for the antidote.”
“That is a relief.”
“I am saying I find it fascinating. Even scouring the ancient texts, I have never heard of an Abyss like yours.”
“The Abyss manifests according to one’s inherent nature.”
“Rather, isn’t it as if you’ve seen the future?”
Thump. Her heart felt as if it had dropped.
Roselyn lifted her head with the most expressionless face possible.
“If that were possible, I would have changed my own future first.”
The tension was taut. No sooner had Roselyn spoken while braced for the worst, the door swung open without warning.
“What are you doing, Your Majesty?”
“There is no affection in the way you address your father, my youngest.”
It was Arma.
“I am sorry, the 3rd Prince kept insisting we open the door……”
Roselyn slowly shifted her gaze. The Captain of the Royal Guard bowed his head.
“No, it is fine. Even I cannot stop my son’s stubbornness.”
The Emperor waved a hand.
Arma brushed past him, almost throwing something onto the floor before glancing at Roselyn and setting it down gently instead.
“Roselyn, Father didn’t bully you, did he?”
“What a disappointing thing to say, my youngest. We were merely having a conversation. Isn’t that right, Princess?”
“Yes, he spoke as if he were interrogating me, but I wasn’t hit.”
When she added that it could therefore be called a conversation, the Emperor looked at Roselyn with an expression that said, What kind of brat is this?
“……Father.”
Arma glared at the Emperor. The Emperor let out a hollow laugh.
“They say there’s no use raising children, and here you are, completely smitten with a woman and acting out against your father.”
“Roselyn, I brought the one we caught before…… the kidnapper who took you.”
Ignoring the Emperor, Arma explained while kneeling on one knee before Roselyn.
The figure slumped on the floor was missing an arm.
He ground his teeth, yet lifted his head to look at Roselyn. His hollow eyes and skin clinging to his bones clearly showed that his recent days had not been pleasant.
Count Aximus Baldur.
He was the faithful limb and right-hand man of Makruksa’s ‘King.’
“……What about the person caught at the gambling den?”
“Ah, he died during interrogation. The priest as well.”
At Arma’s nonchalant words, Aximus whipped his head around to look at him.
Who was it that had shown no mercy, continuing to perform torture disguised as interrogation even after everything worth knowing had been confessed?
“I am sorry.”
At Arma’s dejected apology, Roselyn shook her head.
“No, it’s fine.”
“Young lady, I’ll give you some advice: it’s best to break up with this madman quickly. He’s not someone you want to be near.”
Aximus, with one hand tied behind his back, bared his teeth as he spoke.
Roselyn nodded.
“I know.”
“……Roselyn?”
“……Oh, you know.”
Arma questioned her, and Aximus nodded with a bewildered expression.
“Well, that’s a relief, then……”
He answered awkwardly.
“I have something I’m curious about. Who is the King of Makruksa?”
“Heh, do you really think I’d tell you that?”
Aximus snickered. He didn’t seem to have any lingering attachment to life, as if he hadn't expected to survive in the first place.
He didn't look like a man who held the title of Count at all.
“My youngest, how lax was your management that a mere criminal dares to……”
The Emperor gave a fierce smile.
“Hold his head so high in front of my daughter-in-law.”
Thud.
The air grew heavy. Just as she felt it becoming difficult to breathe, someone carefully took Roselyn into their arms.
It was Arma.
“Shh—it’s okay, Roselyn. If you calm down, you’ll be able to breathe.”
Opening her eyes at the gentle voice, Roselyn only then realized she had been unable to breathe. As she slowly exhaled her trapped breath, her eyes widened at the sight over his shoulder.
Aximus was writhing on the floor, clutching his throat.
As if he weren’t even permitted to make a sound.
The man’s body repeatedly curled up and stretched out. Roselyn clamped her mouth shut at the sight of capillaries bursting and eyes threatening to pop out.
Because she thought she understood the nature of the Emperor’s Abyss.
While Roselyn was frozen stiff, the Emperor looked at her with an expression that seemed somewhat pleased.
“What is it, Princess?”
Roselyn intended to say it was nothing.
“……I’m not your daughter-in-law.”
If only the words she thought she should correct hadn't slipped out because she was too tense.
“……Ah.”
A heavy silence descended.
* * *
“Are you alright, Lady Bellion?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Roselyn nodded briefly at the concern shown by the Captain of the Royal Guard, who had been tasked with escorting her to the carriage by the grace of the Emperor and the 3rd Prince.
Arma had told Roselyn that if she had any questions, he would find out for her, so she should head back first.
If it hadn't been for him, the atmosphere would have become even more awkward. Arma, who added that he was sorry he couldn't see her off because he had things to discuss with the Emperor, seemed to have been quite shocked.
‘……I should have added a bit more explanation.’
That since the engagement was to be broken, there was no way she would become his daughter-in-law.
Roselyn realized her mistake too late. The Emperor might have used his Abyss to vent his own stress, but regardless, he had publicly used the reason that it was 'for Roselyn.' Denying that could be problematic.
“There has been a lot of talk about you within the Imperial Palace lately, My Lady.”
“Is that so?”
Roselyn looked at the Captain of the Royal Guard, who was speaking to her familiarly. He possessed the skill to be chosen as the leader even among the Royal Guard, where only the strongest in the Empire gathered. She had heard he had served the Emperor since they were young and was almost like a brother to him.
Though he must be in his late forties, one would believe it if told he was in his early forties based on his appearance alone.
‘Does he not age?’
Except for the faint wrinkles on his face and the beard on his chin, he didn't look like he was in his late forties at all. The numerous scars on the man’s cheeks and hands told the story of how fiercely he had lived his life until now. The fact that he hadn't stepped down from his position at that age meant his skills remained formidable.
“Yes, they say the Princess is achieving great results in many ways.”
“That is a relief.”
“Particularly thanks to Rishu's Herb brought from Kaluta, the epidemic that was rampant in the Empire was suppressed faster than expected. I heard that many people’s opinions of Kaluta have improved as well.”
“That is also a relief.”
Seeing Roselyn’s lack of expression even at his praise, the Captain smiled broadly.
“It seems an old man has rambled on with useless words.”
“It’s because I’m not very good with words, so please don’t mind it,” Roselyn replied calmly.
“You seem quite different from the Little Duke of Bellion.”
“Well, I’m not quite that lacking in social skills.”
“Ah, that part is simi……”
Roselyn paused at the Captain’s words. Belatedly, the Captain stopped speaking, let out a chuckle, and hurriedly shook his head as he added,
“I suppose…… you aren’t. You are a bit better, Princess.”
Roselyn frowned.
“Yes, I know.”
As she nodded with satisfaction, the Captain looked at her with a subtle expression and smiled.
“But how did you know? That Rishu's Herb in Kaluta would be effective against the epidemic?”
The Captain asked as he carefully escorted Roselyn.