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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Reason That Villainess Picked Up a Sword
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Raymond rushed towards Erin as if he had been waiting.
He saw her wiping her sweaty forehead while talking with students from the Swordsmanship Department.
Her occasional laughter and conversations even made her seem approachable.
‘What the... Erin Resus... I didn't know she could smile like that?’
That sight made Raymond's stomach churn even more.
"Erin, I didn't get to properly greet you earlier..."
Raymond said this and habitually reached out to stroke Erin's hair. Every time his hand touched her head, she would blush and seem pleased.
So Raymond had never once considered that Erin would reject him. It was unthinkable.
Because Erin Resus was always a child craving affection.
*Slap*
Raymond's face instantly contorted. But then, as if nothing had happened, he put on an embarrassed expression.
Erin slapped his hand away. Not just a simple slap, but with considerable force.
His hand quickly swelled red.
Raymond felt a strange sensation from Erin.
He had met Erin a few months ago. Even then, she had chattered away and blushed at him, no different from usual.
Erin had always greeted and followed him like an innocent puppy.
That's why Raymond felt she had changed somehow.
It was then. Erin smiled faintly, as if shyly, and spoke.
"I'm sweaty, so I'll probably smell, Raymond."
Right, there's no way. Erin Resus couldn't have changed. Raymond swallowed those words and muttered to himself.
"...Is it because you came to the Swordsmanship Department? You've changed a little, Erin."
"Not at all. It's truly fortunate that you seem to be exactly the same as before..."
The words carried multiple implications. Raymond was no different from his past self.
That smile, that gesture, and even the fact that he was trash.
Erin wanted to tell Raymond she was grateful he hadn't changed.
Because thanks to him, she wouldn't feel any guilt when seeking revenge.
Contrary to her inner thoughts, she wore a beautiful smile.
It was a captivating smile, enough to make Philip, who was standing nearby, stare in surprise.
* * *
"Ferdin Lexia."
Ferdin looked at the man who called his name before him.
He was an imposing figure, large enough to seemingly block the entire doorway.
The man currently before Ferdin was one of the three pillars said to uphold the Empire.
"It's been a long time, Ashili Duke."
It was certainly strange for a Prince to use honorifics while a Duke spoke informally, but his opponent was Ashili Duke.
No one dared to speak informally to him unless they were the Emperor himself.
And since the Duke was a close friend of Ferdin's mother, the informal way he had spoken to Ferdin since childhood had naturally continued to this day.
Ashili Duke's face was uncharacteristically relaxed.
Though he naturally had a fierce expression, making it unnoticeable to others, Ferdin, who had known him since childhood, could discern the difference.
Next to the Duke, the Princess was quietly sipping tea. Her face clearly showed her annoyance.
She set her teacup down on the desk with a loud *clink*.
It was an action far from the refined and polite image people had of the Princess.
Yet, Ashili Duke wore a pleased expression, as if even that behavior of hers was endearing.
At this doting display, Ferdin slightly furrowed his brow, as if taken aback.
At that moment, the Duke's smiling face hardened, and he turned to Ferdin.
"You readily accepted the engagement with Erin Resus... Don't tell me you knew? Did your unique ability show you her talent?"
Ferdin looked at Ashili Duke, puzzled.
Seeing his expression, Ashili Duke realized that Ferdin was unaware of Erin's talent.
Then why?
Ashili Duke couldn't understand. Ferdin Lexia was not the overly kind, angelic Prince that people commonly believed him to be.
He was a man who could be more ruthless than anyone to save the countless lives resting on his shoulders.
Hadn't he even pretended to be in a relationship with his daughter, who was like his sworn enemy, just to protect his people by any means necessary?
The Duke still couldn't forget the sight of the Princess and Ferdin linking arms with disgusted expressions.
It was impossible for him to directly aid in the conflict between Ditrion and Ferdin.
The Empire currently had three Sword Masters who kept each other's power in check, and two of them were on the Emperor's side.
As such, an unwritten rule had emerged among them: they could not interfere in Imperial Family disputes.
However, they couldn't stop their children's romantic relationships.
‘The children indirectly used me, it seems.’
That's why Ashili Duke thought Ferdin, having noticed Erin's talent, had accepted the engagement to use her.
Because someone chosen by the sword possesses extraordinary talent.
If Ferdin was truly maintaining the engagement for that reason, the Duke had no intention of letting him off easy.
Because it was unacceptable for Erin Resus, a strong candidate for a future Sword Master, to be used as a pawn, especially for someone walking the path of the sword.
"Why are you keeping Erin Resus by your side? You must know the Emperor is playing tricks, don't you? What exactly did those eyes of yours see?"
The reason the Lexia Imperial Family could maintain its current prosperity.
The Eyes that See Truth.
Ferdin Lexia possessed that unique ability.
It was a fact known only to Ashili Duke, the Princess, and a few people from the Holy Kingdom.
If the Emperor had known that fact, he would have tried to kill Ferdin immediately.
‘If only I could use it whenever I wanted.’
The Duke thought that and stared at Ferdin.
The Eyes that See Truth would indiscriminately show the truths known to this world, meaning memories from the past.
Ferdin could not use that unique ability at will.
Still, it was a useful ability, so the Duke thought he had seen Erin Resus's talent through it. But it seemed that wasn't the case.
Ferdin shook his head at the Duke's words.
"It's not something I can tell you."
Ferdin had certainly seen a certain scene from Erin.
However, it was neither a brilliant talent nor the image of a happy Marquis's Young Lady.
What he saw was the image of a small, shabby child, hidden under a bed, covering her mouth to muffle her cries.
That image was terribly similar to his past self.
It was incomprehensible.
Erin Resus was called the Marquis's treasure, a beloved lady, and people never doubted that fact.
Everyone believed that the Marquis had indulged her too much, which was why she had become a villainess who threw tantrums.
Ferdin thought it was impossible for Erin to have had such a terrible childhood.
But his unique ability was telling him that wasn't the truth.
Ashili Duke said nothing further after that.
This was because the Princess, who was beside him, poked his side and frowned.
"Sometimes, people have things they want to hide, Father. Especially if they're painful memories."
"..."
"So you have to wait until they tell you themselves. Because there are memories that cause pain just by recalling them... And don't judge her solely based on rumors. Just like how people think I'm comfortable and a lucky one because I'm your daughter and a saintess."
The Duke began to squirm at the Princess's words.
She was probably the only one who could subdue Ashili Duke with mere words like that.
"But that's not the reality, is it? I'm always in pain. People say they'd want to be Ashili Duke's daughter even if it meant pain, or that if they were born a saintess, they'd live a privileged life, but that's not true at all. They only look at the surface and think whatever they want."
"..."
"And... I don't think Sir Erin is a villain. She was just like you, Father."
At the Princess's words, Ferdin's face crumpled.
He couldn't understand how the large, mountain-like Ashili Duke and Erin could be similar.
What's more, he was a middle-aged man with a mustache.
Of course, he knew the Princess wasn't referring to their appearance, but he still didn't like her saying the Duke and Erin were similar.
"And Sir Erin is my friend."
The Princess said that much, then seemed to fall into thought for a moment.
"Of course, for now, I think I'm the only one who feels that way..."
Ferdin thought it had been a long time since the Princess had said something true. Erin was not a villain.
People often judge others based solely on their outward appearance and rumors.
Ferdin himself might appear to others as a perfect and privileged Prince.
But what was the reality? His father tried to kill him, and his brother hated him.
