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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The Villainess's Reason for Wielding a Sword
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It was something he did without realizing it.
He had planned to meet Erin today, but he had no intention of dragging her along so forcefully.
But after meeting Ditrion, he momentarily lost his composure.
"Sir Erin... are you alright?"
Ferdin felt pathetic for asking a question now that he should have asked much earlier.
He was concerned that he hadn't considered how startled Erin might have been, and that he might have shown her an unsightly side of himself.
Had Erin heard Ditrion's insulting words?
She couldn't have not heard them. Sword Masters are said to have excellent hearing.
However, in response to his question, Erin spoke as if she truly didn't care.
"If you're referring to His Royal Highness Ditrion's actions, I'm truly fine."
"..."
"And... you don't need to try and protect me when there are many people around. It might bother the Princess too."
"You don't need to worry about that."
"Pardon?"
"The Princess and I are nothing to each other."
Erin tried to understand Ferdin's words. The Ashili Princess and he were nothing to each other?
Suddenly, she remembered the Princess repeatedly saying that she didn't need to worry about her relationship with Ferdin.
"The Princess and I are not in love. ...It was merely a contract relationship. And even that has now ended."
"..."
"So... if that was what was bothering you, you don't need to break off our engagement."
It was what he had wanted to say since they were in the Werewolf Tribe's territory.
Ferdin sincerely did not want to break off their engagement. He knew it was selfish, but he still felt that way.
He knew what humiliation Erin would face by being by his side, yet... he couldn't abandon his desire.
"So, please withdraw your words about breaking off our engagement."
At Ferdin's words, Erin felt her heart begin to beat rapidly.
'He and the Princess are nothing to each other?'
She saw Ferdin's clear eyes looking at her.
Erin felt her heart swell as she looked at him.
Whenever she saw him, her heart raced, and she felt like crying. Sometimes, she even wanted to act childish.
'I... I want to keep being with you too.'
Erin swallowed the words she couldn't bring herself to say.
Even if Ferdin and the Princess were nothing to each other, there would be no place for her in his future.
'Don't be greedy. You decided to be content with this much.'
But she couldn't completely erase the surge of emotion his words brought. She had loved him... since a very distant past.
"I... I can't do that."
Ferdin didn't know how cruel she could become. That's why he could be so kind.
The person by Ferdin's side should be bright and gentle.
Erin thought it would be good if that person resembled him. Therefore, she could never stand by Ferdin's side.
Erin could be content as long as he was happy.
"Sir Erin, I know you're hiding something from me. I have my own secrets too. As you can see, the relationship between Ditrion and me is terrible. He despises me."
"..."
"I don't really know why you're hiding the fact that you're a Sword Master. There must be circumstances, certainly. Ones I can't presume to understand..."
"I..."
"But I know one thing for sure. That you are a kinder person than anyone else."
Erin's eyes trembled. Small tears fell from her eyes.
Ferdin reached out and wiped Erin's tears. His touch was tender.
"I don't believe you committed the evil deeds of which you're rumored. So... if it's not too presumptuous, I want to help you prove your innocence."
"Do you... think I'm not a bad person?"
"I haven't thought that for a single moment."
His words were so gentle that Erin almost told him everything.
That he was right. That she hadn't done anything wrong.
Erin unconsciously grasped Ferdin's hand. He looked surprised, then his face flushed.
She pondered for a moment before answering softly.
"Yes. Do as you wish."
At her answer, Ferdin's face brightened. But Erin was looking at him, thinking something else.
It would take a long time for Ferdin to accurately uncover the mastermind. Moreover, this was something that had happened exactly the same way in the past.
Even if she tried to stop him, it was highly likely that the same thing would happen.
In the past, Ferdin had tried to prove her innocence just as he was doing now. But he ultimately failed to uncover the truth.
The person behind the Marquis's Wife, the one who spread the rumors that Erin was a villainess. Who exactly was that person?
Erin covered Ferdin's hand with her own. Tears streamed endlessly from her eyes.
She felt Ferdin, standing before her, looking at her with a helpless expression.
"What could be the reason, Sir Erin?"
"..."
"Whenever I look at you... my heart aches strangely. I can't shake the feeling that I've forgotten something important."
Ferdin's words seemed like a question he was posing to himself.
With a confused expression, he slowly caressed Erin's cheek. Erin looked at him with wide eyes.
Seeing Erin like that, Ferdin felt an inexplicable resonance spread through his chest.
'Why am I so sad?'
Ferdin was confused. It was an emotion he simply couldn't comprehend at the moment.
* * *
"Your Royal Highness Ditrion."
Ditrion pressed down firmly on Loham's hand, who was kneeling before him.
At Ditrion's action, Loham grimaced but dared not raise his head.
"I don't understand, Sir Loham. What exactly are you good at, for a high-ranking knight?"
"Ugh... My apologies, Your Royal Highness."
"What good is a knight who can't even deliver a single letter properly?"
The other knights guarding Ditrion weren't surprised by the sight.
As if it were an everyday occurrence, they were instead looking around to ensure Ditrion's actions weren't noticed by others.
His actions were certainly abnormal. Even if he was the Empire's First Prince and Loham's liege, it wasn't appropriate treatment for a high-ranking knight.
Ditrion's behavior towards Loham was as if he were dealing with a slave, not a knight.
"Sir Loham, you're a real disappointment."
Saying that, Ditrion tapped Loham's cheek with his finger.
Loham stared at Ditrion, filled with fear.
"Things that are no longer needed should be disposed of."
Ditrion's expression as he said this was horrifyingly devoid of emotion.
Apart from the knight before him being utterly foolish, the reason Ditrion was here also contributed to his low mood.
Officially, he was here to 'reward Ferdin for his great achievements.'
And a small banquet would be held at the Academy in two weeks to bestow that reward upon him.
'Corelia will probably arrive around then too.'
Ditrion thought of Corelia, and continued his thoughts about Erin.
He wondered if Erin would still be the same after seeing Corelia. If the three of them were together, would she beg him for mercy, just as she had been dragged away by Corelia back then?
Or would she look at him with completely different eyes, like today?
"Pl... please spare me, Your Royal Highness!"
"Spare you?"
Ditrion tilted his head as he said that.
"Then you must prove your usefulness, Sir Loham."
Even as he punished Loham, he kept recalling one person's face.
Erin's green eyes, which had looked at him, would not leave his mind.
For a moment, Ditrion felt his thoughts were out of his control, which made him uneasy.
His eyes, looking down at Loham, shone eerily.
It wouldn't be bad to use this trash to deal with her.
Ditrion wanted to see Erin's expressionless face turn tearful again, just like it used to be.
Ditrion spoke to Loham.
"Do you want to live, Sir Loham? I'll tell you how."
* * *
Erin was with Ferdin.
She saw him holding her hand and smiling happily.
Ferdin's firm arm held her waist.
His gentle smile was both familiar and unfamiliar.
'Strange.'
Erin stared blankly at Ferdin.
And as Ferdin's face gradually drew closer, she widened her eyes and looked at him. But she didn't avoid him.
He looked at Erin as if she were truly lovely, and kissed her forehead.
"..."
She saw him saying something to her.
'This must be a dream.'
Tears flowed from Erin's eyes.
But she knew these weren't tears of sadness, but tears of pure happiness.
Because her dream self was smiling, not wearing the sad expression she always had in the past.
