The Villainess Needs A Tyrant

Maribelle parted ways with Ethelred after the dance and blended in with the crowd. As usual, the noblewomen of the family who frequently dealt with Edenbert came first, followed by people who were thirsty for gossip.

 

“I don’t know how long it has been for His Majesty to be present at an imperial party like this. He was not even present at the coronation event.”

 

“Today is the day he has to meet other Young Ladys, isn’t it? Or—.”

 

The gentle gazes of those who were chirping by the side came to Maribelle. They looked like they were expecting an answer even at a glance, so Maribelle turned her head openly.

 

‘It’s not worth answering back.’

 

It’s not a mockery or anything. They were like a school of fish that just wants a snack that they can chew and chat about. Maribelle wasn’t stupid enough to get caught up in such an obvious trick.

 

‘This is somehow good enough.’

 

Maribelle listened to the stories around her and glanced at the people. It was worth watching to see such luxuries talking like that. Rather than mocking Maribelle, they were simply thirsty for the gossip that had stirred up the social world just a few days ago.

 

Fortunately, however, there were many people around her.

 

‘Certainly, the scandal was good to show in a show window style.’ 

 

What Maribelle decided to do for the future was to take a step back.

 

She had just had a major scandal with the Emperor not long ago. Moreover, after that, Ethelred even sent a proposal for the marriage, so it was self-evident without even thinking deeply about what kind of gossip the social sparrows were most excited about.

 

‘If I had accepted, I would have been a little less concerned about the atmosphere, but now the situation has changed.’ 

 

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, Maribelle refused the Empress position, and decided to stay with him as an aide—the chief of the palace. When the party that was originally thrown to welcome the prospective empress changed into a party for all of the empress candidates instead, the ladies seeking entertainment, asked around for some gossip.

 

People’s opinions on the current situation were generally similar.

 

His Majesty intends to leave Maribelle Edenbert as mistress and welcome a new Empress.

 

Well, that was a false rumor.

 

‘In this situation, there is no need to step forward and correct it.’ 

 

There are two things people are interested in today. One is Maribelle and the other is Ethelred. Since Maribelle refused to be the Empress, now she has to remain only as an aide.

 

Rather, innocent gossip mongers like that were a breeze compared to the people who had a look of contempt as they maligned her.

 

“She would not have been able to appear here if she had known about the dignity. It’s a shame the Duke of Edenbert didn’t show up today—”

 

Yeah, yeah. Talk as much as you want.

 

Maribelle looked at the ladies who kept glancing at her with a frown. While they openly mocked Maribelle, she would sometimes turn her head their way, they startled like a bird when their eyes met.

 

‘Anyway, the little things add up.’ 

 

This situation was very familiar to her. Even if she remembers that Maribelle was the Empress in her previous life, and she lived as the most noblewoman in the Empire, the social world was always like a battlefield for her.

 

‘It was uncomfortable like this.’ 

 

Of course, 80% of the reasons were Arinel.

 

Because of Arinel’s clever hostility, Maribelle had to check every one of her moves at all times. Because if she made any mistakes Arinel would mock and laugh at her right away.

 

If she’s nervous, mistakes will increase. Her body shrinks, and her voice shrinks.

 

But there was no longer any need for that. Even if she makes a small mistake, she will not be bothered by it anymore. No, even if someone was trying to point out her faults, Maribelle was fine with it.

 

Where is the person who cries because a sparrow pinches the back of their hand?

 

‘By the way, Innis is leaving me alone.’ 

 

Since Innis claimed she was staying in the capital to see her, she thought she would hear from Innis soon, but unexpectedly, she didn’t even show her shadow.

 

Maribelle, trying not to show any regrets, slowly walked towards the champagne and left.

 

‘Innis Rhodein. I don’t think I’ve seen her even when I was an empress. Is it because I don’t remember?’ 

 

The name Rhodein itself has been heard a lot. In fact, in terms of frequency alone, she would have heard the name in reference to Edenbert.

 

It has been less than 50 years since the Rhodein family separated from the Edenbert family and the cause was Innis.

 

In the past, by the time Innis got married, Edenbert’s influence was not strong, and the structure of succession was not stable, so the right to succeed the duchy was undecided. It was a very good condition for Innis, who wanted to be able to control her family even after getting married.

 

However, the situation changed when the previous Duke died and Maribelle’s father, Ikart, instead of Innis’ husband, ascended the Duke’s position.

 

Ikart gave Monton to Innis, who kept crossing the lines of the family, and kicked them both out to the south, took control of the Duchy, and raised the reputation and prestige of the family at a rapid pace.

 

For Innis, who wanted to make her husband the head of the household and wanted to rule over the family, it was like a blitz.

 

So she asked the Emperor to give her husband a new title, and he, who loved his sister, gladly granted the request.

 

The Emperor granted Innis and her husband the title of Marquis of Rhodein, along with the wide plains and the Rideril Territory, the so-called Golden Sage land, as it spans the largest forest on the continent, Mireon Forest.

 

It goes without saying that the Edenbert family had their teeth polished when they heard this news.

 

Even though they were from the same family, their main base was different, and a strange relationship was created that was not even close.

 

‘Uncle passed away three years ago and his son inherited the title of Marquis, so the current Marquis is probably Xavier Rhodein.’ 

 

If that’s the case, he’ll be about the same age as His Majesty, so if she’s trying to recruit someone, she should probably target the younger generation—.

 

Maribelle was walking as she agonized over details, and someone approached her. The problem was that Maribelle, who was in deep thought, didn’t even realize that someone was coming to her.

 

In addition, she even had a glass of champagne in her hand.

 

Ack! 

 

“Kya!”

 

“Oh my!”

 

By the time she realized it, the champagne had already been spilled. Maribelle was startled and bit her foot behind her, but her glass was already empty, and the hem of the other person was wet with her mess.

 

It wasn’t just Maribelle who was surprised. A murmur began to be heard from the surrounding area.

 

“Oh, my. What’s that?”

 

“How dare you to His Majesty’s aunt—?”

 

Maribelle only looked alternately at the glass, which was absurdly empty, and the other person’s wet hem. As soon as the dark color of defeat flowed along the spine, the opponent burst into a cheerful smile and showed off her clothes.

 

“Hahaha, oh my God. As I live, there are people who spill alcohol on my dress.”

 

Maribelle, who was already distracted by the other person’s laughter, hurriedly apologized.

 

“Oh, I-I’m really sorry. I’ll call a maid for a new dress—”

 

“Okay. It’s not like that on purpose. I have extra dresses I’ve prepared.”

 

She looked down at the wet dress, sighed, and brushed her golden hair up.

 

A middle-aged woman with distinct features, who seemed to have never bowed to others in her life, smiled softly.

 

“I have to change. Will you come with me?”

 

At first glance, she had a sweet smile on, but Maribelle instinctively noticed.

 

If she loses her mind here,  ‘I’m going to be bitten by a poisonous snake.’

 

******

 

It was only when Maribelle arrived at the break room that she found out that the person she had spilled alcohol on was Innis.

 

When she said that she was somewhat wary, it wasn’t for nothing.

 

His Majesty’s aunt…they really look alike.’

 

Blonde, red eyes, things like that. And the inherent arrogance really resembled each other. Maribelle admired the similar personality purely.

 

And at the same time, she was sure.

 

‘You purposely lured me to a quiet place.’ 

 

Including spilling alcohol on Innis.

 

Well, it was good for her. It’s not something that she didn’t expect.

 

Above all, Innis wasn’t too threatening to her now. Looking back on the memories of her previous life, there was a lot of information about Innis.

 

‘She’s quite hot-tempered, but I’ve heard that she’s just energetic.’ 

 

It was a publicly known fact that Innis spends a lot and treats her people really well. In particular, it was vaguely memorable that she soothed those who were wary of her in her past life and ended up by her side.

 

‘Maybe she’s trying to get me on her side—.’

 

While Maribelle was agonizing over the other woman’s intentions, Innis, who changed her dress, smiled as she sat across from Maribelle.

 

“I was really surprised that you were Maribelle Edenbert. I wanted to meet you once, but I didn’t know this would happen.”

 

“Did you want to meet me?”

 

At Maribelle’s question, Innis paused for about a second.

 

‘You lost the topic.’

 

A while ago, she mentioned “this kind of meeting” on purpose. She tried to gain a relative advantage by recounting the fact that Maribelle Bell had spilled alcohol on her clothes, but Maribelle instead twisted the subject through a counter-question.

 

Still, well, this is nothing. Innis smiled loosely, changing her expression and clasping her chin.

 

“Yes. I wonder if there was a scandal between you and my one and only nephew.”

 

“That’s right. Even though I’m from Edenbert.”

 

Innis was going to be sarcastic about how a scandal between ‘cousins’ broke out. Innis continued her sarcastic jeers. If Maribelle responds sarcastically here, she’d be falling into Innis’ trap.

 

“—I was curious about what aspect of him you liked more than Edenbert. I’m talking about this because I’m his aunt, but I don’t see much about him.”

 

“—What do you mean there’s not much to see about the Emperor of a country?”

 

“Is there any power strong enough to support him? All of his close associates are worm-eaten acorns, and he’s trying to reject this aunt too, he’s too arrogant.”

 

Maribelle became confused. Not because of Innis’ remarks that there is little to Ethelred, but because of the part about his aides.

 

“Aren’t His Majesty’s close aides capable?”

 

Maribelle took the bait. Innis rejoiced inside. At first, she was a little pushed back, but in the end, it is the person with more information who wins in this kind of conversation.

 

“Of course. They’re talented people. It’s just that my nephew is the worst.”

 

“—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 

“Oh, Maribelle. You didn’t know that?”

 

Innis covered her lips with a startled expression. A smile she couldn’t hide faded under her hand.

 

“Have you never heard of what rumors they carry around?”

 

Have you ever heard of how Ethelred ruined them and put them in his hands?

 

******

 

Azil ran away from the party twice. The first time he ran from the Young Ladies around him, the second time from the anxiety that gripped his heart.

 

A while ago, when everyone was focused on the Emperor’s dance, there was a person who couldn’t breathe. Among those who praised both the man and woman for their perfect dance without mistakes, he was busy chasing the silver afterimage in his head.

 

Azil felt like he was possessed.

 

‘Sir Irgeil, isn’t that dress really pretty? How would you feel if I wore it?’

 

‘….’

 

‘Sir Irgeil, are you listening to me?’

 

He didn’t even have the time to answer the lady who was bothering him. He just played and replayed that look a little while ago—.

 

Oh, how wonderful it would be if memories could be turned into music boxes. Then he would rotate it until the plate wears out—.

 

‘Sir Irgeil, your face is red. Are you not feeling well?’

 

‘—It’s nothing. It’s just a little hot.’

 

‘Well, I think I turned the heating on. I guess I’m hot too. Why don’t we go outside together?’

 

‘Looks like I’ll have to go out.’

 

‘Ah, let’s go together— Sir Irgeil?’

 

Azil walked absurdly away from the whining lady. He couldn’t help it because he didn’t have the spirit to respond kindly at the moment. Kindness is also a luxury that even those who can afford to do so don’t perform all the time.

 

He needs to get some cold air. With that in mind, Azil went outside.

 

He had to get rid of these nonsensical thoughts somehow. He couldn’t leave the party in advance today, so if he couldn’t steady his mind, he would be the one who had to pay for it.

 

But today, it seems that God was not on Azil’s side.

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“—Lady?”

 

After all, it was an incredible coincidence to find Maribelle walking somewhere with a familiar middle-aged blonde woman as soon as he came out.