Chapter 115 - North Korean rabbit

Episode 115

Evangeline threw the upcoming issue of *Espitola* she had been holding onto her vanity.

The front page was dominated by a headline in large, bold letters:

—Was the Suspicion True? The Truth About the Crown Princess...

—The Imperial Scandal, Who Was the Real Victim?

All preparations were complete.

Yet, the reason for this lingering unease was, as always, a single one.

‘Could Hilia also be a possessor?’

It wasn't just the matter with the Duchess.

It was said that Aaron Müzen had become a Sword Master before Hilia and pledged his knightly oath to her.

‘The young Duke of Müzen became a Sword Master much faster than in the original work.’

Could that truly be a coincidence?

Evangeline recalled the day before Hilia and Ludwig's wedding.

Hilia's words, spoken tearfully before Ludwig, rang sharply in her ears.

"Could it be that someone wants to interfere with our marriage? I'm afraid it seems there is someone nearby who hates me and wants to destroy our happiness."

Hilia's words were pointing at Evangeline.

That was when it began. The complete change in Hilia's attitude, speech, and actions.

‘Come to think of it, the paper knife that ruined Hilia's wedding dress was also found in my room back then.’

Evangeline was certain she had neither ruined the dress nor ordered it to be done.

Then, who would have been in the easiest position to orchestrate such a thing?

‘The owner of the dress, and the person who was constantly by her side...’

Thinking about it now, it felt like she had realized it far too late.

For the past few years, Evangeline had believed she had observed and understood Hilia well enough.

That was why she had let her guard down.

She had underestimated her, thinking the foolish Hilia lacked the nerve or the brains to pull off such a thing.

The image of Hilia's violet eyes glaring at her from within Arpad's arms, as if flaunting it upon her entry into the palace, came to mind.

A belated chill surged up as if she had swallowed ice.

Was the Hilia she knew capable of such a look?

The only answer was no.

The conclusion was one.

The current Hilia was different from the person she had known.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Hilia was the original work's heroine. What if she, too, was a possessor?

Moreover, although Evangeline was a possessor, she did not know the entire original story.

If Hilia, who was not only the heroine but also a possessor, knew the original work better than she did...

‘Can I... win?’

Could she truly become the real heroine?

Only bleak possibilities swirled chaotically in her mind.

‘Don't be ridiculous! If that's not the case, then why would I have possessed this world?’

Evangeline believed her arrival in this world was no coincidence.

Before possessing this world, she had met a miserable end to her life.

It had merely been a minor conflict among classmates.

It wasn't one-sided bullying. At least, that was the truth for her.

Yet, because the other party attempted suicide over that trivial matter, she became the one-sided perpetrator.

Expelled from school and ostracized even at home, she had to hide in her room.

Shut away, she killed time watching any drama or movie she could find and reading novels.

When something slightly displeased her, she would relieve stress by leaving harsh comments.

It was during that time that she read the original work.

And about five years ago, when she realized she had died from an illness and possessed Evangeline's body.

At first, she was delighted.

She had gained a chance to start anew.

But when she realized what role she had possessed, she was furious.

"If it's a novel possession, shouldn't it be the heroine? Why did I possess the villainess?"

It was unfair. Rage boiled over.

"Then what on earth is the reason I possessed her? What's the meaning?!"

"Even in my past life, I was called a villain and died miserably, and now I'm supposed to do it again?"

Was she meant to watch the heroine find happiness as the villainess?

"This is unfair!"

As Evangeline raged and grieved, it was as if lightning struck her mind. A very familiar voice seemed to whisper in her ear.

"You just have to seize it with your own hands, don't you? In the end, the one who wins becomes the real protagonist."

"Just like you lost in reality and ultimately became the villain."

It was the voice of 'herself'.

The voice of her past self, 'Yushina'.

Evangeline once again recited the vow she had made then.

"That's right. I am the real heroine. I will become her."

Because she had possessed this world for that very purpose.

If not, then neither her death in her past life nor this second life now held any meaning.

Evangeline was lost in deep thought, gazing at the mirror in her own bedroom at the Rus Marquisate residence.

That's when it happened. A commotion disturbing her reverie.

Along with a knock on the door, an urgent call was heard.

"Young Mistress! Young Mistress!"

"What is it?! I said not to disturb me!"

Evangeline shouted sharply without even opening the door.

But the words that followed made it impossible to just vent her irritation.

"His Highness the Grand Duke has suddenly disappeared!"

Ludwig, currently at the Grand Duke's residence, was under thorough surveillance by Evangeline's subordinates.

Evangeline had strictly ordered her subordinates not to lose track of Ludwig's movements.

Because there was an important matter next week for which Ludwig was to be used.

She flung the door open with a bang and shouted irritably.

"So you're saying you lost track of Ludwig?!"

"Well, you see..."

"Speak properly!"

"The last place he was sighted... is said to be the Imperial Palace."

"...What?!"

* * *

I doubted my ears. Did I hear that correctly?

My thoughts must have shown on my face. Or perhaps Ani, who delivered the news, was of one mind with me. As if she had been waiting, she said this.

"Shouldn't we send him away immediately, then?"

"...Hmm."

The Duchess of Müzen, recently appointed as Head Lady-in-Waiting, cautiously offered her advice.

"I share the same opinion. It would be best not to meet him and to send him back."

Judging by the Head Lady-in-Waiting's worried expression, she too seemed conscious of the strange rumors circulating lately.

She advised me in the lowest voice possible.

"And... about the knight you brought from your family home."

"You mean Lord Beltain?"

"Yes. Would it not be wise to send him somewhere distant for a while?"

I turned my head and asked her outright.

"Does my Head Lady-in-Waiting believe in the baseless rumors attached to that preposterous novel?"

"Of course not. I have been watching you closely by your side."

But the Duchess did not yield her opinion.

"Even so, it is best to avoid gossip as much as possible, Your Highness."

I could guess what she was most concerned about.

"Why? Are you worried the rumors might reach His Highness the Crown Prince's ears?"

"Somewhat..."

I chuckled and replied.

"There's no need to worry about that."

"I suppose that is true, but..."

My following words seemed to defy the Duchess's expectations.

"He already knows."

"What?!"

The Duchess's blue eyes widened to the size of lanterns.

"His Highness the Crown Prince would never be swayed by such baseless rumors, would he?"

"It seems I worried needlessly. Well, the two of you are so deeply in love..."

At my confident smile, the Duchess of Müzen let out a sigh of relief.

The reason the Duchess tried to dissuade me with such concern was simple.

And no wonder, for the one causing a scene, suddenly appearing at the Crown Prince's Palace without prior appointment or request, demanding to see me...

...was none other than Ludwig.

Ludwig had suddenly popped up... so to speak.

According to reports from the spies planted in the Grand Duke's residence, it was clear that Ludwig and Evangeline were conspiring together.

Perhaps this meeting could be an opportunity.

‘I might be able to pry out more about what Evangeline is plotting from Ludwig.’

Even if not, I had a bit of personal spite as well.

I had already humiliated Ludwig quite a bit and taken my revenge.

But it wasn't enough.

The insults and pain I had suffered at Ludwig's hands in my past three lives were still vivid.

I wanted to vent a little more. That was the reason for my answer.

"...I shall meet him."

"But, Your Highness!"

The Duchess ultimately could not sway my decision.

* * *

That said, I naturally had no intention of meeting Ludwig without any preparation.

By the time I gave various instructions and had necessary items brought, nearly an hour had passed.

During that time, Ludwig had been making a commotion in the reception room, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Loud enough to be heard from quite a distance.

‘He's abandoned all pretense of dignity now.’

This very fact, showing how cornered Ludwig was, felt somewhat gratifying.

I touched the transparent crystal necklace around my neck.

A particularly large amethyst hung from the center of the silver chain. When I touched this amethyst, a faint light swirled around the necklace for a moment before disappearing.

I also checked specific items among the bracelets and rings by touching their buttons. All were functioning without issue.

‘Good. Everything is working perfectly.’

After completing the checks, I opened the door to the reception room and entered.

There, Ludwig was waiting for me.

"...So I finally get to see you."

He was looking at me with an unfamiliar gaze.

I had thought Ludwig would be glaring at me as if I were his mortal enemy.

But he wasn't. His gaze was as if he were looking at the most coveted treasure in the world.

Whichever it was, it was deeply unpleasant to me. I replied in a stiff voice.

"Regardless, as my husband's cousin, I thought it better to deliver the message to leave in person."

At that, Ludwig gnashed his teeth and shouted at me.

"I've come to give you one last chance, Hilia."

"What chance?"

"It's not too late yet. Come back to me. Even now. Then I will forgive you."