The Villainous Family is Against Independence - i_

“……!”

At that moment, I tensed up without realizing it.

‘Could it be that she recognized me?’

But the eye contact lasted only for an instant. The lady quickly turned her gaze away and said,

“I wonder what she looks like.”

……This is exactly what she looks like, madam.

‘Recognizing me, my foot.’

In fact, getting tense was a foolish thing to do.

People’s preconceptions don’t change as easily as one might think.

No matter how much I resembled Dad, they couldn’t possibly think of me, known as the daughter of Duke Perdia, as the daughter of Duke Severes.

“I wonder when he’ll make his entrance……”

“Is he attending today?”

As the ladies said, it was about time for the entrances to end, but there was no sign of Dad.

Not only that, but the Perdia family hadn’t entered either.

I was just as puzzled.

“Why are they so late?”

Could something have happened on the way?

Of course, I wasn’t too worried, given that they were among the strongest people on the continent.

Even if they were ambushed, I’d only feel sorry for the assassins who would get beaten up.

***

At that time, at the Severes mansion.

“Master. It’s time for you to depart.”

The butler of Severes urged his solemn-looking master, fidgeting nervously.

“……”

Richard sat motionless on the sofa, lost in shock.

How devastated he had been when he went to Elodie’s bedroom to fetch her before departure, only to find an empty room.

“The young lady has already left.”

After hearing the confirmation from Martha, the personal maid, Richard couldn’t shake off his despondency.

‘To think that I would be abandoned by Elodie.’

Richard couldn’t help but think that way upon seeing the empty bedroom.

Richard, unable to depart, remained trapped in the shock of being abandoned.

At the same time, at the Perdia mansion.

Similarly, another man was sunk in despair, shocked at being abandoned.

His name, Sylvester Perdia.

“I heard from someone who left earlier that Lili has already entered. We should leave now.”

At Themis’s words, he tightly closed his eyes.

‘Of course, she must have entered with Richard Severes.’

Convinced of this, Sylvester didn’t even ask for details. Only Themis, who already knew the truth, watched the scene with amusement.

“Let’s get ready to go now.”

Themis pushed the backs of her two waiting sons.

“Huh? What about Father?”

When Carlot asked, Themis answered with a sneer.

“Your father is currently lost in the pain of heartbreak.”

“Ah!”

Thus, Elodie had unintentionally plunged two men into despair at once.

***

“Miss Elodie.”

Turning my head at the low voice from beside me, I saw Leon standing there.

Perhaps because we had been busy with our own circumstances and only talked through magical communication devices, it had been a while since I’d seen him in person.

Unlike his usual neat appearance, Leon was dressed in attire suitable for the banquet, and he was handsome enough to be a pleasure to the eyes.

“It’s been a while, Your Grace, Duke Kreundel.”

I responded formally, conscious of the glancing gazes of people around us.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

Leon’s complexion looked better than usual, perhaps because the sister he had been searching for had returned.

At that moment, the usually quiet Sloth started to chatter noisily.

[It’s the former contractor. Kill, kill, kill……]

‘Or is his complexion better because he doesn’t have Sloth chattering in his head?’

It was a perfectly reasonable assumption.

I had something to discuss with Leon today anyway, so this was a fortunate encounter.

“It’s not appropriate to talk here. Shall we move somewhere else?”

Leon’s eyes widened slightly at my question. I soon realized why he reacted that way.

“Oh, are you worried someone might misunderstand?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

His resolute answer surprised me this time.

‘Does he mean it doesn’t matter since there’s already been one round of engagement rumors?’

Leon and I stepped onto a balcony where there were no people.

Still, in case someone might misunderstand that we were in that kind of relationship, we left the balcony door half-open.

It was an indirect way of saying that we didn’t mind if anyone came in at any time, we’re not in any kind of relationship.

Of course, people who want to misunderstand will do so regardless.

“I saw your sister from afar earlier, and she looked healthy. I’m really glad, Leon.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Miss Elodie. If it weren’t for you, I might not have been able to rescue my sister yet.”

Leon said this with a smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

Surprised for a moment at the smile from someone who rarely does so, I soon followed suit and smiled brightly.

Leon’s unburdened appearance made me feel good too.

“I didn’t do much, but I don’t mind the gratitude.”

“As I always say, Miss Elodie, you are my benefactor.”

“If you keep saying that, I’ll get embarrassed……”

Ahem, I cleared my throat unnecessarily and took out one of the sealing stones I always carry.

It was none other than Sloth’s sealing stone.

[What? What? What?]

[Hey, looks like you’re being sold!]

[You’re selling me? Why? Why?]

Ignoring the fuss that Sloth and Greed were making, I looked up at Leon.

“I’ve made good use of the borrowed sin. Now I’m returning it to you.”

“Did you achieve what you intended?”

“Of course.”

Although there had been many struggles to obtain the power of sin, I was finally able to wake up Dad.

It was the most moving moment of my entire life.

None of it would have been possible if Leon hadn’t cooperated.

“It reminds me of when Miss Elodie first came to me with threats.”

“Ahaha……”

I laughed awkwardly.

Of course, at first, it wasn’t cooperation, but threats……

I had no choice but to make a strong impression because there wasn’t much time to persuade.

“To be honest, I never really intended to report you, Leon.”

“Yes. I know. I know you’re not that kind of person, Miss Elodie.”

Leon’s confident words made me feel good as if I had been acknowledged.

Although I helped Leon in the process of achieving my goal, it meant a lot that we both achieved what we wanted.

I’m really glad things worked out well.

Leon, who had been quietly looking down at me smiling, said with a faint smile.

“I’m glad I got to know you, Miss Elodie.”

Then he took a step closer and added.

The distance between us was just about a hand’s width.

“I’d like to get to know you better in the future.”

“Uh… pardon?”

I found myself stupidly asking back without realizing it.

No matter how oblivious I might be, I could understand what those words meant.

This was clearly a romantic interest.

‘Leon… for me…?’

As I was just moving my lips, not knowing what to say, Leon sighed softly and changed the subject.

“…What was the price the sin demanded?”

“Ah, ah! About that.”

Relief washed over me at the thought of escaping from the awkward topic.

I busily showed the sin to ease the awkward atmosphere.

I slightly pulled my hand back to prevent Leon from touching the sin before hearing a proper explanation, lest he fall for another fraudulent contract.

Something unusual caught my eye.

‘Huh?’

I thought I saw a glimpse of black skin inside Leon’s gloved sleeve…

“Um, Leon-“

Just as I was about to ask if he could take off his gloves for a moment.

There was a presence at the balcony door.

“My Lady.”

“Your Highness?”

The one who called me was first Prince Adenmir.

“Gasp…!”

I quickly hid the sin’s sealing stone I was holding.

‘I hope he didn’t see it?’

The Four Great Houses must monitor the sealing of sins. If it was discovered that I had used a sin privately, it wouldn’t end well.

Especially if the other party was Adenmir, a member of the royal family.

“Did I interrupt something?”

Fortunately, Adenmir didn’t seem to have seen the sealing stone. For some reason, he looked very displeased as he alternated glances between Leon and me.

“I was just having a conversation with the Lady, whom I haven’t seen in a while. I hope there’s no misunderstanding.”

I looked up and our eyes met. He stared straight into my eyes and nodded slightly.

“Then, Miss Elodie, I’ll contact you via the magical communication device.”

“Yes.”

With those words, Leon left the balcony. Due to Adenmir’s sudden appearance, I couldn’t return the sin’s sealing stone.

[Kill, kill, kill.]

I missed a golden opportunity to get rid of this noisy sin that always wants to kill!

“My Lady. It’s rude to think of other things when someone is in front of you.”

Before I knew it, Adenmir was right in front of me.

“I’m sorry. I just remembered something annoying.”

“I hope that annoying thing isn’t me?”

“Of course not.”

“Suspicious.”

Adenmir, who was looking at me with narrowed eyes, suddenly asked.

“Are you and Duke Kreundel often in personal contact?”

“It just happened to turn out that way. We get along well.”

I glossed over it, as I couldn’t say that we had secret dealings involving a sin.

But my answer seemed to displease him, and Adenmir’s expression momentarily hardened.

“Your Highness?”

“He called you by name.”

“Ah… yes.”

“You seem closer than I thought.”

“Maybe?”

“……”

Adenmir looked down at me silently. Under the darkness, his moss-like eyes looked like a night forest.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“No.”

“Ah, I see……”

I responded awkwardly to Adenmir’s curt answer.

I don’t understand why he came all the way here and chased Leon away if he had nothing to say and no business.

“Then may I go back inside?”

“No.”

“……”

What does he want me to do?

As I looked up at Adenmir with furrowed brows, feeling ridiculous, he suddenly burst into laughter.

“Strangely, it’s most amusing when the Lady reveals her true feelings.”

“Isn’t it rude to say someone is amusing to their face?”

Instead of apologizing to my point, Adenmir asked an unexpected question.

“May I contact you too?”

“Contact me?”

“Via magical communication device. You said you’re in personal contact with Duke Kreundel.”

“Would there be any reason to?”

“Does there need to be a reason? Between friends.”

Once again, Adenmir approached casually under the name of ‘friend’.

I looked up quietly at the person who had clearly defined our relationship.

Adenmir Presil Wallent.

The man who was my former fiancé.

My thoughts about Adenmir had certainly changed compared to before.

When we were engaged, we maintained just a formal engagement relationship. But that was it. There were no personal conversations or progression in our relationship.

Perhaps because he had no intention of marrying me.

In fact, I had been hurt by his attitude at times.

But now that we’ve broken off the engagement, it felt like one wall between us had crumbled.

Was it because I had given up unnecessary expectations? Maybe that’s why Adenmir could treat me more comfortably too.

“Sure. You can contact me anytime. We’re friends after all.”

“……”

But why?

Even though I gave the answer he wanted, Adenmir’s expression darkened.

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