The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 159
“…Who did you say?”
The Emperor, thinking he might have misheard, frowned slightly and asked again.
“The captain of the imperial guard.”
When Roxelyn repeated her statement with emphasis, the Emperor’s expression, rare for him, hardened.
“So you’re saying that the current captain of the imperial guard is the King of Makruxa?”
“Yes.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
After all, she had just spoken with him.
Roxelyn held her tongue there, as she could be accused of collusion.
“You’re saying the captain of my imperial guard is the King of Makruxa?”
“Yes.”
“Ducal Lady, I am not joking. You understand the gravity of your words, correct?”
“Yes. So, please use your Abyss on this bead.”
Roxelyn handed over the orange bead as she spoke.
The Emperor frowned.
“If I put my Abyss into this bead, how exactly does it work?”
“Uh…”
She didn’t know. Roxelyn had only heard about its use and never seen it herself.
“…It will summon the person.”
“…You want me to use something on you without fully understanding it?”
“There’s no danger, so please don’t worry.”
Of course, there was reason to worry.
After a moment of consideration, the Emperor finally smiled mischievously.
“Alright. But remember, Ducal Lady, I’m helping you because you’re supposed to become my daughter-in-law.”
“…”
“Don’t forget that.”
“No, that will be fine…”
Roxelyn was about to pull the bead back, but she bit her lip as she saw the Emperor’s Abyss infusing into the bead.
“I hope you remain safe.”
“…Yes.”
Roxelyn lowered her gaze, feeling rather embarrassed.
“But let me ask one thing. Why is the captain of the imperial guard the King of Makruxa?”
At the Emperor’s question, Roxelyn stopped walking.
“I recommend finding that out yourself.”
“You certainly walk a fine line.”
“I’m sorry if I offended you. Thank you for your generous gift. Now, it’s late, so I’ll be on my way.”
Roxelyn smiled politely at the Emperor, thanked him, and turned to leave, but paused at the door.
“Your Majesty, if the child of a murderer is born, should that child be branded as a criminal?”
“…Are you suddenly trying to discuss guilt by association?”
Roxelyn laughed softly.
“Then… are the unintended children of a monarch criminals or not?”
As the Emperor fell silent, Roxelyn bowed once more and left the reception room.
* * *
“Then, what should we do about this, Roxelyn?”
Returning to the present, Roxelyn pursed her lips at Arma’s innocent question.
‘Let’s not provoke him,’ she thought.
It was a natural instinct because the man in the skull mask who had attacked her was now lying subdued on the floor, having been overpowered by Arma while she had been lost in thought.
It all happened in an instant. As the ‘reaper’ lunged at Roxelyn to kill her, Arma drew his sword and blocked the path to her.
The trauma of Arma telling her to run while facing an assassin nearly resurfaced for a moment.
But it was only brief because Arma was strong, and he subdued the opponent in the blink of an eye. There was no time for trauma to resurface.
“…You’re playing with people.”
Her lingering worries vanished, replaced by a slight irritation.
“…What?”
“Never mind. It’s probably best to stop him from committing suicide, considering he might be brainwashed…”
Thud!
Before she could finish speaking, a chilling sound filled the air, and the scent of blood spread.
Both of them looked down simultaneously. Arma quickly flipped over the Reaper he was holding down and his eyes widened.
“…A child?”
Muttering softly, he forcefully pried open the boy’s mouth, which was dripping blood, and frowned.
“…This is difficult unless a healer comes immediately.”
The boy was still alive, but his condition was critical.
“Move aside.”
Roxelyn detached the yellow stone from her seven-stone bracelet and gently placed it on the boy’s forehead.
A warm yellow light began to emanate from the stone.
