The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 20
“Oh?”
“I’d be grateful if you could keep today’s events and my abilities a secret.”
Roxelyn said this, pointing upwards towards the ceiling.
The Emperor chuckled heartily.
“Today’s matter will be forgotten. I’ll send a formal apology with an appropriate response…”
“No, instead, I’d like to ask for one thing.”
Roxelyn spoke to the Emperor.
Upon hearing what she needed, the Emperor made a subtle expression and then nodded.
“Will that suffice?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, let’s leave it at that.”
The Emperor nodded.
“Ah, lady. I’ll overlook your overstepping this time, but let’s not push for a second time.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Roxelyn’s non-committal answer made him laugh.
‘She’s not outright refusing, I see.’
The Emperor stroked his chin and spoke.
“And, I would really appreciate it if you could attend the next banquet.”
It should be interesting.
Roxelyn, easily inferring the unspoken words of the Emperor, gave a brief smile.
“It would be an honor to be invited.”
As she opened the door and stepped out, she was startled by a shadow blocking her path.
“…Third Prince.”
“Did you have a good talk with His Majesty?”
Arma, with his eyes quivering nervously, asked cautiously while bowing slightly.
“Yes, we had a good conversation. Were you waiting for me?”
“I heard His Majesty wanted to see me as well… Anyway, I’ve been treated already.”
He spoke carefully.
“May I… come closer now?”
Arma, standing about three steps away, asked, causing Roxelyn to furrow her brows slightly.
‘Isn’t he close enough already?’
With a puzzled expression, Roxelyn tilted her head, prompting him to take two steps closer, lowering his gaze.
Bowing his head to show his cheek, Arma, with a slightly blushing face, spoke.
“Does it not embarrass you now…?”
“…Ah.”
Roxelyn then remembered the words she had used to dismiss him.
“Yes, you’ve been treated well.”
He had applied a gauze to his cheek and changed into a fresh white uniform that looked quite neat.
Even though she nodded, he didn’t move away. Roxelyn looked at Arma, puzzled.
“…Don’t you want to check it with your hand?”
‘Really?’
With a bemused expression, Roxelyn briefly touched Arma’s gauze and then withdrew her hand.
Only then did Arma straighten up, satisfied, and stepped back.
“And in the future, you don’t have to shield me. What I did earlier was intentional.”
At Roxelyn’s words, Arma’s eyes widened.
His expression turned slightly tearful, his eyes contorting as he clenched his mouth shut.
With a somewhat resentful look, Arma slowly opened his mouth.
“…Why?”
“Because the charge of me insulting the imperial family isn’t wrong. It could even be considered an attempted assassination of a royal.”
“But Roxelyn, you were just trying to…”
Roxelyn shrugged her shoulders with a smile.
“But even if I were in a difficult situation, there’s nothing the Third Prince can do, right?”
At Roxelyn’s words, Arma stiffened.
“It’s like that.”
She spoke calmly.
Arma is the Third Prince.
He desires the comfort of the present, wishing to maintain this peace and live as is.
He has no ambition for power, no longing to become someone great, and no anger towards the unjust treatment he was being given.
“I just wish for you to be happy, Your Highness.”
Arma bit his lip.
Roxelyn saw this but pretended not to notice.
She had decided not to speak about it.
She didn’t want to leave any unnecessary feelings or draw his attention.
‘…Human emotions are truly unpredictable.’
But as she looked at his familiar face, the words just slipped out.
In Roxelyn’s view, Arma’s best happiness seemed to be marrying a lady of a suitable family and living as their son-in-law under that household.
She wanted to repay her debt to Arma by finding him belated happiness, even if it was with someone from another world who shared the same face and name as someone long gone.
With these thoughts, Roxelyn slowly spoke once more.
