The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 8
When Aegis rose to the post as next in line, it was already too late. Everything was in shambles.
All trading partners had been cut off, the taxes were skyrocketing, and the estate was nearly on the brink of revolt. With the granaries empty as well… There were too many holes to fix for Aegis, who had not been trained as an heir.
Despite Aegis pleading and bowing his head everywhere to try to lead the dukedom back, the situation had deteriorated to the point where it was beyond repair. In the end, even in such a state, they ended up killing Aegis, who was causing trouble.
So, ten years later, in the world where Roxelyn lived, there was no Bellion Dukedom. Roxelyn was the last Bellion, but she refused to inherit the ruined family.
“Don’t talk nonsense! How dare you… Even if you haven’t learned anything, bringing in bad habits of lying—!”
“Enough.”
The silent Duke Bellion tapped his lips lightly with a napkin as he spoke.
“Is there a need to prolong this dispute? If you are innocent, it will be confirmed.”
The elderly man spoke leisurely, holding a wine glass in his hand.
“Father-in-law!”
Duke Bellion, who had been tilting his glass, narrowed his eyes and took a sip of wine before bringing out a cigar, raising his head with indifference.
“Father-in-law, are you doubting me too? How could…”
Carmel shed tears. She turned her head quickly and looked at her fiance-to-be, Zerti.
“Can you say something too? Have I… Have I done something so wicked as to be suspected by such a nefarious group? I just… loved you…”
Zerti frowned as he watched the crocodile tears falling.
He felt an eerie sensation, like his heart was throbbing, and he pressed his hand against his chest.
It was a disconcerting yet necessary proposition to exclude all those who opposed her.
He turned to Roxelyn, whom he hadn’t properly conversed with for a long time. He paused as their eyes met.
The child was looking at him.
As their gazes met, Roxelyn casually shifted her eyes and tilted her wine glass again.
“Father, please stop there. I’ll handle the confirmation separately—” Zerti said.
“No, please let the butler do it. He’s capable of memorizing, so be careful.”
Roxelyn interrupted Zerti’s words and stated firmly.
“Oh, I see, you must be able to use something like hypnosis. It would be good to cover her eyes and take her away.”
Carmel’s eyes widened as she heard this comment. She seemed to have forgotten to hide her expression.
The fact that she was skilled in hypnosis was known only to her superiors in the ‘Scouts’ within the ‘Makruxa’. More precisely, only a very small group of them knew.
Carmel had been sold and raised by Makruxa as a child, so only the older members of the organization knew of her abilities. This information was strictly confidential and something that outsiders could never know.
Carmel had no idea how a gloomy and self-esteem-lacking girl like her could possibly know the hierarchical system of Makruxa.
“What the hell are you?”
“Did you give up on acting, my dear stepmother-to-be?”
“I asked you a question! How the f*ck did you know?!”
She gave up.
Roxelyn lowered her gaze, finishing her wine and smiling playfully.
She nonchalantly rested her elbows on the dining table and cupped her chin in her hand, tilting her head slightly.
“How did I know? Hmm…”
Roxelyn brought her lips close to Carmel’s ear and spoke softly enough that only Carmel could hear.
“Well, you see, those guys even made a recruitment offer to me.”
“…What?”
“Wouldn’t you want to become a ‘queen’? That’s what they asked me.”
Seeing Carmel’s almost shocked expression, Roxelyn widened her eyes and laughed nonchalantly.
“That’s impossible. Such talk is…!”
“You probably haven’t heard. It’s understandable. Because you’re just a pawn.”
Even considering that pawns were at the bottom of the hierarchy, ‘bishops’ weren’t that low in rank.
“Do you think the Queen’s place is suited for a wench like you?!”
“Mhm. That’s why I refused.”
Roxelyn lifted her chin that had been resting on her palm and leaned back in her chair.
“Bye bye.”
She waved her hand playfully, wearing a bright smile.
