I Am The Villainess With A Maxed-Out Luck Stat - Chapter 147



Only Noblemtl

147. The Empress’s Sword, the Crown Prince’s Shield

Oops.

I realized that I had been too focused on finding the manager and had drawn too much attention to myself.

My head was spinning busily.

Can I show Cayenne to Perwin now?

What repercussions would there be if it became known that Marquis Balton had kidnapped Cayenne?

With alarm bells ringing in my head, Perwin approached me.

“You were here? I was worried because you didn’t come no matter how long I waited.”

“majesty.”

Although the tone was clearly affectionate, it felt uneasy, like the waves before a storm.

Soon his gaze turned to Cayenne.

“But who is that person?”

The son-in-law was already dark, and Cayenne was still in Brecht’s arms, so her face was barely visible.

“Ah, this person―”

Just as Brecht was about to open his mouth, I grabbed him by the collar.

‘You can’t say it.’

I gave Brecht the most earnest look I could muster.

“… … I found the injured person and was about to take him to the hospital.”

“Injured?”

One of Perwin’s eyebrows rose.

I sneaked between the two.

“My servant suddenly disappeared, so I asked the knights to help me find him, and he was found collapsed in a place like this.”

“what?”

“I’m also so confused that I don’t know what’s going on… … .”

Instead of giving a half-assed explanation, I decided to pretend not to know.

Someday I would learn the truth about the Perwin incident, but for now I needed to buy myself some time to think.

Perwin still looked puzzled, but nodded.

“I’ll hear the details later, but let’s go inside first. The air is starting to get cold.”

“Oh, yes.”

Perwin took off the coat he was wearing and draped it over my shoulders.

My footsteps were heading towards the Crown Prince’s palace, but my eyes were constantly following Kaien.

‘… Is it okay?’

I looked anxiously at Cayenne in Brecht’s arms.

* * *

After sending the injured man to the parliament, Brecht naturally headed to the Empress’s Palace.

“Your Majesty the Empress, may I come in?”

“Come in.”

After receiving the Empress’s permission, he stepped cautiously into the study.

“Your Majesty, how are you?”

“Thanks.”

“I’m glad you look good.”

Brecht was genuinely relieved.

The Empress’s physical condition has improved noticeably recently.

Just a short while ago, he had not had the strength to leave his bed, but now he had recovered enough energy to go to his office.

After briefly checking in on each other, Brecht explained what had happened that day.

“I see. Thank you for your hard work.”

“… … Your Majesty is not surprised.”

The incident in which Margrave Balton and Aiden kidnapped the duke’s servant would have shaken even Brecht.

He expected the Empress to be quite surprised, but after hearing the whole story, the Empress simply remained indifferent.

“Did you know about this in advance this time too?”

“Countess Garcia gave me a little tip.”

The empress smiled.

Although she had been made Shiloh’s handmaiden by imperial command, Countess Garcia remained the Empress’s most trusted source of information.

[You want me to betray Your Majesty and side with that woman? I would rather quit my job as a maid.]

The Empress shook her head as she watched Countess Garcia complaining bitterly.

[Don’t be too sad, Madam. Isn’t it a good thing that you can keep an eye on Lady Shiloh from so close?]

From then on, Countess Garcia acted as a spy between the Empress and the government.

Shiloh’s every move, as well as what happened at Crystal House, reached the Empress’s ears straight away.

The countess had already reported Evelyn’s suspicious activities and the news that Marquis Balton had secretly headed to the temple to the empress.

“Oh, I’m a step late.”

Brecht frowned.

“You said the man who was injured was Serteia’s servant. Did you confirm his face?”

“Yes, he had light golden hair. The princess said he had red eyes.”

Pale golden hair and red eyes.

As much as she hoped it wasn’t the case, the puzzle pieces she had collected were forming a picture.

“… … I see.”

This was somewhat expected.

I had been preparing myself mentally since the time when Marquis Balton began to move secretly, or perhaps even since Roselia began to ask me about things from long ago.

Maybe the emperor’s illegitimate child is alive.

There was no way to know how Roselia was involved in this, but we had to prepare for all possibilities.

“What I was worried about has finally become reality.”

The Empress sighed deeply.

“Your Majesty, what are you worried about?”

“… … .”

“No matter what Your Majesty’s concerns are, I am always ready to lay down my life for Your Majesty.”

Brecht said resolutely.

As the crown prince’s bodyguard, he was the empress’s loyal swordsman before becoming the crown prince’s confidant.

She promoted Brecht, who came from humble origins, to the position of knight in the Imperial Guard.

The Empress quietly paved his way until Perwin appointed Brecht as his bodyguard.

In the end, it was the Empress’s arrangement that elevated him to the highest position.

Brecht swore loyalty to the Empress, a loyalty that would never waver over time.

“How far can you go for me, Kyung?”

“Of course, I will do as Your Majesty wishes.”

Brecht bowed reverently.

How far can you go?

That judgment was not his.

He was just a sword and shield that moved as his lord swung them.

Just as a sword does not judge its own usefulness, so he did not doubt his master’s orders.

I just devote my whole body to following my lord’s will.

Moreover, because he felt guilty for not being able to protect the crown prince during the hunting festival, he was ready to throw himself at any time.

“I like that answer.”

A satisfied smile appeared on the Empress’s lips.

“All I wish for is for the Crown Prince to seize the throne, that’s all.”

“… … .”

“The existence of Kyung is only for that purpose.”

It was for this reason that the Empress took Brecht to her side.

To get a knight who will be the closest escort to Perwin, and to keep an eye on my son’s safety as well.

To make my son a perfect monarch under perfect protection and arrangement.

“To ascend to the highest position, the crown prince must be without any blemish. I alone am enough to get my hands dirty.”

“… … .”

“If I were not here, could you, Kyung, be the Crown Prince’s sword and shield in my stead?”

A determined light appeared in the empress’s eyes.

If only I could give my son a perfect victory.

She was willing to give up everything.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Brecht bowed deeply.

* * *

Meanwhile, the emperor, who heard Shiloh’s request, became angry at his subject.

“What? At this time of the year, you’re leisurely going to see the fall foliage? Are you in your right mind or not!”

Shiloh’s reckless demands seemed even more outrageous because she was already feeling irritated.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Should I decline your request for an audience?”

The subject asked in a panic.

He naturally assumed that the Emperor would refuse Shiloh’s request.

“… … .”

But the emperor did not answer easily.

“your majesty?”

The subject looked up at him curiously.

The emperor still looked obviously dissatisfied, but eventually gave the order as if he had no other choice.

“… … Tell them to come in first.”

As soon as the Emperor’s permission was granted, Shiloh ran to the inner chambers of the Emperor’s palace.

“Your Majesty, have you called?”

It had been a long time since I had met the Emperor in private. And to top it all off, he had invited me to his inner chambers.

She went dressed with special care, but the Emperor only glanced at her and said nothing.

“Let’s go see the autumn leaves later. Let’s just have some quiet tea. I have something important to say.”

* * *

Soon, refreshments were brought to a corner of the room.

The emperor dismissed his subjects and drank tea quietly.

Shiloh was trying to figure out the Emperor’s intentions.

Although the offer to go to the villa to play was rejected, it was encouraging just to be given an exclusive interview.

Shiloh, convinced that the Emperor’s anger had somewhat subsided, clung to the Emperor’s arms.

But the emperor just looked down at her with a stern expression.

“Shiloh.”

The emperor, who had begun speaking in an unusual voice, took a long time to choose his words.

“Why is that, Your Majesty?”

“… … .”

“your majesty?”

“… … Have you heard that our child might be alive?”

“yes?”

Shiloh’s expression turned cold at the words the Emperor had difficulty speaking.

“I guess you didn’t know. I thought you knew since Marquis Balton was telling such strange stories.”

“What the heck is that… … .”

Clang!

The teacup slipped from Shiloh’s hands.