The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 17
Chapter 9.1
Had the empress not miscarried and given birth to a son from our generation, I might have been nominated as a candidate for the next empress.
My family was the sole one among the two duchies and two marquisates with a daughter. Therefore, I had the highest chance of being crowned the next empress.
However, the empress lost her first child, and suspicions arose about her ability to bear more children due to her fragile health.
But after several years, she managed to give birth to a princess.
The birth of the princess signaled a shift in the power hierarchy. This meant two things: First, there was no longer a need for me to be entangled in unnecessary political strife to decide my marriage, and second, a new figure of power emerged that surpassed Emil.
“Am I not welcome here?”
Rastain asked me, scrutinizing both me and Hil.
“It’s not that you’re not welcome. I was just surprised.”
“I haven’t done anything to surprise you.”
“What she means is that your presence itself surprised her.”
Hil interjected, then added, “You haven’t shown your face for the past two years.”
“I haven’t had a reason to come to the capital. Although, things might change now with the academy accepting enrollment.”
I remember. On my tenth birthday, I was about to send out an invitation, but I canceled it when news arrived that he had left the domain.
“Then, why did you come to the capital…”
“Do I need to explain myself?”
I smiled dryly at his arrogant tone.
‘Fine. Forget about it.’
Perhaps Emil saw my reaction, as he was nearby when Rastain appeared because he started making his way toward us. Valencia trailed behind him.
“Vel.”
“Emil, I’m sorry. I know I said I’d be back in a minute.”
“It’s fine. It seemed like something was going on, so I came to you instead.”
Valencia, who had followed, nervously watched Rastain’s reaction. As I started to leave with him, Rastain’s mocking words reached my ears.
“I hear you’re living with the Lancasters as a servant. Judging by how flashy you look, I take it your master has been quite generous to you.”
“…”
Emil glanced back at him uninterestedly, but I couldn’t ignore it.
‘I tried to prevent him from suffering this humiliation.’
Hil might be subtle in his teasing, but Rastain was more direct in his remarks.
When a powerful figure speaks, those below naturally follow suit. Emil looked at me with confusion as I stepped in.
“That was too harsh.”
“Harsh? Was there anything wrong with what I said?”
“Lord Calixt is not staying at our home as a servant. I invited him as a guest and a friend. He is a special guest of House Lancaster.”
My comeback silenced him momentarily, but soon he spoke again as if seeking the truth.
“Why go through the trouble?”
Rastain seemed genuinely curious, his voice devoid of malice or mockery. Though they didn’t voice it, both Hildred and the other children were likely wondering too.
‘Obviously, I can’t reveal the real reason.’
So, I had to weave another layer of a good façade today.
“…Isolating and persecuting someone based solely on prejudice, without knowing anything about them, is not the right thing to do.”
Therefore… at this moment, I hated myself for shamelessly telling lies.
“Do you think you’re some sort of saint?”
Rastain, who had been stroking his chin in silence, sighed as if disappointed.
“If it truly feels unfair, then he should find a way out himself. You don’t need to protect someone who isn’t even struggling.”
“What did you say?”
Right as my anger had reached its peak, Emil grabbed Rastain by the collar.
“What do you know about me?”
The truth is that no one knows about Princess Roveline. The only person who truly understood her was my mom.
I don’t defend criminals. Still, there was one thing I could say with certainty.
In that dark and heavy place, Emil had done his utmost and resisted as much as he could. It was just that his surroundings were too cruel.
“Have you ever dreamed of your mother, someone you don’t even recognize, laughing at you, saying you’re the same kind of monster she is?”
Emil spoke calmly, but his gaze was threatening.
“…Let go.”
“Have you ever been treated as if you don’t exist, yet your every move and expression is being watched?”
“…”
“Have you ever knelt in front of your father and begged for forgiveness because you did something wrong?”
I clamped my mouth shut at the words that flowed from his mouth. I needed to intervene, but with each shocking revelation Emil spoke, my legs became immobile, paralyzing me.
“…How much more could I have struggled?”
“…I told you to let go.”
“Answer me.”
With a forceful push, Rastain shook Emil off, speaking to him with disdain.
“So, that’s why you chose to cling to another family like a parasite?”
Suddenly, I vaguely understood why Rastain harbored animosity towards Emil.
He was annoyed.
“And to one of the most distinguished noble families in the empire?”
The prestigious reputation of our household, admired by everyone, was now being tarnished by Emil.
“If you’re going to bear the stigma along with your mother, make sure not to harm those around you.”
Emil’s eyes shook momentarily. I quickly covered his ears and turned him towards me.
“Emil, don’t listen to him. There’s no need to hear this.”
“…”
I took Emil’s hand, as he was clearly in shock.
But he slowly withdrew his hand from mine. Rastain seized the opportunity and drove another wedge into Emil.
“Or are you trying to impress those sympathizing with you, securing a prime position next to the future marquis?”
Just as I turned to glare at Rastain, signaling for him to stop,
“Emil!”
“Keuk!”
Emil’s fist went flying towards Rastain’s face. He stumbled back, cradling his cheek. I rushed towards them, shocked by the unexpected turn of events.
“Lady Velsia! No, you’ll get hurt!”
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