I May Be A Villainess, But I Won't Live My Life That Way - Chapter 87

Chapter 87

“Actually, I came to see you because I received something like this.”

After picking up the green dress that had fallen to the floor, I found myself unable to meet Ricardo’s gaze. He pulled a letter envelope from his coat and handed it to me.

“Oh!”

As soon as I saw the name written on the front, I realized what it was. It was an invitation to a charity ball sent by Maria.

“He must have given his permission for me to receive this invitation.”

“Of course, we expected him to.”

“We?”

“Yes, Lady Maria and I.”

It was the result of a conversation I had with her during a previous meeting.

Maria added Ricardo’s name to the guest list because the Viscount of Wensbury still believed Maria was obsessed with Ricardo.

And naturally, my name wasn’t on the list. After all, I am her enemy and rival.

But it was obvious that I would be attending as Ricardo’s partner, so in the end, Maria would be inviting both of us.

“From now on, the two of us will be excluded from the Viscount of Wensbury’s private gatherings. We won’t be invited to enjoy dinners or similar events with his close friends.”

“That seems likely.”

“But this charity ball hosted by Lady Maria is a bit different. It’s the first large event she’s hosting, and it’s one that absolutely has to be successful.”

“And?”

“Ricardo, do you know that we’re referred to as the couple of the century in the social circles of the Sprendo Empire?”

“No.”

“Or that we’re often seen as a couple who attract a lot of attention?”

“Not really.”

“Then I suppose you also don’t know that we’re always at the top of the guest list for social events?”

“Not at all.”

“Didn’t you notice that invitations must be piling up every day?”

“If it’s not something important, my attendants filter them out. The schedule of the knights takes priority, so anything conflicting with that is also declined. As a result, I receive only three or four invitations a month.”

Three or four.

Considering that Ricardo and I attended one or two significant events each month, it seemed that Ricardo only participated in about half of them.

Of course, aside from that, I used to attend five or six events alone.

“You didn’t know? Let me tell you—we are a couple, meaning you and I are very well-known in Sprendo’s social circles.”

“Me?”

“Yes. If we decide to attend, that event is practically guaranteed to be a success.”

“Why?”

“It’s obvious. We’re a famous couple, and we only attend one or two events together each month. A party that’s chosen and attended by celebrities? Naturally, people want to be there too.”

“I think I understand what you’re saying.”

Judging by Ricardo’s expression, he seemed to understand only half of it. He grasped the meaning of my words, but his face showed he couldn’t quite comprehend the reason.

“And considering the current situation, there’s another reason.”

“The current situation?”

“A villainess who killed another woman’s mother to set an example for daring to covet her man.”

I lightly placed my hand on my chest to indicate that I was talking about myself.

“Bianca! That’s just a ridiculous rumor!”

“Yes, it is. But it’s also a rumor that’s quietly spreading through Sprendo’s social circles. Additionally, there’s a rumor that I’m infertile and that you’re going to break off our engagement.”

“Nonsense! I would never—”

“Ricardo, I’m telling you again, it’s just a rumor. Not the truth, just a rumor.”

To calm Ricardo, who looked like he was about to rush out and grab the person who spread the rumor by the collar, I quickly took his hand.

Or rather, his fist.

“And the person who invited the villainess is none other than the one who was victimized, who has vowed to take revenge on her. Seeing these two in the same place—what a thrilling and entertaining sight it will be! There might even be a chance to witness a confrontation between two noblewomen. How exciting and amusing would that be?”

“Are you making yourself the spectacle?”

“If it achieves my goal, then I don’t mind.”

I gave Ricardo, who was frowning, a shameless yet elegant smile.

“We’ll have a chance to observe the Viscount of Wensbury’s movements before the hunting competition. If we’re lucky, we might find some clues.”

“The hunting competition? Do you think the Viscount is planning something that day?”

For a moment, I realized I had slipped.

I’d spent too much time thinking about the day, not realizing that to everyone else, it was just another ordinary imperial event.

“Well…”

“Do you know something?” Ricardo asked, his expression serious.

Of course, I knew something—that I might die that day.

But to explain that, I would have to tell him about the book.

Would Ricardo believe it? That there’s a book that changes its contents on its own? Not just changes, but predicts the future?

He would believe it. If I told him, Ricardo would believe me without hesitation.

“Ricardo.”

But what good would that do?

If I died according to the book, what would become of him, left alone with that cursed book?

Should I tell him to live happily ever after with Maria, the heroine, as the book suggests, since I’m just a supporting character?

Should I tell him to brace himself for a life of misery after my death?

Should I tell him to remember me and live unhappily, as the book says?

“It was just a guess. I heard the Viscount of Wensbury is also participating in the hunting competition. With you, me, Maria, and the Viscount all present, who knows what might happen.”

I couldn’t tell him.

Telling Ricardo about the book would mean he’d become entangled in its influence too.

I was only using the book to survive and escape the fate of a villainess, but Ricardo? He would only learn that his future is filled with loss and unhappiness.

And if I were to die as the book predicts…

“And the ball is being held at the Viscount of Wensbury’s mansion. We might be able to find something incriminating. Maybe we’ll even recognize someone from the carriage ambush among the servants.”

I forced a smile as I gave Ricardo an explanation.

If I died as the book predicted, Ricardo might spend the rest of his life mourning for me.

He would spend his nights clutching the cursed book, despising himself for knowing the future and failing to protect the woman he love.

I couldn’t tell him about the book now.

“So as long as Lady Maria puts your name on the guest list, I’m sure the Viscount, who desperately wants the ball to be a success, would allow it. People would flock to see the famous couple of Sprendo’s social scene, and, of course, to watch the confrontation between the two young ladies.”

“So he’s using you, the very victim of his schemes, to attend the ball for that purpose? That’s true… shameless.”

Ricardo scoffed, as if the absurdity of it all was too much to bear.

“I never imagined the Viscount of Wensbury could be such a brazen man. No, calling him brazen is too kind. This is the behavior of someone with a completely broken moral compass!”

The more he spoke, the more worked up he became, clenching his fist tightly.

“It’s fortunate for us, isn’t it? Thanks to his shamelessness, we now have a way into the Viscount of Wensbury’s estate. Isn’t this just like any other mission where you infiltrate enemy territory?”

“True, but you’re not used to such things, right?”

“Oh? Don’t underestimate the social scene. It’s a battlefield where tongues pierce hearts instead of swords.”

“Isn’t society supposed to be a place for socializing?”

This man, so innocent, really has no idea.

“If social circles were purely a place for socializing, would the rumor of my infertility have spread so quickly?”

Ricardo’s expression darkened at my response.

“Who started that rumor?”

“Rumors are difficult to trace. They start somewhere, and before you know it, they’ve spread everywhere. Though, I do have a guess about this one.”

“You have a guess?”

“Yes. Besides you, me, and our families, the only ones who know are the hospital staff. But what reason would the hospital have to spread such a rumor? No, someone must have bought the information from the hospital and spread it because it suited their agenda.”

“What could possibly be gained from such a vile rumor?”

“Getting rid of an infertile fiancée opens up the possibility of marrying the future Duke of Winkaiser. That plan might be completely ruined now, though.”

For a moment, Ricardo looked bewildered. Just as I was considering how to explain it more clearly, his expression turned grim.

Good. He figured out that I was talking about the Viscount of Wensbury.

“That crazy old man!”

“Calm down, Ricardo. As I said earlier, rumors have no source. The Viscount likes to play with unprovable accusations. The only thing we can do is wait for the rumor to die down. Or cover it with another rumor.”

“Another rumor?”

Ricardo spoke through gritted teeth, clearly struggling to maintain his composure.

“Yes. If a more shocking rumor spreads, the old one will disappear from people’s minds as if it never existed. They might even forget there was a rumor in the first place.”

“Is that even possible? It’s not like they have amnesia.”

“It’s like a collective hypnosis. It works.”

“Then the solution is simple.”

“Yes. Time will take care of…”

“We just need to spread a rumor that’s even more shocking.”

Amazingly, the suggestion that came out of Ricardo’s mouth was a surprisingly effective solution for someone who had barely understood the nature of rumors moments before.

“That’s true, but it would have to be quite the rumor to overshadow mine. As I mentioned earlier, I’m a prominent figure in Sprendo’s social scene.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll spread a rumor that will put that vicious rumor out of everyone’s mind.”

Ricardo smirked confidently.