The Queen of Villains - Chapter 22
Duke Sadie sent an invitation to the Starr family.
“So, what he said at the party was true.”
Emily trembled with nervousness as she looked at the invitation from Duke Sadie. It was common knowledge that she and the Duke had been engaged, so why would he send such an invitation?
It was a perfect opportunity to become the latest gossip.
Emily began writing a long list of excuses about how difficult it would be for her to travel to the northern region and her current health condition.
“Madam.”
At that moment, the butler, Alvin, knocked on the door.
“Come in. What’s the matter?”
“Marlene Huppert has come to visit.”
“Marlene?”
Emily had the impression that after Marlene acquired the title of the social queen she has been sticking close to Emily.
“Yes, she said she had something important to tell you as a friend, so I let her in.”
“Hmm, I see.”
‘I guess I should firmly tell her that we are not friends.’
When they arrived at the drawing-room, Marlene was gracefully admiring the room with a teacup in hand.
“Why are you here?”
Speaking bluntly, Marlene furrowed her eyebrows upon seeing Emily.
“Did you just sprinkle salt on the doorstep?”[T/n: It’s a superstition that if you sprinkle salt on your doorstep it helps ward off bad energy]
“Why would I give you something expensive?”
“I was going to say how excellent the Starr Marquisate is, but what’s with your attitude?”
At Marlene’s words, Emily became bewildered and cleared her throat before sitting on the opposite sofa.
“Alright, let’s hear why you came.”
“Before getting into the main topic, what happened that day?”
“That day?”
Emily let out a sigh in a low voice upon Marlene’s words. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t delivered any news to Marlene after the incident at the Molinu Gallery.
“You should have seen the face of Marquis Starr back then. Do you know how scared I was?”
Marlene still shivered when she recalled that day, brushing her arms she still got goosebumps when she remembered that day. No matter how handsome someone’s face was, she felt that she couldn’t marry a Mafioso.
Emily seemed impressive at that moment.
“That day, nothing happened. I’m sorry I just left without saying anything.”
“What? Did that despicable man try to harm you in any way?”
“Before that happened, my husband came and nothing happened, so don’t worry.”
“It’s good to have someone to protect you.”
Marlene spoke with a tone mixed with envy.
“Let’s stop talking about that now. What is your business?”
“You have a short temper.”
Marlene clicked her tongue and took out an invitation.
“This is a familiar invitation….”
“Yes, it’s an invitation from Duke Charles Sadie.”
“What?”
Emily took the invitation and checked it. It was the same invitation and content that was sent to her.
“He didn’t send it to just me.”
“That’s right.”
Marlene took the invitation back from Emily’s hand and spoke.
“You were definitely writing a rejection response, weren’t you?”
Marlene’s mouth curled up at Emily’s expression that seemed to say, ‘How did you know?’
“I told you, didn’t I? No one knows you better than I do.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, my dear friend. I said no one knows you better than I do. Got it?”
“Sure.”
Feeling pleased with Emily’s affirmation, Marlene continued their previous conversation.
“The Duke not only sent the invitation to you but also to the Blois and Touchet families. What do you think is the common denominator?”
Emily didn’t have to think much and easily provided an answer.
“All are prominent families except us.”
“That’s right. Whether it’s because of your past engagement or not, you should go, right? To enhance the reputation of your poor family.”
Emily wondered why Marlene, who was impatient to prey on her, was saying these things.
“What the hell are you up too?”
Upon hearing that, Marlene suddenly sighed and put down her teacup. Emily’s head tilted in surprise at the unfamiliar melancholy expression.
“What’s wrong with you?””
“My life has become so monotonous and boring since you, my rival in the social world, disappeared.”
“Then why don’t you just date?”
“No! Men can’t fill the void that exists in my life. I miss the way we used to be.”
With a peculiar expression, Emily looked at Marlene and spoke.
“If others hear that, they’ll think we’re in a relationship. Be careful with your words.”
“Anyway, I will take this opportunity to bring you back there.”
“Huh? Where?”
“Into the whirlpool of fate.”
At the sudden remark, Emily frowned.
“What? …What kind of crazy bullshit is that?”
Marlene gave her a fierce glare and stood up from her seat.
“So, are you going or not?”
After attending the palace ball, Emily realized it keenly. The Marquis of Starr had not yet been fully recognized as a noble .
To elevate himself to the ranks of true nobility, it seemed like it would be a good idea to accept this invitation, just as Marlene suggested.
“I’ll go.”
Emily’s expression turned determined.
After waiting for Marlene’s departure and Killian’s return, Emily showed him the invitation as soon as he came back to the mansion.
In an instant, an unpleasant feeling flashed through Killian’s eyes when he saw that Charles had actually sent an invitation.
“Do you want to go?”
“Yes.”
Emily didn’t say anything about it being for the sake of Starr’s reputation or anything of the sort. Perhaps such words could hurt Killian’s pride as someone from a commoner background.
“I have no ulterior motive towards the Duke.”
“Then why do you have to go?”
“Well, um…”
Instead, Emily forcibly uttered the words that seemed stuck in her throat.
“My only friend Marlene really wants to go with me. She also received an invitation, but she doesn’t have any other friends besides me.”
Killian nodded when he heard Emily. He was already worried that her friendship between herself and the aristocracy would have been cut off after marriage, so he could not prevent his wife’s social activities.
“That’s fine.”
“Yes? Really?”
“However, I have to come with you.”
“That’s obvious.”
To avoid any scandal, Killian had to accompany her on this journey.
However, contrary to his readily agreeableness to attend, Killian did not look good throughout the next day.
“My Lord.”
Finally, that evening, Emily approached him first.
“Does it bother you that I received an invitation from the Duke?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You seem dissatisfied with something.”
It wasn’t as if they had a lot of conversations between them from the beginning, but that didn’t mean the atmosphere itself was bad.
But today, Killian didn’t even meet Emily’s gaze or speak first.
“It seems you misunderstood. I’m really not bothered.”
Killian seemed embarrassed at his attitude after it was pointed out by Emily.
“Is that so?”
Emily glanced at him suspiciously. However, since Killian still didn’t respond, she reluctantly went up to her room.
Killian confirmed that Emily had completely entered her room and returned to the dining table to pour himself a drink.
In truth, the words ‘Can’t you just not go there?’ had almost risen to his throat.
It was because Giovanni had found out that Duke Charles Sadie was a perfect human being.
***
On the previous night, Killian had secretly instructed Giovanni to investigate Duke Charles Sadie.
“Did you find out anything?”
“Yes, here it is.”
Giovanni handed him a thick file.
“If you read through that material, you’ll understand. Within the Bancent Empire, he’s praised as an almost perfect man.”
“A perfect man?”
“Yes. The Ducal house of Sadie is a descendant of the founding hero and has been the highest-ranking ducal family in the Empire since then. The wealth of the northern region is almost entirely in their possession, so they have considerable assets.”
Killian’s brow furrowed as he confirmed the information from Giovanni. Giovanni noticed and hesitated to continue speaking.
“Go on.”
“Well, ahem, additionally Duke Sadie is a Sword Master, undefeated in every battle. Moreover, he has exceptional looks and physique, making him undeniably the most sought-after groom by many women.”
Killian had been bothered by this all along and asked.
“Why hasn’t someone like him gotten married yet? Hasn’t he met any women?”
This time Giovanni hesitated, as if he really did not want to speak.
“You better be prepared if you don’t report properly.”
“Ha, that… It’s hard for me to tell you this because it’s just a rumor. His Excellency, please take into account that these are rumors and listen.”
“I know, so tell me.”
Giovanni gulped and continued his words.
“Some time ago, Duke Sadie saw a lady in the Sinope Territory and fell in love at first sight. He personally requested the Emperor for their marriage. You know about this, right?”
“Yes. But didn’t he abandon her once the Sinope family fell?”
He was someone without loyalty, a weak man.
“But it seems that’s not the case.”
“What?”
“They say it was not the Duke who broke off the marriage, but the Emperor himself, and Duke Sadie couldn’t defy the Emperor’s order, being a loyal subject.”
The expression on Killian’s face became seriously grave upon hearing that the Emperor was involved in this matter. Giovanni discreetly observed his reaction and spoke again.
“And while the Emperor said he would arrange the marriage again if the Duke performed a certain official duty, in the meantime…”
“I swooped in and married her?”
“…Yes, that’s right. But please don’t take it too seriously; it’s just a rumor.”
“Am I supposed to not take it seriously?” Killian tore and crumpled the paper he had been looking at. It would be strange if he didn’t feel any lingering affection for Emily after their separation happened like that.
Right now, he felt uncomfortable as the clear antagonist between the main characters.
After dismissing Giovanni, he leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and tried to calm his agitation.
A few minutes later, he opened his eyes and threw the report Giovanni had given him into the trash bin.
He didn’t mind being a villain. After all, Emily was by his side now.
***
Translator note: I got rid of all the spacing between the sentences. Let me know if you like this style or the old one ~ Mae
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