The Villainess is Tired of Everything-Chapter 39

It was better to resolve things before Ryan had a chance to change his mind. It was in my best interest to act first.

Since Leshuan and I were no longer close, I hoped there would be no more awkward confrontations because of Ryan.

"There have been so many rumors about me being jealous of Lady Leshuan. In truth, that wasn’t the case, and the prince finally acknowledged that."

I openly shared all the sweet talk Ryan had used to try and persuade me.

"I genuinely wish the two of them all the best now."

"So, your absence was…?"

Some seemed to think my disappearance was an attempt to recover my emotions and start a new life. I didn’t bother to correct them.

It wasn’t exactly wrong, after all. It was about starting a new life.

Requests for more details followed, but I felt a sense of relief now that I had said everything I needed to say.

"Since the prince has not arrived yet, it would be improper for me to say more. It’s not just my business, after all."

I subtly hinted at Leshuan and Ryan’s presence.

It was my way of saying they should go ask Ryan about it and stop pestering me. I'd rather they just focus all their attention on Ryan...

People readily accepted my suggestion, understanding how much Ryan cared for Leshuan.

"But what exactly is your relationship with Prince Darcy?"

"Yes, today was the first time we saw him, but it seems like you two already know each other..."

"And you watched the play together?"

The questions soon turned to Darcy, and they were endless.

"He's so handsome…."

"Unlike Prince Ryan, he has a more decadent charm, doesn’t he?"

Those who hadn’t even had a proper conversation with Darcy were already fantasizing about him. I found myself unconsciously nodding.

Darcy was indeed much more handsome.

Realizing how foolish I sounded, I clamped my lips shut.

'...I’m just as bad.'

However, the talk of his appearance didn’t last long. Soon, the focus shifted to his mysterious origins.

"Where could he be from…?"

"It seems like that decadent charm isn’t just for show, huh?"

What started as admiration for his looks turned into criticism.

The ones who spoke out the most were those who followed Ryan.

As if they were so pure and righteous themselves.

I swirled my drink and spoke in a nonchalant tone.

"He's someone who has helped me greatly."

Darcy had told me about the various activities he’d been involved in as a magician.

In time, people would come to realize who the real hero was in those battles recorded as the Emperor’s victories.

However, talk about the battles involving magicians would remain relatively quiet since Darcy wasn’t keen on revealing that part of his life.

In any case, it was Darcy who had driven out pirates, thwarted invasions from foreign countries, and prevented civil strife within the nation.

"...And he's done much for this country as well."

My hints, along with the rumors that would soon spread, would gradually change Darcy's image.

"He's an exceptional person in every way, and I can’t help but feel honored to serve him as a prince."

With a bright smile, I made it clear that I was firmly on Darcy’s side.

I know Darcy well? And he’s really something special?

"If anyone doesn’t know this, I’d be more than happy to enlighten them..."

I deliberately left my sentence unfinished and took a sip of my drink. The fear of what I left unsaid lingered in the air.

These people, like Ryan, didn’t completely believe that I had truly changed.

Before I possessed her, Marceau had been a villainess who knew how to wield her power effectively.

Coming from a modern society, I wasn’t used to that, and I had tried to change this image while improving my relationships with the main characters.

But now, all that effort seemed pointless.

Even if I couldn’t live like her, I could certainly use her image to my advantage.

As I clinked glasses with them, I continued speaking.

"I also brought a gift in celebration of welcoming the new prince. Did you bring it in?"

I asked the maid assigned to me as we entered the hall. She nodded.

"Yes."

There were many gifts brought in for Darcy, but my gift box was the largest of them all.

Wow, I felt quite pleased. People seemed stunned when they realized the biggest box was mine.

"Lady Marceau, what gift did you prepare?"

"We're really curious."

"A magic stone."

"...Excuse me?"

They all asked again, as if they hadn’t heard me right.

"You heard correctly. I gifted him a magic stone."

I could almost hear the gears turning in their heads.

A magic stone as a gift?

Then I want to be on her good side too!

This is like winning the lottery!

"Lady Marceau, this time—"

"Lady Marceau, at our estate—"

The excitement in their voices was a stark contrast to earlier, almost frightening.

"But where is Prince Ryan...?"

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. No sooner had they mentioned his name than the doors to the hall opened, and Ryan entered.

His expression was murderous, as if he was ready to kill someone, and he stormed toward Darcy.

It looked like he might grab Darcy by the collar, but thankfully, Darcy moved aside just in time.

The conversation that followed between the fuming Ryan and the calm Darcy was intense. After a brief exchange, Ryan glared at Darcy before turning his attention to Leshuan.

They looked like a pair of cockroaches...

I kept a neutral expression as I imagined the display of affection they were about to put on.

'...Huh?'

However, Leshuan didn’t engage in a long conversation with Ryan as she usually did.

Instead, she smiled faintly and made her way toward her grandfather. Kaysen followed closely behind.

Ryan blinked in surprise, looking like a dog that had lost its bone.

There were two things I could infer from this scene.

First, their relationship wasn’t what it used to be.

Second, Ryan hadn’t realized this until now.

As I watched them, Ryan and I made eye contact.

His eyes narrowed as he flinched. I frowned in response.

He seemed like he wanted to say something as he opened his mouth and approached me, but he couldn’t get close.

The ladies who had been eager to hear more about what I had said earlier had swarmed around him. Not even Ryan could push through the crowd.

And finally!

Darcy’s princely investiture ceremony began.

It was unusual to hold a prince’s investiture before the crown prince’s, and everyone knew that. After all, there was no such thing as a prince's investiture.

But no one dared to express any dissatisfaction with an event orchestrated by Emperor Kies.

If Ryan was okay with it, who were they to complain?

This was likely Darcy's way of making a lasting impression on everyone.

I thought his choice was wise. Instead of visiting each person individually, gathering everyone in one place to introduce himself was a perfect approach.

Emperor Kies, who had come out for this occasion, looked even more pale and gaunt than before.

"The reason I’ve gathered everyone here today is… to celebrate the birth of a new prince."

The emperor’s slow, deliberate words were delivered with his usual indifferent expression.

He calmly approached the kneeling Darcy and placed the crown on his head.

It was as if he was trying to convey that everything happening today was under his control.

"I’ve given this much thought, and I believe that appointing a second prince will be beneficial for Ryan's growth."

Even in this moment, his words were smooth as silk.

While he was acknowledging Darcy as a prince, he was also subtly indicating that this was as far as it would go.

"You’re now a prince."

Kies's emotionless voice drifted through the air as he stepped away from Darcy. He returned to his throne without offering any further congratulations or words of welcome.

The chilling gaze Kies had cast over Darcy's shoulder, as if he wanted to kill us all, remained etched in my mind.

Everyone could sense the hatred Kies harbored.

It seemed clear that unless one of them died, the animosity between Kies and Darcy would only continue.

Slowly rising from his knees, Darcy took the crown off his head and spun it in his hand.

Then, turning his back completely on Kies, he spoke nonchalantly.

"I might do more than just improve things."

"You…"

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"Oh, I was just talking to myself."

Darcy cut Kies off mid-sentence, leaving everyone holding their breath.

Darcy’s eyes found me in the crowd, and he smiled—a captivating smile that could charm anyone. No one dared to speak against him.

Darcy began to address the crowd.

"Whatever the true intentions might be, I thank everyone here for attending this event."

His eyes curved into a crescent as he smiled.

"I hope you all make choices you won’t regret."

Darcy declared.

Whether you choose Kies, Ryan, or me, make your choice wisely.