The Villainess is Tired of Everything-Chapter 76

“The last time I saw him was in the village… but he’s been wandering around, unable to give up hope on finding his missing father. I can’t be sure where he is.”

I felt a pang of sympathy. It was understandable, considering Kapu had been missing for six years—hardly a situation that inspired hope for his safety.

Still, finding Airen might help us unravel some of the mysteries we faced. But to move forward, we needed Leshan’s cooperation.

“Leshan, could I borrow that piece of paper?”

She knew well that anything from Marquis Ephekl’s safe was of great importance to him. If she refused, I would understand.

“…Yes.”

After a moment of hesitation, Leshan handed me the scrap of paper with Kapu’s name on it.

“Thank you,” I said, appreciating her courage. I carefully placed the paper in a small vial and sealed it. Gripping the vial tightly, I turned to Ethan.

“Are you almost ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s leave in three days.”

“That soon?”

“There’s too much to be done.”

I recalled the discussion I had with Darcy about Ryan’s impending deployment. He was headed to the northern border of the empire to suppress the magicians. Ironically, that location was very close to the magician’s village we were planning to visit.

After learning that, I felt a pressing urgency to act. The longer we waited, the more people would suffer from hardships and accusations.

Yet, despite feeling this urgency, I was anxious.

“I hope everything we’ve prepared will be enough.”

Even though I thought we were well-prepared, I couldn’t shake the growing anxiety. I took a deep breath to steady myself.

Suddenly, I noticed three pairs of eyes fixed on me.

“…Why are you all looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

“I just thought you seemed really nervous.”

“I’m sorry, Lady Marceau.”

Kaysen, Ethan, and Leshan all spoke in turn. Was this the first time they’d seen me like this?

Anyway, we had finished discussing Kapu. Leshan then brought up the matter of Marquis Ephekl’s visit.

“I’ll try to move to another place as soon as possible.”

It was clear she didn’t want to impose on me any longer.

…But honestly, Leshan didn’t bother me as much as she used to.

“Stay here until I leave.”

I knew that my estate was the safest temporary refuge for her.

“No one would expect you to be here, except for Marquis Ephekl and his inexplicable intuition.”

This was a gesture of goodwill toward the changed Leshan. Her life would have been smooth without her having to make any effort, yet she had chosen to acknowledge her flaws and move forward. I admired that.

I then turned to Kaysen.

“Captain Kaysen, you’re welcome to check in from time to time. I’m sure you’re worried I might do something to Lady Leshan.”

This was a habitually sarcastic comment.

“Please don’t say that.”

“Why not?”

I asked with genuine curiosity, though there was a hint of sarcasm. Kaysen and I exchanged a brief but intense glare.

He sighed, closing his eyes in surrender.

“…Because I know it’s not true.”

He rubbed his temples as he muttered.

Leshan had changed, Ryan had changed, and now Kaysen’s attitude was beginning to change as well.

But his change in attitude didn’t stir any particular feelings in me.

‘Still, I suppose I should respond.’

I stood up and nodded at Kaysen.

“That’s good to hear.”

It wasn’t the most heartfelt response, but for me, it was a considerable effort.

I had finished my preparations when I was summoned by Marquis Etwar.

Since he had just spoken with Darcy, I had a good idea of what he might say.

“You need to leave the capital for a while.”

There was no deviation from my expectations. I shook my head.

“There’s something I need to do.”

“…Something you need to do?”

Marquis Etwar frowned.

…He was still my father, so I figured he should at least know what I was planning.

Even if he opposed my actions, I would proceed, so I spoke in a tone closer to a notification than a request.

“I’m going to meet with Marquis Ephekl tomorrow. After that, I’ll secretly leave the capital. If I leave openly, they might suspect something.”

I had been the center of attention lately.

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Rumors about my relationship with Darcy were swirling, especially after Ryan’s recent visit, which only added fuel to the fire. Leaving openly would be risky.

“It’s better if they think I’m staying home.”

This would likely fuel rumors that I was hiding because of Ryan, but I wouldn’t bother to refute them.

The idea that I was hiding from him would make Ryan lower his guard.

‘It seems my words at the tea party, saying I wasn’t interested in Ryan, were in vain.’

But at least I had gained a good ally in Lady Wernar, so it wasn’t a total loss.

“…Does your reason for meeting Marquis Ephekl have anything to do with what I think it does?”

I was surprised that Marquis Etwar’s first question was so straightforward.

He didn’t scold me or try to stop me.

‘…Maybe he just doesn’t care.’

I blinked, considering just leaving, but he was still waiting for my response.

I mumbled, “I’m planning to negotiate with him.”

“Is it because you’re worried about Leshan?”

“…No. I want to disrupt Prince Ryan’s plans and put him in a difficult position.”

After a moment’s hesitation, I offered a different reason.

It felt awkward to discuss my plans with Marquis Etwar.

I was used to showing hostility towards him, but this conversation was something else.

There was an inexplicable unease.

Still, it wasn’t a lie.

If I could sway Marquis Ephekl, I’d have another piece of evidence against Ryan’s misdeeds.

No one was without skeletons in their closet, and gathering those skeletons could be helpful.

“I dislike him.”

I made it clear, in case he still thought I might have lingering feelings for Ryan.

“…I don’t know when you changed so much.”

Marquis Etwar murmured as he stared at me, as if he were reminiscing about the past.

His expression gave me a strange feeling.

“Very well, do as you wish tomorrow.”

Eventually, Marquis Etwar gave his permission.

“But if the negotiations fail, leave the capital.”

He seemed to have his own preparations underway.

I nodded readily.

‘Perhaps I’ll need Darcy’s help after all.’

His presence would be reassuring. It was a shame he couldn’t accompany me to meet the magicians, but I understood why. He had a lot to handle while Ryan was away from the capital.

As I reached the door, I hesitated. I was curious about Marquis Etwar’s calm reaction to my plans.

“…Aren’t you upset that I’m doing this alone?”

I asked the question I had intended to keep to myself, still turned away from him.

“Why would I be?”

His response, tinged with faint affection, caught me off guard.

“…It’s your business.”

His mumbled words carried little emotion.

‘Maybe I imagined it.’

Of course, there wouldn’t be any affection.

But I was curious. What kind of expression did he have after answering me?

Still, I didn’t turn around to look.

The next day, I left Leshan behind and went to meet Marquis Ephekl.

‘He must be in a hurry.’

Leticia had updated me on Marquis Ephekl’s situation. Apparently, he had even asked Ryan for help in finding Leshan.

Ryan’s men were scouring every corner of the capital. Kaysen’s estate was one of the places they searched.

But my name was not on their list.

‘They say the darkest place is under the lamp.’

It had been a stroke of luck that I managed to deflect Marquis Ephekl’s suspicion when he first visited. Now, with this opportunity to meet him, the situation had turned in my favor.

Soon, I was led into the parlor.

I got straight to the point.

“I’d like to make a deal with you regarding magic stones.”

“…We have our own magic stone mine.”

It was a bluff to avoid appearing weak. But I knew too much for that to work.

“The yield from your mine has been declining, hasn’t it?”

“…Where did you hear such baseless rumors? That’s slanderous.”

The brief silence that followed indicated I had struck a nerve. Though his response was polished, it was enough for me to know I was on the right track.

“I’ll be honest.”

To negotiate with Marquis Ephekl, I needed leverage.

And to get it, I had to reveal some of my own cards.

“I know you haven’t found Lady Leshan yet.”

I presented him with something he couldn’t refuse.