The Villainous Noblewoman Is About to Be Forced into Love, Isn't This Wrong?-Chapter 17: Royal Knight

Liana’s next words shattered Loraviel’s fleeting hopes in an instant.

She pulled out the collar from before, the bell on it jingling crisply. “So? Can you be my little puppy now? As long as you wear this collar, I can give you anything you want.”

“...” Right. Loraviel should never have harbored any illusions about Liana.

“I’m only Her Highness Liana’s maid,” Loraviel said as she got out of bed. “I’ll go prepare breakfast.”

Liana yawned. “You have the key anyway. Just leave it on the table in my room when you’re done. I’m going back to sleep for a bit.”

To avoid any unnecessary situations, Liana stayed curled up in her blankets until she heard Loraviel deliver the breakfast and close the door behind her.

After a simple wash-up, she opened the first book.

There was nothing useful inside. But as she flipped open the second, her hand froze.

“Looks like my luck isn’t bad. I found it in just the second book.”

Liana’s hands trembled slightly as she read the contents.

"Cavern Spider’s silk, Forest Scorpion’s venom, Desert Lone Wolf’s fang..."

Her eyebrow twitched. Her stomach churned. What the hell was this stuff? Was this supposed to be eaten?

But unexpectedly, it really was a legitimate treatment method. There were certain conditions that required temporarily suppressing internal magic, and the effects of this concoction would only last for a few days.

However, the book also clearly labeled it forbidden medicine—manufacturing it was strictly banned for commoners. Anyone caught making it would face imperial punishment. Prolonged use was also prohibited, as extended consumption could lead to permanent magic loss.

And the most important discovery—the antidote required the exact same ingredients as the suppressant, only refined differently.

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The ingredients weren’t the problem. The Venus family could obtain them easily.

The real problem was that even as the Venus family’s daughter, Liana couldn’t simply take these materials without registering them.

And if she registered them, Countess Ruth would find out. And that would be a serious problem.

Even if—by some means—she obtained the ingredients without Countess Ruth knowing, the issue of who would refine the potion remained.

No one would be foolish enough to risk crafting a forbidden substance, even for Liana.

If she outright ordered someone to make it, she’d probably be arrested by imperial guards the very next day.

Liana weighed her options.

Only two choices were available to her.

First option: Wait three years for her parents to return, at which point making the antidote would be easy.

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But by then, it’d be too late. She wouldn’t have any means to protect herself in the meantime. And who knew if the antidote would even still be effective if she kept delaying?

Second option: Seek out Princess Mepeilu for help.

As a royal, Mepeilu could easily procure the ingredients. As for the refining process... Liana could figure that out later.

But there was a major issue with this approach.

In the original storyline, this was the last time Liana ever called on Princess Mepeilu.

The novel never specified what exactly caused Mepeilu to finally lose patience with Liana and cut ties, but it was clear that this request was the breaking point.

However—

The Liana in this world had something the original didn’t.

Mepeilu’s leverage.

Liana pulled out a magic stone from her drawer.

This was originally meant to be used only in emergencies to summon Mepeilu for help.

But in the past, Liana had squandered it—calling Mepeilu over for trivial matters, unreasonable demands, and outright deplorable behavior.

There were multiple times she’d pushed Mepeilu too far, making the princess bitterly disappointed.

Of course, Countess Ruth had also played a role in this. If Liana and Mepeilu had a good relationship, then Ruth’s son would have a lower chance of inheriting the Venus family’s power.

Because in the end, the Venus family existed to serve the Empire.

Should she prepare something in advance?

No.

"Liana" didn't need to prepare anything.

Even if her relationship with Mepeilu was strained, it didn’t matter.

As long as she didn’t cross certain lines, Mepeilu wouldn’t take any drastic action against her.

After all, even in the original story—**when Liana had acted far worse—**Mepeilu had never personally punished her.

She had simply stopped helping.

Because deep down, Mepeilu felt guilty.

So dealing with Mepeilu wasn’t difficult at all. Liana didn’t need to waste energy figuring out how to please her.

Besides—

Just like with commoners who tried to curry favor with her, there was nothing Mepeilu truly lacked.

No matter how extravagant the gift, Mepeilu could obtain better on her own.

Without further hesitation, Liana crushed the magic stone.

Now, it was just a matter of waiting to see how long it would take for Mepeilu to arrive.

Normally, she would respond within an hour.

But—

Because of Liana’s past abuse of the stone, Mepeilu no longer treated these calls as urgent.

She would still send soldiers first to check on Liana’s safety, but personally coming over?

That might take some time.

That being said, regardless of how much she loathed Liana, Mepeilu still valued her safety.

Sure enough—within half an hour, a group arrived at the Venus estate to verify Liana’s condition.

“Lady Olivia? What brings you to the Venus estate?”

Countess Ruth immediately appeared in the reception hall.

When it came to imperial figures, no one was more attentive than Ruth. The better impression she left, the stronger her political advantage.

However, Olivia’s attitude was indifferent.

Not only because Mepeilu had personally instructed her to watch Ruth closely, but because—

Something about Ruth just felt... off.

No matter how polite and warm Ruth acted, there was always this subtle unease lingering in Olivia’s mind.

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for your dear young lady’s antics,” Olivia said flatly. “Princess Mepeilu worries for her safety but is currently occupied. So, I was sent ahead.”

“Oh my!” Ruth clapped her hands, feigning exasperation. “That child! Always troubling Princess Mepeilu... Tell you what, you should just go back. I’ll handle Liana myself.”

“Princess Mepeilu’s orders were clear,” Olivia replied. “I am to ensure Lady Liana’s safety. And besides—

"It seems the princess herself has some business with her as well.”