CHAPTER 56…………….
Recently, Evangeline had been in a very foul mood.
The reason was simple.
“What reason would there be other than that girl!”
Every time she thought of the foolish Hilia, shamelessly taking her place as Crown Princess, her anger flared uncontrollably.
Of course, Hilia would never be officially recognized as the Crown Princess.
“The banquet won’t go smoothly anyway!”
She had narrowly avoided being humiliated by that girl not long ago.
The public opinion in high society had wavered slightly at first but soon returned to calm.
All of it was thanks to Evangeline’s meticulous efforts.
Yet, an unprecedented unease rose within her.
Every time she recalled Hilia, beautifully adorned and confidently clinging to Arpad’s side…
Evangeline traced the source of her anxiety elsewhere.
“The problem is that no one else does things properly—neither the Marchioness of Filern nor the Empress, except for me!”
Yes. It was precisely because she was the only one capable that things were so difficult and uneasy.
“I must not feel even the slightest threat from that wretched girl! Never!”
It couldn’t happen.
It mustn’t happen.
She was the one destined to become the “true protagonist,” surpassing a fool like Hilia.
Bolstering her courage, Evangeline entered the Marquis of Luth’s residence and was met with an unpleasant sight.
“Eva! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
It was Ludwig, appearing in a disheveled state.
“Smells like alcohol!”
As he approached, the stench of strong liquor hit her.
Not only had he been indulging in drinking, but he also seemed to have no energy to clean or dress properly.
A wrinkled shirt and matted, tangled hair.
He was the very image of a wreck.
“Two weeks ago, I couldn’t have imagined this.”
Back then, Ludwig had been confident and charming.
Even though Arpad had captivated him, Evangeline had been satisfied with having Ludwig under her influence.
At the very least, he could still be called the male protagonist then.
“Though even back then, I couldn’t understand why Ludwig, not Arpad, was the male lead.”
Now, however, Ludwig’s sorry state was appalling.
It didn’t befit his noble rank as a duke.
Much less did it suit a “male protagonist.”
Naturally, Evangeline couldn’t bring herself to speak kindly to him.
“What’s the matter all of a sudden?”
But Ludwig seemed oblivious to Evangeline’s icy demeanor.
He waved a crumpled document and cried out,
“Help me, Eva!”
“Be specific. Tell me exactly what you want me to do.”
Evangeline could no longer suppress her irritation.
“And even if you want me to clean up your reputation, that’s impossible. You’ve made such a scene.”
Of course, Ludwig’s public drunken antics contributed greatly.
But the main reason was that Evangeline had used Ludwig as a scapegoat to protect herself.
She had hidden this fact, and Ludwig didn’t know.
Desperately, Ludwig shouted,
“The Duke of Delphin formally filed charges against me!”
“That’s something I already knew…”
Hilia had efficiently dealt with Delphin just overnight, quickly filing accusations for past embezzlement and unauthorized transfers of estates.
Moreover, she had secured evidence and witnesses. The duke’s retainers and servants at Delphin were all dragged in to testify.
Who would win was almost predetermined.
Evangeline was already aware of this.
But what Ludwig said next even surprised her.
“That insane woman! She’s filed to seize my estates and mansion!”
“…What?”
Ludwig’s explanation was simple.
Hilia was demanding, as compensation for the losses Ludwig had caused the Delphin household, that his residence, the Kielrn Duke’s mansion, and his lands be confiscated.
“She’s basically taking everything I own!”
Apparently, he had crawled out of his liquor stupor just to say this.
“The victim is me! Why?”
And now all he could do was cling to Evangeline.
“Help me, Eva. You love me. You really love me, unlike that crazy woman, right?”
He now looked up at Evangeline with a pitiful expression.
A look that would only deepen the contempt and disgust of any observer, but Ludwig didn’t realize it.
Evangeline was his only hope.
Suppressing the nausea rising in her throat, Evangeline looked down at him.
The contrast was even starker.
Arpad, majestic and handsome, versus the worm-like Ludwig now.
“Even though we’re cousins, how can they be so different?”
It was absurd to think she had almost married this man.
Had Hilia married Ludwig smoothly, she would have…
Suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind.
“Wait, wasn’t Ludwig originally supposed to end up with Hilia?”
That had been his fate in the original story. That’s why he had been the male lead.
Being the male lead was why she had wanted Ludwig.
Of course, this shabby Ludwig was now utterly unsuitable for her.
“Yes, a man fallen to the bottom deserves someone like Hilia.”
The seat next to Arpad, now monopolized by that woman beyond her right, naturally suited her far better.
Perhaps Ludwig, whom she thought useless, still had a role to play.
“If scandal from an ex-fiancé spreads, it will further destabilize his already shaky position.”
Above all, she was curious about what Arpad would think if he found out.
“Yes. Arpad was deceived, unaware of her true nature. Once he learns the truth…”
He would undoubtedly discard a woman who didn’t suit him.
“Don’t worry, Ludwig. I’ll help you.”
“Really? Really, Eva?”
“I’ll make sure you don’t lose your entire fortune… I’ll help you reclaim everything that’s yours.”
Evangeline’s lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Delbe Street, lined with townhouses of minor nobles and wealthy commoners.
A dilapidated mansion in a corner was one of Arpad’s private residences.
Disguised to avoid attention, Hilia arrived there by an old carriage and met mercenaries.
“News from the scrapyard.”
Hilia’s eyes flickered.
“Scrapyard” was one of the codes she had set with the Black Mercenary Group.
“The spies left at Ludwig’s mansion?”
Yes. “Scrapyard” referred to Ludwig’s mansion, the Kielrn Duke’s residence.
When Hilia had dealt with Delphin last time, she had either sent Ludwig’s retainers to the authorities or expelled them.
Among those sent back to the mansion were people bribed by Hilia.
To survive, they diligently fed her information about Ludwig.
Acting as intermediaries were the Black Mercenary Group.
“Of course, only temporarily.”
Hilia still lacked loyal people of her own, so she had no choice.
But the result was effective. She even received additional information about Evangeline.
The conclusion she drew from this information was simple.
“Seems Ludwig still hasn’t abandoned his foolish hope.”
Evangeline was likely the one stoking it.
There were many ways to respond.
“But for now, there’s a more important matter to focus on.”
After collecting a note, Hilia walked further in and was greeted by someone in disguise.
“Josephine.”
“Welcome.”
Josephine Solenu.
The young daughter of the Solenu Marquis paid attention to the surrounding area even while indoors.
“Don’t worry. No one followed you.”
Despite the assurance, Josephine remained tense.
“As you know… you’ve made a truly risky visit.”
“I know,” Hilia replied brightly.
“And I know how much effort you’ve put in. Your goodwill won’t be betrayed, so don’t worry.”
Hilia stepped forward.
Josephine seemed hesitant, as if she wanted to say more.
But she didn’t waste Hilia’s time and opened the door.
Inside sat an elderly noblewoman, with a few maids of similar age behind her.
As Hilia examined each face carefully, something caught her eye.
“Ah?”
Josephine introduced her.
“This is my great-aunt… no, Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess Axion.”
With Hilia’s request, Josephine had succeeded in mobilizing a powerful figure in the west.
