The S-Class Hunter Doesn’t Want To Be A Villainous Princess - Chapter 3
Yiyoung—no, Renee—felt so irritated right now that shew wanted to drop everything and walk away.
“Who is your accomplice?”
“I told you, there isn’t one. How many times do I have to say it for you to understand, kid?”
“...Kid? You’ve really lost your mind.”
Renee had regressed over fifty times.
Each life had lasted at least twenty years.
To her, people in their early or mid-twenties looked like newborns.
Calling them kid was already her version of being considerate.
“Then whose presence was that? There’s no way someone like you—who has never held a sword—could hide your presence. Tell me the name of the one helping you.”
“I wish I had someone like that.”
“Did that person kill Lady Leanne? Did you order it?”
'This is going nowhere. I can’t win this conversation.
Strange... why aren't the NPC status windows working properly here?’
There wasn’t much information either.
In her previous life, she could see even the smallest details.
'Was the system still unfinished?'
Renee stared at the status windows of Ante and Kyril.
<Status Window>
Name: Ante Markious
Family: House Markious
Reputation: ?9?
Title:
<Hei? of Marki??s>,
<T?p-??vel S???? E?pert ??>,
<???de of Hou?e ??kious>,
<L?ng ??e-si?ed ??ve>
Power: ??0
Stealth: ?80
Stamina: ???
Wisdom: ?5?
Luck: 3?2
Affinity: -9?3
<Status Window>
Name: Kyril Markious
Family: House Markious
Reputation: 575
Title:
<Second S?? of H?use Ma??ious>,
<??vel S???? ?xper?>,
<????? of Hou?e ??rkious>
Power: ?90
Stealth: 5?0
Stamina: ?3?
Wisdom: 3?0
Luck: 5?1
Affinity: -?58
'Well, at least I know their affinity is terrible.'
Looks like this body had an awful relationship with her family.
What a hassle.
Still, she had cleared the sub-quest without much trouble. So things weren't entirely bad.
[<Sub Quest – Escape> clear condition has been fulfilled!]
<Sub Quest - Escape> Cleared!
Reward: Reputation +20
Current Reputation: -979
<Sub Quest - Relationship Improvement>
You have two older brothers.
You'll have to develop a good relationship with them to have a good future.
Clear Condition:
- Ante Markious' Affinity: -800
- Kyril Markious' Affinity: -600
Reward: Partial recovery of the status window.
<Sub Quest - Innocence>
You are being framed for the alleged murder of Saint Leanne Karis. No one believes you, but perhaps one person might.
Clear Condition: Convince one person that you are innocent.
Reward: Reputation +30
“...How am I supposed to raise all of this?”
“What did you just say?”
“Nothing you need to worry about. But thanks for your concern.”
Renee smiled as pleasant as she could.
“,,,Concern? For you?”
Ante ground his teeth, glaring at his sister.
'Yeah... raising his affinity is hopeless.'
Renee shrugged and turned to Kyril instead.
'He looks easier.'
“Brother, I told you—we should’ve thrown her into an underwater prison, not an underground one.”
'...Never mind.'
“Anyway,” Renee said,
“I don’t fully understand the situation yet, so let me ask—why do you think I killed the Saint?”
“You dare called that a questions?!”
Ante slammed his fist onto the table.
The teacup bounced, spilling hot tea toward her.
She could have dodged it easily—but now wasn’t the time to reveal her full abilities.
[<The Ruthless Blood Leader> angrily says you should drain that bastard’s blood.]
[<The The Queen of Waves and Healing> quietly tries to heal your burn.]
[<The Ruler of Temptation> suggests making him slit his own stomach.]
'I didn’t even get burned. Do you know how high my stats are?
And no killing—we need them alive to clear quests.'
Renee calmed her astras.
“Brother, calm down. If she gets hurt, Father will—”
So they’re afraid of Father, at least.
Renee observed the two quietly.
'What a strange family.'
“Why can’t you explain it? There's no evidence, is there?”
“Do you think there is anyone on this continent who doesn’t know you attempted to assassinate Lady Leanne hundreds of times?! Do I really have to spell out that you are the disgrace of this family?!”
'Ah. So she had a record.'
“Did they find a body?”
“You must have hidden it. That's exactly the kind of trick you excel at.”
“I see. So you’re suspecting me without evidence or a body?”
Ante was too furious to respond. Kyril spoke instead.
“You’re the only suspect. Who else would want to kill the Saint? Someone that kind?”
'So she's the typical angelic female lead. Boring.'
“It’s not too late. Confess and tell us where the body is. His Highness may at least spare you from collective punishment. Father went to the Imperial Palace to save your life.”
“Yeah. There 's even a rumor His Highness wants your head displayed on the capital walls.”
'The Crown Prince...?'
Renee tilted her head.
Why is he involved?
“Have you lost your mind in prison?” Kyril asked.
“No, I mean... why would the Crown Prince hate me that much? It’s not like I’m related to—”
“You still think His Highness would choose you?”
'Ah. A love triangle. Now it made sense.'
“His Highness has been engaged to Lady Leanne for over three years. Give up that delusion already, Renee.”
“Yeah. Stop embarrassing the family with that pathetic one-sided love.”
'So that’s it.'
This body loved the Crown Prince, tried to kill his fiancée multiple times—and this time, supposedly succeeded?
‘But something off.’
The quest clearly she was being framed.
Which meant—she didn’t kill her.
And the system, for all its flaws, never lied.
‘Then who did?’
To clear her name, she had to find the real culprit.
And maybe— that was why she had been brought into this world.
“...Alright. I think I understand the situation now. So listen.”
“Finally confessing?”
“No. I didn’t kill her.”
Both brothers sighed deeply.
As expected—their sister was beyond redemption.
How could she kill so kind and still look do unfazed?
“What if,” Renee said lightly,
“Lady Leanne just ran away on her own? There’s no body, right? That means she’s missing—not dead.”
“You’re still going to insist on that?”
“Guess I’m not completely stupid. Yeah—I’ll keep insisting. Why won’t you believe me?”
“The Saint was set to marry the Crown Prince in a month. Why would she run away?”
'A month before the wedding... supposed to be the happiest time.'
Renee nodded lazily.
“And everyone knows they were deeply in love. You, of all people, should know that. That’s why you killed her out of jealousy.”
“But listen.”
Renee smiled faintly.
“Why are you so sure I killed her?”
“…What?”
“What if she ran away because she didn’t want to get married?”
People who look perfect— aren’t always perfect.
Renee smirked.
But Ante’s expression hardened even further.
“Don’t compare Lady Leanne to someone like you.”
“That’s a bit harsh. Who taught you to speak like that to your own sister?”
“…Pfft—”
Kyril burst out laughing.
Ante shot him a deadly glare.
[Kyril Markious' affinity increases by 10.]
'Oh? This is getting interesting.
Insulting his brother increases his affinity?'
“What kind of man is that Crown Prince anyway, if his fiancée ran away?”
“…What did you just say?”
“You said she was kind.. didn't you?”
“...Yes. Completely different from you.”
Ante admitted stiffly.
“Well, I didn’t touch her. So what does that mean?”
“...?”
“It means the Crown Prince is the problem. She couldn't bring herself to reject him directly, so she ran away. Maybe you should investigate him.”
“Hahaha!”
Kyril burst into full laughter.
Renee shrugged, as if it to say 'not my fault.'
“You really are…”
“Whatever anyone else says—you’re still my brother, Ante.”
“And now you bring up family?”
“Isn’t that basic? Family should trust each other.”
Renee blinked innocently.
Ante flinched slightly, then sighed.
“If you had ever given me a reason to trust you—even once—I would have. Our family gave you chance after chance… hoping you’d come to your senses someday.”
He looked at her with sunken eyes, then turned away.
“...This is what you've become.”
“So you really don’t trust me.
...Fine. Then let’s do this.”
“Stop talking nonsense—”
“I’ll prove my innocence within a month.”
“…!”
Both Kyril—who had been laughing—.
“...You?”
—and Ante, who had been full of killing intent, froze.
“Yes. That works, right?”
“…Ha.”
Ante shook his head.
“…Fine. That'll do.”
“Then what will you give me?”
“What?”
“If I prove you wrong, you owe me compensation. Isn't that fair?”
She was clearing quests— of course she deserved rewards.
Ante let out a hollow laugh.
“Anything. I swear on my name—anything. If you prove your innocence.”
“Good. It's a deal. Kyril, you’re our witness.”
“Sure. That’s easy enough.”
[A special quest has been activated!]
[Would you like to check the quest? (Yes / No)]
[You have selected 'Yes'!]
<Special Quest - Innocence>
You have made a deal with Ante Markious to prove your innocence within one month.
Clear Condition: Prove your innocence
Reward:
- One wish from Ante Markious
- Kyril Markious Affinity +100
'Kyril’s affinity goes up too? By 100?'
Renee glanced at him, then extended her hand toward Ante.
His hand instinctively moved toward his sword.
“What do you think I'm doing? It’s a handshake.”
“…Whatever your scheme is, you won’t get away with it this time.”
Suspicious much.
Renee forcibly grabbed his hand and shook it firmly.
“Nice to meet you. Let’s get along from now on.”
The she turned and left without hesitation.
Only the two brothers remained.
“...Was she always like that?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“...Her hand…”
He hadn’t been able to avoid it.
A top-level Sword Expert— unable to avoid the hand of someone who had never held a sword.
And when he touched her— he felt nothing.
No killing intent. No hostility. Nothing at all.
“…What was that?”
A new wind had begun to blow through the Markious Ducal House.
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