The S-Class Hunter Doesn't Want To Be A Villainous Princess - Chapter 28

However,

"Father, how do you plan to accomplish anything with such a lack of political sense?"

She spit on smiling faces.

"Phew."

Renee didn't lose her smile, even if the two men sitting next to her coughed or said something. The Duke was the same.

Although his lips trembled slightly.

"Have you heard the news? I am in a relationship with the Crown Prince."

"Yes, I heard. But-"

"I managed to save the family that was about to collapse, and yet why are you still oblivious?"

Renee smiled brightly.

"About to collapse...?"

"Because of some restraining forces, the Duke's daughter was falsely accused of killing the Saint. And the remaining family members are not only unable to clear their names but they are also being used as pawns."

Each sentence struck at Cyril and Ante's hearts. Especially Ante's expression was becoming increasingly rigid.

The Duke seemed quite taken aback as well, unable to speak and just listening to Renee's words.

And it was understandable- she was not the Renee Marchius they knew.

"In such a situation, I cleared my name, reconciled with the Crown Prince, and even announced that we are lovers. I went so far as to create a lake on top of the fire, but why does Father still treat me like a fool?"

Renee said with a genuinely pitiful and upset expression.

"Oh, is it because I resolved everything without consulting Father?"

The Duke finally regained his composure and opened his mouth to respond. But it wasn't Renee who gave him the floor.

"Still, you will understand, right? I am Father's 'daughter.' Right? I am the daughter you love the most."

Renee continued to nail the Duke down, not giving him a chance to speak. The Duke reluctantly agreed with a troubled face.

"That...yes. It was a big mistake that we didn't trust you..."

"A very big mistake?"

"...It was a huge mistake."

The Duke tried to escape as much as possible, avoiding eye contact. Like a trapped animal. Renee's gaze gradually cooled down.

"Right?"

"But next time, will you tell me about such a big problem in advance, Renee? Even this father needs to know something to cooperate with you."

"I wanted to tell you in advance as well. But it was too difficult for me to face Father."

Renee lowered her eyes as if she was genuinely disappointed.

"But from now on, I will keep that in mind, Father."

Now that she knows that he is the mastermind behind the Duke family, she has to deal with him too.

Renee quietly stood up, sharpening her dagger.

"Still, you make me proud."

"!"

At that moment, the Duke's words struck home. The two sons looked at the Duke as if they couldn't believe it.

Judging from the atmosphere, it seems like it wasn't an easy thing to say.

"...Me?"

"Yes. I wondered what would happen to a woman who couldn't even hold a sword in the social circle...but."

"I did."

The Duke smiled faintly. Just by looking at his face, he seemed like a loving father.

"Seeing you like this, aren't you doing your part enough? Instead-"

The Duke glanced at Ante.

"You're much better than those who received all the support from the family but couldn't become a sword master."

Hah. Renee couldn't help but sneer. Now it's just a comparison.

"That's strange, Father."

"?"

"You're not a sword master either, Father."

Finally, the Duke's unshakable smile began to crumble.

She couldn't help but notice that the status window of that human was flashing here as if it was telling her to take a look.

<Status Window>

Name: Desilar Marchius

Family: Head of the Marchius Family

Fame: 698

Titles: <Matriarch of Marchius>, <Sword Expert Mastery Level>, <Scheme Holder of the Sword>, <?????>, <?????>

Strength: 610

Agility: 732

Stamina: 630

Wisdom: 656

Luck: 494

Favorability: ???

What are you complaining about when it comes to the mastery level of subjects?

Isn't it morally wrong to expect your sons to be masters while being at the mastery level?

"Aren't they not the ones to compare with?"

"Why not?"

"When I was in my prime, I couldn't devote myself to swordsmanship to carry on the family legacy. But them, even though they can solely focus on swordsmanship thanks to me-"

"Oh my, His Highness the Crown Prince said there are no excuses in swordsmanship."

Renee raised her innocent face and tilted her head.

"I guess everyone is different, aren't they?"

[Ante Marchius' favorability has increased by 50!]

[Cyrril Marchius' favorability has increased by 50!]

Of course, Ishir has never said such a thing.

But if the sword master said that, there must be something to refute about the mastery level of subjects.

"...If His Highness thinks that way..."

"Well, what do I know if I haven't even held a sword? Please understand generously, like my father who has held many swords."

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> praises your wickedness!]

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> orders a soda!]

[The <Emperor of Temptation> sighs because they lost their job again!]

Renee smiled until the end and said.

"It was nice meeting you today. I hope we can have more occasions like this. I'm sure Father thinks the same, right?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

Renee left, completely ignoring Ante and Cyril, who were staring at her, and the Duke, who was slowly watching her.

She came here to save Renee, but something else caught her attention.

Now she thinks she finally understands. How the Duke and everyone in the mansion could torment Renee as if they were all in on it.

How could Renee not feel suffocated in such a spacious and grand-ducal residence?

It was you.

Renee lowered her gaze and stared at the Duke.

It was you who made her like this.

"Do you have anything to say, Renee?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

But,

"I hope you rest well, Your Grace."

For now, until today.

He's not the real purpose of today.

***

Princess Edin resides in the Imperial Palace.

The Silver Eagle Knights protect her, and the Palace is said to be filled with a clear aura of silver.

"Your Highness, Lady Marchius has arrived."

There was Renee, who was sharpening her sword, feeling annoyed and frustrated.

'That damn Duke... I won't let him off easily...'

Does she have to deal with an old-fashioned noble even in this world?

She'd encountered many old-fashioned people in her past life, and even among the bishops, there was the ultimate old-fashioned person.

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> wonders if we have any old-fashioned people among us.]

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> gazes at the distant sea.]

Forget it. She should focus on Edin now.

"She requests your presence."

'I knew she would send for me.'

Renee smirked bitterly. If she really had something to do with Lianne's disappearance, she thought she wouldn't miss this meeting.

Among the attendants, it was not difficult to recognize Edin.

She was truly shining.

Her neatly tied-up hair was the same golden color as Ishir's,

Her half-closed red eyes were wandering between elegance and dangerous languor.

'Another successor, huh? She's not inferior to Ishir in any way.'

Edin also seemed to have finished examining Renee, and she gracefully smiled.

"It's been a while, Lady Marchius."

"I greet Your Highness the Princess."

After performing a roughly learned etiquette, Renee stared straight at Edin.

Edin von Lambdish.

<Status Window>

Name: Edin von Lambdish

Family: Lambdish Empire's Imperial Family.

Fame: 737

Titles: <Lambdish's Strategist>, <Lambdish's Promising Heir>, <?????>

Strength: ?4?

Agility: ??3

Stamina: ??2

Wisdom: 8?0

Luck: ?2?

Favorability: ???

Hmm, this status window is quite obscured. Renee narrowed her eyes. Especially, it's not good that the favorability is hidden.

After Edin let out a low laugh, she clapped her hands. Then the attendants behind her calmly stepped aside.

'She handles people so gracefully. I hate to say it, but she's truly born noble.'

To handle people so gracefully. Unlike herself, Renee grumbled while admiring Edin, who looked cool no matter what she did.

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> comforts you, saying that you were originally a commoner or a slave in your original world, so it's an unavoidable situation!]

...A commoner or a slave. Why would a civil servant be a slave? No, it's not comforting at all!

[The <Emperor of Temptation> says that if you come to the Demon World, he will make you a Demon King!]

She doesn't need that! Renee angrily closed the chat. Anyway, those old men. Whether they knew or not, Edin turned her gaze towards Renee.

"Well then, let's get started, Lady Marchius. What is the reason for seeing me?"

"The reason I came here today is."

Renee paused, taking a deep breath. The adversaries she faced today proved to be more formidable than she had anticipated. It was time to gather her thoughts.

"I have found evidence regarding the disappearance of Lianne Karis."

[<Unexpected Option> Triggered!]

At that moment, as soon as Renee finished speaking, an alert window appeared.

'...Unexpected option?'

Isn't this the same thing that happened during Cedin's time? She opened the option window, hiding her anxiety.

<Unexpected Option> - Enemies Identification

You have lured Princess Edin into a trap. However, she seems to be a formidable opponent.

In the current situation where you cannot distinguish between enemies and allies, you must designate her as either an ally or an enemy.

Until this meeting is over, choose whether to designate her as an ally or an enemy.

[Ally] Selection: Edin von Lambdish's favorability +200, Ishir von Lambdish's favorability -200

[Enemy] Selection: Edin von Lambdish's favorability -200, Ishir von Lambdish's favorability +200

'Damn it.'

Renee's anxiety hit the mark.

What is this again, those bastards?

'This is completely... I've fallen into a trap.'

No matter which side she chooses, the risk is too high! She clenched her lips and bit down.

There has already been an error in Ishir's current favorability, so she doesn't even know what his favorability is.

If Ishir’s favorability is still low....

'I don't even know what the next quest will be like. I can't afford to lower the favorability too much. A decrease of 200 points would be a significant blow.'

What should she do? She was utterly confused.

However, Edin seemed to have no intention of waiting for Renee and woke her up.

"You have evidence regarding the culprit, I presume?"

"...Yes. I believe you have heard that Cedin Anshirad has been dispatched to the northern border."

"I heard that. So, did Anshirad find any new evidence? Also in the north?"

Edin smirked as if she couldn't believe it. Well, it was understandable. The northern border was not a place where people could survive.

Did a frail Saint go there? It was absurd.

"Technically, it was found on the way to the northern border, yes."

"What kind of evidence is it?"

In response to Edin's question, Renee showed her the traces discovered by <Queen of Waves and Healing>. And then, Edin's expression changed.

"What is this...?"

It was because it was a bone.

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