The S-Class Hunter Doesn't Want To Be A Villainous Princess - Chapter 12
After three hours of arguing with Isyre, Renee finally agreed to travel with him and began preparing to depart.
As expected, the primary mode of transportation in this world was horses. Renee let out a sigh.
After enjoying the conveniences of modern civilization to the fullest, being thrown here was giving her a headache.
‘But seriously…’
Unable to hold it in any longer, Renee asked the astras.
‘Maybe I just don’t know much about horses, but doesn’t this one look way too frail?’
It looked like it might collapse at any moment.
Clicking her tongue as she stared at it, the horse seemed to droop and take a step back.
…No, what did she do wrong?
In the end, Renee took the reins and gently stroked the horse.
Humans are the ones at fault—not you.
‘Anyone here know how to handle horses?’
[The <Ruthless Blood Leader> eagerly raises his hand.]
‘Of course you do, you’re a martial artist. Then tell me—how do you ride one?’
[The <Ruthless Blood Leader> says you must first dominate the horse, then build rapport!]
‘Rapport…? Like how?’
[The <Ruthless Blood Leader> says through deep camaraderie—]
Next.
[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> sadly says that the spirits do not treat animals as tools.]
...Next.
[The <Ruler of Temptation> suggests simply using a charm skill.]
‘Not a bad idea. Then maybe—’
[The <Ruler of Temptation> warns the horse might recognize you as a mare.]
You’re out too.
Not a single one of them is helpful.
Renee sighed and called out to a passing stable hand.
“Hey, you. Could you—”
Whoosh.
‘…Did he just ignore me?’
[The <Ruthless Blood Leader> nods.]
[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> nods.]
[The < Ruler of Temptation> nods.]
'You’ve got to be kidding me…!'
Just as she was about to quietly cast a skill in her hand, a voice came from behind her.
“It’s surprising that Lord Ante allowed this journey.”
Well, he didn’t. Ante was still unconscious.
Pretending not to notice, Renee loaded her gear onto the horse—
a bag filled with a sword, water, emergency rations, and other necessities.
Watching her, Isyre frowned.
“Why is the lady doing that herself?”
“Then who should?”
“Obviously—”
Isyre gestured to the side.
There stood a sleek black horse, its long legs stretched elegantly, with two attendants beside it.
One calmed the horse while the other fastened its saddle.
“Exactly. But there’s no one here willing to do that for me.”
“What do you mean…?”
Isyre began to question her, then stopped and looked around.
The servants of the ducal estate, clearly feeling guilty, scattered under his gaze.
“Were your servants not properly trained? Those serving a ducal house should follow stricter discipline.”
“You’ve never been here before, have you?”
“…Is that why you think I asked?”
Of course it’s his first time.
Renee nodded indifferently.
“That’s just how things are here.”
“That’s how it… is?”
“Here, I’m expected to handle everything myself.”
Even washing up meant getting water personally.
Luckily, she didn’t mind not being waited on…
But the original Renee must have.
Her mouth turned bitter.
Is she really a villainess?
More like a pushover.
Even if she hadn’t read many romance fantasies—
villainesses didn’t live like this.
“That makes no sense.”
Isyre flicked his hand sharply.
Immediately, the same stable hand who had ignored Renee rushed over.
“You called, Your Highness. How may I assist you?”
“Not me.”
“…Pardon?”
“Shouldn’t you be serving your master?”
“Ah… yes…”
The man reluctantly grabbed the reins, glancing at Renee with displeasure.
Seriously…
Renee sighed. She’d been humiliated more than once today.
“So… what can I help you with, my lady? Looks like you’ve already done everything.”
“What kind of tone is that toward your master—”
Before Isyre could intervene, Renee raised her hand.
“What is your name?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I asked your name.”
The man hesitated, clearly caught off guard by her calm demeanor.
“Your master is asking.”
At Isyre’s quiet addition, the man finally answered.
“D-Dean…”
“Dean. How long have you worked here?”
“Ten years.”
“Ten years…”
Renee repeated softly.
“So for ten years, you’ve treated me like this.”
“I-I didn’t mean—my lady…”
His voice faltered.
“Then it’s only fair I repay those ten years.”
Renee smiled faintly.
[Skill Activated! – <Hundred-Year Curse>]
“Mm—!”
“Your tongue will remain bound for the next ten years.”
“Mmph—!”
Why let a wicked tongue continue to wag?
Renee looked down coldly at the struggling man.
“If you see someone as a witch, they’ll have no choice but to become one.”
Tears filled his eyes—
but not from remorse.
So she felt no regret either.
“But who knows.”
As his despair deepened, her smile grew darker.
“Someone else might forgive you.”
For example… the original her.
---
“That was excessive.”
Only halfway to their destination did Isyre finally speak.
“Looks like you’re finally willing to talk to me.”
“You didn’t have to go that far.”
“Then what should I have done?”
Isyre sighed in irritation.
“If you’d left it to me, I would’ve handled it properly. A warning would’ve been enough.”
“Would it?”
“…What?”
“Do you really think someone who hasn’t changed in ten years would suddenly change because of your words?”
Isyre flinched—not just at her words, but at something deeper.
“And even if he did change, that’s still a problem.”
Her eyes were hollow.
“It would only mean he obeys you while continuing to ignore me.”
And she's supposed to be the master.
“Still, it was too much. Acting like that will only damage your reputation.”
Renee sighed.
Why did the original her ever like someone like this?
Someone who never even tried to understand her.
“You’re right, Your Highness.”
“Lady Renee—”
“What would someone like me know?”
She smiled faintly and fell silent.
Perhaps feeling a trace of guilt, Isyre changed the subject.
“We’ve left the Markious territory. Are you alright?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You're known to never leave your home for anything other than the occasional ball.”
That’s news to her.
But she kept that to herself.
“It's not like I can stay pent up in there forever.”
“I'm surprised. I've never thought I'd hear you say that.”
Renee was lost in her own thoughts, regardless of whether Isyre was mocking her or not.
Why does Renee have so many unexpected sides?
She thought she was just a stubborn villainess, but she seemed more complicated than that.
“It's nothing to be shocked about. You hardly know me at all, Your Highness.”
“I do know that this is not how you usually dress.”
Isyre pointed to her clothes with a flick of his chin. What's wrong with her clothes? She pouted her lips.
“Is there a problem with my clothes?”
“You... never wore anything but dresses.”
That made sense.
She was currently wearing an old tunic and trousers of Ante’s.
Honestly, the original Renee deserved praise just for tolerating those elaborate dresses.
"Actually, I always preferred wearing clothes like this."
"Then why didn't you dress like this before?"
Why do you think? Renee wanted to look good in front of him.
"Just because."
"Then why don't you wear them now?"
Is he really asking because he doesn't know? Renee narrowed her eyes, unable to understand Ishir's intentions.
“There’s no need anymore.”
“…No need?”
“I no longer care about looking appealing to you.”
She turned away after casting him a look of contempt.
But Isyre called out again.
“Why the sudden change?”
“It’s not sudden. My feelings just faded.”
“A month ago, you said you’d kill yourself if I didn’t love you.”
Damn it, Renee.
And damn you too, Isyre.
“Then call it fickle.”
“So it meant nothing.”
“Yes.”
“….”
For the first time, cracks appeared in his expression.
“It changed easily. Once this is over, I’ll never appear before you again. Forget the past me.”
“…Never again?”
His voice trembled.
Was he happy about that?
“I promise. We’ll never meet again.”
“…Then what will you do?”
“What do you mean?”
“…Cling to another man? Like you did to me?”
[The <Ruler of Temptation> sense a strange atmosphere.]
Not the time.
She closed the chat window and glared at him.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“It’s not Cedin, is it?”
“Why? Is that a problem?”
“He’s a valuable subordinate. A good knight.”
“So?”
“Don’t get any closer to him.”
“…What?”
Who approached whom?
“How did you persuade him?”
“Focus on your own matters, Your Highness.”
With that, she spurred her horse forward.
She had no desire to ride beside him.
As if waiting, Cedin followed her.
“It will take about a day more.”
“You’re slow.”
“My apologies, my lady.”
“Not your fault. Blame that bastard.”
She glanced at Isyre.
“I don’t understand.”
“…What?”
“Myself.”
She shook her head.
“Why did I ever like someone like that?”
“…I would also like to know.”
“I won’t get involved with him again.”
She cast <Water Blessing> on her horse.
Its fatigue vanished, and its speed surged.
She leaned forward, accelerating.
‘So annoying.’
Her patience was wearing thin.
Not because of Ante.
Not because of Isyre.
‘Why isn’t the final quest appearing?’
She needed it to return home.
[Quest Window]
<Epic Quest>
Clear the final floor of the Tower.
Clear Condition: Eliminate <The Tower Master>.
Clear Reward: End of possession. Return to original world.
Only a quest with “End of possession” as its reward could send her back.
But despite being here for quite some time—
nothing like it had appeared.
‘…What if I can’t go back?’
No matter how much she called the system—
[System Notification// Fixing errors... (99/100) Please wait a moment...]
It never moved past 99%.
‘Am I… stuck here forever?’
An unfamiliar anxiety slowly wrapped around her.
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