The S-Class Hunter Doesn't Want To Be A Villainous Princess - Chapter 27

"Sister Waves, have you found Lianne?"

Before leaving for the Palace, Renee once again asked her constellation about Lianne's whereabouts.

In fact, most of these things would be resolved once Lianne appeared.

Actually, Lianne's traces had completely disappeared, but recently they had started to appear very faintly.

She couldn't tell Ishir and Cedin, but she was tracking those traces with the help of <Queen of Waves and Healing>.

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> says that all traces of the Saint suddenly disappeared.]

That's strange. Why did they disappear?

"Where was the last place it was cut off?"

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> shows you a map.]

Looking at the map made by <Queen of Waves and Healing> with various colors of water, Renee's mouth curled up. Oh, isn't that the place they went to recently? North? The one with the tower?

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> says that it is close to there, but it is not exactly there.]

"But it is on the way, right?"

[The <Queen of Waves and Healing> nods.]

Why did they go there? This is really suspicious.

"Sister, maybe-"

"Renee! We have to leave quickly!"

Just as she was about to ask <Queen of Waves and Healing> for more details, she heard Cyril urging her from outside.

Judging by the trembling voice, it didn't seem like he was just angry.

"That kid is really useless."

Renee clicked her tongue.

"Come out quickly!"

"I'll be there soon. Wait a bit."

'You have no manners. Looks like you're doomed in love too.'

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> teases you, saying that you can't do it either.]

"Even if I get the summoning skill of the Constellation, I won't summon you."

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> sticks out his tongue, saying that then you can't use my skill either.]

"How petty."

Renee closed the chat window and hurriedly went out to where Cyril was waiting. Not only Cyril but also Ante was there. Why was Ante there?

"...Are you going to the Palace?"

"Yeah. So, can you have dinner alone tomorrow?"

"What do you think of me right now? A five-year-old kid?"

"You don't look much different."

[Cyril Marchius' favorability has increased by 20.]

At Renee's words, Cyril laughed heartily, holding his belly. Ante tried to step on Cyril's foot, but now that Cyril was a mastery-level sword expert, he quickly avoided it.

[The <Lord of Vicious Blood> cheers, saying that my disciple is doing well!]

"Anyway, I'll be back. Ante."

"No."

"Huh?"

"I'm going too."

...Why are you going again? Renee narrowed her eyes as if she couldn't understand, but there was no reason to refuse, so she nodded. Yeah. They look a bit impressive today. Above all-

[Quest Cleared!]

<Sub Quest - Relationship Development>

Clear Condition: Achieve Ante Marchius' favorability -800. Achieve Cyril Marchius' favorability -600.

Clear Reward: Partial restoration of Ante Marchius and Cyril Marchius' status windows.

Finally, she cleared this quest.

Actually, it had been quite a while since she achieved this quest. It was on the day Ishir proposed to her. But she was too busy and forgot about it until now.

'Well, now that the status windows of the two have been restored, should I check them once?'

<Status Window>

Name: Ante Marchius

Family: The Duke of Marchius

Fame: 799

Titles: <Young Duke of Marchius>, <Sword Expert Mastery Level>, <Pride of Marchius>, <Long Unrequited Love>

Strength: 740

Agility: 680

Stamina: 770

Wisdom: 450

Luck: 302

Favorability: -630

<Status Window>

Name: Cyril Marchius

Family: The Duke of Marchius

Fame: 575

Titles: <Marchius' Second Son>, <Sword Expert Mastery Level>, <?? of Marchius>

Strength: 590

Agility: 510

Stamina: 630

Wisdom: 390

Luck: 591

Favorability: 41

'Both of them have really improved a lot.'

Especially Cyril. Finally, the favorability is not negative but positive. It's a significant improvement.

'Of course, that favorability rose because I bullied Ante...'

She really doesn't know what's wrong with these brothers. They don't seem to have any major issues on the surface. But the Duke's children has been poorly raised or nurtured.

'Let's learn more about this family gradually.'

Now it's time to go to the Palace. She saw two men waiting for her.

The two men were dressed in very sophisticated suits, not their usual casual attire.

The medals on the left chest showed their efforts. Although their personalities were not great, they seemed very convincing when they spoke.

As for their faces, they were both incredibly handsome, as if they were Renee's face.

'Oh, quite impressive.'

But she shouldn't say anything. If she does, their behavior might get worse.

"Sorry. Let's go quickly."

Renee tapped the shoulders of the two men. It meant to open the carriage door.

Normally, she would have broken or opened the door with magic, but there were too many eyes watching, so she couldn't do that.

However, the two men just stared at her without moving, with a blank expression.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter? Snap out of it, guys."

"Hmm. Hmm."

What's going on? Renee looked at the two strange men alternately.

Ante was opening the door with a completely stiff face, and Cyril was smiling at their brother.

"What's the matter?"

"There's no problem."

"Then why are you acting like this?"

"Why? Well, it's because it's the first time we've seen you looking perfectly fine."

...What?

Renee turned her head in confusion towards Ante.

Ante seemed very uncomfortable with Cyril's words.

"Be quiet, Cyril."

"I mean, I saw you at the party last time, but it's the first time for our brother. You're like that."

Regardless of whether Ante was glaring at him or not, Cyril confidently continued speaking.

"Oh, right. I did throw away that ridiculous dress. Isn't this dress pretty?"

That's right. The dress Renee is wearing now is not the 'real' Renee's dress, but the one she chose now.

A simple, modest dress. Minimal decorations.

"I mean, not the dress. Your expression."

"My expression? What's wrong with my expression?"

"Instead of looking at us as if you're going to kill us, you're just smiling."

Ah, Renee finally understood the situation.

Until now, Renee must have been very wary of you... Instead of smiling, she must have had a very intimidating presence.

'So you guys didn't know that when Renee actually smiles, her smile is really beautiful.'

She didn't think Renee needed flashy and beautiful dresses like the one she wore today.

'Her face is the best dress. Why cover it up?'

But she seemed to know why Renee had been wearing such extravagant dresses all this time.

It was probably her armor. A suit of armor that concealed her sadness and misery.

It must have kept everyone from getting close to her.

'When I return and Renee comes back, I hope she can be happy then.'

Instead of armor, she should be able to wear the clothes she really wants, comfortable clothes.

Instead of pushing people away out of loneliness, she should be able to rest among people who love her.

'I'll make sure of that. In exchange for borrowing her body.'

She looked down at her own dress and made a promise to herself.

Since she's lending such a beautiful face, she should at least do that much.

"Ahem. Anyway, try to be like that even in your daily life. It's better that way."

"Ante."

"Why?"

Renee gently lifted Ante's stiff lips. Ante was taken aback by Renee's sudden action and couldn't do anything about it.

"You should smile too. You too. Hm? You look much better like this."

"...!"

"Euhak-hak!"

Renee stepped on Cyril's foot as he laughed heartily next to her. Cyril laughed freely and then screamed in pain.

"Ouch! Hey!"

Hmph. Maybe she couldn't step on Ante, but she could step on the top of his head, not just his feet.

She picked up Cyril and threw him into the carriage.

"Get in the carriage, you useless piece of junk."

Even though her brother was saying something brave, she found it amusing.

[Ante Marchuis' favorability has increased by 50!]

...Anyway, the children in this house are really a disaster.

***

Meeting Princess Edin turned out to be a much more difficult task than expected.

Firstly, it was made more challenging by the fact that Renee, Edin's greatest enemy, was Ishir's lover. Renee had been continuously requesting an audience with Edin, but she had been rejecting her with various excuses.

Contacting Ishir didn't yield any better results either. Instead of a response, Ishir simply sent a single letter.

'I will give you whatever you desire. But meeting you will require some time.'

Upon seeing that, Renee realized something.

It would be quite a struggle to meet these shy nobles.

'So, I used some connections.'

Indeed, whether it's here or in South Korea, it's no different.

"Father!"

Renee ran towards a middle-aged man and tightly held his hand, shaking it vigorously.

It was none other than Renee's father, Duke Marchius. It wasn't difficult to recognize him.

He looked exactly like how one would imagine Ante to look when he gets older.

"Renee? What's happening at the Palace? Ante, Cyril, all of you...?"

As expected, Duke Marchius seemed quite taken aback.

His deep blue eyes were shaking intensely. Soon, his eyes were filled with reproach.

"Ante. Didn't I tell you to take care of the household properly?"

"I apologize, Your Grace."

Your Grace?

Why is he addressing her own father so formally? Renee became more flustered than she expected in this rather austere family reunion.

"Let's go inside and talk first, Renee. There are too many eyes here."

With an exhausted expression, the Duke pushed the three of them into his study.

"What brings you here?"

"Your daughter came to see her father. Do I need a grand reason for that?"

This time, there is a grand reason. Renee replied brazenly.

"I clearly told you not to have anything to do with the Palace."

...What is this? Renee was becoming increasingly annoyed. It wasn't just because of the Duke's cold tone.

It was because the Duke was not looking at Renee when he spoke, but only at Ante.

As if Ante was the culprit behind all of this.

"Father, I came here on my own. Ante did nothing wrong."

"It's his inability to manage you that is the problem, Renee."

Does he think everything will be fine if he just softens his voice?

She felt like she was being treated like some dangerous animal by the Duke, who was handling her with such care.

"I am an adult. Ante can't manage me. I manage myself."

"Of course."

The Duke tried to smile. But Renee, through countless regressions, could sense it.

"But as you know, you still need someone to control you, Renee."

This Duke will be much more difficult to deal with than she thought.

'It wasn't that his child-rearing skills were bad.'

The Duke himself was a really bad person. The Marchius children did their best to grow up. Renee stared at the Duke with sunken eyes.

But the Duke just smiled warmly and brushed off her gaze.

"Well, let's sit down for now. Father."

Cyril, who couldn't overcome the awkward atmosphere, intervened between the two.

"Sure. You two should sit as well. Would you like some tea?"

"No, let's get straight to the point. Why did we come?"

"...Yes. I want to know why you came at such a gloomy time."

He responds with a smiling face to a smiling face. Renee smiled brightly. She smiled so much that she couldn't even spit on his smiling face.

As expected, the Duke looked a bit uneasy, but he couldn't help but smile along.

However,

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

She spit on smiling faces.

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