The Villainous Noblewoman Is About to Be Forced into Love, Isn’t This Wrong?

Liana leisurely nibbled on the pastries Loraviel had handed her, all while keeping her gaze fixed on the grand entrance.

The true protagonist of the evening was about to make her entrance.

The large double doors swung open with a slow, deliberate motion. The entire ballroom seemed to hold its breath as every noble turned in unison.

A girl stood at the threshold, dressed in an elegant black gown.

A single beauty mark beneath her right eye accentuated her delicate features—features so flawless they seemed sculpted by the hands of a master artisan. Her skin was untouched by makeup, yet it glowed like snow reflecting the morning sun.

Her crescent-moon brows arched gently above eyes as blue as the sky, and her soft, dewy lips curved into a faint, almost absentminded smile.

The contrast of black and white in her gown framed the graceful lines of her neck and the subtle definition of her collarbones. Golden hair cascaded down her back like the shimmering strands of the Milky Way, glistening under the grand chandeliers.

The dress, simple yet striking, hugged her form with perfect precision.

Long, slender legs peeked through the slit of her gown, wrapped in sheer white stockings—glimpses of flawless, porcelain skin flashing with every step, a sight both mesmerizing and sinful.

For a fleeting moment, as her gaze landed on Liana, the stillness in her blue eyes wavered.

Even the carefully maintained smile on her lips faltered ever so slightly.

But it lasted only a second.

Regaining her composure, she strode forward, her movements as refined as ever, officially marking the start of the ball.

Liana’s memories of Mepeilu were of someone much like herself—someone who despised these suffocating noble gatherings.

But now, as one of the successors to the Lisat Kingdom, she had no choice but to adapt.

Click. Click.

The sound of high heels tapping against polished marble echoed through the grand hall.

Liana’s gaze followed those steps until they reached the ballroom’s center.

Mepeilu swept her gaze across the gathered guests before pausing—briefly—on Liana.

Every noble was seated, poised, and waiting with quiet anticipation.

Except for her.

Sitting at the edge of the hall, nibbling on sweets without a care, Liana was the only one displaying such a blatant lack of decorum.

Mepeilu’s expression grew complicated.

She cleared her throat, pushing down whatever emotion had surfaced.

“I am deeply honored by the efforts of the Venus family in hosting this event, and I thank you all for making the journey to be here tonight.”

Her tone was steady, her poise impeccable.

She raised her wine glass.

“But I won’t waste time with unnecessary pleasantries.”

There was a slight crack in her usual demeanor—something was off.

“Let us drink, enjoy the evening, and celebrate.”

At her cue, the servants quickly began bringing out lavish dishes.

Liana barely spared them a glance.

The food looked exquisite, but she already knew the taste would be average at best—just another variation of the same noble cuisine she’d grown tired of.

More importantly, her patience was wearing thin.

If Mepeilu had left the event early, she’d have no chance to speak with her tonight.

"Rumor has it," Nael mused, cutting into her steak with practiced ease, "that Princess Mepeilu came here because of you."

Liana sighed, swirling the juice in her glass.

"Bored already?" she murmured, uninterested. "And here I thought you’d be more invested, considering you weren’t the reason for her visit."

She then turned to Loraviel.

“If you’re hungry, just eat.”

Nael arched an eyebrow.

“Liana, this is a noble gathering,” she reminded her with faux patience. “Servants aren’t allowed to eat with their masters.”

Liana knew that well enough.

It was a rule meant to maintain the distinction between nobles and their servants—meant to reinforce power.

And she hated it.

“That rule applies to your servants,” she said dismissively. “Mine do whatever I tell them to.”

Loraviel, however, shook her head.

“It’s alright, Liana-sama. I’m not very hungry.”

She was smart enough to avoid unnecessary trouble.

If she ate at the same table as her master, it would be seen as an insult to every noble present.

Not that Liana hadn’t already done worse things—but tonight, picking a fight over something so trivial wasn’t worth it.

“Fine, fine.” Liana rested her chin on one hand, feigning disinterest. “Then just keep testing for poison. No complaints about that, right?”

“…Mm.”@@novelbin@@

She casually fed Loraviel a bite before taking one for herself.

To anyone watching, the scene looked far too intimate—too casual. Not like that of a noble and her maid, but something far closer.

Liana suddenly felt a piercing gaze on her.

She turned her head—and locked eyes with Mepeilu.

For a split second, an unreadable emotion flickered across Mepeilu’s face.

But just as quickly, she looked away.

She turned to Olivia.

“Liana… she hasn’t changed at all, has she?”

Olivia’s lips pressed together.

"Don’t be fooled by appearances, Princess. At first, even I thought Loraviel had been broken beyond repair," she admitted. "But after hearing her explanation, it made sense."

Mepeilu frowned slightly.

“Her explanation?”

“As you know, it’s a servant’s duty to ensure their master’s food is safe.” Olivia spoke calmly. “However, because of a previous mistake, Loraviel was punished. She isn’t allowed to use magic or any tools to check for poison—she has to personally test it.”

Mepeilu froze.

Olivia’s voice remained steady, almost indifferent.

"Liana doesn’t care about Loraviel’s life. She puts constant pressure on her, even during training.”

As she listened, the bitter taste of wine spread across Mepeilu’s tongue.

She swallowed, but the unpleasant sensation lingered.

The girl who had once been her childhood friend…

Had truly become something else.

It left an uncomfortable knot in her chest.

She had no interest in staying any longer.

Finishing her drink, she left the ball early.

Liana noticed her departure.

Damn.

She had been hoping to talk to her tonight—but that plan had just crumbled.

She stood up, ready to leave as well—

But Nael stopped her.

"Liana, leaving so soon?"

Liana sighed, rubbing her temple.

"This is getting dull. Besides—our main character has already left. What’s the point of us side characters staying?"

Nael smirked, gripping her wrist slightly.

"Don’t be so hasty."

Liana raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Trying so hard to keep me here… Do you have ulterior motives?"

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

She leaned in, one hand on the table, the other resting on Nael’s chair—closing the distance between them.

Nael stiffened slightly.

Countess Ruth had asked her to stall Liana. To buy just a little more time for Ruth to speak with Mepeilu.

But she wasn’t about to let herself get dragged into this mess.

“If there’s nothing important,” Liana drawled, “I’m leaving.”

Nael hesitated.

"...You used to enjoy events like these. Why the sudden change?"

Liana smirked.

"Oh, it’s quite simple."

Before Nael could react—

Liana wrapped an arm around Loraviel’s waist.

“I have better things to do.”