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

"I hate you, Mepeilu."

Ruth watched as Liana stormed away, barely able to hide the smile creeping onto her lips.

Still, she had to scold Liana to keep up appearances.

"Liana! Is that how you speak to Grand Princess Mepeilu?"

After rebuking Liana, Ruth turned to Mepeilu, putting on an apologetic expression.

"I’m terribly sorry, Grand Princess Mepeilu. It’s my fault—I haven’t disciplined her well enough. I’ve spoiled her too much, and this is the result."

"Get out."

Minoja cut Ruth off immediately.

"Y-Yes, of course!" Ruth nodded frantically, unsure why Minoja seemed to despise her so much.

But Mepeilu had no patience for Ruth’s words right now. She rubbed her eyes, exhausted.

"Countess Ruth, I need some time to rest. Let’s discuss any matters tomorrow."

Ruth had planned to say something polite, but when she saw Minoja’s hand on the hilt of her sword, she wisely shut her mouth and left, closing the door behind her.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Mepeilu collapsed into a chair, sighing deeply.

How did things end up like this?

Minoja stood silently beside her, saying nothing.

Now that Liana had left, Mepeilu felt herself calming down.

She had always had this weakness—whenever she faced Liana, she would lose all rationality.

She began replaying the day’s events, analyzing them carefully.

Something about Liana was... off.

She clutched the vial of forbidden drug in her hands.

"Minoja... this is a forbidden drug, isn’t it?"

"Without a doubt."

"..."

"But these ingredients—they mean nothing to the Venus family. Even if outsiders found them strange, this drug is forbidden knowledge. No one should even be aware of it.

"And she’s Liana. She’s never needed logic in her actions.

"So why? Why would she take such a risk just to ask me for them?"

Mepeilu frowned, deep in thought.

"This vial... it looks like it was brewed a while ago. It must have been made long before we arrived—even before Liana called me here.

"But it hasn’t been opened yet."

"If Liana really planned to use it to harm someone, there would be no reason to keep it until now.

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

"And if she was going to call me, why not wait until after she used the ingredients?

"If she had done that, even if someone discovered what the materials were for, there wouldn’t be any evidence left. She could have made up any excuse to cover it up."

Mepeilu’s thoughts were spinning faster and faster.

"Unless... this drug wasn’t meant for someone else.

"It was meant for Liana herself."

"That would explain everything.

"Why she could still use basic magic at first—but later lost the ability completely!"

Mepeilu’s heart raced.

"You’re still defending Liana, Grand Princess Mepeilu. But this is only your own speculation, isn’t it?" Minoja’s voice was calm.

Mepeilu knew.

Minoja only cared about the kingdom. To her, facts were absolute—there were only yes or no answers.

Mepeilu bit her lip.

"I just... don’t want to regret anything ever again."

"...What are you planning to do, Grand Princess Mepeilu?"

"If this is true...

"Then Liana must have another reason for needing these materials."

Mepeilu stood up and headed for the door.

"Where are you going at this hour?" Minoja asked.

"There’s something I need to confirm."

Although the memory was faint, Mepeilu found her way to the room of Ambis and Duke Venus.

"Grand Princess Mepeilu!"

The knights guarding the room saluted her.

Since this was the night of the ball, there were many guests. If someone slipped into the Duke’s quarters, it would be disastrous. So Neybert had stationed guards here.

Mepeilu nodded at them.

"Are you here to enter Duke Venus’s chamber, Grand Princess?" one of the knights asked.

"Yes."

"I understand."@@novelbin@@

The knight turned to another guard. "Go inform Lady Neybert. I will remain on watch here."

"Understood."

Mepeilu actually had a key to this room—Ambis had given it to her personally.

But she had never planned to visit this place again.

So she hadn’t brought it.

Mepeilu stepped forward, a wave of nostalgia washing over her.

She reached out her hand—

But before she could touch the door, the knight warned her.

"Grand Princess Mepeilu, please do not touch the door casually. Duke Venus’s chamber is protected by magic.

"During the ball, it’s best not to trigger any alarms."

"...Alarms?"

Mepeilu could feel the magic surrounding the room.

"This... this wasn’t here before."

"Grand Princess Mepeilu," Minoja reminded her, "how long has it been since you last came to this room?"

"...Five years? No, maybe four..."

Ever since Liana changed, Mepeilu had never set foot here.

She couldn’t.

She had no right to face Ambis and Duke Venus anymore.

But under normal circumstances, there was no need for such a powerful protective spell.

Which meant—

Someone had broken in before.

Mepeilu felt herself getting closer to the truth.

"Did something happen here before?" she asked the knight.

"I don’t know the details. Ah—Lady Neybert is here. You should ask her, Grand Princess. She knows more than I do."

"Grand Princess Mepeilu."

Neybert bowed, one hand over her chest, the other lifting her skirt in a perfect curtsy.

"We meet again, Neybert." Mepeilu greeted her lightly.

"Have you come to Duke Venus’s chamber for a reason, Grand Princess?" Neybert gestured for the guards to stand down.

"I don’t recall this room being protected by magic before. Did something happen?"

"I’m not entirely sure," Neybert replied.

"I wasn’t in the Venus estate at the time.

"I was away on a mission.

"But when I returned, I was informed that someone had broken into the Duke’s chamber."

Neybert paused, then continued.

"But after thorough investigation, nothing was missing.

"Still, as a precaution, we reinforced the room’s security."

"When exactly did this happen?"

"...Three years ago."

Mepeilu’s heart stopped for a moment.

That was... a very convenient time frame.

She felt like she was one step away from the truth.

"Neybert... has Liana come to this room recently?" Mepeilu asked.

Neybert hesitated.

"Grand Princess Mepeilu... how did you know?"

Mepeilu’s pulse pounded in her ears.

"When was it?"

"...About a month ago."

It matches.

The timing fits.