Rehabilitating the Villainess

At Shael’s words, the onlooker’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What are you saying…!”

Those were Denes Anyden's words. Simultaneously, he looked at me, silently urging me to say something.

So, I responded with action.

I hugged Shael beside me.

A hug amidst many onlookers. Soon, Shael trembled, glancing at me but finding no words.

‘Who initiated this?’

It was Shael. Her voicing it first would have led others to misconstrue it. So, I decided to vouch for Shael's sake.

At that moment, Denes wore a look of disbelief.

“No, that’s absurd!”

“We're soon to be wed, so what's the issue?”

My words were tinged with a touch of sincerity yet crafted falsely, and I also took the chance to embrace Shael more tenderly.

Denes then appeared even more puzzled.

‘Well, if it's the son of the Duke of Anyden, it’s justifiable that he’d have some inside information.’

He must have received information about Shael's and my interactions from a few months ago. It was the time when I would gaze passionately into Shael’s eyes while she blatantly ignored me.

“Didn't you see the spilled wine on the other young lady? Why would you choose a woman with such a rude behavior?”

“You were the one who provoked the argument. Besides, Shael is strong-willed but not ill-intentioned.”

A woman with a bad temper wouldn't politely request dessert for herself or refrain from teasing for a kiss. Frankly, one might say I too had even more of a bad temperament, unlike Shael’s lovable nature.

It was an easily deducible truth. Unbeknownst to me, my fondness for Shael grew.

“She's unexpectedly endearing. She gets outrageously jealous, and beneath her strong facade, she's bashful.”

I said it while holding the hand of Shael, who was still breathing deeply with shame.

“She's even pinching my arm in embarrassment.”

I pointed at Shael, who was pinching her arm as she listened, narrating with sincerity in my tone. 

Whispers slowly ensued as my words spread.

“You've got a point.”

“Huh, showing that level of affectionate embrace in front of everyone?”

“Seeing her current expression, it seems probable?”

The rumored courtship between the offspring of the dukes, believed to be akin to companions. It was enough to capture the attention of many.

Denes frowned, ready to speak more about Shael’s bad reputation.

But before that, I took the lead.

“I heard you were married a few years back already. I am sure that the bond between Shael and me will surpass yours.”

“Ha! I have a good rapport with Helen!”

The agitated man fell silent. Then contemplating something, Denes spoke with a confident grin.

“The Imperial Festival is just three days away. The festival will unfailingly distinguish the most devoted lovers in the empire…”

True. The Imperial Festival identified the most devoted lovers.

“So, let’s make a wager. Who will prove the stronger bond at the festival.”

It seemed a foolish bet. What was the point of such a wager? 

Denes looked quite certain of his victory. He was hell bent on denting the Azbel family’s standing in the aristocratic society.

“Once the defeated Imperial Festival concludes, why not kneel and offer an apology?”

As expected, he proposed something that could implicate nobility’s honor.

“If you add one more condition, I'll consider your bet.”

“What could it be?”

“The loser has to fulfill one of the winner’s wishes.”

“Oh, splendid!”

Denes agreed without hesitation. Given that many had overheard, there was no retracting the bet.

‘I regret not discussing this with Shael beforehand.’

Regardless, attending the Imperial Festival was inevitable. Given the reward, I had to participate unconditionally. Even if the situation differed from the novel, I was confident of a certain victory.

The bet had been established. 

Holding Shael’s hand, who still breathed deeply with embarrassment, I stated, “Then, let's depart.”

It seemed the rumors about Shael and me would peak tomorrow, with numerous nobles observing. Leaving was a prudent decision. However, events unfolded differently.

As I prepared to pass Denes, I witnessed a wine glass slipping from his hand.

The intended target was Shael. Deliberate, feigned carelessness. Yet, the contents never reached her.

Chack!

Instead, the wine Denes had scattered splattered fiercely over his attire. It was Shael’s swift magic.

“What…!”

“You seem overheated. I didn’t realize you’d douse yourself in wine.”

Shael's words accompanied her gaze at Denes' stained clothes. A wicked smile underscored her statement.

“You lack any resilience; I didn’t expect you to handle much.”

From blatant derision, Denes flushed red, revealing his agitation.

‘I didn't anticipate this way of dealing with the antagonist. Standing by her side, she's more dependable than anyone else.’ 

My thoughts focused on Shael, who barely concealed her mockery.

Finally, the nobles who had been disparaging us were far enough away that they were out of sight. Only then did Shael voice her dissatisfaction with me.

“Why did you agree to the bet for the Imperial Festival?”

I had no plausible explanation. Kneeling, apologizing, and fulfilling wishes.

It wasn't a wager to be taken lightly.

Taking such a bet without consulting Shael was certainly a mistake, and she had every right to be angry.

“Sorry. I acted impulsively. I was convinced that we would win without a doubt.”

Truthfully, I had no intention of honoring the bet even if I lost. Noble honor held no significance to me.

“Even if you lose, can’t you just renege on the bet?”

“Yes. we will win anyway, so it won’t matter.”

Like me, she didn't concern herself with the honor of nobility. Fortunately, she accepted without much scolding.

‘Of course, that’s not the only reason.’

The rewards of the Imperial Festival were more important than anything else. I wasn’t certain about others, but in the novel, the ‘love potion’ was awarded.

Upon confirming their profound love, they were made to drink the love potion to deepen their connection.

‘I made sure to drink it immediately to prevent its misuse.’

Yet, did I really need to consume the potion?

The person in the original novel who received this potion managed to steal it without drinking it.

However, using it was a conundrum. A potion controlling minds shouldn’t be used recklessly.

Yet…

The scenario differed if the targets were those who had tormented Shael and me to death.

Firstly, the Mage Tower Lord. Constant clashes with Shael and me were a testament to his antagonism. But that wasn’t all.

I'd heard that the Mage Tower Lord had been at odds with the Azbel family since losing to Duke Jespen.

Considering a dire situation, what if the Mage Tower Lord surpassed Duke Jespen's might? That volatile madman might commit unspeakable acts for sure.

The next consideration was the Crown Prince. Though I hadn't interacted with him much, his recent blatant antagonism against me was noteworthy.

About half of the Baslett family’s recent financial troubles were attributed to the Crown Prince.

‘That's not the end of it.’

Recalling a past life memory of breaking Clie’s bracelet and peering inside.

I died from drinking poisoned tea.

A potent poison undetectable even to someone of my elevated level took my life instantly.

No matter how I considered it, only the imperial family's lethal poison came to mind. The only person who could have killed me was the Crown Prince, fueled by jealousy for Clie.

Even without delving into past events, the Crown Prince and the Mage Tower Lord were formidable threats. If Clie spread gossip about me to them, they would likely seek my demise.

So, I needed something. And the ‘love potion’ was the tool to use.

A love potion ineffective without mutual affection.

It should work on the Mage Tower Lord and the Crown Prince because Clie didn't love them.

Considering this, I devised a brilliant plan.

It was a plan to plunge the despicable Mage Tower Master and the Crown Prince into the depths of despair.

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