The Villainous Lady Doesn't Speak Chapter 105

The church where Grandfather’s coffin was placed was about a twenty-minute carriage ride from the estate. It was a stone building with impressive spires, and a round stained glass window was set in the central part. Although it wasn’t very large, the interior was spacious and open.

Walking through the beautiful arches and ceiling of the nave, the group made their way to the crypt where the coffin was temporarily laid.

Barbara Clarke had been visiting the church daily since her husband’s passing. No matter how many times she cried, the sadness kept flowing, as if her body would dry up from the ceaseless tears.

Barbara had met her husband Rodney when she was still under ten years old. They were betrothed from a young age due to their neighboring territories. Rodney, even as a child, had an intelligent and thoughtful demeanor. He wasn’t the “brave and chivalrous knight” often depicted in court literature, but Barbara fell in love with him at first sight. The more she saw him, the more captivated she became by his sharp charm.

“I have decided that you will be the only one in my life.”

On their wedding day, Rodney had said just this one thing. Though Barbara didn’t understand at the time, she was overjoyed to marry the man she admired and nodded in agreement.

Rodney was kind in his own way. He treated Barbara with respect as the Duchess of Clark and granted her freedom. Although he did not take mistresses and was often absent due to his dedication to his duties, it didn’t bother her. Every time she heard of his achievements and good reputation at social gatherings, she felt recognized as a supportive wife. Rodney, acknowledged by the previous king, became well-regarded among other nobles, which naturally elevated Barbara’s status at social events and further encouraged her devotion.

Even after stepping down as Prime Minister and passing the title to his son, Abram, Rodney continued to support the former king behind the scenes. His prioritization of the king over his son was a source of pride for Barbara, and she felt it exemplified what it meant to be one of the Three Great Dukes.

“Rodney.”

Barbara whispered her beloved husband’s name. Her husband’s body lay unchanged in the coffin. With trembling hands, she touched the edge of the coffin. He had been someone whose sleep was light, waking at the slightest movement. Yet now, even calling his name elicited no response.

“What am I to do without you?”

When the former king passed away, Rodney decided to retire completely, showing no lingering attachment to the capital where his master was gone. It was then that Rodney first truly saw Barbara. He took her hand and suggested they tour their estate, not for inspection but for their own enjoyment.

“I see now that I have come this far because of you.”

Seeing their land, once ravaged by political upheaval, bustling with people again, Rodney had murmured such a sentiment. For Barbara, that alone made her feel that everything was worthwhile.

She had been content merely to support her husband, believing that was the nature of their love. Yet, with one casual remark from him, she felt as if the sediment that had accumulated in her heart had vanished.

Rodney, who spoke few words, was merely awkward. Though Barbara mostly spoke alone, he remembered the flowers and jewelry she had once told him she liked. Once, while Barbara was reading in a villa, he brought her a bouquet with a displeased expression. Every flower in the bouquet was one she had once mentioned she liked.

Now, the husband she served and supported was gone. It was as futile as spending her days weeping, with nothing else to do or desire. Only sadness and emptiness spread within her heart.

“Rodney, I truly cherished you... truly.”

Though she never heard the word “love” from Rodney, Barbara had indeed felt love from her stern husband.

*****

Seeing Barbara’s sorrowful face in front of the coffin, Liliana was inwardly taken aback. It seemed that her grandmother truly loved her grandfather from the bottom of her heart. Liliana, who had had little interaction with her grandfather, couldn’t understand what there was about him that could inspire such deep affection. Clyde, who glanced sideways at Liliana, was also casting a somewhat sorrowful gaze, though not as intense as Barbara's. This was probably due to having had some connection with their grandfather.

Suddenly, Liliana felt a gaze upon her and turned her face in that direction.

“—”

She couldn’t help but gasp. She had been subjected to disdainful feelings before and had often thought that she was disliked. However, the gaze now directed at her was even stronger than those past feelings.

(—Mother?)

Liliana blinked in surprise. The moment their eyes met, Belinda averted her gaze from Liliana. Yet it was unmistakable. The look Belinda gave Liliana was filled with clear hatred—and even murderous intent.

Since leaving the estate, Belinda had kept her distance from Liliana. Two carriages had been prepared intentionally; one for Liliana and her grandmother, and the other for Belinda and Clyde. Liliana had been slow to realize this, but it was clear that Belinda's feelings toward her daughter had worsened compared to before.

It had been three years since Liliana had last seen her mother. Whether Belinda’s hatred had grown over that time or whether something had triggered it, Liliana did not know. Even if there was a trigger, she had no idea what it might be.

(The possibility that one of the instigators behind the assassins is my mother still remains. But I have not seriously investigated it.)

Although it was a possibility Liliana had long considered, she had never thoroughly investigated it. Even if she learned that Belinda was plotting her assassination and had sent assassins, Liliana had no means to address the situation at present. Killing her own mother in retaliation or taking her will away would be problematic. Not only would it likely distress Clyde, but it would also be best to avoid a situation that could make Clyde resent her.

(For now, I might manage to deal with the situation discreetly without my brother noticing, but considering the possibility that he might find out in the future—it's safer to avoid it.)

Liliana sighed and shook her head. Recalling her previous life’s memories, Liliana knew that Clyde’s mother had died before the game began. Clyde, upon the sudden death of his mother, had awakened his talents and became one of the most brilliant minds in the game. Thus, if Liliana were to kill Belinda to protect herself, there was no guarantee that Clyde wouldn’t find out.

Even if she were targeted with murderous intent, her only option was to protect herself without causing real harm. Fortunately, she was skilled in magic and possessed defensive magical tools, so she should not be in immediate danger of assassination.

(Nevertheless, since I do not have protective barriers set up in the Fortia estate, and there are hidden rooms, I must remain cautious.)

Liliana had discovered the existence of hidden rooms in the Fortia estate about two years ago. At the time, she had been inspecting the area while visiting the dyeing special district and had moved to this distant location alone to learn about the immigrants in the Duke of Clarke’s territory. It was then that she accidentally discovered the hidden rooms when Butler Philip opened a door leading to them. The hidden rooms were filled with books on magic and occult arts, though Liliana did not know their intended purpose. The mere fact that such rooms were hidden was ominous.

Come to think of it, she had also met Ajulite on the day she found the hidden rooms. Moreover, it was in this very estate, Fortia. Ajulite had advised her to be cautious until her grandfather was buried.

(Certainly—despite the church having protective barriers, if magic is summoned from within, it cannot be stopped.)

What came to Liliana’s mind was the magic beast stampede she had suppressed near the capital. Those magical beasts had been artificially created, and they were probably once human. If similar principles were used to summon magic and possess the corpse, then some form of magic or inscription similar to what Petra had tried to protect with the magic stone might be engraved on the corpse or somewhere nearby.

“Then, let us begin today’s funeral.”

The priest appeared and solemnly announced. Following the signal, Liliana and the others took their seats on the simple chairs placed in front of the coffin. Barbara’s sobs echoed through the cool space. While pretending to quietly mourn the deceased, Liliana directed her focus toward the coffin.

(【Clairvoyance】)

With a feeling of half-risk, she checked for any traces of magic or occult spells on the coffin and the body. However, she found no signs of inscriptions anywhere.

(—Could Ajulite be overthinking this?)

If that’s the case, it would be a relief, but if I’ve overlooked something, it could be troublesome. Liliana considered searching the entire church. However, if the priest is sensitive to the activation of magic, there could be a risk of being noticed. It might be better to return to the estate and then teleport back at night to check again.

The priest began the prayers. The unique phrasing and intonation seemed to be a tradition passed down from ancient times and could only be mastered through rigorous training as a priest. The somewhat unstable voice harmonized naturally and resonated beautifully within the church. The language used was exclusive to the priests, so Liliana could not discern what was being chanted. Nevertheless, it was clear that the incantation was intended to dispel magic and guide the soul of the deceased to the proper light. It was a common prayer typically recited during funerals.

At that moment, Liliana noticed an oddity near the coffin. A black mist faintly enveloped the coffin. The mist resembled miasma but did not seem as harmful. In fact, it was reminiscent of the scene after the purification of the magical beast stampede. Even after purifying the stampede, the miasma did not disappear instantly. It would diminish rapidly to a certain concentration before gradually thinning out like fog. The black mist appearing over the coffin reminded Liliana of that gradually thinning miasma.

(Could it be that)

Liliana's eyes widened in shock.

(It’s already—been—tainted by magic—?)

As the priest's prayers concluded, the black mist enveloping the coffin disappeared from view.

“Thank you very much.”

Clyde, representing the family, expressed their gratitude, and Liliana also stood up in unison. At that moment, she subtly placed a ring on the chair, carefully pushing it into the gap between the backrest and the seat so that the priest would not notice. With the ceremony over, they were to return to the estate for a meal. However, Liliana could not shake the thought of the black mist from her mind.

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