The Villainous Lady Doesn't Speak chapter 243

Chapter: 243 Entwined Intentions 4

​Rarely for Riley, he stared at the letter he had received in stunned silence. With a slightly hoarse voice, he asked Liliana, "Where—how did you get your hands on this?"

​"I am afraid I cannot say, my lord," Liliana replied with a pleasant smile.

​Riley watched her intently for a moment before letting out a sigh of resignation. He knew her well; when Liliana took this stance, she would never talk. They had been together long enough for him to understand that pressing her was a waste of breath.

​"Fine, I won't ask. I have a rough idea anyway... but please, don't do anything reckless," he added in a murmur. Liliana merely maintained her smile.

​Riley kept his own conjectures to himself. As the Crown Prince, he had learned the hard way that speaking his mind too freely rarely led to anything good.

​However, he had heard that Earl Koepke's daughter, Malvina—Shaun Tanner’s sister—was scheduled to marry into the family. Liliana surely knew that too. There weren't many possibilities that could be derived from that fact.

​Though their methods differed, reports suggested that Earl Koepke was just as cautious as Marquess Tanner. This meant that something must have happened to make him feel he had to send a letter to the Marquess, even at the cost of suppressed wariness. It wouldn't be strange to think Malvina was involved. And if Liliana had obtained the correspondence, she was undoubtedly involved in that sequence of events as well.

​There was only one thing Riley felt compelled to confirm.

​"So, this isn't just a letter of polite greetings."

​As he spoke, he glanced at the parchment. The seal was already broken. If they tried to pursue Marquess Tanner based on this, he could argue it was a frame-up, citing the broken seal as evidence. However, every single page of the letter was fastidiously stamped with a crest. Furthermore, it appeared to be in the man's own handwriting.

​A quick scan of the contents made it blatantly clear that he was involved in human trafficking.

​"This alone will not be enough. Even so, I believe it is a step forward."

​"Yeah, I agree. This letter is a wind at our backs."

​The ideal solution would be to catch them in the act of trafficking. If they did that, no matter how clever the man was, he wouldn't be able to talk his way out of it. But catching them in the act was notoriously difficult. Having operated in secret for so many years, they had many measures in place to ensure that even if someone went snooping, the conspirators couldn't be identified immediately. Furthermore, even if they did catch them in the act, there was the question of whether "trafficking" itself could be tried as a crime. Unfortunately, the Kingdom of Slibegrad had no laws prohibiting human trafficking. In fact, the "Immigrants of the North" had been persecuted in many places. Especially because they didn't speak the language, there were many stories of lords unjustly executing them under the mistaken belief that their actions were based on dark magic or some heresy.

​To people like Shaun Tanner and Earl Koepke, the "Immigrants of the North" were likely nothing more than goods to be bought and sold. If anything, Riley and his group, who were trying to protect them, were the minority. That was why they needed a logic that no one could dispute.

​Regardless, in the end, it was a human operation. If one looked closely enough, there would always be a fraying thread. And the letter Liliana had brought was precisely one of those threads.

​"There isn't a single mention of the 'Immigrants of the North' in here. Selling the people of our own country to a neighboring nation... that is an act equivalent to treason."

​"Indeed it is."

​Liliana, understanding the weight of the situation, nodded obediently at Riley’s words.

​Even if Shaun Tanner tried to claim he was only "selling heretics," the fact remained that he was in close correspondence with Earl Koepke. Furthermore, there was no material evidence that would allow one to judge the "Immigrants of the North" as "heretics."

​Riley offered another bright smile and took Liliana's hand.

​"Sasha, thank you. You've been a huge help."

​"I only did what was expected of me. If I obtain any new information, I shall report it to you at once."

​"It's heartening to hear you say that. But please, don't overdo it. And don't do anything dangerous."

​Please, consult with me before you start anything, Riley added with a serious look. Liliana nodded dutifully, but Riley didn't hide his suspicious gaze. Liliana eventually gave a wry smile and tilted her head.

​"Do you not trust me?"

​"I rely on your abilities and I do trust you. However, I also think you have a personality that leads you to decide everything on your own without any regard for your own safety."

​"Is that so?"

​Even hearing Riley’s words, Liliana seemed half-doubting, looking puzzled. The fact that she isn't even aware of it is a problem, Riley thought, letting out a deep sigh. He reflexively turned his gaze toward Gild, who was standing by the door. Gild looked as grumpy as ever, but his eyes were laced with exasperation as he watched Liliana.

​It seemed Gild held the same opinion, and Riley let out a small, bitter chuckle. Realizing it was useless to tell Liliana, Riley turned his face toward Gild.

​"—If it looks like Lady Liliana is about to pull something, I want you to stop her with everything you've got."

​Gild, however, was blunt. He shrugged, giving Riley a look that screamed, What the hell are you talking about?

​"Fat chance."

​"Really? Then, could you at least contact me?"

​"That's a tall order, pal."

​Riley furrowed his brow in exasperation. But Gild remained unfazed.

​"Are you even a bodyguard?"

​"In terms of pure strength, I'm the winner, but the lady’s got more goin' on up here," Gild said, tapping his temple with a smirk.

​He was essentially declaring, with shameless boldness, that by the time he noticed anything, it would all be over. Riley, looking at the guard, couldn't find the words to reproach him.

​Liliana was naturally quick-witted. Perhaps because she was such a hard worker, she was constantly coming up with new ideas. Even when looking at the same event, there was a massive gap between what Liliana could infer and what other people could. While that trait was usually reliable, in emergencies, it meant there were futures or facts that only Liliana could see.

​And no one else would notice those futures or facts unless Liliana explained them or actually showed them. Perhaps because they had spent so much time together and talked so much, Riley had become able to read Liliana’s thought processes to some extent. Even so, the number of times she said something unexpected was beyond counting. Austin, who listened from the sidelines, would sometimes say with an amazed face, 'I thought she was saying something nonsensical, but when I listen to the end, it all adds up.'

​Indeed, it would be impossible to take measures in anticipation of what she would do while dealing with such a person. Even if one caught on at the last moment, he felt like Liliana would easily slip through any hand trying to hold her back.

​The only person who could predict Liliana’s actions was—perhaps the late former head of the Duke Ealdred house, Bernardo. As Riley thought of this, his face clouded over.

​"——I think I understand."

​"My."

​Seeing Riley holding his head with a sigh, Liliana lowered her eyebrows. Her expression eloquently protested, That's uncalled for, but Riley could only shake his head bitterly.

​◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

​Liliana walked down the palace corridor after parting with Riley. Gild followed behind her, but both remained silent. When they moved away from the office and reached a point where the building where the civil officials worked was visible through the window, Liliana slowed her pace.

​"—Oh."

​Walking toward them, led by an attendant and looking nervous, was Baron Navy. Liliana blinked, but she didn't offer a greeting. As the daughter of one of the Three Great Duke Houses and the fiancée of the Crown Prince, Liliana's status was far superior.

​Baron Navy seemed to remember Liliana; when he recognized her at almost the same time as the attendant, he was so surprised he nearly jumped. He clutched the hem of his rather low-quality clothes, wrinkling them, and pressed himself against the wall as far as he could go. However, even the walls of the palace corridors were luxurious. Paintings were rendered across them, and tapestries hung in parts. Statues of gods and imported goods were displayed at regular intervals, and every single one was so expensive that it would take a mere Baron’s territory years to purchase. Perhaps because he knew this, the Baron was tense, trying to stay as close to the wall as possible while ensuring his body didn't touch it at all.

​Watching the attendant and the Baron bow their heads, Liliana approached Baron Navy with a mix of a wry smile. Not expecting Liliana to approach of her own accord, the attendant’s eyes widened, and the Baron’s face cramped in shock.

​"You are Baron Navy, are you not?"

​"A-Ah, e-eh? Yes, I—no, that is correct, my lady."

​The Baron was apparently so surprised that he couldn't get his words out properly. Even though it wasn't a hot season, sweat was pouring down his forehead.

​To be honest, Liliana hadn't intended to speak to Baron Navy. Even in the otome game from her past life's memories, Liliana had no connection with the heroine’s father. In fact, Liliana had not accompanied Riley, Austin, and Clyde on the inspection trip that served as the catalyst for them deepening their bonds with Emilia.

​However, in reality, things couldn't be left that way.

​"Have you come for an audience with His Highness?"

​"Y-Yes, that is—"

​Realizing he looked unsightly, the Baron wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. The attendant, seeing this from the corner of his eye, furrowed his brow in displeasure, but the Baron, in the presence of a beautiful lady of noble birth, didn't notice at all. He seemed to have his hands full just trying to be careful with his words and attitude so as not to be rude.

​Liliana deepened her smile even further.

​"Unfortunately, I cannot be present at the meeting—but I believe the time will come when we meet again. Please, tell me many stories when that happens."

​"————I am unworthy of such words...?"

​The Baron’s eyes were wide with shock. Liliana objectively observed him, thinking his eyes look like they're going to fall out, and said, "I look forward to it," before leaving the spot. She felt the Baron’s stunned gaze on her back as she walked silently down the corridor, but after turning a corner, Gild closed the distance slightly and spoke. His voice was incredibly low, at a volume Liliana could only just catch.

​"Are you really goin' to the Navy territory with the Prince?"

​"I have no reason to refuse, do I?"

​Originally, Clyde was scheduled to go alone to obtain information regarding the Black Death. But the Black Death was a contagious disease. There was no guarantee that the plague that had occurred in the Clark territory wouldn't happen in other regions as well.

​Therefore, Riley had decided to accompany Clyde on his inspection. Naturally, Austin, who had become Riley’s Kingsguard, would follow. Up to this point, the developments were the same as the otome game. However, reality showed a slightly different appearance from the game.

​'Sasha, would you like to come along on the inspection trip too?'

​A little while after they had talked about the letter sent from Earl Koepke to Marquess Tanner, Riley had brought up the subject. Liliana hadn't immediately understood what he was talking about. When she tilted her head, Riley explained that since Clyde was going to inspect the Black Death, he was suggesting she join them.

​(Besides, my presence might bring about some kind of change.)

​She didn't know if that change would be good or bad. Regardless, it wasn't a bad deal for Liliana.

​Above all, even without hiding her form and teleporting, she could confirm firsthand how the relationships between Emilia and the love interests were changing. That was a major advantage.

​"—I'm comin' too, right?"

​"I will need you and Olga to accompany me, of course."

​She had no intention of borrowing people from the royal guards or the knights. Their priority was the Crown Prince, not Liliana. Liliana needed people who would protect her preferentially. Above all, Liliana knew no knights more skilled than Gild or Olga. And for Liliana, who had very few people she could trust, she didn't feel like entrusting her own safety to anyone other than those she was used to.

​"It’s a pain in the ass dealin' with those high-and-mighty noble brats—but I guess it can’t be helped."

​Reluctantly, Gild let out a sigh of resignation.

​Since he was originally a mercenary, if he truly hated it, he could just leave Liliana’s side. Liliana wouldn't stop him, nor would she chase him. Since Gild’s life belonged only to him, she thought he should do as he pleased. However, knowing that, Gild never told Liliana he wanted to end the contract. Every time the end of the contract period approached, he would simply say shortly, "Just extend the date."

​And even now, Gild easily chose the path of accompanying Liliana. Liliana’s cheeks relaxed without her realizing it.

—-

Toc

Chapter 244