When The Villainess Loves - Chapter 5

“Greetings, your Majesty.”

“Princess.”

The cold-faced emperor was a person who always disapproved of Leticia-unnie, who had bad rumors following her around.

“Yeah, what is it?”

Although I was nervous to ask about this matter, he was a person who I would never see again after today.

So I smiled gracefully and stated my reason for the audience.

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is about nothing else, but me giving up my right to succeedthe throne.”

The emperor halted. He looked at me from head to toe for a moment and then asked me back in a questionable tone: “What did you just say?”

“I said I would give up my right to succeed the throne. Of course, only if you will accept my request.”

I smiled neatly and continued with care as to not to rush more than needed.

As if the emperor was stunned, he squinted his eyes and talked coldly.

“A deal? How imprudent. How dare you spout that in front of me? Do you trust so in the power of your mother’s family to behave this way?”

Leticia-unnie’s maternal family was a “noble family” that could not be ignored.

But that couldn’t be considered true. The maternal family of Leticia-unnie, was a great contributor to the founding of the Empire, but most of the Vance family members were retiring from the political world.

That is the reason why Leticia-unnie was a powerless princess.

This was due to the extraordinary villainess, Lysan Vance, the mother of the princess.

“No way, Your Majesty.”

Anyway, it must have been a bold move to talk to the Emperor about a deal. But I didn’t panic and straitened my back instead

“Your Majesty.”

I’m sure you are angry your majesty, but I feel embarrassed because if you. At times like this, we have to push ahead even more.

“If I give up my succession right, wouldn’t it be a great benegit to the Prince?”

Since he mentioned my maternal family, I must not leave it out.

Despite the circumstances, the emperor seemed to be wary because of my maternal family.

“There is no reason for your majesty to be concerned about my maternal family. Me withdrawing my right for succeeding the throne would mean the disappearance of the Vance-blood which stains the royal family. Isn’t that right?”

“…you, what! Are you out of your mind now!”

The emperor opened his mouth out of embarrassment which my ridiculously straightforward remark caused.

I pushed forward without hesitation, concealing my joy.

“Your Majesty, actually…”

I drew a uncertain smile that seemed serious, but a little bit sentimental. How much I practiced to smile naturally!

I bombarded him one bomb after another, causing him to concentrate on something else.

“The doctor told me yesterday that I don’t have much time left to live.”

“… .”

At what I said, he looked at me puzzled for a moment. Then he frowned. Maybe you’re doubting the truth.

I faced him and answered with a slight smile.
“If you can’t believe it, check it yourself.”

Sigh.

He burst out laughing: “Okay, I willll check it. It’s a lie anyway. But even if it’s true, you would better not think about getting anything out of me with it, princess.”

“Your Majesty, I would never dare to ask for something.”

Throughout the conversation, I smiled at the father who never called his daughter by name.

“I just want freedom.”

“That’s gibberish!”

The emperor gestured at me to not have understood me acoustically. It’s a gesture to spit out more. I smiled more softly.

“It’s the truth.”

That man is also one of the original characters, but he is just annoying.

“Your Majesty, please listen. If you were to give me freedom, I’m really willing to give up my succession right. I don’t desire anything else, wether it is status or people.”*1

Just give me some money instead!

I hope it sounds a little desperate when said firmly.

The emperor still showed signs of distrust, but he did not gesture me to leave.

“I would also move out of the imperial palace.”

“Well.”

Ah! Is this it? The emperor expressed a slight surprise.

“I can’t believe you will just be moving out. Do you mean to also put down your status as a member of the royal family?”

Oh, is that is what shocked you? Then I understand how surprised you are. I answered without hesitation.

“Yes. Three months at the earliest. Then I’ll go out and live as quietly as a rat.”

Hehe, I’m going to enjoy being a fan for three months and take your money!

Oh, you shouldn’t laugh like a fool! I pretended to be depressed and lowered my gaze slightly.

“The prince, what the hell are you doing right now?”

It seems that his embarrassment is covering  his anger. I went on pretending I didn’t notice anything.

“I want to be free.”

If I said it lightly, I will lose credibility!

“… .”

“In the few years that I have left.”

…that’s it. To think I can act this well. I am roud of myself!

The emperor blinked slowly.

He still looked distrustful, but he was very embarrassed.

He didn’t speak as much as before. The fiery mood started to cool down, and the embarrassment began to fade away.

I predicted my success with a pretty high probability.

Now, come on, make up your mind!

“Freedom. It is a funny …one.”

One? One, what? I looked at him quietly, and he looked at me silently.

The silence was not long, but the change was considerable.

For a moment, the emperor’s face was vehemently confused.

It was not long before he slowly closed and opened his eyes and said in an indifferent voice: “Tomorrow… I’ll talk to you again. Go back for now.”

Well, just in case, I’ll have to check with my doctor. But it was not a bad reaction.
Anyway, the Emperor says that I should go, I couldn’t continue the conversation any more.

I kept smiling till the end and showed respectful curtsey. Then, I slowly escaped from the audience hall with the emperor’s eyes on my back.

***

It was not until two days later that the emperor called for me.

In the meantime, I became quite well acquainted with my dedicated maids of honor, Rini and Irene.

My transparent curiosity and fondness for the maids of the fantasy world were well received with sparkling eyes.

Haha, they were cute kids.

I smiled happily and coughed. Scarlett blood was smeared around my mouth.

Ignoring the surprised look of passing by maid I just wiped it off my mouth as I walked.

“Am I remembering Leticia-unnie’s memories from when she was two years old?”

I could only hear a baby cry in her memories from the age of one year. The sound of my precious baby-unnie!

I was so happy with such a different thoughts that I finally came to my senses again and coughed. The whole thing was a treasure.
After the audience with the emperor is over, let’s listen carefully!

As I continued my thoughts, I was again brought before the emperor.

The emperor, whom we met again, looked somewhat tired. He glanced at me for a while, and then spoke: “It was true.”

When he smiled conspicuously, he looked at me again, frowned, narrowed his eyes, looked far away, and repeatedly frowned.

“…the day before yesterday.”

“Yes, your majesty.”

“Concerning what you said to me then, what else do you want?”

Unlike the day before yesterday, he had a subtle look on his face.

I looked at him and said clearly: “Nothing.”

“… .”

“I have told you everything I desire back then, your majesty.”

It would be better not to talk about money now, so I didnt brought it up. I’ll give him a hint in three months.

After my answer he didn’t ask me more.

Still, he was staring at me with a subtle look.

Especially at my mouth.

What is it?

I couldn’t understand the meaning, so I looked up at him curiously. His majesty dodged my glance while looking away and opened his mouth: “What did you specifically mean when you said you want to have freedom?”

“I meant to go somewhere quiet, to live without worries and close my eyes peacefully the last time.”

In my opinion, it were gentle and soft words, just like silk.

It was worth practicing.

Oh, right.

“Of course, it also means to not be tied in a political marriage.”

„… .“

The emperor faced me. Then he gave me the long awaited answer: “I will grant you my permission.”

I was about to cheer out of happiness.

“However, I only approvehalf it it. For the next year, you will remain part of the royal family and fullfill your duties as the royal princess inside the palace.”

*1 the author used 사람 here, which means person. I’m not sure if they meant follower or servants, so I left it uncertain.