[Full] The Villainess Just Wants to Live Quietly! (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
A splendid party hall.
The people beneath the glittering chandeliers.
Their eyes were brimming with envy and awe as they gazed at Noxia.
But the looks directed at me…
Were filled with unmistakable mockery and disdain.
Their scornful glances made my shoulders instinctively hunch.
『Isn’t that lady over there the eldest daughter of House Brelrop? She looks utterly unremarkable at first glance.』
『Well, compared to her younger sister, she has nothing special—neither in looks nor talent.』
『Hehehe. It’s hard to believe they’re twins. All the good genes must have gone to one side. So the other just got the leftovers, right?』
The whispers of the crowd were impossible to escape, no matter where I went.
Resentment and bitterness surged deep within my chest.
It was always the same routine. Ever since Noxia awakened her water-manipulating talent, I couldn’t win at anything.
A heavy sense of defeat enveloped my entire body.
I wanted to be acknowledged too.
If I could, I wished to show them—I was better than Noxia, whom they praised so highly.
Seeing Noxia happily surrounded by people while I stood here so miserably filled me with hatred.
Their faces changed completely depending on whether they spoke to Noxia or to me. Only I knew about these two contrasting faces, like opposite sides of a coin.
Therefore, Noxia had to suffer the same humiliation I endured now. Only then, drowning in the same wretched feelings as me, would she finally understand my heart.
I imagined crushing Noxia’s angelically smiling face.
Just then—
Crash!
A maid, colliding with me, dropped the tray she was holding. The wine glasses on it shattered against the floor.
『I-I’m so sorry! Are you hurt anywhere?』
In that instant, my aimless hatred found a target—the maid.
How dare someone as insignificant as you look down on me?
I leaned closer to the maid and whispered in a low voice,
『You don’t seriously think a single apology will be enough to earn my forgiveness, do you? You’d better quietly follow me.』
I could see fear gradually filling the maid’s eyes as she looked at me.
An inexplicable thrill washed over me. Being feared was far better than being mocked.
Yes, I’d make sure no one ever dared look down on me again.
I called over a servant who’d followed me from House Brelrop and had him unbuckle his belt. Though it wasn’t as satisfying as a whip, the texture in my hand pleased me well enough.
Snap! Snap!
As I tugged the leather belt and smiled, the maid’s face turned entirely pale with terror.
“Huh… huh…”
I gasped for breath and opened my eyes abruptly.
I’d had a dream. It must have been an event Tanasia experienced before I possessed her.
Just like the previous dream about Askan, I’d been powerless in it—I could only silently observe Tanasia’s past actions without interfering.
Yet it felt different from watching a film. I’d fully sensed Tanasia’s emotions and thoughts at the time, making it vividly real, as though I’d peered directly into the past.
Now that I’d awakened from that dream, it felt as if I’d personally lived through it myself.
“This is the worst…”
I could still feel the lingering sensation of the hand that had struck the maid.
The image of the maid trembling and weeping before me was so vivid that my mood turned indescribably troubled.
Of all days, I had to have such a nightmare today, as if it had been waiting for this exact moment. There couldn’t be a worse nightmare.
Feeling utterly unmotivated, I sat blankly on my bed—until, shortly after, my maid entered, signaling it was time to rise.
“Young miss, are you awake?”
“Oh, yeah.”
Just as the saying goes—humans are creatures of adaptation—I’d grown more accustomed to living as Tanasia.
The woman who’d just entered was my personal maid, Jerin. Just turned twenty, she was bright and spirited.
“Why that expression? Did you have a nightmare?”
“Well… a little…”
Jerin pulled open the blackout curtains, letting bright morning sunlight flood through the window.
Unlike my gloomy mood, Jerin spoke cheerfully,
“Forget that bad dream. Today’s the imperial ball, isn’t it? Something wonderful is bound to happen this evening.”
That’s right. Today was the fateful day when Noxia—the beloved “Saintess” heroine—and Crown Prince Roel, the male lead, first met.
Having such a dream on this particular day felt terribly ominous, but nothing would really change because of it.
“Sigh, yeah. Nothing serious will happen anyway.”
After all, nothing was scheduled for me today. As planned, I’d simply observe the ball quietly, staying as inconspicuously as possible, then return home with Askan.
With that thought, I steeled myself and got out of bed.
Ollande was busy with work, and Noxia preferred sleeping in, so I was the only one punctual for breakfast.
Tired of eating alone—and wanting to take care of Askan too—I’d recently started having breakfast delivered to my room and eating together with him.
As usual, breakfast was laid out in my room, and right on schedule, Askan entered.
I sat across from him and began eating the generously prepared meal.
Well-fed and well-dressed, Askan looked far more refined than before. Somehow, he even seemed a bit taller.
“If there’s anything else you’d like to eat, just say so. I’ll ask the head chef to prepare it.”
At fifteen, he was in his growth spurt. He might have many cravings.
“There’s nothing like that.”
Askan answered without even a second of hesitation. His expression remained as inscrutable as ever.
Now well-versed in dining etiquette, he skillfully handled the array of forks and knives before him.
Finding his demeanor endearing, I couldn’t help but keep watching him eat—until I noticed his pace gradually slowing.
Ah, there was one thing that had changed.
For some time now, Askan had started noticing my gaze.
‘…Is he embarrassed?’
I didn’t know why, but perhaps my staring made him uncomfortable.
“You’re just too cute. Don’t worry—I get it. Eat up.”
“…Huhk!”
Suddenly, Askan choked and coughed.
I pushed the juice toward him.
“Drink while you eat.”
His face, redder than before from coughing, scrunched in annoyance.
“Do you really think that word suits me?”
“What word?”
“That… just now. I’m not an eight-year-old child.”
“Oh, but it does suit you! ‘Cute’ is a word adults use too.”
At my words, Askan’s expression grew even more displeased.
“Even so, it’s a word that doesn’t suit me at all.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because I’m not a small, delicate creature.”
Come to think of it, Askan, raised in a lab, might not fully understand the meaning of “cute.”
“It’s not only used for those kinds of people. For example, when you see a puppy and feel like squeezing it tightly because you can’t help yourself—that’s when you say it. You even feel like nibbling on it a little. It’s… a soft, fluffy kind of feeling?”
The more I spoke, the more complex Askan’s expression became.
“You feel that way about me?”
“Yes. What, still don’t get it?”
He chewed on my words silently, lips moving slightly, before finally replying with difficulty.
“…No, I understand now.”
Feeling oddly proud of having taught him something new, I turned my attention to the table.
There, perfectly prepared and glazed in sweet seasoning, were my favorite shrimp.
I picked one up and, naturally pointing the dish toward Askan, said,
“It’s delicious. Try some.”
Though his expression seemed complicated, he gave a silent nod and ate the shrimp I recommended without showing it.
The tail still had its shell, so it needed peeling, but he chewed and swallowed it all as if tasting nothing.
For a moment, I found it odd—but some people eat shrimp with the shell on, so I dismissed it as nothing significant.
After leisurely finishing breakfast, I became incredibly busy.
I’d thought the evening imperial ball meant I’d have a relaxed day—but that was my mistake.
From early morning, I underwent full-body massages and skincare, followed by hairstyling and makeup from the capital’s top specialists.
After dressing up like it was war, I tried on the red gown I’d bought specifically for today—and just as expected, it suited me perfectly.
Finally, as Jerin fastened the red diamond necklace Father Ollande had gifted me, she exclaimed admiringly,
“You look absolutely stunning, young miss.”
“Right? I love it too.”
Pleased, I examined myself in the mirror.
Since Noxia was today’s main attraction, I hadn’t cared much—but to my surprise, I looked quite good.
Truthfully, all my other dresses clearly matched Noxia’s style and clashed completely with mine.
Wearing this red gown, carefully chosen to my own taste, made a definite difference.
My pale skin, jet-black hair, and cool blue eyes—my natural assets now stood out clearly.
Unlike Noxia’s warm, saintly aura, I exuded my own icy, aloof princess-like charm.
‘If I’m clearly this attractive, why did Tanasia insist on mimicking Noxia so much…?’
Tanasia had been insanely jealous of Noxia yet never escaped her shadow. In a way, it was rather pitiful.
I decided I’d find a chance to either gift Noxia the dresses in my wardrobe or sell them all off.
Thinking about shopping soon according to my own preferences lifted my mood slightly. Honestly, if it weren’t for the death flags, this life wasn’t bad at all.
As the time to depart for the imperial ball approached, I finished my preparations and left my room.
The moment I stepped out, someone was waiting.
I instinctively looked up—and saw Askan, dressed as impeccably as I was from head to toe.
“How long have you been waiting here?”
“I arrived just a moment ago.”
“Is that so?”
I started to walk past him absentmindedly, then stopped and turned back.
“You look splendid today.”
Of course he’d know—it was the outfit I’d picked for him in the wardrobe. Yet properly dressed, Askan looked different from ever before.
His straight forehead, sharp nose and jawline, and golden eyes—deep as an abyss—set within his single-lidded gaze.
If I hadn’t known him, I’d have stared openly in awe. He truly was that impressive.
I’d read in the novel that Askan, the ultimate mastermind, possessed extraordinary looks—but seeing it firsthand exceeded all imagination.
“It’s an overstatement. I’m only wearing what you chose for me, young miss.”
“Fashion is completed by the face. Your already handsome features shine even brighter now.”
At my praise, Askan paused briefly—likely surprised I’d so openly call him handsome.
Finding his reaction adorable, I couldn’t help but smirk playfully.
“What? Didn’t you know you were good-looking?”
Askan frowned awkwardly. Having watched him closely, I could tell he was flustered.
“…Lately, young miss, you’ve been…”
“Been what?”
“…too direct in your expressions.”
“Is that a compliment?”
I laughed teasingly. For a moment, I thought I saw an unfamiliar emotion flicker in Askan’s golden eyes as he looked at me.
But before I could ask about it, a voice came from another direction.
“Sister!”
I turned to see Noxia, fully prepared just like us.
True to her role as the novel’s heroine, Noxia looked dazzlingly beautiful.
“Wow, you’re really pretty.”
“It’s all thanks to the dress you picked for me.”
Noxia pointed cheerfully to the red diamond necklace she wore.
“And we’re matching!”
Seeing Noxia so cheerful somehow eased my worries.
If Noxia and Crown Prince Roel met successfully today, they’d fall in love just as in the novel.
That would strengthen ties between House Brelrop and the imperial family, helping prevent war—so it benefited me.
In effect, this was my first step toward survival.
As Tanasia, Askan, and Noxia left the mansion, two carriages awaited us at the entrance.
‘Hmm? Why two carriages?’
Since we shared the same destination, I couldn’t understand why there were two.
While I hesitated briefly, Noxia headed toward a carriage first.
Without much thought, I followed behind her to board—but she turned around with a startled look.
“Oh! Were you planning to ride together today?”
Her surprised question left me flustered.
Suddenly, it hit me.
In the novel, Tanasia hated Noxia—so she probably never shared a carriage with her.
“Well… it’s not like we can’t, right?”
It’d seem odd to take another carriage now, so I hastily made up an excuse.
“I’d love to ride with you, sister! I just assumed, like always, you’d ask for a separate carriage again.”
“Ha… haha.”
I laughed awkwardly and climbed into the carriage.
Since our destination was the same, there was no real need to ride separately—so I accompanied Noxia to the imperial ball.
Little did I know I’d bitterly regret this decision the moment we arrived.
“There’s the famous Brelrop twin ladies.”
“Oh, I know them. The younger sister is light, the elder sister shadow—that’s how they’re known.”
“Being together makes the contrast even clearer.”
“Pfft, exactly.”
“Oh my, aren’t they wearing the same necklace?”
Just like in my dream, people gossiped about Noxia and me.
When I sharply turned toward the voices, I saw noblewomen hiding behind fans, pretending not to notice.
Noxia seemed completely unaware, but Askan, sensing something off, wore a subtle frown.
Twins naturally drew more attention together. The more I stayed with Noxia, the more I’d be compared—it was inevitable.
Without anyone telling me, I now understood why Tanasia had always taken separate carriages—to avoid exactly this humiliation.
First, I needed to give Noxia and Crown Prince Roel space to meet naturally.
“I’ll see you later. I’m going to look around with my page.”
“Oh, okay! See you soon!”
Noxia waved as she walked away. Immediately, I saw crowds of people approaching her the moment we separated.
I turned to Askan, who stood quietly beside me, and said softly,
“Wait here for a moment. I’ll go get us some drinks.”
“Understood.”
If this were anywhere else, I’d have sent Askan—but this was the imperial palace.
It unsettled me to let Askan wander alone here, especially since it was his first time—and he’d come not as a noble, but as a page.
Aware of his position, Askan bowed his head silently without protest.
Click-clack. I walked alone toward the refreshments. I could feel people whispering and glancing at me.
‘Experiencing it firsthand really makes it feel worse.’
I could now understand why Tanasia had grown so bitter.
Being constantly compared since childhood and unilaterally deemed inferior—it was enough to make anyone resentful.
But what I disliked about Tanasia was that she took out her rage not on the perpetrators, but on those weaker than herself.
“How can twins be so different?”
“One seems blessed by every god, utterly perfect—while the other…”
The slander about me trailed me without end.
I stopped walking and turned to glare at those whispering behind me.
They avoided my gaze, feigning ignorance—but I held my stare firmly. Then I addressed the noblewoman who’d been gossiping most enthusiastically,
“What did you just say? It sounded like you were talking about me—I didn’t catch it well. Say it again.”
The noblewoman clearly wanted to escape, but under my unwavering gaze, she reluctantly spoke,
“Well… I’m not sure what you think I said…”
“One seems blessed by every god, utterly perfect—then what about the other? Wasn’t that about me?”
“I—I only meant I look forward to Lady Tanasia’s future growth!”
Her flimsy excuse made me laugh in disbelief.
Did she really think I’d just let that slide?
“Listen carefully to what I say next. If I catch any of you whispering about me behind my back again…”
I scanned all the nearby nobles, memorizing their faces clearly.
“Whoever it is—I’ll tear that mouth right off.”
Murmurs erupted.
My bold threat sent the nobles chattering nervously among themselves.
Watching them, I drove the point home once more.
“If you’re curious what I’ll do—go ahead and gossip again.”
True anger shouldn’t be taken out on those weaker than you—but directly on those causing it.
If Tanasia stood before me right now, I’d tell her clearly.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
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Isn’t he is being cute, just let him be …ufff….