The Villainous Family Loves Me Too Much!

“S-sorry! I have committed an unforgivable sin!”

I threw myself face-down on the ground, acting the part of a terrified maid causing a commotion.

“I came from Felosite, but this imperial palace is my first time, so I unconsciously… I apologize, Your Highness the Crown Princess!”

“Felosite, is it… You’ve come from quite an interesting place, haven’t you?”

Seeming pleased with my prostrated attitude, Beatrice extended her hand to help me up.

“Oh, no, Your Highness. The imperial palace is far more splendid than Felosite.”

I added nasal sounds just in case she might recognize me, resulting in a rather unique voice.

The mask’s voice alteration function wasn’t working properly yet, but it masked my real voice to some degree.

“Do you perhaps wish to work in the imperial palace?”

My heart pounded. What was she getting at?

“That would be a dream come true! But for a mere maid without noble status like me, how could I ever…”

Beatrice curled her lip as if plotting something, carefully studying my face.

With her keen observation skills, I couldn’t afford even a hint of carelessness.

“But you know, what I find strange is…”

Clicking her heels, Beatrice circled around me, fixing me with a suspicious gaze.

“Why is a maid of the Archduke and Archduchess sneaking out from the banquet hall like this?”

Deep in thought, she lightly touched her lips with her finger.

“It’s very odd, as I’m quite certain I saw that maid right behind them until just before I came out.”

Step by step, Beatrice approached closer to my face.

It seemed she was testing if she could sense any mana or divine power from me.

But that was impossible.

The transformation mask magic tool was crafted with such delicate skill that it couldn’t be traced. Though based on mana, it was essentially an accumulated ‘tool’.

“I sense a faint trace of mana?”

Beatrice’s face contorted menacingly as she closed in on me.

With my eyes tightly shut, I feigned terror as I responded to her question.

“I, I do possess a bit of mana. But the amount is so minuscule, I could never become a magician.”

My acting must have been somewhat convincing, as Beatrice backed away with a satisfied expression.

“Very well, let’s put that aside for now. Why are you out here?”

Pretending to catch my breath from the tension, I quickly threw myself back down.

“T-the one inside is my sister Eloise. I’m her younger twin, Lorraine.”

The moment I finished speaking, Beatrice’s eyes widened before she suddenly burst into raucous laughter echoing down the hallway.

“My, what was I even thinking? I’m sorry, child. Let’s just say it was for verifying the imperial family’s safety.”

It seemed she had dispelled any lingering suspicions about me.

“Still, I don’t understand why you, a mere maid visiting with her masters, are out here.”

Beatrice squatted down in front of my prostrated form and lifted my chin to face her.

“Go on, tell me.”

Her gaze held quite a forceful intensity.

If Lucian’s demonic eyes instilled sheer terror, Beatrice lacked that power but possessed a piercing gaze that seemed to see through everything.

In the past, I had simply thought it was her charisma as a Saint.

“Well, you see… The thing is… The Archduchess… No, Your Highness, not that.”

“Child, I outrank the Archduchess. So speak freely.”

I fidgeted uncomfortably, feigning further unease.

“But she is my master, you see.”

At that moment, I saw a smile spread across Beatrice’s face.

Ah, so this is what you were looking for, wasn’t it?

“The truth is, the Archduchess discriminates against Eloise and me. Just earlier, there was an incident that left me terribly upset…”

Straining my eyes, tears began welling up.

“SIster Eloise takes credit for all the work I’ve done, pretending she did it. Then when Her Highness sees that, she praises my sister but scolds me…”

“My, my. Yes, Karena does have that side to her. She’s capable, but expects others to match her diligence.”

Ah, so that’s how you saw me. Even the wedding I prepared for you.

I felt a tinge of hurt, but swallowed it to maintain the deception against Beatrice.

I went on at length about the discrimination I supposedly faced from the Archduchess.

Though she likely didn’t truly empathize, Beatrice kindly pretended to, listening intently to my story.

“If it were me, I would have immediately recognized an excellent, diligent child like you. But alas, the Archduchess lacks that discernment.”

“You’re absolutely right, Your Highness. Not just anyone can possess such foresight as you.”

I began to fawn over the Crown Princess who had lent me an ear, acting smitten.

“Say, would you make me a promise? I believe we could give each other quite a wonderful gift.”

And so Beatrice fell into my trap.

* * *

Even after the dreadfully boring Crown Prince investiture ceremony and subsequent banquet finally ended, Karena didn’t reappear.

Like the other nobles awaiting their carriages, Lucian and the disguised Sylonne simply stood and waited for theirs to arrive.

“Oh no, we can’t just leave Sister like this.”

Disguised as Karena, Sylonne couldn’t properly search for her.

“Let’s just wait a bit longer.”

“Aren’t you worried at all, Brother?”

Though she grumbled in reproach, Sylonne knew the truth – that the one most concerned for Karena was Lucian himself.

Amid the ordinary carriages for guests, an ornate unmanned carriage swiftly approached them.

All eyes turned towards Lucian and Sylonne at the sight of the carriage.

“What a predicament. We can’t simply leave, but…”

Then in the distance, Karena was seen bidding farewell to Beatrice.

After deeply curtsying to the Crown Princess, Karena hurried over and bowed to the two of them.

“Quick, scold me a bit, Sylonne. Hurry!”

Karena whispered urgently to Sylonne while bowing.

“But the voice alteration isn’t working…”

“Then slap me on the cheek or something! It’s urgent, quick!”

“But Sister, how can I…”

“Hurry!”

Slap- A loud slapping sound rang out, and the bustling waiting area fell abruptly silent.

As the flustered Sylonne froze, Karena cupped her reddened, swollen cheek and whispered to her.

“Don’t say anything, just act angry and get in the carriage. Quick!”

Sylonne boarded the carriage, and Lucian followed suit, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

Slowly raising her head, Karena locked eyes with Beatrice.

From afar, Beatrice cast a pitying, sad look and waved goodbye to Karena with her hand.

‘Despicable.’

Finally, the maid Eloise, checking the surroundings, grabbed Karena and entered the carriage.

“What are you doing? Get in already.”

The Archduke’s carriage door closed, and the murmuring resumed among the people.

“Craving attention to the very end, with all these antics.”

Liam had somehow appeared beside Beatrice.

“Indeed. It’s quite fortunate for us, isn’t it?”

“What exactly is fortunate? On the day I was supposed to receive attention as the Crown Prince, everyone only talked about those two the whole time!”

“Please lower your voice, Your Highness.”

Liam fell silent at Beatrice’s intimidating, harsh tone.

“If I say it’s fortunate, then it is.”

Liam immediately shut his mouth and hunched his shoulders, which had regained their proud stance after his investiture.

“Don’t speak up if you don’t understand.”

With just those words from Beatrice, the once dignified Crown Prince Liam vanished.

“Ah… Understood, Bea.”

After briefly scanning their surroundings, Beatrice grabbed Liam’s arm and the two disappeared into the darkness.