The Villainous Family Loves Me Too Much!

‘What’s this? He doesn’t seem like the type to be crazy about women.’

I know those types of guys all too well.

In this life and the previous one.

In my past life… needless to say, my boyfriend was the trash of trash.

Among the high-ranking nobles Liam was associated with, there were quite a few who switched out women often.

Nobles, commoners, slaves, they didn’t discriminate. As long as it was a woman, they would spend the night.

A defining characteristic of these men was that they never clearly discussed a future together.

The most common topic I heard at tea parties with the noble ladies in this world was how some nobleman didn’t propose after sleeping with them. That says it all.

Interestingly, whether in this world or the other, those men always have the same pattern. They always ambiguously sidestep the topic and then end up marrying someone else.

‘But the Archduke openly registered our marriage. So…’

That means he doesn’t want that from me.

The suspicion that he planned everything and brought me here is gradually turning into a certainty.

Since he didn’t bring me here out of lust, he might be keeping me close to keep an eye on me.

But I had no clue what it was for or why he was doing this.

It didn’t seem like he was on good terms with the Emperor, so he probably wasn’t acting on his orders.

‘Until I find out the truth, I’ll go along with the Archduke’s pace.’

Breaking the awkward silence that filled the lobby, I said with a bright smile, pretending to know nothing.

“I think you’re right. Then I will share the room with His Highness the Archduke.”

“Are you sure that’s okay, Your Highness the Archduchess? The room might not be in a suitable state for a lady…”

“It’s fine. Please lead the way.”

I followed Delgado to the room, but the Archduke hesitated and didn’t follow.

“Your Highness the Archduke, or rather, Lucian. Aren’t you coming to the room?”

“I have to deal with some matters in my office.”

The Archduke, sounding like he was malfunctioning, quickly turned and walked in the opposite direction.

The back of his neck was reddened, just like it was in the carriage.

‘Is he trying to hide that he’s unwell?’

If so, I should do the opposite. I subtly got close to Delgado and loudly asked with fake concern:

“Is the Archduke feeling unwell? Has he always had health issues?”

“There’s no way. He’s always been healthy since he was young. But today… it does seem like something’s off.”

Delgado, who had been watching the Archduke’s retreating figure, looked worried.

He immediately took out a communication stone and called the doctor.

‘So, he has an illness that even the butler doesn’t know about.’

This is suspicious.

By pretending to be concerned about the Archduke’s health, I might obtain some useful information.

Following the corridor, an escalator-like staircase appeared. Riding it up to the third floor led to the Archduke’s bedroom.

When the door, about three times the average height of an adult male, opened, the interior of the room decorated luxuriously with various jewels was revealed.

Contrary to its opulent exterior, the interior was surprisingly simple.

There was a king-sized bed, a desk, a long sofa in front of the balcony, and that was it.

“I will order more furniture tomorrow. If you have any furniture or accessories in mind, please let me know.”

Seeing my surprised look while inspecting the room, Delgado hastily added.

“A maid will come up soon to help Your Highness get ready for the banquet.”

“This is all so sudden, thank you.”

“Not at all, Your Highness the Archduchess. I’ll take my leave now.”

Only after Delgado and all the servants left could I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“Whew, I somehow survived.”

Just like when I first reincarnated, I had planned to survive on my own and I ended up doing just that.

It’s an outcome that deviates from all my predictions, but standing in front of this luxurious setting, I felt a bit guilty.

But I only had a moment for such thoughts.

My clear vision suddenly blurred, and everything started spinning.

“Oh, why is this happening…”

The wall swayed as if waves were crashing against it, and the elegant chandelier transformed into a mirror ball, shimmering and emitting light in every direction.

A strange hallucination rendered me dizzy and I couldn’t identify its origin. The strength in my legs that had barely held me up began to wane.

Stumbling, I made my way towards the bed.

‘It’s strange… my body feels so heavy…’

Before I could reach the bed, I lost consciousness.

* * *

One breezy evening, Empress of the Castien was being treated by the imperial physician in the imperial palace.

The doctor tried to stimulate her vision by shining a bright light into her eyes, but it was to no avail.

She lay on the bed, unconscious.

“Please wake up, Your Majesty… sob…”

Beatrice held the Empress’s hand tightly, crying out in a distressed voice.

Even the nearby maids were tearing up at the poignant sight.

After a sudden accident, her husband died shortly after their marriage, and her affectionate mother-in-law also fell unconscious due to the aftermath.

It turned out that the princess, who had been close friends with her for a long time, was the perpetrator who had plotted to kill her husband.

Despite being directly affected by these horrific events, Beatrice, who was taking great care of the Empress, received deep respect from the palace servants.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess, the second prince and the Queen are here to visit.”

Upon seeing the two, Beatrice got up with emotion and bowed to them.

“Thank you sincerely for coming. With both of you showing such concern, Her Majesty the Empress will surely recover soon!”

“Of course, she should. We heard that you haven’t even been eating properly, so we brought some nourishing food and medicine for you. How about having dinner with us?”

“I can’t. I must continue to take care of Her Majesty…”

“The Empress wouldn’t want the Crown Princess to neglect her meals. Isn’t that right, Lady Tasslerope?”

With her innocent eyes, seemingly on the brink of tears, Beatrice looked at Lady Tasslerope.

‘Surely the Queen wouldn’t harm the Crown Princess?’

Marchioness Tasslerope, the chief maid of the Empress, had always been wary of Queen Yuliana, but was certain she wouldn’t openly cause trouble at a time like this.

Because the Queen Yuliana she knew was more of an opportunist than a schemer.

The second prince’s appointment as Crown Prince was almost confirmed, so there was no reason for her to stir things up. Moreover, it was certain that the Queen didn’t consider the naïve Crown Princess as a threat.

“Please don’t worry, Your Highness. We will take good care of Her Majesty. You seem to be draining your energy; we’ve been concerned.”

The maids of the Empress stared at the Queen, their eyes reflecting determination.

The kind of gaze that warned, ‘Don’t you dare lay a finger on our Crown Princess!’ Beatrice was dearly loved and trusted by the maids.

Hesitant, Beatrice eventually decided to follow them.

“You’ve got them well-trained, Beatrice.”

As they left the Empress’s palace, Queen Yuliana remarked with a satisfied smile, surprising Liam who glanced around nervously.

Beatrice’s pleasant expression instantly hardened, and in a cold tone, she whispered to the Queen:

“Watch your words. There are still many eyes upon us.”

Upon reaching the Queen’s residence, Florin Palace, the three entered the dining room where a meal had been prepared, and sent all the maids away.

“Where’s the medicine I asked for?”

The moment the door closed with a thud, Beatrice extended her hand and inquired.

The Queen opened a cloth pouch hidden in her skirt and took out a small bottle.

Filled inside the tiny bottle that was about the size of a finger was a deep purple liquid.

“Isn’t it too weak to be mixed with food? If the Empress wakes up, it’ll be a disaster.”

“If she takes any more than this, she’ll die instantly. If the Empress suddenly dies, it’ll obviously be suspected as poisoning. It would be hard for me, being the closest, to avoid suspicion.”

As Beatrice lightly shook the bottle, the purple liquid sloshed thickly inside.

“So, we need to administer it gradually to make it appear as a natural death.”

Queen Yuliana and Beatrice exchanged smiles.