How to Live as the Terminally Ill Younger Sister of the Villain - Chapter 140

I didn’t expect this.

‘This could cause problems when Haley returns.’

Angelina turned her head slightly to look at Blake. Thinking the same thing, he gave Sean a signal with his eyes.

Having received the sign, Sean discreetly retreated to a place out of people’s sight.

He was going to contact Haley using magic.

This communication was precisely why Angelina had sent Haley on an errand and why Blake kept Sean by his side.

So they could receive reports on the outside situation at any time and relay unexpected developments like now.

‘In this case, should I meet with the Crown Prince separately before the ball?’

Believers who had begun to turn against the Order due to the capital’s “monster incident.” Angelina had planned to deliver their petition to the Crown Prince today.

For this purpose, representatives of the believers who had written the petition were waiting outside with Haley.

The plan was for Haley to bring them to the garden during the intermission, where Angelina and Blake would lead Aiden to meet them.

This was practically their final card to persuade Aiden, but the Empress’s appearance had complicated matters.

However, Angelina smiled naturally without showing any sign of confusion.

“I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Empress.”

Starting with Angelina, all three bowed their heads in turn.

The Empress responded with her usual smile.

“We seem to be seeing each other often lately.”

Those words were directed at Angelina.

It hadn’t been long since they had “accidentally” bumped into each other by the palace lake.

“It’s an honor.”

“I heard this is the most popular play in the capital, and it seems that’s true. Looking at all these famous figures who brighten the Empire gathered here.”

“Yes, we’ve heard many good things about it too.”

Empty conversation was exchanged.

Ante was the one who interrupted it.

“I didn’t know. That Your Majesty, the Empress would be coming today.”

His lips were smiling, but his eyes weren’t smiling at all.

“If I had known you would be coming, I would have made time to arrange a proper conversation.”

Angelina, who keenly read Ante’s expression as he spoke those barbed words, could tell he was extremely angry.

‘Ah, why didn’t I realize this sooner?’

They say you see as much as you know, and that was truly correct.

Now that she knew Ante and the Empress weren’t on good terms, their public image of having a “good relationship” seemed utterly ridiculous.

“I also enjoy concerts and plays. And for such events, isn’t opening night the most interesting date? How curious that everyone had the same thought.”

The Empress spoke with a light laugh. As if her presence here wasn’t strange at all.

Strictly speaking, her words weren’t wrong.

But Ante knew how absurd that statement was.

Had he known the Empress was coming, he would never have made reservations for this day. Even if it was opening night.

“By the way, I heard there was an accident at the Marquis’s mansion… Are both of you uninjured?”

“We’re fine, thanks to your concern.”

“My, one must be careful. Accidents truly happen from momentary mistakes. And such brief carelessness can lead to irreversible consequences.”

The Empress spoke softly and smiled at Ante.

Ante couldn’t miss how she was mocking his situation. Because of what he had done as a child, he was still being manipulated by her.

Even now, his fist was trembling behind his back, yet he couldn’t properly respond.

Having silenced Ante, the Empress turned her attention to Blake.

“I hear the Duke has been experiencing a series of good fortunes lately.”

“Is that so? I’m curious about what good fortune you’re referring to that I’m unaware of.”

Unlike Ante, he responded coldly. He didn’t even attempt to be polite.

“How was your deal with the Tower Master? It must have been difficult to converse with someone who lacks social skills.”

Angelina was impressed by the Empress’s composure.

The Empress clearly knows who the Tower Master is. Yet she says such things here.

‘So this is what it means to insult someone to their face.’

In a way, it seemed like an impressive skill.

“He was simply firm in his opinions and clear in his convictions, but he communicated well.”

And Blake presented an opinion completely opposite to the Empress’s. With a face that didn’t waver in the slightest.

‘Is he serious?’

I didn’t think my brother and Blake got along that well…

Angelina looked at Blake with curious eyes, surprised by his unexpectedly positive assessment.

“How strange. I wonder if you met the same person I know?”

The Empress implied ‘perhaps who you met wasn’t the Tower Master,’ but Blake calmly replied.

“I visited wanting to ask the Magic Tower’s opinion, and since the person who came out represented them, it wouldn’t matter if he wasn’t the Tower Master.”

Saying he didn’t need to deal with the Tower Master specifically, just the Magic Tower.

“I didn’t know Your Majesty the Empress had such interest in me. Since you never replied to the letters I sent during my subjugation tours, I thought perhaps you didn’t know who I was.”

Instead, he countered the Empress with a slight smile.

“Or were you that sorry for letting go of my hand in the forest?”

‘Wow.’

Angelina barely managed to suppress a whistle of admiration that almost escaped her lips.

‘Did the male lead have this side to him?’

She hadn’t known because he always acted awkwardly in front of her.

Who would have thought he’d directly throw out ‘You tried to kill me by pushing me into the Dark Forest.’

“Duke, the palace should have compensated you for that incident. It’s not a good habit to dwell on matters that have been settled.”

The Empress’s expression was subtly cracked as she replied. She tried to smile, but the slight curl at the corners of her eyes seemed forced.

“How curious. How is it that the palace considers only financial compensation as settlement?”

Blake let out a hollow laugh.

Why don’t they understand that trying to bury everything with money without a single apology is shameful?

“Don’t you agree?” he asked Angelina.

Angelina knew exactly what he wanted to hear.

“That’s right. What money can resolve is limited.”

So she gladly provided it.

“There’s a saying that a single word can repay a debt of a thousand nyang, yet strangely, people are very sparing with words of apology and gratitude. Those seem like the two things we should say most often in life.”

The smile completely disappeared from the Empress’s face.

Instead, Angelina smiled brightly.

“I’d like to chat more since it’s been a while, but this is my first time here, and I should find my seat early so I’m not late.”

She placed her empty cocktail glass on a passing staff member’s tray and bowed her head.

“Then I apologize, but I’ll be going ahead. Still, with the ball coming up soon, I’m glad we’ll see each other again soon.”

She turned to leave, using the approaching viewing time as an excuse.

“I hope Your Highness enjoys the performance as well.”

Just as she was about to greet Aiden, who hadn’t been able to say a word due to the Empress’s pressure, the Empress spoke again.

“Lady Flaubert, sometimes ignorance is bliss.”

“…?”

Turning her head at this sudden remark, she saw the Empress slightly raise her chin. Then, looking down at her, she spoke in an arrogant voice.

“Curiosity killed the cat.”

At those words, Angelina smiled slightly.

“But satisfaction brought it back.”

“….”

“That’s one of the sayings people misunderstand. The essayist who wrote it meant that curiosity can be dangerous, but one should still not lose perseverance. Strangely, people ignore the context completely and use just that one part.”

Angelina couldn’t help but point this out, disliking the Empress’s attitude of cherry-picking only the parts she wanted to use, like fake news.

“I hope you’re well aware of what you’re stirring up.”

Displeased with her attitude, the Empress spoke in a cold voice.

“Well… you’ll soon have to stop anyway. Hmm, perhaps the ball will be best?”

“….”

What is she talking about? What is she planning to do at the ball?

“Enjoy the performance.”

Having gained the upper hand at the very end, the Empress moved away with a satisfied expression.

Watching her disappear to the first floor, Aiden sighed.

“The Lady truly… has a talent for making one’s heart skip a beat.”