The Abandoned Villainess Decides to Take It All Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Honestly, Lillian didn’t really want to know what had happened to Ramio.

What if some part of his body had been erased?

Even in her previous life, she had never liked gore.

But surprisingly—

Ramio, who had been taken out of “storage,” had become extremely obedient.

“N-Noona…”

“…?”

Was this shabby man really the same Ramio who used to swagger around every day?

Lillian glanced back at the villain.

He paid absolutely no attention to Ramio and stared only at Lillian.

“What did you do to him?”

“Held back.”

“….”

“It wasn’t much. He just became very quiet.”

Lillian felt like she had just learned something important about human nature.

Some people simply didn’t listen to reason—

They only bowed to fear.

And more fear.

“Please, noona.”

“Noona? Who are you calling that?”

“I—I was wrong.”

“….”

Ramio’s eyes filled with tears.

“I’m in the Imperial Knights, you know. If I’m late any longer, I’ll die…”

“….”

Lillian remained indifferent.

In any world, seniority and career records mattered.

Though by now he’s probably burned through all of that.

Back then, even if he had exhausted his chances, House Tillard would have smoothed things over.

But the knight commander who used to accept bribes had already been dismissed.

Well—

Life and hardship were both practical lessons.

Even while begging in fear, Ramio still cares most about saving himself.

So Lillian felt no guilt about what she said next.

“Then go catch Karkin and bring him here.”

It was time to reveal Karkin’s secret—the one she had learned through the information guild Archive.

Maison Merose – The Capital’s Gambling House

The luxurious gambling hall where idle nobles gathered was called Maison Merose.

Karkin was wasting time there.

“I swear… Iris Tillard…”

Karkin ground his teeth.

She’s playing hard to get.

Was she really planning to marry Prince Kyle?

Karkin was just as handsome as a prince.

He clicked his tongue and stared at the ceiling.

“Damn it…”

Even though he wanted Iris—

Honestly, Lillian had been easier.

And Lillian wasn’t inferior in looks either.

It was almost as if the Creator God had compensated for her lack of control ability with other qualities.

Memories surfaced.

“Here, a gift. The letter you kept whining about.”
“I’m so happy. Thank you, Karkin.”

He bought diamond bracelets for Iris and other women.

But for Lillian, he had given nothing more than a hastily scribbled note.

And that fool had still been happy about it.

Another memory surfaced.

“This is an artifact I made for you, Karkin. About the letter from before—”
“Ha, that’s so lame. What is this?”
“Huh?”
“You’ve got no taste. It’s annoying—stop already.”
“S-sorry.”

Even though their engagement had been broken off, Karkin had always thought of it as part of training her.

So by now—

Shouldn’t she be crying and begging to get back together?

“And the Tillard family isn’t even contacting me.”

He sprawled lazily across a sofa while complaining.

Then a familiar figure approached awkwardly.

“Karkin.”

“Huh? Ramio?”

It was the youngest knight of House Tillard.

His usual sly smile was gone.

His face was pale and his eyes hollow.

But Karkin barely noticed.

“I heard you went north. When did you come back to the capital?”

“N-not long ago.”

“Whatever. More importantly—what’s Lillian doing?”

“L-Lillian… Lillian noona said she wants to apologize to you.”

“Hah. Of course she does. When?”

“She wants to do it tonight… h-here.”

Karkin narrowed his eyes.

Here?

In this gambling hall?

Haha. Acting like a sly fox.

Exactly how did she plan to apologize here?

He was a little curious.

Lillian’s Plan

I can’t believe this actually worked.

Lillian clicked her tongue.

She had once thought she would never set foot in a place like this.

Yet here she was in Maison Merose, standing on the top floor overlooking the gambling hall.

Below, Karkin and his companions were gathering.

Ramio stumbling in by luck turned out surprisingly useful.

As long as Ramio kept Karkin here, he wouldn’t try contacting the Tillard main house.

It also helped avoid suspicion.

The Shadow guards beside her muttered irritably.

“How many guys is he inviting?”

“Wow… even that supposedly ‘refined’ noble showed up.”

Every single one of them had connections to House Favil.

Either close allies or vassal families.

As expected.

You want an audience to watch me apologize.

Karkin clearly intended to humiliate her in front of everyone.

Why was he so desperate to protect his pride?

Before remembering her past life, Lillian had believed it was because she was lacking.

But now—

She suspected something else.

Perhaps some deeper fear that could only be satisfied by trampling someone weaker.

Anyway.

Today’s plan was finally beginning.

Lillian walked slowly down the spiral staircase.

“Hello, Karkin.”

“…Lillian?”

Karkin swallowed.

She had always been beautiful.

But today she wore an elegant purple dress, not the flashy red styles he preferred.

Something’s different.

There was something about her that made his throat dry.

Something instinctive—

Something buried deep within an ability user’s instincts.

Karkin glanced around nervously.

Am I the only one feeling this?

No.

His companions were staring at Lillian in the same dazed way.

Something was clearly wrong.

Still, Karkin forced a smile.

“Trying to be cute, Lillian? Dressing like that just to apologize?”

“Hmm? Apologize? What are you talking about?”

Lillian tilted her head.

“I came to collect the debt you owe me.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“If we broke off our engagement, you need to repay the money you spent before. We’re not getting married anymore.”

She dropped a folded document from her bag.

It detailed Karkin’s long list of extravagant spending.

“I didn’t even report it to Her Majesty the Empress. I handled it privately.”

“That’s only natural—!”

“Natural? Ah, you mean my reaction… or the Empress’s reaction?”

“What?”

“The Empress does care about you, Karkin.”

Lillian smiled.

Why did people like him surround themselves with Karkin?

Yes, he was the future duke of House Favil.

But the real reason was the Empress’s protection.

However—

“You’re not her son. Your position is one she could replace anytime.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no replacement for me.”

“Why not?”

Lillian’s smile deepened.

“You have a younger brother living at the Favil estate in the south.”

“…!”