Chapter 83

#083 Not Quite a Villain (1)

“Huh?”

“You’re crazy, really crazy!”

The broken Cyristelle suddenly barged in beside me.

Three people collided over an envelope, bang!

“Ah!”

“Ouch!”

“...”

Our heads bumped.

Prince Cedric slightly frowned, and Cyristelle and I rubbed our foreheads vigorously.

It sounded like paper was rustling near my ear.

You two only bumped into me, but I collided with both of you, so it really hurts.

“Is the author of <Reason, Emotion, and Holiness> really Benvamain?! Really!?”

Kanae leaned in and shouted loudly, trying to understand the situation.

Lady Elizaveta’s mouth dropped open.

Cyristelle started tapping my shoulder, repeatedly saying, “What’s going on?” and “What do we do?”

The carriage was a mess after that.

*

“Mr. Benvamain, so the packages you send out every week are actually manuscripts?”

“I apologize for wanting to grab the collar of Duke Heathcliff. Could you at least splash some water on his face?”

“I actually didn’t have much interest in romance novels... I’ll start reading the back issues when I get home. The palace guards are going crazy over ‘Igan-shin’ these days.”

Kanae, Cyristelle, and Lady Elizaveta spoke one after another.

It seemed like they had already talked for over a hundred lines.

Benvamain sat there with a slightly embarrassed smile, which was a new expression for me.

It must not be easy to manage the duties of a palace attendant and write a novel at the same time.

To have been steadily writing and sending manuscripts every other week was impressive.

I couldn’t help but smile, thinking of my brother at home.

Mr. Jeong Hyun-seo (32, web novel author) also wrote martial arts novels while working full-time, so I could understand the challenges Benvamain faced.

“I was quite surprised, Benvamain. If you had told me earlier, I would have given you more time to write.”

“That’s why I didn’t tell you. Prince Euseo would have certainly been considerate.”

The middle-aged man smiled gently at my words.

“It’s just a hobby, so there’s no need to worry too much. However, I should be punished for bringing an outsider into the royal carriage. I have no excuse. I apologize, Your Highness, Prince.”

Benvamain bowed deeply to the prince and me.

I finally turned to look at the prince, feeling a bit nervous.

Not only was he not an ordinary noble, but he had also exposed the royal palace to someone like Sara Belliard, a journalist. I didn’t know if it was even allowed for a palace attendant to have a side job.

Cyristelle, Kanae, and Lady Elizaveta also turned their gazes to the prince.

He turned his expressionless face to the window and replied briefly.

“You decide, since he is your attendant.”

“Me?”

I blinked in surprise. Isn’t the person in charge of the Juliette Palace you, not me?

“Great, Mr. Benvamain!”

Cyristelle beamed with joy.

My mood brightened as well, seeing that things were going smoothly.

“I’m fine, Benvamain. I know Lady Belliard can be a bit overbearing. But please be more careful from now on. I’ll support you.”

“...Thank you, Prince.”

Benvamain bowed again.

The three of us, excluding the prince and me, bombarded him with more questions.

“How did you start writing? Was there a specific trigger?”

“I’ve been interested in writing since I was young. I started <Reason, Emotion, and Holiness> for my great-nephew. He loves love stories.”

“Wow! So ‘Igan-shin’ is your debut work?”

“My debut work... was an essay.”

“I’m curious about the title.”

“It’s called <What the Lord Has Given Me>, Viscount.”

Huh?

“That’s the book Kanae brought me on my first day in the palace.”

I interjected.

I had been curious about the title, which seemed to have a deliberate rhyme, and the famous collection of essays filled with religious confessions turned out to be Benvamain’s work.

Kanae was also surprised and covered her mouth. It turned out Benvamain had more than one pen name.

“That was my first book. It wasn’t easy to write even what I wanted to.”

Benvamain spoke calmly, and I nodded.

I could understand that, as my brother had faced the same challenges.

He had been deeply immersed in martial arts novels since the rental shop days and couldn’t let go of his passion even while working at a company.

He eventually became a full-time author, but he often struggled, saying that writing was daunting even when he wrote about what he wanted to see.

However, after starting a long-term series, his condition became quite stable.

“What about writing for others?”

I asked. Benvamain thought for a moment before replying.

“It’s equally difficult. However,”

-Knock knock

At that moment, someone knocked on the carriage door.

Lady Elizaveta, who was sitting by the handle, glanced at our faces and then opened the door.

A familiar handsome man appeared.

“Goodness, everyone is here!”

“Duke, is there something wrong?”

“Oh, Prince. It’s nothing serious. If you don’t mind, could you move the carriage a bit?”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Viscount Kanae was about to kick Duke Hume, but Benvamain stopped her.

The prince sighed, and Cyristelle burst into laughter.

“Elizaveta, I’m serious! My carriage is too wide to move!”

Who in the world would look for the owner of a royal carriage?

*

“Mr. Benvamain, everyone is really going crazy! How did you come up with such a plot...”

“Shh.”

On the way to the palace chapel, Kanae couldn’t contain her excitement and chattered away.

Benvamain gently covered the boy’s mouth. I smiled and walked ahead.

It had been a week since Benvamain revealed to us that he had a side job.

It was a secret to people like Sir Heins and Sant, who weren’t in the carriage that day.

However, Sant couldn’t contain his excitement after reading this week’s <Biweekly Liester>.

While the Q&A with the author ‘Didier Vermic’ was interesting, ...

“Duke Heathcliff has challenged Jane to a duel! Oh my, it seems like a disaster!”

The latest chapter was about the Duke challenging Jane, who had insulted his beloved Catherine, to a duel.

Jane, unable to maintain his composure in response to the challenge from his fiancée, ended up splashing water on the Duke’s face.

The next chapter promised a fight between two 6th-grade swordsmen.

After reading that episode, Cyristelle commented:

“Really, it’s a historic mess. But it’s so entertaining. The author even incorporated my suggestions. I should send some sponsorship.”

I seemed to be the only one surprised that Benvamain could incorporate feedback from acquaintances into his live serial.

I nodded to the knights who opened the chapel door and stepped inside.

Well, my brother didn’t have much of a stockpile either.

“Next time, could you sign my essay collection?”

I whispered to Benvamain. He smiled and agreed.

“Demi, I’ll be back after work. Wait for me nicely.”

-Creak

Before entering the confessional, I handed Demi to Kanae.

Demi, for some reason, started struggling and expressed his clear dislike.

The prince had left him in the palace on the day of the duel, not wanting to see blood, and Demi seemed upset about it.

Leah and Perry were still curled up in my room, but Demi particularly enjoyed outdoor activities.

He had been missing in action since early morning.

I hoped he wasn’t rearranging the prince’s bed again.

“Why? Do you want to come in?”

-Creak

“Can you behave? You mustn’t say anything when guests come in.”

-Creak

Demi answered firmly.

His desperate attempt to stretch his front paws made me give in, and I took him back into my arms.

Kanae had brought a basket of snacks, and as I entered the confessional, I saw neat wooden panels and freshly cut decorative lines.

When will these be replaced?

“Demi, this is your first time here.”

-Creak!

The interior was a bit dark, but Demi bravely opened his mouth.

I chuckled and patted his back.

After attending the Cardinal’s morning class, having lunch, and observing the prince and Cyristelle’s class, I was now here to hear the confessions of the palace people.

Recently, the number of confessors had decreased, probably because of the busy preparations for the Crown Prince’s investiture in August.

“Should I read a book until a guest arrives? Uncle Benvamain has written some novels.”

-Creak

Demi answered softly and curled up on my lap.

I opened <Biweekly Liester>, which I hadn’t finished reading yet.

Instead of using a lamp, I activated an ether circle, and the lesser panda seemed very satisfied, blooming a lantern flower at the tip of its tail and swaying it.

Let’s see.

「...The splendid outing of Viscount Robert Blanquer came to an end. According to sources in the eastern region, the Viscount’s injuries are permanent but not severe. The Blanquer Duke’s family did not provide any special comments in response to our inquiries. However, it is known that the Duke found his heir’s improper behavior deeply shameful. It is also rumored that the Duke’s husband sent a letter to his son, urging him to be grateful for the Prince’s mercy.」

I read Lady Belliard’s article about the prince and the Viscount’s duel carefully.

Fortunately, there was no expression suggesting that the prince had listened to me and spared the Viscount’s life.

The article focused on the prince’s beauty, magnanimity, and the abilities of a holy knight he displayed before the imperial nobles.

Lady Belliard had once again written an article favorable to me.

She must have had her own calculations.

“Phew.”

「Meanwhile, the ‘Three Graces’ have been particularly eye-catching. Prince Cedric, Lady Cyristelle de Sarnes, and Prince Euseo of the Penethian Divine Kingdom all managed to draw everyone’s attention during this duel. Regarding their future...」

There’s nothing like that. I have no plans to be with those two. Probably.

I frowned slightly and rubbed my chest.

I could feel the presence of the small crystal bell.

The note from ‘Viseul,’ or Princess Elise, was transferred to my notebook and then immediately burned.

Given the clear purpose behind it, keeping it any longer would only increase the risk of losing it.

-Click

I snapped back to reality. It seemed a confessor had entered while I was focused on the article.

I heard the rustling of fabric and naturally released the sacred space, closing the book.

Demi, sensing the presence of a stranger, lifted his tail slightly but wisely didn’t make a sound.

“Welcome, believer. When was your last confession?”

“I’m not here for confession.”

I clicked my tongue reflexively at the confident voice.

First customer and already the day is ruined, Jeong Euseo. Don’t let it get to you.

“This is a sacred chapel. Please leave if you’re not here for confession. I need to hear the stories of other believers.”

“Instead, I have a question. Are you planning to toy with the Prince and Lady Sarnes, keeping them on both hands?”

“What, what are you saying?”

I was so taken aback that I spoke informally.

I quickly composed myself and shook my head a few times.

Have I seen every kind of troublemaker in the confessional, Jeong Euseo? Don’t let it get to you.

“This is a sacred chapel. Please refrain from spreading rumors.”

“Can a lady without a partner refuse an audience with the Archbishop, and can the Prince stop his attack at the word of a prince? I find your intentions suspicious.”

“I won’t answer any more. If you don’t leave now, I will call the chapel knights.”

“Ha!”

A young and thin voice trembled.

It sounded familiar, but I had heard many confessions, so I wasn’t sure.

Still, it seemed she was willing to leave, as I heard her getting up.

My throat felt dry.

I took out the glass bottle Kanae had prepared and gulped down the refreshing corn tea.

I gave Demi a piece of rose sugar preserve,

-Whoosh!

The confessional door opened wide. It was a believer who had just come out of the adjacent booth and stormed into mine.

I was startled and opened my eyes wide.

I saw curly red hair like ramen, cheeks flushed with anger, and brown eyes welling up with tears.

“...Lady Eva Blanquer?”

The Viscount’s sister, right?

“I can’t become a Duke, and I can’t marry the Prince, but because of you, even my other paths are blocked. I hate you!”

The girl trembled as she spoke. I was at a loss for words.

“Um, first of all.”

“Eat this and stay away from the Prince and the Lady!”

Eva forcefully poured the contents of the water bottle she was holding at me. Did you also read the latest chapter of ‘Igan-shin’?!

-Splat!

-Creak!

But once again, Demi blocked it with his large leaf!