Chapter : 18
What did that guy just say? House of Hosaquin? Wow. I never thought I’d hear about Evangeline’s maternal family here. It wasn’t even in the diary, and I couldn’t ask Canna or Hena because they didn’t know either.
But look at him—this naughty guy. I thought he was just flirting, but he was gossiping about others to try to build rapport.
He insulted me, mocked Canna and Hena, all at once. A perfect shot. The eloquence of the nobility is terrifying.
“By the way, why isn’t Gabriel here?”
I wondered if I had to keep listening to my own gossip, but just then, Gabriel appeared in the distance. Go, Gabriel! Save Canna! I cheered fervently, but Gabriel didn’t move. He seemed more like he was observing Canna. What—what is he doing? Why isn’t he intervening?
Could it be that he’s smitten with me, not Canna? Even if he’s only gentle to my girl, he’s a knight; he should have some sense of decency.
Gabriel showed no intention of stopping anything, while Canna lowered her head, looking hurt, and Hena fidgeted anxiously beside her.
I couldn’t just stand there any longer. Even if I was possessed and the story turned into a villainess’s tale, treating the original heroine like this is just too much.
“Get down.”
My voice sank, probably out of irritation. Jelly, noticing my mood, quickly opened the carriage door.
The coachman, tending to the horses in front of the carriage, was startled when the door suddenly opened and stumbled back.
“…W-why, my lady?”
Right. If Evangeline suddenly jumped out of an empty carriage, anyone would be shocked. I just took the Werewolf Taxi! It’s urgent, explanation later.
Jelly went down first and escorted me. It seemed like he wanted me to be mindful of the noble eyes around us. No matter how you look at it, he seems more like an all-purpose butler hero than a member of a reverse harem.
After holding Jelly’s hand and stepping down, I opened my parasol. Jelly had good taste—the parasol was really pretty.
And since Jelly is handsome, people’s attention was already on us. Evangeline also looked as stunning as a proper villainess.
Once the surroundings quieted, Canna and Hena turned back.
“…My lady.”
“Milady!”
Hena looked relieved to see her savior, and Canna, who had been glum, smiled brightly at me as if blooming. I strode forward and stood before them.
“…L-Lohansen, my lady?”
Yes. That’s me—the very same Lady Lohansen you were gossiping about! They stuttered, probably never expecting the person themselves to show up.
“Y-you came together? But why did you get down so late…?”
If translated into romance novel logic: If I had shown my face earlier from the carriage, you would have known I was there and wouldn’t have gossiped.
“My health was weak, so I rested in the carriage for a bit. And you are…?”
“Ah. My apologies. I am Anulen Benzen of the House of Benzen, Marquess.”
Damn. I thought he was just a minor character, but he’s a marquess’s son. What do I do? Evangeline is the daughter of a count, so she’s powerless compared to him! And why is Evangeline a villainess and not a princess? Ah, that explains why her maternal family is ducal.
“By the way, what were you discussing with my children?”
I don’t know, whatever. I thought the route where the granddaughter befriends her grandfather was already too late, so I abandoned it—but apparently, that wasn’t okay. We seemed estranged, but we’ll have to interact a bit from now on.
“Since it seems to be your first visit, I intended to guide you.”
“Ah…”
See? Denying it. I heard something, and now they shamelessly lie!
“I thought you were jokingly linking the House of Lohansen and the House of Hosaquin together.”
Because the counts are of lower rank, they mentioned the ducal house too. Anulen must have realized I overheard the conversation, as his face turned pale. Anyone can gossip, but being caught in the act? That’s just bad luck.
“Do I also look inappropriately dressed for the temple?”
I didn’t buy new clothes either, just put on a simple dress hidden in the corner of the dressing room. Looking at the people in the garden, our simple outfits seemed plain compared to the lavish ones.
I intentionally dressed like this to shed my villainess image, but according to Anulen, it made me look poor like a count’s daughter. That irritated me—I have money too!
“And your answer?”
Anulen Benzen trembled, probably not expecting me to ask directly. Thinking I’d forgive him if he acted scared? I said I was escaping the villainess role, not looking to be a pushover. I wouldn’t relent until I got an answer.
As I stared at Anulen Benzen, Gabriel appeared in the distance, finally approaching.
“That is not so. The temple always welcomes my lady.”
“Sir Gabriel!”
“So you are Anulen Benzen.”
Anulen Benzen greeted him cheerfully.
He had been watching without saving Canna, only stepping in when I appeared? I even sent a letter asking him to take care of the kids!
“I didn’t expect you to come together.”
I hadn’t planned to come either, but it was good I did. Gabriel is really failing as the male lead. Though he’s been disqualified since falling for the heroine!
“Ah… do you two know each other?”
“Yes. I invited Lady Lohansen here as her guide. Because I was late, Lord Benzen was attending to her. Thank you.”
“No, it’s nothing. It was my honor if I helped.”
Anulen Benzen bowed and then took the chance to quickly escape. I won’t forget this grudge. I watched his retreating figure, determined to deal with him later. Gabriel caught my gaze and spoke.
“Did you come to view the paintings, my lady?”
Gabriel was still polite. If I hadn’t seen him silent while the heroine suffered earlier, I might have thought he was genuinely serious.
“No. I was worried leaving just the two of them, and I was curious about the temple. As you know, my health isn’t good, so I needed some help.”
Thinking about it, it’s not Gabriel’s fault. He didn’t set his own character—he’s just built as a stoic knight who’s only warm to my girl. Yeah, he doesn’t really have a say.
I realized I’d over-invested emotionally. That calmed me down.
If anyone’s at fault, it’s me for hijacking the route. Gabriel isn’t ignoring the original heroine; he’s just a simpleton who fell for the villainess.
“May I pray while they look at the paintings?”
Exactly. Since we’re at the temple, I might as well pray. Maybe, as a possessed person, I could even communicate with God.
The carriage door of the House of Lohansen opened. Hena was stunned to see Lady Evangeline appear from what should have been an empty carriage, escorted by the monstrous “Jelly.” Evangeline Lohansen’s feet touched the ground.
Evangeline Lohansen, in a white parasol, snowy hair, and a pure white chemise dress, was all in white.
Sunlight scattered above her head. Even though the sun shone from the sky, it felt as if night had suddenly fallen. All senses vanished, and only Evangeline stood vividly.
“Milady!”
Canna called out, filled with joy.
Evangeline appeared, drawing everyone’s attention, and strode up to stand before Hena and Canna. As she approached, the mocking gazes disappeared, replaced by people holding their breath, trying not to be noticed.
Though Evangeline had said she wouldn’t come to the temple, Hena expressed her gratitude with a bow for her timely arrival.
Had she been even slightly later, Anulen might have… Hena shook her head. Her sister wouldn’t do something like that.
Canna, raised at home and unfamiliar with the outside world, was probably just rude due to ignorance of nobility. She has no power to harm anyone—there’s no way.
“My name is Uriel, my lady.”
“Uriel will guide you to the prayer room.”
Instead of sightseeing, Evangeline chose to pray. Watching her pray felt both disrespectful and like a beautiful painting.
Evangeline was guided by the knight named Uriel, assigned by Gabriel.
“I will guide the two of you.”
Hena and Canna were also guided by Gabriel.
The temple was magnificent. With such a lavish backdrop, Gabriel, in his white uniform, looked especially refined. Perhaps his presence was overshadowed when he was near Evangeline, now revealed.
Hena clenched and unclenched her fists, tense, as she watched Gabriel ahead.
Earlier, in the garden, everyone laughed, but Gabriel had been watching Canna. He must have noticed Canna’s feelings, so he decided to guide us, not Evangeline.
Evangeline mentioned her past illness and chose to pray, meaning she wouldn’t act rashly during this temple visit.
“How is the progress of the work?”
“We’ve done our best, but unfortunately, there’s no progress. It’s actually spread by word of mouth…”
“So they came to view the paintings as well?”
“Yes, most of them.”
Following Gabriel’s guidance, they entered the temple.
