Super-dreadnought Villainess – SS 04

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The Villainess 2

At Lunaria’s request, news of her and Dale’s re-engagement was withheld from the public. Dale had been displeased, but after the King roared at him in a terrifying rage, “Understand that this engagement is to protect your position! Recognize the kindness and magnanimity she showed in agreeing to it!”, he reluctantly came to terms with it.

Furthermore, Lunaria herself had Kyle carry the magic stone needed to open the ‘Gate’, and by directly linking her own office with the Duke’s office at regular intervals, she handled an absurdly large volume of work.

Kyle could only marvel at how apt the saying “wearing two hats” was. Duties as Crown Princess and duties as Duchess. She switched her focus between both with precision, handling an immense volume of cases one after another.

Of course, this was only possible with the support of the Heads of the other three Duke Houses.

Falitus, Mithos, and Alicia were extremely cooperative with Lunaria, enabling her to manage it.

In addition, in order to avoid contact with the Crown Prince as much as possible, Lunaria made a specific request of Mithos.

“Please station two elite knights from the Astoria family’s knight order at the door to the Crown Princess’ office”. Explaining that it was to avoid contact with unnecessary individuals she hadn’t scheduled meetings with, Mithos readily agreed and dispatched the elite unit. This meant that Dale could no longer casually enter Lunaria’s office.

Dale, for his part, was desperately trying to change his attitude toward Lunaria. But fundamentally, Lunaria didn’t want that. He had mistreated and handled her carelessly for so long that she no longer trusted him. Moreover, the current Lunaria was in full workaholic mode.

She firmly rebuffed him, stating that if he had time to visit, he should be handling his own work instead. While her point was valid, to him— who had met Manna and found her relaxing—she had become nothing more than a noisy woman full of irritating nagging.

That said, while time for the Crown Prince was limited to once a week at best, she made sure to carve out time between her duties and properly attended to him during those visits.

The Queen would sometimes join them, and on extremely rare occasions, even the King would participate. This thoroughly demonstrated to Dale just how much Lunaria was favored by the royal couple.

Though he had initially resented it, watching her work diligently, socialize, fulfill her duties as a duchess, and handle official social engagements flawlessly quickly rendered his pride useless.

　

So Dale let his guard down far too soon.

　

Three months had passed since Lunaria had quietly become the Crown Princess and had begun performing her duties.

When Dale slipped out for a private outing, Lunaria assigned royal guards to shadow him. She ordered them, “Monitor his every move thoroughly and report directly to me, the Crown Princess.”

As expected, he had been visiting Manna —the woman he had declared he would never see again—and they were sleeping together. The reports were filled with the vile remarks exchanged between Dale and Manna.

“Lunaria is acting all arrogant and it’s unbearable”, “She’s being too brazen and refusing to give up her position as a Duke just because the King and Queen favor her “, “A Crown Princess with no heart or compassion”, “I’ll take Manna, the Saint, as a concubine soon”, “Even if I have a child with Lunaria, I’ll kill it someday”… and so on.

Upon reading the report, Lunaria’s atmosphere turned as cold as ice, and even the shadow of the Royal Family trembled. Yet, while promising to report the matter to the King and Queen at an appropriate time, they were ordered to give detailed reports every time Dale went out. There was no way they could say “no”.

Steadily, little by little, Lunaria gathered evidence.

She couldn’t stop laughing before falling asleep, wondering how things had gone so smoothly.

　

“Fufu, … ahahahahahaha!!!!!”

　

Reading the report before bed, Lunaria laughed heartily under the moonlight.

The reports she had meticulously saved up over the course of about a month had become solid, documented evidence.

Seeing the reaction of the King and Queen when she showed them would be entertaining, but that alone would be too mild.

As Crown Prince, he could sow seeds elsewhere all he wanted—Lunaria didn’t care, or rather, she accepted the re-engagement on the premise that it would be called off. As a Duke, she wouldn’t abandon the Royal Family, but this latest blunder made it necessary for the King and Queen themselves to abandon the Crown Prince.

　

“Now then… shall we put the finishing touches on this a bit more carefully…”

　

With a soft chuckle, Lunaria retrieved her letter set.

She wrote two identical letters, summoned a lady-in-waiting, and instructed her to deliver one to each of the King and Queen.

　

[I would like to stroll through the city with you both for just a little while. There are matters I wish to learn from your wisdom for the future, and I hope you would accompany me for my own relaxation.]

　

She wrote.

Although it was concise, the King and Queen gladly accepted.

They seemed eager to show their appreciation for Lunaria’s relentless work schedule, and also curious to hear directly what it was she wished to learn.

Falitus meticulously arranged the date and time for this top-secret incognito outing.

Naturally, it was scheduled for the day Dale would commit his infidelity.

She also knew the lodgings they used. Simply passing by while projecting a tragic air would instantly make the King and Queen understand what had happened.

Dressed in incognito attire, the King and Queen, along with Lunaria, presented themselves as “noble parents and their child” and boarded a carriage that did not bear the Royal Crest, heading out into the city.

　

“…… do enjoy your outing.”

　

Falitus smiled coldly and sent a telepathic message to Lunaria.

　

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has also departed, Miss Lunaria.”

“Well, thank you…. He’s become rather bold about going out, hasn’t he?”

“Indeed. As more of his retainers grow suspicious… let us sow a little seed.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

“Understood. Good luck then.”

“Thank you, Lord Falitus.”

　

After ending their telepathic conversation, Lunaria did as the Queen instructed and looked out the window with a smile.

　

“The weather is lovely today, perfect for an outing.”

“Indeed. …It was my dream to go out like this with my daughter!”

“I’m delighted, Your Majesty. … No, Mother-in-law.”

“Oh my… hmm!”

　

The Queen smiles happily, watched over by the King’s warm gaze.

However, Lunaria knew this King treated his concubines with far too little regard, subjecting them to cold treatment bordering on mental abuse. She understood he loved his official Queen that much more intensely, but it was still too cruel. Well, such treatment and attitudes would be corrected by what he was about to witness, though. Today would be the end of it.

The carriage arrived at its destination and came to a gentle stop. Lunaria stepped out.

Today was merely a casual inspection, just looking around the surroundings, but Lunaria deliberately paused.

　

“What’s wrong, Lunaria?”

“Well… over there… no, it’s just my imagination.”

“Is it someone you know?”

“N, no!! I was mistaken. There’s no need to go out of your way to check!”

“Hmm…?”

　

Lunaria’s slightly desperate demeanor immediately revealed she wasn’t acting like her usual self. Precisely because of that, the King seemed utterly concerned. The Queen seemed to feel the same way, following Lunaria’s gaze in the same direction.

　

“Oh…”

　

The couple froze in shock.

The fleeting glimpse of the figure’s back was unmistakably Dale’s.

　

“That child… wasn’t he supposed to be on duty at this hour…?”

　

The Queen muttered suspiciously, then activated a spell, conjuring a small Java sparrow familiar in her palm.

She sent it flying at incredible speed toward the palace, awaiting a reply.

The familiar returned quickly and delivered a message that left her utterly disappointed: [His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is not attending to official duties. He has slipped his own documents into Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess’ papers to secure time for a secret outing. He has departed today.]

All expression vanished from the Queen.

The King, upon seeing the report, could not hide his dismay.

Though he had once overlooked it because the offender was his own son, he could not possibly forgive someone who committed the same act twice. He must now bitterly regret having been lenient the first time, as a ‘father’.

However, there was no turning back now. This time, they would have to act not just as “parents,” but as nobles.

He had persistently and blatantly disregarded his fiancée, failing even to uphold his own declarations. He neglected his duties and, to make matters worse, slipped his own documents into the paperwork handled by Lunaria, the Crown Princess.

Lunaria, however, had noticed this immediately and had the papers returned to the Crown Prince’s aides. Yet, Dale had made the colossal mistake of not noticing this.

This fact was recorded in the message sent by the Queen’s familiar.

　

“…How endlessly… skilled he is at being a disappointment.”

　

Hearing that icy tone, Lunaria’s expression tightened.

　

“… If I may be so bold, Your Majesty the Queen. It may not be too late to verify what His Highness the Crown Prince is doing.”

“…………… very well.”

　

Once a woman resolves herself, she is strong. A mother, even more so.

The Queen began walking in the direction Dale had likely taken. Lunaria and the King followed alongside her.

Although Dale had set out in secret, the fact that knights had been discreetly stationed here and there could be considered a silver lining—they had a firm grasp of the direction he had taken.

The place they arrived at was a specialized lodging used for lovers’ trysts.

Considering the location, the purpose of the establishment, and the characteristics of the two people who had entered, it was clear to those who knew them well that it was Dale and Manna. Yet, this finally touched the last nerve of the King and Queen.

　

“Let us return. Lunaria, our break ends here.……… And now, we must make amends for the past few months.”

“This occasion alone is enough. I am disappointed in him.”

　

The three walked in silence to where the carriage was waiting.

Once inside, rocked by the motion, the King spoke.

　

“My Queen, send your familiars to the castle once more. Command them to gather the concubines, the princesses, and the princes—all of them.”

“Understood, Your Majesty. Lunaria, please send your familiars to the three dukes.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

　

From the carriage, the familiars took off in different directions with incredible speed.

In the carriage, Lunaria smirked inwardly, careful not to let the couple see. She never imagined it would go this smoothly.

If only Dale had reconsidered and just done his job properly, this wouldn’t have happened.

She could barely contain her laughter, but she held it back desperately.

　

“(Fools….and Saint Manna, I suppose I should thank you, the heroine, for your stupidity.)”

　

　

　

　

　

Upon arriving at the Royal Castle, the King and Queen hurried to their respective chambers to change. Then, they faced the concubines, princes, and princesses gathered in the castle’s grand conference hall directly.

Even though they had received notice a short while ago, it was impossible for them to harbor any good feelings toward the King and his Queen, who had treated them coldly. However, the King and his Queen bowed deeply to them.

It’s no wonder the concubines murmured in disbelief.

The King who had paid them attention only once—or until they bore him children, and the Queen he adored with all his heart, bowed to them.

　

“Umm… what is this…”

　

The First Consort asked timidly.

　

“We have decided to disinherit Dale.”

　

The King, still bowing his head, announced the decision made inside the carriage.

The concubines murmured even more restlessly at his words.

　

“Why…”

“Didn’t you clearly state that he would be Crown Prince because he was the Queen’s child?”

“Why! Why now!”

　

The princesses and the princes were stunned.

The King, who had always treated them coldly up until now, kept his head bowed with a solemn expression. However, even though he was bowing like this, they couldn’t—and didn’t want to—forgive him easily.

Amidst all the confusion, several people, including the princesses and princes, turned their gazes to Lunaria, who stood beside the King and Queen with an unruffled expression.

　

“Duchess Solfege…… do you know why this is happening?”

“Yes.”

　

She nodded without hesitation, and the first to respond was the First Consort.

　

“You agreed to the re-engagement because it was His Majesty the King’s command, did you not? For what purpose?”

“………”

“Despite already holding the position of Head of the foremost Duke House, did you still desire power that much, I wonder? “

　

Her tone was mocking, but Lunaria remained completely unmoved. Far from it, she continued speaking without the slightest change in expression.

　

“I never forgave His Highness Dale.”

“……… Huh?”

“His Majesty the King, along with Her Majesty the Queen, sought to keep Prince Dale as Crown Prince by issuing a royal decree to enforce my second engagement to him.”

“… Oh…”

“A decree made regarding me, a woman whose engagement was once annulled due to a scandal. And despite the fact that his infidelity continues to this day.”

　

The scandal involving Dale, which was so disgraceful that it had even reached the ears of the harem.

Lunaria, the person directly involved, stated this so casually that the concubines were utterly dumbfounded.

　

“Did you think I would rejoice in an engagement to such a man?”

“Of course not. …Then why go to such lengths…! For these past few months, haven’t you worked tirelessly, driven yourself relentlessly, pushing forward with reckless abandon!”

“I didn’t wish for those who have made a fool of me… to get away with it unscathed.”

　

Little by little, they began to grasp Lunaria’s intent. The King and the Queen. And the concubines, too.

　

“How could he remain Crown Prince if he exposed himself to further scandal?”

　

Quietly, calmly, Lunaria spoke.

　

“The premarital relations and numerous trysts with the Lady Saint, whom he was supposed to have parted ways with. Today, he is out with her once more.”

“With the Lady Saint “.

　

Continuing thus, Lunaria glanced sideways at the Queen, whose rage had transcended fury and rendered her void, then she opened her mouth.

　

“He shifted the duties imposed upon him onto others, and as for his obligations as a fiancé… well, one could perhaps say he fulfilled them at the weekly tea gatherings. But abandoning any semblance of rational thought to indulge in pleasure… Is such a person truly necessary?”

　

Next, Lunaria asked everyone present.

　

“And Saint Manna, who makes no effort to fulfill even one of her duties… is she also necessary?”

　

Necessary or not?

How could those who fail to fulfill their roles be entrusted with power?

　

“I have long pondered how His Majesty the King might come to see reality.”

　

The young Duchess, barely older than a young lady, continued cheerfully.

　

“At last, he has faced reality. The result is the decision to disinherit him.”

　

Lunaria smoothly extended her hand toward the Second Prince.

　

“Your Highness the Second Prince. We, the Four Great Duke Houses, shall henceforth be your sword and your shield. We shall clear the path through the thorns, provided you do not lose your way.”

　

With a crack, sparks flew near the entrance to the grand conference room. Simultaneously, three ‘Gates’ opened.

Duchess Mitzegard, Duke Astoria, and Duke Curtus arrived at the scene.

They knelt respectfully before the Second Prince, and Lunaria knelt as well, still in her dress.

　

“Please, become the ruler of us, the people of this nation.”

“Eh, um…”

　

Though flustered by the unfamiliarity and sudden appointment as Crown Prince, the Second Prince knew the King had already shed his role as ‘father’ and given his answer as the ‘King’ of a nation. Realizing he must respond, the Second Prince took a deep breath.

　

“Take their hands. You shall henceforth begin your education as Crown Prince…. Even as the son of a concubine, your aptitude is more than sufficient. My own judgment was clouded… For that, I sincerely apologize. And with this moment, I declare the Second Prince to be Crown Prince!”

　

In Falitus’ eyes, the Second Prince was likely the most qualified to be Crown Prince—and later King. The Third Prince certainly had ample talent, but his position as Alicia’s fiancé was a factor. If considering who to support, the choice was unequivocally the Second Prince.

The princesses also had potential, but the Second Prince’s age and experience were insurmountable obstacles.

　

“Your Highness the Second Prince… you need not worry. We are here.”

　

So please! Lunaria offered a smile.

Her gaze said, ‘It will be alright’ and ‘You can do it’.

　

“As you command… I humbly accept the duty of Crown Prince.”

　

A wave of applause erupted.

The man whose succession had just been revoked remained lost in blissful dreams, still reveling in Manna’s supple form. He had a cold but competent Crown Princess, and a Saint who charmed him and satisfied him both physically and emotionally. Dale smiled foolishly, thinking that the future he had imagined had finally arrived. What awaited Dale in the palace, however, were guards, knights, and every servant in the palace staring down at him coldly.

　

　

　

　

Dale was literally dragged, not just figuratively, into the audience chamber.

He was violently pulled down, restrained, and forced to lift his face. Seated before him were the King and Queen, and Lunaria.

Unusually present were the three concubines and their daughters and sons.

Next to Lunaria stood Three Dukes side by side.

　

“Huh…?”

“You may live as you please from now on.”

　

Hearing his father’s cold words, Dale finally realised that something was terribly wrong, but it was already too late.

　

“As of this very moment, you are disinherited. I twice used royal decrees to arrange a union between you and Duchess Solfege, so you may maintain your status as Crown Prince, but it was all utterly futile. The Royal Family will formally apologize to Duchess Solfege, and pay compensation. To ensure she does not divulge any knowledge gained during her Crown Princess education, a memory-erasing spell covering her training period shall be administered immediately. Furthermore, due to the Duchess of Solfege’s considerable magical abilities, a memory-erasing poison will also be administered as a precaution. Bear with us, Lunaria.”

“Certainly.”

“W, wait a moment! Isn’t this far too one-sided!”

“………… One-sided?”

　

The Queen’s cold voice echoed.

　

“After meeting secretly with Saint Manna and hearing what was whispered there, what possible reason could there be to keep you as Crown Prince?”

“Wh, w, wh, wha, what? Wait, why? How did you—?”

“You treated Lunaria with contempt all this time, yet had the audacity to condemn her for the difference in her attitude towards the dukes she trusts… To put your own actions aside and then say such things… How very admirable.”

　

Opening her fan, the Queen looked down on Dale with contempt.

　

“I wonder where I went wrong. You weren’t always like this… Could that so-called Saint have cast some strange spell on you? For example… a forbidden spell like Charm, perhaps?”

“Manna…… M, Manna is not that kind of woman! Isn’t Lunaria the one at fault here? I’m her fiancé, for heaven’s sake?! Yet she won’t even smile at me! She doesn’t give me gifts! What’s wrong with seeking solace elsewhere!”

“I merely imitated your own behavior. And yet you take offense at this… don’t you find that ironic?”

　

Hearing it said with a smile, he was utterly speechless.

Not smiling at Lunaria, not giving her gifts—that’s exactly what Dale had been doing all along.

Yet demanding Lunaria “behave properly” felt less like audacity and more like asking to be dismissed with “Who do you think you are?”

　

“You are no longer needed. Vanish wherever you please. Ah, I nearly forgot… There is one other useless thing here…”

　

The King’s grin made him feel a sudden, terrifying chill.

The King and Queen no longer saw him as their son, and he had not realized just how overwhelming their authority as rulers could be.

He tried to steady his trembling legs, but from outside the audience chamber, he could hear various screams and shrill voices.

Glancing over to see what it was, he saw Manna and her parents being dragged into the audience chamber.

　

” What the hell! Dragging me here like this… Ah… Dale!! Hey, help me! They dragged my father and mother here by force, too! I didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Y, you idiot! Know your place!”

　

Manna’s face lit up as soon as she saw Dale, but when she saw everyone else who was there, her expression instantly stiffened.

　

“Huh…?”

　

Why had she been brought here?

Why was she being treated like this when she was the Heroine?

Thoughts swirled chaotically in her mind, but one thing she understood clearly.

　

“It’s all your fault, Lunaria!!! You bitch!!! Stop interfering with me, Dale, and the other love interests, no matter what!!”

“M, Manna…?”

　

The shrill scream made everyone’s expressions freeze—Dale, the King and Queen, the concubines, and everyone present except the Dukes.

　

“What are you saying…?”

“… disgusting…”

“More importantly, how dare the daughter of a Viscount speak so rudely to the head of a Duke Family…”

“That one… with His Royal Highness the First Prince…”

“Hey, stop it! If we make eye contact, who knows what kind of spell that fake Saint might cast on us too…!”

　

The princes whispered amongst themselves.

Only Manna glared at Lunaria with a demonic expression.

Watching Lunaria rise and close the distance step by step, Manna’s eyes widened.

Lunaria, who had only looked at Manna in a somewhat exasperated manner, was now looking at her with the gaze of a true “Villainess”.

It wasn’t just a glare.

　

Contempt, disgust, scorn.

　

Eyes that could be interpreted in any way, eyes that regarded her as an enemy from the depths of her soul.

　

“Uh, ah.”

“How dare a mere Viscount’s daughter speak to me, the Head of the foremost Duke House…”

“Hi.”

“You, who won’t even try to do anything, can’t possibly be the Saint! You must be a demon pretending to be the Saint!!”

“No, stop—”

　

Mana gathered thickly around Lunaria.

She suddenly felt an intense feeling of pressure and shortness of breath, and her body began to tremble.

　

“S, stop, please— “

“………………………………… Hey.”

　

There was a single click of a heel.

Then, Lunaria lowered her hips to bring her mouth close to Manna’s ear and whispered.

　

“I wonder who was the villain, and for whom?”

“………………… Huh?”

　

Looking down at Manna, whose eyes were so wide they looked like they were about to pop out of her head, she raised her hand and unleashed a wave of mana at her in one swift motion.

It took the form of chains, tightening around her entire body and seeping into her skin.

　

“Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It hurts, it hurts! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts!!!!!!!!! My body hurts!!!!!! Why!!! What is this!!!!!! How, how can you!!!!!! How can a Villainess like you use magic sealing!!!!!!!”

　

As she writhed and screamed, Manna’s magic was completely sealed by Lunaria.

Why could she use that magic?

How had Lunaria become capable of such a thing?

Shrieking with a multitude of meanings, Manna demanded answers.

　

“… Who do you think I am?”

　

Lunaria spat out the words, cold to the very core.

　

“I am Lunaria Il von Solfege, the head of the Solfege Duke Household. The rightful heir to the Scarlet Rose.”

　

Raising her hand, the emblem of the head of the family shone with a lustrous crimson light.

　

“And your ‘Villainess’.… Former Saint Manna.”

　

Everyone who saw Manna scream at the top of her lungs, in what could only be described as a battle cry, thought the same thing.

　

“Ah, this Saint was mad. The First Prince, who fell under the spell of this madwoman, must surely be mad as well.”

　

Dale, stared at with pitying eyes, barely managed to hold back the urge to lose his mind.

　

When did everything start to go so terribly wrong?

… It’s probably because I neglected Lunaria.

When did I become someone others thought strange?

……… Because I fell in love with Manna, even if only for a moment.

　

“Villainess Lunaria” would not forgive that.

She showed no mercy whatsoever. She erased the engagement entirely, as if it had never existed.

　

She purged those who had tormented her.

　

The final act concluded thus.

　

First Prince Dale, along with Saint Manna.

The two were held accountable for everything that had happened since the graduation party and exiled to a small palace at the northern edge of the Kingdom.

It was the final prison—once entered, escape was impossible.

　

“Th, this place…”

　

Manna knew.

It is a palace where the “Villainess” had been imprisoned until her death.

She recognized the room and furnishings from the stills.

　

“Aha, ha………”

　

The last thread of her sanity snapped, severed, broken.

　

　

　

　

“Didn’t I tell you? I won’t forgive you.”

　

　

　

　

Manna thought she heard Lunaria’s voice, sounding delightfully pleased.

　

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