Chapter 7

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Even Though I'm the Villainess, I Imprinted with the Male Lead Chapter 16

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"This is totally it—the male lead from the original epilogue who only has eyes for the heroine."

In the final episode, the two protagonists hold a grand wedding blessed by everyone and spend their first night together.

"Since that was the protagonists' wedding night, the imprint must have happened then..."

So there was nothing strange about Richt turning into a doting husband.

But the current situation was a complete disaster...

"Stop it! I'm doing this to fix what's gone wrong."

Luciana shook her head so vigorously it felt like it might fly off, then plopped down at the desk right away.

First, she decided to jot down in chronological order exactly what herbs had been used and how they'd been mixed to undo the imprint. It might also be good to look up info on rut periods while she was at it.

Even if sorting it all out took a fair bit of time, the detailed notes on side effects and effects would make the analysis much easier.

Scratch, scratch.

It was quite a hefty amount for one person to tackle alone, but Luciana lost track of time and stayed glued to the desk.

For a while, the only sound in the lab was the frantic scratching of her pen.

"..."

Who had slipped something into his drink?

'Could've been someone disguised as a palace servant.'

The circumstances made it worth investigating, but even as a great noble, he had no authority to probe the imperial palace.

Of course, if he petitioned the emperor directly, it might be possible. But a request from Richt, who never asked for even the smallest favors, would undoubtedly pique the emperor's interest and lead to relentless digging.

Besides, by now the culprit had likely destroyed all evidence and fled, so even if he interrogated everyone under the sun—with his memories still foggy—he'd get nowhere.

'I need to assemble a team and order an investigation before the day's out.'

They'd be in the middle of training right about now.

Thinking of the knights, Richt grimaced for a moment.

Whether it was due to his heightened sensitivity after the imprint, his headaches had been coming more frequently.

'Maybe I should brew some medicine.'

Rubbing his temples, Richt headed for the training grounds.

Karanta Knights.

This was the group led by Richt, composed solely of knights selected for their skills.

Perhaps because they valued nothing but pure knightly ability, their swordsmanship rivaled that of the palace knights, who only admitted the absolute elite.

"No doubt about it. I saw her leaving the mansion myself."

"Pink hair? Then it has to be that family, right? Uh... Marquis Leslie's house?"

"I've heard of her! The sister that Sub-Marquis Leslie absolutely adores!"

The one downside was that, since skill was the sole entry requirement, there were a few members who didn't quite fit the stoic knight image—like these three, who were currently hotly debating the duke's lady.

They were the chattiest guys in the entire order.

"You sure you didn't see wrong?"

"My vision's 20/20 in both eyes."

"Whoa, if it's true, that's huge news."

The iron-walled captain bringing a noble lady home from a ball? Unheard of!

Sure, minding your own business was the polite thing when it came to others' love lives, but they couldn't shake their curiosity about the mystery woman who'd stolen Richt's night.

It wasn't some sleazy interest in a woman who'd spent the night with a man.

It was just astonishment that Richt—who at twenty-five had never so much as held a woman's hand—had finally changed. And anticipation for the pink winds of romance soon to blow.

They'd worried about him, after all. No fiancée, no interest in women whatsoever.

Damn it—no, his prickly personality was the only flaw. His Grace had looks that could topple the empire's most handsome men, plus unmatched status and wealth.

A captain who had everything but personality should've had no trouble finding a bride. But time waited for no man...

"So that's why he's been so busy these past few days?"

"Finally, a lady to melt our captain's frozen heart...!"

The burly knights chuckled lecherously among themselves, imagining some passionate, fateful romance.

"...Hey, but."

"Huh?"

One knight who'd been silently watching spoke up, as if something had just clicked.

"Not blonde, pink hair?"

"Why bring that up now... Oh!"

The knight who'd spotted Luciana nodded silently at first, then smacked his forehead as realization dawned.

"Yeah, come to think of it... Didn't he have that kinda ambiguous thing with that bold countess's lady?"

The question hung in the air, and silence fell instantly.

They'd all guarded Richt before, so they knew about Deborah.

The cheerful lady who never failed to appear wherever the captain went, asking about the weather or his mood, sticking around persistently.

The only woman who'd kept showing interest without wilting in the face of his icy demeanor—even to the point of tears.

"Nah. When you get down to it, they weren't really anything."

"Still, lately the captain seemed a bit softer with her?"

"Probably just got tired of chasing her off."

"Maybe. Makes sense for the captain..."

You couldn't say there was some spark between them for sure. But since she was the only woman he'd ever really talked to, it left a vague feeling.

"Oh? There's Rick!"

As they stewed in that ambiguity, one knight spotted a redhead approaching the training grounds from afar and shouted.

Perfect timing.

The guy who'd been sent on a special errand to Lordwell that morning by the captain himself!

'This has to be about the future madam!'

The knights who'd just been gossiping about Luciana and Richt exchanged sly glances and stood up.

"Where've you been, showing up now?"

"What, get lost?"

Rick scowled at his colleagues, who grinned creepily and slung arms around his shoulders the moment he reached the grounds.

As expected, the suspicious trio reeked of ulterior motives and ganged up on him relentlessly.

"Hey, Rick. Quick question. You've been out 'cause of a personal mission from the captain, right?"

"...Yeah."

Where'd they eavesdrop that from?

Rick snapped at them from the side, but they pressed on.

"What'd you do in Lordwell?"

"Why do I gotta tell you?"

Staring at their uncharacteristically sparkling eyes, Rick went fully defensive.

"Argh! Why?!"

"You mocking the captain's orders? No matter the mission's importance, flapping your mouths like this is disqualification for a knight serving his lord."

"Urk..."

To be fair, it wasn't even classified—just deliver an item, simple as that.

He could've brushed it off easily, but seeing their overeager interest, something told him not to spill.

"We're done here. I'm going."

"Wait! Just one more minute!"

"Ugh, you're like leeches. Scram!"

As Rick shook off the arm grabbing him and tried to leave, the most insistent one clung to his waist, pleading.

"Th-then! Was the person on this mission Lady Leslie of Marquis Leslie's house?"

"..."

Rick furrowed his brow ambiguously at the desperate question, lost in thought.

Leslie? Had His Grace ever mentioned that name? All he'd gotten today was info on a handkerchief and the name Lirian.

"What? Your silence means yes?"

"Told ya I saw right!"

The knights took his quiet as confirmation.

But,

"Sigh. Whatever you idiots are thinking, you're way off base."

"What?!"

They panicked at his firm denial.

Rick couldn't stand their stupidity anymore and tossed out a line.

"I could tell you details, but I won't. And it has nothing to do with Marquis Leslie's house."

Rick walked off without looking back, leaving the knights scratching their heads as they returned to their spots.

"Weird? It was definitely pink hair."

"Drop it. Whoever it is, the duke's house is getting a lady soon an—"

"You lot must really be itching to die."