A World Where You All Are The Villains [Novel] Chapter 70

"How couldn't you say a single word about something so important to your own father?!"

My contemplation was cut short in an instant.

The Duke's thunderous roar crashed down on me from above.

Now that I had roughly grasped the situation, it was time to formulate an excuse that fit the narrative laid out before me.

"It was dark because it was night… and I didn't even know he was the criminal. I just happened to see him coming out of the Outer Guest Palace…"

"Same goes for the Grand Duke asking you to identify the culprit's face. You should have consulted me first and taken an escort with you at the very least!"

"I thought I'd just confirm the face quickly and come right back. And since His Highness the Grand Duke was there, I figured nothing would happen."

"Is that the issue here?! Why on earth would a girl who's never even heard of drugs blindly go to a place like that?! What if you accidentally ingested something and got poisoned, huh?!"

"…That's why I brought Aston along, just in case."

"Is a healer omnipotent?! Honestly, nothing but excuses…"

Perhaps thrusting Aston into the explanation worked, as the Duke's anger thankfully subsided a bit.

It seemed he was primarily furious that I had gone directly to a group drug den to identify the criminal.

You couldn't arrest someone just for doing drugs.

Perhaps due to the harsh reality of this world, drugs weren't actually illegal here, just like in the modern world I used to live in.

Of course, socially, the prevailing attitude was one of deep contempt, exactly like the Duke's.

"…That bastard should know better than to drag a noble lady to a place like that. He calls himself a man, yet he can't handle his own affairs and has to borrow the hands of a girl much younger than him?"

Meanwhile, the Duke had shifted his target and began cursing out the Grand Duke.

Listening to him go off, I realized his insults were quite vicious.

"Tsk, this is why men with no proper upbringing are…"

"Father, isn't that… technically insulting the late Emperor?"

"Ahem!"

The Duke hastily cleared his throat and changed the subject.

"Anyway! If something like this happens one more time… A month or two of being grounded won't be the end of it! You will be confined to your room without taking a single step outside until the Equinis Ceremony!"

Being grounded didn't sound too bad, but I still felt slightly wronged.

When I pouted my lips in budding dissatisfaction, the Duke glared at me, hissing, "Tsk!"

I quickly reeled my lips back in and answered meekly.

"…I'm sorry, Father. I was short-sighted."

Regardless, thanks to Male Lead No. 4's quick thinking, the situation had been resolved smoothly, so I could just let it go at that.

Yet, the reason I willingly apologized was because I felt I somewhat understood why the Duke had been so fiercely angry.

Even while he was scolding me… he genuinely felt like a parent.

It was strange.

Not too long ago, I strictly warned myself not to be fooled again.

Yet, despite his furious expression, that sliver of undeniable worry, concern, and affection made me blabber on as if he were controlling me.

"I was ignorant because it was my first time dealing with something like this. It won't happen again, and from now on, I will unconditionally tell you first, Father."

"…"

"Please don't be angry anymore, Father."

At my words, the Duke suddenly drew in a sharp breath.

His blue eyes, which closely resembled my own, wavered greatly.

"Y-You've finally learned to say things like that…!"

He muttered like a man in shock, then abruptly cut himself off.

It seemed he had belatedly remembered, once again, that I had amnesia.

It wasn't even ridiculous anymore to see him shocked every single time.

I actually felt a bit sympathetic.

The Duke nodded somewhat awkwardly.

"Ahem. Right…"

A moment of silence passed.

After a short while, returning to his usual demeanor, he cautiously spoke up.

"So… how is your body?"

"I'm fine."

I added nonchalantly, "This happens sometimes, you know."

"The doctor said there's nothing wrong, so why on earth does this keep happening? Do you have any idea how shocked I was yesterday morning? I'm starting to wonder if I should replace the doctor, honestly…"

"Please don't. Even the healer said I was fine, didn't she? It's just because my body was worn out."

"This won't do. I'll have to order the kitchen to prepare revitalizing meals for you at least once a day starting today."

I just smiled vaguely.

In reality, I felt I was gradually improving.

Whether I was just getting used to it or not, the dizziness when using my ability had decreased, and the time I could hold out before passing out was getting longer.

But recently, I hadn't collapsed before making it home.

If I hadn't run into that crazy bastard Vincent, I might not have fainted at all.

"…What were you doing there with Vincent yesterday?"

As if he were recalling the exact same moment, the Duke suddenly asked.

"You seemed to be arguing… Why are you two fighting again when you're both fully grown?"

"Father."

Perfect timing. I decided to drive the wedge in completely.

"I don't know if you heard, but I cut ties with Vincent."

"C-Cut ties?!"

The Duke's jaw dropped at my words.

"Yes."

"Hah… If you live long enough, you truly see everything. For you to cut ties with Vincent… Wait, how did that happen?"

"He kept crossing the line with what he was saying to me."

"Crossing the line?"

The Duke looked at me expectantly, urging me to explain.

I pondered for a moment about how much I should tell him.

When I remembered how that bastard had tauntingly tattled on me right before I passed out, I wanted to tell the Duke every single thing, from A to Z.

But if I brought up the "spying" part, I would also have to confess about going to Volner.

Besides, even though he ratted me out to the Duke about my movements, he hadn't revealed my destination or who I had met with…

Either way, it was best to avoid any risks.

Finishing my thoughts, I condensed a lot of information into one simple sentence.

"He asked me how long I was going to keep lying about having amnesia, and told me not to drag your name through the mud."

"Wh-What?!"

However, the Duke's reaction was far more explosive than I had anticipated.

"What does it matter to him whether you drag your own father's name through the mud or smear shit all over it?! Who does he think he is to say such things to you?!"

I flinched slightly at his words, which were surprisingly similar to what I had said.

Then, I quickly feigned a sullen expression.

"Exactly…"

"Well done! You shouldn't associate with such an insolent brat!"

The Duke panted roughly, pointing his finger in the air.

"That Marquis Leandro, he's absolutely useless! Always blathering on about early education this, and proper etiquette that, every time we meet! He should focus on raising his own son properly before daring to let him spout such nonsense at someone else's daughter?!"

"I gave him a piece of my mind too, so please calm down, Father."

"Edith Blake."

The Duke suddenly called my name in a stern voice.

"…Yes?"

"Even though you lost your mother earlier than most, I never raised you to cower before anyone."

"…"

"So what if you're unawakened? If you're going to get beaten up somewhere, I'd rather you beat them up instead! Do you lack a family backing you, or do you lack money?! What do you have to feel inferior about to let yourself get pushed around?"

His sudden lecture left me both bewildered and a bit puzzled.

"I've never let anyone push me around, though?"

"Then why, that last time…"

The Duke abruptly stopped speaking.

He scanned my face with a strangely stiff expression.

For some reason, his gaze was cautious and deeply probing.

I merely looked back at him in confusion.

"…Ahem, anyway."

Finally concluding his scrutiny, he slowly opened his mouth.

"You are the one and only daughter of Darius Blake. Always act with confidence. Confidently. Do you understand?"

Perhaps a bit embarrassed by his own words, the Duke avoided my gaze.

It was an affectionate scolding, the kind that could easily be exchanged between an ordinary father and daughter.

It wasn't intentional, but my initial plan of "getting along with the Duke" to avoid being kicked out was slowly becoming a reality.

Yet, strangely enough, it wasn't a very welcome feeling.

And it wasn't just because I wasn't the real Edith.

It was simply because of a sudden question that popped into my head.

If the real Edith were here, would she have been happy to hear those words?

Sadly, I wouldn't have been.

Ultimately, his words «So what if you're unawakened?» I knew far too well that it was just empty talk.

Because I had already been broken and shattered.

"…Yes."

I answered with a quiet smile.

"I will, Father."