The Villainous Noblewoman Is About to Be Forced into Love, Isn't This Wrong?-Chapter 80: King Lisat

Mepeilu’s pressure was too much!

“Mm, I understand. In about a week, I should be able to send it to Her Highness Liana.”

Since this was a new technique, it wasn’t yet fully mastered and required more time.

“How is it? Does the royal cuisine suit your taste?” Mepeilu asked. “If you need anything, just place your hand on that magic book, and someone will come immediately.”

Magic again. It seemed that the demand for magic in the Lisat royal capital had increased significantly. People unable to use magic were probably struggling to find a place for themselves.

However, the number of people who could use magic was also increasing rapidly. Before long, the number of those unable to use magic might become the minority.

Even so, this kind of discrimination made Liana feel quite uncomfortable.

“It looks like without magic, it’s impossible to take even a step in Lisat’s royal capital,” Liana sighed. Five years ago, things hadn’t been like this.

“This was the decision of the First Prince, Hodwin Lisat. He believes that those unable to use magic will inevitably become a burden to Lisat. No matter what, the contributions of non-magic users can never surpass those who can wield magic.”

“The old king doesn’t think that way, does he?” Liana questioned. The Lisat King shouldn’t be fond of such policies.

“His Majesty the King has almost no involvement in the kingdom’s affairs anymore. He has handed everything over to the three princes for governance. Right now, it’s a state of precarious stability—after all, there are three princes.”

“If someone wants to target one of them, they must also be wary of the other two. Since none of the heirs can eliminate the others outright, they can only focus on completing their own tasks.”

“As long as it doesn’t cause massive disruption to Lisat, His Majesty turns a blind eye. Besides, considering the current results, the policy seems to be working well.”

“Even though some might see it as unfair, overall, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Moreover, those who can’t use magic but have talents are still rewarded—just not as much as those who can.”

“I see.” Liana could understand the First Prince’s reasoning. It was extreme, but undeniably effective.

“By the way, Liana, His Majesty the King wishes to see you. Will you come with me?” Mephilang asked.

“His Majesty...?”

To be honest, Liana didn’t really want to go. It was the King after all. She felt a bit pressured. Besides, it had been five years since she last met him.

How was she supposed to face him now? It was a problem. But it was also something she had to deal with eventually. Even if she refused now, she would have to meet him sooner or later.

And besides, rejecting the invitation now didn’t seem to offer any benefits.

“...I feel a little nervous,” Liana admitted.

“The King isn’t that scary. Just relax,” Mephilang reassured her.

“Do I need to prepare a gift or something? Does the King know about the mischief I’ve been up to? Do I have to explain everything that’s happened lately?”

“Your Highness Liana, you sound like someone about to meet their lover’s parents for the first time,” Minoja commented.

Liana didn’t have any particular reaction to Minoja’s words. It was her first time meeting the King, so it was natural to feel a little nervous. She had also heard all sorts of exaggerated stories about him growing up. Plus, her parents seemed to have a good relationship with the King, which only made her worry more—what if she got scolded?

However, upon hearing her own words, Minoja’s face turned red, and she frantically tried to wave it off.

This woman really couldn’t resist stirring up trouble!

“Feeling nervous about meeting the King is normal, isn’t it?” Liana sighed. “Besides, my reputation isn’t exactly great. Maybe His Majesty has already heard about me?”

In public, her golden status was useful. But in front of the King, it was just laughable.

“Well, there’s only one way to find out,” Minoja said.

“No need to prepare gifts. His Majesty doesn’t care about such things... Just showing up is enough,” Mephilang added.

“...Alright.” The only way to know was to go and meet him.

Worrying about it now wouldn’t change anything.

“Shall we go now? Since I’ve decided, I don’t want to waste time.”

“Have you finished eating, Liana?”

“Mm, I’m full. Besides, with you around, Mephilang, do you think I’d ever go hungry in Lisat’s royal capital?” Liana teased with a smile.

“You could never go hungry with me here, don’t worry,” Mephilang replied with a playful grin, standing up. “Alright, follow me.”

As the two of them stepped out of the room, Liana was surprised to see that the outside was already packed with people.

And this was before the festival had even started. She couldn’t imagine how much livelier it would be once it did.

Just looking at the scene made Liana’s social anxiety act up. If she was made to stand on that stage and speak, there was absolutely no way she could do it.

She raised her head and saw a man standing on the high stage, dressed in luxurious attire. His golden hair alone was enough to indicate his status. Every movement he made exuded regal grace.

That man was the current King of Lisat—Auster Lisat.

At the moment, he was addressing the nobles who supported him.

But Liana had no interest in what he was saying.

At that moment, Auster lifted his gaze. His crimson eyes locked onto Liana.

For a few seconds, their eyes met.

Then, Auster’s lips curved into a mysterious smile.

Liana felt nothing but disgust. A shiver ran down her spine.

Auster didn’t care much for the bloodline struggles within the royal family. He wasn’t as decisive and sharp as the First Prince, nor was he as beloved by the people as Mepeilu.

But his age was on his side. He had achieved as much as they had, despite being younger.

That was why he used... certain special methods.

“...What is it?” Mephilang turned back and followed Liana’s gaze.

She saw Auster.

Without hesitation, she instinctively moved to shield Liana behind her.

She leaned in and whispered, “Don’t worry, Liana. I won’t let him hurt you.”

“It’s nothing,” Liana exhaled and shrugged her shoulders. “Let’s just go.”

Leaving the noise of the banquet behind, Liana finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Liana, it seems like you don’t enjoy these kinds of occasions. You weren’t this resistant before," Mepeilu remarked.

"That was then, this is now," Liana shrugged.

She didn’t mind standing in front of a crowd, as long as she convinced herself she was just an NPC. But if possible, she would rather avoid such situations altogether.

"It’s taking forever," Liana suddenly muttered.

They had been walking for over ten minutes, yet it felt like they hadn’t moved at all.

She had always thought the Venus Manor was vast, and she was well aware that the royal palace would be even larger, but the Lisat royal capital’s palace was far beyond her expectations.

"With so many guests, it’s not possible to host the banquet too close to His Majesty’s quarters," Mepeilu explained.

"That makes sense." But compared to this, her own home seemed almost compact.

After walking for another five minutes, Liana noticed knights clad in black armor and mages in gray robes standing on both sides of the corridor.

Their sheer presence was enough to intimidate any outsiders.

A quick glance down the hall revealed at least ten such units standing in formation.

And these were only the outer gate guards. Inside the palace, there were surely even more formidable royal protectors.

With such an overwhelming security presence, any intruder would abandon the idea of infiltration just by looking at them.

"Your Highness, Princess. Your Highness, Lady Liana."

Every time they passed a set of guards, the knights and mages greeted them with bows.

"Now that I think about it, this is your first time here, isn’t it, Liana?" Mepeilu asked.

"It seems so." Liana searched her memory but found no recollection of ever stepping foot in this place.

Most of her royal visits had been to the royal garden, accompanying her mother.

Five years ago, it was the King himself who had come to Venus Manor to see her.

But now, everyone was older, though Liana felt as if she had been old from the very start.

Her heartbeat quickened as they approached the inner security checkpoint. Seeing guards of this caliber, it was impossible not to feel nervous.

Mepeilu sensed Liana’s tension and casually linked arms with her.

"Relax. Don’t be too nervous. I’ll be right by your side."

"Mm." Liana’s breathing steadied.

At the end of the corridor, two stunning women stood guard. However, their insignias and the lack of any detectable magic aura made it immediately clear that these two were far from ordinary.

They were a High Executor Knight and a High Executor Mage—the King’s personal enforcers.

"Your Highness, Princess. Your Highness, Lady Liana."

"His Majesty should have already informed you of our visit. We’re here to see him," Mepeilu stated.

"Yes. However, Princess, you should know that protocol still applies." The Executor Mage’s voice was firm.

"Understood." Mepeilu turned to Liana. "Liana, stay calm. They just need to check if we’re carrying anything dangerous. It’s a magic-based scan, so it might feel slightly uncomfortable, but bear with it."

"Alright." Liana nodded.

"Excuse us, Your Highnesses."

A wave of magical energy wrapped around Liana. It wasn’t painful, just an eerie sensation of her entire body being scanned.

A few moments later, the results came in—both Mepeilu and Liana had passed the inspection.

"His Majesty is expecting you inside." The guards stepped aside and unlocked the mithril gate.

Liana stepped forward, taking a deep breath as the fresh air filled her lungs.

What lay before her was a breathtakingly beautiful courtyard.

She walked along a pebble-paved path, surrounded by ancient, verdant trees.

Between the trees, delicate green flowers swayed gently in the breeze, releasing a faint, pleasant fragrance.

At the courtyard’s center, a fountain gurgled softly. Its crystal-clear water shimmered, and at the bottom of the fountain, tiny fragments of star sand glittered like specks of blue light against the polished marble, resembling jade.

Sunlight filtered through the water, scattering into brilliant golden reflections—they landed softly on the back of a man tending to his garden.

He held a watering can, carefully nurturing the delicate seedlings.

Noticing their arrival, the man finally spoke.

"Welcome to my garden."

At this moment, there were only two people in this courtyard.

Liana recalled that the King should be over fifty years old by now.

In this world, magic extended lifespans, so he shouldn’t have visibly aged too much.

Yet the traces of time had clearly left their mark. His hair had turned gray.

He wore no extravagant robes, nor did he adorn his royal crown.

If anything, he looked less like a king and more like a humble old man devoted to his flowers.

But soon, Liana realized—she was wrong.

Though his golden hair had been touched by time, streaked with white, his sharp eyes remained as piercing and authoritative as ever.

Even without speaking, his presence carried an undeniable air of command.

The weight of his gaze alone was enough to make Liana feel oppressed.

"Your Majesty." Liana placed both hands over her chest and bowed her head in greeting.

"Liana."

The King of Lisat’s voice was deep and powerful.

"It’s been a long time."

Mepeilu, standing to the side, felt a sudden surge of nervousness.

Why was she feeling tense?

She had met the King countless times before. Why did it feel different now?

"It has been five years, Your Majesty."

The King studied her carefully. "You’re not quite what the rumors say."

"Is that so?"

Liana stood perfectly composed, hands folded in front of her.

Not a hint of rebellion could be seen in her demeanor.

The King put down his watering can and walked towards the pavilion.

"Sit."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Liana sat upright, her posture exemplary.

Mepeilu sat beside her, resting a hand on Liana’s hand.

A moment later, several vines extended across the table, carefully placing down a teapot and teacups, pouring steaming-hot tea for everyone.

"This is..." Liana observed the intricate floral crest on the cups—they were being manipulated by magic.

"In the original story, the King rarely acted directly. After Mepeilu’s mother passed, he had hidden away in the shadows, seldom interfering in the governance of Lisat."

But his children had not disappointed him. The kingdom flourished under their rule.

Still, Liana recalled hearing whispers—that certain figures within the royal family were becoming increasingly restless.

"If anyone underestimated the Lisat King because of his seemingly frail appearance... they would pay a terrible price."

Back in his prime, he had broken the shackles of tradition with his own fists and seized the throne single-handedly.

Never mind his royal guards—King Lisat himself was a Judicator-ranked powerhouse, ranking among the top ten Judicators in the world.

"Try it," King Lisat said.

"Alright."

Liana looked at the steaming cup, blew on it slightly, and took a small sip.

She froze.

Her entire body turned stone-cold, her expression stiff, her eye twitching uncontrollably.

【This is so bitter!!!】

Liana slowly set down the cup, a polite smile on her lips.

"It has a very refined taste, Your Majesty."

"Really? That’s strange. I remember Father’s tea always having a peculiar flavor."

Trusting Liana, Mepeilu took a small sip.

A moment later, she stuck out her tongue, grimacing.

"It’s so bitter...!"

Immediately, Liana felt a pair of resentful eyes locking onto her.

"Liar."

"Hahahahaha!"

King Lisat burst into hearty laughter.

"Liana, you’ve become much more diplomatic."

Liana simply responded with a courteous smile.

The King, clearly enjoying his tea, seemed genuinely satisfied. Or perhaps... not. It appeared everyone had their own unique tastes.

"Haha... Your Majesty, you have a rather distinct palate," Liana said, choosing her words carefully. "People’s tastes vary. Some might even enjoy the subtle sweetness that lingers afterward."

Internally, however—

【Who in their right mind would like something this bitter?! How do you even drink this?!】

King Lisat set his cup down, his piercing gaze locking onto her.

"You’re tactful, and quite different from how outsiders describe you. It seems there are many misunderstandings about you in the world."

Liana felt a cold sweat form on the back of her neck.

"Is this... the power of a Judicator?"

She had used no magic whatsoever, yet he had seen right through her in an instant.

This was bad.

If a Judicator could detect things so effortlessly, then the Judicator by Auster’s side would undoubtedly report it to him as well.

"Your Majesty, how did you know that I can use magic?" Liana asked cautiously.

"Minoja told me."

"......"

Liana felt speechless.

"Then, if Miss Minoja hadn’t told you, would you have been able to tell?"

This was crucial information.

It would determine her next course of action.

King Lisat chuckled. "As of now, no one can determine magic ability just by looking at someone. If you don’t actively use magic, even I wouldn’t be able to tell."

Liana exhaled in relief.

She could still keep it hidden for a while longer.

"But, you’ve truly surprised me," King Lisat continued, his gaze filled with interest. "Minoja told me everything about what you’ve been through these past few years. To think that at such a young age, you were able to think so far ahead."

Liana could only offer her well-practiced, ambiguous smile.

"To think Saint Lucia would be so ruthless to her own maid that she resorted to using forbidden substances," King Lisat mused. "Though... that’s quite fitting for noble politics."

He studied Liana closely, as if waiting for her response.

Liana shook her head. "Your Majesty, you’ve misunderstood Countess Ruth."

"Aside from me being a terrible father, do we have any evidence that she wasn’t involved?"

King Lisat raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued.

"So, Minoja wasn’t exaggerating. Fine, let me hear what you, the so-called 'villain,' think."

Liana hesitated for a moment before deciding to speak her mind.

"My thoughts? They’re not that complicated. Venus Manor still needs stabilization. We need someone who can unify people—a presentable figure. And for that role, Countess Ruth is the best choice."

"She may want her son to inherit the Venus estate, but even if you gave her twice the courage, she wouldn’t dare to dabble in forbidden arts."

"In fact, I suspect she doesn’t even know about the forbidden magic involved in this incident."

"That leaves only one possibility—someone must be backing her. A noble, likely one of the heirs, using this event to drag Mepeilu down with me."

"Over the past three years, Mepeilu has lost some supporters because of me—directly ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) or indirectly."

"If Countess Ruth wants to use me to harm Mepeilu, then why can’t I use her own intentions against her to find the mastermind behind all this?"

Among the three heirs, excluding Mepeilu, only two remained.

It wasn’t difficult to narrow it down.

The challenge was finding evidence.

"That’s why I want to maintain the current situation and keep up appearances. That’s what I intend to do next."

King Lisat nodded. "You wish to prove your worth to your father?"

"My father and I have survived life-and-death situations together. If he ignored me, it wasn’t because he didn’t care—it was because Venus Manor is a battlefield of its own. If I can’t rise above the power struggles, then I have no right to be acknowledged."

"A king bears responsibility for an entire kingdom. Personal sentiments cannot override national duty."

"Just as Your Majesty does now—you’re well aware of the unrest among your people. This, too, is your test for the heirs."

"Can they eliminate the hidden threats within Lisat? Can they root out the traitors? As future rulers, these are their trials."

King Lisat had always been satisfied with Mepeilu.

His only concern had been Liana.

But now... he seemed somewhat reassured.

"Clap, clap, clap."

King Lisat applauded.

"Impressive. Very impressive."

The repeated praise made Liana slightly embarrassed.

"It’s nothing much... just a small effort to make up for what Mepeilu has lost."

She gently squeezed Mepeilu’s hand.

King Lisat smiled. "I can entrust Venus Manor to you with peace of mind."

Liana, however, shook her head.

"Your Majesty, I’m not interested in inheriting the Venus estate. I believe my sister, Aileen, is far more suited for the role."

"Even if I were qualified, I wouldn’t take the position. It’s way too much of a hassle."

"Aileen can have it."

King Lisat chuckled. "Aileen, huh? She is indeed a promising candidate."

Even though he had stepped back from politics, he still kept an eye on the promising successors among the nobility.

"I am merely an old man who enjoys gardening now," he said with a sigh. "As long as you don’t threaten Lisat, I will not interfere in your struggles for power."

Then, he turned to Mepeilu.

"I am very satisfied with you. You are intelligent and diligent. But you understand well—power struggles are cruel."

Finally, he looked at Liana.

"Just as your father entrusted me with his trust, I now entrust Mepeilu to you."

Mepeilu’s face flushed red.

"F-Father... what do you mean by that?!"

"What do you mean, 'entrust Mepeilu to me'?!