The Crazy Villainess in This Area Is Me

“What did Your Majesty say just now…?”

“The first prince has taken a liking to the concubine of the Marquis Hamilton.”

“

” Endimion sighed deeply without realizing it.

Ever since he came to the capital for the noble assembly, he had received countless glances. It was because he had taken a concubine, a dishonorable act. Yet, he was proud. Love was an honorable thing. How could loving someone be dishonorable? Moreover, the high nobles all secretly kept concubines themselves. Compared to them, he was truly courageous.

“The social circles are rife with rumors that I have taken a commoner as a concubine. And now Your Majesty says the first prince has feelings for her?”

“That’s right. Seeing today, the Marquis Hamilton has indeed chosen a fine concubine.”

Endimion cocked his head at the peculiar tone. “Did Your Majesty see Lobelia?”

“Yes. I invited her to today’s tea party. I tested her to see her true character. And she was furiously indignant.”

Remembering being insulted by Lobelia, she felt anger rising again. Although she hadn’t intended to, sarcastic words about her inadvertently slipped out of her mouth.

“

, did that happen? Lobelia is indeed straightforward and refreshing by nature.”

However, he took Patricia’s words at face value and brushed them off nonchalantly.

The empress opened her mouth as if in disbelief. “…It was quite a shock to me and the other ladies.”

“That’s understandable. She has always been a woman strong enough to shock anyone.” Endimion smiled broadly, showing his teeth.

Patricia let out a small snort of laughter. “Moreover, I heard she’s been splurging in the commercial districts. Seems she has expensive tastes?”

“

, that’s Lobelia for you. Regrettably, when we got married, I had to conceal my status and couldn’t buy her nice things.”

“Yes?”

“Moreover, when she buys something, she always chooses quality items that last a long time.”

The empress’s face was colored with astonishment at his answer. It was as if a solid shield was up, preventing the usual social circle sarcasm from getting through.

Since this was the first time Marquis Hamilton was alone with her, she had not expected him to be such a naive man. How foolish it is to have been deceived by the first prince and the cunning woman.

She cleared her throat and spoke again. “Anyway, it’s a big deal that the first prince has set his sights on Marquis Hamilton’s concubine. It’s a disgrace to both the imperial family and Marquis’s family.”

“

.. Your Majesty is right.”

Endimion’s face darkened instantly. Having declared her his official concubine, he thought Frinel had given up on him. But if even the empress knew, it meant those feelings were still intact.

“Your Majesty must help me. How can one cast their eyes on someone’s woman, especially the first prince?” He pleaded pitifully, his drooping eyes becoming more so.

“As the mother of the first prince, of course, I must intervene.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. You’re truly the mother of all.”

“But there is one problem.”

Although eliminating the first prince was a priority, she couldn’t just ignore the betrayal of the Marchioness Hamilton. Patricia covered her rising smile with her fan, speaking sadly.

“It seems Marchioness Hamilton has joined hands with the first prince.”

“What? What do you mean my wife has joined hands with the first prince?”

“That’s a matter for Marquis Hamilton to handle internally.”

“

… Understood, Your Majesty.” Endimion pressed his tired eyelids and nodded.

The empress took a sip of her tea, taking a moment to breathe. Having sown discord regarding the first prince and mentioned the Marchioness Hamilton, it was time to move on to the second main point.

“And for me to properly assist the Marquis Hamilton, I’ll need Kriella’s help.”

“My Mother?”

“They said you sent her to the villa. I wondered why I couldn’t contact her.”

Simple and foolish as he was, he would surely comply with her request. Naturally thinking so, she continued.

“Kriella must be there for me to fully—”

“

, my mother, she has made a grave mistake.”

Contrary to her expectations, Endimion firmly shook his head. Patricia’s eyes widened slightly as she turned towards him.

“…Have you verified the facts properly?”

“Yes. I have secured testimonies and evidence. No matter if she is my mother, there are things I can cover for and things I cannot, Your Majesty.”

His once sweet smile vanished, and he stated his opinion with a serious face.

She opened her mouth wide, unable to close it easily. When he seemed like a madman incapable of understanding the subtleties of their conversation, now he was acting entirely rational.

“…But still, she is your mother.”

“How can I look at her after she has tormented and killed people? I did not wish to punish her more harshly, so I sent her away. Your Majesty, please refrain from discussing my family matters any further.”

He gently smiled and evasively declined the empress’s words. If it’s called a family matter, even the empress could not bring it up again.

Patricia gritted her teeth and forced a smile. “Still, I think it would be good to bring her back after a time of reflection. It is related to the honor of the Hamilton family.”

“…No one knows.”

“I was informed that the swordsmanship competition was approved at today’s noble meeting. Is that correct, Marquis Hamilton?”

“Yes. Duke Gracie submitted the proposal, and the emperor approved it.”

“After the competition, it will be the social season.” The empress slowly drove the in the wedge. “What will people think if your mother doesn’t appear during the social season?”

“…

. I will consider that matter.”

“I hope you resolve your family issues well, Marquis Hamilton.”

“Yes, thank you, Your Majesty.” Endimion brushed his chin, looking bittersweet, and quickly left Patricia’s sitting room.

The empress pressed her lips together, looking out the window. “The swordsmanship competition…”

Over the years, the Duke Gracie, once renowned for his swordsmanship, was now called an old tiger without teeth. Thus, the empire’s top swordsman was now known to be the second prince, Lawrence.

“Could it be?”

Her brow furrowed slightly. Frinel’s cold gaze flashed before her mind.

“That cunning one…!”

It was clear that Duke Gracie had taught Frinel. A swordsman renowned in his youth, his teaching skills must have been exceptional. It was her mistake not to have dismissed him sooner.

“To defeat Lawrence in the swordsmanship competition and prove he is more fitting to be the crown prince, that must be the scheme.”

Patricia scoffed. The young lion, lacking a mane, was attempting to oppose her.

“I should have killed him back then.”

Yes, she had always known this day would come. The son of the woman who had made her feel defeated, with a cute face, was bound to crush her and her son, trampling their pride into the dirt.

She had tirelessly tried to kill him. There were several attempts at poisoning, and she had tormented him to exhaustion. But, ironically, luck had always been on Frinel’s side.

“Now, he really must be dealt with thoroughly.”

Patricia, seemingly deep in thought, loudly rang the bell on the table. Soon, servants waiting in the hallway hurried into the room.

“Did you summon me, Your Majesty?”

“Summon the second prince.”

Pleased as if she had come up with a good plan, she hid her sinister scheme behind a smile.