The Villainous Noblewoman Is About to Be Forced into Love, Isn't This Wrong?-Chapter 76: It seems to be murderous?

Liana noticed Olivia following behind her. "Does the great Executor not have her own carriage? Are you really squeezing in with me?"

"My duty is to protect you, Liana. Naturally, I should be in the same carriage as you," Olivia replied.

"Besides, this carriage can comfortably fit eight people. I wouldn't exactly call that 'squeezing in'."

This time, the carriage being used was not the usual household carriage.

It was significantly larger than any of the carriages Liana had ridden before. After all, this was an important journey, and many high-ranking figures were traveling together for the conference, so they were using a special model.

The carriage's body was built from enchanted magic stones, capable of absorbing a certain amount of magical attacks, and the exterior was exceptionally sturdy.

Inside, the seats were soft and spacious, with storage compartments and collapsible barriers that could be raised for additional security. There were even bedding and blankets, making it possible to convert the space into a sleeping area if needed.

The horses pulling the carriage were also different.

Their bodies were covered in bony ridges, making it clear that they were a type of magical beast—stronger, more defensive, and even capable of fighting if necessary.

They were also much faster than regular carriage horses.

"You're annoying," Liana said in a tone of ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ clear distaste.

The journey wasn't that long, but having Olivia as a companion meant constant nagging. Liana really didn’t want to spend the entire trip listening to her chatter.

"This carriage was chosen for safety. Not that I expect anyone to be reckless enough to try and hijack a Venus estate carriage," Olivia added.

"Yeah, yeah." Liana waved her hand, signaling for Olivia to get in. "But what about your luggage?"

Liana clearly remembered that Olivia had brought some belongings when she arrived. But now, her hands were empty.

"I have a residence in Lisaphe," Olivia replied.

As a former Executor, Olivia naturally had certain privileges.

"That's not what I meant. I was asking why you didn't bring your luggage back to Venus Manor. Are you planning to return?" Liana smirked.

"Tell me, Olivia, do you find Venus Manor more comfortable, or do you prefer Lisaphe’s capital?"

"Lisaphe is better." Olivia answered without hesitation. "If Venus Manor didn’t have you, it might actually be quite nice."

Judging by her tone, Olivia was quite pleased about going to Lisaphe’s capital. She usually didn’t openly criticize Liana this way.

"My, my, how hardworking you are," Liana muttered as she sank into her plush seat. The softness was incredibly comfortable.

Loraviel placed the luggage in the storage compartment below. "Liana, do you need a blanket or a pillow? The trip will take about three hours."

The distance between Venus Manor and Lisaphe’s capital was neither too far nor too close. They would be passing by Berent Magic Academy on the way.

It was possible to go faster, but for the sake of comfort and safety, they had chosen a more stable route.

"Sure, why not?" Liana shrugged. There wasn't much to do in the carriage anyway, so she might as well lie down.

Besides, with Olivia here, even if she wanted to do something with Loraviel, she’d just get lectured and interrupted.

"Understood."

Loraviel raised the protective barrier, preventing Liana from rolling off during the ride. She then arranged the bedding and pillows before sitting opposite Liana.

The pillow was soft but slightly cool to the touch. The carriage was spacious, but even so, it couldn’t fit two people lying side by side without being cramped.

Once the sunset arrived, it would probably warm up a bit.

Loraviel was about to sit beside Liana when—

"Don't lean on me. Sit across from me." Liana pointed at the seat opposite hers.

"Alright."

Just as Loraviel settled in, there was a sudden knock on the carriage door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Why are so many people looking for me today?" Liana sighed in frustration. She just wanted to relax.

"Go answer it." Ignoring it wasn’t going to work.

Loraviel opened the door.

"Lady Aileen?"

"Excuse me for the intrusion."

Loraviel stepped aside, allowing Aileen and Sanbet to enter.

Liana had just laid down, but upon seeing Aileen, she immediately sat back up.

"Aileen?" Liana was puzzled. "Why are you here?"

"I'll be joining you for this journey, Liana sister," Aileen said with a smile.

Liana froze at the sudden way Aileen addressed her.

Sister?

What the hell is she up to now?

"Don't tell me Countess Ruth didn’t arrange a carriage for you," Liana said.

Aileen wasn't a direct heir to the Venus family, but she was one of the successors. Even if Countess Ruth hadn’t made arrangements, someone else definitely would have.

"Of course, she did," Aileen said. "But since it’s a long journey, traveling with more people makes it less boring, don’t you think?"

She smiled again.

"I already have three people in here. That’s plenty. Go find someone else." Liana’s expression soured.

"Adding you on top of that? You’re going to drive me insane."

"But this carriage is big enough to fit two more people, don’t you think?" Aileen wasn’t planning to leave. "I even spoke to Countess Ruth about it, and she approved."

After all, if each of these special carriages only carried two people, it would be wasteful, wouldn’t it?

"So, I let mine be used by others," Aileen said sweetly.

"...Oh."

Liana hadn’t expected that.

Aileen actually went to Countess Ruth about this?

Since Ruth had already approved, there wasn’t much Liana could say.

"Just the two of you? You must be very confident. Aren’t you afraid of running into trouble along the way?" Liana asked.

"You seem to be underestimating Sanbet, Liana sister," Aileen said lightly.

Liana remembered—Sanbet was a low-ranked Executor.

That wasn’t exactly weak, but it wasn’t extraordinary either.

However, Sanbet was a member of Solring, and anyone who could survive as a Solring head maid was already proof of deadly skill.

Not to mention—Sanbet had magic suited for assassination, just like Loraviel.

She was excellent at blending into a false identity. Since she rarely displayed her abilities, it was natural for people to underestimate her.

But—Sanbet had been a low-ranked Executor three years ago.

Who knew how much she had improved since then?

"Fine," Liana sighed. "But you’re all sitting on the other side. I’m going to sleep and don’t want anyone disturbing me."

"But with four people, it’s a bit cramped. There’s still space on your side, so I’ll sit here," Aileen said as she moved toward the empty seat beside Liana.

"Loraviel! Come here!"

Compared to Aileen, Liana would rather have Loraviel next to her.

"Understood, Liana." Loraviel immediately moved to her side.

Liana sat up and patted the spot where she had just been lying. “Sit.”

“Mm.” Loraviel obediently sat beside Liana.

Aileen: “......”

“Are you all ready?” The coachman’s voice came from outside.

“I’m fine.”

“Me too.”

The four people inside the carriage all gave affirmative answers—except for Liana.

“Even though I don’t particularly want to go, if I don’t, it’ll probably turn into an even bigger hassle. So, don’t waste my time.” Liana said.

With her confirmation, the carriage began to move.

Aileen sat across from Liana, resting her face on one hand, studying her.

“You came to my room last night, didn’t you?” Liana had not forgotten.

“Oh? What about it?” Aileen admitted openly, not seeing any reason to deny it.

“Entering someone else’s room without permission is hardly appropriate behavior.” Liana said.

“But, Liana-nee, when you gave me the key back then, didn’t you say...”

"If you ever feel lonely, you can come find me anytime."

“...You told me I could come to your room anytime, didn’t you?” Aileen said.

“That was something I told you in the past. The current me has nothing to do with the past.” Liana said. And in more ways than one, that was the truth.

Aileen’s gaze wavered slightly, because she had thought the same.

Separating the past Liana from the present one—it was the only way she could face Liana with a sense of calm.

But now...

If Liana herself was changing, then how was she supposed to view her?

Should she lump this changed Liana together with the past Liana?

But it was obvious—after five years, the Liana before her was no longer the same person she had once known.

Then, there was only one conclusion.

The villainous Liana from five years ago was still alive inside the current Liana.

And precisely because of that, the present Liana existed.

It was because of what happened five years ago that doubts had been cast upon the villainous Liana, and in the end, the current Liana had been born.

Maybe, it was only because of the villainous Liana from back then that Aileen had even noticed the change in the present Liana at all.

But if Liana hadn’t changed even a little, Aileen wouldn’t have altered her perception either. It was those subtle, gradual changes that had slowly drawn Aileen’s attention.

They were, perhaps, the same person—but also entirely different in personality and approach.

Aileen could admit it.

She despised the villainous Liana.

That was a fact.

Which was why, if the Liana before her now could create miracles, she hoped she would do so—before Aileen had to make a decision about her.

Liana-nee... even if she’s not quite the same as before anymore...

“Is that so?” Aileen placed the key onto the table. “Then you should take it back, Liana-nee.”

Aileen assumed Liana wouldn’t actually take it.

And she was right.

Liana looked at the key on the table. Something in her instincts told her not to take it. If she did, something troublesome would happen.

“Hmph, as if I’d take back something I’ve already given away.” Liana scoffed. “I’ll just have someone replace the lock instead.”

“Mm.” Aileen pocketed the key.

For some reason, she had a feeling that this key would still be able to open Liana’s door in the future.

Liana probably didn’t realize it, but someday, someone would occasionally come to her door, trying to see if it still worked.

And if it did—then her guess wasn’t wrong.

At this moment, it seemed half-proven already.

Especially when Aileen observed Loraviel’s subtle expressions.

It was more than clear—Loraviel had been living well lately.

Each time Aileen met with her, there was a distinct difference.

The fear in Loraviel’s eyes was gone.

“In the end, I wasn’t wrong.” Aileen murmured.

"If Liana-nee eventually comes looking for me..."

“Don’t call me that. I can’t afford it.” Liana interrupted.

“...Alright.” Aileen’s gaze flickered slightly. “But if you had only woken up later, there wouldn’t have been time to prepare everything.”

“Besides, didn’t you order me yesterday to have it all done by today? If I hadn’t prepared, you would have thrown a fit, wouldn’t you?”

“What do you mean, thrown a fit?” Liana frowned, clearly displeased with Aileen’s wording—though, admittedly, it wasn’t wrong.

“As a servant, isn’t it natural to complete the master’s orders? It’s not like I made an unreasonable request.”

“But you were asleep, weren’t you? If I hadn’t come in—”

“Do as you please. I’m going to sleep.”

Liana dismissed her, then dropped back down onto Loraviel’s thighs.

“Liana-sama?” Loraviel sounded startled.

“What?” Liana’s voice was laced with irritation. “I want to take a nap. Got a problem?”

“...No.”

This was probably the first time Liana had ever rested on Loraviel’s lap.

But strangely...

It felt familiar.

Still, since it was comfortable, Liana didn’t think too much about it.

Loraviel’s thighs were soft.

Loraviel reached out, brushing aside Liana’s platinum hair, making sure it wouldn’t get caught on anything.

As Liana stared at the top of the carriage, she fell into a moment of stillness.

Then—

Damn it.

That goddamn number freak!

Liana’s eyes flicked toward the ceiling—then to the side—

And saw three pairs of legs.

Two in black stockings.

One in leather boots.

Liana didn’t even need to think.

Olivia.

Even though there was a perfectly good bed, Olivia just refused to sleep properly in it.

Liana cast another glance, feeling that there was no way she could sleep properly like this.

So she turned over, facing the window instead.

Her breathing quickened slightly.

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

And right against Loraviel’s stomach, Liana found herself settling comfortably again.

A faint tremor passed through Loraviel.

"Liana is... pressing against my...!"

Loraviel instinctively felt something was... off.

“Don’t disturb me.” Liana said, completely indifferent. “I’m sleeping.”

“...Yes.” Loraviel’s breathing shallowed slightly.

At this proximity, she could smell Loraviel’s scent.

She had just bathed.

...This won’t work. I can’t sleep like this.

Liana turned back to her previous position.

Now, she couldn’t even see Loraviel’s face.

But from here, she could feel... something.

An illusion, perhaps—a strange sense of danger.

Was it a misunderstanding?

She ignored it.

There was no reason for any real threat to be here.

They were inside the Venus estate’s convoy.

They hadn’t even left Venus territory yet.

No one would be stupid enough to target them here.

It was safe.

Then why did she feel this way?

How strange.

“...Heh.”

Aileen’s smile hadn’t changed.

But her eyes narrowed slightly.

She gazed at Liana—curled up on Loraviel’s lap—and wondered.

Just what was she thinking?