The Genius Villain Dies Tomorrow

A heroine in every sense of the word, she was a character that was one of the few that Rian had genuinely respected and rooted for.

The Lowenhardt Family had never failed to produce excellent Knights, and her father had been one of the strongest Knights within the country of Eidelgard. And Charlotte was expected to surpass even him.

Her insane talent, strict military training and attitude, as well as her strong political influence, made her someone who couldn’t be ignored. Despite being the same age, Charlotte and Rian might as well have belonged to different worlds.

However, that was why it was such a surprise to see Charlotte accepting the engagement proposal that Cordelia had offered her, despite having no shortage of other suitors. And not only that, she had accepted the terminally-ill, youngest son as well.

It was never explained why, but knowing what Rian did, it was probably for some kind of political or personal gain. Even as a "heroine" within the novel, it took at least 3 years for the protagonist to finally get her to fall in love with him.

’Maybe she was just waiting for me to die.’

By refusing to annul their engagement, Charlotte risked almost nothing. Rian’s death had always been considered inevitable, and once it happened, she would be free to marry whomever she pleased.

Better yet, she would emerge from the arrangement as the devoted fiancée who refused to abandon a terminally ill man.

Either way, he had suddenly found himself with two valuable connections, both courtesy of his mother. And it would be a waste not to use them to their fullest potential.

"Alicia, how quickly and quietly can you get two letters out of Rosenheim?" He turned to ask. "One to the Blue Magic Tower and one to the Lowenhardts."

"Quietly?"

"Marianne cannot be allowed to read them. No matter what."

"Then we can’t use the estate’s couriers."

"I assumed as much."

Alicia fell silent, considering the question. "There is a merchant caravan leaving for the capital tonight. But there’s a big problem with that..."

"Let me guess," Rian sighed, pushing himself up. "They’re under Rosalia’s thumb, aren’t they?"

"Yes..."

"Well...I suppose it’s time to pay my second sister a visit."

***

Alicia pushed him along the stone path leading toward the main estate while Rian sat beneath a blanket. This time, he didn’t bother too much with making himself look weaker than he actually was.

In fact, it would be better if everyone noticed that he looked healthier.

The more people witnessed his gradual recovery, the easier his eventual explanation would be to believe.

If he went from looking like a dead rat to perfectly healthy overnight, everyone would assume that he had been completely cured by some sort of miracle.

And that was the outcome Rian wanted least.

Judging by the reactions around him...it was working.

Servants stopped in the middle of their duties. Gardeners lowered their tools, while several knights stationed along the path openly stared as Alicia pushed him past.

By the time Marianne learned of his visit, half the estate would already be talking about how much healthier he looked. One of the knights stationed before the entrance hurried forward.

"Young Master Rian?"

"Forgotten about me already?"

He suddenly stiffened. "Never...sir, who here in the estate could forget your celebration tomorrow?"

’Celebration?’

Rian clicked his tongue silently.

’They’re really calling the party for a dead man that? Marianne really does have a wicked sense of humor.’

But putting aside that for now, Rian asked simply. "Is Rosalia home?"

"Lady Rosalia?" the knight blinked. "Yes, Young Master. She’s currently taking tea in the eastern garden."

"Perfect."

"Uhm...would you like me to inform her that you’ve arrived?"

"That won’t be necessary. Thank you."

The knight hesitated, but he had no legitimate reason to stop a son of the Duke from entering his own family’s estate. He stepped aside and bowed.

Alicia pushed Rian around the main manor and onto a paved path leading toward the main garden. Unlike the neglected grounds of the side manor, which Alicia had done her utmost to maintain, the main garden was completely immaculate.

Though everything had been made to be in a way that looked quite...gaudy to Rian. So frankly, he preferred the side manor.

A girl with dark hair styled in large princess curls sat in the gazebo, enjoying her ordinary afternoon tea. But upon closer inspection, Rian noticed the several stacks of documents beside her.

A middle-aged man stood across from her as well, nervously explaining something while Rosalia skimmed through a contract. Every few seconds, she would stop him to circle a particular line in red ink before allowing him to continue.

Rosalia was Marianne’s youngest daughter and only a few years older than Rian. That made her the youngest of the First Lady’s three children and, theoretically, the least influential among them.

In practice, it wasn’t quite so simple.

Rosalia had understood her position from an early age. Rather than compete with her elder brothers for a title she was unlikely to inherit, she had turned her attention toward Rosenheim’s merchants.

They say supplies alone can dictate if an army wins or loses a war, but none of Marianne’s other children seemed to realize how much power Rosalia actually held.

As soon as she saw Rian, a genuine surprise crossed her face. She placed the papers back down and greeted him with courtesy.

"Hope I’m not interrupting anything," Rian said as Alicia pushed him up the gazebo steps slowly.

With a simple flick of her hand, the attendant by her side got the message. He took the documents with him and quickly got out of there. Once he had left, she had turned her full attention toward the youngest.

"You look a lot better than what Felix and mother have been telling me," Rosalia scanned him from head to toe.

’So Felix already told her everything. He really does have a loose mouth, doesn’t he?’

"I’ve had a surprisingly productive day."

"Clearly."

She rested one elbow upon the table and regarded him with open curiosity, a faint smile forming on her lips. "So why are you here? Missing your sister much?"

"Desperately."

"How touching."

"In fact, I missed you so much that I brought you work."

Rian reached underneath his blank and produced two sealed envelopes that he had written earlier in the office.

Rosalia’s smile faded as he placed them on the table. Her eyes moved across the seals, but made no attempt to touch either letter.

"Two letters I need aboard the caravan leaving for the capital tonight."

"Then give them to the estate’s courier."

"I would, but I’d prefer for their contents to reach the intended recipients before Marianne reads them."

"Mother," she corrected, giving him a sharp gaze.

"Not for the purposes of this conversation."

"..."

After a moment of silence, all Rosalia could do was laugh at her brother’s sudden change in demeanor. "Ha...! You certainly do look healthier. A dying Rian would never have been brave enough to say that."

"But you know how a deal goes, right?" She moved forward and placed a finger on the letters, fiddling with them.

Yet, instead of being frightened, a smile broke upon Rian’s face. Because after all, he knew that she would be willing if she wanted something in return.

"Information," he answered simply. "Isn’t that what you crave the most?"

But she wasn’t so blind to believe what he said at face value. "What information could my dying brother, who’s been in the side manor his entire life, possibly have?"

Rian got closer to the table before grabbing the small butter knife located on her tray of dessert. With a dramatic flourish, he stabbed the knife right on top of the document she had lying on the table.

"What are you—?!" Rosalia rose in anger.

"Look at where it landed."

With a glare, Rosalia slowly sat back in her seat and examined the piece of paper. Yet as soon as her eyes landed on the point of impact, her head snapped back toward Rian.

"How did you know—?"

"That you have a rat problem?" he cut her off mid-sentence. "Well, are you interested in how I found out now?"

With the fish already on the hook, Rian simply leaned back in his wheelchair and extended his hand out to her.

"Ready to make a deal, sister?"

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