Kneel Before The Villain - Chapter 129

Young master Pline didn’t even have to say much.

 

Just throwing a few words was enough to bring him, who was hiding in the shadows, into the light.

 

As I hardened my expression, he looked me straight in the eyes with a more stoic face.

 

“I’ve heard rumors that the princess had an intimate relationship with the young master Croix even before she broke off her engagement with the crown prince, but it was surprising to see the two of you actually together at the last banquet.”

 

People were making a big fuss.

 

They had been saying the same thing a while ago but no one dared to say it in front of me.

 

Regardless of my reputation and how easygoing I was, considering my status, the words of young master Pline made no sense.

 

It was probably not just the words Claire whispered that made him so arrogant.

 

I was pretty sure I couldn’t do anything about it myself.

 

I didn’t know if it was because I had always ignored him or if I was doing that out of trust in the long-standing friendship between the Duke and the Count.

 

He seemed to believe that Roxana’s depravity would be the same this time, as he could do more damage to her in the future if he put up with her momentary humiliation.

 

This was what I also wanted.

 

“Young master Pline, how are you doing such a foolish thing?” said one of those around me.

 

However, young master Pline did not seem to have any intention of stopping.

 

“Of course, I believe that the princess did not do that. No matter how much she was a princess, there was no way she would have committed such a big thing. If it is true, the ducal family will have to deal with the royal family’s wrath.”

 

He looked at me with a perverse expression and continued.

 

“But isn’t that what rumors are originally?”

 

“…..”

 

“When people pass word-of-mouth, absurd stories often turn into reality. So, wouldn’t there be cases in which unfair false accusations were made?”

 

He lifted his chin slightly and tightened his lips.

 

Then, recalling Roxana from before, I asked in a stern voice.

 

“Young master, are you crazy? Even your father, the Count, can’t do anything to me, so you dare to say such nonsense?”

 

At my last words, I could see his brows narrowed even more.

 

Watching young master Pline’s face slowly distort, I raised the tip of my mouth coldly.

 

“If I were that old, I would have been able to tell the difference between the words I can’t say. I don’t know if you lack etiquette or lack of brain. How dare you insult me ​​with nonsense.”

 

“To say it’s an insult, it seems that the princess misunderstood something. I don’t mean that….”

 

“That’s also because of crocheting the cloth. I didn’t say anything wrong, so I don’t know why you’re so hostile.”

 

I cut his words halfway through and folded the fan I was holding and brought it to my mouth.

 

I could roughly guess how I looked in the eyes of young master Pline.

 

He seemed to be trying to contain his anger but I could tell from his flushed face.That he was on the verge of exploding.

 

And one more.

 

No matter how close they had become since they had been together, young master Pline didn’t seem to be able to tolerate someone talking badly about Claire.

 

Seeing him react the most furiously to me about her.

 

“She is a poor woman who covets other people’s men at best. Where is she? She dared not even know her position and tricked His Highness to meet other men behind his back.”

 

Young master Pline clenched his fists and glared at me fiercely.

 

It seemed as if sparks would fly at any moment from his eyes. It was a chilling look.

 

Seeing that even the tendons in his fists were protruding, it wouldn’t be strange if he rushed at me and swung his fists if there were no one around.

 

“You don’t know who’s more powerful and being disrespectful.”

 

An aristocrat who caught my gaze hurriedly nodded her head and agreed.

 

“What the princess said is right. I didn’t know there really were women like that in the world. If you look at what she does, she’s no different from the prostitutes in the back alley.”

 

Just like the people around young master Pline, people  hovered around me from the entrance of the banquet hall to please me.

 

“I don’t think you’re wrong.”

 

When I nodded, the people who understood my intentions added several words to please me.

 

“That’s right. I don’t know that kind of women exist.”

 

“When I think of how much the princess was humiliated because of that woman in the past, I still shudder in embarrassment. Oh my God, trying to fool people……. Really, how did Baron Dana educate his children?”

 

It was self-evident that those who bowed their heads in succumbing to power would be on the side of either me, the princess or young master Pline.

 

Everyone knew that Claire and I didn’t get along, and since I wasn’t bullying her right now, there shouldn’t be anything to hold me back.

 

Listening to the people’s words, I turned my gaze back to young master Pline.

 

He seemed very unhappy about the situation. There were many people who cursed at Claire besides me, but it seemed like I was the only one in his eyes who was evil.

 

He looked as if he had been brainwashed with those bloodshot eyes. He seemed to believe he was making justice.

 

“The princess seems to be very proud. You denied what I said but the fact that you and the young master Croix have a secret relationship seems to have been sufficiently revealed by your appearance at the last banquet. Are you still going to pretend?”

 

Young master Pline asked ferociously.

 

“You just listen to the rumors, but how much of the truth do you know? We’re innocent.”

 

“Who would believe that?”

 

“It doesn’t matter whether you believe it or not.”

 

“In the end, it’s just words. Do you have any clear evidence to convince people that you appeared in a matching dress with young master Croix and now deny the relationship? If these are just words without evidence, I will be held accountable.”

 

I didn’t need to be intimidated or threatened to get what I  wanted.

 

I just threw in a few words that he couldn’t stand and created an atmosphere.

 

But how could I say it when he easily turned the table

and rushed at me at any chance.

 

 

I was angry but on the other hand, I thought that Claire was amazing.

 

How on earth could she brainwash someone so quickly?

 

It was as if she were an ardent believer in some religious group.

 

“Why should I convince you? What is the reason? I can’t understand why I have to listen to the young master, who has nothing to do with it.”

 

“That…..”

 

“I tried to let it go the first few times but I couldn’t take it anymore. Thinking of my long relationship with the Count family, I turned a blind eye to the fact that the young master had been talking maliciously about me behind my back. But I never thought it would be like this until now.”

 

I completely erased the smile from my face and spoke coldly.

 

“Seeing it in person is even more spectacular. Even if I tried to tolerate it, I don’t even know why I would any longer as I see your attitude without reflection. Young master Pline, I challenge you to a duel for staining my honor.”

 

Anyway, now young master Pline had already fallen for Claire’s whisper and had already switched his mind, so an appropriate warning wouldn’t work.

 

I couldn’t let him bite me again after being lenient, so I had no choice but to let him know this time.

 

I thought I’d step on him so he couldn’t climb again.

 

Provoking him was to make up for his lack of cause and with that, he seemed to have had enough, so there was no reason to listen to more nonsensical insults.

 

Young master Pline’s rude words and actions were unbelievable for treating a Princess and the person I had problems with was Claire.

 

Claire and I were antagonistic, so it was natural for me to speak badly of her.

 

However, young master Pline attacked me on her behalf.

 

Even though I showed such tolerance, he fell for weak provocations and kept putting himself in a corner.

 

“What did you say just now? The princess is going to challenge me to a duel?”

 

Young master Pline asked with a blank face as if he had heard something he couldn’t understand.

 

Only then did the people whisper as if they realized that they hadn’t heard it wrong.

 

“You have tarnished my reputation with such nonsensical bullshit, so you have to take responsibility. Did you think I would just let it go?”

 

When I replied calmly, a sneer came to his face.

 

“With the princess?”

 

“Usually, that would be normal.”

 

At my words, he made an absurd face and looked at me mockingly.

 

“The Duke of Lillian is an old family but as far as I know, you did not learn swordsmanship……”

 

When I didn’t deny it, the scorn on young master Pline’s face deepened.

 

He asked, looking at my face and arms alternately with a blatant gaze.

 

“Can you even hold a sword with those slender arms?”

 

He didn’t even try to hide his mockery anymore.

 

I let out a small sigh and shook my head with a sad face.

 

“I’m not done talking yet. Certainly, I have no confidence to win against you and I cannot wield a sword properly.”

 

“Then why don’t you just give up now? It would be less embarrassing that way.”

 

“But do I really need to do it myself? My family is full of knights who will stand up for me.”

 

As if at a loss for words, young master Pline bit his lips tightly.

 

I looked at him and said,

 

“The reason I didn’t learn the sword wasn’t because it was difficult but because I didn’t have to. Can’t you see the knights standing behind me?”

 

At my words, young master Pline looked behind me.

 

It was only then that it seemed that the knights in uniform were staring at him from some distance away.

 

Although they stood quietly and unnoticed by my order, they would come running here in a blink of an eye when I called.

 

Originally, it was rare to bring knights into the banquet hall but I hadn’t let go of the escort ever since I almost died after being hit by a flower pot dropped by someone.

 

And it was only now that I saw it was a good idea.

 

I could see the reason gradually returning to the eyes of young master Pline, who had lost his reason and attacked me.

 

It was thanks to the mighty army under the Duke of Lillian, who was able to wield a mighty influence in the Empire.

 

The armies led by Duke Lillian were renowned in the Empire and infamous among their enemies.

 

The knights belonging to the family were so famous that everyone knew how brave and excellent their skills were.

 

No matter how much someone lost their reason and ran wild, they had no choice but to lower their tail in front of overwhelming power.

 

“Everyone has to do what they are good at in their own position. And more importantly, it is knowing where you are.”

 

Roxana had rarely used her family status to pressure her opponents.

 

The people were not afraid of her, even if they touched her, she wouldn’t retaliate.

 

Despite her identity as the eldest daughter of the Duke, I could see how much she was being ignored, seeing they treated me with blatant disrespect.

 

But was there any reason why I wouldn’t use what I had in my hands?

 

Most people would quickly lower their tails when pressure was applied using family names like this.

 

“Sooner or later, I will officially deliver a message to  the Count’s residence. It has already been decided, so there is no need to postpone it. I will set up a time and place to contact you soon, so stay tuned.”

 

***