She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a Ridiculous Novel - Chapter 121

After Sigmund became the Crown Prince, there was one thought that crossed Idel’s mind.

‘It’s a bit rich coming from someone who even attended the previous Crown Prince’s funeral… but for such a crazy world, things were settled much more quietly than I expected.’

There hadn’t been a tearful reunion like something out of a movie, nor had there been any violent opposition from the nobility.

‘There wasn’t even anyone popping up claiming to be the true heir to the throne.’

Because of that, she had wondered if she would ever have to face any power-hungry, soap-opera-style drama again…

‘But here it is.’

Idel sat in the Duke’s library, looking down at her notebook. With a look of interest, her finger tapped the edge of the paper.

The notebook contained information on three people she had met through the Marchioness’s introduction.

‘We only met under the pretext of the coming-of-age ceremony, but even in that brief encounter, their characteristics were so distinct.’

Lowering her gaze back to the paper, she examined the three figures emerging as potential successors to the Marquisate of Grant.

First.

“I had no idea my aunt was close with the rumored second daughter of the Clementine family? What a waste; had I known, I would have asked sooner! I could have really grabbed the social circle’s attention with news about you, My Lady. Regardless, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Benjamin Ross, the second son of Marquis Grant’s younger brother.

Second.

“Oh, asking for help adjusting to social circles… You are far too humble, My Lady. Who would ever refuse the Duke’s daughter? I am more worried that my own past might cast a shadow on you.”

Beatrice Ritz, the eldest daughter of the previous lord ousted by Marquis Grant and the current mistress of the neighboring County of Ritz.

And finally…

“To think I knew nothing until you two had already formed such a deep friendship… It makes me reflect on how indifferent I’ve been to my master and his wife.”

Leo Winston, a disciple David Grant had taken in even before he became the Marquis.

Based on just their basic information and a short tea time, Idel could already understand the choice Marquis Grant had made.

‘All three of them seem perfectly qualified to raise hell at a funeral.’

Benjamin Ross was a notorious scoundrel in the social circles. He was deeply fond of pleasure, alcohol, and music; it was said he went around shouting that once he inherited the Marquisate, he would turn the Grant territory into a city of music and entertainment.

Lacking both ability and character, he always pushed one single selling point:

The fact that he shared the bloodline of the current Marquis Grant.

‘No matter how much my uncle shouts that there’s no one who meets his standards, in the end, people always choose family. Do you think it’s easy to hand over everything you built with your own hands to a stranger?’

It was an utterly absurd claim, but the problem was that quite a few people agreed with him. After all, a lack of ability could always be supplemented by hiring a competent aide.

‘For example, someone like Leo Winston, who has studied under the Marquis for a long time.’

But would Leo Winston truly be satisfied with such a position?

Idel didn’t think so. At least, the Leo Winston she met was like a spider in the shadows, waiting for its prey.

‘I am still lacking, but I take pride in the fact that I understand my Master’s intentions better than anyone. And… I have no intention of letting those intentions come to an end like this.’

Throughout the entire tea time, he had treated Idel with an exemplary attitude, but even then, he had subtly and consistently revealed his position and his relationship with the Marquis.

According to the Marchioness, rumors had been circulating for a few years that Marquis Grant would eventually adopt him as his son…

‘It seems he himself doesn’t have a shadow of a doubt that it will happen.’

And really, why wouldn’t he?

He was highly capable, had been with Marquis Grant since long before he attained his title, and as the sole disciple, he had lived like family with Cordelia.

‘And the one he’s most wary of isn’t Benjamin—it’s Beatrice.’

Beatrice Ritz was the daughter of the corrupt former lord whom the Marquis had ousted.

Fortunately, just before Marquis Grant launched his rebellion, she had married Count Ritz of the neighboring estate. Because of that, she remained safe even when the “Grant” surname was stripped from her family.

‘To be honest, at first, I didn’t understand why Leo Winston was so wary of her. The daughter of the former lord—and a corrupt one at that—reclaiming power?’

Who on earth would want that?

‘Even Beatrice was reportedly called a “villainess” in the past due to her reckless behavior.’

However, it seemed the situation had changed a few years ago. After suffering a fall from a horse, Beatrice supposedly became a completely different person—a kind one.

Claiming to repent not only for her own sins but for those of her family as well, she threw herself into relief work for the poor.

To her, it didn’t matter if the person in need was one of her own tenants, a resident of the Marquisate, or a vagrant from another region.

Building her reputation in this way, Beatrice succeeded in completely overturning her image, centered around the time Marquis Grant and his wife lost their daughter, Cordelia.

‘……I have no words to offer in the face of your grief. I don’t know how my condolences—of all people—will be received, but… I sincerely hope the young lady finds peace. She and I shared a certain bond, after all.’

The way she treated the Marquis and Marchioness with apparent sincerity, and how she repeatedly visited Cordelia’s grave alone to mourn, moved many people’s hearts.

‘They say she even defended the Marquis, saying that even though her parents had committed evil acts, Marquis Grant must not have felt at ease having to execute them.’

She insisted that the past should be buried in the past.

As the tension between the Marquis’s couple and Beatrice softened, a group of supporters—albeit a small one—began to form around her.

Of course, whenever such movements arose, Beatrice was the first to suppress them. She claimed she was not such a shameless person as to covet the Grant title and that she never even dreamed of such a thing.

‘But is that really the truth?’

Idel didn’t particularly trust those who overemphasized a specific image of themselves.

Broadly speaking, it wasn’t that different from the method she herself had used to appear as the “Idel Clementine of the rumors.”

‘Well, time will tell.’

Idel’s blue eyes sparkled slightly as she stared at the paper.

From now on, Idel intended to leak various bits of false information to the three of them under the guise of having her own concerns.

‘For example, that for some unknown reason, the Marchioness is excessively worried about the Marquis’s health, or that the Marquis asked me to be a witness for something he’s preparing…….’

After that, she planned to drop in and out of the Marquis’s estate several times, acting as a visiting priest.

‘I also plan to speak with the Marchioness and have a real will drafted.’

The core of this operation was to scramble the information given to the three candidates, making each of them believe the succession was theirs, before announcing a completely different will at the funeral.

‘It’s a somewhat complicated task involving manipulating three people at once… but well, this much is nothing.’

She could do this kind of work with her eyes closed now. Unlike when she was a child, her freedom of movement had expanded significantly.

‘At least this task isn’t a constant threat to my life like that brainwashing curse, right?’

That was enough for her.

‘All that’s left is Cordelia Pierce…….’

Idel picked up a stray pen and tapped her lips with the feather on the end.

Feeling the faint breeze blowing through the window, she let out a light breath.

In the wind that tousled her hair, she could almost hear the conversation she had shared with Marchioness Grant.

‘Please leave the matter regarding Cordelia to us. You’ve taken on a task that would have been difficult for just my husband and me to handle… At the very least, finding that child at the funeral and bringing her story to a conclusion is something we must do.’

‘Are you certain she will come to the funeral, My Lady? Even if her desire to come is as great as you say… it won’t be easy for Cordelia to get here. Surely she knows she cannot attend the funeral without a guarantee.’

‘Of course. That child will come. Carrying all the letters we wrote to her.’

Idel decided to trust the smile the Marchioness had given her.

The indescribable emotion shared between them was something Idel understood better than anyone.

—Knock, knock.

“Idel, I saw the library light on while finishing up night training and came to check. Rowena was worried earlier, saying she couldn’t figure out Marchioness Grant’s intentions… Did the lady happen to make an unreasonable request?”

“Of course not. It’s nothing like that, Dad. Although, I have been entrusted with something quite interesting…….”

“Something interesting?”

Idel smiled faintly as she watched the Duke’s brow furrow in concern.

‘Yes, just like this.’

The Grand Strategy

Idel is effectively setting up a “succession trap” to flush out the true nature of the candidates.