She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a Ridiculous Novel - Chapter 127

“Huh?”

That made it the third unexpected question she had received today alone.

The first had been from Lady Evelyn, the second from Cordelia, and finally, Dante.

The reason the last one was particularly bewildering was that she had never imagined hearing this subject brought up by him.

‘Especially not this directly.’

As she stared at him with wide eyes, unsure of what to say, Dante added a more detailed explanation.

“Looking back, haven’t you and Sigmund been close since you were children? You even… promised to marry. Even after that, I don’t recall ever seeing you particularly deny it.”

“……”

“He even shared his first dance at his coming-of-age ceremony with me because you weren’t there.”

“Mmm, that’s true.”

She remembered Gianna chattering away about it in an excited voice.

Gianna had described it in such vivid detail that even though Idel hadn’t been there, she could imagine how the two ended up dancing and what expressions they wore as if she had seen it with her own eyes.

“I still remember it. At the time, I suggested it might be better to ask Gianna instead, but Sigmund rejected the proposal flatly. He said he didn’t want to leave any room for misunderstanding.”

Surely, the “room for misunderstanding” Sigmund mentioned referred to the gaze of others.

For instance, to avoid a situation where Gianna was suddenly discussed as a marriage partner instead of Idel—with whom he had a prior arrangement—or to prevent false rumors that he was weighing one sister against the other.

‘Dante… seems to be getting the wrong idea about something.’

Just as Idel was about to speak, sensing his thoughts were heading in a completely wrong direction, Dante raised his eyes, which had been cast down for a moment, and met her gaze again.

With the carriage door between them, Dante’s eyes looked somewhat complicated.

Before she could even wonder why he was making such an expression, Dante spoke first.

“I believe that mistakes happen whenever things are vague rather than clear.”

“Mistakes?”

Repeating his words, Idel knit her brows slightly and tilted her head.

“What is there to make a mistake about?”

“Well, at the very least, if you give me a clear answer, Idel, I believe I can manage these feelings of jealousy toward Sigmund.”

What on earth was he talking about? Jealousy? Who—Dante?

Idel rubbed her ear with a finger, wondering if she had misheard him.

After repeating the meaningless gesture a few times, Idel soon accepted that she had indeed heard that startling word and let the question slip out.

“Do you… like me?”

The words felt strangely familiar, as if she were experiencing déjà vu, but there was nothing else she could say in this moment.

Upon hearing her question, Dante nodded with an expression that seemed to ask why she would even bother questioning such a thing.

“Yes. I like you. I wouldn’t feel jealous over someone I didn’t like, would I?”

“Mmh?”

She let out a small sound of confusion, her eyes narrowing as she arched an eyebrow.

No matter how she looked at it, this conversation felt strange.

It wasn’t a case of “reality denial”—the kind where she insisted the male lead, Dante, couldn’t possibly like her instead of Gianna. Rather, it felt as though the puzzle piece she had prepared and the puzzle board itself were completely mismatched.

‘I’m not a fool, after all.’

Just as Idel’s suspicions began to grow, Dante’s lips parted again. Unlike the previous moment when he had answered immediately, this time Dante opened and closed his mouth several times.

It was as if he were about to make some sort of embarrassing confession.

“I feel ashamed, acting like a child when I’ve already had my coming-of-age ceremony… but honestly, if you and Sigmund were to become special to each other… I think I would feel a bit left out.”

“……”

“We’ve known each other for about the same amount of time since we first met, so it feels as though I’m the only one being distanced.”

“Ah.”

Only now did Idel grasp the context in which his words had surfaced.

Her heart, which had been flustered just a moment ago, grew relaxed once more. With a comfortable mind, Idel watched Dante’s somewhat dejected expression and waited for him to finish the rest of his thought.

“Of course, I’m not dissatisfied with our relationship as friends. However, the allowed distance and the lines one must observe are naturally different for family and for friends.”

As he said that, Dante’s face flushed red in an instant. Pressing the back of his hand against his cheek, he furrowed his brow slightly and continued speaking quickly.

“…I’m sorry. I knew I was being childish, but saying it out loud makes it sound even more juvenile than I expected.”

Somehow, she felt she finally understood why Gianna so often tried to tease Dante.

It wasn’t every day you got to see someone who was usually the textbook definition of a knight—proper and upright—acting so purely embarrassed!

‘Well, setting that aside, I know why Dante is saying this.’

He and Idel understood each other in a way that Sigmund and Gianna didn’t, specifically because they had both lived “under someone’s shadow.”

Furthermore, having interacted more frequently than typical childhood friends, they were practically like family.

‘No matter how I think about it, Gianna’s influence is definitely a big factor.’

Since they were young, Gianna used to brag in front of Sigmund and Dante about being Idel’s “big sister” and “family.” It was likely just the childish impulse of a girl wanting to emphasize, ‘I’m closer to her than you are!’

But whereas Sigmund would just snort at whatever Gianna said, Dante….

‘Gianna has a more special relationship with you under the name of sisters, Idel. I’m envious.’

Even back then, Dante had taken her words seriously.

‘And perhaps he still does.’

Just as Idel was about to comfort him after fully making sense of the situation, the words Dante had spoken suddenly flashed through her mind.

‘I believe that mistakes happen whenever things are vague rather than clear.’

…Mistakes happen when things are vague.

‘No one has clearly proven whether ghosts exist or not. It’s also not certain that the ghost was actually lamenting. And that very ambiguity is what allows ridiculous rumors to grow among the people.’

There was only one clear fact here.

Nox was involved in the problems surrounding the “People with Tangled Memories.”

‘So, by revealing the facts clearly, I can throw cold water on these unnecessary rumors. Just like how a piano playing in an empty music room stops being a source of fear once you realize it was just a voice recorder.’

Of course, it was still unclear whether Nox was the one behind this specific incident, and if so, why they were targeting Sigmund.

However, cutting off the rumors and uncovering the truth was a faster path than letting useless anxiety grow.

‘Besides, if I follow this train of thought, I’ll even be able to properly investigate whether ghosts actually exist.’

Having untangled the complex problem in one go, Idel called out Dante’s name with a refreshing smile.

“Dante.”

“Yes?”

“You really are the best. I don’t think Sigmund or Gianna could ever replace you.”

“…Pardon?”

“Have some confidence. Not just anyone gets to hear such sentiments from me.”

Idel’s voice was bold, laced with a hint of pride.

Having known her for a long time, Dante quickly read the emotions behind her words. His eyes widened as he spoke.

“You sound like someone who just solved something… Did you perhaps find a clue regarding the matter with Sigmund?”

“Precisely.”

Upon hearing Idel’s satisfied reply, Dante’s gaze turned serious, and he shook his head.

“Then this is no time to be standing around. I’ll let the coachman know; you should head to Sigmund. He’ll likely be at the temple meeting the High Priest again by now.”

“Alright.”

“And as for the answer to my question earlier… well, I think I’m fine without it. Thinking back on it, it’s far too embarrassing…. Let’s just act as if it never happened—”

“Ah, about that. I think rumors like that might actually start circulating soon.”

“What?”

Looking at Dante, who was now swept up in confusion—the exact opposite of his state a moment ago—Idel gave a light shrug.

“What you asked about me and Sigmund being in a ‘special relationship.’ Rumors saying ‘it really seems to be the case’ might start going around soon. I’m telling you so you won’t be surprised for no reason. Actually, wait. Will Gianna be the more surprised one?”

“Wait a moment, Idel. Does that mean….”

Idel gave a light wave toward Dante, who seemed to have grasped the gist of her short comment.

“I’ll tell you more after I’ve talked things over with Sigmund. For now, time is of the essence, so I have to go quickly.”

“Idel!”

“Good luck with the Duke, and I’ll be in touch!”

With those final words, Idel closed the carriage door.

Through the window, she could see Dante pressing a hand to his forehead, but this much was fine. Besides….

‘I have a good feeling about this.’