She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a Ridiculous Novel - Chapter 65

As promised, there were significant changes in the Duke’s household.

The servants involved in the incident were all isolated until Idel recovered, and any matter, no matter how trivial, related to Gianna and Idel was reported directly to the Duchess.

Meanwhile, while the Duke was interrogating the mysterious man along with the knights, Idel was inwardly cursing Melisa.

It was only natural.

“Idel, are you feeling a bit better? Are you coming to your senses now?”

Who would want to see the person responsible for making them bedridden as soon as they opened their eyes?

Reading the sense of ecstasy in Melisa’s eyes as she stroked her head, Idel closed her eyes as if she were in pain.

‘I thought she would come since it seemed like Melisa’s plan had succeeded on the surface, but… seeing her now is just irritating.’

Her body hurt more than she had prepared for, and she was grinding her teeth in frustration.

Suppressing the urge to ask if she had added anything other than medicine for stomach to the sorbet, Idel pressed her palms against her eyes.

It was as if she couldn’t suppress her upset feelings.

“Oh dear, Idel. Does your eye hurt? Dr. Aiman didn’t say anything like that…”

“No, it’s not that… I’m just… upset.”

Idel whispered her feelings of disappointment and bit her lip.

Though her overall expression wasn’t visible, it was clear how disappointed and betrayed Idel felt.

‘They say Rowena drew a sword on the Duke’s servants?’

It was unfortunate that she hadn’t seen Rowena’s angry expression firsthand. It must have been different from the time when she had mixed anger with her own distress.

Melisa let out a sigh discreetly and twisted the corners of her mouth.

‘It’s a pity for Rowena and the Duke, who must have wanted to do well, but what can be done? In moments of hesitation, losing is the nature of the world.’

Melisa’s gaze fell on Idel, who was trembling slightly. The sight of Idel at the banquet had been sheer ecstasy.

She had reached out to Gianna just as she had thought and then collapsed in disbelief at Veronica’s words.

‘The highlight was when the maid confessed to adding medicine to the sorbet and then collapsed. In fact, the medicine for Idel was in all the food.’

It was a curse that responded only to her, aimed solely at Idel.

‘So that Idel’s emotions would be shaken more strongly, allowing her to rely entirely on me.’

Brainwashing and manipulation were not simply resolved by intensifying a curse.

The stronger the victim’s belief and will toward the caster, the greater the authority the curse had to bind them.

‘Moreover, while the curse is effective for immediate actions, it has too many loopholes for directing complex plans. It would be a waste to use Idel as a foolish puppet, so this process is essential.’

One cannot command every tiny detail. And now, the end was in sight.

With a calm smile, Melisa gently stroked Idel’s head and spoke softly. Her usually quiet voice felt particularly teasing.

“…Yes, my daughter. You tried so hard not to be hated, but in the end, it didn’t work out, did it?”

“Yeah…”

“I heard what the maid said. Originally, you were thinking of forgiving all the servants who tormented you at the banquet?”

‘Me?’

Idel paused for a moment, forgetting that she was facing Melisa.

She had no intention of doing that at all. Maybe if they were her peers, but as fully grown adults, they should be responsible for their actions.

Suppressing the immediate question that arose, Idel managed her expression and nodded.

“…That’s right.”

“My poor child. You made up your mind like that, but Veronica rushed in because she was afraid it would harm Gianna, and the servants even made you take a laxative.”

“…”

“Idel, people do not change. They will hate you until the day they die. That’s why I told you, didn’t I? That here, I’m the only one on your side. Do you understand now?”

“…Yeah, the only one on my side is Mom…”

Pretending to generously embrace her daughter’s mistakes, Melisa pulled Idel closer. Then, she whispered softly to her.

“From now on, you should only listen to Mom, okay?”

“…Yes, I’ll only listen to you from now on.”

“Then don’t say anything like wanting to reconcile with Gianna. I’ll drive away everyone who made you this way.”

Not leaving a single person behind.

“…Do you understand what I mean?”

Idel quietly nodded in Melisa’s embrace.

“And from now on, you don’t need to be angry and treat people poorly.”

“Hmm? But Mom…”

“You’ve been through so much. I don’t want to make you do anything that difficult. Just ignore people. Help out a little when I need you. Is that okay?”

“Yeah! Sounds good!”

Sounds good, huh?

While responding brightly and hugging Melisa tightly, Idel secretly frowned.

‘Once I drive away the servants, bad rumors will spread beyond repair, so they’re no longer needed.’

Some of them might reflect on their actions, but there will also be those who will blame others until the end.

Melisa’s thoughts were obvious.

‘Now that I’m completely in her grasp, she must be planning to maintain this state while waiting for the right moment to poison the Duke.’

If I become too much of a headache, wouldn’t it make it harder for her to approach the Duke?

‘The Duke might even send me away to a boarding school in anger.’

Seeing her pretend to care for Idel while ultimately trying to use her made Idel’s insides boil.

‘Is it because I’m in pain? My emotions are particularly intense today.’

Unaware that it was the effect of the medicine Melisa had given her, Idel slowly distanced herself from Melisa, wearing a disappointed expression.

“Mom, are you leaving again?”

“Yes, I have to. You were sick, so I stayed by your side.”

“…Then I’ll just stay sick.”

“That’s not good. If you stay healthy and listen to me properly, you’ll be able to see me soon.”

With a hollow smile, Melisa patted Idel’s head and slowly stood up.

She had confirmed everything she wanted to, so there was no need to stay with Idel any longer.

As Melisa adjusted her clothes to leave the room, she seemed to remember something and let out a small exclamation.

“By the way, Idel, do you know someone named Farell Underwood?”

“Farell…?”

Why is that guy coming out of Melisa’s mouth?

For a moment, Idel was taken aback, but she quickly furrowed her brow, pretending to think deeply.

“Who is that?”

“Don’t you remember?”

Instead of answering, Idel nodded. After hearing Idel’s response, Melisa slowly rolled her eyes and muttered lightly to herself.

“It did sound like a delusion. He’s saying Idel was manipulating the Duke’s family… He was just a madman.”

A delusion? Manipulating the Duke’s family?

As Idel perked up her ears to catch the clues, Melisa calmly wrapped up the conversation.

“If you don’t remember, that’s fine. It means it wasn’t significant. And the Duke and Duchess…”

“…I don’t want to meet them.”

Melisa threw out her words as if testing her once more, wearing a somewhat satisfied smile.

“Alright, I’ll convey that. Then rest well, my dear.”

Idel maintained a gentle daughter’s expression until Melisa left. And when she was sure Melisa had completely disappeared, she clicked her tongue and whispered softly.

“Yeah, enjoy your happiness for now.”

To drive them all out without exception. She’s so obvious.

‘By the way, why did Farell suddenly appear? Melisa wouldn’t know about Ivan and Count’s Bright family.’

The reason she hadn’t stepped forward was probably because of Melisa and the Duke and Duchess.

‘I’ll have to ask Diane when she comes.’

It was at that moment, while Idel was mulling over Melisa’s suspicious words, that she sensed a small movement from the balcony connected to her room.

“Hey, who’s there?”

She sharply shot her words into the dimly lit balcony for a moment. But when she confirmed who it was, Idel’s eyes widened.

“Dante Knightley?”

“I… I’m sorry for surprising you again. It wasn’t intentional; I just didn’t know when it would be a good time to come in…”

Idel’s gaze landed on the boy, who looked a bit awkward, and noticed he was holding a small vase.

‘I can roughly guess what happened without him saying it…’

But that wasn’t the important matter right now. Feeling her heart drop, Idel opened her mouth again towards Dante.

“Did you happen to hear everything?”