UDBL~66

Chapter 66

“Do I… really have kleptomania?”

Riana thought maybe it was better to let Deborah believe that misunderstanding.
That way, Deborah wouldn’t suspect her of the real things she was plotting.

With her mind made up, Riana clapped her hands and nodded.
“Right! Yes, I guess I do.”

Deborah nodded too, as if she had expected that answer. She didn’t seem suspicious, which made Riana feel relieved.

Riana was about to excuse herself and end this awkward meeting.
“Well then, I’ll just—”

“Researcher, here’s the towel and fresh gown—”

At that moment, Cece came running up with the items.

And at the exact same time, a sliding door in the hallway opened with a clatter.

‘Oh, right. This is the hallway with the conference rooms.’

She had been carrying boxes into the second conference room earlier.
Which meant, naturally, the first conference room was right here—

“Aah, I’m starving.”
“I’m so sleepy I could die.”

From the room that had just opened, researchers began pouring out, all looking tired after a long meeting.

“—I brought the towel and gown…!” Cece’s loud voice rang out, and instantly everyone’s attention turned her way.

Then, just as quickly, their gazes shifted to Deborah and Riana.

Deborah, standing there soaked.
Shattered glass bottles scattered across the floor.
And Riana, standing in front of her.

Every researcher’s face twisted in shock.

No one said it aloud, but they were all thinking the same thing—

The Isolation Tower maid is bullying Deborah Millicent… again!

Meanwhile, in the Duke’s main office.

Bastian entered, bowed politely, and said,
“My lord, I’ve brought the investigation report about the maids in the dormitory.”

Normally, Killian spent his days in the Genevieve Castle office handling company matters. But once a week, he handled family and household business all at once. Today was that day.

Killian reached out, and Bastian handed him the neatly bound report.

Pushing aside the documents he had been reviewing, Killian opened the new report in the center of his desk.

Since the smuggling incident with the desert kingdom, the loyalty and trustworthiness of employees had become a top concern. Managing staff now took priority over all else.

“Summarize it.”

Bastian nodded and began speaking.
“There are no major problems with the current maids. However, we did find evidence that Baron Brutus has been secretly communicating with Bispatch Weekly.”

Killian’s eyes snapped up sharply.
“Baron Brutus?”

“…Yes, my lord.”

“You were close with him, weren’t you?”

Bastian lowered his head.
“…Yes. I thought of him as a friend. I even shared tea with him whenever he visited the estate… I never imagined he would take my words and sell them to a newspaper. Lately I did feel something was off, but still…”

He quickly added,
“Don’t worry, my lord. I’ve already taken steps to have him removed as soon as possible. It won’t trouble you again.”

Killian’s fingers stopped turning the report’s pages. He looked straight at Bastian and murmured in a low voice,
“Postb tabloid.”

“…”

“There must be another leak there too. Keep digging.”

“…Yes, my lord.”

Bastian’s shoulders slumped. Another night of overtime awaited him.

The main report was over, but Bastian didn’t leave. He hesitated.

Killian glanced up, and Bastian cautiously said,
“It’s nothing serious… but I thought you should know. There’s a strange rumor spreading at Genevieve Castle.”

“What kind of rumor?”

“…It’s about Miss Riana.”

Killian’s brows furrowed.

“They say… she’s been persistently bullying one of the researchers.”

“…Ha.”

Killian closed the file and gave a short, incredulous laugh.

“Bring her here. Right now.”

Later.

Killian leaned back in his chair, narrowing his eyes.

Across from him, Riana stood with her arms crossed.

“….”

“….”

Silence filled the office. Only sharp, tense looks were exchanged between the two.

Riana had been summoned to the main residence, and her face clearly showed annoyance.
Her expression said, Who are you to drag me out here when it’s not even my shift at the Isolation Tower?

Killian let out a small laugh of disbelief. The silence broke, and even Bastian, who had been standing by, finally swallowed nervously.

Then Killian calmly asked,
“Are you harassing a researcher?”

“…Ha.”

Riana gave a bitter laugh, as if she had expected that question. Killian tilted his head slightly.

“That’s the rumor.”

“You actually believe rumors?”

“I’ve heard it more than once.”

He had. Even before the desert kingdom’s banquet, whispers had spread. Killian had brushed it off as just gossip—something that always followed anyone who stood out.

But after hearing the detailed incidents from Bastian, it really did look like relentless harassment.

With Riana, his expectations always fell short. This time was no different.

His blue eyes revealed his distrust as clearly as an open window. Riana noticed immediately.

‘So he’s convinced it’s true, huh?’

She felt a sting of hurt as she replied,
“What if I told you it was never on purpose?”

“So you’re saying it was all accidents? Just coincidences?”

Riana nodded slowly.

It was a strange feeling. She had been branded as the villainess who tormented Deborah for years, and she had endured the insults countless times before.

But hearing it from Killian—it felt different.

“You expect me to believe that?”

Wasn’t this the man who supposedly needed her affection to win his wager with the prince?
The man who had been desperate enough to almost throw his body at her the night before?

And yet, he still didn’t believe her.

So even to the man who claims it was love at first sight, I still look like a villainess who bullies people.

Her heart thudded heavier in her chest.

“Would I really be crazy enough to torment a noble lady on purpose?”

Her voice trembled with frustration. Killian’s reply was sharp.

“Of course, it would be rare for a sane person of common birth to target a noble. But…”

He smirked coldly.
“…Miss Riana, you’re not exactly an ordinary person, are you?”

Riana’s lips parted in disbelief, but no words came out.

Killian continued,
“I didn’t summon you here over a trivial rumor. This isn’t something I can ignore.”

Inside, Riana felt her chest boiling. Anger, frustration, and bitterness all mixed together.

She knew she didn’t really have the right to feel wronged—after all, the incidents everyone called “bullying” had happened.

But still, it felt unfair. Especially because of him.

Shouldn’t he doubt the rumors? Shouldn’t he at least pretend to trust her?

She had thought she never expected anything from him. But maybe she was wrong.

Why does this upset me so much?

Must be the caffeine again. The racing heartbeat, trembling hands, churning stomach… all side effects of that cursed chemical.

I’m never drinking coffee again!

Riana bit her lip and breathed heavily.

Then Killian said flatly,
“Stay away from Lady Millicent.”

Riana frowned hard.
“…So you’re taking her side?”

“There are no sides here—”

“And you won’t even listen to my explanation?”

“Does it matter what your reasons were? The outcome’s the same. You need to stop.”

Stop? As if I can just control these villainess flags…

Riana squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again. For a brief moment, she felt dizzy.

Why did it feel like betrayal?

I even sat at your dinner table yesterday just to humor you!

Sure, it was only to play along for her own plans. But still!

Deborah’s practically an industrial spy! She steals company research materials to invent products for herself! And I’m the one getting blamed?

Of course, Killian didn’t know that. But still—

How could an employee tolerate a boss so blindly biased toward the heroine?

Riana’s heart ached with resentment.

Sure, as a villainess she should’ve been happy that the male and female leads were getting closer. That meant their wedding would happen sooner.

But right now, logic didn’t matter.

Her mood was ruined, and she didn’t bother hiding it.

“My relationship with Lady Deborah isn’t something the Duke needs to mediate. You didn’t need to summon me like this.”

If this were just the typical conflict between a heroine and a villainess, then of course the hero would step in.

But she wasn’t a villainess.

…At least, she didn’t want to be.

And that was what she desperately wanted to shout.