The Villainous Noblewoman Is About to Be Forced into Love, Isn’t This Wrong?

Chapter 97.1: Iron Pot Stew Liana (1)

"It seems that Prince Aust III doesn't have any solutions after all. What a waste of my expectations," Liana said, her expression tinged with displeasure.

Aust was left speechless. Impossible. No way. This has to be the forbidden drug's fault.

Wasn't he the one who understood his own situation best?

But why couldn't Sybil detect it?

Could it be that the drug had been taken for too long?

And since it was a forbidden drug, who knew what kinds of aftereffects it might cause?

He himself had never touched the stuff.

If he accidentally exposed it, everything would be ruined.

He had only read some vague records about it in books.

Even then, there had been some inconsistencies, and Sybil seemed to have picked up on them.

Unwilling to give up, Aust moved closer to Sybil and asked,

"Miss Sybil, you truly can't find anything wrong with Lady Liana?"

"I’m sorry, Prince Aust III," Sybil said, shaking her head. "I truly couldn’t find any abnormalities in Lady Liana."

Of course, she thought privately, aside from the fact that she can already use magic, and the slight strain in her arm.

Lady Liana’s body was very healthy. If anything, she was merely lacking in exercise.

"Prince Aust III, are you suspecting me? My time is very precious," Liana said, her voice edged with irritation.

Aust felt as though his lungs were about to explode. Your time is precious?

That idle time of yours is precious?

Wasn’t Aust’s time infinitely more valuable?

He had given up precious hours that he could have spent studying magic, just to come and find her.

Who was wasting whose time here?

Aust took a deep breath. Over the years, he had long since learned how to control his emotions.

He tried to think of ways to salvage the situation.

"Miss Sybil," he said, "although you are renowned for your excellence as a priestess, could you perhaps conduct another, more thorough examination? I understand your time is precious, and I will compensate you accordingly."

"Nowadays, magic has developed to the point where anyone can use their intellect to create it," Aust continued. "If someone still can't use magic at this point, they would be labeled as a deviant."

Under her brother's extreme expectations, Liana's position could become dangerous.

That was why Aust wanted to help her—or at least, to appear as though he cared.

He wasn't merely trying to paint himself as someone concerned about Liana.

In the name of 'wisdom' and 'benevolence,' his actions and words were, in fact, constantly creating discrimination against those who couldn't use magic.

But in the eyes of others, Aust was still a model successor.

After all, none of the underhanded deeds were traced back directly to him.

Because of his status, Sybil still treated him with great respect.

"As for the payment, there’s no need," Sybil said seriously. "This concerns Lady Liana—who is also the daughter of my teacher. Naturally, I must handle it with the utmost care."

"If I conduct a full, comprehensive examination," she added, "perhaps I might discover something."

"Full examination?" Aust [N O V E L I G H T] rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

He didn’t believe that Liana could know about the forbidden drug.

Even if she was Ansers’s biological daughter, there was no way she could be aware.

Besides, even if, hypothetically, she did know about it—so what?

Would she knowingly keep taking it?

Would she really go that far?

Taking it a step further—even if she realized that the forbidden drug came from Countess Ruth, it wasn’t like she could save herself.

Countess Ruth and her master were in the same boat. Liana surely understood that.

If the truth came out, Aust would be the only one who could save her.

Those who spoke up would only tarnish Aust’s reputation.

But Countess Ruth... she would lose her life.

Moreover, there was no direct contact between Aust and Countess Ruth.

At that time, Aust had been under the constant surveillance of a Judicator.

It was impossible for anything to leak out.

No matter what, Countess Ruth would never expose him.

Enough, Aust thought. I'm overthinking this.

There’s no way Liana knows anything.

"Then I’ll trouble you," Aust said, nodding politely.

"Hey, hey, hey—you’re making decisions without my permission? Talking about things I don't even understand?"

Liana’s annoyed voice cut through sharply.

"Liana, don’t worry," Aust said quickly. "We won’t do anything inappropriate to you."

"What exactly does a 'full examination' mean?" Liana asked suspiciously.

"The earlier check was just a simple surface inspection," Sybil explained calmly. "To fully determine whether there’s another cause preventing Lady Liana from using magic, we’ll need to employ special methods."

"And what exactly are those methods?" Liana pressed.

"I’ll need to trouble Lady Liana to come with me to my residence," Sybil said.

"So troublesome..." Liana muttered resentfully, her whole face showing her disgust.

Aust, though furious inside, could only swallow his anger and continue to coax her.

As the successor to the throne, when had he ever been treated this way before?

But Liana’s situation was unique, and Sybil was usually very busy.

He had gone through a lot to invite her back.

Just endure it a little longer.

In fact, Sybil had just been on a business trip to the Dalaris Territory yesterday.

Normally, even if there were celebrations in the Lisat Royal Capital, she wouldn’t return.

But yesterday, for some unknown reason, Aust had managed to contact her—offering her seven or eight fine medicinal herbs, promising her the chance to treat Liana, and sparking her curiosity about the capital’s situation.

Thus, Sybil had returned.

"Fine, then," Liana said reluctantly, finally agreeing to Aust’s request.

"Olivia," Liana said, turning her head with a sly smile, "thanks to me, you’ll even get to visit Miss Sybil’s residence."

Sybil held the rank of a marquess, belonging to the highest nobility of the Lisat Royal Capital.

Naturally, her home wasn’t a place ordinary people could casually visit.

Olivia said nothing.

When there were outsiders present, she could restrain her emotions well.

Besides, she never had much affection for the other successors.

She was firmly in Mepeilu’s camp, and in her eyes, Aust was basically an enemy.

So seeing Aust suffer at Liana’s hands gave her a secret sense of satisfaction.

"Let’s go, then," Sybil said.

"Prince Aust III," Sybil added, "the upcoming examination may take some time, and it wouldn't be convenient for you to observe. Shall I inform you of the results tomorrow?"

"No need," Aust shook his head. "No point wasting your time any further.

It's a rare celebration. Best to wrap this up early and enjoy the festivities."

After today's matter is settled, he thought, no matter what, Liana will stand with Mepeilu.

I must make sure it happens before Mepeilu acts.

"Thank you for your concern, Prince Aust III," Sybil said politely.

⋯⋯

The noon sun beat down on the bluestone path, radiating waves of heat.

Wind chimes hanging from the eaves chimed with a soft, broken sound.

Liana walked down the bluestone path, with Loraviel by her side holding a parasol.

The daytime heat was suffocating, while the nights were already growing chilly.

"Prince Aust III, please wait under that pavilion," Sybil said, pointing to a shaded structure within the academy grounds.

"Alright," Aust agreed, nodding.

Liana followed behind Sybil.

Sybil pushed open a wooden door.

A pungent smell of bronze, mixed with strange medicinal scents, rushed out, making Liana wrinkle her nose.

Well, she’s a priestess, Liana thought. It’s normal for her to research strange medicines.

My mother had a room like this too.

"Lady Liana, please come with me," Sybil said.

"As for the others," she added, turning to the maids, "please rest here for a while."

"Understood," Loraviel replied.

Liana followed Sybil deeper inside, arriving at a room dominated by a massive bronze cauldron.

Underneath the cauldron, the charred remnants of firewood still radiated faint warmth—it hadn’t been long since it was last used.

"So... what now?" Liana asked.

"Lady Liana, please remove your clothes and enter the cauldron," Sybil said calmly.

"Huh?!"

Liana’s mouth dropped open.

"You’re kidding, right?"

"Lady Liana, I’m very serious," Sybil said without blinking.

⋯⋯

Liana glanced around. Were all the doors and windows securely shut?

"Don’t worry, Lady Liana," Sybil reassured her. "They've already been locked and sealed."

"And our conversation—will it leak outside?"

Sybil shook her head.

"Though it might sound selfish,

every priest, especially at our level, has their own unique treatment methods.

During certain procedures, confidentiality is strictly maintained."

Liana exhaled a long breath of relief.

Seems like there's nothing to worry about.

"Just as you can see—"

【Gem, generate.】

A glittering gemstone appeared in Liana’s palm.

"I can indeed use magic," she said coolly.

"Then why, Lady Liana..." Sybil began.