A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

"Count Patric," Avendial casually shifted his gaze towards the man seated on the opposite side of the desk, positioned about three seats away. Patric's entire body reacted instantly with a visible shiver the very moment his name was uttered by Avendial.

This unexpected call not only caught Patric off guard but also drew the attention of all the other members seated at the table towards him in a synchronized manner.

"Y-yes," Patric stammered, overwhelmed, his body trembling as he struggled to control his horror. Knowing that if he somehow managed to escape this place, there was a chance he could survive by manipulating the whole case in the Royal court, he tried to keep his body in control and appear mixed in with the others. But Avendial once again caused everyone's eyes to turn towards him.

Technically, noblemen, unlike normal citizens, can't be simply condemned and arrested due to their position and the feudal rules applied here.

In the old feudal system without any changes, the Count would have been immediately detained by the Marquess' guards or higher authorities under the Royal family would have directly judged him for his crimes.

But this whole law was improved by taking away the privilege from higher nobles to take action against the condemned.

So, right now, the Princess had the power to arrest Patric and throw him in prison until the Royal court decided his fate.

This was what kept Count Patric Vrandin somewhat sane enough to not reveal that he hadn't poisoned the Marquess but used an aphrodisiac, knowing how he would be able to escape the Royal court with the help of the person behind all this.

But unbeknownst to him, instead of going through the hassle of taking this whole case to the Royal court, Avendial had just sealed Patric's last line of survival by maneuvering this towards a bad memory for Princess Katheria Arinphiam.

To summarize this story: Instead of officially arresting Patric and bringing the matter to the Royal court, the Princess will kill him in the most gruesome way possible by manipulating the entire situation.

This underscores the reality that, regardless of the society, those who hold power often manipulate laws and rules to their advantage.

"Nothing. Can you pass that kettle here?" Avendial smiled and pointed to a kettle on the table in front of Patric. The dining table was filled with a variety of food items and cuisines that emitted a delicious aroma, though not enough to attract attention from onlookers.

After all, the center of attention for tonight had become Count Patric, who had already lost all noble support or potential deals due to his actions.

Not every nobleman was present tonight given the fact that they showed other Heirs more importance, but it was certain that those who learned of the night's events would withdraw any business deals or projects from the Vrandin family.

"Sorry?" Patric was slightly taken aback by Avendial's request for the kettle when there was clearly one beside him.

'?!'

Yet, when Patric looked in that direction, a sudden chill ran down his spine, sourced from the Princess, whose eyes had just met his.

Unbeknownst to many, Patric knew that offending a Royal meant it was inevitable that his family would head towards the path of destruction.

Just like what happened to the Sertsul family.

Though this fact was completely buried, it was true that once a woman known for her high society status had been offered a proposal to marry a prince of that time. She rejected the prince and chose the head of the Sertsul family, whom she loved.

The end result is still etched in the hearts of a few of the older members as a verbal tale instead of being officially documented.

After that particular prince became the Emperor, the Sertsuls, who were once idols of etiquette and nobility, fell after a series of events— the head of the Sertsul family was assassinated, infertile lands were compensated to the Sertsuls within the kingdom of Thaloris, and they were neglected by the Royal family.

In conclusion, officially erasing the presence of a nobleman was possible for the Royal family under the clever manipulation of laws and without breaking any rules established from the time of the feudal and centralized government.

Since no rules were broken, how could one be blamed here?

"Leave it," Avendial said, noting how horrified Patric was. He turned his eyes towards the woman seated at the head of the table, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, with sharp yellow eyes fixed on Patric as if a predator was eyeing its prey.

Looking at the Princess with a smirk forming, his fingers cut a piece of tender, aromatic meat with a knife and fork. Avendial added, "Princess, once the doctors confirm that my health is stable, I would like to have a conversation with you. Will that be possible?"

'....' Princess Katheria, whose fingers were tracing the teacup's handle while formulating a plan to deal with Patric and uncover the one behind the poisoning incident, turned her eyes towards Avendial. She looked at him for a moment before nodding. "Yes, but can Marquess tell me if it is related to his interest in investing in my pharmaceutical business?"

'?!'

'Haan, will you look at that,' a smile formed on Avendial's face as he felt all the noblemen's gazes turn towards him due to the Princess's words, which would clearly increase her weight in this heir battle.

Even though she didn't forget to utilize this event in her favor, it appeared much more amusing for Avendial to see how cunningly she had diverted everyone's attention from Patric.

In conclusion, she had, with her mere words, given the illusion to other noblemen that the Marquess was interested in investing in her business and, secondly, diverted everyone's attention from Patric, who was soon going to disappear somewhere—one arrow, two birds.

"Indeed, Princess, that is also included," Avendial replied, not retreating. He glanced at her with a calm demeanor, a small smile that appeared devilish with those narrowed blue eyes, looking at her.

"....I see," Katheria nodded, holding her usual composed expression. Her eyes then turned towards the noblemen who appeared shocked. Even she herself was slightly bewildered, hearing how Avendial, after showing little enthusiasm for her pharmaceutical business last time, now acted with such interest.

This only meant that he was intentionally going along with her.

"HURRY!"

"LEAD THE WAY NOW!"

"Come here! Master! Where are you!" A man ran through the long hallway of the palace, led by two maids sprinting while holding the hems of their dresses, their body hurled towards the direction of the noble gathering.

"Here they come," Avendial said, looking in the direction where several individuals, dressed in white coats with neatly pressed collars and embroidered name tags, appeared to be doctors.

They were accompanied by a man in front wearing a meticulously tailored black butler outfit, complete with polished shoes, white gloves, and a silver pocket watch chain glinting from his waistcoat pocket, all running towards him.

"....Master, are you fine?" Alfred, after already covering a distance, arrived near the table where several noblemen were gathered. He kept his professionalism, composed himself, and stood in a formal manner before looking towards his master, who appeared completely fine.

"Of course not, I am poisoned." Avendial leaned forward with clasped hands supporting his chin, and with a smile, he looked towards the butler. Seeing his master's smile for the first time, Alfred glanced in the direction of the other noblemen, who didn't appear much surprised, making him aware that these people were already accustomed to such behavior.

"Check the master, this instant!" Slightly taken aback by his master's initial words, Alfred composed himself, realizing the urgency of the situation. Given the fact that every nobleman appeared nervous, proving that it wasn't some joke, he instantly ordered the doctors to help him out.

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