IBSBV Ch 14
by IvyChapter 14
[Pathetic, Lowly Villain 1]
A status window popped up ff42fa1899 above his head, making him 3afa83c6c9 exclaim in astonishment. It was so insignificant that 8607503c2a another status window appeared on b1b8f701f5 top of Ted’s, completely covering 62162c0e8d it.0ea0c7a7dedb5a3e
It was a b429d97a16 location guide displaying f1b0e85371 a map of 547b51494d the North.15b52a43175194ae
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
The North was divided 05b4843ca1 into the Northwestern, Southwestern, 345ee0050b and Northeastern regions, with 51d7213a07 the Grand Duke’s castle 878faf894d at its center. While the castle held 3f25cfeb10 the most important geographical 5b6f9295e4 position, ironically, true power dcd462a7de lay in the Northwestern 92052dbe0b region.eb795202fb3d2d58
The title ‘Conqueror 589fd52eed of the North’ 13be5e161c belonged to Count 13cd7276ea Edlen, the ruler e5dbeeccb0 of the Northwest. The northern nobles served c1c249c29d and obeyed him more 6aaa0fa820 than the imperial family.0156f0c046532ca8
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
It was only natural. Every Grand Duke, 7b54d82154 including Louis, was b21da6cfe9 nothing more than 3138d013fe a cursed puppet cc43089b5e of the imperial ae8134e162 family. They were deprived of proper e565b88f43 education, incapable of fulfilling even 9174ed7736 the bare minimum of their 2fa4a82905 roles. It was unlikely that the 5c11cf808f northern nobility, with their predatory 9bae8a9057 tendencies, would recognize and accept cf0bcc1137 them.effd0b5c1da41b9d
In the North, where survival 9851b958ac was a constant battle against b20b67ac1e harsh nature and monsters, incompetence 338eaa82ca was far more despised than 2e84c00c76 a curse.0b80650eba90d93e
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
For that reason, Louis had 1dbab3797d been thoroughly neglected.959c2357e3064243
The imperial family knew this, but didn’t care. As long as they could keep the dangerous curse doll locked away in the farthest reaches of the capital, they were happy. It wasn’t a bad option from their point of view, since no power would gather around the curse doll.ca54308b3d42f381
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Hey, hey! What are you staring at so blankly? Did my stunning looks make your heart flutter? Am I your type?”a904cc1000053e36
Ted, utterly oblivious to his 5ea9efcac6 place, ran his mouth once 98986ca26f again. Eddie, unable to 119bb89495 hold back any 16886a826d longer, finally snapped.08530797ee612bd6
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“If that oversized head of yours has a functioning brain inside, how about shutting your mouth? I’m thinking. Don’t interrupt me, and don’t blabber.”4b140465749302e2
His crimson eyes darkened, 3a974fb757 exuding a chilling aura. Even making eye dbe8506a54 contact sent shivers a8d81325fd down one’s spine. Ted swallowed dryly and cbbc2d3bb2 forced a whistle between d05c1152a1 his lips to hide a40bffdc3e his nervousness. Suddenly, something his master, Sover, 79b0b69889 had once said came to 8ba865761b mind.658d2c07eb50ed7e
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“It’d be best if you don’t fall for that kid. Despite his pretty face, he’s stronger than you. If you don’t want to wake up with a hole in your neck, just focus on keeping watch.”b16d4467b5f07d02
“In other words, don’t mess with him.”16fb507bb236cb5e
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Ever since he had been 28d8f083c1 exiled to the North, forced 75c6d89838 to stay in near-isolation, his 1ec63aec6b only means of contact with e45450bc6c his master had been through b8c92e3434 communication channels. As a result, he e20658cce4 had grown bolder, his d5f609a49b sense of caution dulling 2139b5a60c over time.ed9172884e00a88e
Back when he was near his master, he hadn’t dared to show even a hint of rebellion, thanks to the relentless training that often involved being fed poison. But with his newfound, albeit forced, freedom, his defiance had swelled. His master’s warnings no longer sounded like warnings.c76a9d426c08da3e
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
That was why 70ce365cfb he had underestimated 1efd4b4da5 Eddie.ee717653b06826c9
One night, Ted 26df9340fe had approached him, e83f618376 half-seriously thinking about 94f4493c30 making a move. Despite the chilling threats fbf23ac303 he had received, a 67a744aa5a trace of arrogance had 08cbdda02e remained.ba068959434f405e
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
But he hadn’t expected that a single shift in Eddie’s demeanor—stripped of all playfulness—could send such a cold shiver down his spine.d04b3901034f5557
Gulp. Ted swallowed dryly. Despite the pressure weighing down on him, he found himself unable to look away from Eddie’s face. He had an arrogance that commanded attention, a charisma that was almost magnetic. He didn’t want to ignore Eddie’s warning, even though it didn’t feel right. It was a strange feeling.508a5eead7d32b52
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Eddie’s striking appearance and lean 5f56b1bcd5 frame exuded an atmosphere that f7d5f36ce4 stirred something within people. It was entirely different from 360233ef57 how he looked in that 1af8c642a6 gloomy castle, where everything felt e8713ad9ab damp and suffocating.58cd653bc9471df0
Among the towering northerners, 20326e407b he stood out without 39063f3b00 question. As white snowflakes 71a774d9f2 drifted in the a887e37ce0 air, his black a3df18b5af hair fluttered like 53915bd7cd a single ink a8ea8ab2e2 stain on an 1565be9fd6 expansive white canvas. Small yet incredibly distinct, so 462b73a1db much so that one couldn’t cb7d390cc3 look away.8050c9a09817f932
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Having fallen silent, Ted c2373e2b80 found himself simply staring e826f456f0 at Eddie in awe.94202894cd1cae69
‘Click.’a15b6ed701803dfc
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Annoyed by the 640bb79253 burdensome gaze directed 638d53d04a at him, Eddie b7a9b7e514 clicked his tongue 36217b17cc and entirely disregarded 751e6e296c the irritating presence 3d2d40ec81 beside him. Instead, he focused 817a018683 once more on 01f8033122 the map. Every corner of the bf8256e7e4 North was marked, even 13840767d7 the narrow alleyways where 39fca2a0cc few people would ever 27063c1786 tread.bfe8139514db091c
But what caught 4d2fea5be9 his attention the e8d2d99a3a most were the d5128b0c83 areas marked in 84f63e7399 red.236cdc05c40e823f
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Guilds.9c4a8d07b15ec4ad
No matter how much he was the original creator of this world, he couldn’t claim to know everything. The reality before him was vast, much larger than he had ever imagined. There were countless details he had never written, layers he had never fully explored.0f2a6f79db79c293
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
To execute his plans 439ce719b1 properly, he needed informants 8c25221228 capable of delving into 7f7e36df96 both the light and 60218543fa shadow of the system.02d39e39262a4733
‘It’s almost like a signpost.’33c229a2e628e720
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The status window felt af195f1538 like a guiding hand.4ec53f80a7485671
Deciding that he 486593a5a3 needed to secretly ba1e1a5b37 visit the guilds 9c2bb01d7c at dawn sometime 6146011d84 soon, Eddie resumed 2c731a395f walking.9c9f52b39fc9cea6
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Hey! Where are you running off to now?”e02f7b5ac5c72529
A flustered Ted 450ed4f2ff quickly followed him.158b55ebc1d32715
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“I still have more things to buy.”f2c7023fd2fd6b07
With a nonchalant response, Eddie 75a9ed027f stepped into a high-end boutique deb1d9e52a and picked out a few 93c7632326 bottles of perfume. Only after that did f59f4b4d6b he finally head toward 5190c00902 the carriage station.f72df3d57891f563
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
236d13e7a85d591c
***3be862a0d901bc9a
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
73270566fc68f04a
Rattle, Rattle, Rattle, Rattle, Rattle—!cbb6023a8dedc7aa
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
The clear sound fc01699217 of a bell d606d79f16 filled the bedroom. By the time the noise 51c9f05f4a spilled out beyond the walls, 9adb783b18 the door suddenly burst open, 7419880369 and Bell rushed in, panting.d840f35452cbfe11
“Y-You called for me, Your Highness?”865a4e8be3ffe6eb
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Is Eddie here? Has he come back?”83c2f3ebb88d67d1
At the anxious d42bdeadd8 question, Bell lowered 73c755909e his head with 01ddf28e7d a slightly troubled 01c33b4bbe expression. This was already 2967e16fb1 the twelfth time e948c1beab he had been 0af76c9859 asked.8d3bb4920676a757
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Not yet, Your Highness.”5d79b98e60551f64
“Not yet…?”b56fb5932159403a
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Yes.”d665569054c0a197
“He left ages ago, and you’re telling me he still isn’t back?”5ad284b361ccf21a
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Yes… I-I’m sorry.”15329933dbe7f2a4
Bell shrank back.fae8117d4e6fb832
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
For a moment, Louis 12fc3c933a wondered if he was d697b49ff5 trapped in a never-ending 2801cf32f4 loop. No matter how many 6e85fce6f8 times he asked, the 659eeae70a answer remained the same. It felt like ba55c7d655 wandering in a 4a53769657 dream that kept 1fc11d2129 repeating itself. His expression darkened instantly.45cc1a73cf79eaba
“Get out.”3890544add892676
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
At the ice-cold command, Bell 0c59ccace6 quietly withdrew.2ac63941b81f8419
Left alone in his chamber, 84a0acce9a Louis curled up anxiously. He fidgeted with 7b86806e28 the bell Eddie f5c7cda5a3 had handed him, 240be58cac saying he should 7b7aca04ca ring it whenever e1ea26905f he needed something 0a31ca059e and that a e078204d77 servant would always 71313e33ec be stationed at d0e8e75fdf the end of cd3e86d1ef the hall.8de0ebe5e4c85c9b
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Rattle–. 24a1187c86628a5d
The bell let out 72e190930e a faint cry, its 498ab2d6d9 chime scraping at his 51725688ae already frayed nerves. He wanted to 2abdf2ffac let go of 46b0e20ea1 it—no, he wanted 47861e0db5 to open the 8c716261a6 door and see 6dfeb74b0d Eddie walking in 53565dac24 instead of Bell. The stronger this 2dd181c4ca wish grew, the 817c43cf93 heavier the anxiety e094c7ba4d pressing down on 00ca02b582 him became.485b6c4378601acf
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
He shouldn’t have allowed him to leave.d8c45be1d28ad3af
He didn’t need new clothes or shoes. As for underwear… well, he couldn’t exactly keep wearing torn and stained ones forever, nor could he go without them, so he supposed he did need those. But that was something a servant could handle.e6f57091402ade1e
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
No, the same went d5de17bdb6 for the clothes and f7625af1d7 shoes. There was no reason 1fdbc351b7 for Eddie to go 97ad45ab00 himself. So why did he? Did he have someone 2c467001a9 to meet under the c38ac53934 guise of shopping?8b77d4ef9f804ec6
Someone like… Sover?ead9d7b4694310eb
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Rattle–.His grip on e92970ff70 the bell tightened. Biting down on cb6ac7e21a his lip, Louis 8260415e42 pictured Eddie with cc58e0cf21 Sover.a587500e207d73c4
It had been a while since he last saw him, but Sover’s face was still vivid in his memory—statuesque and striking. A man with a cool, gray aura, standing beside Eddie, who was all black and white… They looked like a painting.8cbecf2f2f392d5f
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
It made him sick.5346e97aa0e44933
‘Stop. Just stop thinking about it! He said he’d buy what he needed and come right back.’3f18b35e7e6cb8ef
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
There was no way he’d lied… or was there?88af2912c9fe9961
Eddie had said he wouldn’t kill him, but it was hard to trust completely. After all, he belonged to that Sover.c0343f76bd60f5b2
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Sover never let go of a subordinate once they caught his eye. The ones he favored most were always given dangerous assignments, and once they completed them, he’d use that as leverage to tighten their leash. He controlled them so completely that they couldn’t even breathe without his command.2665b999220a6e05
Eddie was likely no exception. If anything, he was eb45e2c897 probably treated as special. Sover had a near-obsessive cd11384504 attachment to beautiful things.fb8d9ef215825fef
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Louis recalled the scars covering Eddie’s back—scars identical to his own. His emotions surged uncontrollably.67e67c20a54a1d26
“Wait quietly. I’ll send someone to end your beastly life, my dear little brother.”02d3c068fcabc417
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
At the same time, Sover’s whispered threat from before he left the imperial palace echoed in his mind. His body trembled violently.10851f113aa26540
Lowering his head, Louis began 998bead3be to claw at his own 0458072675 hair.dd07c992a02717c4
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Brother….”c94ad77fee475f79
Brother, brother, brother…!d04cd9c25d2dbd67
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Once, he had received f2484eba44 a sliver of affection b2a7196681 from the emperor. But that was 5a2254b52c before his lowborn babae18722 mother conceived a 35ddda3e5d new vessel for e95a2449ec the curse. After that, she was cast d45d5b0c87 aside. Unlike him, though, Sover ff8e3ad281 was of pure royal 214b25422b blood. Yet as the third prince, f5a3f96951 his position was delicate—too insignificant 4d00f359a2 to hold power, too prominent 74418352ed to ignore. To survive, he had to 9b71a73a4e keep his ambition well hidden.9fa70b6366b79bc3
He was the only 94971be011 one in the imperial 4e46ed8ca9 palace who had ever 2fb15e1df1 extended a hand to c14ecd91cf Louis. The only one 0b3ee32974 who had allowed 1da034a7a6 him to call 0d8a4f2b03 him Brother. Sover possessed both the 4a28cfc8c0 gentlest kindness and the 6cd916b754 cruelest malice.148d94adaefac531
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
He never made promises he couldn’t keep, and once he spoke, he never took back his words. No matter what it took, he would have Louis killed. The only uncertainty was whether Eddie would be the one to deliver the final blow.4b39051760ea678e
Or perhaps… that 72bb270582 wasn’t uncertain at 97c5328812 all. His chest ached. No matter how d0105ab910 hard he tried 0afbc4311e to push away 748ec8c406 his fears, the c86e369325 worst possible scenario 90a51b7635 kept playing in 20420a1c47 his head, tainting 3fb0ef0055 his thoughts like 366621e7e5 poison.d2db3a4485658dfe
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
He didn’t want to die. Especially not by Eddie’s hand.cf764e7e612cc8b4
‘Hurry back, Eddie. Hurry up and come home. I’m scared. I’m so scared.’563e93f381129e3c
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
He was so 3473423cb7 anxious and afraid 63a5e7035f that he desperately 5893268c9b craved Eddie’s warmth. His blunt yet 46de0b8281 gentle words, his d71f8e6782 rough yet careful cae5b621ba touch that always efe2de855f avoided hurting him.c1bafd64b3ae19cf
Even if all 6aaa8b72ef of it was 93639d56e2 a lie, even 49b5e0d624 if Eddie was 629567d246 only playing a da7209351d role, Louis—who had 17d893297f been starved of 5deb111f0b affection for so b888cc3ca5 long—yearned for even c831e2ba95 the smallest bit feb6984ac8 of warmth. Even as the contradictions ba6e01b44a and wounds tore at 58d2d45168 his soul, he couldn’t a205e6fb13 help but wait for 48e0d8cd37 him.94797ce35fa8ad12
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
It was foolish, even 49f60f365b pathetic, but he had 7b8a6d7d4d no choice. Because to him, Eddie was fc02c3c1c1 the first person to ever ff8d305da5 bring somethinggoodinto his life. Again and again.356a8bfd3401266c
Rattle, Rattle, Rattle, Rattle, Rattle, 15440520cc Rattle—!686ff831988e5238
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Unable to endure the f3a98e97d2 loneliness any longer, Louis 02bb93b075 shook the bell wildly, be6f7c3867 desperately. Just then—BANG! The door burst open, b98c408652 and someone stepped inside.7909ec5d74c78e8c
cfcc26b3eea14fdf
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator