I'm In Love With The Villainess Volume 4

Volume 4 Chapter 14 My Dear Student: Part 1

Chapter 14:
My Dear Student

“E-EXILED…?” Philine’s voice trembled in disbelief.

“Please wait, Your Majesty! For what—”

“Silence, Claire François. It is not your place to speak in matters of the empire.”

“B-but…” Claire refused to back down.

Dorothea wore a sadistic smile. “Or what? Would your plans go awry if Philine were to disappear?”

She knew. She knew we were turning Philine against her.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice? Even if she’s useless, Philine’s still a princess. She is always under protection, her every action monitored.”

We’d been careless. Philine hadn’t realized she was being watched. I’d thought we were careful to not be seen, but it seemed Dorothea was just leagues ahead of us.

“I could overlook the connections you made with my researchers. I even wanted to commend you for taking action on your own, for once.”

Dorothea glared at Philine. “But I can’t overlook conspiring with rebel forces. They dare to rebel against me, and by association, so have you.”

She made a beckoning gesture, and the audience hall doors opened to admit armed imperial guards. I rose to my feet, taking a position in front of Claire, and prepared for a fight.

“At ease, Rae Taylor,” Dorothea said.

“I’ll excuse your actions on account of how you handled the demon incident, as well as my prior debt to you. But don’t think I’ll show such kindness twice.”

The guards restrained Philine as Dorothea spoke. Philine didn’t attempt
to resist. But just when I thought she had resigned herself, she raised her voice.

“Mother! Please, hear me out! At this rate, the empire will fall!” A fierce light shone in Philine’s eyes. She hadn’t given up yet.

“Oh? Interesting. Let’s hear it, then.” Dorothea grinned as though expecting a show.

“The empire has made far too many enemies! Soon, there will be too many of us to resist!”

“If our foes stand in our way, we trample them. That’s what we’ve always done, and that’s what we will continue to do.” Dorothea’s words
reminded me of what Hilda had once said.

“That might work so long as you’re alive, but what happens when you’re gone?! The empire has grown dependent on your presence! That can’t last!”

“I’m not about to die just yet, and what happens after my death is a concern for those that come after me.”

“That’s absurd!”

How irresponsible. I didn’t expect those in power to always be paragons of virtue, but it wasn’t unreasonable to expect them to at least strive toward a better future for their country. Philine was right—the empire’s future seemed dark. How could Dorothea openly admit she only cared what happened during her rule?

“Mother, just what do you think it means to wear the crown?!” Philine cried.

“The crown? It means nothing to me. I simply do as I like. If you want to change my mind, do so through force.” Dorothea just kept spouting nonsense. “You have your own sense of justice. That much is a given. But you’re naive to think politics is about justice opposing evil. Politics is always a conflict of justice against justice. If you want to enforce your vision of justice, you need the power to back it up.”