The Villainous Noblewoman Is About to Be Forced into Love, Isn’t This Wrong? Chapter 17

Liana’s next words shattered Loraviel’s fleeting hopes in an instant.

She pulled out the collar from before, the bell on it jingling crisply. “So? Can you be my little puppy now? As long as you wear this collar, I can give you anything you want.”

“...” Right. Loraviel should never have harbored any illusions about Liana.

“I’m only Her Highness Liana’s maid,” Loraviel said as she got out of bed. “I’ll go prepare breakfast.”

Liana yawned. “You have the key anyway. Just leave it on the table in my room when you’re done. I’m going back to sleep for a bit.”

To avoid any unnecessary situations, Liana stayed curled up in her blankets until she heard Loraviel deliver the breakfast and close the door behind her.

After a simple wash-up, she opened the first book.

There was nothing useful inside. But as she flipped open the second, her hand froze.

“Looks like my luck isn’t bad. I found it in just the second book.”

Liana’s hands trembled slightly as she read the contents.

"Cavern Spider’s silk, Forest Scorpion’s venom, Desert Lone Wolf’s fang..."

Her eyebrow twitched. Her stomach churned. What the hell was this stuff? Was this supposed to be eaten?

But unexpectedly, it really was a legitimate treatnt thod. There were certain conditions that required temporarily suppressing internal magic, and the effects of this concoction would only last for a few days.

However, the book also clearly labeled it forbidden dicine—manufacturing it was strictly banned for commoners. Anyone caught making it would face imperial punishnt. Prolonged use was also prohibited, as extended consumption could lead to permanent magic loss.

And the most important discovery—the antidote required the exact sa ingredients as the suppressant, only refined differently.

The ingredients weren’t the problem. The Venus family could obtain them easily.

The real problem was that even as the Venus family’s daughter, Liana couldn’t simply take these materials without registering them.

And if she registered them, Countess Ruth would find out. And that would be a serious problem.

Even if—by so ans—she obtained the ingredients without Countess Ruth knowing, the issue of who would refine the potion remained.

No one would be foolish enough to risk crafting a forbidden substance, even for Liana.

If she outright ordered soone to make it, she’d probably be arrested by imperial guards the very next day.

Liana weighed her options.

Only two choices were available to her.

First option: Wait three years for her parents to return, at which point making the antidote would be easy.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

But by then, it’d be too late. She wouldn’t have any ans to protect herself in the anti. And who knew if the antidote would even still be effective if she kept delaying?

Second option: Seek out Princess peilu for help.

As a royal, peilu could easily procure the ingredients. As for the refining process… Liana could figure that out later.

But there was a major issue with this approach.

In the original storyline, this was the last ti Liana ever called on Princess peilu.

The novel never specified what exactly caused peilu to finally lose patience with Liana and cut ties, but it was clear that this request was the breaking point.

However—

The Liana in this world had sothing the original didn’t.

peilu’s leverage.

Liana pulled out a magic stone from her drawer.

This was originally ant to be used only in ergencies to summon peilu for help.

But in the past, Liana had squandered it—calling peilu over for trivial matters, unreasonable demands, and outright deplorable behavior.

There were multiple tis she’d pushed peilu too far, making the princess bitterly disappointed.

Of course, Countess Ruth had also played a role in this. If Liana and peilu had a good relationship, then Ruth’s son would have a lower chance of inheriting the Venus family’s power.

Because in the end, the Venus family existed to serve the Empire.

Should she prepare sothing in advance?

No.

"Liana" didn't need to prepare anything.

Even if her relationship with peilu was strained, it didn’t matter.

As long as she didn’t cross certain lines, peilu wouldn’t take any drastic action against her.

After all, even in the original story—**when Liana had acted far worse—**peilu had never personally punished her.

She had simply stopped helping.

Because deep down, peilu felt guilty.

So dealing with peilu wasn’t difficult at all. Liana didn’t need to waste energy figuring out how to please her.

Besides—

Just like with commoners who tried to curry favor with her, there was nothing peilu truly lacked.

No matter how extravagant the gift, peilu could obtain better on her own.

Without further hesitation, Liana crushed the magic stone.

Now, it was just a matter of waiting to see how long it would take for peilu to arrive.

Normally, she would respond within an hour.

But—

Because of Liana’s past abuse of the stone, peilu no longer treated these calls as urgent.

She would still send soldiers first to check on Liana’s safety, but personally coming over?

That might take so ti.

That being said, regardless of how much she loathed Liana, peilu still valued her safety.

Sure enough—within half an hour, a group arrived at the Venus estate to verify Liana’s condition.

“Lady Olivia? What brings you to the Venus estate?”

Countess Ruth imdiately appeared in the reception hall.

When it ca to imperial figures, no one was more attentive than Ruth. The better impression she left, the stronger her political advantage.

However, Olivia’s attitude was indifferent.

Not only because peilu had personally instructed her to watch Ruth closely, but because—

Sothing about Ruth just felt… off.

No matter how polite and warm Ruth acted, there was always this subtle unease lingering in Olivia’s mind.

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for your dear young lady’s antics,” Olivia said flatly. “Princess peilu worries for her safety but is currently occupied. So, I was sent ahead.”

“Oh my!” Ruth clapped her hands, feigning exasperation. “That child! Always troubling Princess peilu… Tell you what, you should just go back. I’ll handle Liana myself.”

“Princess peilu’s orders were clear,” Olivia replied. “I am to ensure Lady Liana’s safety. And besides—

"It seems the princess herself has so business with her as well.”