The Villainess Who Accidentally Stole Their Hearts - Chapter 16

Chapter 8.2

“While the other maids couldn’t stand your tyranny and ran away, I stayed by your side.”

Despite being on her knees, Emma’s words were blaming Nikaearsha.

‘No one will believe a word she says anyway.’

Nikaearsha’s reputation was in shambles, and none of the retainers paid any attention to her words.

‘Her own brother, the young lord, is the least likely to believe her.’

Mikarin, beloved in Delosif, was her support. In addition, her lover had just returned with Akitane, a resource that would save Delosif. Emma felt both resentment toward Nikaearsha, who had reprimanded her earlier, and a renewed determination to put her in her place now that the situation had escalated.

“How can you suddenly accuse me of being a spy after all the loyalty I’ve shown you? Did you find out about my relationship with Leonard? Is that why you’re trying to break us apart? Are you really trying to ruin everything—”

“No!”

A loud voice interrupted as someone burst into the office.

It was the maid who had been sent to fetch the books.

“Lady Nikaearsha didn’t drive me away because I couldn’t tolerate her behavior. Even when she tried to assign me tasks, Emma would step in and get in the way. She wouldn’t even let me comb her hair!”

“W-When did I…!”

“It was also Emma who insisted on switching the young lady’s shoes for the broken ones at the recent party. If it hadn’t been for Young Master Akain, she would’ve faced great embarrassment.”

Nikaearsha was stunned by the maid’s sudden testimony.

‘Wasn’t she afraid of me…?’

“Strangely enough, whenever Emma gets involved, trouble seems to follow for the lady. I couldn’t understand why someone favored by the young lady would act this way… but now it makes sense.”

The maid raised her head defiantly and glared at Emma.

“Because you’re a spy!”

“That’s a baseless accusation! You’re just trying to get rid of me and take my place as the lady’s personal maid…!”

Emma quickly turned her head and urged Nikaearsha.

“My lady! Think about how well I’ve treated you all this time.”

As everyone’s gaze shifted to her, Nikaearsha replied with an exasperated expression.

“No, your husband is here.”

“….?!”

“I’ve been trying to say this, but no one was listening.”

With a gesture, the door swung open.

There stood Emma’s husband, Valik, with a furious look on his face.

“Are you out of your mind? Pretending to be single and flirting with other men?”

“N-No, honey…”

“Honey? You told me you didn’t have a husband!”

The room descended into complete chaos.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Zerno’s vassals usually carried themselves with gravitas at all times.

But not at this moment.

As soon as they stepped out of the office, they eagerly began chatting among themselves.

“Wow, I never thought someone would come here to sell something and suddenly ask for marriage permission…”

“I was shocked when she said they needed a divorce first! What a twist.”

“Oh man, when the real husband showed up, I almost forgot how to breathe.”

The unexpected drama of an affair unfolding before their eyes filled them with excitement. Serving the Grand Duchy of Delosif—especially as aides to Lord Zerno—was a fulfilling job, but…

‘It’s usually so dull.’

‘There’s hardly anything to laugh about while working.’

‘It’s not just that there’s nothing to laugh about… the atmosphere feels like you’d get fired for even smiling.’

“Bringing excitement to liven up this boring workplace.”

“I never thought there’d be such perks in the Grand Duchy.”

“Lady Nikaearsha is surprisingly—”

Thud.

Unable to listen any longer, Viscount Barento slammed the door shut.

‘If they’re going to gossip, they could at least do it from a distance. These days, MGs (Map Zero generation, a generation straying from the set path, finding their own way through life without a set guide) are…’

Of course, he understood their feelings. Just staying silent in the office earlier required an incredible amount of patience.

Still, Zerno’s expression was anything but pleased.

“Haha, I’m glad it was resolved well.”

“Is it really a good outcome if it ended in that annoying melodrama?”

Zerno wasn’t a fan of melodrama. So, being forced to witness it in such a respected workplace obviously left him feeling displeased.

“Still, you’ve discovered a new side of the lady, haven’t you?”

“….”

“When the spy situation suddenly turned into a married woman’s love affair, I was surprised too, though it seems that was part of her plan all along.”

“….”

“From the scheme involving Bear to this incident, the lady’s growth is truly remarkable.”

“…So, the reason she requested authority over her subordinates back then was because she realized the maid was a spy.”

Viscount Barento smiled slightly, noticing Zerno’s insistence on adding the compliments he had initially omitted.

“She’s quite astute. She really is His Grace’s younger sibling.”

“…She still has a long way to go.”

Zerno’s expression had softened considerably compared to earlier.

“Now that I think about it, the lady seems to have quite a good reputation. I was surprised when the maid stepped up to support her.”

“It’s only natural for a maid to stand by her master.”

“We also connected with a new talent today.”

At those words, Zerno’s gaze deepened as the Viscount continued.

“Rumors about Leonard Fabian are already everywhere. He’s the young powerhouse behind Periwel.”

“That guy is following Nikaearsha around.”

“Yes. He was trailing her like a little puppy, just like the lady used to follow His Grace when she was younger.”

“…Nonsense.”

Zerno frowned and turned his head away. However, Viscount Barento caught the slight smile that briefly appeared at the corner of his master’s mouth as he turned.

When Zerno looked back, any trace of that fleeting moment was gone.

“There are still matters to address.”

At his signal, the butler brought Mikarin into the room.

“B-Brother…”

Mikarin entered the office, looking at Zerno with a pitiful expression.

“It’s all my fault. I made a mistake. Please punish me…!”

Thud!

She knelt down, nearly banging her knees against the marble floor.

“But please believe me on this one thing. I had no idea about Emma’s true identity, not at all…!”

“….”

“You know how dedicated I’ve been to the family. I’ve acted as Sister’s hands and feet in society, mediating between her and the young ladies…”

Mikarin’s voice slowly trailed off.

Zerno’s piercing red eyes fixed on her, making her instinctively shrink back.

“I… I promise I’ll never let you down again…”

“Mikarin, you’ve never disappointed me.”

“….!”

“And you won’t let me down in the future, either.”

Thump, thump.

Mikarin’s heart raced.

Zerno was a natural ruler, someone everyone feared. His detached personality caused him to treat everyone with a cold demeanor.

‘he’s always been kind to me.’

While he was indifferent toward his own sister, Nikaearsha, he had never truly been angry with her. Unlike that troublemaker, she had always been his beloved younger sister.

“Brother…”

Mikarin spoke sweetly, drawing out her words as she lifted her head.

And the moment their eyes met…

“….!!”

The color drained from Mikarin’s face.