The Villainess Who Accidentally Stole Their Hearts - Chapter 3

Chapter 2.1
 

Forbidden Love Detective Agency.

People who cheated, pretending as if they were engaging in some forbidden, legendary love, were merely trying to dress up their infidelity with flowery words.

‘Even if you wrap garbage up nicely, it’s still trash.’

In the meantime, the message changed.

Hunting forbidden love?

It was more like hunting down cheaters!

‘No way… is this the power my grandfather was talking about?’

I felt a bit conflicted.

Sure, it was great since dealing with cheaters was what I wanted the most, but… was this really the kind of power that had been passed down through generations in our family…?

‘What kind of life did you live, ancestor?’

It was at that moment.

“Are you all right, Lady?”

A maid rushed over to me, her voice full of concern. It was a very familiar face. She was the only maid in this household who wasn’t afraid of me and always treated me kindly—Emma.

“Emma.”

“Did you fall? See, this is why you shouldn’t have gone without me, Lady.”

“Ah… I’m just used to doing things on my own.”

Emma laughed as if wondering what I was talking about.

“A young lady who’s been cared for since she was a baby saying she’s used to being alone? Are you joking with me?”

“…In my dreams, I was always alone, let alone being served by anyone.”

“You’ve had quite a strange dream. There’s no way you’ll ever be alone, my lady. I’ll always be by your side! I was so disappointed when you had another maid run that book errand for you this morning.”

Emma murmured with a hint of frustration.

“Huu. I regret leaving your side even though you were upset. After you failed the awakening ceremony, weird rumors started spreading about you…”

It wasn’t the first time I’d been the subject of bad rumors.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Just ignore it.”

“This time, the rumor was truly awful. Can you believe it? They’re saying that, in a moment of rage, you acted indecently and ended up catching Pelneth (a type of sexually transmitted disease).”

“That’s a bit much, isn’t it?”

“When Jane from the flower shop asked if it was true, I grabbed her by the hair!”

Emma swung her arms in the air, pretending to pull at someone’s hair. Seeing her like that, I let out a small laugh and glanced sideways into the empty space.

It was because this message had been floating around since earlier. At that moment, Emma called out to me with a serious expression, “Lady.”

The moment our eyes met.

A new message flashed on the screen.

‘Investigation…?’

“I may be just your maid, but I’m still one of the people born and raised in your jurisdiction, aren’t I?”

“….”

“My heart is always loyal to you, my lady. So, how about I chastise those who spread rumors about you?”

I didn’t respond.

I couldn’t find the words to respond.

It wasn’t because Emma’s personal profile suddenly appeared in front of me.

My gaze was fixed on only one spot.

Emma was my personal maid.

In the Grand Duchy of Delosif, due to security reasons, only those who were from the ‘master’s domain’ were granted the opportunity to be a ‘personal’ maid.

My domain was Havelock.

Therefore, Emma’s birthplace couldn’t possibly be Elwood.

But more than that…

‘Elwood belongs to Mikarin’s jurisdiction.’

There was something else that didn’t add up.

‘Emma… is married?’

I was sure I heard she was single…

Not to mention, she’d always gush about her boyfriend whenever she had the chance.

‘No way… could she be a cheater too?’

When I didn’t respond, Emma pouted her lips.

“If I step in, the rumors will at least die down a bit. Seriously, how do they always know every little thing you do and spread rumors about it…”

“…That’s right. They seem to know every single thing I do and twist it into rumors.”

“Even last time, choosing a sword for fencing practice became a story about you threatening Lady Mikarin.”

Yes, even such trivial things turned into rumors. It was as if someone was right next to me, watching my every move.

“Hah.”

When I let out a faint chuckle, Emma’s eyes lit up, wide with excitement.

“It’s frustrating for you too, right, Lady?”

“Yes, it’s unbelievable.”

I used to be quite fond of you, Emma… to the point that I even bowed my head to Mikarin just to keep her from taking you away. However, despite my desperate plea, I heard Emma was miserably chased out.

And yet…

‘You were Mikarin’s spy all along.’

I raised my eyes to look at Emma.

“Then, I’ll take care of those who are spreading the rumors right away…!”

“If you so much as lay a hand on them, it’ll all be my responsibility.”

“…Pardon?”

“They’d say that the wicked Nikearsha now uses her maid to silence people.”

Her eyes widened.

“Oh, I-I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through that far…”

Lies.

Those eyes didn’t widen out of surprise.

‘For someone who’s just a hollow shell, she sure thought things through that far.’

—Yes, that was exactly what that look was.

In the past, I would have dragged Emma out without hesitation. But after everything I’ve experienced and now returned, I was different.

‘If she really is Mikarin’s spy, I should make use of her.’

Throwing her out just because I was angry would be foolish.

“More importantly, Emma, go buy some Arake incense.”

“Arake incense? The fragrance?”

“Yeah.”

“Why that… Nobles hardly ever use it. There are so many better fragrances, so why choose something so cheap…?”

“It’s because my eldest brother will return soon for Mother’s death anniversary.”

The eldest of Delosif, Zerno, was currently away on an estate inspection.

“My mother was fond of Arake incense, so I’m planning to make an incense pouch and bring it to her grave. I’m sure my brothers were disappointed by my failure, but the scent might help lighten their mood.”

“Ah, yes! The young masters will surely be comforted by memories of the late Madam. I’ll go right away!”

“Good.”

As Emma bowed her head and stepped out of the room, I folded my arms and gazed out the window. Before long, I saw her running off.

‘That’s right, go ahead. Return to your real master.’

 ̊   · : * ✧ * : ·  ̊    

When I went down the stairs, people were lined up. They were there to welcome Zerno, the eldest son of the family.

‘At the very front is Akain… and also Mikarin.’

I took my place beside Akain, the second son, with a calm expression.

His cold eyes turned toward me.

“What wind brought you out here to welcome our brother?”

“Who knows? But more than that, I find it stranger that my cousin Mikarin is here to welcome my older brother instead of me, his real sister.”
 

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