The Villainess Who Accidentally Stole Their Hearts - Chapter 5

Chapter 3.1

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Thud!

The moment the carriage door shut, Mikarin’s expression twisted into a scowl.

“Oh, and I’m glad, too, being able to greet our eldest brother together with you.”

“Well then, take care, alright?”

A leisurely voice and those eyes that looked down on her.

‘Who does she think she is to dare look down on me…!’

Especially when she was the one everyone despised!

Just then, a knock sounded before the carriage door swung open.

“L-Lady Mikarin…”

“Emma.”

The person who entered was none other than Emma.

“Please believe me, my lady. She really asked me to bring the Arake incense. She said it was the scent the Grand Duchess liked. I never thought it would turn out to be a monster stimulant…”

“Of course, I believe you, Emma.”

Mikarin gently clasped Emma’s hand.

“I’m really worried about you. Are you sure my sister doesn’t know who you really are?”

“T-There’s no way…”

“My sister loves me, so she’ll overlook whatever I do. But you, Emma… you’re just a maid. What if she decides not to let you off the hook?”

Then, with a pitying tone, Mikarin continued her words as a whisper.

“She’d probably torture you alive with water.”

Hearing her words, Emma trembled as she replied.

“E-Even so, I’m the only one close to Lady Nikaearsha. She won’t suspect me.”

“Then, that’s a relief.”

Mikarin hadn’t actually believed Emma had been caught. She just wanted to see her quivering with fear since everything had gone awry because of her.

‘With that kind of personality, the moment she discovered Emma was a spy, she would’ve grabbed her by the hair and caused a huge scene.’

The idea that Nikaearsha not only knew Emma’s true identity but also went as far as to set a trap?

That was absolutely absurd.

“Lady Nikaearsha mentioned she’d turn it into a sachet and place it on the grave. Lord Zerno is also leaving Bear behind when going to the grave…”

This implied that Nikaearsha’s command had a reasonable explanation and wasn’t because she’d detected anything suspicious or laid a trap.

‘Then, you should’ve thought that out from the start. You should’ve properly found out about the Arake scent and told me everything. Absolutely useless.’

Despite her inner thoughts, Mikarin spoke with a gentle, sorrowful face.

“Emma, it seems like you’ve been making mistakes lately, forgetting things now and then. Actually, I’m the same way.”

“Really?”

“Sometimes I forget that there are things I shouldn’t say and end up making a mistake.”

The next moment, Mikarin let out a deep sigh and ran her fingers through her hair as she continued.

“What if I accidentally tell your lover about your husband?”

“….!”

“Your lover, who doesn’t have the slightest idea that you’re married, would be absolutely shocked, wouldn’t he?”

“L-L-Lady…”

“I don’t want to say it, but I keep making mistakes lately.”

Mikarin looked at her with pitiful, sad eyes.

“I don’t mean to, but lately, I’ve been so prone to mistakes.”

Mikarin gave her a sorrowful, pitiful look.

“I’m friends with your lover, too. It pains me to see him being deceived by a married woman into committing infidelity. And more than anything… cheating is such a horrible thing, isn’t it? What do you think your husband would say if he found out…?”

“This will never happen again. Never! Please, forgive me just this once!”

Seeing Emma shouting as if she were about to bang her head on the floor, Mikarin smiled sweetly.

“Forgiveness? There’s no need for that between us. I’ll try not to make mistakes as well. I don’t want Emma to be sad.”

“Th-Thank you.”

“What is my sister doing?”

“She went straight to the Young Lord.”

“To Brother Zerno?”

“It’s actually a good thing. With her reckless personality, she’ll surely get yelled at again for something she messed up.”

Emma spoke slyly, but Mikarin’s expression remained unchanged.

“But she did manage to calm Bear today, didn’t she?”

“The Young Lord isn’t going to be pleased with her strutting around over such a minor accomplishment. Especially when she even failed the first manifestation ceremony—what’s there to find praiseworthy?”

“…Well, Brother Zerno did say he went out to inspect the estate because he couldn’t stand seeing her like that.”

Emma seized this opportunity to highlight her own merit.

“I told Lady Nikaearsha that, too. She must be really angry with the Young Lord right now.”

“Oh my, is that so?”

“I heard she also had an argument with Young Master Akain earlier today.”

“Yeah, I guess the shock of failing the manifestation was too much for her. It seems like she’s starting to lash out even at her own family.”

“It would be fortunate if she doesn’t end up getting kicked out after throwing a fit at the Young Lord.”

Only then did a bright smile spread across Mikarin’s face.

“Families should get along, but I can’t help but worry~ I suppose I’ll have to comfort my brothers later.”

‘After all, that foolish Nikaearsha will never get along with her family!’

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At that time, inside the Young Lord’s study:

Viscount Barento, Zerno’s closest aide, was dripping with cold sweat.

‘W-Why is the Lady here again…?’

It was because Nikaearsha, the family’s notorious troublemaker, was staring daggers at Zerno with eyes that seemed to burn. Her presence was so intense that it truly lived up to her infamous title as ‘the notorious villainess.’

Of course, the head of the Delosif family wasn’t one to be fazed by such a display of ferocity.

The two siblings had been glaring at each other as if they were about to tear each other apart for the past five minutes, with the same fierce, ruthless eyes.

‘Oh, please, Lady, just leave for today.’

There hadn’t been a single good experience whenever Nikaearsha entered this room, especially when Zerno was already in a foul mood due to the inspection matters.

‘I heard that the Young Lady actually talked back to Young Master Akain, something she’s never done before…’

If fuel were added to this fire, who knew what kind of disaster might unfold.

‘Surely, she wouldn’t mock him about ‘not needing a sibling who isn’t an Awakener’ just because he went on an inspection, would she?’

With Nikaearsha, it wouldn’t be surprising if she thought that way, as she always twisted everything Zerno did.

At that moment, Nikaearsha’s lips started to move.

‘Oh no! I have to stop this—!’

Just as Viscount Barento was about to leap forward, an astonishing sight unfolded.

“I’m sorry.”

Nikaearsha—the arrogant troublemaker—actually bowed her head. And she did so respectfully.

“….”

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Still bowing, Nikaearsha spoke again.

“I was wrong, oldest brother. I’ve only shown you my shortcomings as the Young Lady of Delosif.”

“….”

“I’m sincerely reflecting on my actions. I’ve been incredibly foolish.”

Viscount Barento, still frozen in his attempt to intervene, thought to himself.

‘H-Has the Lady finally gone mad?’

Nikaearsha had never known how to admit she was wrong, even if it was just empty words. Her specialty was blowing up matters that could be resolved with a simple apology.

And yet…!

‘This time, she actually sounds sincere?!’

Especially the way she slightly gritted her teeth while saying, ‘I was foolish,’ made it seem more like…

‘It seems more like she’s vowing for revenge than reflecting on her actions.’

Of course, that couldn’t be the case.

Nikaearsha’s problem was that she would repay any offense immediately and tenfold—no, even before being wronged, she would repay it twentyfold.

‘Well, whatever the case, this is a good thing.’

Eager to maintain the harmonious atmosphere, Viscount Barento quickly chimed in.

“Haha, it seems the Young Lady has done a lot of reflecting.”

“….”

“By the way, wouldn’t it be good to reward her? After all, she did manage to calm Bear.”

Zerno, who had been looking at Nikaearsha with piercing eyes, gave a slight nod.