Chapter 09
“This time, it has to work!”
Even after repeated failures, Serina did not give up. She burned with determination.
3-2. The villainess hides or breaks something the heroine treasures.
For the next plan, Serina thought about Helia’s usual behavior.
She wore neat clothes with no accessories and didn’t carry anything.
“Princess Helia doesn’t keep anything on her. Then she must be the type to leave important things in her room! Just like how I don’t take Tosuni out because I’m afraid it’ll get dirty!”
Serina nodded.
“The answer is clear!”
Pretending to be a detective, she decided her next destination—Helia’s room.
“Alright! I have to hurry before the princess comes back!”
With a serious face like a marching hamster, Serina walked forward.
* * *
Oliver noticed Serina wandering in the hallway.
Her twin tails, tied up like animal ears, seemed to twitch as if searching.
He tried to pass by quietly, but couldn’t ignore troublemaker Serina.
“Lady Serina, what is it this time?”
“Oliver? Perfect timing!”
Serina smiled brightly.
“Doesn’t seem like anything important. I’ll be going then.”
Sensing trouble, Oliver tried to leave—but Serina grabbed his sleeve.
“Oliver, it’s really nothing. Where is Princess Helia’s room?”
“The princess’s room? What are you planning now?”
“I’m not planning anything! People will think I always cause trouble!”
“You do.”
Serina frowned and shook his sleeve.
“Really? Well, too bad! I just want to visit!”
“Your way of ‘playing’ is quite unique, so I think it’s exactly what I expect.”
“That’s not true! Can’t I be curious about someone I live with? Just take me there!”
Oliver sighed.
“…You must not cause trouble. You promised, right?”
“Yes! Don’t you trust me?”
Oliver nodded.
He began guiding her while Serina looked annoyed.
‘If something happens again, it’ll be my responsibility…’
* * *
“So this is Princess Helia’s room?”
Serina stood proudly in front of the door.
“Is no one inside…?”
She listened at the door. It was completely quiet.
She looked around—there wasn’t even an ant.
“Then~ what could the princess be hiding in her room?!”
Excited, Serina opened the door.
Inside, she looked around quickly.
The room was originally a simple guest room, clean and plain.
She expected it to be decorated—but it looked even emptier than before.
“Why is there nothing here? There’s only the basic furniture!”
Isn’t a princess supposed to be luxurious?
Well… she must be hiding something.
Serina searched everywhere.
Under the bed.
On top of the closet.
Anywhere hard to notice.
“…There’s really nothing?”
Should I hide her clothes instead?
She looked at the closet—and then acted.
While searching between the clothes, she saw something golden.
“I knew it!”
She grabbed it.
It felt soft—like expensive silk.
“W-what… is this?!”
She pulled it out—
It was hair.
A shiny, well-kept wig.
“Ah! It’s a wig… But why is it here? And hidden so deep?”
She looked closer.
There were many wigs stacked inside.
“So that’s why she didn’t care when her hair got cut… she had backups!”
Wait… but why does she need wigs?
Maybe it’s something important.
“…Is she bald…?”
“Should I hide this?”
Serina stared at the pile.
“…No. What if it’s something dangerous?”
What if it’s real human hair… or cursed?
That’s creepy.
She gave up on the wigs and searched more—but found nothing.
“Sigh… this plan is a failure. I’ll move to the last one!”
The room felt too empty.
Without the closet, it would seem like no one lived there.
Serina quickly cleaned up and ran out.
* * *
“Now it’s time for the long-awaited tea party!”
Serina used magic to float a teacup-shaped water in the air.
She imagined throwing tea at Helia like a true villainess.
“…But how do I invite her without anyone knowing?”
If I get caught—
Mom will be so angry, I might die!
“‘Hiding belongings’ failed, so this plan must succeed!”
She thought carefully.
“Ah! A secret tea party!”
If I go myself, I might get caught.
So I’ll ask Maron to secretly deliver the invitation!
She already knows my secret, so she won’t betray me!
Serina rang the bell.
Luckily, Maron came.
“Did you call me, Lady Serina?”
“Yes! I’m hosting a surprise tea party! Can you bring strong paper for invitations?”
“Of course. Who are you inviting?”
“Princess Helia! I want it to be just the two of us, so it’s a secret!”
“Okay, understood!”
Maron smiled and brought colorful cards.
Serina picked a light blue one and wrote carefully.
[You are invited to Serina’s Secret Tea Party!]
Please don’t tell anyone!
Let’s meet tomorrow at 3 PM in the garden tea area!
I’ll prepare everything!
“Maron, this is our secret. Don’t tell anyone except the princess!”
“Of course! I’ll deliver it right away!”
Maron left.
“Now… I should prepare snacks!”
Serina ran to the kitchen.
“Chef! For tomorrow—cookies, cake slices, tea, and water! Fill a basket!”
“Going on a picnic?”
“Yes! And keep it a secret from Merilly! She’ll scold me about health!”
Serina made horn shapes on her head.
The chef laughed and promised.
“Everything is ready… now let’s study how a real villainess acts!”
She took out the novel hidden under her pillow and hid under the blanket.
Even though it was still noisy outside, she focused completely.
“Here… she acts like this… and says this…”
She muttered while analyzing.
Later, she placed Tosuni in front of her as an audience.
“Tosuni, watch carefully! I’ll act it out!”
“Break up with my brother!”
She pretended to throw tea angrily.
“…Hmm… this feels weak…”
She lost interest.
“The novel felt more intense…”
“I’ll make my own lines!”
Serina began creating new villainess dialogue inspired by the novel.
