Chapter 8: Volunteering Doesn’t Suit a Villainess
Leriel really wanted to grab him by the collar and ask why—but of course, she couldn’t do that.
She had already seen at least three maids whispering behind her back, saying her sudden kindness made it seem like she’d gone crazy.
If she pushed it any further, they wouldn’t call her the “kind daughter” anymore—they’d call her the mad one.
And Leriel didn’t want to be locked away at home for losing her mind. She just wanted to be labeled a harmless troublemaker and kicked out of the family.
“You hadn’t visited even once since our engagement. I assumed you were busy. Isn’t joining me for volunteering too much for you?”
Leriel forced herself to keep her tone polite as she indirectly tried to push Perik away.
To her, Perik Trian—the male lead who ends up with the reckless saintess—was someone she absolutely wanted to avoid.
“As the crown prince, taking care of the people is one of my most important duties. This is just part of what I must do—so don’t worry about it.”
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to volunteer at another time—on your own?”
“And stay in the palace while my fiancée gains fame for doing good deeds? That would ruin my image. I can’t have that.”
But Perik was no pushover.
He countered with perfectly reasonable-sounding excuses, and Leriel slowly ran out of things to say.
Why are you so determined to come with me?!
Leriel fell silent, confused. Perik’s patience had already worn thin, ever since the moment he saw her.
Suddenly, he stepped closer and leaned down.
His faded blond hair fell gently with gravity.
Leriel thought—Is he about to kiss me?!
She gasped in panic, but instead of her lips, his mouth went past her cheek and stopped near her ear.
In a cold, mocking whisper, he said:
“I told you. I’ll rip off your mask. Did you really think I wouldn’t see through you?”
Leriel’s eyes widened.
He knows what I’m planning?
He was saying that he knew she was pretending to be kind, just to get kicked out of the Tenebris family?
That can’t be right…
Unless he could read minds, there was no way he could know that.
That’s when it hit her—this was a misunderstanding.
This guy had completely misunderstood her intentions.
So that’s how he found out about the volunteering. He must’ve been watching her every move.
She let out a long sigh and tried to speak calmly to clear things up.
“…Like I said before, I just want to be a good person.”
“Oh, I’m sure. And if it happens to improve House Tenebris’s image, that’s just a bonus, right?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“Then what is it?”
Of course, he didn’t let her finish. Perik cut her off and openly mocked her.
Just like she once used to do to him.
“You seriously expect me to believe you’ve suddenly become a kind person?”
No. I just want you to mind your own business.
Leriel held back the sarcastic reply that almost slipped out.
Damn it. I just wanted to be hated and get disowned. I didn’t expect to be accused by my fiancé.
Leriel Tenebris, what kind of awful life did you live before I took over your body?
Now I’m being misunderstood and accused all because of your mess!
Even while complaining in her head, time was running out. The appointment with the orphanage was getting closer.
It was time to make a decision.
She could either cancel the volunteering to avoid going with Perik, or…
“I’m not asking you to believe me. I’ll show you with my actions.”
…go with him anyway.
“Shall we go, Your Highness?”
“Of course.”
As soon as Leriel took a step back, Perik also stepped away, finally ending his intimidation.
His deep voice still rang in her ears.
Sure, he was handsome up close… but that was the only good thing. Everything else was terrible.
Let’s just finish this volunteering first. Maybe if he sees me helping, he’ll drop the misunderstanding.
And if he does… hmm?
As she stepped up into the carriage with Perik, Leriel felt like she was forgetting something important.
But before she could think further, those sharp red eyes glared at her from behind the carriage door, stopping her thoughts.
Thump. She sat down in the soft velvet seats inside the duke’s fancy carriage and looked across at the crown prince.
It’s not enough that this handsome man hates me—he’s also going to kill me someday.
Being a villainess is rough…
Suddenly, Leriel felt sorry for the previous version of herself—the one who had lived as the evil Leriel.
Wait a second. I’m the one suffering here! I didn’t do anything wrong!
Thinking about it again, she didn’t feel so sorry after all.
In the novel, Leriel had died because of her own faults—but what did she do to deserve this?
Grumbling to herself, she turned her gaze out the window, away from the prince.
The scenery flew past rapidly.
The orphanage wasn’t even ten minutes away, but today, it felt like the ride would last an eternity.
* * *
“Welcome…”
The priest lied.
“We’ve been looking forward to the Lady’s visit.”
He definitely had not been looking forward to her visit.
He had prayed to the gods—even at the last minute—for her to cancel.
In fact, when her carriage didn’t show up on time, the priests were so hopeful they hugged each other in joy.
But with only one minute left before the appointment, a carriage bearing the Tenebris family crest arrived in front of the orphanage with a screech.
Leratna, dear god…
Rattle, neigh!
Startled by the sharp pull of the reins, the horse reared up.
The carriage skidded along the ground, stopping just inches from the priest.
The wind that followed blew his bangs into the air.
Why couldn’t she have just stayed home? Oh gods, why must I suffer like this?
Calling upon the gods in his heart, the priest quickly bowed and hid his expression.
Stepping down from the carriage was Leriel Tenebris—the most feared woman in the kingdom.
Even priests weren’t safe from her wrath. It was said she once slapped one across the face when she was only ten.
Why is someone like her volunteering all of a sudden…?
Tsk, the priest clicked his tongue silently.
He then heard footsteps coming down the steps—two pairs.
Curious, he lifted his head slightly and gasped in shock.
“Y-Your Highness?!”
There was an unexpected guest.
Perik frowned, signaling the priest to keep his voice down.
“There’s no need for surprise. I simply came along because my fiancée was volunteering.”
“I-I-I see…”
“I didn’t submit a request in advance, but that won’t be a problem, will it?”
“Of course not! We’re deeply honored by Your Highness’s generosity…”
The priest lied again.
While he was stalling at the entrance, another priest rushed into the temple.
They needed to gather everyone. Even if nobles held more power than royals these days, a crown prince still needed to be treated with respect.
“Everyone, up! Get into formal robes! I’ll go fetch the High Priest myself!”
“What’s going on all of a sudden—?”
“No questions! Hurry! The Crown Prince is here!”
“Leratna, no way! Is that true?!”
All the priests dropped what they were doing and scrambled to dress properly.
All except one.
“Get up, Saintess Anila! Didn’t you hear the Crown Prince is here?!”
“Ugh… Five more minutes…”
“Not five! Get up right now!”
With messy hair and sleepy eyes, a beautiful woman finally sat up from a cot.
Behind her, sparkling white hair flowed like a waterfall.
Yaawn.
She let out a loud, lazy yawn—completely out of place in the sacred temple.
Even though everyone was rushing, she calmly got dressed at her own pace.
Because no matter how slow she moved, her innocent smile always made people forgive her.
“The crown prince, huh? Ugh… So annoying…”
Still not having seen his face, Saintess Anila stood up and muttered casually.
Her clear blue eyes still shimmered with sleepiness.
