“You can’t go around protesting like this.”
“I am protesting.”
“There’s been a message from House Bonetta.”
It seemed Lady Iola had already tattled to the Duke.
Thanks to her, I was being dragged in by Theo at the crack of dawn to be scolded.
I wasn’t even fully awake yet—yawns kept escaping me without warning.
“They say you broke an heirloom of House Bonetta?”
“…Ah. That. I was at Lady Iola’s tea party, and the ladies wanted to see my powers. So I summoned a spirit and, well…”
“What did you summon?”
“A Nereid…”
The moment I said it, Theo ran a hand down his face as if he’d expected no less.
“A Nereid? Not even a Nyx, but a high-grade water spirit? Indoors?”
“Well, how was I supposed to know there’d be an heirloom porcelain vase sitting right there…”
When I tried to play it off, Theo went on, clearly not finished.
“You also made Lady Heyri cry. The Count of Heyri was absolutely livid.”
“Oh, that’s just because she’s overly sensitive.”
“Sis, ever since you got back from that social party last night, nobles have been filing complaints all morning.”
When Theo began to tear up, I looked up and stared at him closely.
Had he lost weight while I wasn’t looking? He had dark circles under his eyes—clearly sleep-deprived.
“Are you eating properly? You look gaunt.”
“Don’t worry. Sevard said if I skip even one meal, he’ll report me to you. So I’m eating well.”
Oh? I thought he only threatened me like that. Looks like that particular warning works on Theo, too.
“Sleeping well?”
“I would be—if you’d stop causing chaos.”
“My bad.”
That I was the reason behind my younger brother’s insomnia… I had no excuse, even if I had ten mouths to speak with.
Theo dragged me to the dining room, suggesting we talk over breakfast.
“It’s nice to have breakfast with you.”
“Same here. What a refreshing start to the day.”
“Yeah? Then tell me—why’d you make the Count’s daughter cry?”
I was too busy ogling the food arriving one dish at a time to notice his question, but snapped out of it quickly.
“She was too greedy.”
“Greedy?”
“She was angling to become Empress… kept dropping hints, trying to get on my good side. It was ridiculous, so I said a few things.”
I blew on my steaming bowl of crab porridge before speaking again.
“Something like what?”
“Hmm…”
What did I say? Just a typical line an archvillainess would say.
“Surely the daughter of a count isn’t foolish enough to covet the seat beside His Majesty?”
“…”
“If so, that would be an offense to the Imperial Family—a direct insult to the Emperor. There’s one thing I’d like to say to you, my lady…”
“There’s more?”
At Theo’s question, I nodded and repeated exactly what I’d said back then:
“Those who don’t know their place are always the first to reach for what isn’t theirs. It’s always the ones who were never even offered the rice cake who drool for it.”
“Haha…”
When I raised an eyebrow as if to ask, Shall I go on?,
Theo immediately cut me off.
“No need.”
“So, you went there on purpose?”
“Yep. The noble ladies see the unmarried Emperor and dream of becoming Empress. It’s the perfect bait. The kind of setting where I could get away with a little villainy.”
When I grinned, Theo sighed and gently placed a piece of his meat onto my plate.
“This time, I admit defeat.”
He raised his hands in a mock gesture of surrender.
“You can have your vacation.”
“Really?”
“How could I say no, when my dear sister is throwing a cute little protest just to get some time off?”
Theo reached over and ruffled my hair.
“Even when you’re causing trouble, you’re never hard to love, are you?”
He had the face of a male lead when he said that—and my heart nearly gave out.
I clutched my chest in an exaggerated swoon, and Theo just smiled at me with eyes full of honey.
Having relied solely on each other for so long, we siblings were particularly dear to one another.
Embarrassed by Theo’s affectionate words and gentle touch, I quickly glanced around to see if the attendants were watching.
It wouldn’t do for the infamous villainess to be babied by her younger brother.
Still, the role of fawning over Theo was supposed to be mine.
Out there, people feared me—bowed their heads in submission.
Even knowing all the terrible rumors about me, Theo always treated me the same.
‘Do you know what they call me outside Metheisa?’
‘I do.’
‘And you’re okay with that?’
‘I am.’
‘Why?’
‘Because you’re my sister.’
There was a time when I worried Theo, our Emperor and male lead, might care about reputation. After all, I’d already ruined mine beyond repair.
But thankfully, Theo didn’t seem to mind.
He knew people whispered that I was a tyrant, a villainess, a witch… and he didn’t care.
If anything, he only ever stood by me.
‘No matter what they say about you outside—’
‘No matter what?’
‘If anyone dares to say such blasphemy to your face—’
‘Then?’
‘I’ll kill them.’
When he said that, I’d truly felt a shiver down my spine.
Goosebumps raced across my body, and I ended up shrieking with glee as I threw my arms around him.
Even now, just thinking about it made my nose sting.
It was the moment all my efforts had finally borne fruit—so much so that I’d even wiped away a tear or two.
ִֶָ___________𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָﾒ ་༘࿐__________
“I wish you looked a little sad.”
“You’re not the type to starve to death, no matter where you go.”
“…Still. It’s dangerous, isn’t it? I’m going without a guard.”
The moment Theo granted my leave, I returned to the estate and launched into full vacation-prep mode.
Theo looked a little hurt by how quickly I moved, but I had to act before he changed his mind.
And so, barely two days later, I was being sent off by the staff of House Metheisa.
“Honestly, Lady Metheisa, you’re stronger than Sir Anton anyway.”
“Still, still…! What if I get into a fight with some thug on the street?”
“Then I’ll pray for their souls. Can’t imagine they’d walk away intact.”
Even Anton.
I had to wonder sometimes if my retainers were really loyal to me at all.
Not a single one expressed concern over the fact that I was traveling alone—no lady’s maid, no escort knight.
“Please don’t bring back any garbage, my lady.”
Molga warned me, yet again, not to bring home random junk from wherever I went.
Pretty figurines from the market, cute dolls, picked flowers—I had a habit of buying things I’d never look at again.
“You might meet a handsome man while traveling!”
Lora, who shared my taste in men, encouraged me to follow after any good-looking guys I saw.
She said this could be the chance of a lifetime and waxed poetic about fiery travel romances—utter nonsense, of course.
But she didn’t forget to add:
“Just to be clear again—kidnapping is a crime, Lady Metheisa.”
“Uh-huh…”
A little cowed by Lora’s stern tone, I meekly replied and turned to the next person.
Anton’s turn.
He told me to go easy on anyone who picked a fight—let them crawl away on their own, at least.
Also, not to overwork my spirits like servants. Unless it was truly dangerous, he said, I shouldn’t treat them like footmen.
“The Spirit Realm might revolt someday if you keep this up.”
“…Right.”
Every word, bone-deep wisdom.
“You said your goodbyes to His Majesty yesterday, correct?”
“Yeah.”
“Then don’t forget his words.”
“You don’t even know what he said.”
To that, Molga looked me dead in the eye with absolute conviction.
“His Majesty and I are of one mind and heart.”
“…Didn’t know that.”
Come to think of it, during our dinner yesterday, Theo had nagged me until my ears nearly bled.
Don’t follow strangers. Don’t eat anything a stranger gives you.
If some weirdo starts trailing you, kick him straight in the gut.
Don’t summon high-grade spirits when angry. ‘Definitely’ don’t summon a Spirit King.
On and on—it was dizzying.
He’d packed a magical travel bag for me, carefully filling it with all the essentials.
It was only the size of a pouch, but enchanted to hold large and bulky items without changing shape.
So, that was all I brought—just the one bag.
Having an emperor and a mage for a younger brother had its perks.
“By the way… I haven’t seen Heburn.”
“Looked like he didn’t even want to see you, my lady.”
“He said he wouldn’t be seeing you off.”
Lora and Molga’s words made me glance toward the direction of the office.
He was probably buried under paperwork.
Still… I was a little miffed he didn’t even come to say goodbye.
“I even doubled his salary…”
“Not like he can spend any of it. He said he’s just going to die working, thanks to a certain someone.”
Oh, Lora. You cheeky thing.
I debated whether to slap her or not, but the sun was already high in the sky.
Any more delay and I’d be late.
“I should get going.”
“Safe travels, my lady.”
Molga bowed politely, followed by Lora and Anton.
I truly had to leave now, but a sudden curiosity made me call out to Molga.
“Molga.”
“Yes?”
“…By the way.”
“Why has no one asked me where I’m going? I didn’t even tell you the destination. Not a single one of you is worried—or even curious?”
It was baffling.
Molga simply tilted her head and looked at me like I was the strange one.
“Well… no matter where you go, you’ll eat well and live well, won’t you, my lady?”
She could’ve said she just forgot to ask.
But no, she had to go and say it like that—so confidently, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
I had no comeback.
Still, it’s all good.
I’ve always said it, haven’t I?
The bond of absolute trust between lord and retainers—that’s what really matters.
I decided to rationalize it that way: my retainers trust me that much.
Damn it.
