Disqualified as a Villainess - Chapter 5

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#5.

Baron Ravishi’s Estate.
When word reached her that Octavia had returned only at dawn, Camilla—her cousin and the Baron Ravishi Family’s second daughter—set down her spoon with a sharp clang.
‘I thought she’d given up and slunk back home.’
In truth, while they couldn’t forcibly expel her, the treatment Octavia received within the Baron Ravishi Family was far from generous.
The Baron outwardly deferred to Richard Ludovisi, his elder and family head, yet harbored secret ambitions to seize his position.
His marriage to a noblewoman and subsequent elevation to the rank of Baron had been orchestrated toward that very end.
Naturally, he had no love for Octavia’s presence in his household.
She was denied even a seat at his table, given no attendants, and relegated to the servants’ attic quarters.
Octavia, proud and stubborn as she was, never complained of her treatment to her father.
She seemed aware of her precarious position and had endured it quietly.
Yet something about Octavia had shifted one day.

“I rather like Camilla’s room. I think I’ll use it from now on.”
“What are you talking about? Why would you use my room?”
“Or we could share? I don’t mind. Just try not to snore.”

She had begun to act with shameless audacity, speaking with an easy smile and brazen confidence.
Naturally, the servants, observing their mistress’s new demeanor, began to disregard her as well.

“With the household away, we lack the staff to prepare meals. You’ll have to manage on your own, it seems.”
“Is this truly the best display of authority you can muster? Don’t you regret it?”

The servant had dismissed Octavia’s threats as mere words, but after being accused of stealing provisions, they realized they had gravely miscalculated.
Octavia never struck the insolent servant across the face, nor did she raise her voice.
She never threw them out with a gesture or hurled objects at them.
Yet those who incurred her displeasure began to falter inexplicably, to vanish without cause, and soon everyone feared her.
They understood: she was not to be trifled with.
Camilla felt it too. At some point, she had sensed an insurmountable barrier emanating from Octavia.
‘That lunatic—why does she stay despite being treated so poorly? Despite being despised by everyone!’
Unaware of why Octavia remained, Camilla not only lost her room but yesterday had even been robbed of her precious limited-edition chocolates.
‘I can’t live like this! Please, just leave!’
In reality, it was Camilla who had been the one suffering.
Whatever they did, Octavia simply filed it away as ‘convenient—I needed someone to dislike anyway.’

***

“You’re having breakfast? I’ll have some too.”
Camilla, who had been sitting at the Dining Table lost in furious recollection, flinched at Octavia’s pleasant voice.
Baron Ravishi had left early in the morning to attend to business, so only three people sat at the Dining Table: Camilla, her youngest brother Noel, and Daisy, his tutor.
Camilla bristled as she watched Octavia brazenly move to take a seat at the meal.
“What gives you the right to keep inserting yourself at mealtimes? You’re just a guest here.”
“Then explain to me logically why I shouldn’t. If it’s merely your discomfort, you’re welcome to dine separately.”
I had long since hurled the insult that she was a wicked and profane existence.
After Octavia was born, her mother had contracted a curse-like disease called “shadow consumption” and died.

“If allowing the impure into a household brings ruin, then our family would have been bankrupt long ago. I didn’t realize you were so devoted to superstitions that science has never proven.”

Treated as primitive and having lost several arguments before, Camilla merely shot her a venomous glare and said nothing.
In truth, Octavia’s threat that she could prevent her from even setting foot in society had proven effective.
“Miss, it is proper etiquette to take breakfast at the appointed hour. Since you are late, we shall prepare your meal separately.”
Daisy, the tutor attending to Noel’s meal, interjected with talk of dining etiquette. Since the Baroness had passed away, she had subtly assumed the role of mistress of the household.
My gaze turned toward Noel, who was standing on his chair and surveying the Dining Table.
‘What country’s etiquette is that supposed to be?’
Too exhausted to point out each absurdity one by one, I settled into my seat at the table and gave the servants a knowing smile.
“If it’s too much trouble, should I serve myself?”
“No, no!”
One of the servants startled and quickly brought my main course and plate—she could have faced accusations of embezzling a week’s worth of provisions otherwise.
I savored the prepared food while my thoughts drifted.
‘To encounter the Admiral frequently, I’ll need free access to the Royal Palace and the Temple.’
Kelsedny Admiral had completed his long mandatory service and would be staying at the Royal Palace for the time being.
Of course, the matter could be resolved by making substantial donations to the Holy Temple Society and earning the favor of the royal family to obtain unrestricted access.
The conclusion was simple: I needed funds for bribes and lobbying.
‘In the end, I’ll have to seek help from the Ludovisi Family, my main house.’
Beyond just funds, I needed my father’s assistance—he was the greatest arcane engineer—to decode Dominic’s encrypted letter.
The problem was that I was currently banned from entering and cast out by my furious father, and four days ago I had received notice that all material support would be cut off.
Though I had caused countless scandals, the priest I had insulted had initiated a heresy trial against me, and the most significant blow was being forced to donate a prime piece of land to the Holy Temple Society as settlement.
In short, I had become a poor, wealthy villainess because of my predecessor’s misdeeds.
Having no money was inconvenient in many ways.
‘Incidentally, even villainy requires capital….’
Even if I was treated as worthless and excluded from family business, I could theoretically make a fortune using modern knowledge like other transmigrators….
But that was only possible under the condition of image rehabilitation and proven competence.
Since I couldn’t do that, therein lay the problem.
‘My father has even blocked all my shell accounts.’
With trust levels in the negatives, he seemed concerned I might end up in prison for illegal ventures. Whatever I attempted, he would use money and connections to obstruct it.
Besides, with a reputation in tatters, no business venture would succeed.
‘The decryption device capable of decoding Dominic’s encrypted letter is in Father’s Research Laboratory….’
In the end, family reconciliation was an absolute necessity.
‘First, I need to summon my exclusive personal secretary.’

“The director has instructed me to receive compensation per task for the young lady’s personal requests going forward. If you have work for me now, I’ll need an advance payment. I don’t do volunteer work.”

I was a capitalist at heart, but I was scheming how to summon my capable secretary without payment when a piercing cry suddenly shattered my thoughts.
“I won’t eat it!”
Eight-year-old Noel hurled broccoli across the table, shattering my contemplation.
He then shook his reddish-brown hair wildly and threw a tantrum at his tutor.
“I hate broccoli!”
For someone supposedly providing table manners education, the child was displaying abysmal dining etiquette.
“I see—I didn’t realize you disliked broccoli so much. I’m sorry for forcing it on you.”
Daisy, the tutor employing some questionable form of mind-reading, turned to the servants and issued an order.
“Clear this away and bring new food without the broccoli.”
Though fresh food arrived as requested, Noel complained about beans in the dish, then about the absence of his favorite sausage, whining about everything.
“We’ve run out of lamb sausage ingredients, so I’ll shop for them and have them ready by lunch.”
At the servant’s words, Noel began pounding the dining table and shrieking sharply.
“Now! I want it now!”
“Young Master Noel is asking for it now, isn’t he? Why are you making arbitrary decisions about serving it at lunch? Get out and find some immediately!”
Rather than restraining the tantruming child, Daisy simply berated the hapless servant.
“Just give him whatever he wants. I can’t stand the noise.”
Camilla, already accustomed to this chaos, elegantly sliced her bread.
‘I won’t be dining with them again.’
My ears felt like they were bleeding.
Since it wasn’t my concern whether others conducted their family education like a fantasy or martial arts story, I finished eating quickly and attempted to rise from my seat.
If only a cherry tomato hadn’t come flying at me.
“You, commoner! Bring what I told you to!”
After hurling the cherry tomato at me, Noel faltered upon seeing the cold gleam in my eyes.
“Meal is over. Get up.”
At my firm voice, Noel’s shoulders trembled slightly.
“W-who do you think you are?”
I scooped up Noel, who was flailing his fists at empty air, and headed straight for the child’s room.
“How dare you lay hands on— What are you doing right now!”
Tutor Daisy scrambled to her feet urgently, but she didn’t dare physically stop me.
“Quickly, stop Miss Octavia! Why are you just standing there watching?”
The servants hesitated with bewildered expressions. To them, I was already an object of fear.
Camilla sipped her tea with an indifferent expression.
“Let go! Daisy!”
Whether Noel thrashed about calling for his tutor or not, I paid no mind and entered the room.
“….”
The lock clicked shut, and Noel’s expression froze in shock.
“I, I have a stomachache. I want to leave.”
As Octavia’s silence stretched on, Noel grew increasingly anxious until finally collapsing to the floor, thrashing and crying.
“Waaah! Mommy! Why don’t I have a mommy!”
Baroness Ravishi had recently passed away from illness.
The fact that he was a pitiful child who had lost his mother had become a power that granted him understanding regardless of his actions.
The adults around him had merely indulged his every whim rather than truly tending to his heart—the inevitable result of such misguided compassion.
Octavia, who had been watching without emotion, slowly opened her mouth.
“I don’t have a mother either. The same goes for your older siblings.”
Startled by this unexpected response, Noel stopped crying and lifted his head.
“Long ago, I lived in a world filled with loss. The sorrow of losing someone precious was so commonplace it didn’t even register as grief—it was simply the fabric of daily life.”
Octavia, who had been speaking words the child couldn’t comprehend, lowered herself slightly and asked.
“How many people do you think I encountered there who wielded their sorrow as a weapon, just as you do?”
That place was as advanced in civilization as it was thoroughly ruined.
Having witnessed every human tragedy and depravity in her past life, she possessed an intimate understanding of how to handle people.
“Don’t misunderstand. I do like children.”

***

How much time had passed?
Daisy, who had been pacing anxiously outside Noel’s room, froze when she heard the click of the door opening.
Through the opening, she saw Octavia emerge, her characteristic gentle smile gracing her lips.
“Take care, Octavia.”
Daisy’s eyes widened as she watched Noel bow respectfully at a perfect ninety-degree angle behind Octavia’s shoulder.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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