That’s How I Became a Villainess - Chapter 36

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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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Chapter 36

“Eric went to the battlefield because of me.”
Millaea returned to the Tea Room and confessed this to Bridget, who had asked how the conversation with Eric had gone, her words tinged with a sigh.
Eric, having stepped outside, could be glimpsed through the window in the Garden, tossing a ball for a dog to retrieve.
“His Highness made the decision to participate in the war so suddenly that I couldn’t go with him. I was anxious about letting him go alone.”
Millaea grimaced with guilt as she explained how she had pushed Eric to participate alongside Julian instead.
“I only hoped that Eric would serve His Highness well in my stead…… but I never expected him to fall ill like this. It’s my fault.”
When Millaea had been at the Convent, she had spoken very little of her son, so this was the first Bridget had heard of it.
“Yet Eric harbors no resentment toward me or His Highness. Rather, he apologized to me for causing worry all this time.”
Millaea had misunderstood the true cause of Eric’s illness.
But Bridget could not reveal the truth because of the promise she had made to Eric.
“You must feel fortunate to have a son as thoughtful as Eric.”
“A blessing. A priceless blessing I shall never know again.”
She smiled, watching Eric play with the dog in his healthy state.
“Thank you, Bridget. I won’t forget what you’ve done for my son.”
Millaea straightened her posture as she spoke, as if engraving the words upon her heart.
Bridget returned the smile, then ventured to ask what she had been curious about.
“But Millaea, you’ve looked unwell since earlier. Is something troubling you?”
“Have I?”
Millaea touched her cheek lightly.
“I’ve been wondering whether I should tell you this…… but I suppose you’ll hear of it soon enough anyway.”
Millaea placed a sheet of paper before Bridget.
Bridget’s lips parted slightly as she took it in.
“Someone has whitewashed Kensington.”
“Or it’s a distortion meant to attack His Highness.”
Kensington was certainly not the virtuous man depicted in this Gossip Sheet.
“I began investigating Kensington as you suggested. I discovered he had been engaged in corruption, but I couldn’t yet determine where his money had gone. Then this suddenly appeared.”
Millaea looked down at the Gossip Sheet with contempt.
“Only one person would resort to this. The thief with itchy feet has revealed his shadow. Your words were right, Bridget.”
As Millaea’s anger erupted, the Mana drifting through the air clung to her like a living thing.
“Such a crude and vile method. They know that if they use angry crowds as a shield, even His Highness cannot act. People have already begun gathering at the Plaza Before Royal Palace.”
Bridget rose calmly and moved to Millaea’s side.
“Mana is gathering around you, Millaea.”
“I’m fine.”
“Eric is still vulnerable to Mana, so it’s best to Purify you before it transfers to him.”
At those words, Millaea yielded herself to Bridget without resistance.
Bridget spoke matter-of-factly as she cleansed the Mana clinging to Millaea.
“Don’t worry too much about this. If Linchester has given the people stones to throw, we need only change the target they aim at.”
“Change the target?”
“A Gossip Sheet isn’t something only Linchester can use. If you pay the Printing House, anyone can tell a story and have it spread quickly and easily without revealing their identity.”
She had already anticipated that Linchester might resort to the Gossip Sheet when faced with a difficult situation to escape.
In her previous life, he had used Bridget’s own story to cover up his own misdeeds.
So Bridget had long been preparing for such a moment.
“I have a story in mind. By tomorrow, everything will be different.”

* * *

As Bridget boarded her carriage to depart, Millaea asked quietly, out of Eric’s hearing.
“Everything at home has been…… peaceful, hasn’t it?”
She was asking whether Isaac had caused any trouble.
Bridget answered candidly.
“I used Millaea as a shield. When I mentioned I was coming here today, my husband was eager to come along. He’s unaware of who Millaea truly is.”
Millaea’s brow furrowed.
Uninvited to a gathering of ladies, yet desperate to join—what a foolish creature.
“In any case, I’m grateful to be of help.”
“You see? I told you that my friendship with Millaea would be invaluable to me, didn’t I?”
“I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry.”
Millaea shook her head in disbelief at how lightly Bridget joked in such circumstances.
Then she broached the subject of Julian.
“His Highness was asking after you.”
Bridget, who had been about to board the carriage, froze and turned back to face Millaea.
Millaea observed the faint stiffness in Bridget’s face, the flush in her cheeks, the awkwardness of her posture.
“Please tell him that thanks to his concern, I am well. I hope to see him again when a good opportunity arises.”
A good opportunity—there was something loaded about that phrase.
Would Bridget have any reason to return to the Royal Palace?
Was hoping to see him again mere courtesy, or did it carry a deeper meaning?
Millaea was curious, but she did not press further and merely nodded.
“Very well. I shall convey that to him.”
Bridget climbed into the carriage and the door closed.
Eric, who had been watching the two women from the entrance, waved at the departing carriage and asked.
“What did you discuss?”
“Nothing of importance. Come, let’s go inside.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Millaea entered the estate ahead of him.
Even after that, Eric remained at the entrance long after the carriage carrying Bridget had disappeared from sight, his gaze fixed on the distance.

* * *

When Bridget returned to the Winston Estate, the atmosphere was unusually unsettled.
She knew why.
‘The Garden work was supposed to start today.’
That was what she had been briefed on by Cedric before leaving.
The gardener must have discovered the grave.
Bridget entered the lobby with an innocent expression.
Anna rushed forward to greet her, flustered.
“Madam! Something terrible has happened!”
Her face was flushed with excitement.
“What is it, Anna?”
At that moment, Isaac burst out after her and snapped.
“Terrible? What do you mean terrible! Now get going and do your work! Don’t you have anything to do? Get out of my sight!”
Anna pouted and hid behind Bridget.
As Isaac reached out to pull her away, Bridget stepped between them and fixed him with a cold stare.
“Don’t touch her. The girl is doing her job.”
“…!”
Isaac flinched.
And he was startled by his own reaction.
‘What was that.’
Bridget had been behaving strangely of late.
Facing that unflinching gaze made his spirit crumble—that was the only way to describe it.
And this was the Bridget who had always been the easiest to push around.
Why did she keep making him nervous now?
Under Bridget’s commanding presence, Isaac’s bravado crumbled.
“Tch, it’s nothing. She was just making a fuss over some trivial matter.”
“Over what?”
“I told you not to worry about it.”
“Anna, you tell me.”
Anna’s eyes widened as she glanced back and forth between Bridget and Isaac.
It was obvious at a glance that Isaac was losing ground to Bridget.
‘Was madam always so unflinching…?’
Ever since Bridget had returned after her disappearance, their dynamic had completely reversed—and it was plain to Anna’s eyes.
Once, Bridget had lowered her gaze whenever Isaac shouted, silently enduring his abuse.
Now she looked him straight in the eye.
This was not mere defiance or confrontation.
With a firm, commanding voice, she had subdued his tantrum in a single stroke.
Isaac could not withstand Bridget’s charisma.
Anna spoke up boldly.
“Madam! Someone’s built a cenotaph in the garden using your belongings! The gardener just discovered it—everyone’s there now!”
“What—!”
Isaac’s eyes went wide.
But that was all.
Blocked by Bridget, he couldn’t even cry out; he tucked his tail between his legs.
“No, a cenotaph, really. Someone just took your things and played some foolish prank, that’s all.”
“I should see it for myself.”
Bridget swept past Isaac toward the garden.
Isaac trailed after her, fidgeting.
“Why bother seeing it in person? It’s not worth the trouble. I’m telling you, it’s nothing serious. The servants are just making a fuss over nothing.”
He sounded like a dog whimpering at its leash.
He had something to hide.
‘Only Penelope could have done this.’
The only people who knew Bridget was dead were Isaac and Penelope.
Since he hadn’t done it himself, this had to be Penelope’s work.
‘Ah, Penelope. What pointless nonsense.’
Isaac groaned inwardly.
He’d just learned from a servant he’d sent to tail Bridget that she’d really gone to the Spencer Estate.
Bridget had made a connection.
Isaac had been wondering how to console a Bridget who might be upset over the Kensington affair.
But now Penelope was creating complications, and it irritated him.
He forced down his irritation and managed a smile.
“Bridget, why trouble yourself with such trifles? Let the butler handle it. Haven’t you worn that necklace before? It looks worn—why don’t we buy you a whole new collection of jewelry while we’re at it?”
Bridget said nothing.
‘Penelope would have squealed with delight and bounced around. Tsk.’
This is difficult.
Bridget is far too difficult.
Cold sweat beaded on his brow.
Why?
Isaac floundered as though serving under a superior of impossible altitude.

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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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