The Villainess's Exclusive Maid Is Too Good at Her Job - Chapter 86

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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 86

In truth, among his six children, Oscar bore the strongest resemblance to Maverick.
When the two stood side by side, it was as though the past and present versions of Maverick himself were standing together.
“Indeed. A child who has achieved results deserves a reward.”
“What manner of reward did you have in mind, my lord?”
“There is an unused villa in the Northern Region, is there not? Transfer it to Oscar’s name.”

***

“You transferred the Northern Villa to the First Prince?”
“Yes, Merian.”
At the maidservant’s report, delivered with a bow, Grand Duchess Merian exhaled a long breath.
A hollow sigh escaped her.
Emotion welled up behind her vacant gaze, fixed upon empty air. It was unmistakably fury.
The desire to tear at her nails, to rend her hair from her scalp, surged within her.
She longed to seize her own throat and writhe upon the floor.
Why was it that whenever such excessive rage boiled within her, these self-destructive impulses would arise?
Yet she had grown accustomed to mastering such urges. After all, it would hardly do for the body of one who held the exalted position of Grand Duchess to appear disheveled.
“Catherine. Prepare those things.”
“…Yes, Merian.”
Before long, Catherine returned to the room, accompanied by a maidservant and a servant.
The two trembled visibly, their eyes fixed upon the floor in terror.
“Today, it shall be that one.”
The one designated was the servant—a tall man with striking features, popular among the household staff.
Much like Oscar, in fact.
A sharp intake of breath.
“…A quiet exhale.”
At Merian’s words, fortune and misfortune traded places between the two.
Yet neither dared show obvious joy or sorrow. To displease Merian’s temperament was to invite an unknowable, terrible fate.
“Come now, step closer.”
A toneless, chilling voice summoned the servant forward.

After a considerable amount of time had passed.
“Clean it up.”
At the Grand Duchess’s command, the attendants rushed over and carried out the unconscious maidservant.
The blood-stained floor was wiped clean, the room was ventilated, and it took less than ten minutes for the space to return to its pristine state as if nothing had happened.
It was just as Merian, now refreshed, leaned back into the sofa and let a smile play across her lips.
“Merian. The Ludwig Grand Duke wishes to see you.”
“Him?”
“Yes.”
At the maidservant’s report, the Grand Duchess’s smile vanished.
“What business does he have?”
“It appears the Hyperion Magical State has proposed to His Majesty the Emperor that a royal marriage be pursued as a token of peace.”
“A royal marriage?”
“Yes.”
Ah. Now I understood.
“So they intend to use the Ludwig Family for this royal marriage?”
A royal marriage, depending on how it was wielded, could become either poison or medicine.
‘If handled well, there are numerous ways to exploit this.’
Merian’s lips curved upward in a smile.
#Chapter. A Crisis at Tea Time

“People from the Hyperion Magical State are coming?”
And they were no ordinary visitors.
It was a visit from two princes and one princess.
“The previous ‘Luna incident’ was reported all the way up to His Majesty.”
“Ah, so that’s why?”
“Yes. The Imperial Court sent a formal protest to the Magical State, and they issued an official apology. They claimed it was an act committed by some soldiers who participated in the war, acting out of personal interest.”
“Do you think that’s truly the case?”
If it really was something individuals did on their own, how did they obtain information about Jenia Ortea?
However, I couldn’t press this matter further.
When reporting the incident to the Imperial Court, I had only mentioned that they ‘intentionally approached Lishar and attempted to cause harm using Hyperion Magical State’s magic.’
“In any case, the Magical State flatly denied that the nation was involved. However, since harm was indeed caused, they decided to send a diplomatic mission to express their sincere apologies.”
“And while they’re at it, they’ll also explore a royal marriage for the sake of peace, won’t they?”
“Exactly.”
This diplomatic mission was scheduled to participate in some of the Capital City’s social events.
And it was the Ludwig Family who had been tasked with accompanying them. Since the Emperor’s brother served as the Ludwig Grand Duke, there was sufficient justification.
‘That means the person who would enter into a royal marriage is likely to be one of the direct descendants of the Ludwig Family.’
While the Magical State was certainly a threat, it seemed insufficient to offer the Crown Prince or a royal prince for peace with them.
Therefore, if a royal marriage were to take place, it would fall to the Ludwig Family.
As for the Grand Duke himself, well, he probably wouldn’t care either way. Or perhaps he might even be pleased, thinking it would benefit trade.
A soft sigh escaped my lips.
Janet exhaled with worry etched into her breath.
“Theo. What if Julietta Ludwig is designated as the prince’s betrothed?”
If that happened, Julietta Ludwig would have to leave for the Hyperion Magic Kingdom and make her life there.
Given Julietta Ludwig’s temperament, there was no way she could endure such a thing.
“That won’t happen.”
“Really?”
“The First Princess has already been designated as a candidate for the prince’s state marriage.”
Janet’s eyes widened at Kendrick’s words.
‘Rosina?’
Well, since the Ludwig Family had only two princesses, if it wasn’t Julietta Ludwig, then Rosina was the only one left.
‘But…’
It was a shame to part with Rosina as well.
The memories of celebrating birthdays together, drinking tea, and having all sorts of conversations came flooding back.
‘Especially when we discussed business matters—those moments were so enjoyable.’
Parting with someone you’ve grown fond of always carried a melancholy weight.

***

“Oh, is that her? The one who saved Lishar?”
“Is that really her? She doesn’t even look like she can properly hold a sword, let alone save someone.”
“No, I saw it clearly with my own eyes. She just—she soared up like she was flying and caught Lishar as he fell through the air…!”
After returning to school, I found myself at the center of attention far more than before.
Whereas I had previously been viewed as “the villainess’s only friend,” I was now being noticed as “the first-year Swordsmanship Club member who saved Lishar.”
‘Lishar really is popular, isn’t he?’
Of course, he was the object of admiration for everyone in the Swordsmanship Club and the entire Academy.
If I had saved someone else, I doubt the story would have become such a sensation.
‘All these injuries were worth it.’
Preventing Lishar’s injury was the primary objective and achievement.
However, the shift in how the students viewed me—in a positive direction—was also a satisfying result.
Because.
“Janet, if you’re struggling, just tell me. I’ll leave early with you right away.”
The gazes directed at Julietta Ludwig had softened considerably as well.
There’s a saying that friends influence each other.
Where once Julietta Ludwig’s villainess image had affected me, now the reverse was true.
As my presence grew, Julietta Ludwig benefited from that positive influence alongside me.
‘Of course, Julietta Ludwig’s own emotional stability played a role too.’
If she had continued to display the same insecurity and sensitivity as before, no matter how much my presence grew, it would have had nothing to do with Julietta Ludwig.
Yet now, by any measure, Julietta Ludwig was far from being a villainess.
Though she could be a bit sharp-tongued, she rarely caused harm to others.
The current students were beginning to sense it as well.
That Julietta Ludwig was far removed from the vicious rumors surrounding her.
‘I’m truly relieved.’
As both a friend and a maidservant, it was deeply gratifying.

***

Not long after.
“Hey, Janet. And, um, Julietta.”
I felt it in my very skin—the fear the students had harbored toward the two of them was diminishing.
It happened when.
“We’re planning to hold a tea time at our family’s townhouse with students from our class. Would you two be willing to attend, if you’re free?”
For the first time, I had been invited to a class gathering.
“If it’s a bother, you don’t have to come. But if you could….”
“I’ll go. I want to.”
“What? Are you serious, Janet?”
At Julietta Ludwig’s softly spoken question, Janet nodded.
“Yes. I genuinely want to go. Aren’t you coming, Julietta?”
At Janet’s bright, sparkling gaze, Julietta Ludwig let out a small sound.
After a moment.
“…I’ll go too.”
Thus, the two of them’s first social season event was decided.

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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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