Chapter 21
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 21
So, I’m supposed to carry it? I have my pride as someone possessing a villainess, after all.
“No way! You’re worse than an actual demon!”
Who does he think used up all the holy water in the mansion in the first place? I’m the one who paid for it, so shouldn't he at least act as the porter? It’s just ten bottles. I don’t know why he’s throwing such a tantrum over the weight. He’s such a drama queen.
“Jelly. You’d better listen while I’m still asking nicely.”
Only after my threat did Jelly tuck his tail between his legs and pick up the holy water. He walked with deliberate slowness, making a show of how much he was struggling, but I pointedly ignored him and stepped out of the Grand Temple. He’s a werewolf; he’ll track my scent and follow me just fine.
As I was walking, I spotted a man across the way wearing a familiar paladin’s uniform. A nun walked beside him.
“Sir Raphaella?”
“Uriel!”
At Uriel’s greeting, the knight named Raphaella, who had been maintaining a solemn expression, broke into a brilliant smile and came running over. Hey, what about the nun behind you? Why are you just leaving her there? Look at her face! She’s completely flustered!
I could totally sympathize. I used to feel the exact same way when I was trailing behind my social butterfly friend, who would stop to chat with someone new every ten steps.
“And… Lady Rohanson?”
How does he know me? Even in a romance fantasy world, the information network of a social butterfly is on another level.
When I nodded, the social butterfly—no, Raphaella—beamed even brighter and offered a formal greeting. He moved with the textbook precision of a knight, but his face was as excited as a puppy that had just met a new friend on a walk.
“I am Raphaella, of the Order of Pararos. We’ve met before; do you remember me?”
No, not at all! We’ve met? Don’t tell me it was before I possessed this body.
“I was there when the fire broke out. And I also accompanied the Commander on his recent visit to the Rohanson mansion! Though I couldn’t go inside to greet you because the Commander stopped me.”
So, he knew me, but I didn’t know him. Then again, if he’d known the villainess Evangeline before I arrived, he’d be wary, not acting this friendly.
By the way, after just a short conversation, I could see exactly why Gabriel left Raphaella behind. His energy was so high and bubbly that I felt like my own life force was being drained.
An energetic subordinate who sticks to the male lead’s side… that must be it, right? He’s the supporting character, the aide who gives the stoic, romantically inept male lead advice to help their relationship along!
The kind of character who gets cursed out in the comments for picking up strange rumors and feeding them to the male lead, causing him to dig his own grave. His character archetype couldn't be clearer.
“I am truly delighted to finally be able to greet you!”
Now I understood why Raphaella was acting like he was about to wag his tail at me. Gabriel was hooked on me, not the original female lead, so this guy was trying to get on my good side. He was certainly dedicated to his duty.
“I see.”
Too bad for you, but I have no intention of dating a man made of ink and paper! Sorry, Raphaella, for making your entire purpose in this story pointless!
I replied curtly, hoping to discourage him, but Raphaella didn’t seem to care at all.
“You came because the Commander asked for your cooperation, right? Thank you! Oh, have you toured our temple? It’s grand and magnificent, isn’t it? I was truly lost in admiration when I first saw it. To be honest, I still get surprised by it sometimes.”
Raphaella chattered on, completely oblivious. Was this guy fearless? Or was he so busy with his life as a knight that he hadn't heard of Evangeline’s notoriety? Since I possessed this body, he was the first person besides Canna to treat me so casually.
Uriel, unable to watch Raphaella ramble on any longer, finally cut in.
“Sir Raphaella, weren't you supposed to be in the reception room? Where are you going?”
“Ah. The Commander told me to escort the sister.”
“Then shouldn't you hurry so as not to keep her waiting?”
“Haha, I was just so glad to see you…”
Gently scolded, Raphaella scratched his head sheepishly. I thought we were finally about to part ways, but he suddenly stopped.
“Right. Come to think of it, the sister said she used to work at the Rohanson mansion. Do you remember her?”
“Sir Raphaella, that is rude!”
Really? She worked at the Rohanson mansion? She looked familiar, but I couldn't place her. I stepped closer to get a better look, but the nun scrambled backward, trembling. She kept her head bowed so low it looked like she might prostrate herself at any moment.
“You worked at the Rohanson mansion?”
“…Yes.”
Her voice was so quiet it was barely a whisper, as if she were being threatened with death if she didn't answer. I wondered why she was being so subservient, but then it hit me—she must have worked at the mansion in the past and was terrified of Evangeline.
She probably quit after being tormented by the original Evangeline. It was understandable why she was so scared. Even now, the staff at the Rohanson mansion still trembled when they saw me.
“Your name?”
“You… you don't know my name?”
“I’ve lost my memory.”
This is exactly why you have to lead with the amnesia trope. If you don’t, and you just try to act like the original owner of the body, you’ll slip up in moments like this and expose yourself.
“…It’s Daisy.”
Right. A name I’d never heard. She must have quit before I got here.
“Did you quit because of me?”
Since this wasn’t something to announce to the world, I whispered as quietly as I could. I barely moved my lips; it was practically ventriloquism. Even Uriel and Raphaella, standing nearby, probably couldn’t hear me.
Daisy couldn’t answer. The fact that she couldn’t bring herself to say no was an answer in itself. Just look at her. How wickedly must Evangeline have behaved for this woman to be shaking like a leaf?
“You must have been very scared.”
It wasn’t my fault, but seeing her tremble like that made me feel like I should apologize. Then again, an apology would only be for my own peace of mind.
Daisy had no way of knowing I had possessed Evangeline’s body. Even if I’d lost my memory, she’d still see me as the same person. Amnesia doesn’t make your sins disappear.
But I couldn't just stand by and do nothing. To escape my fate as the villainess, I had to apologize, one way or another.
My conscience pricked at me, but I decided to ignore it. Repeat after me: she’s just words on a page! My life comes first!
“Are you still scared?”
I guess so. She kept her head bowed and wouldn’t even look at me.
“Don't be afraid. If you want, I’ll compensate you.”
“Pardon…?”
“On the condition that you don't go around blabbing about me.”
I was a villainess, so a sincere apology this early would be out of character. Compensating her with money was the next best thing. The one thing Evangeline had in abundance was money. While I was at it, I might as well ask her not to spread rumors.
But Daisy’s reaction was strange. She had been pale before, but now she looked like she was about to drop dead. No, don’t faint! That’ll only add to Evangeline’s notoriety! Why are you suddenly like this? Wait. Oh, no way.
“Did you tell someone?”
…She did. Wait, I thought meeting a maid bullied by Evangeline was supposed to be a ‘reformation event’ for the villainess. It wasn't? Was it actually an event to accelerate the rumors about me?
“To whom?”
“Ugh…!”
“Who did you tell?”
Evangeline was already notorious enough, but this was a temple, filled with priests and paladins. I’d already been falsely accused of contributing to Donau’s death; if my past misdeeds were revealed on top of that, my reputation would be beyond repair. A villainess? No, at this rate, I’d be branded a witch.
The original Evangeline brought this on herself, but why do I have to deal with the karma?
“…Sir Gabriel knows.”
Phew. I could breathe again. That was a relief, at least. Gabriel was infatuated with me, so he wouldn’t do anything to harm me. If the clerics obsessed with Donau’s painting had heard, I would have been branded an enemy in an instant.
Wait a second. What if Gabriel hears what Evangeline did and his feelings for me cool? He’s the male lead; there’s nothing I could do to stop it.
Ah, I don't know. I’ll think about it when the time comes. I’m on my way to see him now anyway, so I can figure it out then. I am definitely not running away from reality. Nope.
As I was imagining a bleak future, Jelly finally appeared, dawdling his way over. Just how slowly was he moving to only be arriving now? Despite how much he’d complained, he was carrying the case of holy water lightly with one hand, holding it by his fingertips like a waiter serving a tray. See! It’s not even heavy!
“Oh? You…”
Jelly looked at Daisy with an expression of distaste. Huh? What? How do those two know each other?
Daisy turned even paler than she had been when looking at me. What on earth had Jelly done to make her more terrified of him than she was of me?
“I-I should be going now.”
Daisy lowered her gaze and tried to leave, but I reflexively grabbed her wrist.
“Ah…!”
Sorry. I must have grabbed her too hard. I quickly shifted my grip from her wrist to her hand.
I expected her hand to be cold, but it was surprisingly warm. Daisy fidgeted with her captured hand but didn’t try to pull away.
“If there is a wish you want granted, come find me. I will grant it.”
Of course, a victim’s resentment wouldn’t be soothed by something like this. It was just a self-serving gesture to help me avoid the villainess route.
When I let go, Daisy stared at her hand for a moment before hiding it behind her back.
“Sister! I’ll escort you!”
“It’s fine! The carriage stop is right over there.”
“That’s true, but…”
Daisy vehemently rejected Raphaella’s offer. Since the stop wasn’t far, Raphaella seemed to concede, watching blankly as she practically fled.
“She’s gone.”
“Indeed. Ah, did you two have a good talk? I made sure not to eavesdrop to protect your privacy.”
“I’m not sure. She didn't seem to want to talk to me. To be honest, I don't even remember who she is.”
“Pardon? Ah. Well, I suppose I wouldn't know if someone asked me to identify all the servants in my house either.”
Raphaella joked with an easygoing charm. But even though he was smiling like a perfectly nice person, why did he suddenly seem so suspicious?