A Villainess pulled out the Sword instead of the Hero.

Yeah, all the little villains were just a buildup to this one. There was an angle.

 

Another, followed by another, at the end of the hall.

 

The ominous footsteps grew louder, and here and there I could hear the sound of nervous slobber.

 

Morgana lined up against the wall, followed the maids, and stood at attention.

 

As her gaze shifted downward, she caught sight of another maid’s hand fidgeting.

 

‘Countess

Marleau

… I think I’ve heard of her before, and I think I haven’t…’ 

 

Shaking her head, she searched her memory.

 

Suddenly, the hem of a dress and the toe of a shoe, glittering in green and gold, appeared in Morgana’s vision.

 

At the same time, a shrill, arrogant voice rang out overhead.

 “So, the Princess isn’t here?” “Yes, yes. She will be back soon.” 

Before the maid next to me was able to finish her answer, the sound of slapping skin resounded like a tearing sound.

 

Morgana squeezed her eyes shut in surprise at the sound, then slowly opened one to survey the situation.

 

Brushing off her hands, Countess Marleau clicked her tongue and frowned.

 

Before she was a maid on her knees, cheeks clenched.

 “I, I’m sorry.” “Soon? When is soon, you should be clear about the time.”  

Colorful dresses and dangling jewelry, even jewelry on a fan made of white feathers.

 

At first glance, it looked like she was on her way to a banquet. She snapped, as if in displeasure, and unfurled her fan to cover her face.

 “It is your sin, that you have not honored the Princess properly.” “I, I apologize. I should have double-checked…” 

For some reason, I was reminded when Cecilia had been so behaviorally flamboyant in the tea-pouring test.

 

I realized it was all based on experience. 

 

Even though they may be royal, maids are still mere expendable servants.

 

The visiting nobles knew that the royal family would not react to touching a maid, so they would take out all their stress and anger on them.

 

Somehow, the first impression was harsh.

 

The maids stamped their feet in disbelief. They didn’t seem to have the courage to stop the angry Countess.

 

Countess Marleau looked around impatiently, then pointed at Morgana, who was beside her.

 “What are you doing without showing me to the guest room?” “Yes, please, I’ll escort you this way.” 

Morgana calmly bowed and led her away.

 

The maid, who seemed to have accompanied the Countess, followed, carrying something huge, piled high with cloth and tied with string.

 

A large, angular object that looked to be at least one and a half times her height, she scooped it up with a flourish and carried it by herself.

 

Morgana swallowed hard at the sight.

 

‘She’s got some serious arm strength.’

 

Were maids supposed to be that strong these days?

 

The maid’s grave expression, without a trace of effort, was marvelous.

 

The young Countess of Marleau pointed at the object with a flick of her eyes.

 “This is a painting I commissioned from the most famous painter in the kingdom. Give it to Lady Guinevere.” 

As Morgana led the way into the guest parlor, she pointed with her fan at Sobella, who was about to take over the frame, and explained.

 “Oh, and don’t forget to tell her that it’s a gift from Count Mellorwart Aestiva.”“Yes, I shall deliver it as you request…, My Lady.” 

As Sobella took the picture frame, her body buckled under the unexpected weight.

 

The weight of the frame buckled Sobella’s body.

 

She struggled until her face was scrunched up, but was finally able to move it after three other maids joined in.

 

Watching her crawl out of the room, the Countess Marleau flopped down on the long sofa and leaned back.

 “Do you really think I should waste my time coming all the way here to give a gift on my brother’s behalf?” “Excuse me, my lady. I’ll have tea ready.” 

Morgana bowed briefly, her heart racing at the words.

 「Mellorwart Aestiva」 

The man responsible for Guinevere’s kidnapping. He was in love with Guinevere, and after courting her, he’d kidnapped her so that no one else would be able to claim her.

 

Spies from other kingdoms, including Avalon, who wanted Guinevere dead, encouraged him.

 

The original Morgana was one of them.

 

‘I thought it felt familiar!’

 

There was still time before the kidnapping took place, but it would be helpful to recognize the trends.

 

Morgana frantically dragged her tray as soon as the parlor door closed behind her.

 

As soon as she entered the kitchen, she quickly pulled a vial of herbs from her pocket.

 

‘Just by looking at her clothes, she’s quite extravagant, let’s stimulate her a bit.’ 

 

As a palace maid, she could only hear from Countess Marleau if she came to visit, but as an apothecary VIP, she could invite her this way.

 

‘It’s much easier to keep an eye on things from home.’

 

Morgana scanned the busy kitchen, then stirred some herbs in a teapot in the corner.

 

‘A few herbs to calm that foul temper, first and foremost.’

 

A bit of herbs to lift your spirits and lift your mood.

 

Finally, a bit of herbal medicine to clear my head and make her feel refreshed.

 

‘This is enough to make her remember.’ 

 

Back in the parlor, Morgana served tea, and Countess Marleau grumbled irritably into her teacup.

 “Why is the tea so hot?” “Shall I have it served cold, then?” “That’s not necessary, cool it down. And open the window, because it’s so hot in here.” 

The other maid quickly opened the window on the other side of the room.

 

Meanwhile, Morgana slowly poured the tea back into the new cup, deliberately letting it cool.

 

Finally, Countess Marleau put the teacup back down and said impatiently.

 “It’s too cold. You can’t even keep up with this, and you call yourself a palace maid? They dropped Deanna to recruit these girls?” 

Somehow. Perhaps it was the Countess who had recommended Deanna, and she was familiar because of Mellorwart.

 

After the third time, I re-brewed the tea and poured it into the cups, the medicinal effects started to kick in and the sharpness of her tone softened.

 “I still don’t like it, but let’s move on.” 

After several sips, she glanced at her teacup to determine if it still made sense.

 

Lady Marleau trailed off,

“What kind of tea is this…” “This time, the fourth-rate fool even brought a gift of paintings.” “Again?” “Yes. Last time it was a minor count, and this time it was an evil fool, and I saw the frame being moved.” 

The familiar voice of the maid drifted in through the open window.

 

The royal guest chamber was supposed to be soundproofed so that shouts from outside wouldn’t leak through, but the window was left open at the request of the young lady.

 

Lady Marleau’s hand trembled as she gripped the teacup.

 

‘This atmosphere, the angle of the teacup.’

 

Morgana hissed, stepped to the side, and the teacup flew.

 

The teacup grazed the side of the window, then shattered with a loud clang.

 

Countess Marleau calmly gritted her teeth at the interrupted conversation.

 “Bring that servant before me at once.” 

The dragged maid knelt on the floor of the parlor.

 

With a quick glance around the room, the Countess commanded all the servants.

 “Kneel, all of you.” “What?” 

Morgana, who was standing by the window, reflexively asked.

 

It was an outrageous order.

 

Countess Marleau tilted her head toward the floor as if she hadn’t heard.

 “Get down. Do you think she’s the only one who spoke behind my back? Aren’t you all in on this?” “No, we’re not!” “Okay, get on the ground.” 

Does she even think before speaking?

 

Morgana’s eyes bulged as she tried to explain, but she didn’t seem to be listening.

 

One by one, the maids who had been serving in the murderous atmosphere dropped to their knees.

 

Even the head maids, who had come to mediate the disturbance, were unable to stop them.

 

Morgana grabbed Sobella’s arm as she was about to follow suit.

 

When she stood alone, unlike the other maids, Countess Marleau spoke up sharply.

 “Didn’t you hear me tell you to kneel?” “Have I done something wrong? Tell me what it is, and I’ll kneel.” 

Morgana narrowed her eyes, trying to look as innocent as possible.

 

All eyes turned to her, her tone completely out of place.

 

Captured, Sobella tugged lightly at the hem of Morgana’s skirt, giving her a warning.

 “Mo, Morgana!” 

She hadn’t done anything wrong. She had liked the tea, and it wasn’t her who was talking behind her back.

 

No matter what happened to the culprit maid, she wasn’t going to cover for her.

 

And she certainly wasn’t going to share the blame.