Not the Villainess, but the Maid

Chapter 35: The Great Milk Hunt! (1)

When I woke up in the morning, the first task I always did was fill Milk the cat’s water bowl.

It was a trivial but important job I’d been doing for four years since living at the mansion.

I thought I’d be free from it after enrolling in the academy, but Milk had followed me here, thwarting that plan.

Today, as usual, I let out a big yawn and filled Milk’s water bowl to the brim.

“Come drink, Milk.”

But Milk, who would normally approach me and rub against my leg, was nowhere to be seen.

“Milk?”

‘Did she go out to play somewhere?’

She was such a free-spirited cat that I didn’t worry if she disappeared for a short while.

Even back at the mansion, she’d go missing for three days only to be found on a tree or hiding inside the fireplace.

I thought it was one of those instances again and didn’t make a big deal out of it.

She’d probably have fun somewhere and come back on her own.

Since it was the weekend, I asked for Miss Ruby’s permission and went to visit Citrine, the student council president.

I’d felt uneasy about not seeing her lately due to various events like the overnight trips, so I decided to make sure to see her today.

The student council operated even on weekends without a break. Although it granted honor and benefits, if it were me, I’d have collapsed from exhaustion already.

After greeting the student council members, I entered the office, where Citrine greeted me with a face full of fatigue.

“Oh, look who it is, the commoner? You haven’t shown up lately.”

“I’ve been a little busy with club activities. Did you miss me?”

“...Not really.”

-Swoosh.

Despite her words, she had already pulled out the chair next to hers to make it easier for me to sit.

She seemed less sharp and intense than before, like someone who had mellowed out.

After tidying up briefly, I sat down next to Citrine and noticed the documents spread out in front of her.

-Scribble scribble.

Watching her carefully copy something onto the papers, I asked, “What are you writing today?”

“Oh, this? It’s from the guard unit. Kind of like an official notice.”

‘The guard unit…?’

It was surprising to think the guard unit would get involved with such a peaceful academy.

“Can I read what it’s about?”

“Go ahead. It’s going to be distributed to the whole school anyway.”

I read the words on the document Citrine handed me.

‘Recently, there have been frequent kidnapping incidents targeting noble young ladies in and around nearby academies. Students are advised to remain cautious.’

After reading it, I put the document back down and said, “Kidnapping incidents targeting noble students... That’s unsettling.”

Citrine smirked at me with a mocking expression.

“They’re just telling runts like you to watch out. Don’t wander around recklessly and get kidnapped.”

‘Says the bigger runt herself…’

That thought almost escaped my lips, but I held back.

I watched Citrine work for a while longer and noticed the large cup in her hand.

Normally, it would be filled with her usual pitch-black coffee, but today it contained clear, transparent water.

“You’re not drinking coffee today?”

“Huh? Oh...”

At my question, she stared at the water in her cup for a moment before replying.

“...I’m trying to cut back a little.”

“...”

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s admirable, that’s all.”

“...Geez, gross.”

Perhaps I was influencing Citrine more than I realized.

After finishing her student council duties, I returned home and stood in front of the front door.

‘Miss Ruby must have been waiting for me.’

As I thought about hurrying inside to prepare lunch for her, I placed my hand on the doorknob.

‘Huh?’

A piece of paper I hadn’t seen before was stuck beneath the front door.

It was about the size of a letter or a card, deliberately placed there as if someone had left it intentionally.

‘It’s probably not a flyer. This is the academy, after all.’

Remembering how the door to my house in my previous life used to be plastered with fried chicken ads, I picked up the paper from the floor.

[ I have your cat. ]

“...!”

The crooked and messy handwriting, as if deliberately distorted to avoid recognition, conveyed an ominous message.

[ If you want to get your cat back, come alone to the back of the academy at 2 PM. ]

Judging by the circumstances, it seemed that Milk had been kidnapped by someone, and since the letter explicitly mentioned the maid, it appeared to be a threat directed at me.

‘Who on earth would do such a thing…?!’

[ P.S. If you don’t come alone, the safety of the cat cannot be guaranteed. ]

‘What should I do? Should I tell Miss Ruby?’

Knowing Ruby’s personality, if she found out I was involved in this incident, she would undoubtedly cause an uproar.

In the worst-case scenario, she might even abandon Milk to ensure my safety.

‘...No. I’ll handle this myself.’

To avoid worrying her and to safely rescue Milk, I needed to do this on my own.

Could the culprit be someone from a rival family that disliked the Sarka Family?

Or was it simply someone with a personal grudge against me?

Regardless of the reason, it was clear I had no choice.

‘...I’ll come back safely, Miss Ruby.’

Why did my steps feel so heavy today?

After mentally preparing myself, I left the hallway quietly so as not to wake her.

Behind the academy, there was a secret passage known as the "dog hole."

The small gap in the tall iron-barred wall was a spot frequently used by students for sneaky activities and was also a hub for distributing items unavailable within the academy.

Popular trade items included tobacco, alcohol, and various goods from the black market.

It was also a spot, much like in real-world schools, where bullying often took place.

It was the perfect hidden location for harassment or any rebellious activities, away from the eyes of professors and other students.

Today, the area beyond the dog hole was occupied by Clara’s group.

They had locked a pure white cat in a carrier and were busily preparing their plan.

With a determined expression, Clara grabbed Momo by the shoulders and yelled, “Do you understand, Momo? Your role is the most important. Stay sharp so your identity isn’t revealed!”

Momo, listening to her ambiguous mix of scolding and advice, responded with a nervous expression.

“Uh, Miss Clara…?”

“What is it?”

“Why am I the only one standing here alone with my face covered…?”

At Momo’s innocent question, Clara sighed heavily and shook her head.

“It’s because you’re the least likely to be recognized! If I talk while covering my face, she’ll recognize me right away!”

“Ah, I see…”

Clara had decided that it was safest for Momo, the quietest member of the group, to act as the representative.

“Now that you understand, memorize your lines quickly so you don’t forget them.”

Rustle rustle.

Hiding in the bushes with the other girls, Clara checked her watch as they waited for Amber to arrive.

‘This is strange. It should be time by now…’

As the agreed time approached, Amber still hadn’t shown up.

‘Surely, she hasn’t reported this to anyone…?’

That would make their situation significantly worse, so Clara could only hope Amber was complying with their threat.

A moment later, with a rustling sound, a pink-haired girl emerged from the direction of the iron-barred wall.

‘Finally, here comes the villainess Amber…!’

Amber looked around nervously, scanning her surroundings.

Seeing her anxious behavior, Clara felt certain of their victory.

‘I’ll make sure she never sets foot in this academy again by thoroughly humiliating her…!’

Clara had already prepared over ten punishments for Amber in her mind.

Now, all she needed was for Momo to fulfill her role properly.

Amber continued to look around until she finally spotted Milk with a woman.

“Milk…! So you were here!”

Milk was trapped in a cramped carrier, grooming her fur with an annoyed expression.

Amber’s gaze naturally shifted to the woman standing next to Milk.

‘Who is that…?’

The woman was wearing an awkward hat, black sunglasses, and a mask, sweating profusely.

Amber tilted her head curiously and asked, “Are you the one who wrote that letter?”

“...”

Amber waited for an answer, but the woman remained silent.

Meanwhile, hidden in the bushes, Clara was losing her patience.

‘The lines…! Why isn’t she saying the lines? Momo, you useless girl…!’

As Clara silently fumed, Momo finally moved her lips behind the mask.

“...If… you want to get your cat back… follow my instructions…”

Amber tilted her head slightly in response to Momo’s shaky voice and replied.

"Wait a second, this voice sounds familiar."

"…!"

"Could it be... Momo?"

Caught off guard, Momo tried her best to remain calm and shouted, "I-I don’t know anyone by that name! Just do as I say!"

‘…It’s obviously Momo.’

Whether the person in front of her was Momo or not, Amber knew she had to comply with their demands to get Milk back.

"What’s your demand?"

"…Well, um…"

Momo, hiding her trembling hands, began reciting the lines Clara had instructed her.

"First… take off your uniform…"

"…My uniform?"

"And, uh… put it on the ground…"

At that moment—

-Rustle.

A rough hand suddenly emerged from the dense bushes behind Momo, grabbing her mouth tightly.

"…Mmph!?"

"Well, what a stroke of luck. Boss, this one looks pretty good."

"She’s a decent catch. Looks like a noble. Let’s take her."

The unknown men who had appeared out of nowhere subdued Momo, ignoring her struggling protests.

"Mmph…! Mmmph!?"

"Stay still if you don’t want to die."

One of the men shoved a menacing blade in front of her face, silencing her immediately.

"…Mmph…"

Amber, who had been observing the situation, was utterly bewildered.

‘Who are these people…?’

They had appeared suddenly and grabbed Momo from behind.

Their suspicious outfits and bodies covered in scars screamed danger.

To make matters worse, they were holding weapons, which sent a chill of fear through Amber.

"Huh?"

One of the men, who was covering Momo’s face with a black cloth, noticed Amber and said, "Boss, what about that girl? Judging by her outfit, she looks like a commoner."

"She saw us, so take her too. Tie her up."

Seeing a man with a sharp weapon approaching her, Amber thought, ‘These people are insane…!’

Whatever their purpose, she knew being taken would not end well for her.

"Hey, girl. Want a hole in your stomach? Or will you come quietly?"

"…"

Amber glared at the man silently before slowly taking a step forward.