The Villain Protects the Lady!

“What are you doing?” 

It was only after Hermia spoke that the maid realized the door was locked. 

 

The maid looked around quickly and bit her lip once.

 “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

‘Tin foil hat, huh?’

 

She gave a small laugh.

 “It’s unfortunate that she was hurt, but I don’t think it’s right for you to take your anger out on me, who is innocent. “Innocent, hmm.” 

Hermia slowly approached the maid, who took a step back.

 “Let me ask you again, are you really innocent?” “Yes!”

The maid replied without the slightest hesitation. 

 

‘Ha, I can’t help it.’

 “Kaaak!” 

The maid let out an eerie scream. Hermia picked up the kettle from the cart and filled it with water.

 “Hot, hot!” 

The maid’s struggles intensified as she desperately tried to steal the water.

 

What’s all the fuss about? It must be much cooler than before.

 “How dare you give hot water to a three-year-old when it’s hot enough for an adult.” 

She dropped the kettle and walked toward the maid.

 

Very slowly.

 

Hesitantly, the maid stumbled back as if frightened.

 “Are you out of your mind?” 

Hermia took a step closer, and the frightened maid took two steps back. Repeated a few times, and with a thud, her back was against the wall. There was nowhere to go.

 “Are you out of your mind?” “Hmph.” 

The maid’s throat tightened as if she were holding back tears. But the venomous eyes still stared at her as if to kill.

 “Tell me the truth. Or I’ll call everyone outside and drag you out.” “…….” 

She didn’t think there was a way out.

 

The maid, eyes narrowed, screamed.

 “Yes, I was naughty, but what’s the big deal? Isn’t that a lesser offense than what you did?” 

The maid’s eyes flashed bloodshot.

 “You said you used a child to demand an engagement from the Grand Duke? This is your child who doesn’t even have the face of the Grand Duke, so why are you lying!” 

The maid smirked and glared at her with hatred in her eyes.

 “At least I didn’t aim at the child, unlike you. Doesn’t that make me better than you?” “Heh.” 

That was some newfangled bullshit.

 

Grinding her teeth, the maid began to babble, as if she understood the meaning of her laughter.

 “You threaten His Highness with an engagement? Don’t bully a man who has just returned from war!” 

Gasping for breath, the maid spat out the words.

 “And now you’ve even taken the Grand Duke’s room!” 

‘Ah, this was the Grand Duke’s room? Somehow, the furnishings were so luxurious.’

 “And again…!” 

It’s not even worth the effort to tell her to be quiet now.

 Bam! 

Hermia slammed her fist against the wall and the room went quiet again.

 

‘Mmm, it’s nice to be quiet. I don’t have to raise my voice.’

 “Shall I tell you two things you don’t know?” “What?” “One.” 

She held up a single finger and grinned.

 “That child is the Grand Duke’s only niece, as you have already confirmed.” 

The maid closed and opened her eyes lazily. 

 

‘What, you don’t believe me because of the color of her hair?’

 “Two.” 

She held up a second finger.

 “I stay in this mansion because His Highness loves me so much. We’re already engaged. What does that mean?” 

She’s bluffing a bit. But the important thing is that it’s all the truth, right?

 “You tried to hurt His Highness’ niece, the only one he has now, and you tried to hurt me, his fiancée.” 

In other words, your life is over.

 “Ah…?” 

It finally sinks in.

 

The maid’s eyes widened in horror.

 

Hermia rolled her eyes and smiled broadly.

 “I’ve been kind enough to answer your questions, now it’s your turn.” 

She grabbed the maid’s head with her hand as it kept trying to fall away, and she could see the panic in her eyes even better.

 

Much better.

 “So, who ordered you? Tell me, will you?” 

‘I’m curious.’

 

 

* * *

 

 

Thump! 

Milton, Grand Duke Leandro’s accountant, looked up as the mansion shook.

 “What’s that?” 

The maid had just come upstairs, scowling at the bell.

 “Never mind, never mind.” 

He couldn’t be bothered with such trivialities.

 

He had to pack, grab his important papers and leave.

 

To another region, no, to another country!

 

Once he crossed the border, even the Grand Duke would be powerless.

 

He had enough money to cross the border, so it was no problem.

 “Damn it, why does she have to be the Grand Duke’s fiancee and not someone else?” 

Yesterday, he thought it was just a temporary visit.

 

He was sure she wouldn’t last more than an hour or two before being thrown out without a glass of water.

 

Grand Duke Leandro was somebody.

 

The murderer, the hero, the damned, the demon slayer.

 

He was called many things, but there’s one word Milton uses most often.

 

A man-hater.

 

For the honor of his family, and because he felt it was his duty, the young Grand Duke took it upon himself to go to war.

 

But every time he returned; he heard nothing but terrible rumors from those who feared him.

 

As a result, Grand Duke Leandro, who never saw his parents buried or learned of his sister’s disappearance, became a man who hated people.

 

Except those he’d taken to war with him, or those he’d known since childhood.

 

He never let his guard down with strangers.

 

Even he, who had worked in the manor for years, kept his distance.

 

“Here’s what you asked for.”“Leave it.”

 

Milton went to see him again and again, but he wouldn’t give him the slightest space. It was hard to get a word in.

 “Thanks to you, I couldn’t even think.” 

He wondered if he knew.

 

Maybe the Grand Duke already realized what he’d done in Leandro’s absence.

 

He always felt like he was on thin ice.

 

And here comes Hermia Tekins, the fool who claims to be Grand Duke Leandro’s fiancée.

 

Milton gritted his teeth.

 

‘No, no, calm down.’

 

Rubbing his face nervously, Milton rolled his eyes.

 

‘She’s a stupid bitch anyway, and she’s been used by half-commoners before.’

 

Having once worked with the Count of Tekins, Milton knew what Hermia really was.

 

A wicked woman? It wasn’t anything like that.

 

She was a fool of a fool.

 

‘Well, that fool can’t say anything.’

 

She’ll just mumble something about the water being hot and then hang her head.

 

‘I’m gone, I’m gone.’

 

If he could just get through this crisis, he had a rosy future ahead of him.