Episode 103. A Changed Daily Life (3)
As I made a displeased face, Julius clicked his tongue and plopped down into his seat. Crossing his arms with a sulky expression, he spoke.
“Suddenly changed your mind, huh? How about I give you a territory and you just break up with Percy Stewart?”
“What?”
What on earth was he talking about? I frowned. Julius went on like a mother displeased with her daughter’s choice of husband.
“Why are you bothering to tiptoe around that guy? It’d be better if you just set up your own country and played queen. I’ll make a duchy for you, so just get a divorce right away.”
But I don’t tiptoe around him at all.
There was no need to even imagine myself as a queen. I answered Julius right away.
“I don’t want to break up. I like Percy.”
Upon hearing my answer, Julius froze as if he’d been struck by lightning. Then he suddenly buried his face in his hands. He muttered something under his breath, but I couldn’t quite hear it.
“…That sly fox. Could he have foreseen this situation…”
“Julius?”
Why was he so disheartened by my response? I tilted my head in confusion. Julius, peeking at me through his fingers, sighed and got up from his seat.
“Fine, just hurry up and go on your honeymoon or whatever.”
“Thanks. I’ll bring you a gift.”
“…No, thanks.”
Though he said that, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. I chuckled softly and left Julius’s office.
* * *
And so, instead of a wedding, a honeymoon was decided. The maids were quite disheartened by the news of the wedding’s cancellation, but they quickly revived at the mention of the honeymoon.
“So, it’s like a relaxing vacation! Our lady has been under so much stress lately. I’m all for her taking a break until her body and soul are completely at ease!”
“Well, I don’t think I’ve been that stressed,” I said, twirling a strand of my hair around my finger. To be honest, the tiring times were back when I was in the Imperial Palace; since coming to Duke Stewart’s mansion, I haven’t felt particularly exhausted.
‘Would they be happy if I told them it’s thanks to you that I’ve been living comfortably? Or would they just wonder why I’m saying things I don’t usually say?’
But I did genuinely want to express my gratitude.
As I fiddled with my fingers, lost in thought, one of the maids spoke up loudly.
“You did have a hard time! You were always dozing off like a sick chicken.”
“That was…”
The reason I was dozing off like a sick chicken wasn’t because of that stress. It was because Percy was teasing me so much.
Realizing where my thoughts had wandered, I quickly blushed and raised my head. It was only then that I realized where this conversation was going.
“You guys! You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”
“Hahaha.”
The maids burst into laughter, clearly amused by my flushed face. Embarrassed and flustered, I glared at them and grumbled.
“Is there nothing you wouldn’t say to the world’s greatest villainess?”
“Well, no matter what anyone says, those who called you a villainess were truly bad people. How could someone like you ever be a villainess?”
I did play the role of a villainess quite a bit, though. It was the system that forced me into it.
Thinking about being a villainess reminded me of the maids in the Imperial Palace who used to treat me with disdain and disregard. They probably didn’t mean any harm; they were just playing the roles they were given.
‘The Imperial Palace must finally be running properly now.’
The maids there wouldn’t be acting out so recklessly anymore, and Julius, now Emperor, wouldn’t be able to kill the maids as he pleased. If the palace kept running like it used to, public sentiment would surely become uneasy.
‘Yes. This is how the world should be.’
A fresh wave of realization washed over me as I nodded in satisfaction.
As the maids pulled out a large trunk, they asked, “My lady, how would you like us to pack for the honeymoon? Shall we put in plenty of underwear?”
Before I could even answer, the maids, who loved teasing me, chattered away.
“Why would we pack so much? She won’t be wearing them anyway. Let’s pack plenty of pretty outfits instead.”
“You don’t get it. It’s even more suggestive to wear something than to be completely naked.”
“Who said I didn’t get it? Of course I know that. I’m saying he won’t let her keep them on anyway.”
“We should pack lots of jewelry. Wearing nothing but jewels has the most visual impact.”
“You’re the most knowledgeable of us all.”
“Agreed.”
I silently smiled as I listened to their banter. Then, I waved my hand to call over the head maid, who was brewing tea nearby.
“Head Maid.”
“Yes, my lady?”
I pointed at the maids with a nod and said.
“I’m leaving all of them behind.”
“That’s too much, my lady!!”
What’s too much? Aren’t you all the ones being too much?
* * *
The maids of the Stewart household were certainly talkative, but their skills were undoubtedly top-notch. Despite making me anxious with their chatter, they packed the trunk with only the essential items, efficiently and neatly.
I sighed softly as I put on the newly tailored cape coat and matching hat.
‘I wish they could be a bit more dignified when they talk.’
Actually, it doesn’t even matter if they talk like that. I just wish they wouldn’t get so worked up about my relationship with Percy! It’s too embarrassing!
‘This is all because they aren’t in relationships themselves. When I get back, I’ll have to discuss with the head maid about getting them all married off quickly.’
Once they’re in relationships, they won’t be so interested in my married life anymore.
As I was pondering who to send to the matchmaking market first, a large hand gently wrapped around my shoulder.
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“Percy.”
When I turned around, Percy was standing there, wearing a coat that matched mine. I blinked in surprise.
‘Couple look? When did he arrange this?’
It was so unlike Percy that I was momentarily stunned. Perhaps thinking I was lost in thought for another reason, Percy’s face hardened.
“If you’re thinking about that woman…”
The only woman he could be referring to was Beth. I quickly shook my head.
“Not at all. I have no reason to think about her.”
“That’s a relief.”
Beth had been captured ages ago. I smiled, pleased that Percy was concerned about me.
“Did it bother you?”
“My role is to eliminate anything that might trouble your heart.”
“I don’t think that’s what a husband’s role is supposed to be.”
What is he, an assassin?
I was taken aback by Percy’s response, but he quickly changed his words, kissing the back of my hand with a convincing smile.
“I don’t like it when your attention is on someone other than me.”
“You’re good at changing your words.”
“I’m learning recently. I never needed to do this before, but thanks to you, I’m learning.”
“Thanks to me?”
“You’re the only one in this world who can make me feel vulnerable.”
Not a word lost.
Even though he was lowering himself, he said it so brazenly that it didn’t come off that way at all. As I silently stared at Percy, I heard a commotion.
“Wow, how romantic!”
“I never thought I’d see something like this in my lifetime…”
The maids, who had been eavesdropping on our conversation, were hopping up and down with excitement. Hearing them, I frowned and asked Percy.
“…Are you doing this on purpose?”
“What?”
He tilted his head slightly, his calm face showing he had no idea what I was talking about.
‘Playing innocent, huh.’
But I didn’t find it annoying. I chuckled.
‘Well, this isn’t so bad.’
Compared to when I first woke up as the villainous princess in the Imperial Palace, how enjoyable my days are now.
It was better to have people laughing with me, even if it was a bit embarrassing, than to be feared or ignored.
And Percy…
“Shall we go, my lady?”
His red eyes, looking at me with a tenderness as if I were a sugary treat, made my heart flutter. I placed my hand in Percy’s palm.
“Gladly.”
