Episode 53. The Villainess’s Reputation (3)

“…It’s nothing.”

Percy pressed his fingers against his eyes. He was clearly feeling overly sensitive. If he thought about it calmly, it was obvious that Sienna knew nothing.

‘I’m overreacting. There’s no way she would feel the same sense of unease that I do.’

Percy smoothly changed the subject.

“I heard you collapsed while looking at the invitations?”

“That’s not exactly what happened.”

Her feigned nonchalance and the flush on her face didn’t match. It was as if her intentions and actions were misaligned.

‘Maybe that’s why I keep getting drawn to her.’

As Percy looked at her with a lingering gaze, he responded with a lazy smile.

“If you had a headache, you should have mentioned it.”

“Are you calling me stupid in a roundabout way?”

Percy blinked slowly. Her words were always like this—rough, unrefined, sarcastic.

– Tell me you love me quickly, Percy Stewart.

The woman last night had been a completely different person.

As Percy compared the bright, smiling woman from last night with the awkward Sienna in front of him, Sienna crossed her arms and pouted.

“Why?”

Percy chuckled.

“No reason. I was just thinking of how honest you were last night.”

“Ugh.”

Sienna winced, her face turning even redder.

Sienna seemed genuinely unable to recall her words from the previous night. Percy, with a lazy smile, stood up and tapped the pile of cards on the table with his index finger, causing them to scatter. His gloved hand made only a soft rustling sound as the cards fell to the floor.

“These here will be hostile to you, and these here will be favorable. Ultimately, Lady Pablo’s tea party seems like the safest bet.”

“How do you know that?”

Sienna’s eyes widened, showing the most genuine expression he had seen from her.

Percy shrugged.

“Count Pablo owes me a substantial debt. If he values his life, he’ll behave.”

“Do you realize you sound like a ruthless loan shark right now?”

“Perhaps.”

Percy almost laughed at her narrowed eyes. If she knew what he was really thinking, she might have used even harsher words.

Despite his true feelings, Percy maintained a composed expression and spoke sweetly.

“As long as I’m kind only to you, that’s enough.”

* * *

Anyway, the day had dawned. Following Percy’s advice, I wore a silver dress and attended Lady Pablo’s tea party.

Whether it was true that Countess Pablo was indebted to Percy, she was incredibly kind when she greeted me.

“Oh my, it’s an honor to meet you. Should I call you the future Duchess of Stewart?”

I waved my fan gently and responded in a mockingly sweet tone.

“Do you really need to add the word ‘future’?”

“Oh, ho ho, my apologies for my lack of tact. Please, come this way, Duchess of Stewart.”

Even I found my words insufferable, but the Countess awkwardly laughed and went along with it. I followed her lead into the tea party with a practiced air of indifference.

Other ladies who had arrived before me greeted me warmly.

“The silver dress suits you so well. It’s elegant and luxurious.”

“Is that jewelry embedded in the hem? The way it sparkles like silver waves when you walk is simply stunning.”

“Oh, this is just the norm for me.”

Ugh, do these people have nothing else to talk about besides clothes and jewelry?

It was only my second tea party, but I was already feeling bored.

My seat was next to the host, Lady Pablo. Sitting there, listening to her sycophantic chatter, I noticed a sullen woman in the corner.

‘Who is she? Why does it feel like everyone is avoiding her?’

She had black hair and a youthful face, as if she had just come of age. Perhaps sensing my gaze, she looked up from the floor and met my eyes. Flustered, she glanced around nervously before hesitantly speaking to me.

“E-Excuse me.”

“What is it?”

It would be nice to speak kindly, but that wouldn’t fit Sienna’s character.

The girl shrank a bit at my brusque response and stammered in a small voice.

“Is that dress from Marianne’s Boutique?”

“I don’t know where it’s from.”

It was true. All my clothes were purchased by Percy. My indifferent reply only made the surroundings noisier.

“Marianne’s Boutique is known for being fully booked!”

“His Excellency must truly love the princess.”

Oh, more talk about the boutique. As I fanned myself, I looked at the girl with wide eyes and asked.

“How did you know it’s from Marianne’s Boutique?”

“I, I had my eye on that dress.”

Oh, she’s interested in fashion? Seizing the opportunity, I straightened up, thinking I might find out how much Percy had invested in my wardrobe. But at that moment, Lady Pablo, who was sitting close by, burst out.

“Are you saying Princess Sienna stole your dress?!”

“N-No. That’s not what I meant.”

The girl stammered, trying to explain, but no one listened.

“What would a nouveau riche know?”

“That’s why boutiques should consider social status before selling their clothes.”

The girl’s shoulders slumped, and she blinked back tears at their mocking words. I covered my lips with my fan.

‘So they are ostracizing her.’

There are always those who get ostracized, just like in the imperial palace. It’s never a pleasant sight, though.

As I twisted my lips in disapproval, Lady Pablo whispered excitedly to me.

“She has no sense. By now, she should have left on her own.”

“Indeed.”

I smiled and deliberately spilled my teacup on Lady Pablo’s red hair, turning it brown.

“Kyaa!”

“P-Princess?!”

Everyone screamed and stared at me. I stood up.

“Oh, excuse me. I just hate people who lack sense.”

Then I turned and said,

“This is boring. I’m leaving.”

No one dared to follow me, probably due to my notorious reputation. Retracing my steps through the path I had walked with Lady Pablo earlier, I pouted.

‘I’m sorry, Lady Pablo. But bullying someone isn’t right.’

Hopefully, she learned her lesson. Just then, I heard a voice calling from behind.

“Um, excuse me!”

It was the girl who had been ostracized earlier. I turned around with a puzzled look, and she shouted with a flushed face.

“My name is Emma!”

“So?”

An abrupt introduction? As I continued to stare at her, she lowered her head and mumbled.

“You helped me, didn’t you? I wanted to thank you.”

“It wasn’t worth thanking me for. It just made me feel sick to watch.”

“Still, no one has ever helped me before.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, suggesting she had endured much. I ran my fingers through my hair and said irritably,

“Don’t cry. I can’t stand seeing people cry.”

“Hic!”

Did I scold her? She looked like a frightened hamster. I softened my tone slightly.

“If something upsets you, smile gracefully. Crying only pleases your enemies.”

“Yes, yes!”

Is that good enough? I turned and started walking away. Emma called out loudly from behind.

“Princess! Can I see you again?!”

“Do as you please.”

I thought I heard sobbing behind me, but I didn’t bother to turn around.

When I got home, Percy was there again. Seriously, doesn’t he ever go to work?

* * *

“Did you have fun, Sienna?”

“It was boring.”

Feeling guilty about the incident, I answered and then carefully watched Percy’s reaction.

‘This man will hear about it soon enough anyway, right?’

It’s better to face the music sooner, so I decided to tell him right away.

I tried to appear nonchalant—even though I couldn’t hide the trembling of my fingers—and said,

“I poured tea on Lady Pablo’s head during the tea party. That doesn’t bother you, does it?”

Percy’s face twisted in response to my question.

“You poured tea on her head? Why?”

“Just because. She was being noisy.”

Even as I spoke, I realized how crazy it sounded. It seemed like I had done it for no reason.

‘But if I say it was to help someone being bullied, I might get a penalty for not being villainous enough.’

No villainess rescues the ostracized. So, I crossed my arms and kept silent. Percy just stared at me.

Later, it was the maids who scolded me. They were distressed because I had caused trouble at a rare public event.

“Oh, Princess! Did Lady Pablo do something to upset you? But still, how could you pour the tea you were drinking on her?”

At least I didn’t regret that action. I shrugged my shoulders.

“Why? Should I have poured boiling water instead?”

“Don’t say such impossible things. With your slender arms, you wouldn’t have been able to lift it.”

Hmm, the real Sienna might have broken her wrist lifting that.

I looked at my wrist thoughtfully, then shrugged again.

“Forget about the past and think about the upcoming parties.”

“It sounds like you’re planning more trouble.”

That’s not a bad idea either.