I Came Back as a Villainess

Edited by “Freya”

Chapter 10

The long shadow touched the edge of the sanctuary.

Baltus’s black hair swayed in the spring breeze, but his gaze was as cold as a winter canyon, filled with a chilling darkness.

The soldiers guarding the sanctuary saluted quickly and stood in formation at the arrival of the noble crown prince.

At a time when the emperor’s health was declining day by day, the crown prince, Baltus, who had subdued the vassal states and strengthened the empire’s power, was held in high regard.

He was like a small sun within the palace, admired and followed by all knights.

“Open it.”

Although no one could enter the sanctuary except the emperor, two knights, glancing around, eagerly opened the door. “This event should not be recorded anywhere.”

“At once, Your Highness!”

“Open the doors!”

The heavy doors creaked open, revealing a dusty carpet and a grand interior.

Baltus stepped into the dim sanctuary and walked confidently toward the center, his eyes fixed on the altar-like structure.

It held the sacred relic gifted by a dragon named Marceline, the shield of the empire. For a thousand years, it had radiated divine energy, which protected the Kalanta Empire.

Marceline, the holy dragon, was described in the founding legend as the right hand of the creation god Ermedia.

As their blood mixes with outside blood, the dragon’s once-proud and pure family line gradually fades away, leaving only their name.

Aira Marcillin.

The woman of Xavier, who carried the full energy of the red dragon. Her face was soft and pale like white Octavius, and her sharp, cold eyes seemed as if they had endured two lifetimes.

“…Still the same.”

Baltus’s lips moved faintly as he saw the relic, shining as always.

He had wondered if it had been damaged, but the light of the relic remained intact, shining magnificently, emitting an immeasurable force as always.

Turning away slowly from the relic, he thought, If you have returned with this power…

The dark, cold, and empty doubt in his heart left an indelible mark. However, having confirmed the relic’s intactness, it was time to leave.

Just as he took a step, a powerful wave, like the heartbeat of a giant, spread from the relic. Balter’s cool gray eyes trembled slightly.

“…!”

Lower-ranking soldiers didn’t notice the pulse, but the highly trained knights guarding Balter did. They looked around, startled.

Balter slowly turned his head back to the relic. The red glowing disc pulsed like a heartbeat, as if resonating with something.

It’s connected.

He couldn’t tell when it had started, but Balter thought of the woman’s lips once again, which were as red as the relic.

“Anyone who speaks of this will die.”

His cold voice sent chills down the knights’ spines. Their proud lord was not a man to speak lightly.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The door of the sanctuary, which had not been opened for a long time, was firmly shut again.

---

Whispers—

When Aira stepped out of her room, the maids quickly stopped their gossip and pretended to busy themselves.

Guilty expressions flashed across their faces as they intentionally raised their voices to speak among themselves.

“Emily, you clean that window frame. I’ll take care of the portrait.”

“Right. Seri and Jessie should focus on the storage room today.”

Aira knew.

She knew that rumors about her were spreading among the maids.

“They say she was really nasty to Lady Luna when you went to the palace.”

“They say she even took the things Lady Luna brought and caused trouble with the empress.”

“Poor Lady Luna. She must’ve been so heartbroken, constantly having to deal with Aira’s whims.”

And she knew the maids favored Luna over her.

Thinking about it, it was understandable. Aira, born into nobility, had a rather inflexible personality and was strict with the maids and servants. If they did something wrong, she would scold them clearly and report it to her father, the count. On the other hand, Luna, from a common background, could relate to them and was kind to everyone.

So, of course, they believed kind Lady Luna had to endure the cruel Aira’s tyranny.

Even though that was far from the truth.

Luna had long manipulated Aira, controlling her as she pleased.

On the surface, Aira seemed stronger, but Luna always gave her cunning advice, saying, “Aira, I’m saying this for your sake,” which made the younger Aira rely on her completely.

Recalling her naïve past, Aira found it all laughable.

“Hah! Someday I’ll rip out all their hair, Aira!”

Gemma, Aira’s personal maid, spoke with fury, her hands on her hips.

In both her past life and the present, Gemma was the only one in the household who stood by her.

“Those shameless fools used the finest fabric from Ellim to make Lady Luna’s chemise! I told them several times to save it for your dress lining!”

“There’s no need to get upset, Gemma. We can always get premium lining from the dress salon.”

Though traveling there by carriage was a hassle, she added silently.

“But they did it on purpose! Even your meals are made with less fresh ingredients compared to Lady Luna’s!”

Gemma trembled with rage, as if she had been insulted.

Seeing Gemma like this, Aira sighed quietly. All the servants in the house were on Luna’s side, and her father, Count Marceline, didn’t care about such trivial struggles, so there was nothing she could do.

“Even though she knows what they’re doing, Lady Luna just smiles and says, ‘Aira isn’t that bad. Aira may not like me, but I’m handling it well,’ and she encourages them even more… This is so frustrating…”

“Gemma.”

Aira placed a hand on Gemma’s shoulder.

In her past life, Aira hadn’t taken Gemma to the palace, It was because Luna had turned Gemma against Aira, claiming that Aira had deep insecurities and psychological issues and as soon as she left for the palace, Gemma was cast out by Luna. 

“I know what you’re saying.”

At Aira’s words, Gemma’s eyes widened in surprise.

Whenever I complained about Luna, Lady Aira would always scold me, saying, “A servant shouldn’t speak ill of their superior.”

“Milady…”

“Luna is a cunning girl.”

Hearing those words, Gemma’s eyes widened in shock. Lady Aira, who used to fall for Luna’s deceitful acts, believing them to be genuine acts of kindness, now seemed to see right through her.

“Don’t worry. I understand everything now.”

Was it her imagination, or had her lady’s eyes always glowed with such a sharp crimson hue?

 It was as if something had changed.

“Perhaps it’s time to restore order in the house, don’t you think?”

Aira’s lips curved into a faint, confident smile as she spoke.