She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a ridiculous Novel

“Miss Idel?”

 

Diane tilted her head in confusion at the simple question, especially considering that Gianna had been following her around for days.

 

“Miss Idel isn’t very different from usual.”

“…Really? So her mood isn’t particularly bad?”

“Um, yes.”

 

Even after retracing her memories to see if she had missed anything, it was the same.

Miss Idel had been just as temperamental and picky as always.

 

‘Now that I think about it, the interest in Miss Idel among the servants has definitely increased lately.’

 

Even the servants who asked Diane for tasks would frequently ask if Miss Idel was being grumpy or troublesome.

It was a bit uncomfortable to think about, especially since some of the servants had made some unpleasant comments when Idel was sick.

 

‘Maybe it’s best to just quit.’

 

Just as Diane felt a familiar unease rising again and quietly placed her hand on her stomach, Gianna let out a sound and squinted her eyes.

 

“If there’s nothing in particular that’s bothering her, then maybe she’s really mad at me.”

“Huh?”

“Idel hasn’t said a word to me… Until now, if I said something, she’d grumble or call me stupid whenever I tried to talk to her. We were really close.”

“……Really?”

“She must be misunderstanding me because of that hideout incident. I wish she would at least listen to me once…”

 

Diane, not fully understanding Gianna’s words, hesitantly moved her lips.

Since she was serving Idel closely, Diane knew well what that “grumbling” was about. But still…

 

“Um, Miss Gianna, I don’t think people usually call their close friends stupid. Actually, isn’t it better that she isn’t saying anything to you right now?”

“What?”

 

Unable to hold back any longer, Diane cautiously spoke up, causing Gianna’s eyes to widen momentarily.

After blinking once or twice, she burst into laughter and shook her head.

 

“No! Idel is just like that!”

“…Huh? Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand.”

“Well, it’s just that Idel is really, really affectionate! I think she’s just shy, that’s all.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I’m serious! If you watch secretly later, you’ll see. She will scream at you, claiming she doesn’t need you, but you can see her glancing at you to see if you’re hurt.”

 

If you focus on her actions and expressions rather than her words, you can immediately tell what kind of person she is.

Gianna’s blue eyes sparkled with conviction.

The intensity of that sparkle made Diane inadvertently reflect on Idel’s actions.

 

‘…actions, huh?’

 

Suddenly, the medicine bottle in her pocket caught her finger.

It was a medicine bottle that Idel had asked her to always carry with her, just in case she needed it.

Diane smiled faintly as she rubbed the surface of the heavy medicine bottle.

 

‘No way…’

 

It didn’t make sense, no matter how she looked at it.

 

‘Even if Miss Gianna thinks that way, there’s no way Miss Idel is treating me kindly. She always scolds me, saying I’m no different from the cat she used to have.’

 

Diane shook her head, quickly dismissing the fleeting possibility that crossed her mind.

 

‘No way…’

 

…Right?

After hearing Gianna’s words, she can’t help but notice the actions or words she would have previously overlooked.

 

“Hey, is that sweat on your forehead? Ugh, how disgusting! Don’t follow me; just stay in your room. By the way, I’ll be back slowly in an hour. Got it? An hour.”

 

On a day when the sun was particularly scorching, as she wiped sweat and attended to her duties, Diane recalled some of the words she had heard…

 

“Standing there so awkwardly next to someone eating a snack, are you doing that to get my attention? No, don’t answer. Take this and go get another cup of tea. Oh, and I would like to have some privacy, so please don’t come back until you have consumed all of the snacks I gave you.”

 

Despite the harsh words, the hands that delivered the luxurious desserts seemed to convey something different.

Of course, the desserts weren’t handed over gently; they were thrust into her arms roughly…

 

‘That’s ridiculous.’

 

Could it be that Miss Idel wasn’t being honest and was actually treating her kindly? That couldn’t be true. It was definitely absurd.

Just as Diane was trying to shake off Gianna’s words, Idel spoke to her.

 

“Daisy, I hear you’re close with Gianna.”

 

Diane’s body flinched at Idel’s question. It was because she was suddenly struck by the topic she had been thinking about.

Quickly clearing her thoughts, she responded to Idel.

 

“C-Close? Not at all. It’s just that Miss Gianna had some questions for me…”

“She did? That’s odd.”

 

Diane, who was about to shrink back from the sarcastic tone, glanced at Idel without making it obvious.

 

‘Focus on her actions, not her words.’

 

Actions… Idel’s actions…

As she carefully observed Idel following Gianna’s words, her eyes widened in realization.

 

‘Miss Idel, you’re holding the book upside down.’

 

Of course, Idel was holding the book upside down because she wanted to align it with the map, but Diane had no way of knowing her true intentions.

To Diane, Idel appeared to be a suspicious child, rolling her eyes and pouting while holding the book upside down.

Unconsciously, Diane found herself biting her lip at Idel’s puzzling actions.

 

“Um, by the way, Miss Idel, my name isn’t Daisy; it’s Diane…”

“What?”

“Ah, I was just worried that something uncomfortable will happen when you call me…”

“Ha! Something uncomfortable?”

 

Diane, who came to her senses at Idel’s response, clasped her hands tightly.

 

‘Have I gone crazy for pointing that out to the lady!’

 

Her mind went blank, and her heart raced.

 

‘If, really, if Gianna’s guess and everything I saw were all just misunderstandings…’

 

Then she had done something she absolutely shouldn’t have.

Diane bit her lower lip hard at the dizzying idea.

On the other hand, Idel didn’t notice anything unusual about the trembling Diane. Having seen Diane intervene a few times during the paper incident and the medicine bottle incident, she assumed this was just another case of her meddling.

So, Idel decided to respond in her usual brusque and annoying manner, but without being too hurtful. A scornful expression was just a bonus.

 

“Daisy or Diane. Isn’t it your fault for having such a similar name?”

“…….”

“Hmph, so you know Gianna, huh? Then go tell her this: I have no intention of meeting with liars, so don’t keep coming around or sending letters. Oh, and also tell her I don’t care if her favorite cake is fruit cream. Since I like cheesecake, we shouldn’t share the same table ever again. Got it?”

“Ah….”

“What? Why are you just staring at me instead of answering? Do I look funny?”

“Ah, s-sorry! It’s not like that…”

 

With a loud snap, Idel closed the book, snorted, and spoke again.

 

“I don’t want to hear it, so just go. Make sure you pass on the message. Don’t come back because you’re annoying.”

“I… understand. I’ll make sure to deliver it.”

 

Diane instinctively lowered her head, biting her lower lip with a strange expression.

It was wrong. Now Diane could no longer take Idel’s words at face value.

 

‘What she just said sounded like… I read your letter and know you enjoy fruit cream cakes. I’m a cheesecake fan. Let’s have a grand cake party sometime.’? Doesn’t it? Or am I mistaken?’

 

Diane, trying to interpret Idel’s words with her wavering eyes, forced herself to look away.

No, that’s not it. This is all a misunderstanding, for sure. Gianna’s words and Idel’s true intentions—she didn’t hear any of it.

 

‘Remember, Diane, it’s easier to live if you just ignore it!’

 

Just as she resolved to clear her mind for a peaceful maid life and was about to politely leave the room…

 

“Hey, wait there for a moment.”

“Yes?”

 

At Idel’s command, Diane turned back around and habitually checked Idel’s expression.

Her crooked eyebrows, pursed lips, and scrunched-up eyes all seemed to say that she was displeased.

Normally, seeing that expression would have made Diane shut her eyes tightly and brace herself for a scolding, but for some reason, she didn’t feel that way today.

At that moment, Diane anxiously awaited her next words.

 

“Thinking about it, you’re so dumb that you probably wouldn’t even realize you’re being called if I don’t call you properly. Your actions seem slow.”

“…….”

“I’ll call you Diane as you wish, so don’t act so foolishly from now on.”

 

Unaware of Diane’s wavering heart, Idel dug her own grave.