Chapter 21
Then should I carry it? A villainess possessor has her pride.
“No way! You're worse than a real devil!”
Who do you think used up all the Holy Water in the mansion for? I even paid for it, so shouldn't you at least act as a porter? It's just ten bottles of Holy Water—how heavy can it be that you're whining like this? This guy's such a drama queen.
“Jelly. Take it now.”
Only after I insisted did Jelly tuck its tail and pick up the Holy Water. Ignoring Jelly as it dawdled and acted exhausted with all its might, I headed out of the Grand Temple. As a werewolf, it'll track us by scent and follow properly.
As I walked, I spotted a familiar holy knight uniform on a man across the way. A nun walked beside him.
“Sir Raphaella?”
“Uriel!”
When Uriel greeted her, Raphaella's feigned solemn expression melted away, and she dashed over. Hey, what about the nun behind you? Look at her face! She looks so awkward!
I totally get it. I must've looked like that from behind whenever my popular friend stopped every ten steps to chat or greet someone.
“And… Lady Rohanson?”
How does she know me too? Even in this romance-fantasy world, popular people's info networks are something else.
I nodded in confirmation, and Raphaella— the popular one, that is—brightened even more, bowing politely in greeting. Her actions were textbook knightly, but her face lit up like a dog spotting someone on a walk—fascinating.
“Raphaella of the Pararos Knights. We've met before—do you remember?”
No, not at all! Met before? Was it pre-possession?
“I was there during the fire. And just the other day when Sir Gabriel visited Rohanson Mansion, I went along! But Sir Gabriel stopped me, so I couldn't greet you.”
So we're one-sidedly acquainted. Makes sense—if she knew the pre-possession villainess Evangeline, she wouldn't approach so friendly.
Anyway, after just a short chat, I could see exactly why Gabriel left Raphaella behind. Her energy's too high and bubbly; it drains you completely.
The cheerful subordinate always by the male lead's side? Gotta be that one—the adjuvant who gives love advice to the stoic romance-repellent male lead to help their romance along!
The type who picks up weird rumors and makes the male lead blunder, getting roasted in comments. Solid character archetype.
“I'm thrilled to finally greet you!”
Now I get why Raphaella's wagging her tail at me like crazy. Gabriel fell for me, not the heroine, right? So she's trying to impress me to stay in his good graces. Devoted to her duty.
“I see.”
Sorry, but I have no plans to date a paper person from a book! Raphaella, sorry for stripping away your reason to exist!
I answered curtly to kill the goodwill, but Raphaella didn't seem to care at all.
“You must be here because Sir Gabriel asked for your cooperation? Thank you! Oh, have you toured the temple? It's so grand and cool, right? I was totally awestruck the first time too. Honestly, I still get surprised sometimes.”
Raphaella chattered on without a care. Is she fearless? Or too busy with knight duties to know Evangeline's notoriety? First person besides Kanna to treat me so casually since possessing.
Uriel, unable to stand Raphaella's rambling, cut in.
“Sir Raphaella, weren't you in the reception room? Where are you headed?”
“Ah. Sir Gabriel told me to escort the nun.”
“Then shouldn't you hurry so the nun doesn't wait?”
“Haha, I got carried away because I was so happy to meet you…”
Reprimanded, Raphaella scratched her head sheepishly. Just as I thought we'd finally part ways after goodbyes, Raphaella suddenly stopped.
“Oh, right. Come to think of it, the nun used to work at Rohanson Mansion—do you remember her?”
“Sir Raphaella, that's rude!”
Really? She worked at Rohanson Mansion? She looks familiar, but I don't remember. I leaned in to look closely, but the ex-nun backed away. Trembling violently with her head bowed low, she looked ready to prostrate herself.
“You worked at Rohanson Mansion?”
“…Yes.”
Her voice was barely a whisper, as if threatened to speak or die. Why so submissive? Must be trauma from working under Evangeline.
Probably tormented by Evangeline and quit. Anyway, working for a count's family explains the fear. Rohanson Mansion staff still tremble at the sight of me.
“Your name?”
“Y-You don't know my name?”
“I lost my memories.”
This is why starting with amnesia is key. Pretending to be the original owner without it leads to slip-ups revealing the truth.
“…Daisy.”
Yeah. Never heard the name. She must've quit before I possessed.
“Did you quit because of me?”
Not something to broadcast, so I whispered quietly, barely moving my lips—near ventriloquism. Uriel and Raphaella nearby probably couldn't hear.
Daisy couldn't answer. Unable to deny it, it's clear. Look at that. How vicious was Evangeline to make her quake like a leaf?
“Must've been scary.”
I didn't do it, but seeing her tremble made me want to apologize. But apologizing's just for my peace of mind anyway.
Daisy doesn't know I'm possessing Evangeline and would think I'm still her even with amnesia. Amnesia doesn't erase sins.
But I can't just leave it. To escape villainess route, I need to turn enemy to ally—or at least apologize.
Conscience stings, but ignore it. Repeat after me: she's fictional! My life comes first!
“Still scared?”
Apparently… Head still bowed, won't even look at me.
“Don't be scared. If you want, I'll compensate you.”
“P-Pardon…?”
“In exchange for not spreading stories about me.”
I'm the villainess—sincere apologies shatter character, so compensate with money. All Evangeline has is generous funds. Plus, ask her not to gossip.
But Daisy's reaction was odd. Already pale, now she looked near death. No, don't faint! That'd worsen Evangeline's infamy! Why suddenly? Wait. No way?
“You told someone?”
…Bingo. Thought it'd be an Evangeline redemption event reuniting with a bullied ex-maid? Nope? Just accelerating villainess rumors?
“Who?”
“Ugh…!”
“Who did you tell?”
Evangeline already had bad rep, but this is the temple—priests and holy knights everywhere. Already smeared over Donau's death; old misdeeds revealed? Can't recover from villainess—no, witch stigma.
Self-inflicted, sure—but why dump it on me!
“…Sir Gabriel knows.”
Phew. Relief. At least Gabriel's smitten, so he won't harm me. If temple Donau fans heard, I'd be a traitor instantly.
Or would he? What if Gabriel hears Evangeline's deeds, loses interest, and turns? He's the male lead—I can't fight back.
Whatever. Cross that bridge when it comes. Heading to Gabriel now—judge then. I'm not escaping reality. No, really.
As I pictured grim futures, Jelly finally appeared behind. How long did it dawdle? Casually carrying Holy Water in one hand like a waiter—by the fingertips! See? Not heavy!
“Huh? You…”
Jelly eyed Daisy distastefully. Huh? What? How do they know each other?
Daisy paled more than seeing me. What did this guy do to scare her worse than me?
“I-I'll be going now.”
As Daisy lowered her gaze to leave, I reflexively grabbed her wrist.
“Eek…!”
Sorry! Gripped too hard. Switched to holding her hand gently.
Thought it'd be cold, but surprisingly warm. Daisy fidgeted but didn't pull away.
“If you have a wish for me, come find me. I'll grant it.”
Of course, a victim won't forgive easily. Pure self-satisfaction and villainess-escape insurance.
Releasing her hand, Daisy rubbed hers and hid behind.
“Nun! Let me escort you!”
“No thanks! The carriage stand's right there.”
“Well…”
Daisy rejected Raphaella horrified. Not far to the stand, so Raphaella conceded, watching Daisy flee forlornly.
“She's gone.”
“Yeah. Oh, did you two finish talking? I plugged my ears to protect your privacy.”
“Dunno. She didn't seem to want to talk. I don't even remember who she is.”
“Ah? Well, I wouldn't know my house's servants offhand either.”
Raphaella played it cool shamelessly. But hey, smiling nicely—why so suspicious?
