A Villainess For The Tyrant

Down! Cecile commanded. Richard involuntarily bent down with an audiblethump. Wow, any command works?

Didnt I tell you? Estian laughed.

Then this time Ceciles eyes glistened with enjoyment, as she cried out again, crawl on all fours!

Hey! Richard exclaimed in protest, but his body contorted to faithfully carry out the empresss order. Ceciles fun continued in this manner for a while, until eventually Richard lay on the floor begging, Estian! Will you please stop your wife!

Why should I? In Estians opinion, the mage lord barely scraped the surface of paying off for the sin of causing chaos in the imperial palace. This degree of suffering was nothing.

At this rate, I have a feeling that shell make me bark like a dog and crawl over to lick her heels! Richard wailed.

Cecile frowned at the rather specific depiction, but it gradually gave way to a look of interest. Was this the moment when shed open her eyes to a new world? Shall we try that too?

Estian watched with satisfaction as his empress had her fun. She commanded Richard to crawl ten laps around the room with one leg held up in the air; it was apparent her grudge regarding the Girgantia incident was quite deep. Comforted that there wouldnt be any problems while he was away destroying the dukedom, he asked, Do you feel a bit reassured now?

Somewhat yes, but Cecile trailed off.

But?

Cant you not go to war, Your Majesty? Her tone was a mixture of grumbling, pleading, longing, and worry.

The emotion in Ceciles voice almost made Estian reply that he wouldnt go, but he resisted the impulse. From her point of view, it seemed nothing more than a war of conquest, but for him, it was both his right and duty. As the emperor, he had promised to serve his enemies their just deserts, and he would not go back on his word. That I cant do, Estian said.

I understand. Instead of insisting, Cecile clasped his hand and raised and pressed it against her lips. Still, I hope youll come back quickly, safe and sound.

Estian wordlessly bent over to quietly kiss her on the forehead. Meanwhile, from somewhere behind them, Richard shouted, Hey guys! I finished ten laps!

Act 6: Stake Everything

This totally sucks, the saintess griped as she observed herself in the mirror. A good chunk of her shoulder-length hair had been lopped off, and its former dark color had been altered to a light brown. On top of it all, she was sporting a thick pair of glasses with a dizzying prescription. Love is a sin. A sin, I say! The lengths I go to snag myself a man, she muttered and sighed.

Are you ready yet? Ill really leave you behind! Irene shouted from behind.

The saintess immediately turned around with a bright smile as she replied, Oh what are you talking about, milady? Ive been waiting since last night. Let us head for the imperial palace already!

She wasnt lyingthe saintess had been waiting with bated breath for this day ever since she found out there was an opportunity to return to the imperial. About a week had passed since Irene had suddenly returned to the mansion and declared,I have decided to become Her Majestys handmaiden!The maids immediately flew into action and began packing Irenes belongings.

Handmaiden? But how?The saintess asked. There had been no announcement of a handmaiden election. How did this come about so suddenly?

Hmph. Her Majesty extended a special invitation to me, to come to the palace as her handmaiden. She mustve been impressed by my academic excellence,Irene replied smugly. It was true that Irene impressed Cecile, though to be precise, she was impressed by how the young noble lady had gracefully dished out criticism and rendered Yuliana speechless.

Whatever the case, thats wonderful! Ill get prepared right away!The saintess exclaimed. Although she still didnt fully understand the situation, she jumped at the chance to enter the imperial palace. She was about to hurry off to prepare for the trip when suddenly Irene grabbed her by the scruff.

You cant. You cant go,Irene said firmly.

What bull are youThe saintess stopped, quickly correcting herself.U-uh, what do you mean cant?

I promise to come back to play often, so be a good girl and house-sit the mansion for me while Im gone. Sir Kane wont let you off if you appear at the imperial palace again! I had to lie that you werent here to send him away! So be mature!

Lie? Send him away?

I explained that youd been blinded by love for a man youd met in a bar, and ran off with my jewels overnight. He went back looking dismayed. Didnt ask anything further.

Of all the lies to tell, why did it have to be that?!

The saintess admitted she was a little man-crazy, but she never stooped to thievery! What an unforeseen turn of events! Still, the saintess refused to give up and clung to the hem of Irenes dress. She rolled around on the floor like a child, demanding to be taken along. Despite her efforts, the latter stood firm, and the two remained in a stalemate for the rest of the day, until eventually Irene cavedon one condition.

Disguise yourself! Change the length of your hair, and the color too!Irene demanded.

All of which led to the saintesss current appearance. She wasnt pleased, but it couldnt be helped. Shed heard that Estian was departing to attack Etia soon. That meant there wasnt much time left until the calamitous event where hell go berserk. To calm him, the saintess needed to enter Ceciles body. Shed abandon her current body when that happens, so she went ahead and cut and dyed her hair. Still, for some reason, she couldnt help but feel some sadness.

No. Its a disposable body. Theres nothing to regret.The saintess firmed her resolve, as she boarded the coach heading to the palace. The first thing she had to do upon entering the imperial palace today was to approach Cecile as soon as possible.Thats the only way to save Estian.

Except, a mere three hours later, the saintess found herself in dire straits.

How curious, Kane mused, smiling at the saintess. How could somebody, who gave their body and heart away to some random man at first sightandthieved her ladys jewels, be here in the imperial palace?