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Chapter 03
“If you thought I’d go easy on you just because I’m a saint, you’re gravely mistaken.”
That was the main catchphrase of the novel Han Gye-winter had transmigrated into: The Saintess Doesn’t Go Easy on Anyone.
There had already been plenty of novels that shattered the conventional notion that saintesses were kind and holy. But this one pushed that idea right up to the brink, drawing attention for more than a few reasons.
First of all, the protagonist, Anila Media, was a saintess—yet she openly desired men.
Because of that, she tried to claim for herself the handsome male lead, Peric Trian, who had been more or less forcibly engaged to her by Leriel, the true power behind the throne of the kingdom.
“In the name of the saintess, I will not forgive you!”
Anything that stood in her way, she crushed without hesitation, using brute force and schemes alike.
She trampled over others so thoroughly that at times she looked more like a villainess than a saintess.
And yet, with just one pure smile from her beautiful face, people forgave her—or trusted her.
In that way, Anila made full use of both her powers and her looks, eventually obtaining everything she wanted.
It was a classic “cathartic revenge” story filled with outrageous developments, but thanks to the protagonist’s extreme behavior and the brisk, satisfying narration, the novel managed to gather a modest but loyal fanbase.
Then came the long-awaited ending.
Under the pretext of restoring the royal authority of the Kingdom of Trian, she joined forces with the royal family to annihilate the Tenevris house…
“Purifying the world is also the duty of a saintess.”
It didn’t stop at stripping them of their titles and confiscating their property. She tracked down everyone even remotely connected to the Tenevris family—relatives by marriage, distant kin to the eighth degree—and had them all beheaded without exception.
The ending was so shocking that even after the novel concluded, readers were fiercely divided over whether they liked it or not.
Of course, to Han Gye-winter, who had transmigrated into Leriel, this ending felt more unacceptable than ever.
“……”
As she recalled the story, her face gradually drained of color. Reflected in the mirror, Leriel mirrored her expression, equally pale and frightened.
Her trembling hand fumbled its way to her neck.
Only after confirming that her head was still firmly attached did she finally lower her hand.
“Huh?”
Then something on her left hand—her fourth finger—caught the light in the mirror and glinted.
What is this?
Han Gye-winter’s gaze naturally drifted there.
This is…
A wedding ring?
No—Leriel had died before ever getting married.
And not quietly, either, but publicly, as an example made of her during the purge of the Tenevris family.
So this couldn’t be a wedding ring. Still, a ring worn on the fourth finger of the left hand could only mean…
Don’t tell me—it’s an engagement ring…?
She arrived at the answer all too easily.
Her stomach lurched.
To keep herself from collapsing, Han Gye-winter had to grab the edge of the vanity.
“Ugh…”
The ring dangling from her finger looked less like jewelry and more like a shackle.
To think she had already been engaged to the crown prince—there wasn’t much time left. If things continued like this, she would die without a doubt.
Unable to suppress her panic, Han Gye-winter abruptly jumped to her feet. The velvet-lined chair tipped over backward and clattered onto the floor.
Yet her gaze never left the reflection of Leriel Tenevris in the mirror.
I have to run.
That was her first thought—and the most reasonable conclusion.
But it wasn’t the right answer.
Leriel soon realized that herself.
Wait. Even if I run, will I really survive?
She wasn’t sure.
In the original story, the Tenevris family had been discovered and killed by the saintess down to the most distant relatives.
If she fled half-heartedly, she’d be found in no time. Worse still, they might accuse her of insolence and give her an even more gruesome death than in the original.
Just imagining it sent a chill crawling up the back of her neck.
Han Gye-winter trembled uncontrollably, but she didn’t stop thinking.
That alone won’t be enough. Unless I completely sever ties with the Tenevris family…
She left the vanity and paced across the carpet woven from the finest northern wool.
Sever ties with the family. Ordinarily, acting out like a delinquent or a madwoman would be enough to make that happen.
“I’m so proud of you, Leriel.”
“Our daughter will make a splendid head of the house. Look—she’s already remarkably skilled at handling the maids.”
But in this deranged villain family, “doing bad things” was synonymous with talent and ability.
After peering into Leriel’s memories, Han Gye-winter shook her head. She needed a different method.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
Han Gye-winter stiffened like a child caught plotting mischief.
“Miss Leriel, I’ve brought the tea you asked for.”
Tea? Ah—perhaps Leriel had ordered it before the transmigration?
Unsure what to say, Han Gye-winter fidgeted in place, but the maid on the other side of the door showed no sign of leaving.
Staring at the shadow cast beneath the door, Han Gye-winter clenched her teeth.
What should I say? Come in? Or I’m busy, talk later?
How did Leriel speak in the novel?
She only knew the story from the saintess’s point of view, so she wasn’t sure.
“Miss…?”
“I—I’m coming out!”
As confusion began to creep into the maid’s voice, Han Gye-winter could no longer hold out.
She yanked the door open and stepped outside.
For a young duchess to open the door for a maid herself was already strange enough, but Han Gye-winter failed to notice.
Her mind was occupied solely with the thought of taking the tea and sending the maid away as quickly as possible.
“Kyaa!”
She hadn’t expected the maid to be standing so close to the door.
When it suddenly flew open, the maid lost her grip on the silver tray and fell backward.
Crash!
High-grade tea worth more than a commoner’s monthly wage spilled all over the corridor.
As the situation worsened instead of improving, Han Gye-winter’s mind went completely blank.
Forgetting that she was inhabiting Leriel’s body, she reacted like any ordinary person would, rushing to help the maid while repeatedly apologizing.
“I’m so sorry! I had no idea you were standing so close! Oh my goodness—are you hurt anywhere—”
“…Pardon?”
But to a maid of the House of Tenevris, there was no treatment more horrifying than that.
“…Miss, did you just apologize… to me?”
“……”
Ah. Right. I’m the villain of this novel.
Only then did Han Gye-winter realize her mistake.
Leriel Tenevris was already infamous as the greatest villainess of her age. For someone like her to apologize just for knocking over a maid—it made no sense at all.
After one blunder after another, Han Gye-winter—no, Leriel’s face stiffened. Ironically, that change in expression completely fooled the maid.
“I—I must have misheard you! Please forgive my rudeness!”
Seeing the familiar cold look, the maid nodded frantically as if begging for her life.
Watching her, Han Gye-winter suddenly understood something. A bolt of insight flashed through her mind.
“…That’s enough. Go back.”
“Y-Yes…? R-Really…?”
“Don’t make me say it twice.”
“I—I’m sorry!”
Having regained her composure, Han Gye-winter roughly mimicked Leriel’s usual tone and dismissed the maid. After hurriedly cleaning up the corridor, the maid retreated.
Once the door was slowly closed, Han Gye-winter leaned her back against it, her eyes trembling.
At last, she could see a glimmer of a way to survive.
This is it!
Watching how the maid had shaken like a leaf over nothing more than a single apology, she thought that maybe—just maybe—she could escape her fated death this way.
If doing bad things was considered admirable and worthy of praise in that family, then doing good deeds would be seen as humiliation and disgrace.
According to the novel, the House of Tenevris was a villainous ducal family that had upheld evil for generations.
So what would happen if the woman destined to become its head spread rumors by doing nothing but good deeds?
I might get expelled.
Murmuring her growing hope, Leriel nodded.
She had finally transmigrated into a noblewoman—yet now she planned to kick herself out of the family. Anyone else might call her crazy, but for now, this was the best option.
She had to survive first. Only then could she think about ending up with another male lead or setting off on her own adventure.
Han Gye-winter slowly exhaled her shaky breath and opened her eyes.
Between long lashes, dark green eyes came into view. Where arrogance and coldness had once resided, only a single resolve now flickered—to survive.
From now on, I’ll only do good deeds!
