MLBR 25

chapter 25

‘She’s the daughter Count Shining had hidden away for so long. Because of the Count’s overprotectiveness and financial problems, she never joined society until recently.’

Honestly, I didn’t hold any ill feelings toward Mille. I didn’t feel friendly toward her either, but neither did I have the urge to curse her.

Today, I know that Whistler is a vile human being. That means there’s a chance he lured Mille with lies.

That chance may not be very high.

In the end, the reason I can’t resent Mille is because, thanks to her, I am living a better life now.

Losing my qualification as Saintess was sad. But I was never the type to cling to impossible realities.

What matters is the result. And as a result, I met Herace, and by going through this process with him, I’ve been living a much more enjoyable life than before.

‘In that sense, if Mille became the villainess, I feel like I could even have friendly feelings toward her…’

But that was not a realistic scenario. Shaking my head, I opened the door and stepped inside.

“Thank you for coming, my lady. Your appointment is at 2 o’clock, correct? Ten minutes remain, so please wait here.”

I followed the staff’s guidance and sat on a bench-like sofa. From beyond the curtain, flustered voices drifted out.

“I-I don’t think this is right. Coming here in the first place feels like a mistake.”

“My lady! No one suits this dress better than you! It was practically made for you!”

“No, no. This isn’t just any boutique, this is Wonderful Boutique. I-I know very well how famous, prestigious, and expensive this place is.”

“You don’t have to worry. Didn’t I say so? My lady, you’re one of us now.”

“I truly, truly appreciate it. But still, I can’t accept this price. You’ve already given me more than enough. I can’t take more. I’m really sorry.”

From the situation, it sounded like a conversation between a maid and a noble young lady. But judging by the tone and content, it didn’t seem so. Normally, a noble should find it natural to come to this boutique.

“M-my maid, Mel—oh, right, she left because of an appointment.”

Ah. So it wasn’t a maid and young lady speaking after all.

I let out a quiet sigh of realization at my own misjudgment and was just about to reflect when a woman suddenly burst out from behind the curtain.

Sunlight spilled into her golden eyes. Her hair was tightly concealed beneath a veil. It was Mille.

“Ah!”

Mille tripped—over nothing, really—and was about to fall.

In that instant, I instinctively reached out and caught her. My arm circled her waist, helping her regain her balance.

Bent awkwardly at the waist, Mille only managed to breathe again once she stood upright. Her scattered thoughts seemed to finally calm.

‘If she had fallen, my hard-won reputation might have taken a blow.’

For that reason, I praised myself inwardly. To react calmly without panicking, even in a sudden situation—it must have been the survival instinct I’d built up.

“Th-thank you so much.”

“I wasn’t doing anything, but you suddenly came out, so I had no time to step back. In that sense, I believe this accident was not mutual fault but Lady Shining’s.”

“Ah, yes! Yes! Y-you’re right. I wasn’t looking ahead and rushed out, causing such rudeness.”

Fiddling with her fingers, Mille bowed deeply. Noticing her back bending dangerously close to ninety degrees, I quickly placed a hand on her shoulder.

No misunderstandings could be allowed. Especially now, when I was the so-called villainess, and she was the Saintess. It was an unfair game.

“Lady Shining, once you’ve admitted your mistake and apologized, that is enough. Nobles do not bow deeper than ninety degrees. A Saintess of higher status does not go beyond forty-five. Even when apologizing, I recommend thirty degrees for nobles, fifteen at most for Saintesses.”

As I spoke, her attendant—though not a maid—approached. Taking a step back, I assessed Mille’s attire.

“Alright, my lady! Then let’s find the right balance together! I’ll bring one out right away!”

While the attendant hurried, I leaned closer to Mille and whispered quickly.

“Straighten your chest, lift your chin, and stand tall. Lady Shining, showing such a posture when you’ve committed no crime only leaves room for others to misunderstand.”

With calm gestures, I tidied her hair and pressed lightly at the small of her back, then guided her to look at me.

“Otherwise, the ones who will suffer are the innocent citizens of the Empire.”

“Ah, yes. R-right. I mean—yes.”

“Even if Lady Shining is faultless, the Saintess’s image and behavior can directly sway the lives of the Empire’s people. That’s the reality.”

I wasn’t saying these things because I was flustered. This was simply part of my plan.

Whether Mille’s current demeanor was an act or not, it didn’t matter. What mattered was that she outwardly projected innocence.

Since people were watching us, I could use this situation to my advantage.

“You are the Saintess. Remember that you carry a level of influence far greater than you imagine.”

If I hadn’t saved her, tomorrow’s front-page headline would have been disastrous. Not only my reputation, but even the juicy serialized love story I’d been gathering for the papers might have been reduced to scrap.

“…”

Mille’s gaze on me was strangely heated. Wondering if something was on my face, I touched my cheek, but nothing was there.

Snap! Standing stiff as though saluting, Mille swallowed hard.

“L-lady. May I know your name?”

At that, I narrowed my eyes in surprise.

Was this some elaborate attempt to mock me? Was this the infamous roundabout ridicule of high society?

How could she not know me? For the past two weeks my face had been in the papers constantly, not to mention the long-standing rumor of me as the villainess.

‘Ah, so this is what society is like.’

A swell of pride rose in me. To be the target of such indirect ridicule meant I was no longer an outsider—I had become an insider.

With an elegant smile, I replied in as refined a tone as I could manage.

“Lady Shining, for a hero of the Empire like you to not know my name is truly astonishing. Such a thing is impossible. But my name is—”

I wasn’t sure if I was doing it right, but I intended to balance flattery, a touch of mockery, and then more flattery in a smooth finish. Just as I began—swish! The curtain opened and the attendant emerged.

“M-my lady!”

The attendant’s eyes went wide upon spotting me.

“Oh dear, look at the time! We must leave at once! As you said, let’s go to another boutique instead.”

Clutching the dress she carried, the attendant quickly grabbed Mille’s arm. As she was pulled away, Mille gave me a hurried bow.

“L-lady, thank you for all your words today! I’ll engrave them in my memory!”

Jingle. Just like that, Mille disappeared in an instant. Since my own appointment time had arrived, I rose from my seat. Clearing my throat, I muttered a half-excuse to the boutique staff who had witnessed the scene.

“That attendant trembled as if caught red-handed the moment she saw me. I may be called a villainess, but I’ve never gotten that reaction before. And to change boutiques because of me—that’s excessive. Everyone knows this is the Empire’s finest shop. Well… lucky for me.”

Because that meant my chances of standing out over the Saintess had risen. Smiling in satisfaction, I lifted the curtain.

“Let’s go inside.”

“…”

“Clara?”

Turning, I saw Clara frozen in place, pale as a ghost, as if turned to stone.