Home/The villainess's personal maid is very good at her job/ch 48

Episode 48

Kendrick stared blankly into space for a moment.

In his mind, the voice of a young someone echoed clearly.

"The weather sure is nice."

"It's perfect weather for a conversation. Isn't it, Kendrick?"

Who else could say such things other than that guy?

"Kendrick?"

"Yeah. I'm listening."

At Julietta's call, Kendrick quickly shook off the thoughts of the past.

The two exchanged trivial chatter for a long while.

He'd thought the distance between them, which had grown since they were ten, was as vast and deep as the sea, but that worry proved unfounded—the awkwardness soon melted away.

Chatting warmly like this made them feel like they'd returned to their close childhood days.

Amid the long conversation, Julietta cautiously asked.

"Hey, Kendrick. So, are you planning to stay in your villa forever?"

"……."

"No, I'm not forcing you to go outside. Just curious."

"I'll come out someday."

"……Really? Truly?"

"Yeah. Truly."

In fact, the reason for Kendrick's seclusion had been Julietta.

He'd hidden away, pretending to be shut in, because he knew seeing him would only cause Julietta pain.

Now that he'd reconciled with Julietta, there was no reason to remain in seclusion.

But—

"Of course, I think I'll need a bit more time."

There were a few things holding him back from immediately ending his seclusion and appearing in public.

For instance, Nova's backer.

'Someone may have spent a long time targeting Julietta.'

Until he identified that person and their purpose, staying hidden would be better.

And another thing—

'……What will Miss Janet say when she finds out my identity?'

Janet was exceptionally perceptive.

She saw through perception-resistance artifacts and recognized him no matter what disguise he wore.

Even today, without the mask, she might have recognized him instantly.

What would her reaction be when she found out?

Would she be briefly surprised and move on? Or would she distance herself, saying he'd been deceiving her all along?

'Knowing Miss Janet, she'd likely react the former way.'

Yet why did he still feel so uneasy?

"……."

Glance.

Noticing Kendrick had suddenly grown quiet, Julietta worried she'd said something wrong and grew sullen.

"Don't, don't take it too seriously. Even if you stay shut in, I'll come visit you sometimes."

"Huh?"

Ah, had he made her worry?

Catching her concern, Kendrick smiled lightly and shrugged.

"Yeah. Come visit often."

"Really? I can come?"

"You just said you would."

"Well, I did say that, but……"

"You're always welcome. Ah, no. If it's okay, I'll come visit you."

"You'll come to me?"

"Yeah. I can manage visiting your villa."

"Wouldn't it be easier if I came to you?"

At Julietta's question, Kendrick shook his head.

'Because I can sneak into Julietta's villa.'

But the opposite would definitely attract attention.

To prepare for unforeseen circumstances, it would be better to keep their interaction hidden.

"My villa isn't clean enough to invite anyone."

"……I suppose. Your garden is a mess. You really should tidy it up."

At the sincere reply to his excuse-like remark, Kendrick averted his eyes.

He naturally changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, I heard you're planning to go back to the Academy?"

"How did you know that?"

"My aide occasionally tells me what's going on outside."

"Ah, I see. You have an aide?"

"You need someone to help with things."

"Fair enough."

After all, she'd need someone to come and go from that dark villa to manage meals and such.

Quickly agreeing, Julietta returned to the main topic.

"Anyway, I'm planning to re-enroll at the Academy, but……"

"But?"

"Kendrick. Have you thought about the Academy?"

"Me?"

"Yeah. My handmaiden told me—she said attending the Academy might broaden your world. So she said she wished I would go back."

At the unfamiliar story, Kendrick blinked.

'So that's why. I wondered why Julietta suddenly decided to return to the Academy.'

That too was thanks to Miss Janet.

"That's a good point."

"Right? I think so too."

Nodding in agreement, Julietta spoke in a prim tone.

"So, if you ever think about enrolling later, let me know. This senior will gladly help you."

……Senior, she says.

At Julietta's words, Kendrick only smiled without answering.

'We'd both be first-years, so she wouldn't be a senior.'

So there would be no chance of him being Julietta's junior.

No matter what, he planned to pass this special admission exam.

---

Chapter. Entrance Exam

The banquet lasted two days.

Even from Nova's confined room, the bright lights of the ballroom were visible.

"Why. Why."

A ghostly murmur spread through the empty room.

After Julietta's visit, Nova's condition had worsened.

She'd believed there was a lifeline in case of the worst-case scenario. She never imagined that lifeline would be cut off like this.

What should she do now?

What could she do?

If she were convicted of bribery and sent to prison, and then the investigation into the Lady's drug case led back to her……

'There'll be no turning back.'

She would lose everything.

Just as she covered her face with her trembling hands—

Creak.

The tightly shut door quietly opened.

Only by the light spilling in did Nova notice the intruder. She startled and looked up.

"You……!"

"Shh. Keep your voice down. It would be troublesome if anyone heard."

Gulp. Covering her mouth, Nova nodded.

But she couldn't contain the rising sorrow.

"You finally came. I, I've been waiting. Why did you come only now?!"

"……."

The other person silently looked down at Nova.

Their cold eyes betrayed no emotion. Only then did Nova realize something had gone wrong.

"N-no, right? You're not abandoning me, are you?"

Rising from her seat, Nova grabbed the other's hem and knelt.

"I, I'll do better. You, you know Lady Julietta is in my grasp, don't you? Yes? As long as I'm here, Julietta and even Kendrick……!"

"It seems Lady Julietta came to see you."

"……."

"Your conversation didn't seem to go well."

The flat voice was chilling.

Her fingertips gripping the hem trembled.

"Nova Morgan."

"P-please……"

"If you want to save your family, you'd better listen carefully to what I'm about to say."

Thump.

Her hand, which had been clutching the other's clothes, fell limply to the floor.

Nova understood.

She had been abandoned. And the fate of the abandoned was predetermined.

"Sniff, hweeeh!"

A sob laced with resentment escaped through her gritted teeth.

---

"Nova has finally confessed to her crimes, my Lady."

After Geron's birthday banquet had fully concluded.

Nova, who had remained silent all along, finally admitted her guilt.

"Really? That's surprising. I thought she'd hold out longer."

Janet agreed.

'I thought she'd hold out longer.'

She'd seemed to be desperately waiting for help from her backer. For someone like that to confess—

'Could there have been contact over the past few days?'

If there had been contact with her backer, the likelihood was that she'd been abandoned.

Otherwise……

"She also confessed to another crime."

"Another crime?"

"Who instigated the drugging of your tea. That person was Nova."

Yes. Unless she'd been abandoned, she wouldn't have readily confessed to such a serious crime when the arrows weren't even pointed at her yet.

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