Home/The villainess's personal maid is very good at her job/ch 73

Episode 73

The story of the Ortega family's hidden daughter was a secret. That she'd been missing for fifteen years was an even deeper secret.

Yet he found himself considering sharing it because……

'Could Janet's intuition help?'

Luna was certainly a suspicious woman. The parents Richard had met were equally suspicious.

People using Yuperion Magical Kingdom magic?

They practically reeked of espionage.

'And that madman won't listen anyway.'

Theo had already told Richard the truth.

But Richard, fully convinced that Luna was Xenia, wouldn't listen.

He'd considered telling the Guild Master, but dragging him into anything involving Xenia was also a dilemma.

So Theo had no choice but to rack his brains alone over this matter.

'But how did they know about Xenia in the first place?'

And why approach Richard by pretending to be his sister?

The most likely reason at the moment was revenge for the Ashleyad War.

After all, one of the two main figures who led the war to victory was the Marchioness of Ortega.

'But to take revenge for a war that ended three years ago, like this?'

No matter how he thought about it, something didn't quite add up.

These were problems that couldn't be solved through simple investigation. Even Illinia had limitations when it came to gathering intelligence across borders.

That's why Kendrick desperately needed Janet's help.

She'd always managed to resolve things he couldn't.

Her intuition had a good track record.

The things she found suspicious often turned out to be key to solving troublesome problems.

Hoo.

Letting out a troubled sigh, he raised his head with resolve.

"Janet."

"Yes?"

"I'm about to tell you a secret."

"A…… secret?"

"Yes. A very important one. Something that must never leak out."

At Theo's words, Janet blinked.

"Why would you tell me such an important secret?"

"Because I want your help. I need it."

Theo, asking me?

Surprised for a moment, Janet soon nodded with determination.

"Go ahead. I'll keep it a secret."

"Are you sure?"

In truth, hearing a secret and being asked to keep it could be a burden.

It might feel like taking on a troublesome task.

But Janet was firm.

"If I can help, I want to. It's your matter, after all."

"Thank you for saying that."

"Don't mention it. So, what's the secret?"

Without further hesitation, Theo told her about Xenia and Luna.

"Such a thing happened in the Ortega family."

Muttering in surprise, Janet tilted her head in question.

"But why did they have to keep Xenia's existence a secret?"

"I don't know that part either."

"Even you don't know?"

"Yes. I think even Richard doesn't."

That meant only the Marchioness himself knew the reason.

'What could it be?'

Still, she felt it would be rude to pry too much into another family's secret after learning it by chance.

Pushing aside her curiosity, Janet carefully began.

"It certainly is suspicious in many ways."

The use of Yuperion magic.

The family that seemed warm up front but cold behind.

And today's incident as well.

'Come to think of it, her approaching me might have been because of Richard.'

Knowing Richard and Janet were acquainted, she might have deliberately approached her.

By staying close to Janet, she'd naturally create opportunities to encounter Richard.

'And when she brought up her past story, Richard was nearby.'

She'd wondered why she'd share such a story with someone she barely knew, with Richard nearby……

But it was the opposite.

She'd brought it up precisely because Richard was there.

"I'll keep an eye out for anything else suspicious too."

"Yes. Please do."

---

In a dark basement somewhere.

Puff.

Black ash floated in the air and settled on the ground. Emerging from the drifting ashes was Luna.

Gasping from the aftereffects of the teleportation magic, she quickly lowered her head upon noticing the presence before her.

"You called for me, Deputy Commander?"

At Luna's greeting, the figure beyond the black veil stirred slightly.

"Luna."

"Yes, Deputy Commander."

"Is the operation progressing well?"

The voice, speaking through a static-like crackle, was distorted.

"It's going smoothly—well enough that you needn't worry."

"Good. That's a relief."

Satisfaction lingered in the amused voice.

Luna smiled faintly and bowed deeper.

"Remember, Luna, how important your mission is."

"Yes, Deputy Commander. I will succeed and not disappoint you."

Her mission was simple.

To approach Richard Ortega by pretending to be Ortega's lost daughter, 'Xenia.'

And to destroy Richard and the Marchioness of Ortega.

"That man is already convinced I'm Xenia Ortega. He'll do anything for me."

Even if it meant sacrificing himself.

Grin. As she smiled, Luna added quickly.

"However, there seems to be an issue with the items you provided last time."

"What item are you referring to?"

"The paralytic poison."

"Paralytic poison?"

The static-laced voice betrayed confusion.

"Not a magical tool, but the poison itself?"

That couldn't be.

A magical tool could malfunction, but how could a poison have problems?

At the question, Luna swallowed and answered.

"Just in case, I tested it on someone else before using it in the field. At first, it seemed effective, but the duration was far too short."

When Luna received the poison, she'd been told it would slow movement for at least half a day.

But—

'Janet recovered too quickly.'

The effect lasted at most five minutes.

At this rate, the main operation couldn't be carried out safely. Richard Ortega was far stronger than Janet.

"……."

"……Deputy Commander?"

"Understood. If the poison is faulty, it must be replaced. I'll send a stronger one by today—keep it safe."

"Yes. Thank you, Deputy Commander!"

Bow.

Luna bowed her head deeply once more.

"I await good results."

With that, the figure vanished. Black ash scattered, and a faint sulfur scent wafted through the air before dissipating.

---

Chapter. The Academic Festival

Before they knew it, the academic festival was just around the corner.

The Swordsmanship Department's demonstrations were as follows:

First-year mock sparring.

Second-year sword dance.

Third-year cavalry training.

Among them, the most eye-catching was the third-year cavalry training.

Watching them ride horses and wield lances and swords drew involuntary gasps of admiration.

"Always stay alert. Understood?"

"Yes!"

"After the festival, it's graduation prep season. If you want to graduate safely, be careful not to get hurt."

With the professor's reminder, the third-years rushed to their horses for training.

Richard was about to turn to check on his horse when—

"Richard."

"Yes, Professor."

Professor David stopped him.

"I'm most worried about you. You've been unusually distracted lately. What's going on?"

"……I apologize."

"Forget apologies. Just be careful not to get hurt. When you're riding or holding a sword, focus only on that moment. Understood?"

At David's rebuke, Richard clenched his fists.

"Yes, understood."

"Good. Go on."

Bowing, he headed toward the horses. But even as he walked, his mind was cluttered with thoughts that wouldn't clear.

Perhaps today's accident had been destined all along.

Though he never imagined——

"Janet! Snap out of it, Janet!"

——that the victim would be Janet.

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