Chapter 2
The Villainess, Ellen Bourbon-Morris
“I completely forgot to submit the divorce papers to the court yesterday—I’m so sorry! Sob, sob!”
“…?”
I tilted my head in confusion, and the other maids immediately flattened themselves to the ground, begging my forgiveness.
“It’s only right that you reclaim your name as the esteemed Lady Ellen Bourbon-Lenoir!”
The Duke’s daughter? What on earth was that? Had the original novel mentioned it, or had I simply missed it…?
“We promise this will never happen again! Please, forgive us!”
Forgive them for what? I wanted to stand them up and tell them not to grovel like that.
But in this novel-like reality, I had to remember who I was—or rather, who I was pretending to be.
What if they discover I’m not Ellen?
I had no idea what would happen. I needed a moment to assess the situation, so I crossed my arms and lifted my chin.
“Hmph. Useless lot. Get back to work immediately.”
The maids looked up, their eyes wide with shock, trembling like leaves in a storm.
Ah… did I go too far? I had deliberately chosen words Ellen might have used.
My heart ached, but I was Ellen for the time being. After giving them a sharp glare, I turned on my heel, returned to my room, and locked the door.
Phew!
The sudden shift in authority left my legs weak. I slumped against the door, feeling drained, as soft sniffles echoed from outside.
“Oh, heavens… I can’t believe this. Sob, sob…”
They had every right to be upset after being called “useless lot.”
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it—I just can’t appear suspicious.
Then came an unexpected murmur.
“I thought she’d grab me by the hair. I even prepared for a whipping.”
“Me too. I expected a slap or even a kick to the legs…”
“What?”
“Yet… she spoke so kindly. It seems the lady has turned into an angel after signing the divorce papers.”
An angel?
“Since our lady has graciously treated us, let’s do our best!”
“Yes! Let’s get started on today’s work!”
I was stunned by the maids’ reaction.
What on earth did Ellen do to them before?
With the hallway quiet, I returned to the mirror. My reflection was still just a beautiful young woman staring back.
I resorted to recalling Ellen’s life in the novel, desperate for any essential information if I was to live as her.
[Ellen, who entered a politically arranged marriage with Philip Morris, was of foreign noble origin but utterly cruel. Everyone in the household, except her husband Philip Morris, feared her.]
“…That’s it.”
She appeared only when tormenting the main couple, Lyla and Marlborough.
Reflecting on the original story, I still couldn’t understand Ellen.
With a face like that, she could have anything she wanted. Why only cruelty?
I gave up pondering. Thinking alone wouldn’t yield answers.
Modern novels rarely explore the villainess’ circumstances anyway. Better to focus on the environment around me.
I drew back the curtains by the window.
“Wow!”
Beyond the second-floor glass windows stretched a vast rose garden, bathed in warm sunlight.
I opened the window, letting a gentle breeze drift inside. The crisp, clear air filled my lungs, refreshing me completely.
At the same time, a familiar rumble reminded me of my hunger.
Scanning the room, I noticed a cord beside the bed. Pulling it, a maid appeared almost instantly.
“Lady, where shall I prepare your meal?”
Her obedience was near-instantaneous, her voice soft and sweet.
“This way.”
Cabbage soup that slid smoothly down the throat, croissants crisp on the outside, fluffy yet chewy inside, with rich butter—soft poached eggs that melted like pudding.
The main course was a vibrant salad accompanied by white fish grilled with lemon. The warm, tender fish mingled with the zesty lemon, filling my mouth with joy.
This… this is art!
I wanted to summon the chef to praise him, but Ellen wouldn’t have done that, so I refrained.
For dessert, soft vanilla ice cream and steaming black coffee awaited.
Perfect!
Satisfied, I resolved to explore the surroundings further.
“I’m going for a walk.”
At my words, several maids wheeled in a dress rack.
As rumored, Ellen favored extravagant dresses—each one more lavish and beautiful than the last.
I chose the most comfortable dress and stepped outside.
The spring sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze whispered through the air. Roses of every variety bloomed in abundance, spreading their soft fragrance. I felt cheerful enough to hum a tune.
A little further, I spotted a young gardener, wearing overalls and a straw hat. He pruned a tree almost as tall as himself, then stretched and twisted.
When he noticed me, he stopped, lowering his body as if arranging his shears.
I expected him to rise again.
“…?”
But he didn’t move.
“What happened? Did he faint?”
I hurried to where he had been—but he was gone.
All that remained were roses, except the pruned tree. There was no way he could have disappeared without my noticing.
Scanning the distance, I saw him retreating, moving as if fleeing.
Hah.
He had crouched and fled at the sight of me. Fear of the villainess Ellen, no doubt—but was this not a little extreme?
How audacious.
“Shall I fetch him?”
A man’s voice answered behind me.
Eek!
Turning in surprise, I found a tall man—about 6’1”, with long curly red hair tied back—a striking knight.
“Who… who are you?”
I couldn’t help but ask, my heart racing. I had to appear normal; if he suspected anything, I’d need to lash out in anger and leave. Ellen could be reckless, but maybe I could smooth things over.
He sighed lightly and bowed politely.
“I am Irgrov Mild, the knight who has served by my lady’s side since she was ten.”
His vivid green eyes met mine.
“You promised not to joke like that anymore.”
Ellen must have made similar jokes before. Embarrassed but relieved, I waved my hand.
“Pathetic.”
He blinked once, apparently accepting my reply.
I needed to leave the area quickly. But the knight followed me.
“Why are you following?”
“I am my lady’s loyal shadow.”
Shadow?
Ah—Ellen had a shadow knight in the story. I remembered now.
He had died defending her when she faced execution, resisting Philip’s sword. His name was mentioned once, but after that, he was always referred to as her shadow.
An extra’s life… His name is Sir Mild, right?
I wanted to welcome him, but for now, I had to act like Ellen—cold and proud.
“I wish to be alone.”
He stepped back, familiar with such commands.
I resumed my stroll through the rose garden, contemplating Ellen’s life.
Ellen harassed her son and daughter-in-law and met her death. The turning point was her sending a dress as a gift to Lyla to celebrate her reunion.
Everyone mistook the gift for a heartfelt celebration. Lyla believed her mother-in-law had changed. Marlborough became king, Lyla became queen. Ellen, divorced and losing her family in a neighboring war, was powerless.
Lyla accepted the gift as a sign to forgive the past—until it was discovered that the dress dye contained the venom of a cursed serpent.
Lyla suffered severe trauma, bedridden, and lost her unborn child. King Marlborough’s wrath followed.
That’s why the villainess ended up in a heated iron mermaid dress…
I had laughed at her demise before, but it had been a dire crisis.
I woke to the same ceiling I had seen yesterday.
Sighing deeply, I rose from the soft bed.
“Ugh… my back.”
Even the best bed left one stiff after a week of lying down.
Over the past few days, I had done two things repeatedly.
First: I slept constantly, hoping that waking up might revert the possession. It didn’t.
Second: I interrogated the maids, teasing them for information about details not in the novel—my origins, wealth, and so on. Harsh, yes, but effective.
Each time, the maids cried tears of gratitude, claiming I was kinder than before.
Whew…
I leaned against the door and listened to the maids’ chatter outside.
“Today she said, ‘Hmph! Well done.’”
“Oh! Mine said, ‘I can’t stand you. Go have lunch.’”
“Our lady seems warmer these days.”
“Perhaps her marriage was difficult?”
“Maybe the divorce left her relieved.”
“Shh! Don’t say that!”
Their gossip was promptly hushed by a supervising maid.
In short, the lady appeared cold outwardly but was warmer inside, with no more physical punishments.
I lay down on the carpet.
Being a villainess was exhausting.
The antagonist of Lyla’s Crown: the Countess of Morris, Ellen Bourbon-Lenoir.
I knew her life—filled with jealousy, obsession, and rivalry, ending in a brutal execution.
Am I really facing execution too?
The thought was chilling. Divorce was trivial, but death… I wanted to avoid that.
Calculating roughly, the execution was three years away.
Maybe I can change the future by acting differently. If she was punished for tormenting the protagonists, then doing the opposite might save me.
It seemed feasible. The king and queen were just, after all.
They wouldn’t care if I kept to myself.
The villainess’ dead flag felt resolved.
Philip’s mention of “the children” now made sense: Marlborough’s adopted son and daughter-in-law, Lyla.
At sixteen, they shared empathy for each other’s suffering at Ellen’s hands, and soon, love blossomed.
Hmm… they return from their honeymoon this afternoon. I need to make a good impression.
At first, they would be wary, especially Lyla. The formidable Countess was now their mother-in-law.
But if I make their world more comfortable…
They were young and kind. Eventually, they would forgive me.
“Right. Sunshine policy it is.”
I would treat them well, at least until they no longer disliked me.
With that resolve, I finally reviewed the divorce documents Philip had sent through the steward Domingo. A blank allowed selection: “Divorce confirmed” or “Divorce canceled.”
