A Villainess pulled out the Sword instead of the Hero.

 Tuck—  

Arthur, quick on his feet, grabbed hold of her chair.

 

Scrambling out of bed, Caradoc scanned his surroundings.

 

When he saw Cadric and the butler, he breathed and bellowed.

 “Wake up, everybody!” 

Morgana hastily covered her ears, but it didn’t completely muffle the long, lingering ‘Wake up!’ It was loud, and even with her ears, it was deafening.

 

Cadric was sprawled on the floor, stunned.

 

The corners of his eyes were streaked with tears.

 

When he saw Caradoc sitting up, his muscles flexing, his eyes damp and moist, he cried out in excitement.

 “Ah, father, father, it’s you!” 

I guess that’s just the way he was.

 

She must have been mistaken for a moment because Cadric was so docile.

 

They must have heard the commotion, because the hallway lights came on, and their voices were heard.

 “What’s going on!” 

Nordic’s voice, less than pleased, mingled with the shouts of the servants.

 

Rushing to his feet, he pushed past the servants and shouted.

 “What are you doing in my uncle’s sleep!” 

He forced his way into Caradoc’s chambers and flinched at the sight of his uncle sitting upright.

 “Un, Uncle?” 

Caradoc glared directly at him, his eyes sharply focused as never before.

 

Silently, Caradoc raised his hand and pinned Nordic down.

 “Me, me?” 

He pointed to himself and glanced around clumsily.

 

The servants had already spread out in a distant circle around him.

 

Caradoc spread out his hand and snapped it a couple of times. It meant to come closer.

 

Nordic approached slowly, his face grim and shaking.

 

One step into the room, and Caradoc sucked in another breath.

 

Morgana watched, then whispered to Arthur.

 “Cover your ears, Arthur.” 

He covered his ears just in time, and his yelp rang out like a squeak.

 “What kind of maniac have you become, stealing from my mansion! Do you even think you’re a human being!” “U- Un, Uncle, I don’t know what you’re talking about…” “Do you think I don’t know that you tried to steal the mine?! Do you think I’ve lost my memory just because I’m out of my mind? I could cut you off at the knees and hang you outside!” 

Despite my fears, Caradoc was remarkably healthy. Not in voice, not in personality, and certainly in body.

 

Morgana’s eyes filled with tears as she remembered the original.

 

‘They said he had a feisty personality!’ 

 

Whatever else he was, he had the air of one who commanded the royal knights.

 

Caradoc’s eyes glazed over.

 

Rising from the bed himself, the big man called out again.

 “Bring me my sword at once. I’m not done with those little fingers and toes today!” 

Caradoc sprang to his feet, his head swiveling menacingly as he searched for his sword.

 

When he spotted Arthur’s sword, he charged at him.

 

Morgana shrank back slightly at his intimidating bearing, and he grinned wryly.

 “Excuse me, escort. May I borrow your sword for a moment, if you don’t mind?” 

It was a gentle tone that didn’t match his size.

 

Arthur held out his scabbard, and in one neat motion, he swung away.

 

Nordic, realizing the situation at a glance, dropped to his knees and begged.

 “Uncle, I have done wrong, uncle, I am guilty of death, please forgive me just once, uncle!” “You’ve already lost your chance too long! Butler!” 

The butler, who was the only person in the room whose ears weren’t burning and who remained calm amid the commotion, bowed his head.

 “Yes, Count.” “I want you to deliver a letter to my brother today. Tell him that only my son is returning. What are knights for, without imprisoning this inhuman bastard!” “I will obey.” 

The butler’s voice was tinged with tears as he answered.

 “Uncle, I’ve done wrong, uncle!” 

The knights forcibly dragged Nordic, who was now in tears and trying to get to the ground somehow.

 

Nordic’s cries faded into the distance.

 

Caradoc turned around and smirked at Morgana.

 “Well, I’m rude to my guests, showing such disrespect to a benefactor who helped me.” “I’m glad to hear you seem to be well…” 

He tilted his head, clasping his hands together somewhat awkwardly, as Morgana stuttered in response to the gap.

 “I am honored to meet such a skilled apothecary. Other than that, I’m Caradoc Equator.” “I’m Morgana. This is Arthur, my escort.” “I apologize if I seem to be too much of a bother, it’s late at night. I’ve only just woken up, but perhaps we can talk tomorrow?” 

Almost afraid to finish his sentence, Cadric nodded coldly in agreement.

 “Please, Miss Morgana, stay till to-morrow, you have saved my father’s life, and I can’t just send you away!” 

Morgana nodded, looking into the twinkling eyes of the poor fellow.

 

I think I’ve healed him, but I’ve probably made him too healthy.

  

Ever since Morgana arrived at the estate of Count Equator, she’s had a big question.

 

When she woke up in the morning with nothing to wear, the maids sent for a seamstress.

 

She’s okay with the fact that she only needs one change of dress for the day, but somehow that number has grown to double digits.

 “Here, please eat a lot, I don’t know what you like…” 

The Counts’ reception room. Seated at a table, Caradoc’s face was obscured by a giant chocolate fountain.

 

He clasped his hands together and smiled shyly.

 

“

You don’t like chocolate? I asked Cadric, and he said it’s your least favorite thing.” 

Arthur seemed to disagree.

 

Leaving Arthur to glare at the cake next to him, Morgana lifted her teacup, took a sip, and shook her head.

 “I like it, too. I just don’t get to eat it often enough.” “Oh my…” 

He covered his mouth with a delicate motion unbecoming of his massive frame.

 

Caradoc was a fairly muscular man, perhaps due to his position as Commander of the Knights.

 

Stronger than three and a half generations ago, his physical condition was specialized for knighthood.

 

He was aware of his intimidating appearance, but unlike when dealing with servants and knights, he was as gentle as possible with Morgana and Arthur.

 

It was a far cry from the first time we had dinner together.

 

‘I can’t believe he’s been so soulless all this time and no one knew…’

 

Cadric, who had joined them for tea, stared at him in disbelief.

 “It’s a good thing you remember what’s been going on.” 

Caradoc patted his son on the head.

 

It was awkward, touching the head of such a large child for the first time.

 

Caradoc coughed and grunted to himself, strengthening his shoulders.

 

As if he believed a knight shouldn’t show weakness.

 “I felt like I was lost in a dream, and thought everything that happened to my dazed mind was a dream.” “And do you remember writing a letter of introduction for a maid to the Guild?” “Yes, I remember, and even then I thought it was a dream. For some reason, I felt I had to go out, and that’s where I met the indigo-haired lady.” 

From the looks of it, it was Levira.

 

Arthur’s face didn’t look good when he heard this.

 

She thought it was the cake, but he looked unusually uncomfortable in his upright position.

 

Caradoc shook his head as if he didn’t understand himself.

 “I just thought I had to serve well, for the honor of the family, which is strange now that I think about it.” 

As Morgana finished her slice of cake, the maid grabbed the cake server in each hand.

 

The figure was clearly a maid, but it looked like a knight.

 

She pointed to one of the slices with her hand, and the maid scooped it back onto a new plate.

 

Morgana picked up her fork and asked.

 “Did you know you get sick at night?” “I did not know, for I was asleep at night…” 

A momentary pity flashed across Caradoc’s face.

 

Morgana remembered what he had said last night in his sickness.

 “You were looking for the late Countess.” “Did I utter her name?” 

Caradoc remembered the night no better than he remembered the day.

 

He ran a large hand over his face and sighed heavily.

 “In my dreams, Semire dies every time.” 

Cadric’s face hardened at the mention of his mother’s name again.

 

Caradoc stared at him wistfully as he fiddled with his teacup.

 “Ever since I was cut in my service to the king, I’ve had recurring dreams of her death.” 

He frowned, as if the very thought pained him.