A Villainess pulled out the Sword instead of the Hero.

 

Raon said, casually flicking his cheek.

 “Nothing was stolen. They caught him trying to get in, so we thought we’d increase our numbers.” 

Still concerned, he nudged Jayden on the shoulder as he sat down to eat his meat.

 “If you’re free, you can escort her home.” “Lady, I’m on my way!” 

Jayden held up his hands after shoving a mouthful of meat into his mouth. His speech was slurred from the food he hadn’t even finished swallowing yet.

 

Seeing this, Kellive quietly offered,

“I’ll walk you home.” 

Raon crossed his arms haughtily and stood stiffly, glancing at Kellive.

 

Doubtful, he scowled and rubbed his chin.

 “Is Confucius doing anything… anything, that is, why? Swing anything, punch anything, flick anything.” “I know how to use a sword.” “Do you have anything to show for it?” 

Raon’s gaze flicked to Kellive’s surroundings. He didn’t look very trustworthy without his sword.

 

The noble Confucius would have been offended by the attitude of a mere mercenary captain.

 

Instead, Kellive smiled and replied in a friendly, flat voice.

 “I recently had a small altercation in the mountains with a woman with indigo hair.” “Indigo…hair…?” 

Raon took a step back at the familiar description.

 

He’d been so impressed lately with the work of Levira, the maid with the indigo hair.

 

Even the place, the mountain, and the physiques of the people he’d heard about from Arthur and Morgana matched perfectly.

 

His doubts quickly turned to conviction as Kellive continued.

 “You’ll have to ask the blonde, blue-eyed mercenary I was with.” 

Slipping his head down to stare at Morgana, Kellive smirked and whispered.

 “Did you say his name was Arthur?” 

There was something graceful and dignified about his demeanor that seemed out of place in a rowdy tavern.

 

When Morgana didn’t answer, he snapped, tilting his head to meet her eyes.

 

‘Why are you using a beauty charm on me?’

 

Morgana forced her eyes to remain steadfast, not to be seduced.

 

Even if she didn’t, he was beautiful enough to be noticed wherever he went.

 

His bangs were slicked back halfway across his forehead, his eyes were elongated and slightly slanted, and his features were perfectly defined too strong, not too soft.

 

Flawless was the perfect word to describe him. 

Which, strangely enough, doesn’t work in Britain.

 

‘So that’s why you want Mr. Raon to speak for you?’

 

Raon elbowed Morgana in the side as if to confirm the fact.

 

When she didn’t answer, he poked her a few more times, and she stammered out a response.

 “Yes, he was with me that day.” 

Raon grinned, almost afraid to answer. He patted Confucius on the shoulder a couple of times to prove his suspicions wrong and laughed heartily.

 “Haha, if you’re good enough to compete with Arthur, you must be very skilled! There are plenty of swords here, would you like one?” “That would be great, I’ll take one.” “Oh, well, greetings.” 

Why are you two talking like two neighbors exchanging pleasantries?

 

With a snap, he pushed his way through the mercenaries before anyone could stop him.

 

Even though he was a tall man, he could hear the mercenaries’ nervousness all the way across the room.

 “Those thieves can smell money so well…, what’s wrong, Mister Raon?” “Ah, give me a break. You have a spare sword, don’t you? Give me one.” “Eh, there’s a thief here. Anyone would think I left my sword here.” “I wonder how much the damage is worth…” “Oh, I’ll give it to you, you can have it. It’s a lot. I just bought it yesterday, and it’s haunting.” 

Raon returned with a proud stride, having snatched a mercenary’s sword from its hiding place. He patted the back of Kellive’s hand as he placed the sword in his hand.

 “I’m feeling a little guilty about the kidnapping, and I feel a little responsible.” 

He’d helped with Arthur, after all, so Raon must have felt indebted.

 

With a gesture of his chin, he motioned to Jayden, who was still shoveling meat into his mouth.

 “You should have another one, lass, just in case something else happens.” 

No doubt my time in the palace would increase in the future.

 

It’s not that I don’t trust the gemstone safe, but I’m worried about how often the mansion seems to be empty.

 

Without money, I couldn’t hire people or ask Raon for favors.

 

Morgana crossed her arms thoughtfully and asked Raon,

“Do you think the thieves will hear it often in the future?” “Well, I hate to say it, but the odds are in your favor, aren’t they? Word has it you’ve been using herbs to lure Count Equator.” 

He glanced around, then covered his mouth with one hand and whispered.

 “At first, the villagers were all over it, but then they heard that Lord Caradoc’s arm was back to normal.” “Hmm, really?” “Yes. Besides, everybody knows that the Count of Equator’s carriage went to your mansion, and they’ve been bidding on how much it cost.” 

I heard that Raon also received many inquiries at the time.

 

Perhaps they were thinking of stealing the herbs and selling them to mercenaries.

 

Unaware that such herbs didn’t exist in Morgana’s manor.

 

Concerned, he gestured to Morgana’s side. He glanced up to make sure they were all listening, and Kellive smiled prettily.

 

Raon nodded and spoke firmly,

“So, for the time being, you can use whoever you want until after your entrance.”  

The path back to the mansion was deserted.

 

It was evening, and there were only a few people in sight, but Raon’s fussing was unnecessary.

 

Perhaps it was because she was being escorted. From time to time, Kellive glanced around to make sure no one was suspicious.

 

Feeling a little guilty about the effort, Morgana kicked at the cobblestones on the sidewalk.

 “I could have just gone with Jayden.” “You must have liked that mercenary, you like that kind of thing?” “Oh, no, you make me sound like a troublemaker, I’m just not used to it.” 

Smiling beautifully at her, Kellive made sure to stare at her when she spoke.

 

The way his eyes curved slightly when they locked onto hers was very endearing.

 “I hear you’re going into the palace.” “Yes, thank goodness, I was worried I wouldn’t get a job as a maid!” “Aren’t you interested in anything else besides being a maid?” “What is there to be, a maid? Oh, to apply to be a maid, I have to buy a title, and how easy is that in Britain?” “Besides buying a title. There are other ways to become a noblewoman.” 

Kellive lightly pulled on the gloves he was wearing. The long, bulging knuckles peeked out from the leather.

 

If there was any other way to become a noble…

 

‘Marriage, I suppose?’ 

 

I’ve never been interested in that. What’s the point of marrying someone you barely know in order to get a title in the first place?

 

Worrying about things was something I should be doing alone in a mansion with an ocean view, swirling expensive bottles of wine.

 “Not really?” 

At my shrug, he mumbles something under his breath.

 “I’m not really ambitious, so…” “What?” “No. Then what do you like?” “Umm… pretty things?” 

Shiny and pretty things are the best.

 

In my previous life, I struggled to make a living, so my eyes were drawn to gold and silver jewelry, not crows.

 

The smell of money, the gold that leaves marks when you bite into it, the jewelry and furniture that the craftsmen would have sworn at with bloodshot eyes! The colorful, pretty dresses!

 

I was taught that the end of the money chain was always the house.

 

It’s not complete until you fill it with furniture.

 

‘People are meant to like pretty things.’

 

They say culture developed in the richest times.

 

When people are full, their tastes develop.

 

Next to her, Kellive’s smile deepened as he rationalized diligently.

 “You have excellent taste.” 

Morgana arched an eyebrow and leaned back as he approached.

 

‘What’s wrong with him?’ 

 

Not sure what was so amusing about those brightly creased eyebrows.

 “What’s wrong?”

he asked back, his voice mildly amused.

 “And then what?” “Money. Jewelry is beautiful money. Gold is steady, handsome money.” 

Morgana flexed her thumb and forefinger, making a proud circle to demonstrate.