Villainesses Have More Fun

Chapter 8

* * *

I went home early, unlike Reilynn, who would have partied until the cows came home. Her followers didn’t stop me. Perhaps they felt more at ease without me around. When I returned home, I was forced into yet another luxurious bath. After I was clean to Becky’s satisfaction, she sat me down to brush my long hair.

“Becky.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Who do I talk to if I want to spend money?”

I dug deep into Reilynn’s memories, but I couldn’t find any instances of her spending gold coins.

“Is there something you would like to purchase? If so, you may simply take it from the store and walk out.”

What? If anyone else heard you, Becky, they’d think we’re a bunch of thieves. I couldn’t recall Reilynn ever paying for anything. Becky would either go out to buy household items in Reilynn’s place or the shops would send invoices directly to House Candmion.

“There’s nothing I want to buy, but there is something I want to know,” I told her. “That’s why I plan to go to the Intelligence Guild, but I’ll need money.”

“Why seek the intelligence guild when House Candmion has its own elite informants?” Becky asked.

These informants were undeniably skilled. In fact, they had been relieving knowledge-seekers of their gold for generations. They could effortlessly gather whatever information their client required, regardless of the request. However, what I was looking for was beyond their purview.

“Because I don’t want Father to find out.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Becky said. “Duke Candmion would almost certainly find out about your espionage in a matter of days.”

Seriously? How much clout does this family have?

“But I want the thrill, Becky. It’s exciting to do something behind Father’s back.”

“Yes, my lady. That I understand.” Becky chuckled.

I must have sounded like a teenager trying to keep a secret from her parents. But it’s not at all like that, Becky. I’m about to do something much more heinous. Terrifying, even.

“I believe the head maid is in charge of your stipend. Would you like me to speak with her?” Becky asked.

“I’d greatly appreciate it.”

“How much will you require?”

I have no idea. I’ve never seen Reilynn spend money before. How does currency even work in this world?

“I’ll come to a decision about that once I see the total amount allocated to me.”

“Of course, my lady. I’ll have the accounts ready for you to peruse in the morning.”

“Thank you. Oh, and please locate the Intelligence Guild for me.”

The comb drifting through my hair froze. Then Becky smiled. “Of course. As you wish, my lady.”

I know, I know. If you track down the Intelligence Guild, my father will learn all about my top-secret mission.

* * *

The next morning, Becky taught me the location and secret phrase of the Intelligence Guild. Then, I checked my stipend.

“So, how much is this exactly?”

“Around fifty billion gennies,” Becky said.

“I-I know, but how much is that worth?”

“Well...” Becky paused to think. “More than enough to construct a castle, I suppose.”

Is Becky saying that with this money, I could build a skyscraper in Korea? How is that possible? Did Reilynn go eighteen years without spending a dime?

“Is fifty billion not enough, my lady?” Becky asked. “Don’t worry yourself. Your daily expenditures don’t come from your stipend. Rather, His Grace pays for everything in the family name.”

So everything Reilynn spent on food, entertainment, and luxuries didn’t come from her allowance? Does that mean this money is completely untouched? Entirely mine?

“How could that not be enough?” I asked, baffled.

“I-I mean, it is a lot of money for me, of course, but I assume it would be considered a pittance for House Candmion.”

Well then! Three cheers for the villainess born with a silver spoon! Hip, hip, hooray! I still can’t believe it. This isn’t a trust fund. This is money that Duke Candmion gave Reilynn to spend whenever she pleased. Whenever she wanted to experience the thrill of lavish spending. And it’s enough to build a skyscraper! I’m going to cry. How wealthy is this family?

“Becky, how much would a house on Marthwallen Street cost?”

“My family and I live in a two-story house in the Comwall District that cost around two billion gennies. I imagine a house in Marthwallen would be five times that price.”

Only the highest-ranking aristocrats, such as those with the title of Count or higher, or wealthy people granted nobility, could reside in the Marthwallen District. The Comwall District, on the other hand, was mostly inhabited by low-income viscounts, barons, or counts. While both were aristocratic districts built around the imperial castle, their market values were vastly different.

“Will spending two billion gennies today make much of a dent in my accounts?” I asked.

“Of course not, my lady. Are you planning to purchase some property?” Becky looked at me, wide-eyed.

“No, I’m just planning to do a good deed.”

“Pardon?”

“I signed the request. Please pass it on to the head maid and bring the gold to me.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Becky reappeared what felt like moments later with the two billion gennies.

I tipped her ten million to thank her for her assistance. I’ll never forget the look on her face as she held the money in her hands. I divided the remainder into one hundred million gennies and placed them in their own leather pouches. I stuffed them into a fashionable satchel that had been enchanted to be light as a feather and hold a burden of any size and made my way to the intelligence guild.

* * *

“Come again?” the man asked.

“Bring me the guild master,” I demanded.

“If you have a request, I’m happy to—”

I cut him off by dropping down another pouch of coins. Wow, that felt good. I’ve always wanted to spend money like water. Look at me, Becky. I’m pouring money down the drain. Horrific, isn’t it?

“Each pouch holds one hundred million gennies. Need more?”

The man raised an eyebrow as he reached for a pouch. He opened it and took a peek. “H-how...” he said, looking up at me in surprise, before finally asking, “Why do you want to see the guild master?”

I dropped yet another pouch. “Bring him here and I’ll tell you.”

I see your eyes wavering, sir. And your pupils are dilated. Conflicted, aren’t you? You’re probably wondering, “Will she offer more money if I refuse? Or will she take the gold coins and leave, frustrated?”

He looked at me. “If you’d just tell me first—”

Here! You can have four more pouches!

“Dear me...” he muttered.

At least try to hide your excitement. His eyes were bulging out in shock. I was worried they might fall into his lap.

“Are you going to bring him or not?” I asked.

“Please wait right here!” He snatched the seven pouches into his arms and dashed through the door.

Wait, is this some sort of dine-and-dash situation? My seven hundred million gennies! I became tense. I’ve heard that the Intelligence Guild has a reputation for overcharging, but they’re highly reliable when it comes to requests. I’ll trust him for now. But if he really stole the money, I won’t forgive him. I’ll reclaim those gennies by any means necessary.

The man finally returned, as if he had sensed my anxiety through the door. “I sent a messenger to the guild master, but he replied that it will take some time for him to arrive,” he explained.

“How long?” I asked.

“Roughly an hour.”

“I’ll add a pouch for every five minutes that the time is reduced.”

The man jumped out of his chair. “One moment, please!” He ran back to the other room.

A few minutes later, the door flew open again, but it wasn’t who I expected. It was a different older man, this time with long, tousled indigo hair. He let out a deep breath. “Has it been five minutes yet?” He spoke to me casually, despite knowing that I was a noble of higher rank.

I tossed twelve leather pouches in front of him. He sat down and gazed at them for a moment before carefully opening each pouch and counting the gennies one by one. I couldn’t help but stare open-mouthed at him.

Why? Because he was gorgeous. I came here for one reason only: to see the idiot guild master who’d helped Iris the other day. She wouldn’t have antagonized me at the party if it hadn’t been for this jerk. Because of him, I was about to be thrashed by the female lead on my first day in this world. Isn’t that a little unfair?

That’s why I came here. To size up the supporting male lead who threatened Rosemary over a dress. But now I’m wondering, what are you doing as just the supporting male lead with that beautiful face of yours?