I Failed to Oust the Villain!
Chapter 6

Should I just run away? the girl pondered with narrowed eyes.

The truth was, it was difficult for Valeta to even step foot out of the house. She looked down at the bracelet around her wrist, a present gifted to her by Count Delight on her tenth birthday. It was also, in fact, a tracking device that could also force her back to the house regardless of where she was.

“We’re no different from each other.” She was just as trapped as Reinhart. The girl flopped on her bed, sprawled back her arms, and gave a deep sigh. She still wasn’t used to the ways of this confusing world, and she suspected that it’d be a long time before she ever was.

Knock, knock.

At the sound of knocking at the door, Valeta instantly snapped upright.

“Come in,” she said.

A maid stepped in. “I heard that you called for me, my lady.”

“Yes. I need to wash up.”

“Of course. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Valeta nodded slowly. Although she still felt out of place, she was slowly getting used to giving commands and being waited on. Would that mean she would get used to this caged life one day, a life where she would never be able to defy Count Delight’s orders?

“I didn’t think I’d ever find myself in an arranged marriage like one of those millionaire’s daughters,” Valeta said with another sigh. Her engagement to the crown prince was imminent. The count had sprung the news on her yesterday. She had met the crown prince a handful of times, but to already be engaged? The thought was ridiculous.

She suppressed another sigh and muttered, “Ugh, I don’t want to take a bath.”

She was scheduled to meet with the crown prince today to discuss their engagement before it was officially announced. That was why she didn’t want to get up, but who just had to force her up?

That damn Reinhart. Was he so clueless? If she had refused to get up even after his twenty-fifth time trying to rouse her, he should have gotten the hint and given up. She didn’t actually think that he would take each of her “five more minutes” seriously. She dropped her head and sighed yet again.

Eventually, Valeta was freed from the clutches of her maids. They had spent the morning helping the girl bathe and lacing her into her dress. Worried that eating a full meal would ruin the shape of the dress, the maids had thrust a sorry excuse of a salad consisting only of a few leafy greens and a slice of apple into Valeta’s hands after she started complaining of hunger. Still, the corset was too tight.

“I hate this so much,” she grumbled. But it didn’t matter how much she complained. This was what Count Delight wanted. If word that Valeta had appeared at the imperial castle in a state any less than perfect reached the count’s ears, he would have her strung upside by her ankles, even at this age.

It hadn’t hurt as much when she was younger, but now... Well, Valeta thought the pain would make her go insane.

“You’re all set, my lady.”

“Wonderful.”

Valeta started down the carpeted stairs with a scowl on her face. At the bottom, Reinhart was waiting for her, dressed in a tunic much nicer than the shabby one he typically wore. It seemed he had dressed for the occasion. Actually, it wasn’t much better than a burlap sack, but Valeta couldn’t help but notice that it made him appear more dazzling than ever.

“Hey, get out of the way. Stop blocking the lady’s path, you worthless slave.”

“Tsk. Just because the lady adores you doesn’t mean anything! You’re getting too big for your britches.”

“Go stand over there!”

“All right.” Reinhart may have smiled and replied lightly as the maids and attendants continued to berate him. But Valeta could see it. A dark rage was slowly blooming and steadily growing behind that smiling face. Whatever. Why should I be responsible for their lives?

She didn’t know what to do anymore. Despite her pleas, the servants continued to abuse Reinhart behind her back. Why couldn’t people understand that she wasn’t trying to help him because she liked him? She was trying to save their lives! Why couldn’t anyone see that? By now, why hadn’t someone, anyone noticed Valeta’s desperation?

So she’d given up. She couldn’t let herself die trying to save these people. It was a fool’s errand. Reinhart, still keeping his head down, moved off to the side. Valeta already knew what he would do to these servants: he would break their fingers one by one as he recalled every one of their misdeeds against him. But there was nothing she could do except keep her mouth shut.

If I’m going to die, let me die with grace and dignity. Her goals were slightly different now. Although not dying was still her top priority, if it was going to happen anyway, Valeta just hoped that it would be quick and painless.

“I’ll have your slave seated on the floor,” said the attendant.

Valeta was lost for words. She even felt a little faint and quickly waved her hand. “No, there’s no need for that. The carriage is big enough for him to sit with me.”

“But...” the attendant faltered. “He’s just a slave, my lady. Having him sit with you is...”

“Is there a single servant in this household that won’t make me repeat myself? My word is your command. I am your master, and I’m giving you an order.”

The attendant’s face contorted with anger, and he opened his mouth as if to say something, but he couldn’t argue with her. An order was an order.

“I... I understand, my lady.”

Clearly displeased by Valeta’s words, the attendant scowled and roughly grabbed Reinhart’s shoulders and whispered something into his ear before shoving him toward the carriage. Valeta flinched as she watched them.

That crazy bastard... As they climbed into the carriage, she caught a glimpse of the eerie way Reinhart’s eyes glowed. Sighing deeply, she settled herself into her seat. Everything seemed to be becoming more and more hopeless. Could that just be an illusion?

Reinhart followed Valeta into the carriage. Whether he knew what she was thinking, she couldn’t tell. As soon as the attendant closed the door, the carriage departed for the imperial castle.

“What are you doing?” Valeta asked in an exasperated voice. She looked down at Reinhart, who had forgone the perfectly good seat across from her in favor of the floor.

Reinhart—from his seat on the floor—gave a brief sigh before looking up at her with a bright smile. “Your great attendant told me that I should know my place,” he answered with a tilt of his head.

Oh, he’s upset. The only time Reinhart spoke informally with Valeta or let his expression show undisguised on his face was when he was in a foul mood. Also, she suspected that wasn’t the only thing the attendant had said.

“Get off the floor. Nobody’s going to see you anyway. It’ll be fine as long as you get back down before we arrive.”

Reinhart stayed on the floor, gazing up at her with a vacant look on his face. “Only if you let me sit next to you, master.”

“Why?”

“Please lend me your shoulder.”

I knew it. He’s really upset. Perhaps it was because he was starved for attention, but he always seemed to look for it when he was upset.

Valeta gave it some consideration. Eventually, she nodded. Reinhart brightened and immediately took a seat next to her, and she didn’t say a word as he lowered his head onto her shoulder. Settling in, Reinhart closed his eyes as if he were overcome with exhaustion and said no more.

The rest of the ride continued in silence. Before the carriage arrived at the castle, he slipped back down to his place on the floor of the carriage. He looked to be in a better mood than before. As soon as they arrived, Reinhart opened the door of the carriage, exited, and knelt before her. It was obvious that Valeta was meant to step on his back, but it was honestly the last thing she wanted to do as all she could imagine was what would happen the day Reinhart awakened.

“How dare you step on my back with those filthy feet?” he’d say. He would probably snap her ankles for that. Just the mere thought was enough to send goosebumps down her back. She shook her head.

“You there,” Valeta called to the coachman.

“Yes, my lady.”

“There’s a log under the box seat. Bring it here,” she ordered. “I’m not going to step on anyone.”

“Of course, my lady.”

The coachman dashed to the front of the carriage. Reinhart, who was still kneeling on the ground, looked up at Valeta with a strange expression. She waved her hand, avoiding his gaze.

“Get up already.”

“Do you hate me that much, master?”

When he spoke, his voice took on a cold, almost cruel tone, as if he were offended. It was so frigid that it sent a shiver down Valeta’s spine. She frowned. But when she turned to look at Reinhart, she was met with a bright smile.

Is he mad or not? There were times when it was just the two of them when he would drop formalities for a moment. Valeta couldn’t blame him for doing so, but it seemed to be happening more frequently. He thinks I’m easy, does he?

But what could she do to stop him? Even though Valeta knew everything that would happen, she wasn’t able to do anything about it. Reinhart could have slapped her across the face and she wouldn’t be able to say a word, sadly. He was just as skilled in treachery as he was in acting.

What a sad life, Valeta thought with a sigh.

“What are we doing at the imperial castle anyway?” Reinhart asked.

“The crown prince wants us to have tea together before they officially announce our engagement.”

Reinhart stiffened when he heard Valeta’s words. “Engagement?”

“You know, it’s just grown-up business,” she answered nonchalantly. “Not that it will ever make sense to me.”

She was looking elsewhere and didn’t see the look on his face. Her tone made it clear that she had not the slightest bit of interest, but Reinhart’s expression was stony. He looked as if he was surprised, almost as if he were having trouble understanding his own feelings.