The Villainess is a Marionette

Translator: thursdays PR: scarecrow

“Miss Susan Lepore and Miss Julia Evans?”

As soon as their names were called, the two ladies bowed in a courtly manner. Vera slightly bowed back.

“I’m Vera Lexton. Please follow me.”

Vera’s blunt expression, void of a single hint of a smile, felt overbearing.

They had already heard the rumors about Vera before they came. She was the only court lady that survived the purge in the princess’s palace due to her competence.

“Miss Susan, you’ll stay over here, and Miss Julia’s room is this one. Over there is where Miss Olivia Grace is staying.”

The two ladies were confused. Had Olivia arrived first?

“Miss Olivia arrived yesterday,” Vera explained.

‘Was she so desperate to make a good showing because of her powerless family?’

When Julia looked at the list of those who were selected as court ladies alongside her, it was the first time she had heard the name ‘Grace,’ but she assumed they were a humble and powerless noble family. She also heard that despite their position, they were in marriage talks with the Kedrey dukedom.

‘They say Raphael Kedrey is a handsome man.’

“It will only be the two of you greeting the princess, so please send over a servant once you are ready to go.”

Vera didn’t have the energy to watch over them as she had done with Olivia. She had been running around since dawn, taking care of the messy imperial palace.

“Don’t take too long getting ready. Her Highness is busy taking care of internal affairs.”

“Understood.”

Susan quickly curtsied again and went into her room. Meanwhile, Julia grumbled to the maid that she had brought over with her.

“I thought we’d receive a warm reception since there are only four ladies-in-waiting for Her Highness. But what’s this?”

“The room is very nice, though, Milady. It gets plenty of sunlight.”

The maid skillfully turned Julia’s attention elsewhere.

“How nice! Our home is large and extravagant, too, but I never really liked Mother’s taste.”

Julia looked around the room once more, then checked out her reflection in the mirror.

“I’m the most beautiful person in the east, but maybe I’m also the most beautiful person in the capital.”

Julia looked closely at her deep golden hair and sapphire blue eyes.

“Let’s change your clothes now, milady.”

Julia didn’t stop chatting even as she got dressed.

“I thought there would only be amazing beauties in the palace, but that isn’t the case. Where did the image of imperial court ladies being beautiful and competent come from?”

“It must be because they have elegant court manners, refined fashion, talent, and a good background.”

“Well, that fits me quite nicely, so I like it.”

Laughing cheerfully, Julia adjusted the little hat adorned with flowers on her head. The gorgeous orange dress made her refreshing charm pop out.

“I think I’m ready. Send over a servant.”

The maid bowed her head, nearly letting out a small sigh of relief. It had already been an hour.

‘The court lady who arrived yesterday said that she didn’t need to get ready and left right away.’

Susan Lepore had also finished getting ready quickly, just changing her hat for one suitable to wear indoors.

It was problematic that Julia dawdled for an hour when Vera said that everyone was so busy. Her maid was at least skilled enough to reduce the preparation time to this much.

“Miss Julia, let’s go to the parlor.”

As soon as she came out of the room, she saw Susan. It looked like she had been waiting for Julia. Susan, who had never spoken to her first, looked at Julia with haughty eyes.

“You got ready very quickly!”

Julia did not miss her sarcastic tone and quickly became offended. She was about to say something to Susan when she caught sight of Vera. Dissatisfied, she was forced to shut her mouth.

Vera quickly glanced at Julia’s attire.

One was dressed for a ball, while the other was dressed like they were about to read a book inside their own house.

They were as different as night and day. Somehow, she felt like they would be challenging to work with.

“Please follow me.”

Vera took them to the parlor, where Cayena was waiting.

It wasn’t just the courtiers who were busy in the morning. Cayena, as the head of internal affairs, had to grant final approval for all personnel appointments.

‘It’s fortunate that she’s so neat and efficient, almost like someone familiar with such work.’

Cayena was oddly skilled in understanding reports and giving directions. Vera was grateful that her work was flawless, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but wonder. Was the imperial family born with such abilities?

Vera stopped in front of the parlor.

“Let her know we’re here.”

The doorkeeper knocked on the door and opened it. Through the crack in the door, they heard a lovely voice.

“Let them in.”

Finally, they would meet the rumored princess.

Julia glanced into the living room with curious, young eyes. Susan was still as apathetic as ever.

A sunbeam shone through the enormous arched window as the rain stopped for a little while.

Under the sunlight, they saw a woman holding a pen sitting at a table that doubled as a letterbox. There was a piece of paper in front of her.

Even though she was wearing modest clothes, they could tell at a glance who this was.

Julia was shocked. Her beauty, which she had been so proud of, felt colorless next to Her Highness.

‘So that’s the princess…’

Julia felt a sense of defeat, as if she was only a country bumpkin.

Then, from behind them, Vera spoke.

“Pay your respects to Her Highness, the Princess.”

Julia and Susan kneeled on the floor in a deep bow.

“We respectfully greet Her Majesty, the Princess.”

Cayena put down her pen and looked at Julia and Susan as they bowed.

In her first life, Cayena was impressed by Susan’s courage during their numerous confrontations.

It was a little refreshing to see her again.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She helped Julia and Susan up and moved to a broad sofa.

“I hope that it’s all right you’ve been selected as a lady-in-waiting. I know this is the busiest time of the year in the east,” Cayena said to Julia.

Marquis Evans’ territory, which comprised the largest granaries, needed a lot of labor in spring and autumn. Although that sort of work had nothing to do with Julia, it was only polite to mention it.

“I’ve wanted to come to the imperial palace since long ago,” Julia said. She stole another glance at Cayena. Her beauty was breathtaking.

“I’m glad.”

Cayena turned her gaze to Susan and met her eyes.

She instantly read in Susan’s expression a little bit of curiosity and rebellion.

“Is Margrave Lepore healthy?”

Susan replied bitterly, “He’s so healthy that he’s nigh uncontrollable.”

“He’s a very boisterous and kind man. I’d be pleased if he could come to my coming-of-age ceremony.”

“I’ll write him a letter.”

At that dull reply, Vera looked at Susan with sharp eyes.

Julia‘s casual, candid speech was a problem, but Susan’s aggressive tone was an even bigger issue.

‘Miss Olivia is truly extraordinary.‘

Olivia was raised to be a lady-in-waiting, having learned court manners and speech in her childhood.

Those who were from the capital particularly had to learn how to dance because they had to attend numerous dances at the imperial palace. It was a pity that among the new court ladies, only Olivia was from the capital.

“Isn’t the palace a little cluttered?”

The first one to answer her question was Julia.

“It’s a little… Did something happen here?”

“It’s somewhat busy right now, as we’re restructuring the staff. Everything will stabilize soon, so you’ll be able to learn your tasks more calmly then.”

Julia was befuddled. She had heard that a court lady of the princess’s palace did not need to do much work. She was supposed to carry a parasol or a coat behind the princess as she walked around, right?

But Princess Cayena’s words implied that she would have to do more work.

“Do you know anything about managing internal affairs?”

Julia’s family had given her lessons on how to take care of the staff and oversee internal affairs. She had to learn it in case she became the empress. However, Julia wasn’t interested in the position at all.

She had a preference for older men, and Rezef was one year younger than her. Hence, she had only rolled her eyes at the lessons. She must have heard something about managing internal affairs, but nothing came to mind.

~~~