Translator: Nox

Chapter 44

At least Daisy's happy.

"Did you talk things over well?"

"Yes…. The butler said Lady Evangeline asked him to accommodate the children as much as possible. Thank you."

Yesterday, when I told the butler Daisy was rehired, he was shocked. She'd quit after being terribly bullied by Evangeline, so resuming work must've been surprising.

When I mentioned bringing three kids, he asked in a trembling voice if I'd kidnapped them. It's been a while since I possessed this body, but why won't Evangeline's villainess image fade?

Only after explaining the kids' story did the butler nod. I nearly sneered that a villainess doing good was suspicious. Of course, as a cultured adult who respects elders, I didn't.

"Lady, a letter from Sir Gabriel."

I debated tearing it up but opened it. Another elegant script-filled letter. Nothing major: he wanted tea time this afternoon. So, arriving at two. Still time on the clock.

"Let's prepare."

I wanted casual clothes, but to impress, I'd dress up properly.

With three helpers, prep flew by. When I first possessed, no dedicated maid; now three. Am I thriving in romanta-sy life?

"You're dazzling today too."

As Kanna said, Evangeline was stunning to match her villainess rep, but prettier today.

Daisy, original Evangeline's maid, had real styling skills. She fetched unknown accessories too.

After prepping and lounging, a servant knocked.

"Lady, Sir Gabriel has arrived."

Descending to the drawing room with Daisy, Gabriel rose. Wow…. Male lead's looks slay today. I dolled up, yet he matched effortlessly.

The unflappable man bowed meekly.

"Lady Rohanson. Did you rest well last night?"

No, didn't sleep a wink, jerk.

"Thanks to your help, I rested fine."

"Glad to hear."

As I sat opposite, Gabriel sat too. Side-eyeing him, he looked serene—no tremor from yesterday. Did he really hear from Daisy I'm a possessor?

No, don't relax. Maybe a ploy to lower my guard.

"As I mentioned, the children are at the temple orphanage. Troy will stay helping with chores for now. It won't buckle under ten more kids, so rest easy."

Gabriel opened with post-incident updates.

"This is the orphanage pass for Daisy. The temple orphanage is restricted; you must carry it."

"…Thank you."

Map included, plus a pass for Daisy to visit.

Troy hadn't spent the borrowed gold; a knight escorted him to repay today. They left together, so probably there now. Even a loan shark wouldn't scam or bully before a holy knight—smart move.

Post-investigation on the director and basement, Troy would donate the orphanage to the temple.

"The priest dealing with Merai gets defrocked today."

Other traffickers were nobles or merchants; temple influence limited, but they'd inform the palace.

In this classist romanta-sy, harsh punishment unlikely, but male lead's involvement might weight it.

"Merai's crimes are severe; execution inevitable."

Not burning—just beheading.

One defrocked, one executed. Uneven for traffickers, but Merai's overt crimes seemed worse—fair enough.

"Execution…."

"I'll inform you officially of the date."

"No need."

Daisy's voice shook. Even a trafficker raised her; bittersweet.

Expecting Gabriel to raise possession, I brought the snitch Daisy; should've brought Kanna instead.

"Merai's case wraps like this. I'll update on progress."

"Must've been a hassle. Good work."

Without Gabriel yesterday, I'd handle it all. He briefly looked angelic.

How'd he finish so much overnight? I tossed sleepless. Peak overworked male lead power?

Gabriel finished explaining, wetting his throat.

Ah. Here it comes. Heart pounded wildly.

What'll he say? Splash holy water yelling 'Begone, demon!'? Character break? Chop my head? Shackle—no, bind and drag me….

Anxiety killing me, Gabriel paused like a mid-commercial.

"And my abrupt visit yesterday was…."

Hate this pacing. Just spill already!

"Suddenly, will you be my partner?"

Don't kill me, what?

"Partner?"

What the—? Sudden date? Ball dancing? Expected thriller shock suspense, but Gabriel swerved to romance.

For real? Pretending ignorance of my possessor status? No, maybe timing his reveal perfectly. Think I'll wait anxiously? Better preempt.

"You know I'm not Evangeline, right?"

Absurdity slipped it out first.

Gabriel lowered his eyes; lashes fluttered. Seducing who now?

Ignoring possession? Sudden soul swap means ghost or demon normally. You're a holy knight!

"Yes. I know well."

Gabriel toyed with his teacup handle. Knows I'm possessed yet asks…?

Embarrassing to admit, but Gabriel likes me more than thought. To any-who levels. I flirted, but this guy's easy….

All-night worries felt futile. Why panic over pond fish?

"Precisely, attend the upcoming ball as my partner."

"Why suddenly?"

Odd enough to ask why; answer exceeded imagination.

My summoning circle's spreading whispers among elites.

Fears misuse if left alone. Priests and director abused it. Plans to scour society with me to weed suspects.

But need me for spirits?

Can't ignore misuse. I don't even know proper summoning! How do they succeed effortlessly?

Chilling thought: maybe my spirit affinity's abysmal? Just draw circle and call works; I alone failed. Gabriel needs me 'cause proximity lowers success? No.

"Your presence muddies the circle's influence."

Gabriel confirmed. Eyes welled up. Harsh. Ignorant of original story sad, translation glitches sadder, now zero affinity? Even as villainess, too unfair.

"Also to deflect identity suspicions."

True. Romanta-sy world, villainess Evangeline: situations twist suspiciously sans misdeeds. Rumors of me commanding spirits easy.

Donau acted commissioned by me; orphanage had circle. Absent, I'd take full blame.

With Gabriel, less suspicion. He's incorruptibly pure holy knight.

"If that's it, sure. Gladly."

He sides with me unknowing demon or ghost. Can't forget favors.

Satisfied deal with Gabriel, Daisy cautiously objected.

"Um… Lady hasn't debuted yet…."

What? Villainess should've ruled social circles already?

***

Dense lights thinned following Gabriel downstairs; lanternless, pitch black underground.

Godless depths perfect for atrocities. Empire rife with basements—even Grand Temple. Gabriel's spot: detention for criminals and interrogations.

"Bishop Javania?"

"We meet again."

Guests awaited: two priests, Bishop Javania, and veiled middle-aged woman welcoming Gabriel kindly.

"Knight Commander, long time no see."