Another Villainess

Chapter Six

"Explain this." I toss the bowl of lettuce onto the counter, causing some of the leaves to fall out and a loud clang to echo in the kitchen.

"Lady Raiyus?" The chef turns around in shock, dropping his knife onto the half-minced onion. His shock turns into a frown as he looks at the salad. "What calls for this sudden visit?"

I turn to the maid, who is now looking guiltier than before, cowering by herself, her head low and turned, her shoulders raised and her arms crossed.

"I was only feeling a little hungry. I came to thank you for your help in keeping my diet strict, but I believe I can manage myself perfectly fine. In fact, these last few days I've become increasingly tired and only wish for a little bit of meat and carbs, really anything other than a salad, delightful as it is." I smile at him, his face still scrunched.

"Miss, as you say, I do care much for your wellbeing." He glances at the salad and then at the maid, choosing his words carefully. "However, I understand fully your capabilities of managing yourself, and must say I'm as confused as you as to where this. . ." He creases his brows at the bowl. "This has come from."

I gasp, hovering my hand over my mouth. "And what of this maid? Was she not tasked with bringing my food?" The maid bites her bottom lip.

"No. She was not tasked with that, Miss, at least not by me." The chef sighs and turns around, ditching the onions and pulling out a pan, beginning to cook. "I apologize, I'm at fault here for this mishap."

"Yes." I don't deny him, not sure if he is being truthful, but glad he seems to be making me some food, my stomach grumbling loudly. "And you." I turn to the maid. "Get out."

"W-What?"

"You're fired. Leave." The maids face pales at my words.

"Lady Raiyus, I only-"

"Did you think I wouldn't notice." I grin. "These days you seem awfully well fed." I step forward, my eyes almost squinting shut as my cheeks raise with my curled lips. "Do you know what the punishment for stealing from a noble is? No less the Raiyus Dukedom, and on top of that, tampering with food."

Tension rises as she trembles, the chef completely silent, the only noise heard is the sizzling of his pan.

"There is always a way to get back what you stole." I look at the knife on top of the onions. "As for the tampering, well I can let you off easy with that since I'm sure retrieving the food will suffice."

The maid falls to her knees sobbing. "I'm sorry, Miss! I'm sorry!"

Hmm. I guess being evil has its perks. As for her eating the food, I'd only taken an educated guess. I'm glad I didn't have to scare the chef as well, I'm not too fond of disrespecting elders, and his food does look good, smells impeccable.

My stomach rumbles again. "Now get out before I think of a more suitable response to your insolence." She stays crying as she leaps out of the kitchen.

"I'll be in my room. This time bring it yourself." My tone has returned to its monotone state. While the chef had done his job and was not involved with the maids actions, he was still going to be blamed if this incident got out.

"Yes, Miss."

Finally, someone who isn't entirely stupid.

While returning to my room, my mouth still salivating from the kitchens smell, the man from this morning, the one bruised and bloody, walks around the corner, his torso bandaged and his face scratched, but clean. Instead of a shirt, his upper body is hardly covered by a cheap top coat that hangs off his shoulders as he limps against a crutch.