To be the Villainess

O11.

Chapter 11

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third person

“WHY DID he go to the South?” the man on the bed bellowed, his eyes burning with frustration and disbelief. His fists trembled with barely contained rage.

“He’s really stubborn,” replied the man beside him, his tone dripping with exasperation. “He wants to help because he says that’s our hometown,” he added, clicking his tongue in irritation.

Both men clenched their fists, their foreheads knotted with fury. Their original plan had been meticulously crafted, but now he was acting on his own accord, shattering their carefully laid strategy.

“The knights in the South have been dwindling, but the Grand Duke sent a battalion to assist them,” the second man continued, his face set in a grim mask.

“We have to act quickly if we are to destroy this land,” the man on the bed said, his voice low and urgent. “We don’t have much time. The orb is glowing brighter every day, and the prophecy the Priestess told us will come true if we don't stop them.” He stood up abruptly, the bed creaking under his weight, and cracked his neck with a chilling resolve.

“Maybe I can find a way to break the border’s support,” he mused, a dangerous glint in his eyes. The man beside him nodded, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

“We need to break down their defenses to let the monsters into the Capital,” he said, his voice filled with dark anticipation.

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arthemice

It’s been three days since I encountered the Crown Prince and that wretched girl who dared to steal my wallet. The war in the South rages fiercely, leaving me powerless to act. The Grand Duke is so overwhelmed with duties that he has neglected to take me to the temple to awaken Arthemice’s powers. We had planned to go yesterday, but a letter from Darious reported that the monsters are on the brink of breaching our border.

Thus, the Emperor has summoned his strongest knights to defend our territories.

I bet Cecelia and Athena have gone South too, given their abilities to aid in the war. And here I am, stuck in this useless body, confined to my bed! Oh, how I wish I could be out there helping them.

“My lady!” My attention snapped to my maid, who had burst into my room unannounced, panting heavily.

I arched an eyebrow at her brazen intrusion. Really? Can they not knock? Or do they still view me with such disdain?

“My lady! It is an emer—” I cut her off mid-sentence.

“Do you not know how to knock?” I asked coldly, fixing her with a piercing glare. She froze, swallowing hard at my words.

“But...” she stammered, her eyes downcast and her body trembling.

I approached her slowly, taking her hand in mine. Her eyes widened in horror at my touch.

“It seems you have hands, so you must know how to use them. Should I sever them for their uselessness?” I whispered, my eyes glinting as I smiled cruelly. She recoiled, stepping back and bowing deeply.

“I’m really sorry, my lady! T-This won’t happen again!” she screamed, her voice trembling with fear. I rolled my eyes. If this happens again, I’ll surely cut her hands off.

“Then what’s your problem?” I asked, my eyebrows knitting together.

“There’s a peasant declaring that she wants to meet the Lady. However, she doesn’t have a proper letter to be in your presence. That’s why...” She paused, looking utterly terrified. “That’s why the guards are beating her for her stubbornness...”