Second Life of the Villainess

Chapter 22

Aria was thrilled to see the brooch he had brought. "... Perfect."

"Thank you, miss. My master has left me with a message that he wants you to favour us in the future for your needs."

"Please, tell him I'll do that."

It seemed normal to finish the exchange with flattery. The strange lily-shaped craftsmanship brought the red ruby together in perfect harmony.

He hadn't had to make it as great as it was for her, which made her feel even better about it.

'How could everything be so smooth?!'

He bowed deeply at the waist, and leaving behind the servant of the jewellery shop who had given her his courtesy, she walked alone to the hall to decide the fate of the driver. Jessie, who had in her hands the package containing the brooches and the necklace, followed her.

Aria smiled brightly while imagining Mielle's crumpled face.

* * *

As per Aria's wish, the driver was fired.

He had to be kicked out without receiving any severance pay. That was the judgment of the benevolent countess. He could not resist leaving the capital since he was guilty of trying to harm his master.

"I fire Elect, the driver, from the employ of the family of Count Roscent."

The countess' clear voice filled the wide hall. The driver fell to the floor, apparently unable to sleep all night. Mielle's complexion was also pale.

"Also, Yagi, who deserted his place of work, will be reassigned to work at the stables. His duty will be cleaning them."

Because of the food poisoning, Yagi had been absent without leave from the workplace, so now, he was reassigned. He was in charge of cleaning the stables, like the young servants who had just entered the mansion.

'Maybe, he'll quit. He won't get promoted for the rest of his life because he's out of favour with his master.'

It was a very satisfactory result. If there were followers that were not slaves to Mielle, those around her would think a little about the treatment they might incur with this incident.

"... I'm not feeling well, so I'll have to go up," Mielle said meekly.

The pale complexion of Mielle, who seemed about to faint at any moment, made everyone in the mansion worry about her health with a single heart. They seemed to think that she was shocked by her sister's terrible circumstances.

Aria did not forget to say words of thanks with a moved expression at Mielle's warm heart, for she had come forward worried about Aria's well being and livelihood.

"Yes! That's what you'll do. You haven't looked so well since last night, so... I think you should get some rest. Thank you so much for taking care of me."

"... No, sister. It's natural that I worry."

She would never have worried about Aria, but Mielle had to nod as if she had. Before she left, Aria reached out to Jessie, who was waiting behind her.

"Wait a minute, Mielle! Jessie, can you give me the necklace that arrived from the jewellery store today?"

"... Yes? Yes, miss!"

"It's kind of weird to give it to you in a situation like this, but... Mielle, I think it would look good on you."

Aria delivered it to her maid, who accepted on behalf of Mielle, who was about to collapse. The maid, who had lots of freckles on her nose, had wronged and envied her both in the past and even now by Mielle's side.