Our Villainess Has Changed

Episode 32

Anette was so dumbfounded by Charles’ shamelessness that she just glared at him.

Seeing her glare, Charles blushed again.

Anette felt exhausted. At this point, she wasn’t even surprised by his embarrassment anymore.

Oh, come on. Please, please don’t do this, sir. Why are you blushing when I’m glaring at you?

As she swallowed her frustration, Charles suddenly brightened and spoke up.

“Oh, right! I need to talk to you for a moment, Master.”

“We are already talking.”

“No, I mean inside. I have something to tell you.”

Anette sighed. This short conversation felt more tiring than all the cleaning she had done earlier.

Charles grabbed her arm and shook it slightly as if urging her.

She didn’t want to, but she knew that refusing would just lead to more annoyance.

So she gave a half-hearted nod.

If she said no, something even more troublesome would probably happen.

She followed Charles back into his office, which she had just finished cleaning.

Sitting in the same chair as before, she watched as Charles also took his previous seat, looking at her with eager, sparkling eyes.

This is ridiculous. It’s like time just rewound itself.

Anette felt exhaustion creeping in again.

“What is it?”

“Well, Master…”

Charles placed something on the table. It was just a plain piece of paper.

Does anyone else treat paper like it’s something disgusting?

Anette looked at Charles with a sour expression. He had set the paper down and was now taking out a handkerchief to wipe his fingertips.

If it’s that dirty, why are you giving it to me?

His attitude made her not even want to check what it was. Instead, she simply glanced down at the paper and asked,

“What is this?”

“It’s an invitation to the royal ball, Master.”

“……”

And why are you showing this to me?

Anette hesitated, then unfolded the white paper with a bad feeling.

It was a luxurious invitation bearing the royal crest.

“So?” she asked. “Why are you showing me this?”

“Master, will you accompany me? Please grant me the honor of escorting you.”

Charles spoke with utmost sincerity.

If he had left out the word Master, it would have been quite a romantic moment.

But Anette felt nothing romantic about this situation.

“You have no idea how busy I am, do you? I don’t even have enough time in a day—why would I waste it going to something like this? It doesn’t even make me money.”

“But…”

“Nope. Just go by yourself or don’t go at all—”

Anette suddenly paused.

Money?

This could be a way to make money.

Didn’t she need someone’s help to settle Asil’s affairs?

If she just asked for a favor outright, Charles—being the sly fox he was—would demand something in return.

And knowing him, it would be something weird.

On the other hand, if she just had to attend the ball, sip some free wine, and leave, that would be an easy trade.

“If I go with you, will you grant me one request without any conditions?”

“Of course, Master! What is it? I can do anything! Even wash your feet if you want—”

“Stop talking. Please.”

“Oh. I should… stop talking…”

Charles blushed again and murmured her words under his breath. Then, he covered his mouth.

Why is that something to get excited about…?

Anette gave him a suspicious look.

Even if he acted like he would do anything, would he agree to use his position to pressure Count Tirel?

“This might be a bit difficult for you,” she warned.

“Huh? Oh, Master, I—I don’t like undressing in front of others! I mean, I would only undress in front of you—”

When did I ever say you had to undress?!

Anette barely contained her frustration. She had to bite her lip hard to keep herself from snapping at him.

After taking a deep breath, she asked,

“Do you know Count Tirel?”

“No.”

“He’s a judge.”

“So?” Charles frowned slightly, disliking the mention of another man’s name on Anette’s lips.

“I need to collect some money from him.”

“……”

Charles’ mind worked quickly.

Count Tirel… He didn’t recognize the name, but that meant the man was likely a judicial noble.

And if Anette needed something from a judicial noble, it wouldn’t be hard for him to make it happen.

But he had to use this situation to his advantage.

Anette looked slightly anxious as she waited for his answer.

Charles quickly changed his expression, putting on a troubled look.

“That might be a little difficult… but if you agree to my request, I’ll do my best. I’m sure it’s possible, Master.”

He smiled sweetly, eyes narrowing like a cat that had just caught a mouse.

Anette, unaware of his calculations, visibly brightened.

She’s so cute. So innocent. Ah, my lovely Master…

You are a sly little fox.

Anette also smiled back, her expression just as sweet.

If she didn’t know Charles better, she might have been dazzled by his beautiful smile.

Unfortunately for him, Anette was quick-witted.

She had noticed the way his eyes lit up the moment she mentioned money.

What he meant was, “If you come with me to the ball, I’ll make sure you get what you want.”

It was sneaky and underhanded, but what could she do?

In this damn class-based society, she needed Charles if she wanted to get her money from Count Tirel.

Ugh. How dirty and unfair.

Anette clenched her teeth behind her smile and asked,

“When is the ball?”

“A week from now, Master.”

“There’s plenty of time, then. I trust you’ll take care of my request before then.”

“Of course, Master. And at the ball, you’ll grant all of my requests, right?”

This fox, seriously…

He wagged his tail like a puppy when complimenting her, then turned into a cunning cat when asking for favors.

He was a tough opponent.

Like hell I’ll do everything you want.

Anette made a mental note to always stay alert around Charles.

If she let her guard down, she’d be in trouble.

“I’ll see how you behave. And remember our rules: no calling me that in public, and absolutely no spying on me.”

“…Yes.”

Anette made him promise a few more times, then grabbed her cleaning tools and headed for the break room.

It took some effort to shake him off, as he kept pestering her to stay and have tea with him.

Later, after a short nap in the break room, Anette woke up just in time for dinner preparations.

Sleeping during breaks was so refreshing.

Maybe it was the excitement of the money she was about to receive, but she was pretty sure she had dreamed of pigs—definitely a lucky sign.

She headed to the kitchen to help with dinner.

“Anette! Good evening!”

“Yes, good evening.”

The kitchen staff greeted her warmly.

Some of the male servants blushed, stealing shy glances at her.

Anette, however, felt most satisfied when she spotted Pierre in the corner, too scared to meet her gaze.

When their eyes did meet, she lifted her knife slightly with a smile, as if to say, Speak a word and you’re dead.

Pierre went pale and stumbled backward.

Satisfied, Anette decided she would remind him of this warning from time to time.

After dinner, she finished the laundry and hurried back to her room as her shift ended.

“Now, what was it again…?”

Anette sat at her desk, pen in hand, trying to remember.

She had come up with a great marriage proposal for Enoch earlier, but now she couldn’t recall the exact wording.

A phone would have been so useful for jotting down quick notes.

“Oh well…”

The general idea was that if the king ever tried to steal Enoch’s money, she would get it back for him.

Even if it wasn’t perfect, Enoch was kind enough to be touched by the sentiment alone.

After struggling with it for a while, she gave up and grabbed her things to head for the bath.

Tonight would be the last time she had to endure cold water.

From tomorrow on, she would be going to the Duke’s estate after work, where hot baths awaited her.

She couldn’t wait.