MPBAGS Chapter 21

Well, should I carry it then? A villainess transmigrator has her pride.

"I don't want to! You're worse than actual demons!"

Who used up all the holy water at the estate, I'd like to know? I paid for it, so shouldn't you at least carry it? It's only ten bottles of holy water—how heavy could it be to make such a fuss? He's really overdramatic.

"Jelly. Listen while I'm asking nicely."

Only after I threatened him did Jelly tuck his tail and pick up the holy water. He walked slowly with an exaggerated show of struggling, so I ignored him completely and walked outside the Grand Temple. He's a werewolf—he'd track by scent and follow just fine.

Walking along, I spotted a familiar holy knight uniform across the way. A nun walked beside the man.

"Sir Raphaela?"

"Uriel!"

When Uriel called out, the solemn expression melted and the knight—Raphaela—ran over. Hey, what about the nun behind you? Look at her expression! She looks completely abandoned!

Totally relatable. I'd been that person too, standing behind while my extrovert friend stopped every ten steps to chat and greet people.

"And... Lady Rohanson?"

How does he know me? Even in a romance fantasy world, extroverts' information networks are extraordinary.

When I nodded confirmation, the extrovert—no, Raphaela—brightened further and bowed in greeting. His behavior was textbook knight, but his face had the excitement of a puppy meeting someone on a walk.

"Pharalos Knights, Raphaela. We've met before—do you remember?"

No, not at all! We met before? Surely not before the possession?

"I was there during the fire. And I accompanied the Commander when he visited Rohanson estate last time! The Commander stopped me from entering to greet you properly, though."

So we were acquaintances only on his side. Well, if he'd known the evil Evangeline before my possession, he wouldn't be this friendly—he'd be on guard.

But even from this brief conversation, I understood why Gabriel had left Raphaela behind. His energy level was too high and bubbly—it drained me.

A cheerful subordinate attached to the male lead—had to be that trope, right? The sidekick role beside the emotionally constipated romance-incompetent male lead, offering advice for their relationship!

Sometimes picking up weird information and making the male lead blunder, getting roasted in the comments. The character archetype was clear.

"I'm so happy to finally greet you properly!"

So that's why Raphaela was acting like he'd wag his tail any second. Gabriel had fallen for me instead of the female lead, hadn't he? So Raphaela was trying to make a good impression. Devoted to his duties.

"I see."

But sorry—I have no intention of dating a fictional paper character! Raphaela, I'm sorry for nullifying your raison d'être!

I answered briefly, trying to cut off any goodwill, but Raphaela didn't seem bothered at all.

"You came because the Commander requested cooperation, right? Thank you! Ah, did you tour our temple? Magnificent and impressive, isn't it? I was truly awestruck when I first saw it. Actually, I'm still sometimes amazed."

Raphaela chattered on, seemingly unconcerned. Was he fearless? Or had he been so busy with knight duties that he didn't know Evangeline's notorious reputation? Since possessing her, besides Kanna, he was the first person to treat me this casually.

Unable to watch Raphaela's chatter any longer, Uriel interjected.

"Sir Raphaela, weren't you in the reception room? Where are you headed?"

"Ah. The Commander asked me to escort the sister."

"Then shouldn't you hurry rather than keep the sister waiting?"

"Haha, I was just so glad to see you..."

Raphaela scratched his head sheepishly at the reprimand. He said his farewell and they were finally about to part ways when Raphaela suddenly stopped.

"Right. Now that I think about it, the sister used to work at Rohanson estate—do you remember her?"

"Sir Raphaela, that's rude!"

She did? She worked at Rohanson estate? She looked vaguely familiar, but I didn't remember. I moved closer to see her face properly, and the retired nun stepped back. Trembling and bowing her head deeply—she looked ready to prostrate herself any moment.

"You worked at Rohanson estate?"

"...Yes."

Her voice was barely audible, ready to die out. It sounded like someone being forced to speak under threat of death. I'd wondered why she was so submissive—she must be frightened of Evangeline due to her work history at the estate.

She'd probably quit after suffering under Evangeline. Either way, her fear made sense now that she'd mentioned working for the count's family. Even now, Rohanson estate people trembled with fear just seeing me.

"Your name?"

"You don't... you don't remember my name?"

"I lost my memory."

This is why you start with amnesia as your baseline. If you don't claim amnesia and try to pretend you're the original, you slip up in moments like these and get exposed.

"...Daisy."

Right. Never heard that name. She must have quit before I possessed Evangeline.

"Did you quit because of me?"

I whispered as quietly as possible—not something to broadcast. Barely moved my lips, practically ventriloquism. Even Uriel and Raphaela beside me probably couldn't hear.

Daisy couldn't answer. She couldn't bring herself to say no—so it was definite. See? Evangeline must have treated her viciously to make her tremble like an aspen leaf.

"You must have been very frightened."

It wasn't my fault, but seeing her shake made me think I should apologize. Though apologizing was really just to ease my own conscience.

Daisy wouldn't know I'd possessed Evangeline's body. Even claiming amnesia, she'd think I was still the same person. Forgetting doesn't erase the sin.

But I couldn't just stay quiet. To escape the villainess route, whether it turned to porridge or rice, I had to apologize.

My conscience ached, but I ignored it. Come on, repeat after me—she's a fictional character! My life comes first!

"Are you still scared?"

Seems like it. She kept her head bowed, wouldn't even look at me.

"Don't be afraid. If you want it, I'll give you compensation."

"What...?"

"On the condition you don't spread stories about me."

I'm a villainess—sincerely apologizing this early would break character. I should at least compensate with money. All Evangeline had was a decent amount of cash anyway. Might as well ask her not to gossip while I'm at it.

But Daisy's reaction was strange. Already pale, now she looked near death. No, don't collapse! That'll just add to Evangeline's infamy! Why the sudden reaction? Wait. Oh god, could it be?

"Did you tell?"

...Apparently yes. Wait, I thought meeting a maid Evangeline had bullied in the past was some redemption event for her? It wasn't? This was actually accelerating the villainess rumors?

"Who?"

"Ugh...!"

"Who did you tell?"

This was a temple, priests and holy knights everywhere. I'd already been falsely accused of contributing to Donau's death. If my past evil deeds came to light on top of that, there'd be no recovery—not just villainess, I'd be branded a witch at this rate.

I mean, it's deserved, but why should I shoulder that karma!

"...Sir Gabriel knows."

Phew. One worry down. At least it's better. Gabriel has a crush on me—he won't do anything harmful. If the priests obsessed with Donau's painting had heard, I'd have become a traitor instantly.

Or not? What if Gabriel heard what Evangeline did and changed his mind? Gabriel's the male lead—I can't do anything about him.

Forget it. I'll think about it when it happens. I'm seeing Gabriel now anyway—I'll judge then. I'm definitely not running from reality. Yep, yep.

While imagining an ominous future, Jelly finally appeared from behind. Why did he drag his feet so long to arrive now? And he'd claimed carrying the holy water was so terrible, but he held it lightly in one hand. Like a waiter serving, balancing it on his fingertips! See! It's not even heavy!

"Oh? You..."

Jelly looked at Daisy with distaste. Huh? What? How do they know each other?

Daisy turned paler than when looking at me. What did he do to be more frightened of him than me?

"I should get going now."

Daisy started to leave with downcast eyes, so I reflexively grabbed her wrist.

"Ngh...!"

Sorry! I must have grabbed too hard. I switched from her wrist to her hand.

I'd expected her hand to be cold, but it was surprisingly warm. Daisy fidgeted with the hand I held but didn't push me away.

"If you should wish for anything, come find me. I'll grant it."

Of course, apologies wouldn't erase a victim's resentment. This was purely self-satisfaction and damage control to escape the villainess route.

When I released her hand, Daisy rubbed it and hid it behind her back.

"Sister! I'll escort you!"

"It's fine! The carriage area is right up ahead."

"Well, that's true..."

Daisy refused Raphaela's offer with distaste. The carriage area wasn't far, so Raphaela seemed to accept it, watching Daisy's escape with a vacant expression.

"She left."

"Indeed. Ah, did you two have a good talk? I kept both ears firmly closed to protect your privacy."

"I'm not sure. She didn't seem to want to talk to me. Actually, I don't even remember who she is."

"Really? Ah. Well, I wouldn't recognize our household servants either if asked."

Raphaela played it off with good humor. But you know what—he's definitely smiling like a nice person, so why does he seem so suspicious?