MPBAGS Chapter 37

Since I came to the temple, I also shopped for holy water with the gold coins I brought. I should stock up on some holy water while I'm here. Fortunately, I had grabbed gold coins randomly, so I had money left over even after buying ten bottles of holy water.

"How magnificent, Young Lady. Even if I poured out several years' worth of my salary, I couldn't buy that amount."

Uriel beside me spoke with the enthusiasm of a store clerk, clapping her hands. Could she be some kind of holy water salesman instead of a knight?

When I gave the holy water to Jelly to carry, he showed his distaste and made a fuss.

"You want me to carry this...?"

Then should I carry it myself? I have my pride as a villainess transmigrator.

"No way! You're worse than a real demon!"

Who does he think used up all the holy water back at the mansion? I paid for it too, so shouldn't he at least carry it? It's just ten bottles of holy water, how heavy could it be that he's throwing such a tantrum? This guy is really prone to exaggeration.

"Jelly. Listen when I'm talking nicely."

Only after I threatened him did Jelly tuck his tail and pick up the holy water. He walked slowly as if displeased and acted like it was difficult, so I put all my energy into ignoring Jelly and came out of the great temple. Since he's a werewolf, he'll track me by scent and follow along just fine.

As I was walking, I saw a man in a familiar holy knight uniform across the street. A nun was walking beside him.

"Sir Raphaela?"

"Uriel!"

When Uriel greeted him, his solemn expression melted away and the knight called Raphaela came running over. Hey, what about the nun behind you? Look at the nun's expression! She looks completely deflated!

I totally relate. I think I used to do that too when my popular friend would meet someone and chat every ten steps we walked.

"And... Lady Rohanson?"

How does he know me too? Even in romance fantasy worlds, popular people's information networks are exceptional.

When I nodded to confirm, the popular guy—no, Raphaela—brightened up even more and bowed politely in greeting. His actions were perfectly knightly, but his face was as excited as a puppy meeting someone on a walk, which was interesting.

"I'm Raphaela from the Pharalos Knights. We've met before, do you remember?"

No, not at all! We met before? Could that have been before I transmigrated?

"I was there when the fire happened before. And also when the Captain visited Rohanson mansion last time, I went along too! The Captain stopped me from going in to greet you though."

So we were acquaintances on his side only. Well, if he had known the villainess Evangeline from before I transmigrated, he would have been wary instead of approaching me so friendly.

But from our brief conversation, I can see why Gabriel left Raphaela behind. His energy is too high and lively, making me feel drained.

If he's the energetic subordinate beside the male lead, then it must be that, right? The supporting character who serves as comic relief while being the stoic, romantically inept male lead's aide, giving advice for their romance!

Sometimes he picks up strange things and says them, causing the male lead to make mistakes and getting cursed at in the comments. His character is definitely clear.

"I'm truly happy to finally greet you!"

So that's why Raphaela is acting like he's about to wag his tail at me. Gabriel has fallen for me, not the female lead, right? So he's trying to make a good impression on me. He's diligent about his duties.

"I see."

But sorry, I have no intention of dating a paper person from a book! Raphaela, I'm sorry for making your existence meaningless!

I answered shortly, trying to cut off any favorable feelings, but Raphaela didn't seem to mind at all.

"You came because the Captain requested cooperation, right? Thank you! Oh, did you tour our temple? It's grand and magnificent, right! I was truly amazed when I first saw it too. Actually, I'm still sometimes surprised even now."

Raphaela didn't seem to care and chattered on. Is he fearless? Or does he not know Evangeline's bad reputation because he's been busy with knight duties? Since I transmigrated, he's the first person besides Kanna to treat me so casually.

Uriel, unable to watch Raphaela's chatter, interrupted.

"Sir Raphaela, weren't you supposed to be in the reception room? Where are you heading?"

"Ah. The Captain told me to escort the nun."

"Then shouldn't you hurry instead of keeping the nun waiting?"

"Haha, I was just so glad to meet..."

Raphaela scratched his head sheepishly after being scolded. He said goodbye and just when I thought we'd finally go our separate ways, Raphaela suddenly stopped.

"Right. Come to think of it, the nun originally worked at Rohanson mansion. Do you remember?"

"Sir Raphaela, that's rude!"

Really? She worked at Rohanson mansion? She does look familiar but I don't remember her. I went closer to get a better look at her face, but the retired nun stepped back. She was trembling and bowing her head so low she looked like she was about to prostrate herself.

"You worked at Rohanson mansion?"

"...Yes."

Her voice was so quiet it was barely audible. It was like someone was threatening to kill her if she didn't answer, forcing words out of her. I wondered why she was so submissive, but since she had worked at the mansion, she seemed frightened of Evangeline.

She probably quit her job at the mansion after being tormented by Evangeline. Anyway, since she said she worked at the Count's house, I understood why she was so scared. The people at Rohanson mansion still tremble in fear whenever they see me.

"Your name?"

"You don't remember my name?"

"I lost my memory."

This is why I need to use amnesia as a cover. If I don't say I have amnesia and just pretend to be the original body's owner, I'll slip up like this and my identity will be exposed.

"...It's Daisy."

Right. I've never heard that name before. She really must have quit before I transmigrated.

"Did you quit because of me?"

I whispered as quietly as possible since this wasn't something to broadcast. I barely moved my lips, almost at ventriloquist level. Even Uriel and Raphaela beside me probably couldn't hear well.

Daisy couldn't answer. Since she couldn't bring herself to say no, it was clear. Look at that. How wickedly must Evangeline have behaved for her to be trembling like an aspen leaf?

"You must have been very scared."

It's not something I did wrong, but seeing her trembling made me think I should apologize. But apologizing would ultimately be for my own peace of mind.

Daisy doesn't know I've transmigrated into Evangeline's body, and even if I lost my memory, she'd think it's still the same person. Losing memory doesn't make the sins disappear.

But I can't just stay still. If I want to escape the villainess route, I have to apologize, whether it works or not.

My conscience hurts, but let's ignore it. Come on, repeat after me: she's just a character! My life comes first!

"Are you still scared?"

Seems like it... She keeps her head down and won't even try to look at me.

"Don't be afraid. If you want, I'll compensate you."

"What...?"

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

I'm a villainess, so if I sincerely apologize from the start, it would be character destruction. I should at least compensate with money. All Evangeline has is some spare money anyway. And I'll ask her not to spread rumors while I'm at it.

But Daisy's reaction was strange. She was already pale, but now she looked like she was about to die. No, don't collapse! That would just add to Evangeline's bad reputation! Why is she suddenly like this? Wait. Oh no, could it be?

"Did you tell someone?"

...Seems like it. No way, I thought this unexpected meeting with a maid who was bullied by Evangeline in the past was an event for Evangeline's redemption? It wasn't? Could it be something that would fuel the villainess's rumors?

"Who did you tell?"

"Ugh...!"

"Who did you tell?"

I mean, Evangeline already had an overflowing bad reputation, but this is a temple with priests and holy knights everywhere. I'm already blamed for contributing to Donau's death, and if past misdeeds are revealed on top of that, I won't be able to handle it and become not just a villainess but branded as a witch.

I mean, it's deserved, but why do I have to bear that karma!

"...Sir Gabriel knows."

Phew. That's a relief. At least it's not too bad. Gabriel has fallen for me, so he won't do anything harmful, right? If the priests who are enthusiastic about Donau's paintings had heard, I would have become a traitor in an instant.

Or not? What if Gabriel loses interest after hearing about what Evangeline did and turns against me? Gabriel is the male lead, so there's nothing I can do about it.

Ah, I don't know. I'll think about it when the time comes. I'm going to see Gabriel now, so I can judge then. I'm definitely not running away from reality. Yes, yes.

As I was imagining an ominous future, Jelly appeared slowly from behind. How much did he dawdle to only come now? And even though he hated carrying the holy water so much, he was carrying it lightly with one hand. Like a waiter serving, with his fingertips! See! It's not even heavy!

"Huh? You..."

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

Daisy turned even paler than when she looked at me. What did this guy do to make her more scared than when looking at me?

"I-I should go now."

As Daisy tried to leave with her eyes downcast, I reflexively grabbed her wrist.

"Eek...!"

Sorry! I must have grabbed too hard because I put too much strength into it. I changed from grabbing her wrist to holding her hand.

I thought her hand would be cold, but it was unexpectedly warm. Daisy wiggled her hand but didn't push me away.

"If you have any wish you want from me, come find me. I'll grant it."

Of course, this wouldn't erase the victim's resentment. It was ultimately just self-satisfaction and a cover-up to break free from the villainess route.