A Villainess pulled out the Sword instead of the Hero.

No sooner had Morgana finished speaking than the hospitable servants were on alert.

 

Maids scrambled to close windows and draw curtains, and butlers scanned the room to make sure no one was around.

 

Lord Caradoc’s face, which had been so jovial just moments before, was now very serious.

 

The butler approached quietly and spoke politely to Caradoc.

 “Shall we head to the reception room, my lord?” “Yes, indeed. I suppose this is not something I can stand to hear.” 

Despite his subdued tone, Caradoc was led to a room thickly padded with cushions and carpeting.

 

With each step, my feet sank in, making it hard to stay centered.

 

Morgana’s story wasn’t all bleak.

 

Cadric, the escort, shyly squeezed the arm that held Morgana’s hand.

 “My father told me that you were troubled by the noise between the walls when you were at the palace, so…” 

Perhaps the day he burst into Guinevere’s room at dawn. She must have heard the outcry somewhere.

 

Morgana smiled and thanked him.

 “Thank you so much for your concern!” 

At the same time, I made a silent vow to myself.

 

‘From now on, I should come without sending a letter in advance.’

 

The medicinal tea made by Morgana was served, and a series of desserts carried on trays filled the table densely.

 

‘I suppose dessert is enough to satisfy my appetite?’

 

His expression was stiff, unlike before, but the hospitality was the complete opposite, making it feel even more peculiar.

 

Caradoc was a giant of a man, so large that even four Morgana might not match one of his thighs.

 

Sitting there with his arms crossed and a solemn expression, even the fresh strawberry cake in front of him seemed to enhance his intimidating appearance.

 Thud, thud—  

At last, as his servants flanked the wall like an army, he spoke.

 “I am the second generation Caradoc, from a family that has been loyal to Britain since the time of our ancestors.” “Yes, I am aware!” “But now, you propose to me to enter His Majesty’s… office and behead him, which puts me in a very complicated state of mind.” 

From Morgana’s mouth, the strawberry she was eating fell with a plop.

 

Clearly, she had only asked to enter the royal chambers, but this had already progressed to treason.

 “No? I’m not talking about bloodshed. There’s a chance we might, but it’s not part of the plan, okay?” 

Moreover, I’m puzzled by where this loyal servant, who claims his family has been loyal to Britain, gets the idea of treason right off the bat.

 

Belatedly, Caradoc’s face lit up with realization.

 “Ah, I see. I misunderstood.” 

No wonder, the attendants were quickly scanning the surroundings.

 

It meant that everyone had the word

‘treason’

in their hearts. Perhaps the expression of going to the king’s office carried such implications.

 

‘It also suggests that King Vortigern has lost the people’s support.’

 

Caradoc, with his muscular arms now uncrossed, asked as gently as possible.

 “Then, apothecary, why do you wish to go to the royal chambers?” “I am searching for the 13th fake painting by Alex in His Majesty’s office.” “I’ve heard from Sir Lancelot. He mentioned that it felt familiar coming from the court painter.” “That feeling is likely correct.” “Hearing that you were present at the scene confirmed it for me.” 

Having personally experienced being freed from a curse, it seemed he had quickly grasped the situation upon receiving the report.

 

That the perpetrator of both incidents was the same.

 

Caradoc, as the commander of the royal knights, had even Lancelot under his command.

 

All reports concerning knights and expeditions, including subjugation missions, had to go through him.

 

He was one of the few who could enter and leave the office without arousing suspicion. Caradoc swallowed a sigh, seemingly dissatisfied with something.

 “However, I recently visited His Majesty’s office regarding the jousting tournament. I don’t recall seeing such a painting there.” “No, it’s in that room.” 

In the original story, there’s a place where King Vortigern fled as soon as Arthur pulled the sword and came to the royal palace.

 

In the office, pushing his bookshelf aside reveals a small room, a refuge to hide in case of war.

 

Since only King Vortigern knew of this place, Caradoc couldn’t have known.

 

Seeing her confident demeanor, Caradoc, after a moment of contemplation, readily agreed.

 “Alright. If the apothecary says so, then I must cooperate. There’s a promise to keep.”  “Marleau” 

Mellowart suddenly appeared in the room of the young lady of the Count of Aestiva. 

 

His distorted face and a tone as if he was swallowing his words showed how much he was holding back his anger.

 “Where is your maid?” “Who are you talking about? I have more than one or two maids.” 

To her, sipping medicinal tea and sneering, Mellowart repeated in a stronger tone.

 “The maid who moved the painting!” “Ah, Lily. What about her?” 

He nervously pushed away the vase next to the door, as if sweeping it aside with his arm.

 

The crashing sound, almost ear-splitting, made Marleau’s eyebrows shoot up sharply.

 “Why are you causing a scene in someone else’s room? You say I have a bad temper, but look at you now.” “Fire that maid immediately. Understand?” “Since when do you get to tell me to fire my maid? At least give me a reason.” 

Recently, Marleau and Mellowart had to quietly reflect after the royal knights’ investigation.

 

A stern warning was added that going outside even once until the final decision would result in immediate punishment, regardless of guilt.

 

All of this was because of Mellowart and the 12 forged paintings he had gifted. All the paintings were delivered through Lily.

 

She was strong and, above all, obedient to his words.

 

But lately, she hadn’t been following his orders.

 

Mellowart irritably stomped on the scattered pieces of a broken vase on the floor.

 “I just told her to carry the paintings as instructed, and she says she can’t do it. Is that something a maid should say?” “Because of those paintings, even I, innocent as I am, can’t leave the mansion.” 

Marleau sipped her tea, chuckling softly as if administering medicine.

 

Lily’s behavior had been suspicious these past few days. 

 

Before, she could carry even heavy items without issue, but suddenly, she kept collapsing as if she were in pain, which was quite unsettling.

 

Even if he hadn’t yelled at her, she was destined to be fired, but now that he was giving orders, she didn’t want to listen.

 

‘Stupid fool. Who gets tricked into buying 13 forgeries and then acts like they’ve done something great? Why are you making such a fuss at me?’

 

She had spent her money wisely on something worthwhile.

 

The tea she bought from Tir na Nog had recently become surprisingly popular among the young ladies who couldn’t attend that day.

 

Thanks to that, she had been walking around with a bit more confidence, but now she was trapped in her room.

 

Marleau clinked her teacup down and asked,

“Even the number annoys me. When did you buy the 13th painting?” “None of your business.” “Honestly, I wasn’t even curious. To be frank, Lily’s right about this whole thing. A 13th painting? Are we all supposed to die together or something?” “That maid didn’t do her job, so I personally carried it and delivered it myself.” 

Personally…?

 

Upon hearing that it had already been delivered, Marleau jumped up in surprise, only to bump her knee hard against the table.  

 

Gritting her teeth in pain, she grimaced and clutched her knee.  

 “Are you out of your mind? The forgeries have already been exposed, so why would you deliver it? To whom? Princess Guinevere?”   “To His Majesty, the King.”   “You’re insane, completely out of your mind. When did you even go? Did His Majesty really agree to meet someone like you?”   

Instinctively, something felt off.  

 

The Aestiva Countdom wasn’t exactly in a favorable position in Britain.  

 

Especially after the previous count’s failed attempt to pressure King Vortigern into an investment, there was even a time when they were barred from entering the royal court.  

 

Things had somewhat improved after their father inherited the title, but still…  

 

‘How could someone like him, who’s never shown any signs of such connections, suddenly communicate privately with His Majesty?’  

 

Even their father, who trembled at the mere mention of King Vortigern, wouldn’t dare.  

 

If Mellowart could meet the King privately, their father would have treated him like a prized possession.  

 

The fact that their father hadn’t shown any reaction meant he had no idea about this either.  

 

Though they weren’t particularly close siblings, even Marleau couldn’t make sense of Mellowart’s actions.

  

Returning to the Princess’s palace, Morgana stopped by the spot where the painting had been hung on her way to her quarters.  

 

Surprisingly, the space was completely empty.  

‘Huh? The painting’s gone?’  

 

Wondering if it had just been moved, she checked the hall as well, but the forgery painting was nowhere to be found.  

 

The painting, which she thought wouldn’t have been taken down voluntarily, had vanished without a trace.  

 

Its disappearance was so abrupt that it left her uneasy.  

 

Morgana casually asked the nearby maids, 

“Do you know where the painting that was here went?”   “Oh, I heard that the main palace collected them all at the Princess’s request.”   

Perhaps Guinevere’s request couldn’t be completely ignored.  

 

Just in case, Morgana checked the incineration site, but there was no trace of the large painting there either.  

 

‘Hmm, it wasn’t burned or thrown away.’  

 

Returning to her quarters, Morgana took out a sheet of stationery and sent a brief letter to Raon.  

 

The carrier pigeon, which had been hopping around in its cage near the window, swiftly took off with the letter in its beak.  

 

Not long after, the day of the jousting tournament arrived.