I’m Leaving the Villainess Station

Chapter 29

Bern must have introduced Raina to many people as someone who could enter Demeter’s circle, but I had to introduce her to the gathering of young ladies.

If she had stayed inside all the time and never interacted with other noble families, it wouldn’t matter, but in normal circumstances, it’s better to be introduced. Although Bern knew this, he still listened to me and checked Raina’s opinion first. His tone was gentle as he asked, “Are you okay? If it’s difficult, you don’t have to go.”

Raina, while adjusting her dress, had already heard something from Bern. She stepped away from him, shaking her head. “No, I want to meet other people. I’ll go, Bern.”

Bern kissed her forehead lightly and said, “If you want to, go. I’ll be waiting.”

I led Raina to the gathering. She silently followed me, not saying anything. I appreciated the silence, as there was nothing she needed to say, and I didn’t need to hear anything either.

Then Raina spoke from behind. “I… Thank you. For everything. Even though I must have been difficult for you, you’re still taking care of me…”

I stopped in my tracks. “Is that how I’m seen by others?”

It wouldn’t have bothered me if Diana or someone else thought that way, but it was different coming from Raina. She shouldn’t misunderstand me. She shouldn’t think that my hostility was kindness and get too comfortable.

I turned around with a neutral expression and said, “I think you’re misunderstanding something. I’m not being kind to you. I’m not dirtying my hands because I know what you must pay for. That’s all.”

I saw her face stiffen, but I turned back and continued walking. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

But then I heard a stubborn voice from behind. “Regardless, you have still been kind to me. The clothes, the jewelry, the maid who helped me get ready, and the compliments you gave me. Whatever you say, I’ll still be grateful.”

I twisted my lips. Of course, she didn’t know about the underlying reasons. My cold voice said, “We’ll see if you’ll still be grateful.”

My eyes grew colder as I thought, “At least I’m only giving her the trials she deserves. Anything else, she brought on herself.”

When I greeted the group of young ladies around a small table, their faces lit up. They wore extravagant dresses in ocean blue, pale pink, and other luxurious shades. They started speaking in lively voices, making the air feel brighter.

However, as expected, they weren’t as harmless and sweet as they appeared. They all had positions, power, and a certain level of cruelty in their hearts.

“Oh my, Carmilla! Finally.”

Diana’s cheerful voice was accompanied by Belladona from Baron Rozi’s family, who gently scolded, “We’ve been waiting. It’s been so long. How could you forget about us?”

She was tall, with long black hair, and her deep black eyes looked mysterious and slightly melancholic.

At that moment, Hyde, a count’s daughter with green eyes and pink hair, quickly jumped in, rebuking Belladonna. “Oh, that’s not true. She’s been through a lot lately.”

But Belladonna, fanning herself, waved off Hyde’s words. “I just meant I missed her.”

Then, the quiet and demure young lady from the Earl Hestion family, with brown hair and brown eyes, gently offered a seat. “Welcome. Please, take a seat.”

After sitting down, Hyde, who had stayed silent until then, asked a question. “By the way, who is that young lady?”

I realized at that moment that she was enjoying this. Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity as if she were a cat eyeing a toy, her gaze filled with a cruel sense of amusement.

Normally, someone would intervene or give a subtle warning, but I didn’t respond and simply said in a polite tone, “She’s a new addition to the family, a distant relative of the Armen family.”

The atmosphere shifted immediately. Their faces showed a mix of subtle hostility and disdain, only noticeable to the keen observer.

“The rumors spread fast,” I thought, but I didn’t react to their signals and continued. “She’s a ward of mine, adopted from a distant branch of the family. Her name is Raina Armen.”

That was when their expressions froze completely. They were now sure that Raina, who looked as elegantly dressed as any noble daughter, had originally been a servant who helped with their makeup and bathing.

“Ah, her.”

“I heard about her.”

They all spoke with polite smiles, but their eyes remained cold.

Hestion, who was quiet but not immune to the politics, also narrowed her eyes.

In this society, one’s position mattered immensely—based on family size, business success, and alliances. No one entered such an elite group without a reason. I was the daughter of the treasury minister, and my family held both wealth and power.

Diana, who appeared so cheerful, was the daughter of a noble family with deep ties to the royal court, and she was adept at gathering and leading people.

“Raina, this is Diana Rust, a Armen lady with a fiery red smile. If you want to know the gossip of high society, you can’t leave her out. And beyond her family, she’s simply delightful and witty.”

Diana smiled, her red lips curling.

“Too kind.”

I glanced at the next person, Belladonna Rozi, from the Baron Rozi family. Despite her family’s mixed heritage sometimes being looked down upon, they had accumulated immense wealth from their trading ventures and were moving into central politics.

“This is Belladonna Rozi. Her black hair flows like silk, and her mysterious eyes are simply captivating.”

Belladonna smiled behind her fan. “You’re too kind, Lady.”

I continued, “She’s the head of the Rozi trading company, and if you ask her, she can get you any rare gem, no matter where it’s from.”

Her brother was also a trusted member of the royal court.

“Just don’t get too close to her brother. He’s her pride, though you’re already engaged, of course.”

A light laugh filled the air. Diana laughed like a clear bell.

I nodded with a smile before moving on.

“This is Hyde Solar. If you want an invitation to the imperial palace, you’ll want to stay on her good side. She’s the royal concubine’s most beloved, the most precious gem of the Solar family.”

Hyde, with a smug smile, gave me a knowing look. But she had the right to be arrogant—her family had earned favor from the emperor.

“Finally, this is Hestion. The Ea family was given to her brother by the emperor as a reward for his military service.”

Even the quietest of them all, Heston, symbolized success due to her brother’s heroic deeds.

And of course, this elite circle was not open to anyone, especially not someone who used to bow and serve them as a servant. No one would accept her as an equal.

I turned to Raina, who had a calm smile, unaware of the subtle hostility in the air. She introduced herself nervously.

“Nice to meet you all, I’m Raina Armen, engaged to Bern Demeter.”

As soon as she finished, Hyde suddenly asked, “Is it true that you’re the reason Carmilla’s engagement broke off?”

Raina froze in shock. “What?”

Belladonna, with a lazy tone, tried to cover it up. “Oh dear, Hyde, you’re being too cruel.”

Raina tried to respond calmly, but her voice was trembling. I realized this was too much and decided to step in.