Our Villainess Has Changed

Chapter 26

Anette planned to finish cleaning Lucas’ office before lunchtime. She thought working hard might make the dry, boring bread taste better.

“I want some ramen…”

As she climbed the stairs to Lucas’ office, someone rushed past her at an incredible speed. The knight who had just zoomed by stopped in front of the office knocked, and threw the door open.

“Commander! This is urgent! The Royce family has arrived with their knights! You need to go immediately. The Second Knight Commander is already there!”

Anette’s mouth dropped open.

Oh. She had forgotten.

Yesterday, she ran away. Now that morning had come, Berndt must have found out and come running.

She thought about the small jewels she had taken with her.

Surely, he wasn’t making a fuss over those… especially since she had lost them.

Even as an ordinary citizen, Anette hadn’t dared to take the large jewels.

Her hands trembled too much at the thought.

“He said they were mine anyway.”

Anette decided not to worry too much.

A moment later, Lucas stepped out of his office. Even though she had only seen him yesterday, it felt like a long time.

“Damn, still good-looking.”

Anette admired Lucas in his knight commander uniform.

“Anette?”

“….”

Lucas looked happy to see her. Anette casually raised a hand in greeting.

“You came at the right time. Berndt Royce is here looking for you again. Are you going to avoid him this time too?”

“Hmm…”

Anette hesitated.

He brought knights with him. If things went south, this could turn into a big problem.

Berndt had scary eyes, but he wasn’t too difficult to deal with.

She figured she could convince him to leave.

“I’ll meet him.”

“Why?”

Lucas frowned.

“Just because.”

Anette trailed off, avoiding a clear answer.

Lucas sighed.

“Fine. If that’s what you want. Follow me.”

Lucas led the way, and Anette set down her cleaning supplies before following him.

Inside the room, it was already crowded.

On one side, Berndt Royce sat with one leg crossed, looking smug. Behind him stood Edwin and another unfamiliar knight.

And on the other side…

“….”

Charles was looking at Anette with a heartbreaking gaze.

He had been sitting with his legs crossed like Berndt, but the moment Anette walked in, his golden eyes sparkled.

His expression turned desperate, and his eyes became slightly watery.

Lucas took a seat next to Charles, and Anette found herself in the middle.

She felt like a mediator or a boss. At least she was in the most important-looking seat.

Charles’ intense gaze was overwhelming, but Anette pretended not to notice.

“Anette Etheled.”

Berndt called her name in a cold, low voice.

“Let’s not make this complicated. Come back home.”

Anette glanced at Berndt but said nothing.

“Anette is already part of this temple. Besides, it seems she doesn’t want to return.”

Lucas answered in her place.

Berndt glared at Lucas.

“….”

Meanwhile, Charles kept staring at Anette with sad, longing eyes.

Berndt hated everything about this situation.

Anette, dressed in a maid’s uniform.

Lucas acted like he had a right to protect her.

And Charles, staring at her like she was the love of his life.

He wanted to cut out all their eyes.

Especially Charles.

The Avenne family was his biggest political rival.

Right now, the royal power is weak. The two families most likely to take the throne were the Avennes and the Royces.

In terms of succession order, Avenne had the advantage. But Royce had proximity to the capital and their lands, which was a strategic advantage if conflict arose.

The air was thick with tension.

Everyone in the room was glaring at someone else.

Anette glanced around the room.

“Wow. A gathering of lunatics.”

A perfect collection of crazies.

She examined them one by one.

First, Charles.

A desperate man, looking like he might cry any second.

“Master.”

No one else saw it, but Anette did.

“There’s no way a normal human would act like this…”

He had mouthed the word “Master.”

No sound, just the tiniest movement of his lips. No one could have noticed.

But Anette could almost hear it.

She shut her eyes.

“This guy is still insane. He looks perfect, but…”

She stared at his platinum blonde hair and golden eyes with regret.

So beautiful.

And so insanely obsessed.

Next, Lucas.

Another lunatic.

Rude as hell, but she had to admit—he had an amazing body.

She was the only one in this room who had seen him shirtless.

“It was… impressive.”

Their first meeting had been great.

Until he opened his mouth.

Even now, she could remember his wet black hair and the water dripping down his chest.

A masterpiece.

Black hair, blue eyes—perfection.

Except for his fatal flaws.

One, he had a terrible attitude.

Two, he was a monk.

Well, she wasn’t sure about that last part. She had never checked.

But when she said, “Shall we sleep?” he just went to sleep.

Maybe he was just innocent.

Better than being creepy, she supposed.

Thinking about it like that, he seemed almost cute.

Lucas was the only one she had ever imagined getting to that point with.

Then, she looked at Berndt.

Dark brown hair, almost red. Reddish eyes.

A dangerous, seductive kind of crazy.

Her gaze dropped to his hands.

Veins on his knuckles…

Anette swallowed.

“Why do those veins look so attractive?”

Not just the veins. His whole body was well-built.

But Anette didn’t like him much.

She remembered the jewels she lost.

That was reason enough.

Finally, Edwin.

Gray hair, gray eyes. He reminded her of a wild wolf.

But he was the worst of them all.

He stole her money.

“I’ll never forgive him. Ever.”

For a brief moment, silence filled the room as Anette’s mind raced.

Berndt, irritated, turned to Anette.

“Anette, I need to talk to you alone.”

“Alone?”

She asked.

At the same time, Lucas and Charles answered.

“No.”

“No way.”

Berndt let out an incredulous laugh.

These idiots.

Who were they to answer for her?

It was annoying.

Anette had spent most of her life in the Royce family.

He had the right to be her guardian. These two had no claim over her. So why…?

“Alright.”

Anette agreed without hesitation.

Berndt smirked at Lucas and Charles.

Lucas scowled, while Charles looked on the verge of tears.

Edwin and the other knight remained emotionless.

As Berndt and Anette stood up, his eyes flicked to Charles.

“What’s with this Avenne guy?”

Of all people, Charles’ behavior made the least sense to him.

That arrogant noble, always acting like he was above everyone else—yet today, he was completely silent.

Just staring at Anette like a lost puppy.

And Berndt wasn’t the only one annoyed.

Edwin, standing behind him, felt the same way.

Why were these people acting so close to Anette?

She wasn’t the type to be friendly.

She had never cared about anyone.

Not a single person.

Anette followed Berndt to a private lounge, guided by a maid.

Facing him, she felt awkward.

Running away yesterday made this a little embarrassing.

But oh well, this was her home.

“Anette, if you’ve lost your memory, you need stability.”

“True.”

That’s why she needed Enoch.

“This temple can’t give you that. And that maid outfit—what are you thinking?”

“….”

She was thinking about earning money to propose to Enoch.

So she just listened.

“That kind of outfit doesn’t suit you. You used to love luxury. Have you suddenly turned religious?”

Yes, she had just decided.

“Maybe.”

“Ha. Stop talking nonsense. Let’s go home.”

Home?

Unlike yesterday, Berndt’s eyes weren’t as crazy.

They looked… sincere.