Our Villainess Has Changed

Chapter 28

Ah, Anette didn’t want to go back to that house.

But here she was, being begged to return.

When she closed her eyes, she could almost see the jewels she had left behind, calling her back.

Then, she had a great idea.

“Alright. I’ll go back.”

“…Really?”

Berndt’s face lit up with hope.

“But I have a few conditions. Let’s write a contract.”

“I’ll agree to anything you want.”

“First, you must never lay a hand on me again. No violence, ever.”

Anette spoke firmly as if she were a judge passing a verdict.

“Of course.”

Berndt had expected her to demand jewels or luxurious dresses, but she didn’t mention them at all.

She used to want those things only because of Heine. Anette had always wanted more beautiful jewels and fancier dresses than Heine.

Berndt watched her carefully. Was she still holding onto her past desire to be the crown princess?

She didn’t seem to be, but he wasn’t sure.

It especially bothered him that she had mentioned the prince of Villen earlier.

Berndt didn’t know what the prince looked like. Maybe he had seen him once at a royal ball a long time ago, but he couldn’t remember.

Anette hadn’t attended that ball. She didn’t like balls or tea parties much.

But whenever she did attend one, she caused chaos among the noble ladies.

A single sharp remark from her was enough to shatter their fragile hearts.

Because of this, Duke Royce rarely allowed Anette to attend balls.

As a result, Heine also missed out because Anette insisted on going whenever Heine did.

Now, Berndt was worried.

Has Anette met the prince of Villen before? Had she fallen for him?

If so, Berndt had to become king—so he could kill the prince.

Of course, thinking of Heine, he knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help feeling the impulse.

“And another condition,” Anette continued. “Duke Royce, who hit me, must never enter my room.”

“Fine.”

As long as it wasn’t about him, Berndt didn’t care.

“And finally…”

“Go on.”

“I’ll commute.”

Anette’s brilliant idea was this—she would not live in that house.

She needed a safety net.

And she didn’t want to lose this perfect side job.

Besides, she now had Enoch to take care of. It was her responsibility, but it was still important.

So, this was the perfect solution.

Berndt’s face twisted at her firm words.

Meanwhile, while Anette and Berndt talked elsewhere, the remaining people—Charles, Lucas, Edwin, and a knight from the Royce family—sat in silence.

Lucas anxiously waited for Anette to return from her conversation with Berndt.

‘Why?’

Why was he feeling so uneasy about Anette Etheled?

He didn’t understand why she made him so restless.

Charles felt the same.

He had never liked Berndt Royce.

Anette was rumored to be the most wicked woman in the kingdom, and the Royce family had thrown her out.

Yet now, they were asking her to return?

‘Shameless people.’

‘My lady would never leave me to go back there.’

Sure, she didn’t care about him much yet, but in time, she would.

In a way, Charles was thankful to the Royce family for throwing Anette out—it allowed him to meet her here.

‘Hmm.’

Charles thought for a moment.

Since Anette grew up in the Royce family, she must have spent a lot of time with Berndt.

He knew their relationship wasn’t good, but still…

‘I don’t like it. Suspicious bastard.’

The thought of Berndt knowing about Anette’s childhood irritated Charles.

‘I wish my family had taken her in instead of them.’

But that was just pointless regret.

Berndt Royce was also Charles’s older brother Robert’s rival.

Maybe that’s why every time Charles saw Berndt, he felt like the man was looking down on him.

‘How dare he look down on me, the great Charles?’

And worst of all, Berndt’s gaze toward Anette was suspicious.

No doubt about it—he was a pervert.

‘Berndt Royce, you pervert.’

Charles had no idea that someone like Anette might think he was the pervert instead.

Charles glanced at the knight who had come with Edwin.

Royce family knights were known for their skill.

‘Is that a mercenary?’

Charles arrogantly looked at Edwin, who sat quietly with his eyes lowered.

‘Using a mercenary as a knight? I’ll never understand the Royce family.’

Berndt Royce was far below him.

The only thing Berndt had over him was that he had grown up with Anette.

Charles turned his gaze to the door Anette had left through.

He couldn’t imagine a world without his lady anymore.

Waiting for her return was boring.

Meanwhile, the knight who had come with Edwin was overwhelmed.

He was sitting among the strongest knights in the entire continent.

‘I can’t believe I’m here.’

Some knights in the Royce family looked down on Edwin, but he didn’t. He respected Edwin a lot.

Of course, as a noble, he couldn’t show it.

Originally, another, more skilled knight was supposed to come instead of him.

But that knight, who despised Anette, pretended to be sick just to avoid coming.

So, this knight had taken his place at the last minute.

At first, he was scared, since Anette had insulted him before.

But she seemed different today.

He had expected her to lash out at him, but nothing happened.

Now, he was glad he had come.

The four strongest knights on the continent were well known.

And three of them were in this very room.

The only one missing was Kaya Ascania, the commander of the royal knights.

Even though the monarchy had weakened, no one dared to seize the throne by force.

And that was because of Kaya Ascania.

She had fought alongside King Diallo Aureolus III in many conquests and had never lost a battle.

She was a legend among knights.

The other two undefeated knights were also in the room.

One was the legendary mercenary, Edwin Carte.

Even though the continent was mostly at peace, smaller wars still raged.

Every lord wanted to hire Edwin, offering him a fortune.

He had never lost a battle.

When he became a knight, some resented it, thinking a mere mercenary didn’t deserve such a title.

But even among the Royce family knights, some secretly admired him.

Then there was Lucas Roiental, the commander of the First Order of the Holy Knights.

Even though he was considered only half a noble, he was undoubtedly one of the strongest knights.

He had never lost a fight.

Among the four strongest knights, only one had ever lost before—Charles de Avenne.

But Charles refused to acknowledge it.

He believed he could never lose to Lucas Roiental.

He preferred skill over brute strength and had exceptional technique.

But since he disliked getting dirty, he always fought carefully.

That’s why he lost to Lucas, who fought relentlessly.

It was a close match, but still, a loss.

However, Charles believed that if he didn’t hold back, he would win.

Of course, that was just his own opinion.

The room remained silent as they all waited for Anette to return.

Unlike the quiet group, Anette and Berndt were deep in conversation.

“I’ll commute,” Anette repeated.

Berndt was stunned.

“Commute? What do you mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. I’ll go to work at your house in the morning and return here in the evening.”

“That doesn’t make any sense…”

Berndt blinked, unable to understand her logic.

He had no idea what a modern mindset was.

Anette smiled, proud of her perfect plan.

It was an excellent decision.

She had once envied Julie, who had a home to return to after work.

Of course, the duchy wouldn’t be a warm and loving home, but at least her jewels would be waiting for her.

However, commuting would be inconvenient.

She had already prepared for that.

“I might stay here overnight sometimes if I’m too tired,” she added.

“Here? Then you’re not going back.”

“I won’t stay out for more than one night in a row. Oh! And you’re not allowed to complain about it. Deal?”

“Hah. Staying out?”

“Yes. Staying out.”

A ridiculous contract.

He wanted to laugh and drag her back by force.

But he was the one who needed her.

If agreeing to these terms meant she would come back, then he had no choice.

“…Fine.”

Anette smirked in victory.

Berndt had never seen her smile like that before.

Whenever she smiled at him, it was always mocking or full of contempt.

Now, seeing her genuinely pleased was strange and unsettling.