Our Villainess Has Changed

Chapter 35

As Anette entered the dining hall, she saw the other servants working hard and sweating just like her.

She and Lucy greeted them cheerfully before grabbing their meals and sitting down.

Lunch was, once again, just bread.

Considering how severe the drought was, she was grateful to have food at all.

But still, she couldn’t help feeling a little dissatisfied.

Seeing Anette take a bite of her bread with a sulky expression, Lucy spoke up.

“Oh, right! Anette, Asil wanted me to say thank you! And he also said that even if you don’t get the money back, it’s okay.”

“That won’t happen.”

Anette had no intention of letting that money go unpaid.

It was impossible to save enough money to open a shop just by working as a maid.

She wanted to start some freelance work that paid per task.

The problem was time. There was always too much work to do at the temple.

If she could find another source of income, she would switch to a five-day workweek at the temple in a heartbeat.

“By the way, is it true that fewer maids are applying to work at the temple these days?”

“Well… I guess noble households offer easier work and better pay.

Most people probably prefer that.”

That made sense.

Anette nodded while chewing her bread.

She had thought the temple was a dream job, but, better-paying, more comfortable jobs were elsewhere.

“Then why did you choose to work at the temple, Lucy?”

“To get into a noble’s house, you need a recommendation. But I don’t have anyone who can introduce me to a good place, so I had no choice.”

“I see…”

To work in a noble’s mansion in the capital, a recommendation letter was required.

In other words, only people with connections could get in.

So, it was all about nepotism, huh?

Anette clicked her tongue and continued eating.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned to Lucy.

“Oh, right, Lucy. Starting today, I’ll be going to the Royce estate after work.”

“What? Why? Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Yeah, it just turned out that way.”

“What if they hurt you again?”

Lucy looked at her with concern. Anette waved her hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry. That won’t happen again.”

“I’m still worried. If you need my help, promise you’ll tell me, okay? We’re friends.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

Anette smiled at Lucy.

Lucy was the first friend she had made here.

They weren’t close enough to share everything, but knowing someone cared about her felt reassuring.

Hearing Lucy’s concern made Anette feel warm inside.

After lunch, Anette enjoyed a short but sweet nap.

When she woke up, she freshened up and tied her messy hair into a loose ponytail.

Her beautiful platinum and pink-gradient hair shimmered as she casually tied it up.

Then, feeling a little nervous, she headed toward Lucas’s office.

Of course, since he had promised to grant her a request, she had every right to ask for something.

But for some reason, she still felt nervous.

‘Is it because of yesterday…?’

Anette glanced at the small wound on her ankle where Lucas had applied ointment.

It wasn’t even painful anymore—just a tiny scratch.

Yet, Lucas had treated it as if it were a serious injury, carefully applying the medicine.

The atmosphere at that moment had been strange.

His hands had been warm, his breath had been close…

If Lucas weren’t completely uninterested in romance, something could have happened.

Shaking off her wandering thoughts, Anette hurried toward his office.

But just as she was about to knock, she ran into someone she didn’t want to deal with.

A dazzlingly handsome man with platinum hair glanced around to make sure no one was watching before mouthing words at her.

‘Master.’

“This is a public place. Don’t do that, even with just your lips.”

“…Okay.”

Charles pouted in response.

Anette sighed and looked at him with a headache already forming.

As always, he looked like a divine being.

“Are you here to see Sir Roiental?”

Charles shot a wary look at Lucas’s office door.

Anette hesitated, then shook her head.

“…No. I’m just here to clean.”

She didn’t want to tell him the truth.

If Charles knew she was going with Lucas to collect money from Count Tirel, both of them would likely refuse to go out of sheer stubbornness.

Luckily, he seemed to accept her answer.

“I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Please make time for me tomorrow.”

“Why?” Anette looked at him suspiciously.

“We have to attend the ball, remember?”

“…Yeah.”

“You need a dress. I’ve invited the best designer in the capital.

Please come to my office tomorrow.”

“Hmm…”

The best designer in the capital? That meant an expensive dress.

If it was free, she wouldn’t turn it down.

And if it was good enough, she could even sell it later.

“Alright.”

“Come in the afternoon. Should I come pick you up?”

“No need. I’ll just go after finishing my cleaning duties. Don’t follow me around.”

Why did he need to escort her? It wasn’t even far.

Anette dismissed the offer without hesitation.

“…”

Charles bit his lip.

His master was always so cold to him.

No matter how much he tried, she never seemed to appreciate him.

He wanted to throw himself at her feet and beg for attention, but he knew that would only make her push him away even more.

Just imagining it sent a thrill through him… but the sadness was stronger.

Someday, she would realize his worth.

If he just waited patiently, she would cherish him one day.

“Hurry up and go. I need to clean.”

“…”

She always treated him like an embarrassment.

She was probably worried someone might see them talking alone.

Anette waved her hands, urging him to leave quickly.

It hurt… but it also felt like they were secretly dating.

That thought alone made him smile.

“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow at my office.”

“Yeah, yeah, just go already!”

“I adore you, Master.”

…What?

Had he lost his mind?

She told him to leave, and yet he was acting like he had just received a love confession.

With a bright, sweet smile, Charles finally walked away.

Left alone, Anette cleared her throat awkwardly.

That guy was insane.

But honestly… It was kind of cute.

She felt the corners of her mouth twitching upward.

A helpless chuckle escaped her lips.

Ha, seriously.

No way.

She wasn’t getting used to this crazy temple, was she?

Anette felt conflicted.

But… how could she not smile?

A gorgeous, flashing such a dazzling smile…

There’s a saying that you can’t be rude to a smiling face.

That must be why.

Yes, definitely.

“I’m still normal.”

She repeated that to herself five times, just to be sure.

Just then, Lucas’s office door swung open.

“What are you mumbling about?”

“Ah…”

Lucas looked down at her with a questioning gaze.

“Why are you standing here muttering to yourself like an idiot?”

“…I came to ask for a favor.”

Anette quickly entered his office.

Lucas, without questioning further, gestured for her to sit.

“What is it?”

“You’ll grant me anything, right?”

“What could it possibly be?”

Anette took a deep breath and spoke.

“I need you to come with me to Count Tirel’s estate to collect some money.”

“What?”

Lucas was speechless.