The Villain’s Daughter and the Heroine’s Friendly Plan

After getting her kiss, Milady didn’t make any more strange requests for the rest of the day.

Honestly, aside from that kiss, everything else was no different from our usual daily life.

Cooking her favorite food.

Bathing together.

Letting her cling to me whenever she pleased.

And finally, holding her until she drifted off to sleep that night.

…Ah, no, there was one difference—sharing a bed.

I thought to slip quietly back to my own room in the middle of the night, worried that waking too early might disturb Milady.

But she clamped her arms around me like an iron lock, and I couldn’t leave her grasp at all.

I’m not sure why, but being hugged like a pillow gave me a strange sense of déjà vu.

The next morning, dragging along a sore body from being squeezed all night, I reported back for the maids’ shift.

Naturally, Head Maid Shilorine demanded an explanation.

But she was an understanding woman, and when I explained, she forgave me easily.

…Though she did assign me extra work.

Time passed.

Ice and snow melted.

Winter faded, and spring quietly arrived.

Before long, it was once again my turn to go out shopping.

Ever since that kidnapping incident, Milady had insisted I not be assigned procurement tasks.

I still remembered how the head maid had sighed in disappointment back then, saying, “Such a useful one, too…”

But this day, the maid responsible for shopping had taken leave, and no one else was available.

So naturally, the task fell to me—the most unoccupied.

That was just as well.

It gave me an excuse to drop by and meet Sophina, maybe gather some intelligence from her.

For instance… about Daniel.

At the very least, I wanted to confirm whether she had encountered him yet.

As I was considering just how to broach the subject with Sophina…

“Ailena!”

Milady’s voice rang from behind me.

“Mi…lady?”

When I turned and saw her face, I instantly lowered my gaze in awkwardness.

All I could do was stare at her white little feet.

Ever since I kissed her cheek, I found it hard to look her straight in the face.

Because no matter what, that day’s kiss would resurface in my thoughts…

“Ailena… Why won’t you look at me again?”

“Uh… Milady…”

I was at a loss under her questioning.

“Fine, I’ll ask another way. Dressed like that, where are you going?”

Indeed, I was not in my usual maid attire today, but dressed casually for going out.

“…Well, because today I’ve been assigned to do the shopping.”

“Shopping? Didn’t I say before you weren’t allowed to do that anymore?”

“Milady, it’s only because today is special…”

I steadied myself, raised my eyes to her, and explained everything honestly.

“I understand your reasons… it truly is special circumstances.”

She said so, but the sharp tilt of her eyes betrayed her dissatisfaction.

“But even so… I still don’t trust letting you go out alone!”

“Milady, I’m not truly alone. After the abduction incident, every maid who goes out is now escorted by several knights.”

And of course, that kidnapping had only happened because the plot had been disrupted, making me the substitute target in place of Prince Edwin.

“That’s even worse! What if some vermin plotting against you are hiding among those knights themselves?”

She muttered the last bit too low for me to catch clearly.

“No! If you must be accompanied by knights, then I’ll go with you too!”

“…Eh?”

Her sudden proposal left me stunned.

“What’s wrong? I’m far stronger than any knight. Isn’t it safer if I serve as your guard?”

Well… she wasn’t entirely wrong.

But what kind of servant lets their young mistress personally follow them on shopping trips?

It was supposed to be the other way around!

Especially when said mistress was the daughter of the highest duke in the kingdom, beneath only royalty itself.

Then again…

Wasn’t this the perfect chance for Milady to strengthen her relationship with Sophina?

In the game, Katarina’s downfall as the villainess came precisely from bullying Sophina.

Even if we already erased that flag by driving away the wicked maid, the storyline as a whole remained largely intact.

Especially the parts concerning the male lead—

The Duke, after being injured, effectively abdicated family affairs into Claude’s hands.

And Daniel, after the kidnapping incident, was fated to encounter the heroine.

So the possibility of Milady becoming a villainess still lingered.

If I could arrange for her to be friends with the heroine before the story even started… wouldn’t that prevent her bad ending altogether?

It was worth trying.

“…Very well. But you’ll have to secure Young Master Claude’s permission first. After all, no decision concerning the Duke’s daughter’s safety can be taken lightly.”

“No problem. Let’s hurry, then!”

Young Master Claude readily agreed.

He even gave us a thumbs‑up.

“Let her go out more. Understanding the lives of the people is a good thing.”

I had not expected him to have such a justifiable excuse prepared.

In any case, our departure went smoothly.

“Well, if it isn’t little Ailena! Here, Auntie will throw in some extra potatoes!”

“Thank you, Auntie Mareen~”

“My goodness, Ailena? Long time no see! How have you been lately? Uncle’s got a free bottle of milk for you.”

“It’s been a while, Uncle Padrek. I’ve been well, thank you kindly for the milk!”

“There she is—our most adorable Ailena! Back out shopping again? Take these too, all yours!”

“Wow! Thank you, Auntie Dallena!”

The townsfolk greeted me with such warmth that before I knew it, my arms were full of parcels.

“Ailena, let me carry some.”

Milady reached out to take some bags, trying to help.

But a maid who let her young mistress carry groceries? That was the very definition of failure.

So of course, I refused her.

“It’s fine. This much weight is nothing. And besides, we’re almost to the carriage already—there’s no need to trouble you, Milady.”

“Mmm…”

She puffed her cheeks in mild displeasure.

“But really, Ailena… you’re quite popular, aren’t you? I knew it already, of course, but I didn’t expect this much.”

Her eyes lingered on the heap of gifts in my arms.

Popular… was she talking about the uncles and aunties enthusiastically giving me things?

“Maybe they just pity me, seeing I’m still a child yet working hard.”

“…Sigh, Ailena really hasn’t the slightest idea of her own charm.”

“I don’t have any charm.”

After all, inside this body is a man.

It’s only natural elders would dote on a little girl working diligently.

We chatted like this until we returned to the carriage.

“Have you bought everything we need?”

“Yes.”

I checked the list once more and nodded.

“All of it, with quite a bit extra.”

Most of that, of course, had been gifts.

“Then… shall we return right away?”

“No, not yet.”

Now came the main purpose of this trip!

I had already told the coachman to drive toward Klin Town.

“Next, I want to meet up with Sophina.”

I said it with a bright smile.

But Milady’s eyes widened, her whole posture bristling like a cat with every hair on end.

“Whaaaat?!”