Taming The Villainesses

Episode 281.1

While Stella quickly left her seat, Mirna pinched my side tightly.

Then, with a voice as stern as an interrogating officer, she asked, “Is Lady Bellhawk also part of that plan?”

I thought that smart as she is, Mirna might have already guessed the answer. But it seemed she wanted to hear it directly from me to end the conversation.

「You have calmly judged the situation!

You have gained experience points through the talent 《Calm Thinking》.

All job experience +5」

As Calm Thinking kicked in, many thoughts raced through my mind in a short span of time.

For example, things like this:

Had Mirna ever forgiven me for the lies I told, for proceeding with things on my own?

However, to say she had fully approved would be somewhat inaccurate.

Forgiveness and permission—there’s a subtle difference between the two.

As I realized that our future married life might hinge on the answer I give here, a sense of resolve spread through me like ink.

“Mirna-nim…”

“… Why are you calling me?”

Mirna glared at me after pinching my side. I said to her.

“You’re right, Mirna-nim.”

“……!”

Mirna seemed taken aback, her mouth slightly agape as if she were dizzy, and then she glared at me with her tightly furrowed brows.

“So, was this entire journey planned for that purpose? Did you recruit Lady Bellhawk as a guide as part of your scheme, Sir Theo…!?”

“That’s not it.”

“Liar! There’s no way someone as meticulous and cunning as you wouldn’t have orchestrated all of this!”

Meticulous and cunning?

What am I in Mirna’s head?

However, in this case, I hadn’t planned anything specific. It was merely coincidental. Nevertheless, it can be said that this journey has its own fortunes.

“Lady Mirna, since the situation is already like this, would you assist me in capturing Stella Bellhawk?”

“Y-you must be out of your mind! How could you ask me to help with something like that!?”

As expected, Mirna was furious. The way she bristled made her look like a hedgehog with its quills raised.

I was even prepared for a slap, but she didn’t, which just shows Mirna’s angelic heart.

The fact that I had to make such a proposal to such a kind woman filled me with shame and embarrassment, but I had to endure it.

This was the path of vengeance and sura I had chosen.

Enduring the pain that comes with it was solely my responsibility.

Hu-.

I let out a short breath, gathering my thoughts. Then, to persuade Mirna, I used Calm Thinking to the fullest and began to speak.

“Mirna-nim, it won’t be all bad for you.”

“Not bad? It’s clearly nothing but harm…!”

Her expression was a mix of anger and bewilderment.

Mirna’s face flushed deeply, and she looked on the verge of tears. I held up a finger towards her.

“As Mirna-nim knows, women in harems have ranks. It’s natural for such a hierarchy to form between people.”

“Hierarchy…?”

“It’s only natural that all families will ‘harmonize’ within the fence of Theo Gospel. But the real game begins after that.”

“The real game…?”

Seeing that Mirna was listening to my story, I repeated the story I had told Elga.

By assisting me and earning points, she would secure the right to sit on the highest throne in the harem.

“Imagine. Lady Elga of the Lioness family, even Queen Aira herself, bowing their heads to Mirna-nim, the mistress of the harem.”

“Bow their heads…?”

The four families of Angmar were descendants of heroes and kings who each ruled over their own lands. Because of this, they naturally possess an ambition to surpass the other families and rise above them.

Even Mirna, who normally doesn’t reveal her desires, let out a sly chuckle as if she were indulging in an amusing thought.

“I don’t know about anything else, but I rather like the idea of Lady Lioness attending to me. Making that proud wench my maid who combs my hair—”

Elga combing Mirna’s hair….

Mirna’s imagination was quite grand, but I had to break some unfortunate news to her.

“But right now, Elga-nim has secured quite a lot of points and is in the lead. She also helped significantly in winning you over. And most importantly, in her womb….”

I stopped talking at that point.

There was no need to say more. A clever person like Mirna would easily recall how history has shown the kind of treatment a queen who has given birth to the first child receives.

“… Was it Leonoi?”

“It’s Leonor.”

“That’s a girl’s name. So it’s a girl?”

“I’m not really sure about that.”

“Hmph… What a silly conversation.”

Whoosh.

Mirna grabbed her dish and quickly headed in the direction Stella had left.

In the end, I was left alone at the table, drenched in beer.

━Gyuiiiing.

No, I wasn’t entirely alone.

“This trip is going to be tougher than I thought.”

━Yingyingyaing.

* * *

The next morning.

When I opened my eyes to a tickling sensation, I found Mirna staring at me. She had woken me up with her feather fan.

“Ah, Lady Mirna.”

As I rubbed my sleepy eyes, Mirna spoke to me in a subtle tone.

“Since I’ve woken you up this morning, do I get points?”

“… Yes? Um, ah, points. Umm… Well, I’m not sure.”

“Why are you being vague?”

“Well, it’s just that waking me up in the morning alone might not be enough to earn points…”

“Then what do I need to do to get points?”

“…….”