Holy Power for a Villainess? - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

---

---

‘Let’s go, my ass. I never should’ve come here. Ugh….’

Inside, I was practically crying at the dining table filled with nothing but silence.

‘If nobody’s going to talk, then why even insist we eat together?’

That’s right.

Not a single word was being exchanged at this table.

Not Heinox, the organizer of this painfully awkward gathering, nor Renzard and Chedman, who had clearly been dragged here early in the morning for the same reason as me, opened their mouths even once.

They simply sat there quietly, cutting their food in silence.

‘This is so tense I can’t even eat without worrying about making noise.’

Even while cutting into that thick steak, Heinox didn’t make a single sound.

‘Chedman’s incredible too….’

Chedman displayed table manners so flawless it was hard to believe he was only twelve years old.

‘How is he not making even one sound with the dishes or utensils?’

Watching how perfect and refined he looked, as though he had been born that way, I suddenly understood why the original novel’s Renzard had practically worshipped his older brother Chedman.

‘As for Renzard… wait, why isn’t he eating?’

Unlike Chedman, who quietly continued eating, Renzard had completely put down his utensils.

‘No appetite?’

Judging by the dark look on his face, something had clearly happened.

‘Sigh. After causing such a scene last time, I guess he finally got scolded.’

He must’ve gotten thoroughly chewed out by Heinox over what happened in the dining room with me.

I clicked my tongue in pity.

“Tsk tsk.”

“What was that?”

“Huh?”

Was he talking to me? I didn’t say anything out loud though?

“I-I didn’t say anyfing….”

“Are you pretending innocence?”

As I tilted my head in confusion, clearly not understanding what he meant, Heinox scoffed incredulously.

“How ridiculous. Your shamelessness is astounding.”

‘Whew….’

Once Heinox looked back down at his plate, I took a deep breath to calm my pounding heart.

‘That was close… wait, I definitely only thought that in my head. Why did it come out?’

Thankfully, he didn’t seem too angry and didn’t scold me further.

Relieved by his surprisingly mild reaction, I was just about to resume eating when a quiet voice came from across the table.

“Father.”

Chedman, who had been silently eating, placed down his knife and looked at Heinox.

Heinox silently signaled for him to continue, and Chedman spoke.

“Why did you call us here?”

“Is eating together as a family such a strange thing?”

“…We’ve never done it before.”

“So? Do you dislike it?”

“That isn’t what I meant.”

‘Ooooh.’

Apparently, since this was the first family meal since Priscilla’s death, both Chedman and Renzard looked visibly uncomfortable.

The only person eating calmly here was Heinox.

Whether it had only been days or perhaps months between Priscilla’s death and Heinox leaving for the battlefield, it was obvious everyone was unsettled by this sudden change.

‘Still, I thought Renzard would be the one to say something like that.’

I’d assumed proper and disciplined Chedman would simply obey quietly, so this was unexpected.

Still, I was also curious why Heinox had suddenly insisted on family meals, so I silently waited for him to speak.

“An invitation arrived from the Imperial Palace.”

“From the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes. They’re holding a victory banquet.”

“Their intentions can’t possibly be limited to that.”

Heinox nodded.

“They probably wish to confirm something in front of all the nobles gathered there.”

“…Roxina.”

‘Me?’

Quietly listening to their conversation, my eyes widened at the sudden mention of my name.

“…Since I refused every invitation while I was away, the Imperial Palace is likely desperate to see Roxina somehow.”

‘Why would the Imperial Family want to see me?’

While I sat there confused by the cryptic exchange between the two, Heinox continued.

“Until now, the palace couldn’t openly summon her, so they stayed silent. But it’s rare for a Tanzeric child to never visit the palace even after turning four. They’re likely using the victory banquet as an excuse.”

“But until now, saying Roxina’s health was poor solved everything. Couldn’t we avoid this one the same way?”

At Chedman’s words, Heinox frowned as though he truly didn’t understand.

“Is Roxina sick right now?”

“That’s….”

“While I was away, the palace simply chose not to press the issue. Besides, rumors have likely already spread.”

“Rumors…?”

Still staring directly at me, Heinox answered.

“The rumors that the young lady’s health has improved.”

‘Ah…!’

Only then did I realize my mistake.

In the original story, Roxina’s childhood was only briefly described with something like:

“Childhood Roxina had been extremely frail.”

That was why she never attended gatherings with other noble children and barely even left her room.

And since the estate had never welcomed the idea of Roxina going outside or interacting with society anyway, it had been a convenient excuse.

But then suddenly hiring Dikal, a former Academy professor, and having a huge fight with Renzard…

At this point, it would be stranger if rumors didn’t spread.

‘No, maybe this isn’t actually bad.’

The victory banquet could actually become a chance to solidify my standing in noble society.

If I could prove to the other nobles that I wasn’t some abandoned child of the family, then they wouldn’t dare interfere so casually with everything I did in the future.

‘If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve asked for an etiquette teacher too….’

I’d only just started adapting to life at the estate, and now I had to attend a palace banquet packed with nobles.

I’d spent my whole life as the “faceless young lady,” so I didn’t even know what kinds of rumors were circulating about me.

Ah, should I just ask for an etiquette tutor first and delay appearing in public?

‘I’m not confident enough to face them calmly….’

As worries piled endlessly in my head, Heinox called my name.

“Roxina.”

“Yesss….”

“You will attend this party as well.”

“D-Duke…!”

I stared at him with pleading eyes like a cat watching its owner leave for work, desperately trying to express that I didn’t want to go, but Heinox remained firm.

“It is unacceptable for a member of House Tanzeric to miss a victory celebration banquet. It would only encourage rumors of discord within the family.”

“But Duke-nim and I really aren’t close though?”

At my question, Heinox paused briefly before calmly lifting his glass as though nothing had happened.

“Even so, you must go. Because you are my daughter.”

Seeing my devastated expression, he added:

“Nobles are obsessed with tearing down one another’s families.”

‘You’re a noble too….’

“Especially the Imperial Palace. They are highly wary of House Tanzeric. They likely believe we could point a blade at them at any moment.”

As though recalling an amusing memory, Heinox let out a faint laugh.

“To think the ruler of the Empire is such a coward… what a farce.”

Meeting my eyes directly, Heinox spoke.

“Roxina Tanzeric. Never forget this. You are the legitimate daughter of House Tanzeric and my child. You must never show an opening for those wolves to tear you apart.”

‘No, I’m saying you shouldn’t drag a kid with zero etiquette training into a noble banquet!’

Despite my internal frustration, there was only one answer I could give.

“Yes….”

“Then there is much to prepare before the party. For the time being, you no longer need to come to my office after lessons.”

“Understood….”

Heinox stared quietly at my lifeless response before leaving the dining hall first.

---

“Father!”

Chedman hurried after Heinox through the hallway.

At his son’s voice, Heinox stopped and turned around.

“Do you still have something to say?”

Standing directly before him, Chedman met Heinox’s deep blue eyes.

‘Cold.’

Ever since that day, Heinox’s eyes had become numb and freezing cold.

As though he had lost something precious.

Normally, even Chedman would have struggled to face those chilling blue eyes directly, but he forced himself to steady his trembling gaze and spoke.

“Roxina will undoubtedly become a target in high society. Everyone is desperate to tear her down.”

As the future heir of House Tanzeric, Chedman had maintained active relationships with many noble families and understood better than anyone what Roxina’s current image in noble society was.

“What do you mean?”

Far better than Heinox, who had been away for four years.

“…An ominous existence. A child who should be hidden away. The shame of House Tanzeric.”

As Chedman spoke those words aloud, he remembered Roxina sitting at the dining table earlier.

“What nonsense is this?!”

“These are all names people use to describe Roxina. In noble society, that image has already long since solidified. Since she never shows her face, people wonder whether she’s truly sick or simply neglected by her own family. Rumors kept growing until people even began saying she was born after devouring her own mother.”

“Who dares to spread such slander?!”

Unaffected even by Heinox’s furious shout, Chedman continued calmly.

“Not only nobles. Even the Imperial Family and commoners whisper about Roxina.”

“And what exactly were you doing while such absurd rumors spread?”

“You never said anything about it, Father.”

“What?”

Chedman curled the corner of his lips upward.

“While you remained on the battlefield, you never once asked about Roxina—not even when she was still less than a year old. Since you showed no interest, I simply saw no reason to interfere.”

Chedman’s words left Heinox speechless.

“You taught us to ignore everything else and look only ahead. What you’re seeing now is simply the result of that neglect.”

“……”

“I became acting head of the family overnight. I was too busy simply trying to protect the household. There was no way I could suppress such rumors.”

While Heinox drowned in grief after losing his wife, Chedman had also been abandoned in his own way.

Meeting Heinox’s silent gaze directly, Chedman continued.

“I clearly warned you. Roxina will not be welcomed at the banquet.”

“……”

Silence stretched between them.

Feeling slightly freed from the burden that had weighed on him for years, Chedman clenched his fist.

“Then I’ll be leaving now, Father.”

After Chedman turned and walked away, Heinox remained standing there long after his son disappeared from sight.

---

Morning had already arrived.

I felt like I’d only just fallen asleep, but somehow the sun was already up again.

Damn it, why does nighttime pass so quickly?!

I pulled the blanket over my head to block the sunlight stabbing into my eyes, only for Anne to immediately yank it away while trying to wake me.

“Miss! You need to get up!”

“Anne… I’m so sleepy….”

“Today absolutely won’t work! Even if we start preparing now, we’re already late!”

“Can’t I jus’ put clothes on an’ go….”

As I lazily mumbled, Anne raised her voice in disbelief.

“Absolutely not! We still have to travel all the way to the capital, and there’s so much left to prepare! Today is your first official appearance, Miss—you have to look more perfect than anyone else!”

Clenching her fist in determination, Anne dragged me toward the bathroom.

“Miss, go ‘Hmmm~’ for me. Hmmm~!”

“Hmmm….”

‘Ah, this is humiliating….’

At my age, sitting here going “Hmmm~” made me feel deeply ashamed, but whether Anne noticed my hollow stare or not, she hurriedly finished up and sat me in front of the vanity.

“I absolutely refuse to compromise on your hairstyle! Do you know how many days I spent thinking about how to braid your hair?”

“No….”

“Of course you don’t! I never told you on purpose! Every night before bed, I thought about it over and over. And finally, I came up with the perfect style. A hairstyle that would perfectly match the dress the Duke prepared for you! I imagined how beautiful you’d look and promised myself I’d reveal it on the big day and completely surprise everyone!”

‘That’s not the point, Anne….’

Overwhelmed by Anne’s overflowing passion, I suddenly felt exhausted.

“You can jus’ do it roughly….”

‘It’s not like I’ll fit in there anyway.’

Among the nobles attending the victory banquet, very few would genuinely be friendly toward me.

‘Most of them will just be weighing my value. Wondering what position I hold within House Tanzeric and whether there’s anything to gain from me.’

Which meant that even if they acted kind, I shouldn’t mistake it for sincerity.

Families hostile toward House Tanzeric would be eager to find faults with me too.

I would probably just stand there awkwardly amidst all that hypocrisy, which made Anne’s efforts feel almost pitiful.

“So really… rough is fine….”

“No!”

As I muttered weakly to myself, Anne suddenly shouted while brushing my hair.

“That’s absolutely not okay….”

“Anne…?”

Anne had never once raised her voice at me before.

Partly because I was the young lady she served, but mostly because Anne genuinely respected and cared for me.

Which made this sudden outburst feel completely unfamiliar.

“Anne, what’s wrong…?”

When I turned toward her with trembling eyes, Anne stood there silently staring at the floor, still gripping the brush tightly.

“Are… are you mad?”

As I carefully tugged at her sleeve and asked, Anne took a deep breath before speaking in a trembling voice.

“…No. How could I ever be angry at you, Miss?”

“Then why…?”

“…I may only be a maid who serves you, but I truly care about you.”

Still keeping her eyes lowered, Anne spoke slowly.

“When you’re sad, I feel heartbroken too. And when you’re happy, I become happy as well.”

“……”

“Every time I saw you looking so discouraged, I hated myself for not being able to do anything for you…”

The hand gripping the brush tightened until her knuckles turned white.

“So at least like this… I wanted to help you somehow. My skills may be insignificant, but I still wanted people to see it. I wanted them to realize how beautiful and wonderful you are….”

‘Ah….’

This was Anne’s way of helping.

She couldn’t step forward herself, but she wanted the world to love me when I finally appeared before them for the first time.

“I want you to be happy, Miss.”

As a servant, the only thing Anne could do for me was dress me beautifully.

But she had likely spent countless nights wondering how to help me leave the best impression possible.

Should my hair be worn down or braided?

What color should the dress be?

What decorations would suit me best?

To everyone else at the banquet, these things might seem trivial and meaningless.

But this was Anne’s way of showing her sincerity.