Jeanne Herzfeld was a 20-year-old young lady.

She is treated like an aristocratic lady by those in her presence, but she was well aware of what was said behind her back. They made comments like, “A stuck up lady who can only studying,” or “a lady who missed her chance to marry.”

Not even her father, who stood before her, was any different.  His thoughts regarding her were quite clear.

“How are your studies for the examination going?”

“…Father, weren’t you opposed my taking the National Exam?”

She could not hide her confusion at his suddenly inquiring about the progress of her preparations. Until now, he would only open his mouth to say things like, “Get married already,” or “Improve your appearance so you can get closer to His Majesty the King.”

It wasn’t just unusual. This might have been the first time in her 20 years of life that such a thing had happened.

However, what her father was concerned with upon coming to her room after returning from the palace was something completely different from what Jeanne had expected.

“Apparently, the villainess from the Kingdom of Branwill intends to take the upcoming National Exam.”

“Huh?”

“She beguiles all kinds of men, seeks gold, silver, and treasure, and without anyone realizing, even ensnared His Majesty the King. This is a grave situation. It’s unforgiveable.”

The pipe in his hand snapped with a crack. He was furious, but Jeanne’s mind was elsewhere.

“A villainess…?”

“If you see her acting suspiciously at the venue, report it. You’ll be our trump card when the time comes. I’m counting on you.”

I see, the reason for Father’s strange behavior makes perfect sense now.

As expected, her father wasn’t so much in favor of her gaining a position through her own efforts, but that the given current situation placed his daughter taking the national examination to be to his advantage.

Jeanne knew that being treated like a pawn was inevitable as a noblewoman. However, today, for some reason, she couldn’t accept it so easily and wanted to resist.

“…By villainess, do you mean the woman said to be accompanying the delegation from the Kingdom of Branwill? If so, I haven’t heard any reports regarding moral corruption.”

“She has strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes. Her unique presence seduces and captivates those around her, enslaving them to her wiles, just as the rumors claim. Even His Majesty the King has been charmed, and no longer listens to a word I say. He seems utterly infatuated with that villainess. How nauseating!”

“Strawberry blonde…”

Those distinct features were familiar enough for her to confirm a connection with the day’s earlier events. Like I thought.  She nodded internally while her father’s expression twisted into a spiteful grin, completely mistaken in his assumptions.

“That villainess! I’m sure she’ll cheat on the day of the exam. We’ll increase the number of examiners and watch her carefully! If she makes even the slightest suspicious move, we’ll have her imprisoned on the spot!”

“Father, you’re very enthusiastic. With how motivated you are, I can see why you ranked second in the National Exam 30 years ago. Studying for it is enough to make one dizzy. Ranking highly would be difficult unless it’s taken that seriously.”

She had implied, “Your obsession with Villainess Avril is terrifying,’ but her father seemed to have interpreted it as a compliment for being serious and hardworking. He turned to her in high spirits.

“You’re a woman. There are much easier ways to advance yourself than studying. I envy you. By the way, I’ve arranged a dinner with His Majesty the King, so prepare for it.”

“Except every ‘dinner with His Majesty the King,’ Father arranges never come to pass.”

“This time it’ll happen. I’ve arranged for every noble who supported that youngster to attend as well. I’m sure he won’t stand us up this time.”

Without letting Jeanne finish, Alois left the room in high spirits. Flaring up in anger, then laughing gleefully, he was a busy man indeed.

Jeanne was truly relieved she hadn’t inherited her father’s tendency for wild assumptions or his refusal to listen to others.

Watching her father from a slight distance, she was confident that she could more accurately grasp the situation. Her father believed he could easily manipulate the king, but she understood very well that was far from the case.

When the king first ascended to the throne, Alois’ influence was important, but now that his foundation was starting to stabilize, it seemed that Listeard was merely humoring Alois.

Her father still dreamed of rising in power and coming to rule the country from the shadows. Hence why he wished for Jeanne to become queen. However, her father’s dreams seemed to be reaching their end.

While the king was without consort, he did have a younger sister, Her Highness Emilia.

Although she was sickly, her skillful maneuvering had allowed for the royal foundation to solidify. That structure was evident even from afar.

I was able to remember the rumors about the foreign villainess because I had heard that Her Highness Princess Emilia keeps a portrait of her in her room.

Recalling the day’s unexpected encounter, Jeanne tilted her head.

“The Villainess Avril… she was definitely the one I met at the library today. She seemed a bit out of sorts, though.”

Avril Allingham not only went out of her way to lift and carry a sick person, she looked genuinely worried about her. No matter how Jeanne looked at it, she couldn’t think if her as a wicked woman.

Despite her delicate frame, she carried someone almost the same size as Jeanne on her back without a single complaint. On the contrary, she had sincerely expressed concerned for the woman’s wellbeing.

No, she had complained here and there, but not once did she sound serious. At times, her complaints didn’t even come off as complaints. Without even noticing that herself, she continued to worry only for the woman she carried.

She supported another while wearing high-heels, something difficult for young noblewomen unaccustomed to walking much, with remarkable stability. Jeanne had found herself increasingly bewildered by what she was witnessing.

What’s more was the strange things Avril had said.  She had expressed worry for the sick lady, but also expressed desire to return home soon. When Jeanne suggested, “Why not lay her down on the floor?” so as to gauge her intentions, Avril had looked genuinely appalled.

Most likely, even if it meant trouble or getting dirty, the thought of placing someone on the floor hadn’t even occurred to her.

Then, after the sick person’s escort had arrived, Avril had presented her with a different kind of surprise.  Judging from the books Jeanne was holding, and also likely factoring in the current holdings of the library, she had offered sound advice.

If she were preparing for the national exam, then there’d be nothing wrong with what she did. However, if Jeanne’s father was telling the truth, then Avril, who was supposedly out enjoying herself every night and disrupting public morals, had grasped the contents of the most difficult exam in the country in just a few weeks.

This was clearly beyond what any normal person could do. More than that, she couldn’t believe Avril was the villainess her father had described.

“—Perhaps Lady Avril has circumstances of her own.”

The clever Jeanne didn’t need long to reach that conclusion.

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