Though I Am an Inept Villainess

Lady Keigetsu. I'm here to pick you up.

SHU CLAN COURT LADY - LEELEE

A plain washed-scarlet garment...

SHU CLAN MAIDEN - SHU KEIGETSU

She must serve the Shu clan.

I wonder if she is a lower court lady?

The Noble Consort has given orders for me to assist you in your relocation.

Relocation?

She said someone who created a ruckus in the inner court

cannot be treated the same as before, even if innocent.

I understand.

Please lead the way.

Um, you are....

I am Leelee.

Leelee.

I have been serving at your side for the past year.

But I suppose this is your level of recognition of me.

Huh?

She is a personal court lady?

You could have some doubt about whether or not I am the actual person.

THOUGH I AM AN INEPT VILLAINESS

INNER COURT PALACE OF THE VERMILLION STALLION

So this is the Shu Palace.

Of the five clans representing the Kingdom of Ei,

the Shu clan governed the southern lands and revered fire.

IMPERIAL CAPITAL

THE WEST

KINGDOM OF EI

SHU CLAN SOUTHERN LANDS

So gorgeous, with powerful coloring.

KOU CLAN CENTRAL LANDS

RAN CLAN EASTERN LANDS

KIN CLAN WESTERN LANDS

GEN CLAN NORTHERN LANDS

Oh?

Leelee.

Um, I'd like to say hello to Noble Consort Shu.

I have been told by the Noble Consort that you need to restrain yourself.

That can't be.

In the inner court, the Consort and the Maiden

are supposed to have a bond similar to mother and child.

EMPRESS - KOU KENSHUU

If this was my aunt, she would try to hear me out first.

Although, if I really had committed a crime,

she would cut off my head by her own hand.

Perhaps Noble Consort Shu is quite cold-blooded?

However...

she is one to be affectionate even to insects.

NOBLE CONSORT SHU GABI

I cannot possibly think she has a cold heart.

My, how smelly.

There are two rats scurrying about, a black rat and a red rat.

The middle court ladies saying that to a Maiden.

In Kou Palace, everyone gave me kind words as I walked down the street.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RECOVERY

-Lady Reirin! -Your fever has gone down!

Please make sure to eat up!

Oh? It happened all the time, so I didn't make a fuss.

Perhaps that was a bit abnormal?

I would like to be more independent.

My dream is a self-sufficient life!

This is your new room.

Oh.

This is...

This used to be a pantry.

Now that it has been abandoned,

it is fertile ground for insects and fungi.

Across the street is the Ran clan's estate.

Which means this is the farthest reaches of the Shu Palace.

I have been exiled.

I will be living here?

Yeah, that's right.

Leelee?

I'm sure you tried to kill her, right?

You got cast off in a place like this because you're the biggest idiot!

Taking care of you in an abandoned building?

They're basically telling me to die with you!

Why are you so surprised?

You've mocked me for all this time, calling me a vulgar dancer's girl!

No matter how much you smooth it over,

the blood of your seductive mother won't go away.

Cowering now that I've shown my true nature? That's absurd!

Amber eyes. Hair with a strong shade of red.

A speech pattern similar to residents of the outer city.

I assume someone in the Shu clan had a relationship with an immigrant dancer.

And that's why she is given the lowest-ranking washed-scarlet garments,

even though she is a personal court lady.

I won't be holding back anymore! I still have my court lady's room left.

I won't be sleeping here,

so you can clean this place up and do laundry all by yourself!

Huh? By myself?

I'm sure none of the court ladies you have abused will help you out, either!

Noble Consort Shu said you won't take part

in the Ghost Festival in seven days, either.

Make yourself at home.

Will I be living here?

In such a...

wonderful place?

Grass as far as I can see!

Fertile soil.

And...

freedom!

I can grow as many medicinal herbs, experiment, sleep,

and be as rowdy as I want to!

From a young age, I always had a frail body and kept making everyone worry.

Reirin, put some grit into anything you do.

The Kou clan are servants of the earth.

My aunt mentioned that we take pride in standing on our own two feet

and even appreciated our hardships.

All right! I will do my best with grit!

Captain.

EUNUCH - BUNKOU

Though she was innocent in the Lion's Judgment,

is there really a need for us to go check on Shu Keigetsu?

CAPTAIN OF THE EAGLE EYES - SHIN-U

It's because His Highness is worried.

Make sure Reirin is not harmed again.

CROWN PRINCE - EI GYOUMEI

Stay on guard.

So that's what this is about.

His Highness is so devoted to Lady Reirin.

Oh.

But still, the Shu clan exiled their Maiden to a place like this?

Hmph. Serves her right.

Eunuchs cannot harm a Maiden at all.

She took advantage of that rule.

Everyone was tormented so much because of that.

And now she is facing torment.

I'm sure she's in her old room

throwing a tantrum that she doesn't want to leave there?

I'd be willing to bet--

-Oh? -Huh?

Oh, my. Captain of the Eagle Eyes and Master Bunkou.

I hope you are having a good day.

Shu Keigetsu?

Oh? No--

I mean, yes. That's right.

What exactly are you doing here?

As you can see, weeding the area.

I was thinking I would prepare this area to live comfortably.

What happened to your personal court lady?

Um, uh--

Right. She is out on an errand.

She's been abandoned.

Oh?

It would be wonderful if I could prepare some tea for you two,

but unfortunately this is the situation I am in.

Tea? I can understand for the Captain, but for an eunuch?

It pains my heart to keep you two here, as you are both busy.

So if you'll excuse me...

Is there something you would like to have?

Something to have?

Oh, no, if I were to be assisted by everyone, including you, Captain,

the actual charm of this would be lost.

-Charm? -Oh, nothing.

However, if I am able to take advantage of your kindness...

Here it comes.

All this meekness is just an act!

-She's gonna ask for a whole lot. -No, but, hmm...

A court lady, money, or word with Noble Consort Shu.

Would you get me some salt?

-Salt? -That's all?

I am quite fortunate here,

and it seems I will be able to procure rainwater and potatoes.

However, I don't think I will be able to make some salt in a day.

Is that really Shu Keigetsu?

After the Lion's Judgment,

she did say she was a different person from her previous self.

I assume she fully repented in the dungeon.

I see. The power of the underground dungeon sure is something.

Now, Bunkou, you have lost your bet...

Wha?

CULINARY UNIT

I beg of you, culinary matron.

May I somehow get enough food for the two of us, myself and Lady Keigetsu?

I told you. I have no food

to give to the disgraceful Shu Maiden and a dancer's girl.

You're in the way. Stand aside.

Damn it.

I mouthed off to Shu Keigetsu that I won't take care of her.

But if I can't get any food, I'm also going to die of starvation.

If I can't expect to get any help from the Shu Palace,

I have to go beg at another palace.

-You there. -Hmm?

Ivory silk.

Why is an upper court lady from the Kin clan approaching me?

What can I do for you, lady of ivory silk?

The sun will set soon, so I will cut right to the chase.

My poor washed-scarlet girl.

Would you like to be a court lady for the Kin clan?

What?

I have heard of the punishment for Shu Keigetsu.

You got pulled into it, did you not?

Even if you were the daughter of a dancer, you were not born wishing to be so.

How pitiful.

It pains the heart of my Maiden, the wise Lady Kin Seika.