The Perks of Being a Villainess

"What? Clever, you say?"

She came here on purpose to show off, to provoke me into doing my job properly. That must be it.

"Master, why jump to that conclusion all of a sudden?" Isn't that a bit self-centered? Miguel swallowed the words that had risen to his throat.

"Lady Deborah usually sends a servant to pick up her desserts, but this time she came to the store herself. That means she had something to say to me. Since the commission isn't progressing well, she was sending a signal."

"Couldn't it be that she just got upset after arguing with the other ladies and lashed out?" Miguel quickly countered.

"Seeing her in person, she didn't seem like someone ruled by emotions. She gave off a sharp and cynical vibe."

"If you look at Lady Deborah's past actions and reputation, she's clearly impulsive. Smoke doesn't rise without fire, right? And people don't change that easily."

"We'll find out soon enough who's right. Including what she did to Cookie."

Isidor gently calmed his pet, which was growling in displeasure, while his emerald eyes gleamed sharply.

***

The fact that the pink diamond was won by Seymour, not Montes, became a long-standing topic of major gossip in high society. It was such a shocking and unexpected outcome that no one had anticipated.

Most nobles, who had assumed that Duke Seymour treated Lady Deborah coldly and considered her a disgrace to the family, were left stunned. The act of handing over a gemstone of astronomical value so readily was proof that Duke Seymour still had some affection left for his only daughter. Given that Lady Deborah was already known for being arrogant, it was clear she would become even more overbearing, which led to mostly negative reactions.

Moreover, nobles who had quietly hoped Pilaf Montes would win the diamond couldn't hide their disappointment and sneers.

"How could he misjudge the bidding price? He was so confident, yet his response was way too careless."

"No matter how much of an heir he is, in front of Duke Seymour's wealth and intelligence network, he's nothing more than a lizard before a dragon."

Naturally, Pilaf couldn't have been unaware of such reactions in society. Since getting worked up would only make him look foolish, he pretended to stay composed—but as Miya's birthday drew near, the anger he had long suppressed finally exploded like a volcano.

"You made me look like a joke over a stupid pink diamond? You worthless piece of filth!"

With veins bulging and fury in his eyes, Pilaf delivered a brutal kick to the face of a man scorched black with burns. The man foamed at the mouth and collapsed unconscious, but Pilaf didn't stop. He kept kicking him over and over.

Everyone in the empire had heard that he was after that jewel—and he had failed to win it. The more he thought about it, the more humiliated he felt. It was utterly disgraceful.

To make matters worse, the person who had won it was the woman he despised most: Deborah Seymour.

"Useless trash!"

His eyes gleaming with madness, Pilaf stormed out of the underground prison, a red-flamed spirit following close behind. At the entrance, a servant dropped to his knees and frantically wiped the mess from Pilaf's bloodied boots with a handkerchief.

Acting as if nothing had happened, Pilaf tidied his disheveled appearance, checked his pocket watch, and asked the servant,

"Has Lady Miya arrived at the estate?"

"Not yet, Young Master."

The servant replied with his head bowed low, guilt heavy on his face.

"Why?"

"She said… there were too many patients to tend to today."

"Tch. So she's doing that nonsense even on her birthday?"

Pilaf clicked his tongue, thinking how typical that was of Miya Binoche.

She bestowed divine power even upon the lowliest of commoners, as if performing the devotion of a saint. Those who had been healed by Miya praised her as a light sent from the goddess, speaking of her everywhere they went.

'I do like that she isn't materialistic.'

With divine power of such high purity, she didn't have to go out of her way to suffer like that. But the fact that she couldn't be swayed by power or money made her all the more alluring to Pilaf.

Alluring enough that he was willing to overlook her delaying his summons.

***

"Lord Pilaf, thank you for inviting me."

Miya arrived at the mansion just as the luxurious dinner prepared by the chef was starting to cool. She greeted politely.

It was clear she had come straight from work — her pink hair was disheveled and a faint fatigue lingered on her face.

"No, I should be the one thanking you for coming. You should take a break on your birthday. If you keep overworking yourself like that, your body won't hold up."

At Pilaf's kind words, Miya's round eyes widened in surprise.

"Ah... that's why..."

"Why are you so surprised?"

"Actually... I forgot today was my birthday."

Miya fiddled with her fingers, then shyly bit and released her lower lip.

"I don't usually pay attention to things like that."

"Has no one taken care of it for you before?"

Despite the bluntness of his question, she showed no sign of offense.

"But this year, Lord Pilaf remembered. I'm happy. It feels like receiving an unexpected gift."

"You sure know how to speak beautifully."

Pilaf smiled in satisfaction, clearly pleased with her response.

Just then, Miya's stomach let out a quiet growl. Seeing her flushed ears and cheeks, Pilaf burst into hearty laughter.

With a wave of Pilaf's hand, the heated dishes were brought to the table. Watching Miya gently spoon her soup, his gaze was filled with affection. Then, suddenly, he brought up a topic.

"The Academy admission letter has arrived."

Though she was older than typical students and came from a fallen noble family, thanks to the Montes family's recommendation, Miya had been accepted into the Academy.

"Thank you so much. Studying there has always been my lifelong dream."

Seeing Miya repeatedly express her gratitude, Pilaf puffed up with pride.

"You didn't think this was all, did you?"

He proudly handed her a diamond necklace as a gift. Since the gem he had originally wanted had been snatched by Duke Seymour, he had rushed to obtain a diamond necklace crafted by the capital's most renowned artisan.

The moment Miya saw the large diamond, she immediately showed discomfort.

"Just the Academy recommendation is already more than enough. A gift like this is too much — it makes me uncomfortable."

"At least accept it for the effort I put into finding it. You said you haven't properly celebrated your birthday before."

"But something like this..."

"You saved my life. Let me repay you. Please, Lady Miya."

"I've already received too much. I really mean it — I'm fine."

Their back-and-forth continued for a while, and eventually, Pilaf had to back off so Miya could eat in peace.

'She's truly impossible.'

Although he felt a twinge of regret, he was also quietly moved by her pure heart.

'Damn it... I should've gotten that pink diamond. It suits Lady Miya far more than Deborah Seymour.'

The pink gem had the exact same color as Miya's hair, and since she was oblivious to trends—unaware of the very existence of pink diamonds—it would've been the perfect gift to casually hand over as if it were nothing special.

Pilaf had imagined how, someday, when Miya found out just how jaw-droppingly expensive that gem truly was, she might be deeply moved.

But all those plans were ruined thanks to Deborah Seymour.

'She really is infuriating in every possible way.'

Just imagining Deborah flaunting that damned gem around high society with pride was enough to make his appetite disappear.

***

After her meeting with Pilaf, Miya returned to the old mansion on the outskirts of the Yones district. She sat on the edge of the bed and cast her gaze out the window.

'So tired.'

Every time the wind blew, the ill-fitted window frame rattled noisily. The garden outside looked bleak, like a grave overgrown with wild weeds. It was a sight that fully reflected the tragic downfall of the Binoche family.

A servant entered, but Miya continued to stare out the window.

"What are you looking at?"

asked the middle-aged woman. She introduced herself as Madam Ophelia and told Miya to feel free to call her casually.

"That,"

Miya replied, pointing at a single flower that had bloomed cluelessly on a dry tree branch.

"Oh dear, it'll probably freeze to death tonight,"

Ophelia muttered indifferently, then handed Miya a large jewelry box.

"A servant from the Montes family just dropped by and left a birthday gift for you."

When Miya opened the box, Madam Ophelia placed a lavish diamond necklace around her deer-like slender neck.

"How is it?"

Miya asked timidly, and the woman merely clicked her tongue. The outdated, shabby dress and the intricately crafted diamond necklace were so mismatched, it was almost embarrassing to look at.

Just like a bright flower blooming on a withered branch.

"A necklace like this should be worn with a proper dress. Pilaf Montes clearly isn't as thoughtful as people say,"

the woman said with a cold expression before continuing,

"Wearing something like this with a shabby dress will only make you the laughingstock of the nobles."

"If it had been a pink diamond, the story might've been different..."

Even without a fancy outfit, that gem would have matched Miya's pink hair beautifully.

"The social circles would have surely taken notice of you. What a shame."

With those blunt words, she exited the room.

Miya toyed with a curl of her pink hair, then reached out for the Academy admission letter lying by the bedside.

Congratulations on your admission to the Academy.

A faint glimmer of unusual light flickered in her eyes before fading away.