When the Villainess Became the Male Lead’s Obsession

-As long as you do not mess with those who bear the name of Valtine, you’ll be paid handsomely, as much as working in the palace.

Elysia’s words conveyed a sense that she had been neglected in the House.

It made Roa curious, and it wasn’t long before she ferreted out the reason after observing the maids.

Actually, Roa was at core a coward.

And as much as she was a coward, Roa was quick-witted.

Thus, the coward Roa heeded Elysia and stayed alert.

Whenever the other maids gossiped about Elysia and Ariel, Roa avoided being in the same spotlight as them.

She continued to stay alert even if Elysia and Ariel, or the maids could not see her.

Roa did not do it for recognition or praise.
However, the reason was that Roa often saw Elysia firing maids emotionlessly.

So Roa acted more consciously.

But contrary to her intentions, Roa’s actions made her noticeable to Elysia.

-Starting today you will be Ariel’s personal maid.

-Eh? I wi- will?

‘Why me…’ Roa thought.

Roa debated deep inside whether she should ask.

In the end, Roa chose silence.

-She’s a little… except for being a little mischievous, all she does is play around.

-Bu, but I am still new and… I am still lacking in experience…

Roa spouted all sorts of reasoning to lowkey reject Elysia’s offer.

Personal maid of a daughter of the Duke definitely sounded good to the ears.

However, for Roa, it was just an unnecessary position.

From her point of view, it was enough whether she would get that kind of position or not.

And if Roa can be honest, she more wanted not to.

Roa wasn’t rich, but she wasn’t poor either.

So until that moment, Roa had only been working with the thought that she would be satisfied if she didn’t make a mistake and get fired.

She never dared to imagine that the work she had done up to then would result in her being hired as Ariel’s personal maid.

-Your working experience does not matter, and I do not see you as lacking or immature.

-Oh…

Roa’s voice dropped as if she hadn’t expected that she would be praised by the least expected person.

-You don’t want to? Elysia asked, as she deadpan looked at Roa.

When Elysia looked at her coldly, Roa who was already feeling fear, took a step back and replied,

-N-no matter how much I think about it, uh… I d-don’t think I am worthy of it…

Roa didn’t want to get involved.

Using Elysia’s advice when she called the newly hired to an assembly, Roa tried not to get involved with anyone with Valtine in their name.

It may be a contradictory statement for Roa, who was working for the Dukedom of Valtine, but she meant every word.

-…Right.

Elysia’s normally blunt speech had lost its strength in tone.
‘This easily?’ Roa could not believe it when Elysia seemed to her go that easily before she could feel relieved.

-But you’re the only one I could entrust this to…

Instead Roa doubted whether Elysia’s words could be trusted, when she knew it wasn’t the case, and Roa questioned something else in her mind.

-Yes..?

Roa wondered what Elysia meant by what she said.

There were a lot of maids working in the Valtine’s mansion.

Unlike the usually quick-witted Roa, she couldn’t grasp immediately of the meaning behind Elysia’s words.

-The other maids… they don’t like us…

-Dislike… N,no what do you mean? That could never be true!

No way.

But Roa had observed it, too.

All the staff who started before Roa disliked Elysia and Ariel.

And those who came in around the same time as her were afraid of Elysia.

Although Roa was aware of it, she desperately turned a blind eye.

-It’s true that everyone doesn’t like us. I know it, too.

At Roa’s first glance at Elysia, she noted her eyes contained loneliness.

Roa felt empathy toward Elysia.

In other words, it could be said that it was too good to be true.

To Roa’s mind, Elysia showed a sad face under the contempt of adults and looked even more weak and like a victim.

From that moment, the fearsome image of Elysia was completely erased from Roa’s mind.
-I mean, I know. I have always been harsh, so that’s why they dislike us…

-N, No… That’s not it…

At this point, Roa’s heart was pounding hard.

Roa unconsciously clutched her hand tightly and shook her head.

In Roa’s opinion, it wasn’t solely Elysia’s fault.

It was because when the maids made a mistake, Elysia would point it out.

-Still… My little sister Ariel is a good girl. I know she wanted to explore outside the mansion but she didn’t complain… She’s a good-natured person…

Elysia and Ariel were not allowed to leave the House’s premises.

The slums had continued to grow within the Selendid territory, and it was not suitable for children to wander around.

Moreover, the people of the territory harbored resentment toward the Duke, who did not take good care of them.

That’s why Elysia and Ariel could be victims of the resentment of the people if either of them would go outside with only bringing a maid and not without a guard.

Which was why Elysia couldn’t go outside as much as she desired.

And so does Ariel.

-Ariel had little to no opportunity to interact with girls her age so she didn’t have any friends. So I mean, that’s why I wanted her to have a personal maid…

-Well th-that’s…

Tears flowed from Roa’s eyes.

While Roa’s eyes were brimming with water, Elysia’s were dry and dull.

-The reason I offered this position to you was because you didn’t seem to hate us… But if you don’t want to, then it cannot be helped…

Elysia longingly said, playing with her tone as if she were in regret.

Roa declared

-I will! I’ll do it, Miss!

Sadly Roa’s quick-wittedness did not work this time.

Because Roa’s good-natured heart clouded her eyes to the truth.