The next few days were hellish

For Villiars.

Ever since his parents’ announcement, Donatella was dispirited. Clearly, she didn’t want to be engaged, not when she’s living the life of a pampered daughter. Despite their age, they already knew that marriage is serious business.

Speaking of marriage and love affairs,

Belladonna herself had been watching him like a hawk.

For Villiars, it was so unnerving to see the human doll seemingly appear out of thin air wherever and whenever he was in the estate. Slowly, he was being driven insane by his predicament (delusion). In his mind, Belladonna had madly fallen in love with him!

Sadly, it wasn’t the case– it was just the young maid in her reconnaissance mission.

Belladonna had been gathering information about the Rainfells from the servants, and all of them were elated to know that their young lady will be under the care of a worthy, esteemed family such as them.

If they only knew, they’d storm that blasted estate and crucify her soon to be fiance!

Was what Belladonna thought as she swept the leaves away from the stone walkway. For days, Donatella herself had been complaining to the young maid nonstop regarding her engagement with Ramiel Rainfell. The young maid knew that her lady was already disheartened by the sudden turn of events, mostly due to the shock.

All the more Belladonna was determined to sabotage her lady’s engagement through means that won’t endanger her position in the estate, and for that she has to borrow someone else’s knife– yes, she has to borrow Villiars’ power.

Yet she can’t brazenly waltz up to him and demand his help.

Thus, Belladonna had been eagerly watching her young master during her free time– if she finds out anything she can find agreeable with him, she may be able to get close to him, enough for her to play devil’s advocate regarding her lady’s fiance.

For some reason, he seemed adamant on avoiding her.

Thus, the days passed by, ‘til her lady and the Young Master Rainfell’s meeting.

“Belladonna, make me ugly.” The young lady stared at her vanity mirror, commanding the young maid to do the unthinkable.

“My lady.. If I do so, I’ll be thrown out of the estate.” Belladonna replied as she combed Donatella’s hair, and the lady only sighed, somber and melancholic.

“Bel, why do I have to get married?” She asked again. “I’m only eight years of age.” a click of the tongue.

My lady, your common sense is impeccable, but must you click your tongue? So unrefined as well?

“Nobles.. Do have to marry at some point, My lady.” Belladonna answered, affixing white ribbons upon her lady’s hair. “It’s tradition, and the duties you have to fulfill.” the young maid continued.

“Would you want to get engaged?”

“Not at all, My lady. I prefer being your maid.”

“Then as my maid, make me ugly!”

Well this won’t end.

Belladonna shook her head as she finished fixing Donatella’s hair. However, a bright idea seemed to have lit up in her head.

“My lady, perhaps you can ask the young master for help.” The young maid smiled slyly as Donatella looked at her as if she had grown two heads. “My lady, listen– the young master may be someone you find.. Difficult to be with, but he would always heed your request.” Belladonna quipped as Donatella looked at her with interest.

“You’re right..” She mused. “There’s still some time before Young Master Rainfell will arrive, if you are to make a plan with the young master, it must be now.” Belladonna ushered Donatella out as the young noble smiled brightly.

“You’re the best, Bel!”

And off she went to her brother.

There’s no one smarter than Bel!

Belladonna exhaled as her brother’s words echoed in her head.

“Every day, their resemblance becomes more uncanny.” The young maid muttered as she walked away. From their childishness to their surprisingly mature insight, Belladonna can’t help but compare Donatella and her brother, Narcissus.

The only difference between her lady and her brother were their eyes.

And the fact that Narcissus is dead.

Meanwhile, Donatella found Villiars, who was enjoying a leisurely tea break after an afternoon of studying. His face held a despaired expression, lighting up as he saw his sister approaching.

“Brother, I need your help!”

“If it’s about your maid, I can’t help with that,” He stated, brows furrowed.

“What’s with you and Bel?! I meant today’s meeting!” She answered, albeit displeased that he was adamant in throwing out Belladonna.

“N-nothing, I just find her dull– it’s about that fiance of yours, Rainfell, was it?”

“Yes, I need you to help me chase him away.” Donatella looked at her brother, eyes filled with determination.

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“Donatella, you do know that engagements are important to nobles, right?” Villiars was unsure what to do.

Early on, noble girls and boys are taught that engagements are serious business. Noble girls who fail to find a husband are often the butt of the jokes in social circles, thus an engagement early on is a sure way of securing someone for his sister.

Then again, is the Rainfell family a good family?

Villiars isn’t one to doubt his parents’ wisdom, but Donatella’s engagement is too sudden, and it’s to some noble family he hasn’t even heard from his parents’ ‘til that luncheon a few days ago.

So he himself couldn’t help but be suspicious.

“I know! But, I don’t really like it..” She averted her gaze, aggrieved. “Mother says not to judge someone until I’ve gotten to know them, but I don’t really like this.” The young noble girl shook her head.

She couldn’t explain it, but there was this murky feeling in her stomach whenever the topic of her fiance is brought up.

Seeing her this upset, Villiars made his decision.

“Alright, I’ll help you.”

“R-Really?! You really mean it?!” Donatella beamed.

“Yes, all you have to do is follow my lead.” Villiars nodded as his younger sister happily agreed to his request.

He was happy to make his sister happy, and, he is very much against this sudden flash-engagement. Naturally, he is still unsure on what to do as on one hand, the engagement is important for his parents, but on the other– they’re not happy about this turn of events.

With Donatella’s plea, he was more than happy to get into the way.

If Ramiel Rainfell can’t even prove himself through getting him out of the way, then he isn’t fit to be with his sister!

“What do I need to do, Brother…?”

“Just trust me.”

On the other side of the manor, Belladonna herself was preparing for the battle ahead.

“Belladonna, you will be attending to the young lady today– It’s your first time to personally attend to a noble tea party, but don’t fret– we’ll be with you.” Arianna, the head maid kindly smiled at their youngest maid.

“Understood, Miss Arianna.” Belladonna answered, earning a chuckle from the older woman.

“See, this is why I know you’ll do just fine! You’ve done so much and learned so much in such a short time! Now go, we’ll handle the pastries and tea.” The head maid hummed as Belladonna followed her instructions.

However, no matter how calm she is, Belladonna felt anxious. If Donatella and Ramiel’s meeting goes well, her lady would be at risk of continuing on to play Cheating Boyfriend Simulator!

You survived being abducted, Belladonna. You can afford to hang in there a little bit more!

She thought to herself as she walked towards Donatella’s room to rendezvous with her lady.

Hopefully, Villiars has a plan that can help them.

Unfortunately for Belladonna, the game never exactly mentioned how Villiars would sabotage potential suitors in his route, neither did Ramiel’s route mention anything significant in terms of Villiars’ track record of trying to sabotage their relationship.

Meaning, it’s up to them to be creative in dealing with such a person.

Should I pour tea on him? Pull down his pants in front of the lady?

Several similar thoughts raced in her head. Even if she was able to pull that off, it would only be a one-time sacrifice that’ll cost her too much.

With another sigh, she was about to relent to whatever the whims of fate will bring her–

“You. Gloomy maid.”

“Young Master, is there something you need?” Belladonna blinked as she met face to face with Villiars, who strangely looked determined.

“Work with me. We need to be rid of Donatella’s fiance.”

Silence permeated in the air.

“My lord, conspiring against a noble is punishable by death.” Belladonna answered straightforwardly. “I know that you dolt! Where did you even learn that?!-- Nevermind! I mean, We’re not going to hurt him! Just help me out.” Villiars scratched his nape in irritation.

The young maid tilted her head.

“Stare at him until he becomes irritated.” Villiars stated.

“Pardon, Young Master?” Belladonna blinked.

“Don’t question it. Stare at him.” He repeated.

This is your master plan, Young Master?

Belladonna fought the urge to ask that question, lest she loses her job. What would staring at her lady’s fiance do? Would staring at him turn him into stone? It would have been effective if Villiars just drawls on and on about his–

An idea lit up in her head.

Villiars’ key strength lies in how obnoxious he can be in conversations, and if he possesses the power to bore Donatella, then surely, he can use his power for good (re: to drive away Donatella’s suitor by being too obnoxious in conversations)

“Young Master.” Belladonna suddenly spoke.

“What now?”

“Yesterday, I found your explanation about the uses of hemlock in medicine to be utmost informative– I believe that the Young master Rainfell might find that information useful, if he is not as well-informed as you are.” The young maid casually noted. “I apologize if I am overstepping my bounds.” Belladonna continued.

Silence.

Belladonna prayed that her words would actually encourage Villiars to talk about his beloved poisonous plants, all for the goal of boring Ramiel Rainfell to death that he wouldn’t wish to be part of the family.

Nevertheless, her words only served to fuel the misunderstanding (delusion) her young lord had thrusted himself into.

“Y– You were listening?!” He stammered out, a coat of red crawling onto his face.

“...If I was not supposed to listen, I apologize.” Belladonna bowed her head.

“No! Why do you keep on apologizing, you fool?! I–”

Villiars had become quite conscious of himself, and even his words– while he had enjoyed himself explaining away the benefits of some herbs and poisonous ones to his beloved sister, purely to ensure that she knows which plants she is to eat or not, he wasn’t conscious of the fact that the maid was actually listening, but alas, it seemed that he was long oblivious to his sister’s maid’s feelings!

The fact that she avidly listened to his words despite their distance, despite the fact that low-born commoners like her have no foundational knowledge of herbology and botany, she still attempted to understand his words, simply because it was him who was explaining!

A testament to her deep feelings!

Since when have you admired me, Belladonna?!

He thought to himself. Her directness and unabashed words made him feel flustered. The young noble coughed, attempting to compose himself before he faced the young maid.

“Do you think so?” He asked, a slight tremble in his voice. “Yes, My Lord.” Belladonna answered. “The Young Master Rainfell will definitely appreciate your explanations.” She finished.

He definitely has to talk about his plants. He has to– his sister’s fate hangs upon the possibility of boring the noble boy to death!

“Very well then. Hmph, I thought of you to be daft, but it seems you’re sensible.” Villiars harrumphed, regaining his confidence. Perhaps he can teach his sister’s fiance a thing or two, and if he truly is so ill-informed about the poisons that can hurt his sister, then he isn’t worthy of even being her fiancee!

“I’m humbled by your words, My lord.” Belladonna bowed.

“Remember what I asked of you. Do not fail me.”

“As you wish, My Lord.” The young maid answered as she turned away, intending to complete what he had asked of her.

To stare at the Young Master Rainfell.

Belladonna felt mildly perturbed at the request, but Villiars should have some knowledge on how to sabotage such a meeting– it should be something he is a natural with, seeing as how he managed to sabotage Donatella’s marriage prospects with ease in his route.

Perhaps he himself knows that her glare is effective, but is it so effective that his sister’s fiance would be disturbed enough to leave if she does so?

Then again.. The Young master is only a year older than I in age..

Belladonna bit her lip. If she can’t think of a plan, even with her previous life’s memories, then Viliars would have a difficult time as well, mostly because this should be the first time he’ll be sabotaging his sister’s marriage prospects– an oversight on Belladonna’s part.

Despite that, with his position– it should still be easy for him to cause some ruckus that would put off Donatella’s fiance, with some costs after all..

In the end, it was a gamble with fate.

Knowing there wasn’t any plan she can do, at least, not at this point in time while the Rainfell family carriage was by the Brigandine Family estate grounds, Belladonna decided to throw caution to the wind. There wasn’t enough time nor resources for her to draw a sound plan without bringing harm to her lady and her family.

All she can do now is trust that Villiars’ nature would serve as their shield.

Young Master, please bore him to death!