Chapter 3

The knight began to explain the life in this tower.

"You will spend three months in this tower. Meals will be provided three times a day, and snacks as well. Bathing will be allowed once every three days. No jewelry or dresses are permitted, but I will allow you to keep that bracelet you are wearing. If you need anything, let me know. I will carefully consider whether it is appropriate, but I can provide things like books and stationery."

"Is this a prison...!?"

I was so surprised that I couldn't help but exclaim loudly. What a situation. The Orcott family estate seems more like a prison compared to this.

The knight, looking at me with a suspicious gaze, continued his explanation.

"Furthermore, a priest will visit you once a day to teach you the word of God until you repent. It would be good to learn a bit of a better moral code."

"Will I be taught the doctrines directly by the priest...!?"

"Enough of this nonsense!"

When I brightened my eyes, thinking it was heaven, the knight revealed his anger as if he couldn't bear it any longer.

"What kind of act is this! The real you scolds everyone except your favorite servants, throws food that isn't a full course meal at them, and sneers at the teachings of God as 'nonsense.' You are not the type to be grateful for such a situation!"

"Tha...t..."

That is a perfect description of a villainess.

I had a vague idea from the reactions of the servants and the knight, but Lady Violet is indeed a terrible person, as Julia said. I even thought that she should be confined for a year rather than just three months... but then I remembered that I am the one being confined now.

"Listen, stop this act immediately. Do you understand?"

The knight stared at me sternly, turned on his heel, and left the room, closing the door behind him.

◇

At least, warm food should be eaten while it's still warm. After finishing my meal and feeling full, I seriously considered my situation.

First, for some reason, I am now in the form of Violet Elford, the Duchess's daughter. This is probably undeniable.

She has been imprisoned in this tower for committing some major sin. The knight mentioned something about "assaulting the prince's fiancée," so she must have done something impolite to the prince's fiancée.

The prince's fiancée is Lily Redgrave, the Countess's daughter, known as the "Lady of the White Lily." I've heard about her from Julia.

Julia is deeply devoted to her, describing her as beautiful and pure, so much so that being near her makes one feel lightheaded. She is kind to everyone and has a broad heart, and the prince is reportedly infatuated with her.

Lady Violet must have done something terribly impolite to her, leading to her imprisonment in this tower. I imagine she must have been furious.

"The knight said she is skilled in magic... Could it be that she didn't want to be imprisoned and used magic to switch bodies with me...?"

I have only read basic books on magic, but the idea that such a thing is possible seems far-fetched. However, it feels very plausible.

But if she could do that, wouldn't she switch bodies with Lily Redgrave, the Countess's daughter, rather than me, a notorious recluse and villainess? That would be more advantageous for her and the best way to cause trouble.

Thinking about this, I suddenly had an idea.

"Perhaps she thought that if a recluse and villainess disappeared, it wouldn't cause much of a stir, and had me transformed to look exactly like Lady Violet to impersonate her!"

This seems the most likely. The real Lady Violet is probably enjoying some delicious meal right now.

"The mystery is solved, and I feel relieved. But if I report this to the knight... he probably won't believe me..."

I doubt he would believe such a story, given his distrust. He would likely look at me as if I were a piece of moldy cheese.

I have no desire to return to the Orcott family estate. Even though it's only for three months, I have a wicked desire to enjoy this prison life, which feels like heaven.

"I should casually inquire about the situation at the Orcott family estate. If they aren't looking for me... maybe I can stay like this. No, that wouldn't be right. I should probably inform them..."

I held my head in my hands, deep in thought. That's when I noticed that the thick bracelet on my arm, adorned with glittering gems, had a hidden compartment.

I removed the bracelet and opened it to find a small white paper inside. It was written in beautiful handwriting:

'I will give you honor.

Protect this body without a single scratch.'