Chapter 8

After finishing her bath and completing another task, Violet elegantly sipped her tea after eating the light meal she had prepared.

(Really, it’s such a hassle to have the tea made.)

Earlier, while Violet had Maria prepare the light meal, she had ordered a nearby maid to prepare the tea. The maid, looking displeased, scowled and brought out a ridiculous, muddy-looking concoction with a malicious smile.

Of course, after splashing that ridiculous concoction in her face, Violet patiently and persistently lectured the maid on the proper attitude to take toward her mistress, making sure that the maid and those around her remembered their place.

But Violet thinks it’s absurd that she has to remind even the servants of their place.

Originally, she had expected it, but it seems that Sophia Olcott was living in even more miserable circumstances than she had imagined.

(Judging from the reactions around her, she must have been a little girl who never complained.)

What is Sophia Olcott, now inside Violet’s body, doing right now? She, unlike Violet, who is a noble among nobles, probably wouldn’t complain about the dreary life in that tower.

What kind of expression would that man have on his face when he sees her?

(Hmm. That stubborn man would never admit that we’ve really switched places.)

He must be worrying, confused, and on guard right now in that tower. Just thinking about revealing the truth makes her heart glow. Violet truly loves the moment when she can make someone she dislikes admit their mistake.

While she was thinking this, the noisy voices of Isabella, who had been out, and her daughter Julia, who were bickering, could be heard.

Violet smiled beautifully to greet them.

(—But, that aside. I should be grateful, Sophia Olcott.)

It’s just a side effect of achieving her own goals.

(I’ll improve your life from that of a stray dog to at least a pet dog.)

◇

“What are you doing, you insolent girl!”

Isabella, with her sky-blue eyes burning with anger, opened the door and shouted at Sophia—Violet.

With an angry expression, Isabella looked at her, and Julia, with a red face, shouted, “Hey, that’s my favorite dress! What are you doing wearing it without permission!?”

“Oh, this is your dress, isn’t it?”

“What...!?”

Isabella and Julia were momentarily speechless at the sight of Sophia, who was acting completely different from usual.

She lightly pulled at the lace at the neckline. This pale pink dress, with its childish design, was not at all to Violet’s taste. She had put it on only because it was the only dress that felt comfortable to wear.

“I don’t have any dresses of my own. I’m letting you borrow this until the dressmaker arrives.”

At Violet’s words, the two of them shrieked.

“You thief! How dare you, you shameless Olcott!”

“The dressmaker isn’t coming for you! Are you making strange potions and going crazy? This house isn’t a place for you to do as you please!”

Violet couldn’t help but smile at their words. She knew that the ring shining on Julia’s finger was a prestigious heirloom given by the head of the Arbuthnot family to his daughter when she married.

But Violet nodded.

“I am the shameless Olcott. I was being scolded by the second wife and her daughter—wasn’t I?”

As Violet smiled, Isabella, trembling with anger, said, “Watch your mouth!”

Ignoring her, Violet continued.

“And, I’ve been repeatedly wasting the earl’s fortune and reading books on poisoning and making suspicious potions—hmm. That’s the rumor you’ve been spreading shamelessly, isn’t it?”

Narrowing her eyes and smiling, she saw their faces twist with surprise, anger, and a hint of fear.

“Be happy. I’ll make the rumors you’ve been spreading tirelessly come true for you.”

“S-Sophia! Have you really gone mad!? Stop talking nonsense and go back to your room! George, take this girl to her room.”

At the flustered lady’s words, George, the butler who had been standing in the corner, closed his eyes, beads of sweat forming on his temples. Normally, he would have moved instantly, but his feet didn’t budge.

“What are you doing! Move...”

“George. Please escort my stepmother and her daughter to their new room.”

“...As you wish, Miss Sophia.”

As George bowed deeply and said this, Isabella and Julia called out his name in a high-pitched, almost screaming voice.

“George, what are you doing!? I’m the lady of the house, aren’t I!?”

“‘—God said, Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not bear false witness.’”

Violet stood up from her chair and walked elegantly to Isabella and Julia, reciting God’s commandments in a singing tone.

She had already lectured the butler earlier.

Ridiculous teachings of God are to be used like this.

“Do you know how to denounce this common act of betrayal as a mortal sin? If you don’t understand, I can teach you thoroughly.”

Thank you always for your reviews, bookmarks, and feedback! The next chapter is from Sophia’s perspective.