Not the Villainess, but the Maid

Chapter 38: Bed War

The letter paper was completely covered with the words "Die."

'Who could have done this...'

No matter how you looked at it, it was a curse letter filled with malice.

The eerie words written in red ink and scorched marks made it look as if it had been written in blood.

Though the possibility of it being real blood was slim, it was clear that someone harbored ill feelings toward Ruby.

As I stood frozen, holding the opened letter, Citrine leaned in close and spoke.

"What is it? What's going on?"

She snatched the letter from me, placed it on the desk, and allowed everyone to see its contents.

Initially, faces that were grinning with the intent to tease Ruby gradually darkened.

Amethyst muttered under her breath with a look of horror.

"Wow, someone has terrible hobbies..."

Not only was the front of the letter disturbing, but the back was even worse.

Coral was the first to notice it.

"...The back has a creepy drawing, too."

It was an unsettling drawing that resembled a severed human finger.

'Why a finger, of all things?'

At first, it seemed like a typical threatening letter you’d see in a stalker movie.

But it was strange; there were no demands, just a simple outpouring of hatred.

Citrine picked up the letter with a serious expression, scrutinized both sides, and frowned.

"This is odd. There's no stamp mark."

'No stamp?'

If the letter had been sent from outside the school, it would have gone through the post office and required a stamp.

There was no sender, no stamp—just a pristine envelope.

"That means it was sent from inside the school, right?"

When I asked her, Citrine nodded.

"That's the only logical conclusion. Whoever did this must be quite bold, confident they won’t get caught."

After all, sending a curse letter to the daughter of a noble family was not something an ordinary person could do.

While we were discussing the letter, Ruby's expression grew darker.

Unlike in the original story, Ruby had been leading a very quiet school life.

She hadn’t done anything attention-grabbing or anything that might earn someone’s resentment.

So, what could possibly drive someone to send such a letter and pour out so much malice?

I looked at Ruby and asked.

"Have you received a letter like this before, my lady?"

She hesitated for a moment at my question, then nodded slowly.

"...Yes."

"How many times?"

"About seven times..."

Ruby explained that the letters had started arriving a week after her enrollment.

At first, she thought it was a prank and didn’t take it seriously.

But as time passed, the content and intensity became progressively worse.

After listening to her story, I asked cautiously.

"If this has been happening, why haven’t you mentioned it until now?"

"Because... I didn’t want to worry you, Amber."

"...I see."

It always ended up like this.

She said she trusted and relied on me, yet she tried to handle the most serious problems on her own.

But come to think of it, my actions yesterday weren’t much different.

Both of us were hiding incidents from each other, trying not to cause concern, only to let things escalate.

I wanted to discuss the matter further with Ruby, but I decided to put it aside for now.

Finding the culprit behind the letters and ensuring Ruby’s safety was more urgent.

Citrine, having heard Ruby’s explanation, tucked the letter back into her possession and spoke.

"I’ll take this and conduct a separate investigation. You don’t mind, do you, Ruby?"

"Yes, Citrine senior."

"Honestly, I doubt we’ll catch them anytime soon. In the meantime, it’s best to be extra cautious."

As Citrine expressed her concern, Ruby shook her head and grabbed my arm.

"It’s okay. Amber said she’ll protect me."

"...Hmph."

Citrine gave me a look like I was a helpless hamster before quickly turning away.

‘She doesn’t trust me, huh...’

Although the club activity ended without further incident, an uneasy feeling lingered in my heart.

There wasn’t an immediate threat, but I couldn’t help worrying about Ruby’s safety.

While I was packing up my belongings with a troubled expression, Amethyst tapped my shoulder.

"Amber, can we talk for a moment?"

"Yes?"

"About earlier—I can’t stop worrying about Ruby’s safety."

It wasn’t me who responded to her, but Ruby.

"Since when have you started worrying about me, Amethyst?"

"..."

Ignoring Ruby’s suspicious glare, Amethyst continued nonchalantly.

"So, I was thinking—what if we combine rooms until this is resolved?"

"Combine rooms?"

At the Magic Academy, the dormitories were arranged with two students sharing a room.

Up until now, Ruby and I shared one room, while Amethyst and Diana shared another.

Amethyst was now suggesting combining our rooms.

"Think about it. If we combine rooms, all four of us can stay together. Ruby won’t have to be alone as much."

Despite Amethyst’s persuasion, Ruby’s expression remained unimpressed.

"I don’t see why that would be necessary..."

However, I found myself drawn to Amethyst’s suggestion.

‘Wait, wouldn’t that mean the lady would have two guards?’

Amethyst’s strength didn’t need any explanation, and I’d seen firsthand that Diana had surprising magical skills.

With those two by Ruby’s side, nothing would be more reassuring.

"I think it’s a great idea, Amethyst!"

When I nodded in agreement, Amethyst’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.

"Right? I knew you’d see it my way, Amber!"

Ruby, watching us, made a dissatisfied expression but eventually relented with a sigh.

"…Fine. If Amber thinks so too, then okay."

The room might get a little crowded, but no matter how I looked at it, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.

Besides, this arrangement was only temporary, just until the lady's safety was secured.

Still, shouldn't we hear Diana's opinion about this too?

…Well, Amethyst would probably handle it just fine.

The three of us, led by Amber, strolled toward the dormitory in a cheerful mood.

While Amber walked ahead with a blank expression, the two behind her were exchanging fiery glares.

"Sigh."

Unlike Ruby, who looked irritated, Amethyst’s face was all smiles.

Ruby Sarka crossed her arms and muttered in annoyance.

"Amethyst, be honest. Your real target is Amber, isn’t it?"

"Hey, I’m doing this because I’m worried about you, Ruby."

"The expression on your face says otherwise—you look like a child excited for a picnic."

"…Was it that obvious?"

"See? I knew it!"

Just as Ruby was about to argue further, Amber turned to look back at them and asked.

"You two are keeping up, right?"

"Yes!" they answered in unison.

"It’s unusual to see you two walking so closely together."

Amber’s face lit up with an inexplicable smile.

"…"

When Amber turned to face forward again, Amethyst lowered her voice and spoke seriously to Ruby.

"Still, I’m genuinely worried about you, Ruby."

Amethyst, having lived in the palace, had witnessed countless incidents like today’s.

She immediately recognized that the letter sent to Ruby had clear malicious intent.

"…Hmph."

Ruby turned her head sharply away from Amethyst, who was expressing concern for her.

"I already know that much. You don’t have to say it."

Though they were rivals for Amber’s attention, there was no real animosity between them.

After years of crossing paths, they had developed a surprisingly close bond.

As they neared the dormitory, Amethyst mumbled with an elated look.

"Anyway, I’m looking forward to this. I get to sleep next to Amber every day now. Maybe even bathe together…"

"…"

Ruby’s eyes instantly grew sharp, and Amethyst quickly stopped herself.

"Scary! Can’t I even make a joke?"

"I sincerely hope it was just a joke, Princess Amethyst."

Later that evening, Amethyst arrived at our door with her belongings.

Hearing the knock, I opened the door and greeted her warmly.

"You’re here earlier than I expected. Is that all your luggage, Amethyst?"

"Yep. I usually only keep the essentials in my room anyway."

Amethyst had brought only a bag containing a few changes of clothes, bedding, and simple toiletries.

"Where’s Diana?"

Not seeing Diana, who was supposed to come along, I asked.

"She’s still organizing her stuff. She told me to go ahead."

"I see."

After helping her set down her luggage, I glanced at the clock and said,

"It’s late, and we were just about to go to bed. Why don’t you change into something comfortable, Amethyst?"

I suggested she get ready for bed, but Amethyst looked puzzled and asked me instead.

"Something comfortable? Why would I need that?"

"Wait, didn’t you bring pajamas?"

"Nope. I usually sleep without wearing anything."

"…!"

Images of Amethyst lying in bed with nothing on flashed through my mind.

Wait, does that mean Diana sees her like that every day…?

I shook off the inappropriate thoughts and pleaded with her.

"Please, at least for tonight, wear something…! If you sleep like that, the lady might kick you out…!"

"Really? But I don’t have anything to change into."

"Then I’ll lend you one of mine. Would that be okay?"

"Wow, really?"

Amethyst beamed with joy as I handed her one of my spare pajamas.

Strange… Why does she seem so happy about my pajamas?

When Amethyst tried on my pajamas, which were tailored to fit me, the sleeves appeared slightly short on her.

But what caught my attention more was how the buttons around her chest looked like they were about to burst.

"Do they fit you well enough?" I asked.

"Yes! I could even wear this outside."

"…Please don’t do that."

If I allowed it, she might actually go outside like that, which would be disastrous.

Leading Amethyst to the beds, I noticed Ruby, already in her pajamas, sitting on one of them, watching us.

"…She actually came, huh."

When their eyes met, Amethyst smiled brightly and waved.

"Thanks for letting me stay, Ruby."

The lady still didn’t seem thrilled about it, but she didn’t say anything further.

‘But where should Amethyst sleep…?’

The dorm room had only two beds—one for Ruby and one for me.

Considering the number of people, someone would have to sleep on the floor.

Since Amethyst was the guest, it didn’t feel right to make her sleep on the floor, so I began laying out blankets for myself.

"I’ll sleep on the floor. You can take my bed, Amethyst."

I naturally intended to give up my bed for her.

But Amethyst shook her head and said,

"Amber, just come up here and sleep with me!"

"With you, Amethyst!?"

"Why not? There’s plenty of room."

The truth was, the bed was a single size, but it was big enough for two women to lie down comfortably.

"…"

As I debated between the floor and the bed, I slowly got up.

‘Well, if she’s okay with it, I suppose it doesn’t matter.’

I grabbed a pillow and was about to lie down next to Amethyst when Ruby’s chilling voice came from the side.

"Amber, don’t listen to her."

At Ruby’s words, I stopped in my tracks, and Amethyst raised an eyebrow as she retorted.

"What’s this? Are you jealous, Lady Ruby?"

"Who said I was jealous?"

"Then why won’t you let Amber lie down with me?"

"Th-That’s…"

"Could it be that you actually want to lie down with her yourself?"

"…!"

Ruby’s face turned bright red as she shouted.

"I’ve never had such impure thoughts!"

"What’s so impure about it? It’s just two women lying down together. You’re such a prude, Ruby."

As Amethyst teased her, Ruby shook her head vehemently, her face still flushed.

"This won’t do. Letting Amber sleep next to someone like you is too dangerous."

"Oh dear. But Amber already came over here to sleep with me."

At that, Ruby shot up from her spot and shouted at me.

"Amber! Come to my bed this instant. That’s an order!"

"Wow, what a tyrant. Forget her and sleep with me, Amber."

The two glared at each other as if they were ready to duel to the death, then turned their furious gazes toward me and shouted simultaneously.

"Amber, come to my side!"

‘What do I do…?’

Ruby was lying on the bed to my left, and Amethyst on the bed to my right.

Caught between the two, I…