The Crazy Villainess in This Area Is Me

Seriously, this isn’t even funny.

It was so absurd that laughter nearly burst forth.

On the mat lay a shabby teacup and teapot at a glance.

Even children wouldn’t stoop to such actions. Well, what can one expect from someone who isn’t even human.

I stared at the mat for a moment, then slowly rolled my eyes. “To think of Your Majesty herself, the mother to all, would stoop to such actions?”

“Such actions? It’s an honor just to invite a commoner to the imperial pal—” A noblewoman opened her mouth on behalf of the empress, but I immediately cut her off.

“What existence do commoners hold in this empire?”

I chuckled and approached the table where they were sitting, swiftly pulling the tablecloth off in one quick motion.

“

!”

With a loud noise, the women’s screams filled the greenhouse as the teacups and desserts on the tablecloth toppled over.

“What is this madness…!”

In front of them, fuming, I picked up a crushed macaron.

“A dessert made by a commoner.”

I gently placed it atop a broken plate.

“A plate made by a commoner.”

“What nonsense are you spouting now…?”

“

, this table was also made by commoners.”

With an air of complete ease, I even tapped on the table.

“In this empire, there are more commoners than nobles. Moreover, they are all subjects that Your Majesty is supposed to protect.”

Despite needing to bear this in mind, they focused solely on the mischief I had caused, their faces crumpled in displeasure.

Knowing full well it was futile to speak, I continued anyway. “Starting with Your Majesty herself, who should be setting an example, didn’t the Big Madam Hamilton also become a murderer of commoners?”

“Watch your words…! How dare, such insolence…!”

“Well…” I added slowly, lifting the corners of her mouth meaningfully. “Considering Your Majesty herself torments those weaker behind her… I never thought you were a good person to begin with.”

My tone suggested I knew something, causing Patricia’s mouth to momentarily shut tight. However, quickly hiding her dismay, she instead offered a smile.

“Insulting the imperial family.” She then directed her gaze to the knights who had their swords drawn at me. “Seize that woman right now…”

Just as she was about to order my arrest,

“

!” A loud laughter echoed from afar.

Everyone turned their heads toward the source of the sound. There stood Frinel and Magorit.

Patricia’s brows furrowed instantly. Why was Magorit, whom she had invited, here with the first prince?

“First Prince?”

Moreover, it was the first time he had visited the empress’s palace. Since she became Empress, Frinel had never once entered the empress’s palace.

“What a splendid speech, Lady Lobelia.” He approached them, clapping his hands.

“Your Royal Highness.”

As I bowed my head in greeting, the nobles also reluctantly paid their respects.

“Why is the First Prince here…”

It was said that the first prince saved that woman’s life, and it seemed like he had feelings for her. He had even come to the empress’s palace in person.

“Did you disrupt the ladies’ tea party just to chase a mere commoner woman?” Patricia raised her voice as if everyone should hear.

But Frinel was not to be outdone. “A tea party? Was it really a tea party? That mat over there doesn’t seem to indicate so.”

“What business does a man have interfering in women’s affairs? Do not meddle. This woman will be punished for insulting the imperial family.”

“If speaking the truth warrants an accusation of insulting the imperial family, then there won’t be any subjects left in this empire, Your Majesty.”

“First Prince!”

Just as she was trying to deal with the commoner woman who was annoying to her, the situation spiraled out of control with the unexpected arrival of the first prince. She glared alternately at Frinel, Magorit, and Lobelia.

He grinned slyly and added, “Isn’t it strange? Your Majesty hasn’t changed at all since the old days.”

“Change isn’t always good.”

“Yes. That’s right. Your Majesty has always been tough on the weak.”

“

, it seems the First Prince is under some misunderstanding. I am strong against everyone, not just the weak.”

Patricia locked eyes with Frinel without flinching. He used to avoid her gaze. But when did he start looking her in the eye?

She swallowed dryly but casually continued, “The empress of this empire must indeed be so.”

“No.” Frinel cut her off sharply. “The empress should not just appear strong on the outside but must have a strong heart. Show a tougher stance to the powerful nobles while being tender to the commoners.”

“The First Prince’s thought is foolish. That’s what social classes are for. They were created to differentiate.”

“Then Your Majesty needs to re-educate yourself on why the class system was established in the Tiazen Empire in the first place.”

“First Prince!”

“I don’t want to continue the conversation anymore,” he bowed slightly and then wrapped his arm around Lobelia’s waist.

“Let’s go, Lady Lobelia.”

“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

I smiled at Frinel and turned slightly to look directly at Patricia, driving the final nail in. “

, please send the bill for the mess I’ve made to the Hamilton March.”

“How witty, Lady Lobelia.”

“Isn’t it just the truth?”

We bantered amicably as we gradually disappeared from the empress’s view. Magorit, who had been standing awkwardly, glanced at Patricia and then followed us.

“Those insolent…!”

Surely, it was Marchioness Hamilton who had brought Frinel here. She had even procured poison for her, so why had she suddenly turned traitor?

There was only one reason she could think of. There must have been some sort of deal between Magorit and the first prince.

“How dare!” The empress’s fist slammed down on the table where the tablecloth had been removed.

She was indifferent to whatever cunning means Frinel had used to manipulate Magorit. What mattered was Frinel’s challenge to her authority and her betrayal.

“Calm yourself, Your Majesty…”

“How dare the first prince behave so brazenly.”

“This cannot be ignored.”

Everyone present supported the second prince, Lawrence, in becoming the emperor. Their eyes, cold as ice, shifted from the direction Frinel had disappeared back to the Empress. Among them, the wife of Count Yumens, the emperor’s aide, softly began to speak.

“Your Majesty, my husband mentioned that Duke Gracie had an audience with the emperor recently.”

“I’ve heard he came to visit to discuss marriage issues since her granddaughter’s illness has recovered.”

“But it is said that the first prince also attended that audience.”

“What did you say?” Patricia’s eyebrows shot up sharply. She had confronted the emperor about it that day. But there was certainly no mention of the first prince. It was deliberately hidden.

“Could it be the emperor has other intentions…”

“…That’s impossible.”

The emperor was ill. It was certain he would soon pass away. He needed to settle the issue of succession before his death.

Despite trembling with rage, Patricia firmly pressed her lips together and asked her maid. “Did you say Marquis Hamilton is currently residing in the townhouse?”

“Yes. The nobility council is soon—”

“Summon him immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Frinel and Lobelia. They couldn’t deceive her eyes, even if they could others. Though Frinel was Lobelia’s benefactor, their relationship did not seem ordinary. It was evident in their gaze—whether it was merely the eyes of someone providing help or… the eyes of someone in love.

“The emperor of this empire will definitely be… my son.” Patricia firmly declared, gazing at the nobles who were rolling their eyes in thought. “Remember this, everyone.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Only then did they bow in acknowledgment.

The Empress glared towards the first prince’s palace, her eyes seething with fury.

She had been harsh and cruel. Every time she saw Frinel, she was reminded of the previous empress. A woman from a humble family who had surpassed her to become the empress.

The former Empress was the only woman who had made her feel defeated. Therefore, she would never lose to a prince of such lineage.

Patricia gritted her teeth.