The Villainess is the Villainess [LitRPG]

Book 2: Chapter 32 - Undergarments [Part 2]

Slipping into the steaming rose-scented bath coaxed the ache from Seraphina's muscles. After a full day of study and grueling drills, the silken water did not quite bring satisfaction, but it did grant a fleeting sense of contentment. Of course, Melisandre—her golden‑eyed tormentor—had known exactly which buttons to press, needling Seraphina to the edge of fury yet never letting the dam burst. Only this bath could lower the steady boil to a gentle simmer. It had simply been a lesson in the infuriating.

Sinking lower into the bath, she blew a lazy trail of bubbles across the surface, cataloging her hard‑won gains: two full points of Strength and a staggering three points in Dexterity. One more push and she would crest the next level.

Rising half out of the water, she ran a finger through her golden hair. It was growing out again, and—for the hundredth time—she debated cutting it. Short locks gave her a tomboyish look she did not entirely dislike, yet she secretly envied the other girls and their flowing tresses. Still, some classmates had begun copying her hairstyle, certain it was the secret to her success. It was ever the fate of greatness to be emulated in such a way.

After toweling off and electing to skip dinner, she slipped into light lounging clothes. Back in her shared room, she saw her roommate deep into a book, yet there was an odd look about her. Perplexed, Seraphina took it upon herself to tap Eloise's shoulder. The doll‑like girl looked up from her book, worry clearly etched across her delicate features.

"What's wrong?" Seraphina asked, giving her lady-in-waiting a weak smile.

"It's most strange, my lady… A few pairs of underclothes have gone missing. Some of them, my own mother even made for me…"

Seraphina pursed her lips. "Servants sometimes misplace things; have no fear, we will replace them."

"But, milady, it keeps happening," Eloise murmured. "And…"

A sharp glint flashed in Seraphina's eyes. "Though I would not put it past some of the common muck here, I doubt any of the Academy's more… deviant sorts could get past Cornelia. My dear pet would notice an intruder lurking about and long before they reached our door."

Indeed, Cornelia, now dieting on kitchen scraps, had grown into a monstrous guardian. Only a fool would trespass into her domain unnoticed. And, not only that, but the serpent's senses were second to none, and the creature had not reported anything of the like to the young noblewoman.

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Cornelia is the best, the lazy serpent echoed in her mind through the power of her necklace.

"Still," Seraphina conceded, stroking her massive pet's head and enjoying the feel of the smooth scales. The giant serpent's crown now covered the entirety of her thighs, Cornelia's golden eyes the size of ping-pong balls. "I will ask the other girls if they've had anything vanish. And, if there were any other instances of things being misplaced. Best to be sure about these things. I will make sure that someone is thrown out on the streets if it is the servants' fault."

"No… Lady Seraphina. You needn't go to such lengths for me," the small girl said with a long, drawn-out sigh. "I will simply have to make do."

Seraphina placed a small finger on Eloise's lips, silencing her. "It is exactly because it is you that one must do these things," she said with her best smile.

The blonde girl had to admit that she did really like Eloise. It was a joy to dress her up in all manner of wonderful things. Since she had Seraphina's previous features, it felt almost as if she were dressing up an alternative version of herself. Not to mention that Eloise was, in Seraphina's opinion, a work of living art. The young girl was a reminder of her perfection of the old world.

But this underclothes issue was yet another problem for the ever‑growing pile. Some days, she wanted to scream: Why must she mend everyone else's messes when there was no one to fix hers? Didn't Seraphina de Sariens get to have a white knight to solve everything?

"Enough fretting," she said, forcing a smile. "Desdemona gifted us some lovely tea. Would you care for a cup?—Milly!"

Silence. No hurried footsteps. No door suddenly bursting open with a meek "milady" shortly after. It was disconcerting.

"Where is that girl?" Seraphina hissed through her teeth.

Eloise thought for a moment. "Remedial classes, I believe."

"Remedial? Surely she isn't that hopeless."

"She asked me for help with a few things," Eloise admitted with a shrug.

Seraphina folded her arms. "What an utter inconvenience. It makes me wonder why I keep her around at all. I am most vexed by this."

"Well… I could try." Eloise's voice was tentative. "Brewing tea can't be too different from mixing a potion."

"Oh, sweet Eloise. Tea is more than just steeping leaves for exactly the right length of time and temperature—it's the setting, the placement of every saucer, and cup—it's the spirit and the art."

For a moment, just the tiniest fraction of a second, Seraphina realized just how much she relied on her maid. Realized, then quickly dismissed the inconvenient truth.

Eloise's gaze hardened with quiet resolve. "If Miriam can manage it, so can I."

Seraphina sighed, conceding gracefully. "Very well—let's see what you can do."