"Huh? She called for you, too?"
"You, too?"
"Gee, why did she call all of us all of a sudden?"
"I don't know."
Four maids and two servants, who appeared to be in their early to mid-20s, stood in front of Camilla's door.
"I heard that her relationship with the Duke has gotten better these days."
"So what? Is she going to scold us now?"
"Pfft! What?"
"How long will that last?"
"I'll bet on the earring I bought that she'll lose her temper and she'll make the Duke angry again."
"Me, too."
None of the people who giggled showed any signs of difficulty or fear of Camilla.
Not long ago, a few of the kitchen maids who were caught harassing Camilla were kicked out, but they were just unlucky.
Knock, they knocked and opened the door without much hesitation. They didn't wait for her permission to come in.
They didn't hesitate because it's what they always do.
"Eek!"
"Gasp!"
But the next moment they had to urgently swallow the screams that were about to come out.
It was because they found Camilla sprawled out on the bed.
The sight of Camilla slumped on the bed with red blood seeping from the corner of her mouth was enough to frighten them.
There were unknown medicinal drugs scattered around; anyone could see she had taken her own life.
"I-Is she dead?"
The voice of the person speaking was shaky. The color of their face turned white.
How the hell did this happen!? Camilla is dead!
Everyone was at a loss at the sudden situation. They didn't have the courage to get close enough to confirm if she was dead or alive.
"That—!"
How much time had passed? They were frozen, unable to act, when a maid's cry brought them to their senses.
Only then did they lift their gaze from Camilla and looked to where the maid had pointed.
"I-Is that—?!"
"You can't be serious!"
A white letter was placed on the bed where Camilla collapsed.
Everyone in the room could easily guess what it was.
A suicide note. Camilla's last words were clear.
They hastily picked up the letter.
"…!"
The expressions of the maids and servants changed as they read the letter.
At first, fear flashed across their faces.
The letter had their names on it.
Not just their names but everything they had done to her.
The letter ended expressing how unfair it was and asking for relief from her resentment.
"Oh my god."
"Wh-What should we do?"
"Goodness—!"
"I-If it were to fall into the hands of the Duke—!"
It was hard to ignore how much power a suicide note has. It would be useless to make false excuses like they usually do.
It was clear that everyone would question how bad it could have been for Camilla to kill herself.
No matter how much you dislike someone, hearing that they're dead would bring a small pang of sympathy for them.
Besides, hasn't she been getting along with the Duke of Sorpel lately?
What if the letter gets delivered to the Duke in this situation?
"Let's get rid of it."
"What?"
"Let's get rid of the letter."
"B-But—"
"We can't just die together."
The maid, who shouted, snatched up the note and tore it to pieces before she could finish.
Even those who were panicking at first breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the note disappear. After all, they had to live.
There was no evidence of their involvement in Camilla's death unless a suicide note is found.
Her suicide will be concluded as an impulsive choice made by Camilla, who, as always, could not control her temper.
"Hey— aren't you guys pushing your luck a little too much?"
"…?"
That's when it happened.
"Will you always be lucky enough to be the first to discover my suicide note?"
"Eek!"
"Gah!"
A very familiar voice came from behind those who were relieved.
Quickly turning around, they let out a scream, though they weren't sure who it came from first. Some dropped to the ground.
Camilla, who they thought was dead, sat up and watched what they were doing.
Camilla smiled as she wiped the red marks from her mouth with a handkerchief.
"I can play dead again."
"P-Play dead?"
Their faces contorted as they realized what was happening.
Was she making fun of them? Were they kidding themselves… to fall for such a cheap prank?
Not by anyone else but by Camilla?
A wave of anger washed over them. Everyone looked annoyed, having forgotten that they had just been scared.
Camilla, who had been watching the whole thing, gave a short laugh.
"It could've been real."
"…What do you mean by that?"
The faces of those present hardened again.
It could be real? Was she really thinking about dying?
"You all know I go to the kitchen every night these days, right?"
There was no one in the ducal household who did not know that Camilla goes to the kitchen every night at the same time to make a midnight snack for the Duke of Sorpel.
There were even rumors that the Duke secretly loves and looks forward to the snacks she makes.
"What if I didn't show up in the kitchen one day?"
"What…?"
"Someone will at least think it's weird and will come looking for me, right?"
It was obvious that they didn't understand, so Camilla tried to be nice and explain things a little more simply.
"What if I slit my wrist at just the right time and clutch a suicide note in my hand?"
"…!"
"Or maybe I'd be lying on the floor like I did just now, with a bunch of pills or something. If you've been fooled, wouldn't everyone else be as well?"
"M-Miss!"
Their faces fell as they realized that this situation is no joke.
"A-Are you threatening us?"
"Threatening?"
For the first time, the smile faded from Camilla's face.
Her mood changed in an instant, and the maid, who was watching the scene, flinched without realizing it.
"Threats are…"
Camilla trailed off and took a step closer to the maid.
"…for those who have something to gain from."
Then she stretched out a hand toward the maid who had just spoken.
She flinched.
Camilla smirked as she watched the maid close her eyes tightly as if she was about to be slapped.
Then, with a flick, she patted her cheek with her hand.
"Do you threaten insects?"
"…!"
"Because insects…"
The hand that had been cupping her cheek slowly slid down to stroke the maid's neck.
"…are meant to be stepped on and killed. Or crushed with your hands."
"M… Miss!"
"I just don't like it because it gets my hands and feet dirty."
The maid shuddered as she made eye contact with Camilla.
"By the way…"
Her voice dropped even lower.
"Wouldn't there be a limit to that?"
They all swallowed hard as they watched Camilla's eyes turn cold for a moment.
"I don't think I can take any more buzzing… What am I going to do?"
Her touch sent a chill down her spine. She felt like her neck might snap at any moment.
"I-I'm sorry, Miss!"
"Please forgive me!"
Before she knew it, all the maids and servants were all kneeling on the floor. Some were even bowing their heads to the floor.
She's different! She's not who she used to be!
If she had been throwing a tantrum like she usually does, there was nothing much to fear. Rather, they would've laughed at her.
However…!
Now they're out of breath. It was clear that she is not to be trifled with.
Pat, pat.
"Let's do well."
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Camilla gently patted the trembling maid on the cheek once more, who, unlike the others, was unable to even kneel.
"Go find it."
"…What?"
"The ring you stole from me. I want it back."
"…! Yes!"
"Understood!"
As soon as Camilla's words left her mouth, everyone rushed outside. Some people were in such a hurry that they tripped over their own feet.
Slam!
The door closed in an instant. Camilla let out a long breath as soon as she was left alone in the room.
'Goodness, that was draining.'
Acting as a villain was a great way to relieve stress.
However, it requires a lot of physical and mental energy. In any case, you need to use more energy than the other person's to make it work.
[…]
[…]
Derrin and Ferrol approached Camilla as she collapsed on the bed.
Both men looked like they had a lot to say, but neither could find the words.
"What is it?"
After watching them repeatedly open and close their mouths, Camilla finally spoke up.
[I was really surprised.]
[You really did look like you were going to kill them.]
Derrin, the butler ghost, and Ferrol, the chef ghost, who have been watching the whole thing from one side of the room, spoke up. Their expressions were still full of surprise.
[Was it really acting?]
They'd been warned beforehand. But the way she'd been pressuring the maids and servants earlier, it was clear she meant business.
It was an atmosphere where it wouldn't be surprising if anyone died. If they hadn't known the situation, they would have jumped up and screamed at her to hold back.
"I'm someone who beat the protagonist for the grand prize for playing the villain."
[Grand prize? What's that?]
[Do you get an award for acting?]
Turning away from the two unintelligible ghosts, Camilla picked up the glass of water on the table and took a sip.
[But Miss Camilla.]
"Go ahead and tell me."
Derrin spoke again, as if he still had questions.
[Haven't you already found the ring?]
Earlier, she had ordered the maids and servants to retrieve the ring, but in fact, she had already found it and kept it with her.
"I'm a very polite person."
[Polite?]
[What are you talking about?]
"Isn't it polite to give back as much as you get?"
Camilla looked at her hand holding the glass of water.
A hand full of scratches from rose thorns here and there.
'You'd think there was a devil in the rose garden.'
If everyone else sees them scurrying around the rose garden just like Camilla…
'I want you guys to see how it feels to be called a crazy bitch.'
Camilla smiled under the puzzled stares of Derrin and Ferrol.