- Huh..
The door slammed shut, and I slid down it, my knees curled up.
Yes, even though I was impolite, it was worth it, don't you agree?
- Appreciate what you have, blah blah...
Does he really think that these stupid guys have any value? Not once. It's like they've been recruited by Karrot (1). Well, that's the reality of the Middle Ages. And I need to consider the novel I'm in and the circumstances. I'm a villain.
(Note. 1 - Similar to Craigslist in South Korea.)
Well, it's a matter of opinion.. Ilissa wasn't a true villain. She was just a scared child. And I'm going to fulfill their dream and start doing real evil. I'm not going to follow every word said by a member of this family. I don't care about the plot of the novel or the main characters.. I'm going to do what I want. Not what any character wants, but what I want.
With my head on my knees, I looked at the floor and just breathed, just existed. There's no one here. There's no one here. Just like always... But it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter anymore. I'm not the real Ilissa. I didn't go through what she went through. And I'm not going to rely on a novel and kiss the feet of the main characters. Yes, I want to survive, and I will do so at any cost, but if it means being a sidekick to these two, I'd rather die. Yes, I'm actually a selfish devil, but I don't really care. I don't give a damn.
I've never lived in Korea under someone's command, so what's the point? I've been to many countries on business trips. I've also been to Russia. I'm no longer afraid. I've seen all the horrors. Just the journey there left me in shock, let alone the people who started asking me to "open my eyes wider."
Now's not the time to relax. I have an idea. A very fun idea.
I brushed myself off and left the room, taking a bunch of grapes with me.
The whole county was shining, the servants were bustling about, ignoring me. And I had no doubt. Well, run along, you'll need it soon enough.
I need to go to the library.
Surprisingly, this county is famous for its huge and legendary library. Yeah, it's the only decent place in this hellhole.
I walked around, looking at the decor and furniture. It was luxurious. It didn't fit the owners. They say that a room or an apartment reflects the owner's inner world. Well, I can disprove that assumption. It doesn't.
How can I get them all out of here and live with Karina alone? I'll have five... No, ten lovers and be a wicked woman. Perfect. But the Count and his son will be faster at creating firearms than moving out. Okay. Then I'll help them a little...
"Ugh."
In front of me were massive doors, the entrance to the sacred place of the county. These doors look better than the entire estate! What will be inside..
The door creaked open, but there was no one in the hallway, so no one found out.
Tsok -, tsok-
When my shoes crossed the threshold, I was filled with excitement.. It's beautiful.. And there are so many books, covering various genres and ideas. There are even landmarks.
After wandering around a bit and looking for the right signs...
"psychology".. "law".. "etiquette" - oh, the Count and his puppy should read this book!, "romance novels"..
.. I've finally found the one.
"Fire".
When I said there were books on a variety of topics, I wasn't joking. This book is about the properties of fire, its power, and how to start a fire. What's so surprising about that? There's no gasoline or anything like that here. I'm not going to direct sunlight all day, am I?
So... Let's steal. Just reach out...
Even heels don't help.
I stretched as far as I could, and eventually I hooked it.
There is.
Pulled, and..
Another book fell on me. Right on my face.
...
What kind of attack?
This book looks worn out. Like it's been used a lot. Um, no, not for wiping. For reading.
I'll check the name now.. Is it still..
"How to deal with a loss"
...
Mm-m. It's probably the Count's. He's in a terrible depression. But I want to see what this genius is reading. I'll grab it too.
After taking everything I wanted, I was about to leave, but then I heard a long, creaking sound. The door.
I turned around and hid the books behind my back.
An anxious-looking girl entered the library.
Karina.
Although her stony face showed no emotion as always, she was clearly nervous.
When she saw me, she put her hand to her heart and called out to me.
- Lady!
- ...
- Gods above, lady, you are here!
She walked briskly toward me.
- What`s up?
- I lost you, milady. I went to your chambers, but they were empty. And you didn't tell me where you were going,- this girl is either really trying to do a good job with her new duties or she's just a good actor.
Ha.. ha-huh..
- Sorry, Karina. I went out for a little while.. For a walk, - I smiled slightly, barely the tip of my lips, -Let's go.
She nodded and silently walked to the exit, holding the doors. I shook my head, urging her to hurry.
Karina was walking a little behind. I was walking in front and looking ahead, thinking about my plan.
Suddenly I heard a woman's voice.
- Lady, can I help you?
She looked at the books.
- No, I can handle it myself. Don't worry.
"Got it."
***
I continued to think about it as I sat on a chair by the window. The breeze cooled my face and ventilated the room. At the time, I was reading a book about fire, while Karina stood behind me, looking out the window as if she were looking for someone.
I didn't ask.
So... I realized that you don't need any tricks to start a fire. All you need is straw and a spark... It's easy, isn't it? It's a sunny day. The sun is shining so brightly...
- Karina.
- I'm listening.
- I didn't see a soul on the way back. Where did all the staff go?
- Miss, you have not been informed. The Count is preparing for the arrival of Archduke Ottles. All the servants and gentlemen are in the right-hand part of the estate.
Ha.. Ha-ha.. Ha-ha-ha!
I burst into laughter. I held it in as best I could and rubbed my fingers across my nose. So this is a song.
- I have a request. Bring a couple of hay bales from the stables and leave them under my window. But make sure you stay unnoticed.
Karina slowly opened her eyelids and stared at a point in space. Then she understood my request and asked:
- Lady.. Please forgive me for asking, but.. Why do you need this?
I expected this.
- I'm going to set up a solarium. At least they'll get some sun, they're all pale. In any case, - my voice was ominously calm, and something inside me twitched, - the estate will be destroyed.
- ...
She was silent, staring at the wall.
- After the order is carried out, you'll lead me out as if you'd saved me.
- ...
- ...
-Got it.
- Remember, no one should see you.
- I see.
She left, and I started thinking about how to get a spark.
Less than a year later, I had an epiphany. According to Ilissa's recollections, the Count has an equivalent of a lighter in his study. Just what I need.
I quickly clicked my heels around the entire third floor and came across that door. The door to the future crematorium.
After breaking through and turning over the entire office, I found this thing. You pull the string, and boom... Fire!
By the time I returned to my chambers, Karina had arrived. We exchanged glances.
- Have you been spotted?
- No.
- Okay.
I patted her head, grabbed a couple of grapes, and headed out, munching on the way.
- Come on.
- Yes.
I walked calmly towards the emergency exit. Karina walked alongside me, making sure we didn't get noticed. Good job.
***
I had already spread the hay around the estate, which wasn't too big, but I didn't go too far to avoid the servants.
Now my girlfriend and I were standing at my window. She was a little further away, and I was closer, ready to set all this beauty on fire.
- Lady!
I turned my head to look at her.
- Let me do it.
- Don't bother. I want to do it myself.
Yes. Finally.. My second evil done while staying in the novel. I'm glad.
Freedom.
The hands held the lighter to the hay and pulled the rope.
Shoo -, shoo!-
A small spark ignited a flame, fueled by the sun.
Let the show begin!
Because I started on the left side, the fire will spread before the staff on the right side arrives.
***
Within a few minutes, the fire had engulfed half of the estate.
How beautiful. Best view.
The workers had long since smelled the smoke and raised the alarm. It was time to hide the evidence.
I buried the lighter in a hole.
Now you have to play the role of a poor, miserable woman.
- Karina, save me.
- ...yes, milady.
She took me by the elbow and led me away from the estate. Peering over her shoulder, I admired the beautiful view.