The Villainess Wants to Indulge in 'Moe' to Her Heart's Content! - Episode 2.9
As Letizia bowed her head politely, the silence that had momentarily frozen the room melted away in an instant.
“Oh my, Lady Letizia…”
“Even Lady Letizia makes mistakes, I see.”
“That just makes her all the more endearing.”
The tense atmosphere that had hung in the air, like a taut string ready to snap, softened in an instant, bringing a collective sense of relief.
“U-Um… Lady Letizia. If you’d like, I can guide you there?”
Just as Letizia let out a breath of relief, a hesitant, small voice called out from behind her.
She turned around and was met with the sight of a petite female student. With a warm smile, Letizia responded,
“Oh, that’s very kind of you. But just a simple explanation would suffice—”
Her words, meant to express her gratitude, froze in her throat.
Letizia’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at the girl.
She had chestnut-colored hair tied into two braids and eyes the color of fresh spring leaves. She was rather petite, and the oversized dragonfly-rimmed glasses on her face left a striking impression. Clutched against her chest was a thick book.
(A caramel-colored jacket… That means she’s from the nouveau riche bourgeoisie…)
But that wasn’t what had captured Letizia’s attention.
“You… that bracelet on your wrist… isn’t that kumihimo?”
Her voice trembled as she spoke. The girl let out a small, surprised “Eh…?” and lowered her gaze to the hand holding her book.
Wrapped around her slender wrist was a luxurious, purple kumihimo bracelet. It was adorned with a large black morion quartz, a brilliant yet small citrine, and a hawk’s eye gemstone.
Kumihimo was a traditional Japanese craft—intricately woven cords made from silk threads, dyed in vibrant colors and carefully braided by skilled artisans.
It had been introduced in the Asuka period as ornamental cords for Buddhist artifacts and scriptures. By the Nara period, it was widely used for formal attire and had since evolved to serve as decorative elements in samurai armor, tea ceremony tools, and kimono accessories.
And the bracelet’s design was unmistakably Japanese. It would pair seamlessly with traditional attire.
(And… this… this is…!)
A violent shudder ran through Letizia’s body. Without thinking, she grasped the girl’s shoulders with urgency.
“Y-You! What’s your name!?”
“E-Eh…!? U-Um, my name is… Elisabeth. Elisabeth Ardy…”
Startled by Letizia’s intensity, the girl’s round eyes widened as she timidly responded.
“Which country are you from? Is it Emerald? Or perhaps…”
“Y-Yes. Emerald. M-My father… runs a trading business…”