Shedding the Villainess’s Clothes for a New Beginning
Milena returned to her room, overwhelmed by uncontrollable emotions. Her hands trembled with anger, clenching and unclenching as if to release the fury coursing through her.
Despite the fact that a dress worth the price of an entire castle had been torn to shreds, she felt no remorse. Instead, the realization of how insignificant she had been treated until now only fueled her desire to escape.
‘I have to get out. I need to plan everything thoroughly and leave.’
But… how long did these people plan to follow her? Even in her private space, there were men lingering. Milena’s eyebrow arched in irritation.
“Ashdel. Aren’t you leaving?”
“Nope. Not leaving.”
“Excuse me, Sir. This is my room.”
“I’m working.”
Their shameless responses were infuriating. Yet, despite the outrageous situation, their calm demeanor had a strangely calming effect on Milena as well.
Right. Privacy doesn’t exist in this place.
Accepting that, she opened her dressing room without hesitation.
“Aunt, are we finally leaving? Should I bring my suitcase?”
Milena looked down at Ashdel, who was practically glowing with excitement, and let out a weary smile. Why was he so happy? Did this child also find the ducal estate suffocating?
“I’m just going out for some fresh air. That’s fine, right? Surely, I don’t need the Duke’s permission just to step outside?”
“As you wish.”
The knight shrugged as if to say, ‘Why ask me?’ Milena narrowed her eyes at him. Was this man really one of Calion’s knights? Her suspicion must have been obvious because Ashdel tugged on the hem of her skirt.
“Aunt, can I come too?”
“You?”
That was unexpected. Ashdel had never once set foot outside the castle. He never seemed interested either. After all, everything—people, goods, entertainment—was brought to the castle for him. He had never lacked anything, so there was never a reason for him to leave.
“Sure.”
Just as she was about to tell him they could go together—
Knock, knock.
A knock at the door interrupted them. The eyes of everyone gathered in front of the dressing room shifted toward the sound.
“Young Master, are you in there?”
“……”
There was no response, so the person outside got straight to the point.
“The Duke has summoned you. You are to report to his office immediately.”
So, the moment had come.
Milena turned away from the men behind her and strode across the room, yanking the door open.
“Why is he only calling for Ashdel?”
The head butler flinched at her sudden appearance. Had he already reported her actions to Calion?
Truly, she despised every single servant in this household.
“The Lady was not mentioned.”
“But he knows what I did, doesn’t he?”
Had they reported that Ashdel was the one who destroyed the dress? The thought made her narrow her eyes at the butler, who lowered his head uncomfortably.
“Yes. Of course, I informed His Grace as you instructed, and he said nothing regarding the matter.”
Even though she had destroyed the Duchess’s beloved dress, Calion chose to ignore it? That was a problem in itself.
“Then why is he calling only for Ashdel—”
“Aunt.”
Before she could press further, Ashdel stepped forward. The boy gave her a reassuring smile before taking the lead with the butler.
“I actually had something I needed to talk to Father about. I forgot. I’ll be back soon. You be careful too, Aunt.”
Then, he gestured toward the knight.
“Make sure to protect Aunt. You know what to do if anything happens, right?”
Even with such ominous words, the knight merely nodded slightly. Ashdel clicked his tongue, waved at Milena, and walked away.
“Aren’t you worried?”
Milena, who had been watching Ashdel leave, glanced at the knight standing beside her.
He was unreadable.
Was he a real knight or just someone doing as he pleased?
Not that she expected Calion to assign her a proper knight. This man was probably just excess personnel. Shrugging, Milena replied,
“What’s there to worry about? He may still look like a child, but he knows how to speak up for himself.”
She didn’t see Ashdel as just a kid. He was, after all, the son of a duke.
He couldn’t remain a child forever.
And besides, her Ashdel was a genius.
It might sound like a doting aunt’s bias, but even the royal academy professors had praised his intellect. There had even been talk of enrolling him as the youngest-ever student.
So she trusted that he would handle himself well.
The only thing that worried her was what he would have to face alone after she was gone.
“Shall we go?”
“……”
The knight, still silent, observed her for a moment before following her.
Truly an inscrutable man.
As always, the gazes of the servants who passed by were filled with contempt and disdain.
Even after five years since her sister’s death, that hadn’t changed.
Out of respect for her status as a count’s daughter and the Duchess’s family, they bowed their heads, but their expressions were impossible to mask.
With such an atmosphere in the castle, it was no surprise that the sentiment was the same in the city below.
Luksen, the largest commercial district in the North, was bustling with life as always.
To avoid unnecessary attention, Milena pulled her hood low over her face. She had also hired a regular carriage rather than using the ducal family’s.
‘The atmosphere is nice.’
Unlike before, when she had only felt resentment, the city’s energy now seemed vibrant and full of life.
Was it because her perspective had changed?
What once appeared rough and dirty now looked new and interesting.
As she wandered through the streets, the knight quietly followed behind her.
Milena strolled aimlessly, truly just taking in the air, until her steps came to a halt.
She stood in front of a shop, staring at an elegant deep-green dress displayed in the window.
Her dressing room had been filled with dresses that suited Larriete.
Her life had been entirely defined by her sister.
Nothing had ever been hers.
But this dress—she had a feeling it would suit her.
“Would you like to go inside?”
The knight, who spoke and stayed silent entirely at his own whim, now made a suggestion.
Milena glanced at his reflection in the glass.
He was a full head taller than her.
Why did he hide his face?
His sharp features couldn’t be concealed by his hair, and the red earring he wore looked completely out of place with his knight’s uniform.
Did he think that was enough to hide his identity?
Curious but not enough to ask, Milena stepped inside.
Ding—
The shopkeeper emerged at the sound of the bell.
“Oh, welcome—”
She began cheerfully, only to freeze as Milena pulled back her hood.
The infamous villainess of the ducal estate had entered her store.
But professionals didn’t turn away paying customers. The shopkeeper quickly erased all emotion from her face and put on her best smile.
Rumors had already spread throughout the city about Milena’s dress purchases.
If they just offered the same colors and styles the Duchess often wore, surely she would buy them.
With quick calculations, the owner retrieved the latest fabrics and dresses.
“These are the newest designs from the South! They’ll be the next big trend after the imperial fashion.”
Milena barely glanced at them.
The shopkeeper swallowed nervously.
‘Is she going to throw a fit here?’
But instead, Milena calmly pointed elsewhere.
“Not these. That dress in the window. And that one, and that one. Bring them to me.”
The shopkeeper hesitated.
They weren’t the styles Milena usually wore.
But the customer’s wish was absolute.
“Of course, right away.”
“I can try them on now, right?”
“Of course.”
And against all expectations—
“Oh my.”
Milena knew exactly what suited her.
The moment she put on the dress, gasps of admiration filled the room.
She had transformed.
“My goodness, Lady! It looks amazing on you!”
Genuine admiration, not flattery, filled the air.
Milena’s expression remained indifferent.
“The skirt needs less volume, and the sides should be slit. That would be better.”
The owner’s eyes widened.
Her eye for fashion was sharper than a designer’s.
“At last… You’ve found your style.”
After 28 years.
“I think so too.”
And for the first time, Milena smiled.
