The Villainous Noblewoman Is About to Be Forced into Love, Isn’t This Wrong?

Her plan was simple—wait until Loraviel fell asleep before getting into bed herself. That way, things wouldn’t feel quite so awkward.

So it was finally happening?

“I understand.” Loraviel obediently slipped under the covers. The velvet blankets were warm, yet no matter how tightly she curled up, she couldn’t seem to get warm at all.

Every time Liana turned a page, every slight shift in her posture sent a wave of psychological torment through Loraviel.

This kind of mental torment was far worse. If Liana had simply climbed on top of her and had her way with her, it wouldn’t have been nearly as agonizing as this slow, drawn-out suspense.

Liana let out a small yawn. Thinking that Loraviel must have fallen asleep by now, she stretched lazily and made her way to the bed—only to be met with a pair of wide, blinking violet eyes.

Still awake?

Liana pulled back the covers. The space inside was already comfortably warm, carrying the faint scent of Loraviel.

Sliding into bed, she was immediately enveloped by Loraviel’s warmth.

Liana closed her eyes. Occasionally, when their skin accidentally brushed, she could feel Loraviel trembling.

“Are you cold?” Liana asked.

“I’m sorry, Lady Liana…” Loraviel couldn’t seem to calm down.

“Or…” Liana suddenly propped herself up, pinning Loraviel beneath her, “is there something you want me to do to you?”

Golden strands of hair cascaded over Loraviel’s face, tickling her skin.

Loraviel turned her head away, unable to meet Liana’s gaze. “I was just thinking… Someone like me… Can I really be allowed to sleep in Lady Liana’s bed? I’m just a maid.”

She really was adorable. Adorable enough to make Liana want to torment her even more.

“Of course you can. I’m very pleased with you.”

“Not just tonight. From now on, every night, you will come to my room and warm my bed. Understood?” Liana settled back down.

“...Yes.” Loraviel couldn’t refuse. She shut her eyes tightly, bracing herself for whatever would come next.

But Liana did nothing. She simply lay beside her, breathing steadily, as if she had already fallen asleep.

This kind of unknown fear was far worse than anything else.

An hour passed. Loraviel still couldn’t sleep. With Liana beside her, she didn’t even dare to move. She could only stare at the ceiling in the darkness.

Then, suddenly, Liana stirred.

“Lady Liana?” Loraviel whispered hesitantly.

There was no response.

Sleepwalking? No way…

Loraviel sat up, watching as Liana climbed out of bed. Naturally, she followed.

As a maid—especially one sharing Liana’s bed—if something were to happen to Liana, she would be held responsible.

“...” Watching the direction Liana was heading, Loraviel soon realized she had misunderstood and quietly slipped back under the covers.

Liana, still in a daze, returned and stood beside Loraviel’s sleeping spot.@@novelbin@@

Lifting the blanket, she slid back in.

“Lady Liana?”

Without a word, Liana reached out, wrapping both arms around Loraviel’s waist, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Her cold fingertips brushed against Loraviel’s stomach, sending a faint shiver through her body. But she didn’t resist—because she knew resisting was pointless.

Liana’s long, slender legs intertwined with Loraviel’s, her face nuzzling into the soft warmth of Loraviel’s chest.

And just like that, she fell asleep, holding Loraviel in her arms.

Liana slept soundly, but Loraviel didn’t get a wink of sleep the entire night.

Lying next to a ticking time bomb, every second felt like torture.

…

By morning, Loraviel found herself staring at Liana. Her long eyelashes cast delicate shadows, making her look so peaceful and innocent in her sleep.

Her lashes trembled slightly before slowly fluttering open.

The first thing Liana saw was the soft blue of Loraviel’s hair. Still groggy, she instinctively buried her face into Loraviel’s chest, tightening her arms around her.

It wasn’t until the cold sensation on her hands registered that Liana finally woke up properly.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, Liana had no idea what was going on.

She could feel the warmth of Loraviel’s chest against her face, the way her arms were wrapped around her, her legs tangled with Loraviel’s—

And she had absolutely no recollection of any of it.

An awkward silence settled over them.

“…Morning?”

“Did I wake you, Lady Liana?” Loraviel’s voice was laced with exhaustion.

“What time is it?” Liana asked.

“Seven.”

Liana loosened her grip around Loraviel. “Go wash up in your own room. Nabet should be waiting for you outside.”

“Understood, Lady Liana.”

The moment Loraviel opened Liana’s door, she found Nabet standing there, waiting.

When she saw Loraviel step out, Nabet’s brows furrowed. “Did you stay here all night?”

“Yes.” Loraviel nodded, her face visibly weary. After all, she had spent the entire day training yesterday without a moment of proper rest.

“You don’t look well. Perhaps you should take the day off?” Nabet suggested.

Loraviel shook her head. “How could I? I’ve only been serving Lady Liana for two days—I can’t already be asking for a break.”

“Don’t worry, Miss Nabet. I’m fine. Please take care of my training today.” Loraviel bowed politely before heading to her room to wash up.

Nabet clenched her fists.

Yesterday, Loraviel had come out of Anbis’s room with her clothes in disarray.

This morning, she emerged from Liana’s room, looking utterly exhausted.

She had actually believed—hoped—that Liana had changed.

But in the end, she was still the same wretched scum as always.

Raising her hand, Nabet knocked sharply on Liana’s door—hard enough that the sound rang through the room.

Liana immediately noticed the force behind the knock. She had assumed it was someone from Ruth’s faction, but when she opened the door, she found Nabet standing there instead.

“What is it?”

“And to think I actually believed you might change.”

“…Hah?”

For her of all people to forget her formal speech—she really was furious.

But Liana had no idea why Nabet was this angry. What the hell was going on?

Normally, Nabet wouldn’t have reacted so strongly. But after catching a glimpse of something resembling hope, only to have it crushed, her rage burned hotter than ever.

“What did you do to Loraviel last night?”

“Nothing.” Liana answered honestly.

But it was obvious Nabet didn’t believe a word of it.

She reached out and grabbed the door, stopping Liana from shutting it in her face.