I'm here in the garden right now, reading a book...
Haaa... what a peaceful day...
Then I heard the servants whispering nearby.
"It feels like Milady has changed somehow..."
"I know, right? Her aura seems different..."
I know, I know. I'm annoyingly beautiful.
Haaa... life is truly hard when you're this gorgeous.
"Since when did Milady learn how to read?"
My ears twitched at that comment.
What do they mean, learned? I already know how to read!
Wait... you shouldn't let your temper cloud your judgment, Valerie.
No matter what they say, you're still beautiful.
"I don't know what's going on in your head, but your face annoys me."
My brows furrowed at those words, and I sharply turned toward the shameless culprit who said them.
"Hi, my dear sister. I thought you hit your head and suddenly changed?"
I froze in shock, then immediately shouted.
"Big Brother!!!"
Big Brother is here!!!!
That bracelet!!!
Wait... have they already met that wretched Laura?
I immediately opened my palm, as if expecting him to place something in it.
He frowned, confusion written all over his face.
"Why are you holding your hand out like that?"
"A gift."
"Huh? Wait! I haven't even sat down yet. Shouldn't you at least invite me for tea and ask how my studies are going in the other kingdom first?"
"Ehhh... I mean, I already know you're doing well there. You're the top student in your class anyway. Now hurry, where's my gift? I heard you discovered an artifact from an ancient city."
He finally sat down across from me.
"How did you find out about that?"
Right... Father never told me about his discovery.
It's not like I can just say I read it in a webcomic.
"Don't worry about how I found out. Just tell me where my gift is."
I pressed him stubbornly.
"Well... I was planning to give it to the girl I like."
Startled, I slammed my hand on the table.
"What?!"
"Valerie... I know you can be rude sometimes, but basic man-"
I cut him off before he could finish.
"Who is this girl you like?"
Don't tell me...
you've already met Laura!!!!
"Calm down, Valerie. Sit down first."
I sat, but kept my eyes locked on him, refusing to look away.
"Who is this girl?"
He scratched the back of his head, looking oddly embarrassed.
Confirmed.
He's already met that witch.
"Uhm... you already know her."
I know!
I know her very well!!!
"It's La—"
I couldn't finish my sentence because Martha arrived just then, placing refreshments on the table and serving tea to my brother.
"The tea is ready, Milady."
"Ah. Thank you, Martha."
I turned back to my brother, who had suddenly gone quiet.
I frowned at his expression.
He looked like he was about to burst, as if he desperately needed to run to the restroom.
"Brother, are you alright?"
"H-Huh? Y-Yes."
He answered nervously, his eyes fixed on Martha, as if he were tracking her every movement.
Don't tell me...
"Martha... feed Brother some cookies. He wants one."
At my words, both of them froze in surprise, especially my brother, whose face instantly turned red.
"W-What are you saying, V-Valerie?!"
"If that is your command, Milady, I will obey."
Martha moved to pick up a cookie, but my brother quickly stopped her.
"D-Don't listen to Valerie..."
"As you wish, Young Master."
Martha bowed and stepped back to stand quietly at the side.
A slow grin spread across my face.
"So it's Martha you like, huh, Brother Henrick...?"
My brother looked straight at me.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
I could see the uneasiness written all over his face as he quickly took a sip of tea.
"So it's Martha."
At my words, he suddenly choked on his drink and stared at me in shock.
He immediately glanced at Martha, as if trying to check her reaction, wondering whether she had heard what I said.
I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of him.
His face was glowing with embarrassment, red as a sunset caught in a scandal.
"If you don't want anything unfortunate to happen... then give me what I asked for."
"I thought you had changed! Your heart is still as wicked as ever..."
Almost on the verge of tears, he pulled a small box from his pocket and handed it to me.
"Ahahaha! Don't worry, I'll help you get closer to her."
I took the box and immediately opened it.
This bracelet...
Bwahahahahaha!!!
"I'm going to be rich!!!"
"Huh? What are you talking about, Valerie?"
I ignored whatever my brother was saying.
Bwahahahaha...
Because this item is a relic from the Holy Empire.
Neither my brother nor the others know that this object has the power to appraise items.
To determine whether something is valuable or worthless.
Laura discovered its power by accident.
And because of that, she eventually became the owner of a massive company.
But now that it's in my hands,
I will be the one to become the queen of the business world!!!
But...
Why did my brother give this to Laura before,
when the one he actually likes is Martha?
I glanced at my brother again, who was still staring at me in confusion.
"That hit to your head must have been really serious, Valerie. I'll tell Father to have you examined."
I forced a smile and spoke in a low voice.
"Brother... if you don't want to get into trouble, shut your mouth and eat this cookie, okay?"
I promptly stuffed a cookie into his mouth and admired the bracelet in my hand.
Bwahahahahaha!
Laura... everything you have will become mine.
Bwahahahahaha!!!
Am I evil?
Well, there's nothing you can do about it.
I am a notorious villainess.
Bwahahahahaha.