Azphira Tales

She gave a bitter smile. [Odette] "You have the roles reversed. It would be more accurate to say that you dislike me." At her answer, Karin's face crumpled once more. It wasn't merely because Odette was a villainess or because her nature clashed with Karin's moral compass. The Brentano Ducal House and the Albrecht County were enemies, holding diametrically opposed political views. In my past life, I never understood why she glared at me every time. Now, she knew. She knew how

A gentleman, recalling the slander Doly had spewed yesterday, delivered a biting remark. In response, raucous laughter erupted throughout the salon. Those offended by a maid's gossip and those ashamed of having believed false rumors all pointed fingers at Doly. [Current Bad Reputation You Possess:] [▶ Vicious Villainess (0 people / ▼ Decrease of 32)] [▶ Selfish Purifier (12 people / ▼ Decrease of 3)] [▶ Arrogant Flower of Society (8 people / ▼ Decrease of 18)] [▶ Ignorant Lad

It had been a mere two months since she mastered the alphabet. All she possessed were memories of the sermons of an old priest she had overheard while hiding in the temple. He was an old priest obsessed with theology, having dedicated his entire life to the discipline. A white-haired old man who prattled on endlessly about every conceivable sermon. Of course, he was also the man who had attempted to throw Odette onto a pyre for feigning the role of a purifier. [Odette] "I fai

[Karin] "You possess a habit of inflating your stories, Lord Köndel." Lady Brentano, having quickly composed her expression, pointed this out sharply. [Damian] "On the contrary. I downsized it. Few casinos offer such exhilaration. It is not merely about the money... well... words fail me. You must experience it firsthand to understand my meaning." He offered a vague shrug, a gesture calculated to provoke curiosity. [Damian] "It is a fantastical place. It felt as though I had

A rule set by the host of a salon is absolute within the salon, no matter what it is. This was an unwritten law among the nobility. The salon was considered not merely a place for socializing but the future of Barzeha. Thus, anyone who disregarded the host or the rules was forever ostracized from aristocratic society. The host of this salon, "Lady Karin," gracefully tapped a glass with a spoon to draw attention, then announced the rule. [Karin] "Whatever happens in this salon

[Rumors about the 'Vicious Villainess' are spreading.] [The number of people who agree with the 'Vicious Villainess' reputation has increased. (32 → 35)] [Source of Rumor: Doly] It wasn't even dawn yet, but Doly was already awake. Odette pushed herself up, determined to return before Doly arrived at her room. She confirmed that Karl appeared to be sleeping before slipping out of the infirmary. In her haste to return, she missed the dark smile that curled on Karl's lips. She a

Early dawn on the third day of the Tour of Athena Island. Mrs. Becker, who had monitored Odette with sleepless eyes for two days, finally succumbed to a deep slumber tonight. Odette had lit a sleeping incense known to be beneficial for pregnant women. Of course, she herself had consumed Aqua Mint to stay awake. Click, clack. She walked through the empty corridor and opened the door to the infirmary. A sigh escaped her lips. There were four patient beds, yet Karl lay on a blan

She finally realized what she had done. She had dared to question a noble's legitimacy in the Imperial Palace. [Doly] "......Heuk." The realization hit her that if the Count learned of this mistake, her fate would be sealed. [Becker] "Ah, my Lady, please calm down! Close the door first, and let us speak." Mrs. Becker, conscious of the palace maids, intervened. Funny. She stops me instead of Doly? All Odette had done was open a door, yet Mrs. Becker acted as if she were throwi

A massive, luxurious door painted in deep blue stood proudly before them. Silver hinges added a touch of brilliance to its grandeur. [Odette] "Thank you for guiding me." The room reserved for the hunting competition's victor was the finest suite in the Summer Palace, second only to those occupied by the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince. It was a VIP suite opened only for foreign royalty. When she opened the door, the balcony offered a breathtaking view of the sea. The room

He raised his voice deliberately so the Count would hear him. Ulrich focused on the sounds from the West Wing door. [Johan] "I came to offer a prayer." [Ferdinand] "This place is cramped and damp, Your Highness. I recommend a different prayer room. This space is far too narrow for someone as great as yourself." [Johan] "There are many faithful souls in Barzeha. It is a good thing, but it means every prayer room is crowded. Because of that, there is nowhere to speak quietly wi

[Odette] "I do not understand what you want me to confess, Father." [Ulrich] "Do you think I will let this slide? You gained far too much from this hunting competition. Do you intend to claim this was all a coincidence?" [Odette] "What exactly did I gain?" [Ulrich] "Karl is now bound to you, and you became the victor of the Summer Hunting Competition!" The victor of the Athena Island Hunting Competition. It meant becoming the object of public admiration across the Empire. Thi

[Doly] "Lady Odette, come here. The Master has something to say to you." She snatched the wooden box from Odette's arms without asking for permission. Then, she scanned her dress from top to bottom and spoke. [Doly] "But, My Lady. Wearing a dress that bares your shoulders to play the Saintess is a bit much. Others might not know you are a fraud, but don't you know it yourself? It embarrasses me just looking at you." [Odette] "Do—" She cut her off. [Doly] "What was the prize?

The square of the Summer Palace sat on high ground, overlooking the wide-open sea. The night sea and the illuminations created a romantic atmosphere as the victor's laurel wreath ceremony commenced. Odette's current dress evoked the image of an ancient Greek Doric chiton. The gown, baring her shoulders and arms, possessed a clean elegance, while a water-colored lace shawl added a touch of brilliance. [Lize] "People only called them Purifiers after the Industrial Revolution, b

[Karl] "Ensure that I am never treated as anything other than a combat slave." Disappointment clouded the Emperor’s face. Does he intend to remain a slave for the rest of his life? Is that his ultimate ambition? Gregory, the Emperor, looked at Karl as if the boy had lost his mind. [Karl] "For my third wish, grant me quarters nearest to my master. I have lived in a dungeon until now, but I wish to remain as close to her as possible." Gregory leaned back, his patience thinning.

I saved you, but Karl is the one ready to drop you into the abyss. Odette kept the thought locked behind a mask of polite indifference while the Emperor spoke. [Emperor] "I have been far too careless. He was once the Crown Prince of the Empire’s only ally. No matter how much Odette petitioned for it, sentencing him to slavery was excessive. I was in the wrong." A surge of irritation rose in Odette’s throat. Look at this man, speaking so casually while knowing the full truth o

[Impossible Achievement! You have successfully broken Karl’s 'Command'!] [The following rewards have been granted: (1) Recovery of Odette’s lost quests (2) Increased daily 'Loathing' checks (2 → 5)] Odette stared at the shimmering status window with a touch of bewilderment. I didn't expect the Command to actually break. A lifelong, blind devotion to the Fenrir shouldn't have shattered with a single sentence. She had bared her claws and reprimanded him only because she needed