Please Bully Me, Miss Villainess!

Chapter 244 : Escape 1

"Holy Maiden, the appointed time is approaching."

"...I understand."

Seeing her fellow kin approach, Linda lowered her veil and stood up, ceasing further communication with Elsa. She reverted to the cold and noble Elven Holy Maiden, as if the previous conversation had never occurred.

"Then we shall take our leave, Grand Magician."

The other elven attendants bowed to Elsa in unison.

Watching the elves' retreating figures, Elsa was filled with admiration.

This woman is as impenetrable as ever...

Touching her own face and recalling her earlier loss of composure, Elsa deeply recognized her own immaturity.

It seems that managing one's expressions is also crucial.

—If you have made your decision, then please prepare yourself and accompany me to the demon realm.

As dusk fell,

Recalling Linda's final message, Elsa walked heavily along the rose path in the palace's rear garden.

It was too early to give up.

No matter what, she had to find that answer.

"Welcome back, Lady Elsa."

The voice interrupted her thoughts.

Looking up, she saw the maids standing neatly on the steps, holding lamps. Upon seeing her, they curtseyed in perfect unison.

"Ah... yes."

Strange...

In the darkness, besides the light emitted from the crystal lamps, Elsa saw something different.

Numerous luminous particles floated around the maids holding the crystal lamps.

Dorothea's special training for her had included 'magic perception'.

Elemental particles not only compose magic but can also be manipulated to sense the presence of magical power.

Previously, when accompanying Yvonne, Elsa had encountered many formidable priests. What was shocking was that the aura surrounding these seemingly young maids was no less impressive than those old men.

Among them, the head maid's aura was the most terrifying.

Elsa clenched her fists, feeling cold sweat seep from her palms.

It seems these maids assigned to her are no ordinary individuals...

Being a maid is truly a formidable profession.

In this situation, if she were to suddenly disappear from the mansion, the observers would quickly notice.

She would likely be caught before reaching the demon realm.

Of course, it was understandable that Oz Kingdom would not easily let go of their trump card against the demon race, and would naturally keep her under surveillance and guard.

But the question was, how could she escape from such a predicament?

Realizing her current situation, Elsa's heart sank.

"Lady Elsa, is something the matter?"

Noticing her unease, the head maid asked with concern.

"...It's nothing, I'm just feeling a bit fatigued."

At the very least, she couldn't show any unusual expressions.

"Lady Elsa, your tireless efforts for the country are truly admirable."

"Please rest well now. We will take good care of you."

"W-Wait a moment?!"

Only after entering did Elsa realize something was amiss.

The maids surrounded her, holding fresh clothes that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"First, let's change you into something more comfortable."

"...I can undress myself!"

Though she exclaimed this, there was nowhere to escape from the hands reaching for her from all directions.

In the time it took to speak, her feathered cape had already been removed, the dust swept away with magical feathers, and neatly folded. The entire process took only about ten seconds, leaving Elsa dumbfounded.

"This is our job, Lady Elsa."

"Your noble status requires commensurate service."

"Please don't be reserved, let us attend to you."

"I must decline!!"

Elsa retreated, arms crossed over her chest.

This was one point on which she could not compromise!

She would not allow any woman other than her dear Yvonne to undress her!!

·

"Hah..."

As the intricately designed robe slid off her bare legs, Elsa, freed from its constraints, finally sighed in relief.

No matter how many times, she still couldn't get used to such extravagant treatment...

After her repeated insistence, Elsa finally obtained the 'freedom to undress herself' from the maids.

However, it was indeed difficult to remove without assistance.

This tailored robe had three waistbands alone, and dozens of buttons made from beast bones inscribed with runes. It couldn't be smoothly removed without unfastening them all.

Of course, this complex design wasn't purely for show. The combination of runes and magical beast materials formed enchantments which, along with the matching accessories, provided excellent magic resistance bonuses to the entire outfit.

If she were to remain in such a world, would these restrictive days continue indefinitely...

Donning a loose, comfortable nightgown and pulling her hair out from the collar, Elsa turned to look at herself in the mirror and let out a long sigh.

The current situation inevitably reminded her of that always elegant and composed blonde girl.

When she was under house arrest as a rebel back then, her circumstances were probably even worse than Elsa's current situation.

How did Yvonne get through those times...?

Touching the cold mirror surface, Elsa fell into deep thought.

Although she had believed she understood Yvonne well, now she lacked such confidence.

If they had never met from the beginning, perhaps Yvonne, born into nobility, could have lived a happier life in this world...

Ah~~ No, no, no—!

Elsa slapped her own cheeks hard.

She had unconsciously fallen into such pessimistic thoughts again.

Linda was right, she needed to steel herself.

The only one who could change the current situation was herself!

The one thing Elsa didn't want to regret was meeting Yvonne.

Every action could potentially trigger unexpected chain reactions, so please be extremely cautious.

"Lady Elsa."

The door was gently knocked, and the head maid's voice came from outside.

"Would you like us to prepare hot water for you now?"

"Not now, I'd like to rest for a while. I'll trouble you when I want to bathe."

"Certainly. Please use the call bell when you need us. We are at your service at any time."

...Have they gone?

Hearing the footsteps gradually recede, Elsa finally removed her ear from the door.

Although she had confidence in her magical abilities, Elsa didn't want to set out with a trail of pursuers behind her.

Moreover, she didn't want to involve innocent people.

It seemed she needed to devise a way to leave here without anyone noticing.

Somehow... I feel so tired...

Lying back on the bed, Elsa felt as if her entire body was falling apart.

Too many things had happened in just one short day.

For now, she would rest a bit, then make a thorough plan and prepare to set out for the demon realm.

But before that—

Elsa's gaze shifted to an unnatural small bulge behind the drawn curtains.

Beneath the drapes, a small black tail was exposed.

"Are you playing hide-and-seek with Mama?"

"!"

Hearing her voice, the tail tip quivered violently.

"But—I can see you, you know?"

Elsa stepped forward and pulled back the curtain.

"Ma-Mama..."

Bebe, with drooping ears, looked up at her timidly, still clutching her favorite cat doll.