Taming The Villainesses novel Chapter 266

(EP-266.1) Song #3

266 – Cicada’s Song #3

Chancellor Reinhardt Von Lioness of Angmar.

It was said that many trembled in fear at the mere mention of his name. However, at least as a father, Reinhardt was a kind man.

Though he showed merciless claws and fangs to his enemies, he was endlessly gentle and devoted to his family. That was the way of the lion.

Thus, Elga never found her father, Reinhardt, difficult to deal with. Reinhardt had also pampered Elga, who had lost her mother early on.

Thanks to this, Elga grew up to be a young lady who could easily be seen as overbearing and selfish.

But even Elga sometimes found her father intimidating. That was when she had to meet him in his office.

‘When was the last time I spoke with Father in his office...?’

“Huu-.”

Standing in front of the office of the head of the Lion’s Den—the Lioness estate in Angmar—Elga wiped her increasingly sweaty palms on the hem of her long dress.

Thump, thump.

Trying to calm her rapidly beating heart, Elga took a few deep breaths, but her body refused to return to its normal state.

It was understandable. Reinhardt, who thoroughly separated public and private matters, summoning Elga to his office meant he had something to say as the head of the house, not as her father.

And most of the time, such conversations with Reinhardt were harsh. Having this engraved since childhood, it was natural for Elga to feel fear.

━I know you’re out there. Come in.

A deep voice called out from behind the thick door of the office. Elga knew she couldn’t just stand there forever. She finally decided to open the door and put her hand directly into the lion’s maw.

Click, creak.

“First daughter, Elganes Von Lioness. Greetings to the head of the Lioness Ducal House.”

Elga grasped the hem of her skirt and gracefully curtsied.

All Elga could see was the broad shoulders and back of a man sitting in a chair, facing away from her, looking out at the moonlit window.

She couldn’t tell what expression he was wearing, but the bitter smell of tobacco and the pipe in his hand gave her a clue.

For him to start smoking again, there must be a good reason. However, Elga refused to be intimidated and spoke confidently.

“I’d appreciate it if you put out the cigarette.”

“......”

Crunch.

At Elga’s words, the man crushed the pipe in his hand.

Watching the graphite bamboo pipe, said to be stronger than steel of the same thickness, crumble, Elga felt dizzy.

However, without showing any sign of it, she asked.

“So, Father. Why did you call for me?”

“... You should already know the reason, Elganes. I saw the results of the test you requested. It was quite surprising.”

“......”

“Keeping it a secret was a good move. If this had gotten out, the kingdom we’ve worked so hard to stabilize would have been thrown into chaos. But─”

But.

“─the execution was sloppy. Everyone has been taken care of except the butler.”

“Taken care of...?”