Taming The Villainesses Chapter 1.1

To me, the image of a Queen is confined to the realm of fiction and media.

I picture a regal woman adorned with a glittering crown, exuding an unwavering noble aura.

This was the mental picture I held until recently.

That changed when I became aware of Queen Aira Von Tarantera VIII.

Astute minds would likely have deduced from her name alone that she is not a real queen, but rather a pivotal villain character within the novel, ‘Villain Hunter.’

Indeed.

She is the antagonist.

Aira Von Tarantera.

Within the narrative, she reigns as a tyrant, embodying the antithesis of an benevolent monarch.

The novel describes Aira as a striking young woman with raven hair and equally dark eyes.

Despite her exceptional beauty and undeniable presence, her claim to the throne was precarious.

This situation persisted until, through a series of unfortunate and unexplained circumstances, her elder siblings, who held superior positions, met their demise. At the tender age of 17, she unexpectedly ascended to the throne.

Seventeen siblings preceded her, yet their fates remained shrouded in mystery, all perishing within a single year in ways the novel left largely undefined.

Consequently, the child who was last in line for succession, by virtue of being the sole remaining descendant of the Royal Family, became the heir.

Now, consider the ramifications when a young, naive royal, who never anticipated inheriting the throne, is suddenly thrust into absolute power-.

“Guards, remove his head—!”

The spectacle unfolded directly before my eyes.

“Your Majesty, I implore you—!”

Belmott Douglas, the Court’s Minister of Finance, was visibly distressed, his pleas focusing on the excessive tax burden imposed by the Royal Family, warning of potential unrest among the nobility.

“Your Majesty! Please, grant me just a moment of your attention.”

Regardless of how inept the Queen might be, could she truly be unaware of the implication of ‘off with his head,’ particularly directed at someone held in high esteem by both the populace and the nobles?

The surrounding onlookers were indeed in an uproar.

– She intends to execute him?

– Is this for real?

– Heavens, no… Someone must intervene.

– Can no one speak reason to this mad Queen?

Approximately three years had passed since Aira’s coronation.

While her reign had seen numerous peculiar decrees, this marked the first instance of an execution ordered in blatant disregard for legal proceedings, understandably causing widespread bewilderment.

– What is our course of action?

– I have no idea. What are your proposed steps?

– No… She’s not beheading a common thief; this is Lord Belmott. How can we comply?

The Royal Guards exchanged uncertain glances, their hands hovering over their swords, hesitant to act.

“What are you waiting for? I commanded you to behead him. If you refuse, I shall do it myself!”

Enduring the inaction no longer, Aira uttered a groan and swiftly drew a sword from the scabbard of the Guard stationed nearest the throne.

“Ah, what a refreshing sensation. It’s been an age since I last wielded a sword, not since I donned this crown.”

The blade in Aira’s grasp seemed to thrum with anticipation, eager to draw blood.

With a single, fluid motion, comparable to the skill of the Kingdom’s Sword Master, Aira would then sever the old man’s head.

Such was the tale.

Following this initial act of bloodshed, Aira’s reign would continue its descent until her eventual deposition and subsequent execution by hanging.

The harrowing struggle of her final moments provided a sense of thrilling catharsis for me as a reader, a stark contrast to my current reality.

“Belmott—in my boundless mercy, despite your impudent babbling, I shall grant you the privilege to deliver your final words.”

Shing—.

Aira pressed her sword against Belmott’s throat, yet withheld the fatal blow.

“You have leave to prepare your will. For I, Aira Von Tarantera VIII, possess a generous spirit.”

… ….

Belmott remained kneeling, his head bowed. As he finally raised his gaze, his expression was one of profound detachment—the look of a man resigned to his fate.

Lately, I’d encountered this particular expression with increasing frequency…

Their final pronouncements typically echoed sentiments such as:

“A glorious Kingdom, with five centuries of history, is being ruined by a foolish girl and a demon. I cannot face my ancestors. Therefore, upon my demise, my remains shall be kept distant from their sacred resting places.”

“Wh-what?!”

Aira’s countenance contorted with rage.

The disparity between the fury on the beautiful woman’s face and her inherent loveliness was jarringly, unnervingly stark.

“Very well—as you wish! I shall rend your corpse into pieces and scatter them as sustenance for the fish—!”

She raised her sword high. Spectators instinctively averted their eyes or covered their faces, bracing for the inevitable. It seemed all was lost.

They anticipated the chilling crimson of a loyal, aged servant’s blood staining the Court floor at that moment.

And that no force could possibly avert this impending tragedy—.

Yet, within this somber, funereal atmosphere of the Court, a solitary figure stood.

“Your Majesty—.”

A commanding presence, tall and resolute.

My lips parted, and instantly, the Queen's hand, poised to strike, halted. With a furrowed brow, she turned her gaze upon me. "What is it, Tae-oh?" she inquired.

"Your Majesty, with the utmost respect, I believe a public execution of Lord Belmott would set a poor precedent. As a wise Queen, you must surely understand this," I stated.

"..."

I observed the power drain from the Queen's sword-wielding hand. A sense of relief washed over me. Good. I had rescued Belmott from a ignominious end. It could be argued that this action also partially thwarted the nobles' plot to incite a rebellion, using Belmott's death as their rallying cry.

Queen Aira spoke, her voice carrying a hint of deference. "Tae-oh, my gardener. My sole confidant. Indeed, unlike those other fools, your counsel carries weight."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"So, Tae-oh, enlighten me. Why did you intervene to prevent the execution?"

I could feel the palpable tension in the air as the formidable Queen Aira, a ruler none could control, actually deigned to listen to me. Simultaneously, the glares filled with resentment and hatred from the assembled court members were impossible to ignore. However, there was little that could be done. After all, the character 'Tae-oh,' inhabited by Lee Seong-eum about a year prior, was originally known as 'the idiot.' This villainous Tae-oh, alongside the Queen, had steered the once-glorious Angmar Kingdom towards ruin. Yes, damn it all, that was my current predicament. If only someone could explain the twisted fate that led me here. Alas, this was not the moment for seeking answers, but for providing them. Thus, I resolved to deliver the carefully prepared words I had rehearsed in anticipation of such an event.

"Minister of Finance Belmott has indeed committed transgressions, not only for daring to defy the Queen's absolute authority but also for disgracing the Royal Family by dredging up the Kingdom's history and its ancestors..."

"Hmm, I see. Continue."

"If Your Majesty were to personally execute the one who dared challenge your authority—rather than viewing it as a punishment, it would serve as a reward for him."

"Death at my own hands is a reward?"

"Precisely. For having succeeded in having your hands stained with his ignoble blood. What greater reward could there be?"

It was a clever manipulation of logic, yet it seemed to successfully ease the Queen's stern expression.