Beneath the Villainess' Spell: My Journey from Ordinary Servant to Captivated Maid

Highlights

Rae's success in the Otome game is causing tensions as she rises through the ranks and catches the attention of the three princes.

Rae's uncommon magical talents and understanding of the game's storyline give her a distinct edge over the other characters.

Despite Claire's initial objections, Rae assumes the role of her maid and gradually softens her emotions, yet their relationship remains uncertain due to the predetermined paths of the game and the romantic interests of other characters.

Warning: The following may contain spoilers for Episode 2, "A Maid's Job Is a Labor of Love," of the anime series I’m in Love With the Villainess, currently available on Crunchyroll.

Unlike most Isekai protagonists, our protagonist in I’m in Love With the Villainess seems to have quickly adapted to the new world and its peculiarities. She has already settled comfortably into the universe of the Otome game. From achieving an exceptional score in the exams to capturing the attention of the three princes, Rae is well on her way to climbing the ranks and establishing a reputation for herself within the academy.

However, Rae's motives differ significantly as each of her actions is orchestrated with a sole purpose in mind - to triumph over the wicked female antagonist. In pursuit of this peculiar objective, she assumes the role of Claire Francois' maid, a position that surpasses the social standing of an ordinary commoner. As Rae discovers yet another means to remain in close proximity to Claire, it is inevitable that tensions will arise in this unconventional tale of love.

Rising Through the Ranks

Rae Taylor, the main character of the dating sim Revolution, was destined for success in all her endeavors. She, however, underestimated the predetermined storyline of the game. Even her attempts to manipulate the outcomes and achieve a lower score were futile, only causing her to stand out even more among the other characters. The magic test results placed Rae in the 'unmeasurable' category, revealing the extraordinary magical abilities she possesses.

Prince Rod discovered that Rae possesses more than one magic element, which should be impossible since each individual is typically limited to only one element such as Earth, Wind, Fire, or Air. This revelation of Rae being a Dual Caster significantly increases her value in the eyes of the three princes. Rae's own thoughts reveal that the game's main character has access to two elements from the very beginning, implying that the game has been manipulated in their favor.

The narrative of the game heavily favors the protagonist, granting Rae access to unique powers not available to others. With her extensive knowledge of the Otome game and these exclusive abilities, it is only a matter of time before she becomes dominant in the realm. However, Rae's ambitions differ from the norm as she harbors no desire to climb the ranks in the academy. Instead, she has chosen a profession that allows her to stay close to the love of her life.

The Villainess’ Maid

In an attempt to become closer to her beloved Claire, Rae underwent extensive procedures to qualify as her maid. With her extensive knowledge of the game and unwavering loyalty, Rae successfully reached the final interview for the coveted position. However, Claire adamantly opposed the idea, determined to rid herself of Rae and her peculiar behavior.

A new character, Dole Francois, Claire's father and a prominent noble, enters the scene. Initially, Dole supports his daughter's desire to not hire a commoner. Nevertheless, Rae manages to persuade the noble against Claire's wishes by mentioning the name "Irvin Manuel," the date "3rd March," and a price of 500,000 Gold. These statements alone cause Dole to retract his earlier stance and engage in a private conversation with Rae.

Thawing Emotions

Although the exact meaning or context of these statements has not been revealed in I’m in Love With the Villainess, it is likely that the price and date are related to Dole’s position as the Kingdom’s Minister of Finance. The ease with which Rae was able to convince Dole and land the role of the maid showcases her extensive knowledge of the game and a determined resolve to do whatever it takes to be close to Claire.

Despite assuming the role of a maid and assuming the daunting responsibility of attending to the villainess, Rae's ordeal at the hands of Claire is far from over. The relentless harassment and overt displays of affection have gradually begun to leave their mark. Claire remains skeptical about the sincerity behind Rae's declarations of love, particularly considering her past behavior of tormenting and mistreating the ordinary servant.

After several persistent attempts, Claire appears to be gradually growing more tolerant of Rae's presence. Although Claire still feels shy whenever Rae engages in her seductive behavior, there are signs of acceptance emerging, suggesting that their relationship may soon become less hostile. The decision to accept Rae as a maid marked the first step towards repairing their relationship and paves the way for future attempts to persuade Claire.

However, considering that I'm still at an early stage in the storyline of "Love With the Villainess," it is still highly unlikely that Claire will fully embrace Rae's romantic feelings. The predicament of the Otome game's original three routes continues to pose a challenge for Rae, especially since Prince Rod has taken an interest in her due to her impressive test scores. While Rae may not experience any heterosexual romantic affections, the same cannot be said for the other characters, which means that Rae will encounter some peculiar romantic entanglements.