Though I Am an Inept Villainess

Several noble clans live within the Maiden Court, a subset of the Kingdom of Ei's inner court. Reirin the Kou clan Maiden is beautiful and brilliant, currying the favor of Crown Prince Gyoumei. On the other hand, Shu clan Maiden Keigetsu is infamous as a villainess, hated by everyone in the court. On the night of the Double Sevens Festival, Keigetsu uses forbidden magic to swap bodies with Reirin. By the time "Reirin" wakes, Keigetsu's execution has already been set. But even in this time of peril, the frail Reirin is actually delighted that she has gained a healthy body...

As a result of the commotion in the inner court, Reirin is ordered by Noble Consort Shu to relocate her room, though this is simply banishment in disguise. Because the new abode is basically an abandoned shed, Leelee the personal court lady for Keigetsu unleashes the frustrations that has been building up within her heart. After lashing out in anger at Reirin, Leelee says she will not take care of her and leaves. Reirin is left alone, beaming from joy of finally having gained freedom...

It has been four days since the swap. Reirin, who has been banished to a hut in the Shu Palace, devotes herself to farming utilizing Keigetsu's healthy body. Enjoying a freedom where she doesn't trouble anyone, Reirin spends her days feeling fulfilled. Meanwhile, Leelee is provoked by Gayou, a high court lady from the Kin family who suddenly appeared before her, to harass Reirin...

Keigetsu, suffering from a severe fever, controls a flame to seek help from Reirin. Reirin feels heartbroken seeing Keigetsu managing to calm herself down. Reirin suggests the cancellation of the swap, but the request is rejected. For the upcoming Ghost Festival ritual, Reirin presents Leelee with a garment she had sewn just for Leelee. Meanwhile, Leelee feels that something is off from a certain phrase Reirin unintentionally uttered.

To settle the score with Gayou who enticed Leelee into harassment, Reirin takes Leelee in tow and heads to the Ghost Festival ritual. Not flinching that a seat was not prepared for her, Reirin wearing a handmade garment with beautiful embroidery stands dignified in the hall. In due time, the offerings of dances by the Maidens begin. Seika of the Kin clan who is hosting the ritual dances brilliantly...

Reirin finds it suspicious that Seika said there is no one named Gayou in the Kin clan. Just when she was about to ask for details, the Kou clan court lady Tousetsu comes in with a notice that "Reirin's" life is in danger! Reirin wishes to save "Reirin's" life, but Gyoumei refuses the offer, saying he doesn't trust her. However, the empress Kou Kenshuu tells Reirin that nursing will be allowed if she can show her sincerity by drawing the Bow of Warding all night long.

After drawing the Bow of Warding continuously, Reirin falls unconscious. Reirin awakens to see Tousetsu, who has caught onto the swapping of the Maidens. Around the same time, Keigetsu realizes that a curse was placed on a gift given to her. Meanwhile, at the Maiden Court, a tea party is being held in celebration of "Reirin's" recovery. There, Kenshuu reminisces about her days as a Maiden that she spent together with Shu Gabi, the Noble Consort.

Keigetsu realizes that the cause of her illness is a curse created by venomcraft, and has an idea who placed such a curse... Visitation gifts from Seika makes Reirin hypothesize that someone is scheming to make it seem as though the harassment was done by the Kin clan. Worried about Keigetsu, Reirin speaks to a flame. Keigetsu appears in the flame as if to answer that call. But then, Keigetsu asks Reirin for help...

Reirin realizes that Kenshuu's agony is that of a curse, which gives her an understanding of Gabi's true objective. Reirin asks Gyoumei if she can borrow the Bow of Warding once more, but he will not heed her request. Unable to give up, Reirin heads over alone to see Keigetsu and have the swap cancelled. Right as she passes by Gyoumei, a certain image catches his eye...