Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Swap in the Maiden Court (Light Novel) – serie

In a kingdom inspired by historical China, five clans put forth their maidens as imperial consorts--but only one will be crowned empress. The frail and beautiful Kou Reirin, the so-called 'butterfly' of the imperial court, is a shoo-in to marry the crown prince. But when 'court rat' Shu Keigetsu lashes out at her during the glittering Lantern Festival, it's Reirin who wakes up in the dungeons! Body-swapped by her assailant to steal her position at court, Reirin's plight seems dire...to everyone else! Now that she's got a robust new body, not even the looming threat of execution can stop her!

In a kingdom inspired by historical China, five clans put forth their maidens as imperial consorts - but only one will be crowned empress. The frail and beautiful Kou Reirin, the so-called 'butterfly' of the imperial court, is a shoo-in to marry the crown prince. But when 'court rat' Shu Keigetsu lashes out at her during the glittering Lantern Festival, it's Reirin who wakes up in the dungeons! Body-swapped by her assailant to steal her position at court, Reirin's plight seems dire... to everyone else! Now that she's got a robust new body, not even the looming threat of execution can stop her!

MORE TWISTS AND TURNS IN THE KIN DOMAIN! Kou Reirin, Shu Keigetsu, and Kin Seika have pulled off their grand welcome for Prince Nadir and overcome an overdose scare with a well-timed body swap. With the immediate danger past, the Maidens spring into action, infiltrating the brothel involved in the drug trade to nail down proof of their crimes. Yet when the girls come face-to-face with the brothel’s highest-ranking courtesan, the so-called “heavenbloom,” her true identity has them reeling—Seika most of all!

REAP WHAT YOU SOWThe site of this year’s Harvest Festival has been decided—and it’s the domain of the Maiden Court’s most reviled villainess, Shu Keigetsu! Down a guardian to show her the ropes, she puts her nose to the grindstone to ensure the ceremony will go off without a hitch. But when an unknown force sabotages the proceedings, Keigetsu’s fraught emotions send her powers spiraling out of control, sparking a second swap with Reirin! Amid all the chaos, villagers come to abduct “Keigetsu”…but will they get more than they bargained for?

Just when Kou Reirin has gotten the dysentery outbreak in the Untouchable Village under control, the village chief mysteriously shows up on death’s door. Reirin fights tooth and nail to keep her new friend alive—but it might not be enough to get him through the night. Meanwhile, Shu Keigetsu is all fired up and ready to get her tea party for the Maidens underway. Now that the outwardly meek Ran Houshun has shown her true collars, it’s time to best her in a game of psychological warfare!

Three months have passed since the Harvest Festival, and the five Maidens now face the Rite of Reverence - the test that will set their hierarchy in stone. The pressure is on, and each girl has her own inner demons to contest with! Unconcerned with the rankings, Kou Reirin supports her nervous wreck of a friend, Shu Keigetsu... until the two get into a knock-down, drag-out fight! To make matters worse, an unknown force is out to sabotage Reirin. Does the indomitable Kou Maiden finally have her back to the wall?!

In the Kingdom of Ei, five clans put forth their maidens as imperial consorts - but only one will be crowned empress. Just when frail and beautiful “court butterfly” Kou Reirin seems poised to marry the crown prince, jealous “court rat” Shu Keigetsu steals her body! Reirin wakes up in the dungeons as the conspirator, and things look dire… or do they? Now that she’s got a robust new body, not even the looming threat of execution can stop her!