Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Swap in the Maiden Court (Light Novel)
7 primary works
Book 2
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!
Book 3
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
The 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?
The 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?
Book 4
UNUSUAL SUSPECTS
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 colors, it’s time to best her in a game of psychological warfare!
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 colors, it’s time to best her in a game of psychological warfare!
Book 5
TESTING THE MAIDENS' METTLE!
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?!
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?!
Book 6
THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY...?
The Rite of Reverence is nearly over, and each Maiden has one last shot at becoming the first-place future consort. It's been a whirlwind of chaos, from Kou Reirin and Shu Keigetsu's explosive fight to the consorts' dastardly schemes...not to mention the foiled assassination attempt! When Reirin discovers the common thread behind all these mishaps, she decides it’s time to launch a counterattack—but can she get all five Maidens to set their spats aside and join forces in the final trial?
The Rite of Reverence is nearly over, and each Maiden has one last shot at becoming the first-place future consort. It's been a whirlwind of chaos, from Kou Reirin and Shu Keigetsu's explosive fight to the consorts' dastardly schemes...not to mention the foiled assassination attempt! When Reirin discovers the common thread behind all these mishaps, she decides it’s time to launch a counterattack—but can she get all five Maidens to set their spats aside and join forces in the final trial?
Book 7
SWAP TILL YOU DROP!
The Rite of Reverence has ended, yet Prince Gyoumei warns Kou Reirin not to undo the body swap in the Maiden Court—lest the emperor discover Shu Keigetsu's forbidden magic! Unwilling to take chances, Reirin and friends split up, promising to rendezvous in the city and reverse the switch. While each team finds a way to spend their day at the market, there are kidnappings, theft, and thuggery afoot...and our heroes won't let such crimes go unpunished! Can they trounce the bad guys and still assemble at the appointed hour?
The Rite of Reverence has ended, yet Prince Gyoumei warns Kou Reirin not to undo the body swap in the Maiden Court—lest the emperor discover Shu Keigetsu's forbidden magic! Unwilling to take chances, Reirin and friends split up, promising to rendezvous in the city and reverse the switch. While each team finds a way to spend their day at the market, there are kidnappings, theft, and thuggery afoot...and our heroes won't let such crimes go unpunished! Can they trounce the bad guys and still assemble at the appointed hour?
Book 8
Prepare for swirling court intrigue in this award-winning and magical “trading places” tale of maidens competing for the crown–and don’t miss the manga adaptation, also from Seven Seas!
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!
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!