THOUGH I AM AN INEPT VILLAINESS L NOVEL (2025)

Prepare for swirling court intrigue in this magical "trading places" tale of maidens competing for the crown--and don't miss the manga adaptation, also from Seven Seas!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!

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?!

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?

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!

UNVEILING HIDDEN TRUTHSAfter staving off sabotage during the Congee Conferment Rite, Kou Reirin and Shu Keigetsu have successfully turned the tables on the emperor’s assassin. Their former adversary—now accomplice—sheds some light on Emperor Genyou’s past, giving our heroes the context they need to plot their counterattack! It all comes down to the body-swapping spell and a fateful confrontation from twenty-five years ago. Reirin won’t rest until the ultimate sovereign gives Keigetsu and her forbidden magic his blessing!