The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Chapter 288

The first step of a beginning often brings a sense of fear.

To those facing a trial, it is the fear of an uncertain future.

- [Would you like to view it?]

-...Just wait a little longer. I’m not ready yet... not yet.

To those challenging a change in relationships, it brings trembling.

-Don’t nag. Don’t meddle in everything. If you want to be a playful dad, just casually talk about dating...?

-Ha... This is way too hard. Becoming a Sword Master would be easier.

Lastly.

It brought sadness to the hearts of those who would not act according to their will.

-...Why do I fail every time?

-I don’t want to hurt anyone anymore, I want to show my good side...

A beginning was a challenge accompanied by fear.

Though it wasn’t determined that such a beginning would lead to a good ending, one thing was certain—it was a desperate struggle to distance oneself from the feeling of regret.

-Let’s work hard again today! No more discarded bentos when a commoner comes! Let’s serve a feast instead!

-Excuse me, please hurry up with the calculation.

-Ah! I’m sorry! I’ll do it quickly!

Everyone was changing in their own places.

For better encounters.

To become someone they wouldn’t be ashamed of.

They were making an effort.

*

Hamel’s mansion was peaceful as always today.

"Mmmph."

The Young Lady too.

"Ricardo, my nose is itchy."

"Then scratch it."

"Mmm."

"Don’t pick your nose though."

"Ugh...! What am I supposed to do if it’s itchy!"

"Then blow your nose."

"Blow it for me."

"..."

"Ugh! Blow it for me!"

"Yes."

And so was I.

Today, I was enjoying my leisurely time as an unemployed butler, sitting by the Young Lady’s bedside.

The sunlight was dazzling.

There was no one expected to visit.

Some might say this time is being wasted.

Well, maybe.

-Snnoooore!!!

"Sniff. Ricardo."

"Yes."

"My nose is stuffed."

"..."

I thought, doing absolutely nothing might be the best form of healing.

Outside the window, a peaceful scene unfolded.

Green trees preparing for the approaching summer, a clear sky, and even Gomtangi nibbling on Hans’s head in the yard.

'...?'

I rubbed my eyes and looked out the window again, wondering if I had seen it correctly.

-Gooooom!

-Hehehe... The pinnacle of magic...!

'What is that?'

The Young Lady, who was also looking out the window like me, stretched out her finger with a sullen expression, as if asking what they were doing.

-Bear. Bear.

-...If you arrange the spell formula like this...!

-Bear. Bear. Bear.

-Gomtangi, don’t just bite the head, bite the shoulders too.

-Bear-bear-bear (No.)

To the Young Lady’s question, I too couldn’t provide an answer. Because I couldn’t understand their bizarre behavior. Why people became strange only when they came to our mansion was a mystery I couldn’t comprehend. I sighed, looking at Hans.

It made me wonder why we lived under the same roof as a bear, leaving a perfectly fine house behind.

"Ricardo, they’re weird."

"Indeed."

"They seem like idiots."

"Maybe they’re hungry."

"Ricardo’s friend must taste good."

"I don’t think so."

"Ugh..."

The Young Lady stared at me with curious eyes, then suddenly bit my head with a "Hup."

"Nom nom!"

"Hmm?"

"Grrrr... Grrrrr...!"

The neat alignment of the Young Lady’s teeth on my crown. Was she trying to show off her perfect teeth? The sensation felt oddly intrusive, and I nodded. It was definitely not because the treasure pouch on my shoulder was touched.

I hid my rising smile and pulled at the Young Lady’s cheek.

"Why are you biting me!?"

"Ugh... You don’t taste good."

"It’s because my head is full of things."

"Then I must taste absolutely terrible."

"No."

The Young Lady looked at me with eyes full of expectation.

"Then?"

"You’d probably taste incredibly sweet."

"...Eek?"

"Because you’re foolish, Young Lady."

Without a moment’s hesitation, the Young Lady threw a pillow.

After a long discussion about what flavor might come from each other’s heads, a brief silence fell. Looking out the window, the Young Lady murmured softly.

"Ricardo."

"Yes."

"What should we play now?"

"Shall we play rock-paper-scissors?"

"No, we’ve done that so much it’s boring."

"Then shall we play chess?"

"No, I hate it because it gives me a headache. You always win anyway."

"That’s because you’re foolish, Young Lady..."

"Ughhh!"

The Young Lady made a sullen face and cautiously opened her mouth.

"I want to go out."

"Didn’t we visit the capital city last time?"

"Not that. I want to go out and have fun outside the mansion."

For someone who loved staying at home, the Young Lady’s sudden desire to go out was surprising. Though I couldn’t understand why someone who lived by the mantra that the world beyond the blanket was dangerous would want to take on such a challenge, as the excellent butler I was, I asked with a serious expression.

"Is it that time of the month?"

"Eeeek! No!"

"I see. Not yet, then..."

"Shut up!"

Ignoring the Young Lady, who was huffing and puffing, I pointed at the sun outside the window and said,

"It’s too hot outside."

"It’s not hot."

"It’s only not hot because the highest-grade magic stone air cooler is running in this room. Step outside, and you’ll melt."

"No, I’m good at handling heat."

"Oh really? You used to whine for a ride in the cart when you were little."

"Eeeek...! That wasn’t me."

"Pfft, hahaha!"

The weather was undeniably beautiful.

It was the kind of day that made you feel like you couldn’t stay indoors. A day that seemed to call for summer adventures. The kind of day that stirred a desire to dip into a cool mountain stream. I nodded to myself.

"You’re right; I do feel like going out."

"Yeah. I want to go out, soak up the sun, spread out a mat, eat a lunchbox, and even drink some alcohol."

"You know the word photosynthesis?"

"Yeah. It’s lying under the sunlight."

"Impressive."

"Hehe... I know."

The Young Lady was someone who got happy just from being praised.

As I watched her bright smile, I nodded. Naturally, my gaze drifted to her legs.

"..."

For a moment, I couldn’t speak.

Looking at her frail, powerless legs, a bitter smile formed on its own.

Where had the strong legs that used to kick at noble ladies gone? All that remained were these thin, fragile legs. I was momentarily at a loss for words.

She’s a woman too, so it must bother her.

To my eyes, she looked beautiful enough, but to her own eyes, it must not have been the same.

"..."

I felt uneasy.

Noticing my gaze, the Young Lady awkwardly smiled as she pulled the blanket over her slightly exposed calves.

"Hehe... What?"

"..."

"What...?"

Even though she was smiling, why did it feel sad? Was it just my imagination?

I awkwardly shook my head.

"It’s nothing."

Perhaps it was my own regret, or maybe it was her feelings, but today, her smile felt more wistful than usual.

That’s how people are. When hope arises, they start to desire even more.

As the Young Lady fidgeted with her fingers, waiting for my response, I erased my dark expression and gave her a faint smile.

"No, really. Is there somewhere you’d like to go?"

"Huh?"

"Didn’t you say you wanted to go out and have fun?"

"We’re going?!"

"You’re too close, Young Lady."

As she leaned in with her hands clasped on the bed, her breath brushed against my face. I stepped back, trying to hide my flushed cheeks.

Why does she flare her nostrils like that? Honestly, she didn’t act like a noble at all.

"So, where shall we go?"

With a bright smile, the Young Lady shouted,

"The valley!"

"The valley?"

"Yeah. I want to dip my feet in the cool stream water and play."

"The valley, huh..."

There is one nearby.

Not too far, either.

"Then let’s go."

With a small smile, I lightly rose from where I had been sitting on the edge of the bed. Starting quickly meant more time to enjoy.

As I began packing the Young Lady’s clothes into a bag, I smiled, and she sat on the bed watching me.

"Ohoho...! Ricardo, you’re so good at folding clothes."

"Of course. I’ve been doing this for years."

"It looks nice."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Yeah."

A pleased smile spread across my face.

I think I’m just like the Young Lady. Smiling and feeling happy over such small compliments. Foolishly so.

"For underwear, I’ll go with passionate red."

"Eeeek! Idiot! I’ll choose it myself!"

"Then white."

"Eeeek!!"

Glancing at me, the Young Lady muttered in a small voice,

"Pink."

"Oh! Pink!"

"Don’t make a big deal out of it!"

Her face turned red, looking every bit like a young girl. It was almost strange to think of her as the villainess from a novel.

"Young Lady."

"Yeah."

"Shall we make gimbap for the lunchbox?"

"With lots of meat."

"Alright. Shall we also bring some fruit?"

"Yeah."

The Young Lady looked at me with a bright smile.

"I like you."

-Thump.

"What?"

With a bashful grin, the Young Lady said,

"I like watermelon."

"Oh."

Seriously.

She had a knack for startling people.

*

Olivia smiled bashfully as she watched Ricardo pulling the cart.

His red hair.

His ever-smiling lips.

That constant cheerful expression, as if everything was delightful.

Honestly, there was no bigger fool.

Olivia softly called Ricardo’s name.

"Ricardo."

Wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, Ricardo smiled brightly.

"Yes, Young Lady?"

"Hehe... It’s nothing."

"What is that sly grin?"

"Uhihi..."

"I take it back."

It’s fun.

Being with Ricardo.

It’s not exactly the feeling of liking someone, but how should I put it?

'I like you.'

Saying something like that made my heart race, like a fool.

"Hiyah! Run!"

"Understood. At the Sword Master’s maximum output..."

"Eeeek!!!!"

Olivia laughed as the wind whipped around her. She felt gratitude toward Ricardo, who remained devoted to such an imperfect master.

'Thank you.'

She quietly voiced the feelings buried deep in her heart.