The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 103

A quiet cafe in the capital city.

Yuria and I, seeking refuge from the cold wave, ordered simple drinks and sighed as we gazed beyond the glass window where the cold breeze blew.

“A warm place is always nice. After spending more than two hours outside, I’ve come to appreciate even the smallest things.”

“Hiccup…”

“It seems that people need to suffer at least once to truly understand the value of life.”

Although I felt sorry for Yuria, I was still upset about having stood outside for an hour. Watching Yuria hiccup, I let out the traces of that lonely hour in a sorrowful tone.

“It’s cold…”

After some time passed, the drinks we had ordered began to be placed on the small round table.

When Yuria’s favorite carrot cake and two cups of warm citron tea from the novel were set down, I gave the clerk a kind smile and expressed my thanks.

“Thank you for serving us so quickly.”

“Yes…”

The clerk, whose face turned red, accepted the 3 gold coins I handed over as a tip and bowed politely.

I smiled again.

Avoiding Yuria, who couldn’t lift her head, I held the steaming teacup with both hands, smiled warmly, and spoke once more in a sad voice.

“It feels like my frozen hands are finally thawing.”

“Hiccup… I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

Yuria, unable to lift her head, spoke in a barely audible voice. Her murmuring tone revealed a desperate desire to crawl into a hole, but my wounded heart was not so easily healed.

I had a mischievous thought to tease her a bit more, but fearing that Yuria might cry if I continued, I decided to stop and carefully set the teacup down on the table.

“It must have been very cold, right?”

“Ah, yes…”

Yuria nodded timidly at the mention of the cold.

I offered a simple apology and spoke to Yuria.

“I’m sorry for teasing you. I have such a peculiar personality that I can’t resist teasing when the opportunity arises.”

“No… It’s my fault…”

Yuria bowed her head again and apologized.

“…I’m really sorry. It might sound like an excuse, but I think I went crazy because I drank too much yesterday.”

“It’s fine. Being late happens sometimes. I’ve done it a few times myself. Like when I asked you to bring chocolate when you came. If you really feel bad, let’s call it even for one of the mistakes I made toward you in the past.”

Though I said it lightly, my words carried a certain weight. After all, our current meeting was tied together by the drunkenness of that time.

Relieved that I could erase at least one of the debts I owed Yuria, I thought it was necessary to lighten the burden of emotions a little.

Yuria hesitated at my words but eventually nodded with difficulty.

“Then, I’ll pay for today.”

Yuria declared her intention to open her wallet today. Such audacious words from Yuria pricked at my pride as a man.

If I recall correctly, Yuria’s financial situation wasn’t great. With her father being an adventurer and her living off a scholarship, even managing her school life must have been tight. Yet, she wanted to pay?

Knowing Yuria’s financial circumstances well, I stiffened and firmly requested her to withdraw her suggestion.

“What are you talking about?”

“Huh…?”

“The thickness of a wallet is a man’s pride.”

Even if I had to pay in installments, opening my wallet was a matter of pride. Thus, I made it clear that I had no intention of letting Yuria treat me.

If I hadn’t yet received my payment from Malik, I might have accepted her offer. But now, with my wallet in a Young and Rich state, I thought it was okay to indulge in a little luxury.

Yuria hung her head low, unable to continue speaking.

“I could pay, though…”

“I’ll just accept the sentiment.”

“Thank you…”

“Don’t mention it. But if you open your wallet today, I’ll make sure you treat me every time from now on, so think carefully.”

“Huh?”

“Once a man’s pride is broken, it’s hard to restore.”

With a small joke, I lightened the slightly somber atmosphere.

Smiling at Yuria, I forgave her tardiness. After all, anyone could be late or oversleep. Using the excuse that I had also been late before, I offered her a small consolation.

“Anyway, thank you for coming out today. I didn’t have much to do, but thanks to you, Miss Yuria, I think I’ll have a meaningful time.”

“No… I was the one who asked you to come.”

Yuria, like me, expressed her gratitude. Her voice, small and trembling, carried a hint of nervousness.

“Thank you for meeting me.”

And so, our journey to becoming closer began.

I lifted my head and looked at the faintly visible Affinity Window above Yuria’s head.

[Yuria Lv. 32]

[Job: Academy Student/Saintess Candidate]

[Favorability: -7]

[Favorite Conversation Topics: Friends/Volunteer Work/Justice/Handsome Men/First Love/Savior of Life/Father/(New) Ricardo/(New) Blossoming First Love/(New) I’m Going Crazy… Does My Outfit Look Okay?]

[Disliked Conversation Topics: Olivia/Two-Faced People/Liars/Financial Struggles/(New) Heretics/(New) Incompetent Self]

The last time I checked, her favorability score was at -81. Seeing it now, it was a significant improvement.

At this rate, it seemed possible to live off Yuria, who would become the strongest in the world in her later years.

As we slowly delved into various topics, I began a conversation with Yuria.

What should we talk about?

Recalling both the novel and my current life, I pondered deeply. Yuria’s preferred conversation topics were likely wholesome ones.

Unlike the Young Lady and me, who often engaged in unwholesome conversations about stepping over others, Yuria seemed to prefer moral discussions.

Flowers.

Dolls.

And perhaps her daily life at the Academy.

After carefully considering,

I opened my mouth to speak.

“You look beautiful today.”

Starting with this seemed like the best choice.

*

A hospital in the capital city.

The Desmond Household, wearing serious expressions, waited for their turn as they watched patients enter the clinic room.

In the past, Desmond would have summoned a doctor to his estate for an examination. But after enduring a year of economic hardship, the Desmond family, despite their immense wealth, had learned to live frugally and now waited their turn.

And while they were at it, they decided to go on a date with Olivia.

“Next, patient number 3, please come in.”

Looking at the nurse who called the next patient, Olivia asked Darbav.

“Dad, isn’t that us?”

“No. We’re number 4. It’s the next turn.”

“No, it’s not.”

Olivia showed Darbav the piece of paper with the number “3” written on it.

Darbav, with a puzzled expression, looked at her.

“What is this?”

Seeing the “4” queue ticket in his hand, Darbav, feeling a sense of foreboding, asked his adorable daughter.

“Your sleight of hand is impressive.”

“I didn’t steal it.”

“What…!?”

Pointing at the queue ticket in Darbav’s hand, Olivia said, “That’s the one you pulled,” then proudly held the “3” ticket to her chest and declared,

“This is the one I pulled.”

“No way…”

Darbav’s eyes grew misty.

“To think you pulled it yourself without stealing…! You’ve grown, Olivia.”

“Yeah. I was going to snatch number 2, but Ricardo would scold me for that.”

Moved by Olivia’s growth, Darbav covered his eyes with his hand and lifted his head.

“Dad, are you crying?”

“No. It’s just dust in my eyes.”

Meanwhile, Kyle, who had been silently gripping the handle of Fairy Unit 1, spoke to Olivia in a trembling voice.

“Olivia.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you seriously take the queue ticket? With your own hands?”

Olivia nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Ricardo told me. When you go to a store or a bank, you should take a queue ticket before going in.”

In the past, Olivia would have barged in without a second thought, ignoring the queue and declaring, “It’s my turn. I don’t have time.” But now, having learned the patience of waiting, Olivia made Kyle proud. Trembling with emotion, he stared blankly at the number 5 queue ticket in his hand.

“You’ve grown up…”

“Yep.”

Kyle swallowed the overwhelming emotions and nodded.

“Let’s go…”

Kyle pushed the wheelchair forward to enter the clinic room.

And at that moment.

A brazen green-haired head cut in line, passing by Kyle and Darbav, and entered the clinic room.

Olivia, watching the green-haired head stride confidently, looked flustered.

“It’s my turn.”

“That’s right.”

“It is.”

Olivia asked again.

“Then who is that, cutting in line?”

“…That’s right.”

“That bastard…”

The Desmond Family moved as one toward the young man with green hair.

Darbav and Kyle were motivated by the offense of interrupting such a glorious moment. Olivia, simply because she was annoyed.

With a menacing aura, they stood behind the green-haired young man.

At the front, Kyle handed the wheelchair’s handles to Darbav and spoke in a very calm voice.

“Hey, green hair.”

“What?”

“Do you want to be hospitalized?”

As Ruin turned his head, he was met with Kyle’s menacing gaze.

“What?”

Kyle looked at Ruin and spoke briefly.

“Get hospitalized.”