The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 126

Trash visited the estate.

Holding a broom and a dustpan, I looked at Ruin. I estimated whether I could sweep him up given his size and tilted the broom slightly.

‘If I crumple him up, I think I can fit him in.’

Hearing my silent threat, Ruin voiced a blunt question.

“What?”

“Cleaning tools.”

“Why are you holding that?”

“To clean.”

Ruin, who was quick-witted, clenched his fist and glared at me, but his threats didn’t work on someone armed with a broom.

After all, a broom is the natural enemy of a green-haired head.

Ruin, who had been cleaning the estate with Gomtangi, had his hair covered in dust.

Perhaps because his hair was the color of grass, I suddenly felt like playing soccer on top of his dust-covered head. But knowing that Ruin, with his awful personality, wouldn’t allow it, I expressed my regret by raising my middle finger.

“You bastard…”

“Calm down. This is a sacred estate. Please refrain from cursing.”

“You started it. Are you trying to get yourself killed…!”

“Hmm…”

I gave Ruin a small smile and stared at him. When my red glowing eyes turned toward him, Ruin shut his mouth and said no more.

“Thank you.”

Ruin stood awkwardly in front of the entrance.

Though I wanted to punch the intruder, who had entered uninvited without being told to come in, I refrained. As the butler, I wanted to avoid violence within the estate, so I engraved the patience symbol in my heart and simply stared at him.

“So, why are you here, Mr. Ruin, lover of the environment?”

“I came because I have business.”

“I see.”

-Bang!

I pushed Ruin out and closed the door.

I had no business with him.

*

When Ruin returned, he was sitting in the kitchen.

Sniffling as if he had caught a cold, Ruin shivered and hugged himself tightly.

“How can you leave someone outside for three hours…”

“Because you’re not a person.”

“Ha… Never mind. I won’t say anything.”

“A wise choice.”

Ruin had fought against the winter wind for three hours. I was annoyed that he had shown up unannounced, and I had no reason to let him in.

The only reason I brought Ruin into the estate was one thing.

I thought complaints might come in about the hideous statue decorating the yard. It wasn’t because I felt sorry for him or wanted to talk to him.

So, what could be the reason this guy came here?

Holding the broom, I looked at Ruin.

“…Could you put that down?”

“Apologies. The Young Lady dislikes it when the estate gets dirty.”

“Ha.”

-Bang.

Regaining his composure, Ruin shoved his hands into his pockets and propped his legs up on the dining table. Acting as if he were someone important, Ruin placed his legs on the table where meals were eaten.

I wanted to kick him out.

Sincerely.

“When a guest arrives, at least offer them tea…”

“I’ll count to three.”

“What?”

“Find your own reason.”

One.

I counted without hesitation.

Three seconds until the Supporting Male Lead’s legs disappeared. It was a number calculated with enough time for him to see his life-flashing memory.

“Two.”

“Wait.”

“Three.”

Just as the broom was about to strike Ruin’s knees, he awkwardly slid his legs off the dining table.

Realizing that his body was more important than his pride, Ruin finally seemed ready to talk.

The green-haired head, brushing the dust off his hair irritably, wore an incredulous expression.

“Why are you picking a fight..”

Personally, I didn’t think Ruin’s breath contained carbon dioxide.

The reason was simple.

Because he was a green-haired head.

Unfortunately, despite his mismatched concept, he was a wizard who used fire magic.

I asked Ruin seriously if he had any intention of relearning magic to better match his concept, saying it wasn’t too late even now.

I told him I would fully support him, and that if he learned nature-based magic to match his hair color, we could create a cleaner world together.

I spoke with sincerity.

“Idiot.”

Oops, my unfiltered thoughts slipped out.

Ruin looked dumbfounded.

Being suddenly insulted was one thing.

But being treated so poorly was probably a first for him.

Ruin, displeased with the treatment, glared at me, likely wondering what kind of news he had brought that warranted such behavior. As always, I responded by raising my middle finger.

Ruin, who had come alone without a companion, was nothing more than an unwelcome guest.

If he had come with a Student Council executive like Hanna last time, it might have been different. But since he came alone, I had no expectations for the news he brought.

While preparing tea, I asked Ruin.

Pouring the cheap green tea I had almost thrown away last time generously into a teacup, I looked at Ruin as if nothing had happened.

“Why has someone so esteemed come to such a humble place? Judging by the fact that you came empty-handed, it doesn’t seem like you’re here just to say hello.”

At the mention of being empty-handed, Ruin flinched. He had clearly thrown basic etiquette out the window.

Even when visiting a sworn enemy’s house, it’s basic courtesy to bring at least a single flower.

Criticizing Ruin for coming empty-handed, I picked up the teacup and sat across from him.

“It’s not like you came just to see my face.”

I placed the thoroughly steeped cheap green tea in front of Ruin. The dark green tea—I made it as unappetizing as possible since I wasn’t the one drinking it.

“Drink.”

Ruin’s distorted expression was reflected in the teacup.

“I steeped it with care.”

“…What?”

“Or leave.”

Instead of answering, Ruin picked up the teacup and gulped it down. Whether the cheap tea suited his taste or not, Ruin emptied the teacup in one go.

“Cough… Cough…!”

A satisfied smile spread across my face.

-Bang!

Ruin slammed the teacup down roughly and wiped his mouth. As expected of a Supporting Male Lead, everything about him seemed impressive.

There was something decadent yet…

At the same time, he seemed cool.

Hmm.

“Sorry, but may I punch you in the face?”

“…What?”

“Your pretentiousness is ruining my appetite and putting me in a bad mood.”

“Nonsense.”

“I’m serious, though.”

“…”

Ruin looked at me with trembling eyes. Seeing me radiating a gaze that screamed ‘I’m serious,’ Ruin’s eyebrows twitched slightly before he cleared his throat and composed himself.

I guess it’s about time to stop joking around.

I had been teasing him for so long because it was amusing, but more time had passed than I realized.

Since the Green-haired Head was in the living room, it seemed like the air in the room had cleared up to some extent. It was time to get to the main point.

Amidst the now calm atmosphere, my low voice resonated.

“So, what brings you to our estate?”

“…I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor, huh.”

It was the winter vacation of the second year at the Academy.

At this point, Ruin, who had initially felt simple curiosity toward Yuria, was gradually becoming aware of his own feelings.

Whenever he saw his delicate and beautiful friend Yuria, his face would flush, and his heart would race.

This winter vacation was like spring for Ruin. I didn’t know why he had come to us, but since he mentioned a favor, it must be something I could help with.

Watching Ruin, who seemed lost in deep thought, I asked him why he had come here. This time, I posed the question plainly, without any intention of teasing him.

“Green-haired… No, Mr. Ruin.”

“…”

“You need to speak so I can respond.”

“Haah… Damn.”

Letting out a small curse, Ruin finally opened his mouth.

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“I… Haah…”

Ruin ran a dry hand through his hair, letting out a deep sigh as if he himself didn’t know what he was doing here.

“At the end of this year, it’s Yuria’s birthday.”

“That’s right.”

“I want to give Yuria a gift, but… it’s…”

An emotion resembling shame began to appear on Ruin’s face. It seemed that asking me for a favor was deeply wounding his pride.

Honestly, I found it amusing.

I never thought Ruin would ask me for a favor.

Of course, since I had no intention of granting the request of someone I wasn’t even close to, I nodded along with a hollow reaction.

“You want to prepare a nice birthday gift. That’s great. If you can’t fix your personality, at least get the gift right.”

“…You’ve been talking like an ass this whole time.”

“Why? Should I help you clean the floor with your face again, like last time?”

At my question, which unearthed a hidden embarrassing memory, Ruin clamped his mouth shut.

Even the most unyielding fighter has their own PTSD. Without Yuria around, Ruin, lacking his usual bravado, was capable of some self-awareness.

As the awkward atmosphere lingered, I smiled and spoke to Ruin.

“I’m just joking. Go on. You said you were preparing a birthday gift.”

“It’s…”

“Yes.”

“Haah… It’s… the Jewel of Fabia.”

“Oh… the Jewel of Fabia?”

The Jewel of Fabia.

As far as I knew, it referred to a gem that came from a monster with a chicken’s head and a snake’s tail.

It was highly popular among nobles.

For wizards, it had the effect of enhancing mana efficiency, making it an expensive gem.

Moreover, Ruin was talking about a high-value gem that could also be crafted into an artifact.

Hmm.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

This guy was spouting nonsense.

Ruin, who seemed to be expressing a desire to become chicken feed, couldn’t even lift his head.