The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen – Chapter 11

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 11

It rained early in the morning.

Perhaps it was because it marked the end of summer, but a late Monsoon had begun.

-Drip, drip, drip….

The sound of raindrops hitting the window.

My already delicate heart, like pudding, turned sentimental like soft Ice Cream.

‘It feels like my estrogen levels are rising.’

Sip. As I drank Green Tea, I looked outside the Window.

‘I guess she won’t be able to come to work today. The rain is just too heavy.’

Looking at the swelling River Water, I thought about the Honorable Maid who would be preparing to come to work. A Middle-Aged Man’s Honorable Maid. She had no experience and was just an ordinary Commoner housewife, but her cooking was so delicious that I hired her.

I told her not to come to work when it rained. She probably won’t come today.

I sighed as I looked at the soiled Bed sheets.

‘Life is bitter.’

I shouldn’t have prepared breakfast.

When she said she was sleeping, I should have let her sleep more.

Thinking about her health, I woke her up to feed her breakfast, but the drowsy Young Lady ended up slamming her face onto the table. Naturally, she spilled the soup too.

It’s a relief that it had cooled down.

If it had been served hot, it could have been a disaster.

Sip. The Cheap Green Tea spreading in my mouth felt even more bitter today.

Today is my day off as an Adventurer.

I had already told Hanna yesterday that we would take a break if it rained a lot.

It’s already been over two weeks since I started working with Hanna.

My wallet had grown much thicker.

Now, even eating meat five days a week didn’t make my wallet go on Strike.

The Young Lady’s laughter had also increased.

And I found myself laughing more too.

I was grateful to Hanna for many things.

‘Quest.’

[Q. The Short-lived and Tragic Extra ‘Hanna’]

She is filled with Grudge against her pitiful talent as a Divine Healer, ignored by her Father and neglected by the Servants.

She is parched for Praise.

·

·

·

1. Give compliments to boost her Self-esteem.

(5/10)

2. Raise her Favorability to ’40’ or above.

[Favorability: 32]

3. Defeat the ‘Elite Orc Gladiator.’

(0/1)

Reward: Swordsmanship Lv. 6, Strength +3 Increase

Hanna: Swordsmanship Lv. 4, Beginner Aura (C)

Failure: Histania Hanna dies.

────────────────

It seems there’s about a week left.

I thought four weeks would be tight, but Hanna followed along better than expected, and now it seemed fully possible within three weeks.

Of course, with Hanna’s current skills, it was certain she would lose 100% if she fought the Elite Orc Gladiator. The Elite Orc isn’t just an ordinary Monster; it’s a special Monster with the ‘Elite’ modifier.

However, if she trained for about a week and learned the strategy, I was confident Hanna could handle it.

Hanna’s growth was swift.

Even a small compliment would make her blush, yet it motivated her, and she quickly absorbed and made it her own.

I was proud of how she listened to even minor advice and improved, making it her own. I wondered if this was what it felt like to be a Master.

‘If you think about it, she is my first Disciple.’

It’s the first time I’ve officially taught anyone.

Hanna wields a sword well.

And she loves swords.

If she showed such passion in a Household that made a living with swords, they would have cherished her like a precious gem, but her complicated family circumstances were unfortunate in many ways.

‘But Swordsmanship Lv. 6, huh.’

According to the setting book, Level 5 is the highest realm an ordinary person can achieve through effort.

Beyond that, it enters the Domain of Talent.

Thinking that Awakened Mikhail and the Antagonists in the Novel start at Level 6 makes it easier to understand.

It felt good to think I had reached the Boss Tier, enough not to die a meaningless death on the Street. With Swordsmanship Lv. 6, I could at least hold my own against Awakened Mikhail.

The relationship with Hanna, which was coming to an end, felt bittersweet in many ways, but it also made me look forward to it.

-Drip, drip….

“The rain’s getting heavier.”

Rain makes people sentimental.

What is it about water falling from the sky that stirs the heart so melancholically?

It’s damp, the laundry doesn’t dry, so what’s so great about it?

‘Still, the sound of rain is nice.’

There was one more person like me, lost in sentiment. The Master of the House, gazing blankly Outside the Window with Melancholic Eyes.

“Ha…. It’s nice.”

I quietly called out to Olivia.

“Young Lady.”

“Hmm?”

The Lady Villainess, intently staring Outside the Window. Was she lost in a daydream about sharing an Umbrella with Mikhail in the rain? She didn’t respond even when I called her.

I wanted to interrupt her.

The Lady Villainess continued to smile foolishly, staring at the Window. Our Villainess wasn’t usually this sentimental, but perhaps the weather changes people.

It was oddly irritating.

-Munch, munch.

‘Munch, munch?’

Not even a second after I found it irritating, I heard the Young Lady muttering in delight.

“Mmm…. Delicious.”

I carefully placed a hand on the Young Lady’s shoulder.

“Young Lady?”

Flinch. The Lady Villainess’s shoulder trembled.

Contrary to her startled reaction, Olivia remained stiffly staring at the Window. Normally, she would have turned to ask, ‘Why?’ Her stubborn posture made me suspicious.

“What are you doing?”

“Guarding the house.”

Olivia was staring intently Outside the Window as if she were a guard dog.

“Why are you guarding the house?”

“It’s my job.”

“Pardon?”

“I got a job last week.”

“Who’s paying your salary?”

“…”

The Lady Villainess remained silent.

I turned my head to look at her face.

Swoosh. The Lady Villainess quickly averted her gaze.

For a brief moment, I saw a smear of something brown at the corner of her mouth.

I had a hunch.

The Young Lady was eating Chocolate.

Holding back my laughter, I spoke to her.

“Guarding the house must be tiring, right?”

“That’s right. My Sugar levels drop, and it’s tough.”

“Why would your Sugar levels drop?”

“Because it’s raining?”

“Hmm. Then I guess you need some Sugar?”

The Lady Villainess flinched for a moment.

She bit the Bait I threw without hesitation.

She’s not the type to give up free snacks.

The Lady Villainess nodded vigorously.

“That’s right. I need lots of Sugar.”

The Lady Villainess nodded with a serious expression. But since the sweet smell was already leaking out of her mouth, her serious tone was entirely unconvincing.

However, unaware of this, the Lady Villainess continued with an expectant voice.

“If I could stock up on some Sugar, I think I could guard the house even better.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

I spoke to the Young Lady.

“By the way, Young Lady.”

“Yes?”

“Haven’t you eaten too much for someone claiming their Sugar levels dropped?”

Flinch. The Young Lady’s body trembled.

The Lady Villainess didn’t move, as if she’d seen a Ghost. She didn’t seem to have much Talent for acting.

“What are you talking about? What did I eat?”

The Young Lady’s desperate acting and excuses.

At moments like this, I was glad the Young Lady didn’t aspire to be an actress. If she did, she would have been a One-Trick Villain.

The Young Lady noisily moved her jaw. I hid my Smile as I placed my hand on the Young Lady’s shoulder.

“No matter how you managed to steal it, I’m confiscating it.”

“No, this is my savings!”

“The Young Lady I know is someone far from savings.”

“No, I’ve been getting closer to it since yesterday.”

Mumbling, the Lady Villainess couldn’t even pronounce her words properly. The Young Lady reached out and pushed my face away.

Chocolate on her fingers smeared on my face.

It was sweet.

She was a Red-Handed Culprit.

“Hand it over.”

“I don’t have it!”

“Considering how much is smeared on your hands, that’s hard to believe.”

“Really?”

The Young Lady looked at her hands.

She nodded and admitted it.

It seemed she thought this wasn’t worth denying.

Olivia rummaged through her Pocket and pulled something out.

It was the bag of Chocolate I had bought.

With her clumsy Technique that had improved, Olivia grabbed a handful of Chocolate and made eye contact with me.

She tried to put on a pitiful expression.

But faced with my unyielding expression, she changed her tactic.

Olivia gulped.

“Ricardo, do you know what you should do if a Tax Auditor comes?”

“Pardon? All of a sudden?”

“Evidence Destruction.”

-Munch, munch.

The Young Lady stuffed the Chocolate in her hand into her mouth.

“Young Lady!”

“Puhaha.”

Seeing her laugh like an Evil Villainess, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“No… Puhaha! Seriously!”

While the Evil Villainess chewed enthusiastically, not even offering a taste to the Butler, I reached for Olivia’s Side in annoyance.

“Eek! Let go of me!”

“Didn’t I tell you that eating too much like this will rot your teeth? Especially considering how much you hate brushing.”

“Let go!”

“I won’t let go until you hand over all the hidden Chocolate.”

After intense tickling, Olivia began to pout and revealed her hidden stash in defeat.

She looked as if her world had collapsed, resembling a General Affairs Officer caught embezzling a Slush Fund.

Oddly enough, she seemed sadder than when she was dumped by Mikhail.

Under the pillow.

Under the sheet.

And.

“Why would you hide it there?”

“Just. I thought it wouldn’t be found.”

From between her chest, the Young Lady pulled out some Chocolate. It was heavily melted.

I adjusted my posture.

As she held out the Chocolate to me, I gently pushed her hand away and said.

“Please don’t put it there.”

“Why? It’s the perfect hiding spot.”

“It makes me uncomfortable.”

I couldn’t get up for a while.

***

The Young Lady and I stared out the Window again.

This time, we blankly observed Outside the Window, holding Cheap Green Tea and cheap snacks.

“Ricardo.”

“Yes.”

“It tastes bad.”

“…”

Closing her eyes tightly, Olivia gulped down the Green Tea.

As if crushing her Hope, I refilled her empty Teacup with more Green Tea.

“It’s good for your health.”

“…”

Did my concern for her health reach her?

Olivia’s warm gaze fixated on my hand.

“Son of a B*.”

“Woof.”

I barked softly.

Time passed faster than expected.

Perhaps it was because two Fools who got along well were together, the drizzling rain didn’t seem so bad.

The rain still poured heavily, and no Guests came to visit.

Two Fools sipping tea, showing their Truthful Brows, emptying their cups, and playing rock-paper-scissors to decide who would refill them—

It was fun.

“The rain is pouring heavily.”

“If I go out now, my Sugar levels might drop entirely.”

“Even if you try to Gaslight me, it’s no use. Today’s snacks will be nothing but Green Tea.”

“Hmph.”

Outside, a Downpour was pouring down.

The River Water had risen significantly.

The Guards had also stopped their patrols and could be seen returning home.

Looking up at the sky, I hoped the Ceiling wouldn’t leak, though it seemed I might have to climb up to the roof for repairs once the rain stopped.

“Ricardo.”

“Yes?”

“Someone’s coming over there.”

The Young Lady pointed her finger toward the Marketplace. I didn’t believe her. There was no Noteworthy Person who would come to Our Mansion in this weather. I figured she was probably mistaking a Puppy soaked by the rain.

I lightly replied to clear up the Young Lady’s misunderstanding.

“No, that’s just a Puppy.”

“A Puppy?”

“Yes.”

I slightly nodded my head.

Olivia grew quiet again.

I also silently looked Outside the Window.

“Ricardo.”

Olivia pointed somewhere again with her finger. This time, she was pointing at a place slightly closer than before.

“Someone’s coming over there.”

“Are you bored?”

“A little?”

“I’ll tell you a scary story soon.”

“Eek…!”

Olivia tightly closed her mouth.

I moved my head to follow Olivia’s finger.

‘What is this?’

There really was something.

Something brown was rapidly running toward Our Mansion.

“Huh?”

It was at that moment.

That fast-moving figure stopped in front of the Mansion’s Front Gate.

Olivia looked at me.

I gave a small nod.

She and I both knew.

Anyone who would visit Our Mansion in this weather was either a Ghost or a Thief.

With a nervous heart, I stared closely at the Mansion’s Front Gate.

‘Who is it?’

A woman with her head deeply bowed, spinning in circles in front of the gate.

She seemed oddly familiar.

Brown Hair.

Wearing Leather Pants, her shoulders drooped like a Mouse soaked by the rain.

“Huh?”

Olivia glanced up at me slightly.

“Is that a person?”

“It seems so. I’ll go down for a moment.”

“Okay.”

I quickly ran toward the gate.

Grabbing an Outer Garment and an Umbrella, I ran toward the person standing at the gate.

A woman soaked by the rain was standing at the Mansion’s Front Gate.

It was a familiar woman.

I had seen her just yesterday.

I even remembered parting with her when her face was full of laughter.

She weakly knocked on the gate.

“Is anyone there?”

“Uh….”

A feeble Voice was heard.

“I came because I missed the Green Tea Flavor.”

Hanna had come to Our Mansion.