The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

“Sniff…”

Yuria was crying.

Her shoulders trembled like branches swayed by a fierce wind, and her sobs echoed softly in the thin night sky.

As I walked toward the balcony, Yuria’s figure in the moonlight resembled a sorrowful dance.

She seemed lost and pained.

“I don’t want to show it….”

“I don’t want to show this side of me….”

“Why did you notice?”

“No one else noticed, so how did you figure it out… sniff.”

Muttering in a sorrowful voice, Yuria stomped her foot while clutching her skirt. Much like a person venting when they are deeply upset, Yuria seemed to be doing the same.

I stepped toward the balcony where Yuria stood, wearing a small smile.

At the sound of my footsteps in the silent space, Yuria hastily began to wipe away her flowing tears.

Watching from a distance, I saw Yuria rub her eyes with hands covered in bandages. I paused for a moment to give her some time.

Yuria wouldn’t want to show this side of herself.

A gentleman should be considerate of a lady. Asking ‘Why are you crying?’ without any consideration would be thoughtless.

So I waited until Yuria raised her head.

When I heard her sniffle and slowly lift her head, I resumed my approach.

“Have you calmed down?”

“Don’t come near me.”

Yuria, looking at the garden with sad eyes, spoke firmly.

I took another step towards her, maintaining my small smile.

“Why shouldn’t I come?”

Yuria clutched her skirt tightly and took a deep breath. From her trembling back, I could tell that Yuria was still crying.

Yuria shouted in a muffled voice.

“I am not the person you think I am.”

“Why do you think so? You might be the person I’m looking for.”

“No way!”

Yuria clenched her fists and shouted. Her voice echoed in the balcony, spreading a sense of sorrow.

“No way…”

Yuria’s voice grew smaller and smaller.

I didn’t feel good.

Yuria began to explain in a trembling voice, biting her lips as she spoke about why she was rejecting me.

“I’m neither pretty nor attractive. My face is full of freckles, and people say I’m ugly.”

“Hmm… so what?”

“Don’t say it so easily! What do you know?”

“That’s right. I don’t know much about you, but you seem to be misunderstanding something.”

“What?”

“The person I’m looking for isn’t someone pretty and attractive. I’m looking for a kind person with a beautiful smile.”

“Don’t lie!”

Yuria shouted, unable to hide her emotions.

“Don’t lie…”

Shaking her head as if she didn’t want to continue the conversation, Yuria spat out only gloomy words. I sighed deeply with a bitter smile.

‘It’s time to let her vent.’

Conversation has its timing.

There are times to intervene and times to listen. It seemed like now was the time to step back and let Yuria vent.

She needed time to pour out her grievances and empty out her feelings, so I silently watched her and focused on her words.

“When I came to the ballroom, people said to me, ‘You’re so ugly. The dress you’re wearing is too fancy.’ I’ve heard comments like ‘You know how to dress up for a ball,’ countless times until now.”

“…”

“At first, it hurt and made me sad. At first…”

Yuria lowered her head, overwhelmed by emotions.

Her fists still clutched the hem of her dress tightly.

“I didn’t want to hear it, and I often wondered why I deserved such treatment. But surprisingly, people adjust. You know what’s funny? Even though my mind tells me it’s okay, that they’re the weird ones, deep down I admit it. I’m not someone who deserves to wear such expensive clothes. Dresses don’t suit me.”

Yuria spoke as if she had given up. As her powerless voice echoed sadly, Yuria slowly turned to look at me.

Her face, full of freckles and red from crying, made me think she probably looked quite plain, even without the influence of magic.

Not that her face was unattractive,

But rather because crying made her look less appealing.

Personally, I don’t like to see anyone crying. It makes me feel bad and uncomfortable. Who would enjoy seeing someone sad? Most people probably feel the same as I do.

Yuria saw my bitter smile and sighed deeply.

“You think the same, don’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“You think I don’t suit these clothes. You think it’s ridiculous for a commoner to wear such fancy clothes, don’t you?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Liar.”

“If that were a lie, I wouldn’t have come to find you on the balcony.”

“You came just to comfort me because you feel sorry for me.”

“Feel sorry? I believe there’s no one in the world more pitiful than I am.”

That was my honest opinion.

I truly believe there’s no one more pitiful than me in this world.

The protagonist won’t grow.

The lady is picky about food.

My salary is delayed.

At this point, I’m not just pitiful but a charity case.

Of course, there are people far worse off than me, but selfishly, I am one of those who think they are the most pitiful.

Well, my life is happy, though.

I kindly responded to Yuria’s disagreement.

Now it’s my turn to speak.

Listening to Yuria’s story further wouldn’t change anything, and it would only make me feel more uncomfortable, so I began to speak slowly.

“I have never thought of you as pitiful.”

“…”

“Why would I feel sorry for someone who is bold and loved by people? Even putting aside such trivial things, I don’t think you’re pitiful.”

“I don’t believe such lies anymore.”

“I’m not forcing you to believe. I’m just saying what I think. It’s like this. I could never live like a pushover, but you are amazing. Ah, is this sarcasm?”

“…”

“Anyway, I always admire how beautifully you dress. It’s funny, isn’t it? People say, ‘A poor commoner girl wearing an expensive dress is disgusting,’ but I always think, ‘How can someone be so beautiful?’ Of course, not as much as Lady Olivia, whom I serve.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s an occupational hazard.”

I took a step forward, looking at the bright moon in the night sky.

Even though the distance between us shortened, Yuria didn’t say, ‘Don’t come.’

It meant my cheesy words gave her some comfort.

I took another step closer, stood beside Yuria, and spoke softly while looking at the stars in the night sky.

“You said I’m not the person you’re looking for, right?”

“…”

“But what should I do?”

The moon is particularly bright tonight.

The number of stars in the sky,

And the Milky Way stretched like a watercolor painting made the scene bright and beautiful, stirring emotions.

I turned to look at Yuria.

Even a miracle.

I averted my eyes from Yuria, who was staring at me, and spoke.

“To me, right now, you look incredibly beautiful.”

“…What?”

“Your freckled face and your crying appearance are just like the person I’m looking for. I want to ask you so many things, but…”

I took off my jacket and draped it over Yuria’s shoulders, smiling.

“The weather is too cold to keep you outside for long.”

Isn’t that right?

“Miss Yuria.”

“…Please don’t do this. I…”

“Let’s stop playing hide and seek here.”

-Do you choose ‘Yuria’ as the target?

‘Yes.’

[The choice has been completed.]

***

[You have successfully found ‘Yuria who lost her beauty.’]

-The restriction on the favorability window is lifted.

-The curse on Yuria is lifted.

-Part of the reward is ‘unlocking the hidden magical talent.’

[Unique Magic: Rain and Thunder] is unlocked.

*

– Protect Yuria.

End of Chapter