Page 157 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

There are times when people are hated for no reason.

A boy lingering in cloudy memories, with hair of the same color.

Disliking his actions that went against what a boy would do.

For no reason, he found him more detestable.

The boy in his memories was always upright and resolute. Perhaps he disliked the man who resembled the boy who had vanished with the dew, wishing that man, just like the boy in his memories, could be upright due to selfish desires.

Of course, the man was also an evil person in reality.

Preferring personal gain over justice.

Choosing slaughter over the preciousness of life.

Rejecting Uria and committing evil deeds made the guy a villain in essence.

He was someone who didn’t match with himself at all.

He was a man with different beliefs, so they couldn’t mix.

Mikhail, who unpacked his belongings in the inn, sat on the bed gazing at an old photograph.

– What are you doing alone? Hurry up and come!

– ...I don’t want to take pictures with you guys.

– Shut up and come quickly!

Mikhail looked at his wrist.

He stared at the spot where the boy’s gentle touch, who had insisted on taking a photo together, had reached.

There seemed to be warmth from that day still lingering on his wrist. The kind touch of the boy who held his wrist, which couldn’t blend in with the crowd, and made him smile, still seemed to be present in this place.

– Come on. Smile!

– I don’t want to...

– Smile!

Click.

“...”

Mikhail’s memories were all contained in an old photograph.

The difficult life in the slums.

The appearance of the boy.

His own young self.

All captured in a faded old photograph.

Not good memories, but looking at the photograph that contained unforgettable memories, Mikhail let out a bitter smile.

“Idiot.”

Mikhail, illuminated by the moonlight seeping through the window, tilted his head while the photo was being lit.

‘Am I doing well...?’

‘I’m working hard.’

What would that child have said to him?

Would he have patted his back, saying he was living correctly, or scolded him for living like a fool?

It was all just futile delusion, but Mikhail wanted to hear the answer to the questions he asked himself. Harsh words were fine; he just wanted to hear that child’s voice just once, only once.

Bowing his head and spending the night awake, Mikhail hugged the photo tightly, hoping not to have nightmares this time.

Unable to easily fall asleep on this dark night, the wind blowing in through the window fluttered the curtains, bringing in the mountain breeze.

About ten minutes passed like that.

– Tock.

A small pebble fell over the window into the room.

Mikhail rose to his feet and leaned his head out the window, curious about who was calling him at such a late hour.

Slowly, Mikhail pushed his pale forehead out the window.

“Eek!”

With the scream of Danmalma, Mikhail wiped his forehead.

Feeling a sharp pain, Mikhail looked down at the floor of his room and found a small pebble the size of a fingernail.

It seemed like someone outside the window had thrown a stone at him. It probably wasn’t meant for an ambush or attack since it wasn’t thrown forcefully, but Mikhail felt upset.

No matter how good-natured one is, getting hit by a stone for no reason is unbearable.

Mikhail held his stinging forehead and looked out the window.

Who would do such a thing at this late hour? With the intention to scold if caught, Mikhail slowly lowered his head.

Mikhail’s expression stiffened as he looked at the man’s face outside the window.

“Nice shot...! Oh, caught in the act?”

Ricardo, holding a handful of pebbles, waved his hand. Mikhail, seeing Ricardo vigorously waving his hand as if he had seen a long-lost friend, sighed deeply and reached for his sword.

‘Ricardo...’

The man he disliked the most.

The man who seemed to be able to live in this world without any guilt was smiling brightly.

*

Inside the quiet restaurant in Hamel.

I smiled at Mikhail, who was staring at me as if to kill.

“Why do you look at me like that? Did something unpleasant happen?”

“...Shut it.”

“To use such dreadful words...!”

After teasing Mikhail for a moment, I raised my hand and ordered a chicken skewer and beer from the waiter.

“Would Mikhail like a beer too? Let me treat you.”

“Not drinking.”

“Why not? It’s a tradition to have a drink and chat on days like this.”

“I find sitting with you repulsive. That’s why I’m not drinking.”

“Is that so...? It’s not because I’m a man, right? A person crazy about a woman like you! Lolicon!”

Mikhail was glaring at me as if he would draw his sword in an instant.

With a bitter smile, I told the waiter bringing the beer, ‘This friend has a filthy personality. Please understand.’ I made Mikhail out to be a personality disaster.

The waiter forced an awkward smile.

I left a tip on the table and insisted the waiter empathize. The money invested in avoiding Mikhail was not wasted.

“Thank you!”

Money truly is power.

Nodding at the waiter’s bright smile, I sneered at Mikhail’s stern face, saying, ‘He’s a personality disaster.’

Seeing the waiter blush was a bonus.

Mikhail looked at me with a pathetic expression and said, “So, what’s the main point?”

Breathing out deeply, I felt a sense of resentment at Mikhail’s rigid demeanor, demanding to get to the point.

“When have I ever just asked Mikhail for a favor? I’m just happy to see your face after a long time.”

“...Wipe the drool off your mouth before speaking.”

“Is it true?”

I detested Mikhail for not understanding my heart.

Well, Mikhail wasn’t wrong in what he said.

I wiped away my smile and spoke to Mikhail.

“Surely, we are not on friendly terms.”

“Get to the point.”

I sighed deeply and looked at Mikhail. It was 9 p.m. now. Late if it was late, early if it was early.

There was only one reason I had called Mikhail at this hour.

“I have a favor to ask.”

It was for a trivial request.

It might not be difficult for Mikhail, but it was more important and heavier for me.

Although nothing was likely to happen, I was sitting here in case of the unexpected.

Mikhail blinked in confusion at the mention of a favor.

“A favor?”

“Not a difficult one.”

“You’re asking me for a favor?”

“I can ask, can’t I? We even danced together at the ball. It’s disappointing.”

“Danced? After unilaterally killing someone?”

“I have my reasons.”

Mikhail clenched his fist and spoke. The fact that he was gnawing on his teeth was an added detail.

I bit my lip in the face of Mikhail’s anger. I felt like I would only receive a reprimand if I said more.

“Reasons...? Do you think that makes sense?! 50 people... 50. The number you killed that day...”

“Stop.”

“Stop what? We haven’t even started yet.”

“Mikhail, don’t you know that telling me these things won’t change anything?”

“You...”

I interrupted Mikhail’s tedious ethical preaching, shaking my head. We hadn’t sat down here to have such tedious conversations with each other.

I didn’t want to see the face of a lolicon, and Mikhail didn’t want to see the face of a womanizer either, so I spoke to Mikhail with a bitter smile.

“I’ll be straightforward.”

“Speak quickly.”

I sighed deeply and said,

“Don’t come to our mansion.”

Mikhail furrowed his brow, asking, ‘Why would I go there?’ Displaying his openly disdainful expression, which oddly put me at ease, I continued to say what was on my mind.

“As you know, Mikhail, our relationship is the worst. Especially with the young lady.”

“You brought it upon yourselves.”

From Noble mtl dot com

“That’s why I’m asking. Please don’t come.”

“Even if you didn’t ask, I wouldn’t go to such a place. You never know what Olivia might do.”

I wiped away my laughter at Mikhail’s belittling of the young lady and spoke in a cold voice.

“Choose your words carefully, Mikhail.”

“...”

“You’re not someone to speak lightly of.”

A brief silence passed, and Mikhail, with a stern expression, found the flaw in the story and spoke.

“Do not meet Olivia. That’s what I’m saying.”

“If possible, I’ll ask that for a lifetime.”

“Hmph.”

Leaning on the desk, Mikhail picked up his sword and rose from his seat. Without even {Novelight} glancing at the food being served, his steps as he stood up were resolute.

“You won’t have to worry about a thing.”

“Thank goodness.”

“I don’t want to get involved with you again.”

Watching Mikhail leave with heavy footsteps, I waved my hand.

“Take care.”

-Thud.

-Thud.

-Thud.

Before stepping out of the door, Mikhail paused his steps, turned his head back, and said to me.

“I have one thing to ask of you.”

“Of course.”

“Don’t concoct any weird incidents during this internship.”

“...”

“And”

Mikhail roughly opened the door and said.

“No matter what happens, don’t interfere with me. It’s disgusting.”

I didn’t respond to Mikhail’s words. I just silently caressed the beer glass, wearing a subtle smile.

After Mikhail left like that.

Alone, I drank beer and muttered softly.

“That seems difficult.”

It seemed challenging to grant Mikhail’s request. It was undoubtedly an issue that couldn’t be overlooked as a possessor.

And.

Thinking of the old days, I couldn’t do that.

-Swish.

The moment Mikhail left, the customers inside the shop pushed their chairs back and got up from their seats.

Those who had no intention of paying and leaving. The clerk, with a bewildered look, watched them, and I handed a tip to the clerk, signaling him to leave.

Watching the clerk hastily depart, I gently placed the beer glass on the table with a ‘thud’.

Seeing the unwelcome guests awkwardly trying to follow Mikhail, I spoke to them in a low voice.

“Sit down.”

“If you don’t want to die.”

*

The place where Ricardo threw a stone at Mikhail.

“...”

In the eerie alley, dozens of heretics’ bodies lay as corpses.