Page 267 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Tetra Shuen.

A woman who loved Mikhail.

She was also the adopted daughter of the Tower Master, with two parents, making her somewhat of an unfilial child. Despite her unusual family lineage and strong backing, she was destined for a bitter future—confessing her love to Mikhail only to be rejected.

"Oh ho ho..."

Personally, I liked Shuen.

Not in a romantic way, but as a reader. She was different ◆ Nоvеl?g?t ◆ (Only on Nоvеl?g?t) from the lady—an awkward villainess with a charm that made her endearing.

Her clumsy personality and that artificial "oh ho ho" laugh were amusing. Though her words could be sharp, she never actually harmed anyone, making her a noblewoman who was easy to enjoy watching.

"Shuen, why do you disappear every lunch break? Want to eat with me?""Oh ho ho! I appreciate the offer, Yuria-senpai, but I don’t want to sit with commoners, so I go to a separate restaurant!""I see..."

She was gentler than other villainesses who fell deeply into the pit of love and obsession.

Her only flaw was her extreme fangirling, driven by the emotions of a first love. Despite that, she was one of the extra characters I liked in the novel.

And she was a character with significance in the story.

Smiling, I warmly greeted the girl with purple drill-shaped curls as she entered the store.

"Welcome to Happy Convenience Store SU."

"Oh ho ho...! Don’t greet me, commoner."

"Is the place where you fell earlier alright?"

"Because you caught me...! Wait a moment! Why are you talking to me so casually?! I am a noble! You are a commoner!"

"I'm just glad you didn't get hurt."

"...Grrr!"

Watching Shuen’s face flush red, I smiled in amusement and began introducing the store.

She had probably come here because of Mikhail.

"Shall I give you a quick tour? We’re not busy, and I’d like to do some business while I can."

"No need. I saw the flyer, so I already know."

"Oh... You read the flyer?"

"Of course! I know this is a vulgar store selling all sorts of cheap goods."

"You’ve got it exactly right."

I nodded, smiling at Shuen’s provocation. She was picking a fight, but she wasn’t wrong. I was actually happy she had taken the time to read the flyer and visit.

Compared to the MISA members who threw eggs at the store earlier, Shuen was an angel. I carefully approached her and continued my introduction.

"At SU Convenience Store, we sell everything from nail clippers and combs to snacks and tea—pretty much everything except what we don’t have."

"How chaotic."

"It is, but we also sell some treasured items for certain customers, so I hope you’ll find it worthwhile."

"Treasured items?"

"Yes, like the handkerchief Mikhail used, or the water bottle Ruin drank from and discarded..."

"This... this vulgarity!!!"

Shuen's face flushed bright red as she glared at me.

"Is this because you're a commoner?! How can you say something so lacking in class?!"

"Haha... I'll throw them out then. I just happened to find them by chance."

"Grrr...!"

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

Shuen, seeing me apologize so politely, bit her lip and muttered, "This... this isn’t right," before briskly walking over to the section where Mikhail had been. She frowned as she browsed the shelves.

"Hmmm..."

"..."

"Hmmmmm...!"

"Miss."

"Hmmmmmmm!!"

"Miss?"

"Hic!"

I lightly tapped Shuen on the shoulder to get her attention.

Startled, Shuen stepped back and shouted at me.

"What are you doing?!"

"Are you looking for something? Perhaps the mandrake candy that Mikhail ate?"

"..."

Shuen glared at me and then, in a small voice, asked how I knew.

"How did you know? Are you using some kind of mind-reading magic or... stalking me?"

"Your imagination is running a bit wild."

"..."

Still on guard, Shuen, like a drenched kitten, reached out for the candy I was holding.

"Would you like it?"

"Yes."

"How many do you need?"

Shuen responded seriously.

"A box."

"Excuse me?"

"Give me the whole box. You don’t mean to tell me you’re out of stock, do you?"

Shuen, boldly offering to clear out the store’s worst-selling item.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head.

"No, I’m just surprised by how much you’re asking for."

"If I ask for it, just give it to me, commoner."

"As you wish, my lady."

I fetched a box of mandrake candy from the storage room, placed it on the counter, and looked at Shuen.

"A full box, right?"

"Uh... a small box..."

"Sorry?"

"...Oh ho ho! Of course! What else would I mean by a box? Surely you didn’t think I was referring to a tiny box, did you? What do you take me for?"

I suppressed a grin, amused by Shuen’s prideful yet naive behavior. She had unknowingly walked into this.

"But, miss."

"Why do you keep talking to me, commoner?"

"Ah, sorry. I just feel like I need to say something when I’m in the presence of such a refined noble."

"Oh ho ho!!! Then I shall allow it."

"Thank you."

Watching Shuen cover her mouth with a laugh, I couldn’t resist pushing a little further.

"About this candy."

"Yes?"

"Are you buying so much to share with your friends?"

"..."

Shuen, who had been reaching into her bag for her coin purse, froze, her shoulder twitching as she glared at me.

"...What?"

"The recommended daily amount for mandrake candy is 10 pieces. Any more than that, and it will leave a bitter taste in your mouth... I was just wondering if you were planning to eat it all yourself."

"..."

I laughed lightly and asked, "That’s not the case, right?"

Shuen’s face turned crimson, and she shouted at me, shaking her head.

"Of course not! I’m not a pig!"

"Pfft...!"

"Why are you laughing?! If you’re a clerk, then do your job and ring me up!"

"Ah... Pfft. Understood."

As I opened the register, I decided to tease her a bit more.

"So, you’ll be coming back soon, then. If you’re giving them to friends, you’ll need to buy more."

"That... that’s..."

"I’ll even throw in a small box for free next time."

"Ugh...! Just like a commoner, always offering extras...! Fine, I have plenty of friends, so I’ll just come back tomorrow."

"Pfft... Alright."

Shaking with suppressed laughter, I wiped a tear from my eye and spoke to Shuen.

"Then I’ll see you again soon."

"Yes, commoner."

Shuen, slightly flustered, tried to lift the box of candy.

"Nnngh..."

The box didn’t budge.

Looking panicked, she stared at the box with trembling eyes, confused as to why it wouldn’t move.

"Would you like me to carry it for you?"

"...No!"

Shuen puffed her cheeks and, after a few more failed attempts, finally slumped down in defeat. Chuckling softly, I hung a "Be Right Back" sign on the door and lifted the box for her.

"Uh..."

Shuen glanced at her arm, as if embarrassed.

"Shall I carry it to your dorm?"

"Yes... I mean, yes, commoner."

"Of course."

Later that evening.

"Ptooey! Why does Mikhail-senpai eat such awful candy...!"

Sitting in her dorm room, Shuen tossed the candy out the window like breadcrumbs, her expression forlorn.

"Ugh... what am I going to do with this?"

She had bought the candy out of curiosity, thinking it would connect her to Mikhail-senpai, only to realize she had fallen for a clever marketing ploy and bought far too much.

"The other MISA members probably already bought theirs."

Sighing, Shuen stared at her empty wallet, drained of her allowance from home.

"I made a promise to that man..."

Shuen thought to herself.

Ricardo, that man.

He had to be a devil.

Ding.

The next day, Shuen returned to the convenience store.

"Oh ho ho! Commoner, I’m here for more candy!"

And the day after.

Ding.

"Oh ho ho... Commoner. I’m here for more candy today."

Shuen continued coming to the store, day after day. Though she claimed to be buying candy, her real goal was to figure out Ricardo, and perhaps, in doing so, annoy him. It was all part of her plan to get revenge for Mikhail-senpai.

"Oh ho ho! Such vulgarity, commoner."

Hanna, watching Shuen, sighed.

"Why does she keep coming back?"

"Hmm... Good question."

"She was here yesterday! And the day before! It’s like she’s a ghost that died from eating too much candy!"

I smiled at Hanna.

"Maybe she just wants to get to know me better."

"Sir..."

Hanna glanced at Shuen with a cold expression, then sighed.

"Bigger isn’t always better, you know."

"Pfft! It’s nothing like that."

"Still...!"

Hanna pouted, clenching her fists, but even while fuming, she continued restocking the shelves diligently.

"I’m actually worried."

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind."

Meanwhile, Shuen continued hovering around the spot where Mikhail had browsed. She picked up a snack he had touched, smiling like a lovestruck girl, and let out a sigh of relief when she noticed only one was left.

I sighed inwardly.

‘She won’t last long.’

Watching someone fail at love, I knew the sadness that awaited her. That empty feeling, the endless tears... I understood better than most how painful unrequited love could be.

Because I knew how her love story would end.

"I’ve liked you for a long time!""Is that why you called me here?""I’m serious... really...""So, you’re just like that other girl, huh?"

How could I not be worried?