Page 270 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

After some more time had passed.

"Hey!"

"Yes?"

"Give me the expired lunchbox!"

This time, Shuen, who seemed to have shifted her aspirations to becoming a bandit, held a fan in her hand, trying to intimidate me.

I raised my hands, playing along with her act, and smiled.

"Oh, Miss Shuen, have you switched careers from being a student to a bandit? Impressive."

"No! This is a perfectly legitimate demand!"

Shuen winked at me, striking a flirtatious pose.

"Yoohoo!"

"I haven't eaten yet, so it's a bit early for an antacid."

"What? My charm doesn’t work on you?! You're not human! You're a beast! A demon! A eunuch!"

"...?"

"I take back the eunuch part!"

"Thank you... But honestly, your 'charm' is more like a wooden puppet dancing around, so it's not quite working for me."

I slid out from behind the counter, responding to her provocation with a playful sway of my hips.

"Something like this, with a deadly serious expression, is what I’d consider seductive."

"Ugh... this is frustrating!"

"Well, it's only natural. After all, I've mastered the art of allure to become a successful butler for the Desmont family."

"Arrrgh!"

Shuen clenched her fists in genuine frustration and demanded the expired lunchbox with bold determination.

"Then, hand it over!"

"Haha... What a brazen beggar you are."

"What did you just say, commoner?"

"I’m a commoner, ? Nоvеl??ght ? (Exclusive on Nоvеl??ght) speaking as a commoner."

"Oh-hoho! Well, then it's no surprise I didn't understand!"

'Idiot.'

It seemed Shuen had forgotten the whole notion of me supposedly tormenting Mihail. Every lunchtime, without fail, she would be the first to arrive at the convenience store, cheerfully greeting me.

However, when Mihail happened to visit at the same time:

"Where are you going in the middle of your meal?""Don’t talk to me!""Your attempt to hide is painfully obvious, especially around your chest area.""Beast!"

She’d draw clear lines between us when Mihail was around. But once he left, she’d be back, shining her bright eyes at me, striking up conversation as if nothing had happened.

Today was no different.

"I really forgot both my wallet and lunch today! I spent my allowance on steak, but I left it behind...!"

With a genuinely frustrated expression, Shuen boldly demanded lunch from me. It seemed she’d disposed of any remaining noble dignity, shamelessly trying to get a free lunch.

'I think it’s time we talk.'

The moment was nearing when Shuen would confess to Mihail, a grand, public confession in front of the academy’s fountain.

Of course, in typical noble fashion, it was grand and extravagant—until it failed miserably.

Though it was just a passing interaction, I felt a desire to show her some consideration. I didn’t want to see another girl like my lady end up hurt, especially not over a confession that had no hope.

"Today’s lunch special is the convenience store set."

I placed her favorite 'pork cutlet lunchbox set' and a 'mango juice' on the table and smiled.

"Is this a confession?"

"No."

"Then why are you giving this to me?"

"I just wanted to."

Shuen narrowed her eyes suspiciously, her gaze sharpening.

Stare.

"It's not like that."

"I’m suspicious!"

It wasn’t the first time I’d encountered a woman who complained even when given food, but Shuen’s bold attitude made me sigh and shake my head.

"Today’s lunch is on me. This isn't an expired one—it's a brand-new item."

"See? You must like me!"

"Alright, fine, I’ll just eat it myself."

"No, wait!"

Shuen smiled brightly as she hugged the lunchbox. Seeing her cling more to the food than to me made me laugh, but her cheerful expression was endearing nonetheless.

"Go on, sit down and eat."

"Oh-hoho!"

"Please stop laughing like that."

"Yes..."

For the moment, Shuen set aside her noble airs and dug into the lunchbox like a ravenous creature.

"This is not just a lunchbox! The crispy breading is practically alive!"

"It’s not that amazing."

"Do not insult pork cutlets, commoner!"

"..."

After watching her for a while, and as the bottom of the lunchbox became visible, I carefully broached a sensitive topic.

"Uh... Miss Shuen, this might seem like an out-of-the-blue question."

"Mmnnng... mmph! (Go ahead, commoner!)"

"Please don’t take this the wrong way."

"Hmmmph! (I don’t care about what a commoner has to say!)"

"Okay, then."

Nod.

"Do you have someone you like at the academy?"

Sure enough, Shuen almost spat out her food, looking at me in shock and shouting.

"So you are interested in me after all! How dare you, commoner, harbor impure thoughts about me!"

"Not really, you’re not my type."

"Disgusting commoner!"

Suppressing a laugh, I calmed her down.

"It’s just that love stories are always the most entertaining, right? And someone your age would naturally be thinking about such things."

"...That's true!"

"That’s why I asked. Not because I’m interested in you, but because I was wondering if I could help somehow."

"What could a commoner like you possibly help with?"

"Haven’t you heard the rumors about me?"

"...What?"

As I smiled wickedly, a flood of memories of the terrible things her seniors had said about me rushed through Shuen's mind.

"He’s just a dog.""Woof! Woof! That guy’s mouth is full of trash.""He loses his mind whenever he sees a woman.""Watch out if you ever meet him. He might devour you whole."

Shuen clapped her hands together, pointing at me.

"A... a horny dog!"

"...What?"

"They said you’re a panting, rabid dog, not a person!"

"That story seems to have taken on a life of its own, but okay."

I tried to ignore Shuen’s disgusted expression. Still, hearing myself called a rabid dog stung, especially since I didn’t even have any friends to defend me. It really hurt.

"So, who’s the person that comes to mind when you think of me?"

"A villainess!"

"You’re a villainess too."

"I am not!"

"Anyway, I wasn’t talking about my lady. I meant someone with white hair."

"The Tower Lord?"

"Is your head full of rocks?"

"How dare a commoner insult a noble!"

"Mihail. I’m talking about Mihail."

"Oh!"

Shuen smiled brightly, clapping her hands.

"You mean Mihail-senpai? Why would you be involved with him? You’re not even worth his toenail."

"Well, I’m taller than him."

"I know."

"Anyway, Mihail and I have had plenty of clashes."

"That’s your fault!"

"Yes, and that’s why I’m saying this. When someone hates you a lot, you tend to learn a lot about them."

"Oh..."

"What they like, what they hate."

As if she were being drawn into a web, Shuen listened intently.

"Tell me more."

I leaned against the table, smiling faintly as I continued.

"Well, I don’t know who you like, but if it happens to be Mihail, I might have some helpful information."

"So you do like me after all!"

"..."

Was her head made of rocks?

I shook my head at Shuen’s stubborn reaction.

"Fine, think whatever you want."

"...!"

"As your lunch buddy, I just want to help. But if you’re going to act like this, then let’s just stick to expired lunchboxes."

"Don’t ignore me! I’m a top student, you know!"

"For the record, I ranked in the top ten when I was at the academy."

"...I got tenth in the written exam."

"Impressive."

"Don’t mock me, you friendless villain!"

"Well, you’re eating lunch with this villain... so I’ll hold my tongue."

Watching Shuen pound the table in frustration, I gave her an awkward smile.

"Anyway, it’s been fun."

"Huh?"

"It’s almost time for me to leave."

"Leave? What do you mean?"

Shuen looked shocked, staring at me with wide eyes, as if the idea of losing her lunchtime companion was unbearable.

"Wait! I can’t date you, but I can be your friend!"

"Haha, that’s not necessary."

Shuen lowered her head, looking like she was about to cry.

"Is business... not doing well? If that’s the case, I’ll give you all of my allowance!"

"I appreciate the sentiment, but no."

"...Why not?"

I smiled sadly at her teary question.

"There were complaints."

"Huh...?"

"Someone filed a complaint with the academy, asking why a criminal who caused so much trouble is still working here and demanding I be kicked out. But don’t worry, business is good, so the convenience store isn’t going anywhere."

"..."

"I also need to return to my main job. I can’t stay here forever."

"Missamo members...! He’s back!"Shuen lowered her eyes, realizing the source of the complaint. She knew all too well where the trouble had originated.

"..."

She had no words to defend herself.

Shuen looked at me, tears welling up in her eyes, and spoke with a trembling voice.

"Are you... really leaving?"

I nodded and answered her, explaining that every meeting eventually leads to parting.

"Yes."

As Shuen, on the verge of tears, stared at me, I spoke carefully.

"That’s why I’m bringing this up now."

"..." "Do you like Mihail?"

About her feelings.

Hoping she wouldn’t get hurt too badly.