Page 279 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Desmond estate is peaceful again today.

Shuen, dressed in a convenience store uniform, stood at the register with a sly grin, clutching the hot dog that Hanna had handed her for checkout.

"Heehee."

"...What’s with you?"

"Heeheehee."

"Just ring me up. I’m busy."

Hanna clicked her tongue as she looked at the giggling Shuen, wondering if she had finally lost it.

‘Oh boy...’

"Heh..."

Ever since her butler left, Shuen had been acting strangely. Whenever she came to buy snacks, she’d giggle to herself, playfully touch people’s backsides, wink, and say "Ohoho." It was like a mix of harassment and pity all rolled into one. Hanna couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She wondered if the pressure of studying magic had finally broken Shuen down.

"Ohoho!"

The Academy life seemed to have taken its toll.

Was it because of her endless pursuit of Michail-senpai that she lost her mind? Or maybe it was the absence of her butler, who used to eat lunch with her, that caused her brain to malfunction? Either way, Shuen had been laughing aimlessly ever since the butler disappeared, almost like a girl in love for the first time.

Watching Shuen’s sly grin, Hanna asked,

"Hey..."

"Eep!"

"Hey, Shuen."

"Ohoho! What is it?"

"What’s with you?"

Shuen glanced at the uniform she was wearing and then smiled brightly, proudly showing it off.

"Heehee... Histania Hanna, you finally noticed, huh?"

Shuen pinched her uniform between her fingers and began sharing unnecessary information.

"Behold! I, Shuen, have acquired a new job. Do you see it? My new uniform...!"

"That’s not what I meant..."

"This uniform is a legacy left to me by the commoner before he departed! He pinned this badge, which says ‘Employee Shuen,’ right to my chest, entrusting me with the future of SU Convenience Store!"

"...Sigh."

"It’s got amazing stretchability! And incredible sweat-wicking capabilities...! This uniform is only given to those affiliated with SU Convenience Store!"

"No..."

Hanna shook her head, watching as Shuen bit into the hem of her uniform to stretch it. She wondered how someone could be so dense.

"Sigh... Never mind."

"Hehe."

"Just hurry up and ring me up, I’ve got a class to attend."

"Understood!"

"By the way, Shuen, aren’t you going to class?"

"Oh! I’ve given up on graduating!"

"What...?"

"I have a plan, you know!"

At Shuen’s casual dismissal of her future, Hanna just shook her head, accepting the change from Shuen.

"Anyway, I’m off. Keep an eye on the store, and if you need anything, let me know. I’ll cover for you."

"Thanks!"

"Yeah."

As Hanna walked away, Shuen gave her an impish look and smiled.

"Oh, Hanna."

"Hmm?"

"You said you liked the commoner... I mean, Ricardo, right?"

"Huh...? Did I tell you that?"

"Yes!"

"Uh... yeah, I guess I did. Why? Are you going to cause trouble?"

Shuen shook her head and replied,

"I just wanted to confirm it!"

"Geez, what a letdown."

As Hanna left the store, Shuen muttered under her breath.

"Histania Hanna... you’ve become my rival...! Heh... You can have the main wife position. I am a generous person!"

Shuen was open to polygamy. The more popular the person she liked, the more valuable she believed she became by association.

"Hehe..."

With a sly grin, Shuen pulled out an expired lunchbox from under the counter and grabbed a spoon.

"But this Shuen... I will not lose...!"

- Ding!

"Welcome to SU Convenience Store, where happiness awaits!"

Shuen smiled as she thought about the commoner, who would someday return to the Academy.

_____________________

Another peaceful day at the Desmond estate.

"...Mmm, yummy."

The young lady, perched comfortably on Gomtang's back, casually picked her nose as she wandered through the estate.

"Move to the side."

- Gooooom.

"Eek!! I said move to the side!"

- Gooooooom.

"Argh!"

Of course, Gomtang was going wherever it pleased, ignoring the young lady’s commands. Still, the young lady clung to Gomtang’s head, trying to steer it, yanking on its fur like she was driving.

"Move!"

- Gom gom.

"If you don’t listen, I’ll turn you into stew!"

- Gom.

Unbothered, Gomtang wagged its short tail and continued on its way.

Olivia's destination was the table where Ricardo was sitting.

She was personally making her way there to deliver the hammer of justice to the butler, who had dared to abandon his duties to enjoy tea leisurely.

The young lady, sensing the warmth of my teacup, shouted at me from a distance.

"Eeeek! Ricardo!"

"Yes, my lady."

"My snack isn’t listening to me."

"It’s not ‘snack,’ it’s Gomtang."

"Same thing."

"No, my lady. When you say things like that, it sounds like you’ll really turn him into stew."

"Eeeek... Anyway! He’s not listening to his master!"

I smiled brightly at the frustrated young lady and responded cheerfully,

"That’s because you’re too easygoing, my lady."

"Eeeek!!! Bite him!"

- Gom.

"Not me! Bite Ricardo!"

- Gooooom!

It was another peaceful day at the Desmond estate.

At that moment, I was savoring the rare bliss of idleness, having finished my shift at the convenience store. I was enjoying the simple pleasures of life, the kind of peace that made me think, ‘Isn’t this what life’s about?’

- Eeeek!!! Go that way, you dumb bear! - Goooooom! - Ugh...! Stop running! - Goooooom! - Ricardoooooo!!!

Of course, the young lady had her usual chaotic tendencies, but despite her mischief, I was content and enjoying my leisurely life.

- Sip.

I had helped prevent a tragedy involving a girl with an unfulfilled love, successfully wrapped up a new business venture, and while it hadn’t been a huge hit, I was satisfied with my small accomplishments. As I noticed the young lady disappearing from sight, I stood up from my chair to go after her.

"Where are you off to now?"

- Goooooom!

"Wow..."

Gomtang was running so fast, it had already reached the grand entrance of the estate. If this continued, the bear would go beyond being Desmond’s mascot and might even become the empire’s mascot.

I smiled as I hurried after the young lady, who was letting out a strange cry.

"My lady!"

"Mmm."

"Stop!"

"Ricardo, the ★ ?????????????????? ★ bear won’t stop."

Reaching a state of resignation, the young lady felt the wind against her, savoring the freedom. As they reached the estate’s entrance, the knights standing guard wore tense expressions, watching nervously.

"Ah... hello, my lady! I am Elang Bator, the knight guarding Desmond estate! The knight beside me is...!"

"Mmm. Hello."

"We have not had any visitors or intruders; security is airtight...! If you need anything, please let us know."

"Hmm..."

"My lady, is there anything we can assist you with?"

Intimidated by the high-ranking noble in front of him, the knight quickly introduced himself and kept a close eye on the young lady. After all, this was the same noblewoman known for fighting stray dogs, so it was natural for him to be nervous.

In that moment, Elang Bator’s mind was flooded with memories from ten years ago.

- Grrrr... - My lady...! It’s a stray dog. Just ignore it and walk by... - Eek! Let me go! It growled at me first! - My lady...! But it’s just a stray dog. - Eeeek!

"...Gulp."

As someone who had experienced firsthand the unpredictability of the young lady, Bator was now worrying about a potential fight between the bear and the young lady. After all, even she couldn’t win against a bear.

- Sniff sniff.

Gomtang, the bear, started sniffing Bator’s armor, its nose brushing against his leg. The bear had caught the scent of the jerky Bator had brought along as a snack. Bator instinctively placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, uncertain whether he should be more afraid of the bear or the young lady.

"Wait."

- Gom?

"It’s not food."

- Gom.

"Sigh..."

Relieved by the well-trained bear, Bator let out a long sigh, calming his racing heart. He almost wished a monster would appear instead.

And then, at that moment.

"My lady!"

Bator’s savior arrived.

Bator gave me a grateful smile, his eyes filled with affection, silently asking why I hadn’t arrived sooner.

"Sir Butler!"

"Haha...! My apologies. Did I startle you?"

"No, no. It’s nothing... haha... sigh..."

I glanced at Bator’s pale face, noticing that he looked like he had aged ten years, and gave him an awkward smile. I could already guess what was going through his mind.

Casually, I lifted the young lady onto my back and greeted Bator.

"Feel free to speak comfortably, Sir Bator. You used to, 13 years ago."

"That’s because I didn’t know who you really were back then, haha...!"

"If I remember correctly, you even paid me extra to hit the young lady harder..."

"Shh... please, not here!"

With a nervous glance at the young lady, who was looking confused, Bator quickly covered my mouth and slipped a coin into my pocket.

"That was all in the past. Please forget it."

"You didn’t need to give me this."

As expected of an educated man—always handling things smoothly.

With a satisfied smile, I left Bator and began walking back to the mansion. The young lady, still on my back, asked me,

"Ricardo."

"Yes?"

"Are you close with that knight?"

"Yes, my lady. You remember him, don’t you? He’s the one who stood watch when we fought in the slums."

"Mmm."

"That’s him."

"Really?"

The young lady nodded lightly and then buried her face into my back, mumbling.

"Ricardo."

"Yes?"

"When are we going home?"

"Hamel?"

"Mmm."

"Do you want to go back?"

"Mmm. I’m afraid someone might steal my chocolate."

"..."

I smiled softly at her innocent concern and replied,

"We’ll head back this evening."

"When we go, let’s buy some chocolate to bring with us."

"Understood."

At that moment, I had no reason to suspect that anything unusual would be happening at the mansion we had left unattended for so long.

There were people watching over the house. I didn’t think there was anyone who would pose a threat.

But.

An unexpected person was knocking at the mansion door.

"...Please, just let me see them once."

A familiar middle-aged woman knelt down, pleading.

I looked at the pale face of the woman and gave a bittersweet smile.

Her name was Ella.

She was the mother of an old friend.