Page 298 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

-Thud, thud, thud.

“Haa... haa...”

My anxious heart wouldn’t calm down easily. My body had plenty of stamina, but my parched lips felt dry from nervous, hurried breaths.

The lady, who had been battling a headache, had finally fallen into a deep sleep. Now, the only sound in the empty streets was my quiet breathing, filling the silence of the early morning.

Many thoughts raced through my mind.

I wondered if it would have been better if I had gone alone to find a doctor. Perhaps then the lady wouldn’t have been exposed to this discomfort. Another part of me, tempted by desperation, considered using the Rejuvenation Touch.

I wasn’t sure if it would work, but even a small sliver of hope made me want to try. Such were my thoughts.

-...Tap. Tap. Tap.

By now, there were no more hospitals left to visit. No one had come to help, despite my desperate knocking.

“Ricardo... I’m cold.”

The lady was shivering.

“Haa...”

My steps felt heavy as I made my way back toward the mansion. No, perhaps it’s more accurate to say I couldn’t bear to return. All I could do back at the mansion was replace the cloth on her forehead, and that wasn’t nearly enough.

I didn’t have the heart to go back.

“...”

I stood in the rain for about ten minutes, the downpour having subsided. Closing my eyes tightly, I began to take slow, heavy steps, resigning myself to waiting until the early morning.

-Squelch.

I started heading back to the mansion.

-Thud.

Just then, at the edge of Hamel’s bustling district, a small light flickered.

"...Hey!"

The light felt warm.

-Drip...

In a room where water droplets dripped from wet hair.

I exhaled a deep sigh of relief as I looked down at the lady sleeping peacefully in bed.

“Haa... Thank you so much.” “Oh, I didn’t do much, really.” “I’m so sorry for disturbing you when you were resting.”

The woman in front of me bowed her head ★ ?????????????????? ★ humbly, offering a small smile as she said, “I would’ve done the same for anyone.”

‘...’

As I looked at her, a complicated mix of emotions filled me. It wasn’t how I had hoped to cross paths with her.

The place I found myself now was in a restaurant called [Wanderer]. I didn’t know why I had ended up here of all places, but... she had found me as I wandered aimlessly.

-Why all the noise... Oh...? -Doctor...! Could you please call a doctor? -Wait just a moment. Please, come inside for now. -Her fever won’t go down, even after giving her medicine. Please, get a doctor...! -I know one. Let’s move quickly!

In my panic, Ella had extended a saving hand. I was beyond grateful.

Ella. She was Mikhail’s mother. The one who had left behind a deep wound in Mikhail’s heart.

“...”

The lady, blissfully unaware of the turmoil around her, was sound asleep, breathing softly in Ella’s bed.

“Hmph... Hehe, it’s warm.” “...” “Ugh... Cough! Cough! Ugh, I’m dying! Hmph...”

Ella, rubbing her sleepy eyes, handed me a warm cup of tea and a towel.

“Here’s some tea. You must be cold, have some.” “Thank you.”

Ella, as if she could sense what I was about to ask, said the words I most wanted to hear.

“There’s a doctor staying upstairs in the inn.” “Really...?” “He’s a young doctor, will that be alright?” “That will do.”

I nodded gratefully at her suggestion. This wasn’t the time to be picky. A doctor, any doctor, was exactly what I needed right now, regardless of age.

Ella smiled softly and stood, saying she’d go wake him up.

“I’ll go get the doctor from upstairs. Please wait here.” “Thank you so much. And...” “Please, just call me Ella.”

With that, she smiled and ascended the stairs to fetch the doctor.

Left alone in the room, I placed the towel she’d given me on my head and rubbed my forehead.

“Haa...”

I must’ve been more stressed than I realized. My mouth was dry, and the tea felt unusually sweet. I guess that’s how long I had been tensed up.

-Sip.

The tea tasted even sweeter today than usual, and I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. I wondered how I could ever repay her for this kindness.

“Well, for now, let’s focus on the present.”

I gently caressed the lady’s small fingers, resting softly against the blanket. Her hand seemed so delicate, as if it would break if I held on too tight.

“...”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, remembering how the lady, with those same small hands, had often gone out of her way to pick fights, parading through the streets like a commander.

-Trample them, Ricardo! -They’re just children. -I’m a child too. -That’s... not wrong. -They called me a crazy woman! -What did you do? -I took their food. -...?

“Why is it so hard for you to just stay healthy...”

She had such a fragile body, yet she loved meat so much. I couldn’t help but worry. With a sigh, I gently squeezed her delicate hand.

“Ugh... Ricardo, the chocolate is hitting me...” “Are you seriously thinking about chocolate right now?” “Ugh... Hmph.”

When I held her hand, the lady furrowed her brows but then smiled faintly, licking her lips.

“Hmph... Hehe...” “...” “You’re all done for. Ricardo is here.”

Her innocent smile was endearing. Not quite the Sleeping Beauty from fairy tales, but the fact that she showed me smiles she didn’t show others... that made me happy.

Sometimes, I wonder.

What if... What if my best efforts weren’t enough to truly help the lady or the people around her? What if my choices ended up being harmful rather than helpful?

I was doing my best, but my best wasn’t always the right answer. When it came to the matter of dark magic, my relationship with Mikhail, or even Yuria... there was always a nagging doubt that my decisions might come back to bite me. While I didn’t dwell on past regrets, a sense of responsibility weighed on me.

“...”

‘I’m overthinking it.’

Perhaps it was just because the lady was sick that I was feeling so sentimental. It didn’t suit me at all.

But...

I was still glad. Glad that I could be here with her, even in this way.

-Tap, tap.

After what seemed like a long time of holding her hand, I heard the heavy footsteps of someone coming down from the second floor.

The sound suggested it was a large man.

‘At least he doesn’t sound angry.’

I was relieved to hear that the footsteps didn’t carry any frustration. Most people would have been grumbling if woken up at this hour.

-Tap, tap.

I was ready to pay whatever the doctor asked. As long as he could help the lady, money was no issue.

-Is this the place? -I’m really sorry for the urgency... I’ll cover the inn fees. -It’s fine.

The man spoke firmly and opened the door.

And then—

“Huh...?”

I let out a dry laugh.

“You’ve got to be kidding...”

The doctor looked at me, surprised. His expression said, ‘Why are you here?’ I was thinking the same thing.

“Boss...!” “Hm? Isn’t that Ricardo?” “No way... Ugh.”

The doctor was none other than Malik.

After examining the lady, Malik nodded and looked at me.

“It’s the flu.” “...” “Her fever was high, but it’s not as serious as you feared. I gave her the appropriate medicine, so the fever should drop soon.” “Thank you.”

Malik sighed, giving me a pitying look.

“You must’ve had a tough time, huh?” “...” “Most medicines probably didn’t work, right?” “Is that so...?” “Yeah. The flu she caught is one that’s been spreading from the East. Even if you had found another doctor, it wouldn’t have been easy to treat.” “...”

As he packed away his tools, Malik spoke quietly.

“She’ll be fine. It’s not a life-threatening illness.” “You sound very certain.” “I’m a doctor right now, after all.”

After putting his bag away, Malik gave me a pat on the shoulder with a smile.

“You did well.”

I bowed my head in gratitude.

“Thank you.” “Save the thanks for later. It’s time for some rest.” “But, sir...” “Shh.”

Malik glanced at Ella, then leaned in to whisper.

“I’m undercover as a corporate spy, so keep quiet.” “You’re really something.” “I’m a business owner. Plus, I have a medical license, so don’t report me.” “When did you get that?” “I figured it would come in handy someday, so I earned it when I was 17. And yes, it’s legitimate.” “...” “I got it without my father’s knowledge, so don’t worry.”

What exactly am I not supposed to worry about?

I chuckled, shaking my head. Understanding Malik was beyond me at this point.

As Malik headed upstairs with Ella, she turned to me and spoke.

“Well, I’ll be going now.” “Huh?” “I’ll just sleep in the empty room. You should stay by the lady’s side, Ricardo.” “No, we should head back to the mansion.” “No, please. Stay here until her condition improves. And... I’m so sorry for barging into the mansion last time.” “...” “Really...”

Ella bowed deeply, her voice trembling with regret.

“I’m so sorry.”

I couldn’t say anything.

I understood her feelings. I might not fully grasp everything, but I knew enough to understand the pain behind her apology.

So.

“It’s alright.”

I decided to carry this debt in my heart, determined to repay it someday.

“Thank you... truly. Mother.”

I bowed my head to her.

As dawn began to break.

“Hmph.”

Olivia opened her eyes.

“Olivia has risen!”

“...” “Huh?” “...” “Eek!”

Now fully awake, Olivia tilted her head, staring at her hand.

“...”

Ricardo was holding her hand tightly in his sleep.

He looked exhausted. He hadn’t even changed his clothes, and it seemed like he had been replacing the cloth on her forehead throughout the night.

Olivia smiled softly and gently brushed her hand through Ricardo’s hair. Moments later, Ricardo stirred and greeted her with a sleepy smile.

“Huh...? You’re awake.” “Yeah.” “Yaaawn... Good morning, my lady.”

Olivia returned his greeting with a gentle smile.

“Good morning.”

-Thump.

Her heart ached.