Page 373 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Today at the peaceful Desmont villa in the west.

The Desmont family was gathered around a large table, their expressions more serious than ever, deep in discussion.

"Everyone has prepared their suggestions, right?"

"I’ve decided on just one name."

"Eeeek... I have two!"

"I’ve come up with one."

"Phew... This is nerve-wracking."

Darbav wore an expression more serious than when planning a subjugation operation.

The gravity of knowing that a single decision could impact someone’s life weighed on him, but there was also a quiet joy—anticipation of seeing a smile bloom on someone’s face because of his suggestion.

"Hmm..."

Olivia sat with her lips slightly pouted, focused on the task at hand.

Kyle, too, shared the same look of determination.

"This is something that will shape someone’s life. No joking around—think seriously," Rosanna added.

"Think of it as naming my own child," she said, nodding firmly.

The reason the Desmont family was gathered here today?

[Naming the Family Pet.]

They had convened to decide on a name for the beast, now officially welcomed as a new member of the Desmont household.

"Octopus...?"

I gently patted the confused beast’s head and spoke to the family in a deep, solemn tone.

"From this moment on, we will be naming the newest member of the Desmont family—the beast of the western seas."

The beast, hearing it was being addressed, seemed delighted, its tentacle-like hair wriggling enthusiastically as it let out a triumphant roar.

"OCTOOOOOOPUUUUUS!!!"

Its enthusiasm was heartening to see. I’d worried it might take issue with changing its name, but thankfully, it seemed open to the idea.

‘Or perhaps it never had a name to begin with.’

Who knows.

"The beast’s original name is ‘Kraken,’ a title given by the residents of the western coast. It isn’t necessarily its real name."

After a brief introduction, I addressed the family members seated at the table.

"Anyone who has a better name in mind than ‘Kraken,’ please raise your hand and share your suggestion."

"Me! I want to go first!"

"Very well."

Olivia, who had clearly been waiting for this moment, raised her hand before I even finished speaking. Her face lit up with a confident smile, clearly proud of the name she had come up with.

"Heehee! I’m going to name it...!"

Considering her sometimes violent behavior, one might assume she’d choose a ferocious name. But knowing her warm heart better than anyone, I was sure she’d come up with something friendly and endearing.

Something like Pinkie, or Squiddy, or even Tentie.

‘I’m looking forward to this.’

I smiled warmly at Olivia, who hid a smirk of her own, before she confidently declared the name she had chosen.

"Seafood Stew!"

"...?"

Her words, warm and heartfelt, left me completely stunned.

"Excuse me?"

"Seafood Stew!"

"...?"

A name that sounded like it would taste better with noodles added to it. I calmly asked her about its meaning, hoping for some redeeming justification.

"Why did you choose the name ‘Seafood Stew’?"

"Huh? It’s an octopus."

"Yes."

"Then it’s best boiled and eaten."

The moment Olivia’s grim reasoning came out, the beast widened its eyes in shock, shaking its head vigorously.

"Octopuuuuu...!"

‘Well, that’s a no.’

I conveyed the beast’s firm refusal to Olivia, explaining as politely as I could that the name didn’t seem appropriate.

"Rejected."

"Eeeek?!"

"Seafood Stew is too grim."

"Eeeeeeeek! Then how about Sashimi!"

"That’s even worse."

"Eeeeeeeeeeeek!!!"

Swoosh.

Darbav, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up with a serious expression.

"How about Shinseonro?"

"...?"

"It means ‘fresh from the sea.’ I think it’s fitting since it just came from the ocean."

"Kuh... I still can’t surpass Father..."

"Keep trying, Kyle."

"I’ll strive harder."

Why are you nodding like that?

I let out a weary laugh as I watched Kyle nod in solemn agreement, as if he’d been struck by a moment of clarity. The suggestions, Seafood Stew followed by Shinseonro, painted a grim picture of their naming sense.

"That’s rejected too."

"Why? The meaning and sound flow off the tongue so well. It’s better than Seafood Stew."

"Eeeeeeeeeeeek!!!"

"It’s a food name."

"...It’s a food name? I just thought it sounded fresh, straight from the ocean."

"Your naming sense is... intense."

Darbav let out a disappointed sigh, clenching his fists.

"This is frustrating..."

The names weren’t improving.

Kyle suggested Vinegared Octopus Salad.

"I thought it conveyed freedom, like playing in a meadow. What do you think?"

"Rejected."

And so the discussion continued.

Rosanna’s suggestion: "Stir-fry."

"That’s a name that has nothing to do with the beast."

"Well, I’m good at stir-fry, so it just came to mind."

"Didn’t you say you’d name it as if it were your own daughter...?"

"Olivia’s nickname as a baby was ‘Little Rock.’"

"Octopuuuuus?!"

"Anyway, rejected."

"Then how about Horongie?"

"...???"

"Is that not a good one either?"

And then there was "Gomtang" (beef bone soup).

"Gom? (Octopus soup?)"

"Octopus soup?"

"Gom. Gom. Gom."

"That won’t do. If the pets already here start showing dominance, it could lead to trouble."

"Go-ooom..."

The beast was in tears, overwhelmed by these terrible naming suggestions.

Every single suggestion revolved around food. It was as if they were joking while naming a living being.

"Octopuuuuuus..."

The beast lowered its head with a sad expression, as if agreeing with my thoughts. It seemed to believe that living with any of the names they’d come up with would result in a miserable end.

Reassuring it, I placed my hand on the beast’s head and gave it a knowing smile. It was time for me to step in.

"Alright, I’ll decide the name."

The beast’s eyes sparkled as it looked up at me, clearly moved by my resolve.

"Everyone here seems to only see our new family member as a potential meal, which is heartbreaking."

"Ahem..."

"Eeeeeek!!!"

"Embarrassing..."

"Still, I think Shinseonro wasn’t such a bad choice."

"Gom."

Having encountered many animals in my past life, I was no stranger to naming them.

From cats with perpetually guilty expressions named "Guilty," to typical countryside names like "Yellowie" and "Dolly," I remembered countless pet names like a walking encyclopedia. Naming an octopus? A piece of cake.

"It’s an octopus, after all."

No need to overthink it.

"It might be bigger and capable of understanding human speech, but it’s still cute, isn’t it?"

"Eeeeeek! I’m cuter!"

"That’s true. You’re the cutest in the world, my lady."

"Hehe... That’s right."

"Now then..."

With a confident smile, I declared,

"Tangtangi."

"Octopuuuuuuuuuuuus...!!!!"

The beast looked as though it had lost all hope in the world.

Meanwhile, at the Desmont villa...

At the same time as the Desmont family debated the beast’s name, a chill wind blew through Wolfgang’s estate.

"What’s your plan now?"

The Crown Prince, seated in Wolfgang’s study, ran a dry hand across his forehead, his expression dark.

Everything had fallen apart.

The grand scheme to topple Desmont,

Wolfgang’s ambition to expand into the capital by swallowing up a powerful faction—all of it had crumbled.

"..."

Silence consumed the room, heavy and oppressive, leaving no space for /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ words that wouldn’t sting like poison.

Breaking the silence, the Crown Prince muttered, though his words were clearly aimed at Wolfgang Rui.

"With this turn of events, the Belian family will solidify their influence in both the west and the capital."

"..."

"It depends on how Desmont reports the incident, but since they brought Belian into the fold, it’s a clear show of support."

"..."

"Desmont will become a monster. Returning the power they snatched back in exchange for subjugating the beast? Once they have it, it’s obvious they’ll run rampant."

"..."

"They’ll start purging people."

"..."

"Every family that opposed Desmont will face retribution..."

The thought of the coming storm was suffocating.

"I was such a fool."

"..."

"If I’d reached out to another family instead of Wolfgang, this outcome might have been avoided."

Clench.

"My father will never let me hear the end of this."

Wolfgang Rui, cradling his broken arm, remained silent, enduring the Crown Prince’s mutterings.

No matter how insulting, the Crown Prince’s words were the truth.

Letting out a bitter chuckle, the Crown Prince turned his attention to Wolfgang.

"Marquis."

"...Yes, Your Highness."

"You have a son, correct?"

"..."

"I have plenty of siblings myself."

"...Your Highness!"

"Perhaps this could still be of use."

As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking—

Knock, knock, knock.

"Marquis!"

Wolfgang’s butler burst into the study without waiting for permission.

Wolfgang glared at the butler, his frustration boiling over. Of all times, this was the worst moment for such an offense.

"Butler...! What is the meaning of this?! How dare you enter without knocking in the presence of the Crown Prince!"

"It’s urgent!"

Gasping for breath, the butler fixed trembling eyes on Wolfgang Rui and spoke.

"The slave auction house... has been raided."

"...What?"

"And..."

The moment the butler uttered his next words, the Crown Prince’s eyes began to tremble violently.

"The ledgers... are gone."