Page 377 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

With a serene smile, Shartia rested her hand on the teacup and spoke in a low voice.

"There was a fire at the academy."

"Ah, you mean the one in the Alchemy Laboratory? It's quite famous. If I recall correctly, they never caught the arsonist."

"..."

Shartia gave a bitter smile but remained silent. In front of the guildmaster, someone who traded in information, she had to be careful with her words. A single slip of the tongue could spread rumors across the Empire, something Shartia wanted to avoid at all costs.

Noticing her guarded response, the guildmaster laughed heartily, a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

"Ah, not taking the bait, I see. I thought I might leave here with a bit of juicy information."

Shartia smiled as she replied.

"Don’t be too disappointed. This is still premium information. After all, you’re the only one who gets to hear the story of the man who saved the princess’s life. That’s not bad, is it?"

"Ha ha ha! Fair point. A tale involving the princess easily clears 1,000 gold coins in value."

"Do keep it confidential."

"I’ll think about it."

The guildmaster’s teasing earned a small laugh from Shartia as she continued.

"The fire caused quite a stir in the capital. The academy was nearly in ruins."

"Indeed. I remember the complaints—claims of wasted taxes due to student negligence."

"Exactly... It was such a challenging time. I’m not even sure how I managed to endure it."

"Ha ha! If it were me, I would’ve embezzled some funds and fled."

"I should’ve done the same back then."

Shartia chuckled softly, her smile unwavering.

"That day, as always, I was buried in paperwork in my office. There was so much to do."

"I could hear the sound ★ ?????????????????? ★ of tardy students running down the halls and others sneaking out of class to play."

"And then, not long after..."

Shartia, still smiling, clenched her fist and dramatically opened it midair, mimicking an explosion sound effect.

"Boom."

She began recounting the events of that fateful day.

That day had been like any other.

She was drowning in paperwork and sighing at the ridiculous complaints of the new students.

"The academy feels too gloomy. It’d be great if you could install a rose garden in the central courtyard."

"Ridiculous. There are already three gardens at the academy, and they haven’t even bothered to explore them."

"The history professor gives too much homework. Can we replace him with a younger, more handsome professor?"

"Hah... I wish."

Surrounded by trivial requests, Shartia was feeling unwell that day, and for good reason.

She had been tormented endlessly by Desmont Olivia.

"Eek! A chocolate thief!" "...We have to run!" "Grrr! If you’re hiding chocolate, hand it over now!" "If it weren’t for that guy...!"

Her energy was already depleted from overwork, and Olivia’s daily antics in her office had left her completely drained.

"That idiot... I hope he gets what’s coming to him."

Despite her condition, Shartia made it a small joy to dock the behavior points of one particular student—Ricardo—whenever she found his name on the list. It was her way of returning the favor for the chaos he caused.

"Let’s see how he manages to graduate with no vacation time. Heh heh..."

After deducting Ricardo’s points yet again, Shartia found herself dozing off at her desk. Her condition had worsened; perhaps it was the tea she had drunk, or the sleepless nights spent working.

"Hah... Why does my head hurt so much?"

The fever that wouldn’t break made it impossible to focus. The papers and letters seemed to blur together.

"I have a mountain of work, but my head feels like it’s about to split open."

Her mind refused to cooperate.

She could hear students shuffling between classrooms and the hurried footsteps of a tardy student running through the halls.

"..."

She thought she could finish her work if she pushed through, but the headache made even that impossible. Stretching, Shartia let out a weary sigh.

"Maybe I’ll nap for just a bit."

After all, no one was likely to enter her office.

Without official business, almost no one would dare to enter the student council president’s office for personal reasons. And if anyone came, it would be for a scolding, not flattery.

At least, that was how it used to be—back when her personality was sharp enough to deter visitors.

"I hear you’re drafting the student council list." "...Who told you that?" "That’s a secret. Anyway, please include my lady in the council." "...What?"

Except for that one person.

Thinking of the man who entered her office without permission gave Shartia an immediate headache. He would always offer her chocolate and spout nonsensical remarks.

"It’s a perfect day to skip class." "It looks like it’s going to rain. And shouldn’t you attend your lessons? You won’t graduate at this rate." "Hmm... It feels like a storm is coming. Care to join me in fixing the waterways?" "Are you insane?" "...Aw."

"Ugh..."

Aside from that man, no one would enter her office, so Shartia closed her eyes, allowing herself to drift off to sleep.

Just a short nap. Yes, just a short one.

But then, she had a nightmare.

It was a memory from the past, one she couldn’t escape—a nightmare of her second brother playing a cruel prank.

"You can wash away dirty blood with water.

" "H-hey... Stop it." "Are you scared? If you wash in this water, you can become just like us. Wash away that commoner’s blood, and you’ll be treated like royalty, just like me.

" "N-no, I don’t want to." "Come on, stop resisting.

" "P-please, stop." "Don’t be boring. If you go in once, I’ll put in a good word with Mother for you.

" "...Ah... Aaaahhh! Stop it! It’s scary... I’m sorry! "

Despite the small age difference, Shartia had been unable to overcome her second brother’s strength in her nightmare.

"M-Mother...!"

Even in her dream, she couldn’t fight back or call for help. Helpless, she could only stare into the murky water that reflected her tear-streaked face.

Cold.

"I’m scared..."

Terrifying.

"I’m sorry..."

She felt as though she would drown in that bottomless pit, a weaker version of herself trapped in fear.

Even now, knowing such events wouldn’t happen again, those dreams still left her trembling.

As her brother’s hand moved roughly in the dream, she began to shake.

The sensation hit her like a jolt.

'Is it... hot?!'

Her chest tightened, making it hard to breathe.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

The office looked the same as always, yet her body felt unbearably heavy, as if someone were physically pressing down on her. Despite her efforts, she could barely lift her eyelids.

She had fallen asleep, but instead of feeling better, her condition had worsened. The oddity of it struck her just as she noticed it.

—Fwoosh!

A searing heat brushed across her face, snapping her back to reality.

"...!!!"

Shartia shot up in a panic, her eyes darting toward the door.

"What... what’s going on?"

—Fire!!!

—There’s a fire!!!

While her office appeared strangely untouched, outside was chaos. Everything seemed fine in the room, just as it had been when she dozed off.

But then.

"...Oh... oh no?"

Through the crack beneath the door, she saw black smoke beginning to seep in, and terror gripped her.

The room quickly became an inescapable trap. Smoke filled the air, stinging her eyes until she could barely keep them open.

As realization set in, a violent cough burst from her throat.

"Khack... khack...!"

She scrambled toward the door, desperate to open it, but—

"Ah! Hot!!!"

The doorknob was searing, already heated to an unbearable degree.

"...Oh... no... no..."

Panic set in.

Sure, she could use magic to escape. She could even leap out the window if she had to. But faced with such an unprecedented situation, her mind refused to function properly.

"Khack... khack..."

Her lungs burned, her body weakened. Too much smoke had entered her system, and she could hardly move anymore.

"Ah... ahh..."

She dragged herself toward the window, gasping for air.

She needed to check.

"I can’t..."

She needed to make sure no students were left behind.

If anyone hadn’t escaped because of her negligence, she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself.

Peering out the window, her fear momentarily subsided.

"Thank goodness."

—Fire!!!

—Where are the other students?!

—All our department’s students are accounted for. I think everyone’s out...!

Seeing the students gathered outside brought a wave of relief. It seemed everyone had evacuated.

But it was too late for her to do anything for herself.

The office’s windows were made of reinforced glass, resistant to all but the strongest magic. And like a fool, she hadn’t even thought to break them earlier. Perhaps her body had already reached its limit the moment she woke up.

"...Khack."

It felt like a last chance—a final opportunity given by the heavens.

As death loomed nearer, countless thoughts flooded her mind.

Regrets.

She wished she’d spent more time enjoying life, shouted back at the royals who treated her like dirt, or simply allowed herself to have fun once in a while.

Horrible memories.

Treasured happiness she never wanted to forget.

Everything flashed by like a slideshow of her life. She couldn’t help but feel how fleeting and futile it had all been.

And then, even now, she thought of him. That ridiculous, infuriating man.

"Working again?"

"Go to class. At this rate, the points I deducted won’t mean anything."

"Oh! So the mastermind is here. Anyway, working so much could kill you, you know."

"Don’t worry about me."

"I’m saying this because I’m worried. Isn’t that a bit cold of you?"

"...Sigh."

"Nope, I can’t let this slide. Let’s skip work today and—"

"Get out."

"Aw..."

How absurd.

And yet.

"I don’t want to die."

She didn’t.

No matter how awful life was, there was still so much she wanted to do. She couldn’t bear the thought of dying—not yet. She hadn’t even had a proper romance.

She began channeling her magic, trying to shatter the window.

"I’m going to live..."

—Bang!!

"I can’t die yet...!"

—Bang! Bang!!!

"Not yet...!"

—Bang...!

"Khack! Khack...! I can’t die yet... Please... Please!!!"

As tears streamed down her face, the unyielding glass remained intact.

—Ssssffff.

"Are you insane?!"

Amidst the murmurs of students outside, she saw someone entering the burning building.

The students were trying to stop him.

Her vision blurred, but she could just make out the silhouette of the figure dousing himself with water before heading inside. Jealousy pricked at her heart.

Whoever he was saving must have been someone precious to him.

She wondered, Was I ever precious to anyone?

If she had been, perhaps someone would have come for her too, drenched and determined.

Probably not.

She hadn’t lived that kind of life.

Regret weighed heavily on her. Even if she lived without regrets, the bitterness of what could have been would always remain.

"...I don’t want to die."

Tears welled up. She hadn’t cried once since coming to the academy, but today, she couldn’t stop herself.

If only she hadn’t napped that day. If only she hadn’t let her guard down. Maybe things could’ve turned out differently.

The regrets piled on, and tears spilled over. Like a child, she sobbed helplessly.

"I just want to live..."

Was this it?

As her heavy eyelids began to close—

—Bang!!!

"Are you there?!"

The door burst open, and a man, drenched from head to toe, stepped in with a bright smile.

"...Huh?"

It was Ricardo.

The constant intruder in her office now stood before her.

Seeing Shartia’s pale face, Ricardo tilted his head and pointed to his own hair.

"Oh, my hair is red, so I probably have fire resistance."

"..."

He was smiling.

Even with burns covering his body, Ricardo grinned as he added,

"Probably."