Page 394 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

With the sound of the Blue Screen’s voice, Shartia’s vision faded to black.

Let’s see how ridiculous I looked. And let’s see if Ricardo really acted the way he said he would.

—Crack.

I wanted to know.

*****

The imperial palace’s banquet hall, filled with high-ranking nobles.

“Princess Shartia!”

“...”

“Congratulations on subjugating the Apostle of Temperance!”

“...”

“To think it’s only been a short time since you captured the Archbishop of Slander, and now you’ve eradicated the Apostle of Temperance as well! I, Count Dimitri, am deeply moved by your valor.”

The nobles crowded around me, extending their hands.

Just a moment of their time, they pleaded. What did I think of their capable sons?

It had only been two years since I joined hands with Ricardo, and yet the nobles’ attitudes had shifted 180 degrees. I almost wanted to laugh.

—Crack.

The desperation of those now reaching out was laughable—people who had ignored me completely when I’d hit rock bottom.

Who could’ve predicted that the crown prince I’d fully supported would be severely crippled by Wolfgang’s betrayal? Or that my second brother would rebel against the crown prince?

What a farce.

—“Princess! I brought special delicacies from my territory. Just one bite—”

—“Step aside. The princess is currently speaking with the count.”

—“Princess!!”

The nobles’ pathetic attempts to establish connections and the vicious feud between Theo and my second brother were all part of this farce.

All of it.

“Do not approach Her Highness any further.”

It was all because of him.

The one who knew suspiciously much and managed to exploit the weaknesses of both Theo and my second brother.

“Your Highness, may I ask you to step back for a moment?”

Everything had been possible because of Ricardo. It was all because of him—no, because he had made it possible for me to rise to this position.

“...”

Ricardo was effortlessly blocking nobles who tried to approach, guarding me like I was the most precious thing in the world.

His loyalty was directed solely at me. Seeing that made me smile.

“Stop it, Ricardo.”

“But—”

“I can protect myself. Go get something to eat.”

“...But—”

“Now.”

I couldn’t stop watching Ricardo as he walked away with slumped shoulders, like a scolded puppy.

I liked it.

And I hated it.

The sight of him lingered in my mind. Only two years had passed, yet it felt like an eternity.

For the first time, I realized just how striking Ricardo looked in his formal uniform instead of his butler’s attire.

From the muscles his clothes couldn’t hide to the sword hanging at his waist—he looked different, and it stirred something in me.

—Thump. Thump. Thump.

It had only been two years.

And yet the weight of my feelings had grown so much heavier. So sweet it made my teeth ache.

Even now...

I’d told him to go eat, but I could still see Ricardo watching me from afar. I pretended not to notice and turned my head with a faint smile.

‘That idiot...’

My chest felt warm.

His unwavering loyalty only made me more anxious. I feared the day he’d discover my lie.

—Clench.

I was terrified.

Terrified of what expression Ricardo would make if he ever learned the truth. Terrified of what he might say. But most of all, I feared that he’d leave me.

Only a few steps remained until I became emperor.

The seat everyone had said I could never reach was now within my grasp.

Revenge for my father’s indifference.

—“You know what Second Brother did, Father!”

—“Shartia, how dare you speak like that in the palace?”

—“Father!”

—“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

—“You brought Mother into this palace—into this hell!”

—“...Don’t call it hell. It’s because of this ‘hell’ that you’re in this position now.”

Revenge for the brother who tormented me.

—“Did you have a nice talk with Father?”

—“...”

—“Looks like Father doesn’t plan on punishing me.”

—“Why...?”

—“Hmm?”

—“Why did you do it?! I never did anything to stand out—I stayed out of sight... Why?!”

—“Stayed out of sight?”

—“...”

—“Your very existence is an eyesore.”

Just one more step, and I could achieve it all.

What would Mother, watching from the heavens, think? She had begged me to stay away from politics, yet here I was, dancing with knives at the very center of it.

“...Haa.”

The storm inside me began to calm.

I remembered what I had been fighting for.

I could think about Ricardo later.

—“Excuse me, beautiful lady. Would you care for some tea?”

—“No.”

—“Ahem... I was hoping to charm you, but actually, I’m the princess’s knight. I could share tales of her exploits—”

—“Still no.”

Because that fool still believed in me.

"..."

There wasn’t much time left until my revenge would be complete. For now, the best thing I could do was focus on my work.

I felt ? NоvеIight ? (Original source) guilty toward him.

—Today’s another failure, it seems.

But I hoped he’d continue to stand by my selfish side.

Because in my own way, I wanted to atone for what I’d done to him.

For the people who despised him.

For the ones who opposed him.

And for those who misunderstood him, I was planning to reveal the truth.

It wasn’t enough to make up for the lie I had told Ricardo, but I wanted to offer him at least some form of strength.

Of course, the purges would continue.

Over the past year, I’d learned more about the rotting core of the empire than I ever wanted to know. It needed to be gutted and rebuilt from the ground up.

Theo would be sent to the borderlands.

My second brother would rot in prison.

And the noble who caused my mother’s death would lose his title.

Just imagining it...

"Another failure today."

As my emotions began to slip into madness, Ricardo’s quiet voice snapped me back to my senses. I didn’t want him to see me like this.

Seeing Ricardo return earlier than expected—perhaps his line didn’t work—I couldn’t help but let out a faint laugh.

“Maybe your pickup line was terrible.”

“I doubt that’s the reason.”

“....”

“With my perfect face and melodious voice—”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“This is serious. The fact that my looks didn’t work...”

“I told you I’d find you a proper match. Why are you even doing this?”

“...How tragic.”

“There has to be someone out there. Pretty, great figure, platinum blonde hair, from a solid family.”

“Does such a person even exist? And even if they did, why would they like me?”

“You never know.”

I offered Ricardo a teasing smile, keeping my tone light.

“So, what did you find out?”

As soon as I gave the order, Ricardo glanced around cautiously before speaking in a low voice. After all, there had been a reason for his little act earlier.

“It seems there’s a rift between the crown prince and the emperor.”

“To what extent? If it’s vague, it’s useless information. You know how much Father dotes on Theo.”

“It’s not something minor. I suspect it has to do with Wolfgang’s rebellion.”

“Well... They still haven’t crushed the rebels yet.”

“The emperor is refusing to meet with the crown prince. I think he wants Theo to deal with Wolfgang himself.”

“If he asks for help, he loses his claim to the throne.”

“Exactly. But the crown prince doesn’t have the power to deal with Wolfgang, so he’ll have to ask for help anyway.”

“Still, don’t let your guard down. He’s not someone to be underestimated.”

Looking at Ricardo’s serious expression, I felt uneasy.

I couldn’t predict how long his loyalty would last.

The closer I got to my goal, the closer I came to the truth. And whenever that happened, I was reminded of just how awful a person I really was.

So...

“I’ll give you the national treasure. Don’t worry.”

I hardened my resolve.

“....”

“You just have to keep trusting me.”

“....”

“Don’t betray me.”

“....”

Unlike the early days when my dependence on him had been practical, my growing attachment and insecurities led me to cling to him more often.

Unaware of my turmoil, Ricardo gave me a small smile and replied,

“No matter what happens, I’m on your side, Your Highness.”

“....”

“Even if it leads to my ruin.”

Again.

“...You.”

Seeing Ricardo’s sad smile made my chest ache.

“Is there something you’d like to say?”

“...No.”

“Is that so?”

Not yet...

Not yet.

As my thoughts tangled into a web of complexity, Ricardo suddenly extended his hand toward me.

“Dance.”

“Huh?”

“Would you care to dance?”

For a moment, the sight of Ricardo in his crimson uniform took my breath away.

I should’ve snapped at him—“Why would I dance with you?”—but I found myself captivated and instinctively reaching out my hand instead.

“....”

“....”

His hand was warm.

The music playing in the background, the man standing before me—it was all so satisfying that I felt happy.

Happy enough to forget about the inevitable disaster looming ahead.

And so...

One day.

Two days.

A month passed.

—It’s a rebellion!

The tragedy began.