Page 401 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Another peaceful day at the Hamel Estate.

“Ricardo.”

“Yes.”

“Feed me.”

“You ate thirty minutes ago.”

“But I’m hungry...”

I sat on the young lady’s bed, gazing out the window, sipping tea, and engaging in idle chatter with her.

Sip...

Slurp...

“The aroma’s lovely. Must be because it’s expensive tea leaves.”

“Hmm... I can’t taste the difference no matter how much I drink.”

“To be honest, neither can I.”

We both nodded and let out awkward sighs.

If only guests visited, we could get rid of this endless supply of tea. But the odds of anyone visiting this estate were next to zero.

The young lady set her teacup on the windowsill and looked at me.

“Ricardo.”

“Yes.”

“Drink mine too.”

“No. It’s good for your health. Just drink it.”

“Tea is healthy?”

“It tastes bad, so it must be.”

“That makes sense.”

“It’s too bitter...”

“Like my life.”

“Your life is sweet.”

“Why?”

“Because you have the prettiest person in the world right in front of you.”

“Oink. Oink.”

“Youuuuuu!!!”

We exchanged meaningless jokes as we stared out the window.

Swishhhhh...

Rain poured outside.

With summer approaching, the rainy atmosphere of the mansion didn’t feel too bad. It felt like the perfect time for a scary story.

I turned to her with a sinister expression.

“Young Lady.”

“Mhm.”

“Would you like to hear a ghost story?”

“No.”

“Understood.”

She shot me down without hesitation.

Swishhhhh...

What should we do for fun?

We’d already folded paper cranes and made bath bombs.

We needed something new.

I thought about introducing a board game I played in my past life, but considering the young lady’s noble status, she probably wouldn’t understand commoner games...

— I’ll buy this.

— That’s a deserted island. You can’t buy it. You rest there...

— Youuuuuu! I can buy anything!

“...”

Time passed as I wracked my brain for ideas.

“Huh?”

The young lady, who had been staring out the window, suddenly pointed to the yard and called out.

“Ricardo.”

“Yes.”

“Gomtang’s acting weird.”

“Gomtang?”

“It’s running around like a sick dog.”

“...”

Gomgom.

Moooooo...

Gomtang, seemingly enjoying the rain, was dashing around the yard with Tangtang in its mouth.

Moooooo... Gomgomgom...!

Seeing the pets get along so well brought a smile to my face.

Moooooo!! Gomgom!!!

I finally understood the joy of a pet owner and nodded with a small grin.

“They look happy.”

“They’re emergency rations bonding together.”

“They’re not emergency rations.”

“Youuuuuu...”

Swishhhhh...

“The rain’s really coming down.”

Watching Gomtang play, I turned my gaze to the rain and let out a thoughtful remark. Rain had a way of stirring up emotions.

“Rain always brings back memories.”

“Yeah. I ate chocolate and meat on rainy days.”

“Why does everything tie back to food?”

“Isn’t that normal?”

I chuckled at her adorable response and nodded. She wasn’t wrong.

“Well, food aside, memories are tied to rainy days. Like when something important happened.”

“Rainy days? Hmm...”

“Think about it. I’m sure there’s something memorable.”

“Hmmmm.”

She furrowed her brow, deep in thought, and I began recounting memories to jog her memory.

“It was raining when we first met, remember? You saved me when I was dying. You were ugly back then, and now you’re even uglier.”

“...And it rained when you soaked the bed.”

“Youuuuu!”

“Ahem... And you crawled into my bed during thunderstorms. The Duke stared daggers at me. I still get chills thinking about it.”

“It was scary!”

“I suppose it couldn’t be helped.”

It was also raining when I met Hannah, who longed for cheap green tea. And when I parted ways with Mikhail...

“Rain really does bring back memories.”

“You already said everything. Now I have nothing to say.”

“...”

“Ricardo, you’re no fun.”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut next time.”

She pouted and yawned.

“Haam... But I still don’t like rain.”

“Why not?”

“It’s gloomy. It ruins the mood, and you can’t go outside.”

“You want to go outside?”

Just three years ago, she’d throw pillows whenever someone mentioned going outside. Seeing how much she’d grown, I smiled and decided to suggest a small outing.

“Young Lady.”

“Mhm.”

“Want to go fishing when the rain stops?”

“Fishing?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve never done it.”

Her reluctance was obvious, but I smiled brightly and tried to win her over.

“We can grill freshly caught fish right on the spot.”

“Freshwater fish tastes bad.”

“That’s because you’ve never had good fish.”

“I don’t want a fish that looks like you.”

“Where do such handsome fish exist?”

“Youuuuu...”

“I’m hurt.”

Her sulky expression began to soften. It had been a while since we’d gone out together.

“Fishing...? Hmm...”

She was almost convinced.

I couldn’t deny I was excited too. Fishing had been my escape in my past life—a peaceful way to pass time and relax.

Feeling the breeze, basking in the sun... It was perfect for unwinding.

“Fishing is all about patience. You might enjoy it.”

“It’s boring if you don’t catch anything.”

“Who am I? I’m the god of fishing.”

“Ricardo, eating your own kind is wrong.”

“...”

“I’ll give you chocolate for every fish you catch.”

“What?!”

“One piece for small fish, a big bar for bigger ones.”

She pouted but fired back.

“What if the fish eats me?”

“If it’s big enough to eat you, it’s a monster. We’ll slay it instead.”

“Hmm...”

She mulled it over before finally nodding.

“Ricardo.”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to go?”

“Excuse me?”

She stared straight into my eyes, as if asking whether I was pushing myself just for her.

“If we’re only going because of me, we don’t have to go.”

“...Oh.”

“You worked so much because of the Crown Prince. I’ll allow you to rest a little so you don’t get sick.”

“Are you worrying about your humble servant, my lady?”

She let out a small, playful smile as she responded.

“Who else would worry about you?”

“...I’m touched.”

“You’re mine, so I have to take care of you.”

“Haha...”

Honestly, she really was a warm person.

I nodded at her consideration, feeling genuinely happy. I would gladly go, even if I were sick, after such kindness.

“I’d like to go.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’d love to fish again after such a long time.”

“Then I’ll let you go. Special permission.”

“Thank you.”

“But you have to make a delicious lunchbox.”

“Of course. I’ll prepare a healthy meal packed with bell peppers and carrots.”

“Youuuuuu!!!”

“Hahaha!!!”

Wishing for the rain to stop as soon as possible, we began singing songs inside the rain-soaked room. Songs we always sang when preparing for fishing trips.

“Now then, I’ll teach you a guaranteed song to catch fish while fishing.”

“Mhm.”

“We’re going to catch some fish—”

“We’re going to eat some fish—”

“No, to catch them.”

“You’re so picky!”

“Let’s try again.”

“Mhm.”

One, two, three.

“Shall we go to the sea to catch some fish?”

“Wait. We’re going to a river, not the sea.”

“It’s just lyrics. The next part mentions a river.”

“Eek...”

It seemed the young lady didn’t have much talent for singing.

We spent quite a while singing, and by then, I was already painfully aware of her lack of musical skills.

“Gooooom!!!”

The young lady pointed out the window at Gomtang and called me.

“Ricardo.”

“Yes.”

“Gomtang’s carrying something.”

“What?”

I slowly looked out the window, wondering who could possibly be at the mansion.

But then—

“Let go of meee!!!”

I let out a hollow laugh at the unexpected guest. Why on earth would they be here?

“How dare you, you beast with ears!”

Why did guests always show up whenever it rained?

“You’re a racist, Shuen! I can tolerate beastmen, but not animals!”

With a throbbing headache, I pressed my fingers against my temple as the shouting outside continued.

“Ricardo.”

The young lady turned to me with a curious look.

“There’s a weird person outside.”

I smiled awkwardly and replied.

“Yes... but she’s a friend of mine.”

“Huh?!”

“Let gooo!!!”

The young lady sighed softly {Novelight} and muttered.

“Ricardo picked up something weird again.”