The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 393



393 – The End of the Knight Who Knew Everything -2-

-Part 2. The viewing of ‘The Broken Sword’ begins.

With the voice of the blue spear, Shartia’s vision went dark.

Let’s see how ridiculous I look. And will Ricardo act as he said?

-Screeeech.

I wanted to see it.

*

The banquet hall of the imperial palace, filled with high-ranking nobles.

“Princess Shartia!”

“…”

“Congratulations on subjugating the Apostle of Temperance!”

“…”

“How long has it been since you captured the Archbishop of Slander, and now you’ve purged the Apostle of Temperance too! Count Dimitri was moved by your bravery, Princess.”

Countless nobles surrounded me, reaching out their hands.

Just once, they asked me to speak.

There is a capable child, what do you think?

It’s only been two years since I joined hands with Ricardo. I almost laughed at the nobles’ reactions, which had changed 180 degrees.

-Screeeech.

It was amusing to see those who had lost their connections belatedly reaching out. They hadn’t even paid attention when I had fallen to the bottom.

Who would have known that the crown prince, who had been fully supported, would be greatly hindered by Wolfgang’s betrayal? And who would have known that my second brother would rebel against the crown prince?

It was nothing short of a farce.

-Princess! We have brought specialties from our territory. Just one bite…

-Move aside. The princess is talking with the count right now.

-Princess!!

The sight of nobles trying to curry favor and Teo and my second brother fighting as if they would kill each other was nothing short of a farce.

All of it.

“Do not approach the princess any further.”

It was because of this guy.

A being who knew an suspiciously large amount of information and could exploit the weaknesses of Teo and my second brother.

“Princess, could you step back a little?”

It was all possible because of Ricardo. It was all because of him, no, because he was here that I was able to come this far.

“…”

Ricardo lightly extended his hand and stopped the approaching noble. I smiled at the sight of him protecting me as if I were his precious person. His loyalty was directed solely at me.

“Stop it, Ricardo.”

“But.”

“I can take care of myself, so go over there and eat.”

“…But.”

“Hurry.”

Ricardo’s figure, shoulders drooping like a dejected puppy, keeps lingering in my mind.

Because I like it.

And because I regret it.

He keeps lingering in my mind, flickering in and out of sight. It’s only been two years.

Suddenly, I thought Ricardo looked handsome in his uniform, not his butler’s outfit.

From the muscles that the clothes couldn’t hide.

To the sword strapped to his waist.

His appearance felt so different that it seemed like a girl’s heart had found its way to me.

-Thump. Thump. Thump.

It’s only been two years.

The weight of my heart, which had grown more than I expected, made me feel like a fool. It was so sweet it could rot my teeth.

Just like now…

I told him to go eat, but I turned my head with a faint smile, pretending not to notice Ricardo watching from afar.

‘That fool…’

My heart feels hot.

Because of that fool’s unwavering loyalty, my heart starts to feel more anxious. I’m afraid that one day that fool will find out the lie I told.

-Creak.

I was scared.

I was scared of what kind of expression Ricardo would make when he found out about the lie. I was scared of what words Ricardo, who was always smiling, would spit out at me. The thing I feared the most was that he would leave my side…

There were only a few steps left to becoming the emperor.

The position that everyone had dismissed as impossible to achieve was now within a single step.

Revenge for my father’s indifference, too.

– Father, you know… what the second brother did…!

– Shartia, what are you talking about in the imperial palace!

– Father!

– I will pretend I didn’t hear what you just said.

– It was you who brought mother to the imperial palace. You, father!!! To this hell!!

– …Don’t call it hell. Thanks to this hell, you are able to be in that position.

Revenge for the brother who abused me, too.

– Did you have a good talk with father?

– …

– What can I do, it seems father has no intention of punishing me.

– Why… did you do it.

– Hmm?

– Why did you do it! I lived without causing any trouble…! Why!

– Without causing trouble, you say.

-…

-You are an eyesore just by existing.

One more step and I could have achieved it.

How surprised would my mother in heaven be if she saw this? She was the one who so strongly advised against participating in politics, and now, seeing me in the midst of it all, dancing with a sword…

“…Ha.”

My chaotic mind seemed to settle calmly. Because I realized once again what I had been running for all this time.

Ricardo’s matter could be thought about later.

-There, beautiful lady. Would you like to have a cup of tea with me?

-No.

-Ahem… I was trying to win you over with my charm, but actually, I am the princess’s knight. I can tell you tales of her bravery….

-Still no.

That fool still seems to believe in me.

“…”

There wasn’t much time left until I achieved my revenge, so I thought that focusing on my own tasks was the best thing I could do for now.

I’m sorry to him.

-Another failure today, it seems.

I hope he would stay with selfish me.

Because I wanted to atone for him in my own way.

The person who hated him.

The person who rebelled against him.

And I had a plan to reveal the truth to those who misunderstood him. It was far from enough to compensate for the lie I told Ricardo, but I wanted to at least be of some help.

Of course, I intended to continue the purges.

During the span of a year, I learned many things I didn’t want to know, so I thought it was time to cleanse the rotten empire’s filth all at once.

Send Taeo to the frontier.

Let the second brother rot in prison. And confiscate the title of the noble who caused my mother’s death.

Just imagining it…

“Failed again today.”

As my emotions were about to be consumed by madness, I collected myself at Ricardo’s low whisper. I didn’t want to show him this side of me.

It seemed the prepared lines didn’t work on the opposite s*x, as Ricardo returned earlier than expected, causing me to let out a hollow laugh and lift my head.

“Guess the lines were bad.”

“I don’t think that’s it.”

“…”

“With my perfect face and sweet voice…”

“Yeah, yeah~”

“This is a serious matter. The fact that my beauty doesn’t work…”

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

“…It’s sad.”

“There must be someone out there. A pretty, well-shaped woman with platinum blonde hair and a strong family.”

“Is that a real person? No, more importantly, why would such a woman like me?”

“You never know.”

I gave Ricardo a playful smile and a light-hearted expression.

“So, what information did you find out?”

As the command fell from his lips, Ricardo glanced around cautiously before beginning to speak in a low voice. There was a reason Ricardo had been flirting.

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“It seems the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Emperor has soured.”

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

“It doesn’t seem like an ordinary matter. It might be because Wolfgang started a rebellion.”

“Well… they haven’t caught the rebel forces yet.”

“I heard the Emperor is refusing private meetings. It seems the Emperor wants the Crown Prince to handle Wolfgang’s matter himself…”

“The moment he asks for help, his position as Crown Prince is over.”

“Probably. Of course, the current Crown Prince doesn’t have the power to capture Wolfgang. He will ask for help, though.”

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

Seeing the serious expression on Ricardo’s face, I didn’t feel good.

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

As I got closer to my goal, I felt a moment of truth approaching, realizing just how wicked I truly was.

So.

“I will definitely give you the national treasure, so don’t worry.”

I became sharp and irritable.

“…”

“You just have to trust me.”

“…”

“Don’t betray me.”

Unlike the days when it all started with dependence, I began to feel greed and anxiety towards him, and I often acted spoiled when dealing with this guy.

Ricardo, seemingly unaware of this anxiety, responded with a small smile.

“No matter what happens, I am on your side, Princess.”

“…”

“Even if it means my ruin.”

Again.

“…You.”

My heart ached at Ricardo’s sad smile.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“…No.”

“Is that so?”

Not yet….

It’s not time yet.

Just as my head was throbbing with complicated thoughts, Ricardo extended his hand slightly and said to me.

“Dance.”

“What?”

“Would you like to dance?”

I momentarily lost my breath at the sight of Ricardo in his crimson uniform.

Normally, I would have retorted, ‘Why would I dance with you?’ but I was so captivated by his appearance that I ended up giving him my hand.

“…”

“…”

The touch of our hands was warm.

So was the music that resonated through the air.

The man beside me was content, and that made me happy.

So much so that I forgot about the impending catastrophe.

Like that.

A day.

Two days.

A month passed.

– “It’s a rebellion!”

Tragedy struck.