Dead-End Villainess Who Makes Medicine

 

“What are you going to do now?”

 

“……nothing.”

 

“Nothing? You mean you won’t do anything?”

 

“Yes. There’s nothing more Yeffa can do now. Just pulling herself together will be hard for her. I don’t need to do anything more.”

 

White steam rose from the teacup. Above it, I could see Julion’s stern face.

 

Shouldn’t I be relieved instead?

 

When I looked at him with doubt, Julion asked slowly.

 

“Not Yeffa Cassian, but you?”

 

“……Why me?”

 

I blinked, not really understanding what he was asking.

 

Julion’s eyebrows twitched slightly. There was an inexplicable unease in his gaze.

 

“Are you okay?” He asked, his voice full of concern for me.

 

It was then that I realized Julion was asking about my feelings.

 

During our dinner, I roughly shared the conversation I had with Yeffa and my plans.

 

If Yeffa was truly remorseful and would go before Her Majesty tomorrow, he needed to know.

 

However, the current report revealed that Yeffa’s tears and apology were lies.

 

Yeffa tried to deceive me until the end and tried to escape.

 

‘I can’t say I feel good about it.’

 

I had expected that the selfish and cunning Yeffa wouldn’t truly repent. Even though I had thought that the tears she shed in front of me were crocodile tears, strangely, I felt conflicted.

 

It seemed Julion felt the same way.

 

“Of course. What could be wrong?”

 

I replied casually, raising the corners of my mouth.

 

Looking at me, Julion sighed deeply and lowered his gaze. The faint double eyelids above his slightly lowered eyes seemed darker today.

 

Julion spoke.

 

“You always tend to hide your natural emotions.”

 

“…….”

 

“If I were in your shoes right now,”

 

Julion’s eyes, which had been looking down, rose again. Smoothly and slowly, his complex golden eyes were swirling and aligning with mine.

 

“I’d be angry, I’d raise my voice, I’d be disappointed, I’d be upset, and I’d be…”

 

“Julion.”

 

“I would have been sad, very sad.”

 

Julion, saying so with an even sadder expression, left me momentarily speechless.

 

But there was one thing he was mistaken about.

 

“Julion, I didn’t come this far just to receive an apology.”

 

Perhaps if Yeffa had genuinely apologized and sought forgiveness, I might have been angry.

 

Silence filled the bedroom.

 

I continued.

 

“The truth is, I wanted to repay in kind.”

 

Ask why the hell they did it—exact the same punishment as the one my nanny suffered—to take away something precious to them.

 

‘But if it was my mother…’

 

Surely, she would forgive them. She was compassionate, empathetic, and loved people.

 

I had grown up wanting to be like my mother.

 

However, with Cassian’s blood running through my veins, I couldn’t possess the same heart as Mother.

 

“Even as I set a trap, I wondered how I could forgive Yeffa if she was truly sincere.”

 

I hoped Yeffa was sincere yet I didn’t want to forgive her.

 

I hoped she would apologize meekly when she saw the key, but I also hoped she would try to escape, leading to her own destruction.

 

It was hard to convey these complex emotions in words. Therefore, I chose to remain silent and let it pass. Because it’s hard to explain.

 

“Rohiriel. That’s why I said that.”

 

There was no more steam coming out of the teacup. Before I could ask what he meant, Julion continued.

 

“Even now, aren’t you trying to hide your natural emotions?”

 

I was confident that I could respond well to whatever Julion said. However, this time, my mind felt strangely empty, and I couldn’t find the right words.

 

Natural emotions. As someone who had constantly doubted and refined my emotions, it was an unfamiliar term.

 

As I remained silent with a perplexed expression, Julion let out a sigh.

 

“Rohiriel, what’s your favorite food?”

 

“……food?”

 

“Yes. For reference, I like deer meat, but I don’t eat it often.”

 

“Why?”

 

“When I hunt and see their eyes, I can’t bring myself to eat them.”

 

At Julion’s straightforward answer, I let out a small gasp. Certainly, deer eyes have the power to stir one’s heart.

 

When I nodded my head in agreement, Julion asked again.

 

“What about you?”

 

“I……”

 

Favorite food.

 

I couldn’t immediately answer.

 

I didn’t know.

 

‘Creamy chicken roast? No, avocado sandwich? Or perhaps roasted beef salad?’

 

There were several options that came to mind, but none stood out.

 

As I hesitated to answer, Julion seemed to give me a discerning look.

 

“I haven’t known you for long, but you seem to enjoy simple foods. Vegetable soup, potato salad, baguette with fresh cream. And surprisingly, you seem to like salmon cream steak too.”

 

All the foods Julion mentioned were ones I could easily affirm as my favorites.

 

Fanning myself to ward off the growing embarrassment, I avoided Julion’s gaze.

 

“You, it’s just that your favorites are so simple.”

 

“Whether they’re simple or not, those are my favorite foods.”

 

Even though I wasn’t making eye contact with Julion, I could feel his warm gaze on my skin.

 

“I understand that you’ve come this far with great effort. However, it would be better if you were a bit more… honest.”

 

“…….”

 

“Otherwise, the emotions you’ve been holding back will eventually overflow.”

 

Julion’s soft voice seeped into me like each word was gently delivered.

 

I glanced back at Julion, and even the familiar black hair seemed darker today. The golden eyes beneath it, too, seemed more…

 

Our eyes met for a few moments.

 

Feeling an odd sensation, I quickly turned my head.

 

“T-Thank you. I’ll take your advice to heart.”

 

“It’s not advice; it’s because I’m worried about you.”

 

“Whatever! Got it. I’ll listen to Julion next time, but for now, I’m already…”

 

What emotion was I feeling just now?

 

Surprisingly, I seemed to have momentarily forgotten why I was feeling down until a moment ago.

 

Reflecting on the conversation with Julion, a realization crossed my mind.

 

“You spoke up for me, expressing anger, disappointment, sadness, and sorrow.”

 

“That’s…….”

 

“Your words made me feel better. So, thank you, Julion. I appreciate it.”

 

“…If that’s the case, I’m glad.”

 

Contrary to his words, Julion had a somewhat displeased expression. 

 

But I truly feel better now.

 

I should now shake off concerns about Yeffa and move on.

 

I’ve done what I could, and now there’s no forgiveness left for Yeffa, who squandered even the last chance I gave.

 

“Thank you so much, Julion.”

 

I expressed my gratitude once again with a bright smile.

 

At that moment, Julion abruptly turned his gaze, which he had been fixed on all this time, away.

 

“What’s wrong? Are you still mad at me?”

 

“I have never been mad at you.”

 

“Well… Alright then. It seems like we should discuss our next steps now.”

 

“Next steps?”

 

Julion tilted his head in confusion. I, too, had a puzzled expression on my face.

 

“Yes, next steps. So, may I call Sir Ares?”

 

I phrased my words in the form of a question, seeking Julion’s permission.

 

At the mention of calling Ares, Julion visibly frowned but soon nodded reluctantly.

 

“Ares doesn’t have anything to do, so if you insist…”

 

As Julion complained softly, a sudden, dark shadow loomed.

 

Ares, who had overheard the conversation, appeared, expressing his dissatisfaction.

 

“Your Highness, how can you say that when I’ve been working so hard? It’s disheartening!”

 

He pouted his lips as if he had heard Julion’s words.

 

Despite Ares’ outburst, Julion remained unfazed. He glanced at me, his eyes sparkling.

 

“Your Highness, you know, don’t you? How devotedly I work for His Highness!”

 

At that moment, a familiar voice, accompanied by a knock, echoed.

 

“Your Highness, it’s Hemion! May I come in?”

 

“That’s right, Your Highness also ordered for Hemion Martin to be protected, and I’ve been dutifully performing that too!”

 

While Ares continued his loud proclamation, I nodded to Zenid to open the door.

 

Upon entering, Hemion, covered with various stains, began speaking about inquiries regarding herbs but abruptly stopped.

 

“I wanted to ask about some herbs… Oh?”

 

Seeing Julion, Hemion quickly straightened up and bowed.

 

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

Raising her head again, Hemion grinned as she noticed Ares present.

 

“I see you’re all here. Is it some sort of strategy meeting?”

 

The olive-green eyes, previously clouded with fatigue, regained their sparkle.

 

I chuckled and gestured for Hemion to join.

 

“Yeah, that’s right. You came at the right time, Hemion. Come over and have a seat.”

 

Hemion, still puzzled, cautiously approached me and took a seat next to me.

 

Ares, ever chatty, chimed in.

 

“Hemion Martin, you know how hard I’ve been working, right?”

 

“Huh? Ah…… of course, thank you, Sir Ares.”

 

At some point, Ares began addressing Hemion casually, almost like talking to a close friend.

 

“Normally, I don’t escort just anyone as a highly skilled knight. You know that, right?”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Of course. But Her Highness wanted you to be guarded by me…”

 

My mind was in a whirl.

 

Ares began passionately explaining to Hemion how devotedly he had been serving me.

 

He said he was close friends with Julion, and I felt like he was really comfortable with me.

 

‘No wonder Julion was hesitant to call him.’

 

Recalling Ares’ unjust expression, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. At that moment, my eyes met Julion’s, who was sitting across from me.

 

His golden eyes, which had long since avoided mine, met mine again amidst the commotion.

 

“It’s Cepheo Tea.”

 

Zenid had silently prepared tea not only for Ares and Hemion but also switched mine and Julion’s tea to something warmer.

 

“Thank you, Zenid.”

 

I slowly raised the cup. A fragrant aroma rose from the pale pink tea.

 

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes for a moment and then opened them again.

 

Julion’s gaze remained fixed on me, unwavering.

 

Perhaps it was because his gaze was unusually warm. Or maybe it was the pleasant scent of Cepheo tea.

 

I couldn’t help but smile.

 

“After all, I do so much for you, Your Highness; it’s unfair!”

 

Listening to Ares’ voice, which seemed more lively than usual, I lowered the tea cup.

 

“Indeed, Sir Ares has worked hard.”

 

As I agreed, a bright smile spread across Ares’ face.

 

Before he could start another round of chatter, I brought up the important matter.

 

“Enough chit-chat; let’s get down to business.”

 

Next is Roxis.

 

The time had come for the seeds I had sown to bear fruit. By now, Roxis has likely reached the point where he wants to die, writhing in agony.

 

When I changed the subject, Julion responded as if he’d been waiting for it.

 

“Alright. Does visiting Countess Rivolain have something to do with the next step?”

 

I had mentioned it in passing earlier; Julion seemed to have kept it in mind.

 

I nodded, glancing at Ares, Hemion, and Zenid.

 

All of them returned with serious expressions, as if asking when we had ever chatted casually.

 

“That’s right. I need to be outside the palace so that Roxis can easily find me.”

 

Roxis must be desperate to meet me.

 

However, infiltrating Garnet Palace, which had stricter security than ever, was nearly impossible. Especially considering his current wanted status.

 

“Anyway, to explain in detail…”

 

At that moment, Julion’s eyebrows shot up, and wrinkles formed on his forehead.

 

“Rohiriel. Are you saying that you’ll be the bait?”

 

Julion’s eyes, looking at me, burned intensely, as if a fire had ignited in his gaze.

 

 

 

𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊